 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Artifacts from the War of 1812
and the 1837 Rebellion donated
to the Canadian War Museum
Artifacts belonging to Colonel James FitzGibbon
donated to museum by descendants
Ottawa — In a ceremony held Dec. 10, 2003, at the Canadian War
Museum (CWM), artifacts belonging to Colonel James FitzGibbon were
donated to the Museum by his descendants. James FitzGibbon served
with distinction in the War of 1812 and the 1837 Rebellion in Upper
Canada.
Born in 1780 into a family of farmers and weavers in Ireland, FitzGibbon
fought in the Napoleonic Wars before coming to Canada with the 49th
Regiment of Foot. During the War of 1812, he served at the Battles of
Stoney Creek and Lundy's Lane. In June 1813, Lieutenant FitzGibbon
personally received Laura Secord’s warning that American troops were
planning on attacking the massed British and Canadian forces at Beaver
Dams, on the Niagara Peninsula. Ultimately, the numerically superior
American forces surrendered to FitzGibbon. This victory made him a
popular hero. The officers of the 49th presented him with a gold medal.
The Montreal Gazette praised his, “cool determination and ... hardy
presence of mind.”
After the war, FitzGibbon became a public servant in the Upper Canada
administration. By 1837, he was Acting Adjutant-General of Militia and
led the government army against William Lyon Mackenzie's reformers at
Montgomery's Tavern.
FitzGibbon traveled back to England in 1847. In 1850, he was appointed
a Military Knight of Windsor. He died in 1863 at Windsor Castle and is
buried in the crypt of St. George's Chapel.
“James FitzGibbon played an important military role in two of Canada’s
defining moments in history,” said Joe Geurts, Director and CEO of the
Canadian War Museum. “The Battle of Beaver Dams, where he received
Laura Secord’s warning, is a Canadian historical legend shared from
generation to generation. Although lesser known, his role in the 1837
Rebellion — where radical reformers were threatening Upper Canada’s
stability — did shape the country we know today. The Canadian War
Museum is grateful to the family for this important donation, which we
will hold in trust for future generations.”
The Colonel James FitzGibbon artifact set consists of a sword and King
George signet ring presented by Lord d’Este; a sword-belt and sash
worn by FitzGibbon; a Military Knights of Windsor ceremonial sword; an
oil painting of the Colonel, two books and a letter.
Background information of FitzGibbon
Source: Canadian War Museum, Ottawa
When Laura Secord made her famous walk in 1813, she was looking for
James FitzGibbon.
FitzGibbon, a British professional soldier, was born in County Limerick,
Ireland, in 1780. He joined the army as a private when he was only
fifteen years old. By 1802, when the regiment landed at Quebec, he was
a sergeant in the 49th Regiment of Foot. His commander Isaac Brock
quickly perceived that FitzGibbon was an exceptional soldier. At a time
when most officers bought their commissions, Brock made FitzGibbon an
officer in 1806 and promoted him to lieutenant in 1809.
When the United States declared war on Great Britain and invaded
Canada during the War of 1812, FitzGibbon played a leading role in the
defence of Upper Canada. He served at the Battles of Stoney Creek
(1813) and Lundy's Lane (1814), which turned back two American
invasions that could have led to the conquest of Canada. However,
FitzGibbon is best known for his involvement with Laura Secord and the
Battle of Beaver Dams on July 22, 1813.
Three weeks after the Battle of Stoney Creek, Americans based in the
captured British post of Fort George on the Niagara Peninsula remained
a threat to Upper Canada. To counter this threat, FitzGibbon organized a
troop of fifty volunteers from the 49th Regiment of Foot. Based in a
house near Beaver Dams (now Thorold, Ontario), FitzGibbon's soldiers
harassed the Americans at Fort George. They wore grey coats for
camouflage, and planned to use cow-bells to pass signals through the
forest and to make any American who heard them think that the British
soldiers were a stray herd of cattle. When FitzGibbon's continual raids
threatened the American garrison at Fort George, the American
commander sent Lieutenant Colonel Charles Boerstler of the 14th United
States Infantry with about five hundred infantry, light dragoons, and
artillerymen to attack FitzGibbon's base.
Boerstler's force marched on the same day. The expedition was a closely
guarded secret. Boerstler hoped to take FitzGibbon by surprise. The
Americans posted guards around the town of Queenston and along the
route to keep Canadians who saw the expedition from informing the
British.
These precautions proved futile. Laura Secord overheard American
officers discussing the operation and set off to warn FitzGibbon. On the
way, she met a force of about 400 Mohawk and Odawa warriors. The
warriors marched out to confront the invaders and Secord continued on
to Fitzgibbon's headquarters.
As the Americans approached the British base, the outnumbered
Mohawks and Odawas opened fire from cover. The Americans -
outmanoeuvred, outfought, and completely intimidated - fell back in
confusion. After three hours, only fear of the warriors kept them from
surrendering.
At this point FitzGibbon arrived with his troop of 50 men. Keeping them
under cover to conceal their numbers, he bluffed the Americans into
laying down their arms by claiming that a much larger British force was
on the way and that failure to surrender immediately might lead to a
massacre. Of the American force, 462 became prisoners, and 56 were
killed and wounded.
The victory at Beaver Dams made FitzGibbon a popular hero. The officers
of the 49th Regiment of Foot presented him with a gold medal The
Montreal Gazette newspaper praised his, "cool determination and ...
hardy presence of mind." He was promoted to captain in the Glengarry
Light Fencibles.
After the war, FitzGibbon remained in Upper Canada, where he became
a militia colonel and public servant. When radical reformers led by William
Lyon Mackenzie rose in revolt in December 1837, FitzGibbon took
command of the defence of Upper Canada.
Appointed Acting Adjutant-General of Militia, he organized the force that
turned back Mackenzie's march on Toronto.
As Mackenzie and about 600 followers marched down Yonge Street
toward Toronto on December 5, FitzGibbon posted 27 militia just south
of Bloor Street. When the two forces met, both sides opened fire and
then both sides fled in opposite directions. However, if the battle itself
had been farcical, the pro-government forces won a clear victory by
turning back the rebel column.
On the afternoon of December 7, FitzGibbon took the offensive. He led
about 1000 militia up Yonge Street, past Eglinton, and attacked
Mackenzie's headquarters at Montgomery's Tavern. Only a single rebel
died during this attack, while five of FitzGibbon's men were wounded.
Half an hour after the battle began, the rebels fled and the rebellion
came to an end.
FitzGibbon traveled to England in 1847. In 1850, he was appointed a
Military Knight of Windsor. He died in 1863 at Windsor Castle and is
buried in the crypt of St. George's Chapel.
and the 1837 Rebellion donated
to the Canadian War Museum
Artifacts belonging to Colonel James FitzGibbon
donated to museum by descendants
Ottawa — In a ceremony held Dec. 10, 2003, at the Canadian War
Museum (CWM), artifacts belonging to Colonel James FitzGibbon were
donated to the Museum by his descendants. James FitzGibbon served
with distinction in the War of 1812 and the 1837 Rebellion in Upper
Canada.
Born in 1780 into a family of farmers and weavers in Ireland, FitzGibbon
fought in the Napoleonic Wars before coming to Canada with the 49th
Regiment of Foot. During the War of 1812, he served at the Battles of
Stoney Creek and Lundy's Lane. In June 1813, Lieutenant FitzGibbon
personally received Laura Secord’s warning that American troops were
planning on attacking the massed British and Canadian forces at Beaver
Dams, on the Niagara Peninsula. Ultimately, the numerically superior
American forces surrendered to FitzGibbon. This victory made him a
popular hero. The officers of the 49th presented him with a gold medal.
The Montreal Gazette praised his, “cool determination and ... hardy
presence of mind.”
After the war, FitzGibbon became a public servant in the Upper Canada
administration. By 1837, he was Acting Adjutant-General of Militia and
led the government army against William Lyon Mackenzie's reformers at
Montgomery's Tavern.
FitzGibbon traveled back to England in 1847. In 1850, he was appointed
a Military Knight of Windsor. He died in 1863 at Windsor Castle and is
buried in the crypt of St. George's Chapel.
“James FitzGibbon played an important military role in two of Canada’s
defining moments in history,” said Joe Geurts, Director and CEO of the
Canadian War Museum. “The Battle of Beaver Dams, where he received
Laura Secord’s warning, is a Canadian historical legend shared from
generation to generation. Although lesser known, his role in the 1837
Rebellion — where radical reformers were threatening Upper Canada’s
stability — did shape the country we know today. The Canadian War
Museum is grateful to the family for this important donation, which we
will hold in trust for future generations.”
The Colonel James FitzGibbon artifact set consists of a sword and King
George signet ring presented by Lord d’Este; a sword-belt and sash
worn by FitzGibbon; a Military Knights of Windsor ceremonial sword; an
oil painting of the Colonel, two books and a letter.
Background information of FitzGibbon
Source: Canadian War Museum, Ottawa
When Laura Secord made her famous walk in 1813, she was looking for
James FitzGibbon.
FitzGibbon, a British professional soldier, was born in County Limerick,
Ireland, in 1780. He joined the army as a private when he was only
fifteen years old. By 1802, when the regiment landed at Quebec, he was
a sergeant in the 49th Regiment of Foot. His commander Isaac Brock
quickly perceived that FitzGibbon was an exceptional soldier. At a time
when most officers bought their commissions, Brock made FitzGibbon an
officer in 1806 and promoted him to lieutenant in 1809.
When the United States declared war on Great Britain and invaded
Canada during the War of 1812, FitzGibbon played a leading role in the
defence of Upper Canada. He served at the Battles of Stoney Creek
(1813) and Lundy's Lane (1814), which turned back two American
invasions that could have led to the conquest of Canada. However,
FitzGibbon is best known for his involvement with Laura Secord and the
Battle of Beaver Dams on July 22, 1813.
Three weeks after the Battle of Stoney Creek, Americans based in the
captured British post of Fort George on the Niagara Peninsula remained
a threat to Upper Canada. To counter this threat, FitzGibbon organized a
troop of fifty volunteers from the 49th Regiment of Foot. Based in a
house near Beaver Dams (now Thorold, Ontario), FitzGibbon's soldiers
harassed the Americans at Fort George. They wore grey coats for
camouflage, and planned to use cow-bells to pass signals through the
forest and to make any American who heard them think that the British
soldiers were a stray herd of cattle. When FitzGibbon's continual raids
threatened the American garrison at Fort George, the American
commander sent Lieutenant Colonel Charles Boerstler of the 14th United
States Infantry with about five hundred infantry, light dragoons, and
artillerymen to attack FitzGibbon's base.
Boerstler's force marched on the same day. The expedition was a closely
guarded secret. Boerstler hoped to take FitzGibbon by surprise. The
Americans posted guards around the town of Queenston and along the
route to keep Canadians who saw the expedition from informing the
British.
These precautions proved futile. Laura Secord overheard American
officers discussing the operation and set off to warn FitzGibbon. On the
way, she met a force of about 400 Mohawk and Odawa warriors. The
warriors marched out to confront the invaders and Secord continued on
to Fitzgibbon's headquarters.
As the Americans approached the British base, the outnumbered
Mohawks and Odawas opened fire from cover. The Americans -
outmanoeuvred, outfought, and completely intimidated - fell back in
confusion. After three hours, only fear of the warriors kept them from
surrendering.
At this point FitzGibbon arrived with his troop of 50 men. Keeping them
under cover to conceal their numbers, he bluffed the Americans into
laying down their arms by claiming that a much larger British force was
on the way and that failure to surrender immediately might lead to a
massacre. Of the American force, 462 became prisoners, and 56 were
killed and wounded.
The victory at Beaver Dams made FitzGibbon a popular hero. The officers
of the 49th Regiment of Foot presented him with a gold medal The
Montreal Gazette newspaper praised his, "cool determination and ...
hardy presence of mind." He was promoted to captain in the Glengarry
Light Fencibles.
After the war, FitzGibbon remained in Upper Canada, where he became
a militia colonel and public servant. When radical reformers led by William
Lyon Mackenzie rose in revolt in December 1837, FitzGibbon took
command of the defence of Upper Canada.
Appointed Acting Adjutant-General of Militia, he organized the force that
turned back Mackenzie's march on Toronto.
As Mackenzie and about 600 followers marched down Yonge Street
toward Toronto on December 5, FitzGibbon posted 27 militia just south
of Bloor Street. When the two forces met, both sides opened fire and
then both sides fled in opposite directions. However, if the battle itself
had been farcical, the pro-government forces won a clear victory by
turning back the rebel column.
On the afternoon of December 7, FitzGibbon took the offensive. He led
about 1000 militia up Yonge Street, past Eglinton, and attacked
Mackenzie's headquarters at Montgomery's Tavern. Only a single rebel
died during this attack, while five of FitzGibbon's men were wounded.
Half an hour after the battle began, the rebels fled and the rebellion
came to an end.
FitzGibbon traveled to England in 1847. In 1850, he was appointed a
Military Knight of Windsor. He died in 1863 at Windsor Castle and is
buried in the crypt of St. George's Chapel.