Monday, October 23, 2017

Battle of Crysler's Farm Historical Site

The Battle of Crysler's Farm historical site encompasses a large area of land that includes many features, the focal point of which is the Battle of Crysler's Farm Monument. The site includes a visitors' centre that offers information about the War of 1812 battle with displays of artifacts related to it. The site occupies a place between County Road 2 and the St. Lawrence River, west of Upper Canada Village.


The Battle of Crysler's Farm did not happen on the memorial site. The battle took place at a location west of the memorial site that is now under water due to the St. Lawrence Seaway project, completed in 1959. The mound on which the Battle of Crysler's Farm monument stands was built using earth taken from the site of the battle.








PARKS
OF THE
ST. LAWRENCE






THE ST. LAWRENCE PARKS COMMISSION
IS PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE
THE GIFT OF THE
WOMEN'S INSTITUTE ROSE

DONATED BY THE DUNDAS DISTRICT WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR
100TH ANNIVERSARY
1897 - 1997

LA COMMISSION DES PARCS DU SAINT-LAURENT
EST RECONNAISANTE DE
RECEVOIR EN CADEAU
LA ROSE DE L'INSTITUT FÉMININ

UN DON DES
INSTITUS FÉMININS DE LA RÉGION DE DUNDAS

EN L'HONNEUR DE LEUR
100e ANNIVERSAIRE
1897 - 1997

Parks of the St. Lawrence
Les Parcs du Saint-Laurent

THE ST. LAWRENCE
PARKS COMMISSION
AN AGENCY OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO

LA COMMISSION DES
PARCS DU SAINT-LAURENT
UN AGENCE DU
GOUVERNEMENT DE L'ONTARIO










THE ST. LAWRENCE
PARKS COMMISSION
IS PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE
THE ASSISTANC OF
THE ONTARIO
HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY
AND ITS MEMBERS
AT THE DISTRICT AND
LOCAL CLUB LEVE IN
THE DEVELOPMENT OF
THIS ROSE GARDEN.
SEPTEMBER 21, 1985

LA COMMISSION
DES PARCS DU SAINT-LAURENT
A LE PLAISIR DE SOULIGNER
D'ASSISTANCE DE
THE ONTARIO
HORTICULTURAL
SOCIETY
ET DE SES MEMBRES
DU DISTRICT ET
DES CLUBS LOCAUX
DANS L'AMÉNAGEMENT
DE LA ROSERAIE.
LE 21 SEPTEMBRE 1985













Just to give you an idea of its size, the battle's memorial site, not including adjacent land that could be considered part of it, measures about 3/4 of a kilometer (.46 mile) long by 185 meters (608 ft.) wide (13.8 hectares/34.25 acres).











The text on this plaque has been so badly affected by the weather I can't read it.
Otherwise I would have transcribed it. I told the person in the Visitors' Centre
about it, which surprised them. I expect it will be refurbished.



QUEEN ELIZABETH GARDENS
THE POND & THE FOUNTAIN


Through history fountains have been placed to celebrate and symbolize achievement and to commemorate great events. This fountain, with the pond and surrounding flower banks was created to commemorate the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ontario in 1984 by the Province on behalf of the people of Ontario.

North of the pond is a wetland area, with wildflowers and wetland shrubs, some from seeds collected locally.

(I looked around there but did not see a fountain.)


LE JARDIN REINE ÉLIZABETH
L'ÉTANG ET LA FONTAINE


D'âge en âge des fontaines ont été édifiées pour célébrer et symboliser les réalisations des hommes et commémorer les grands événements. Cette fontaine, l'étang et les talus de fleurs adjacents ont été érigés au nom des citoyens de l'Ontario par le gouvernement de la province pour commémorer la visite de la reine Élizabeth II en Ontario, en 1984.

Au nord de l'étang s'étend une zone marécageuse jonchée de fleurs sauvages et d'arbustes dont certains proviennent de graines recueillies dans la région.

(J'ai regardé autour de là mais je n'ai pas vu une fontaine.)




Crysler's Farm Battlefield
MEMORIAL BUILDING ♦ BÂTIMENT COMMÉMORATIF DE LA
Bataille-de-la-Ferme-Crysler

THE ST. LAWRENCE PARKS COMMISSION·An agency of the Government of Ontario
LA COMMISSION DES PARCS DU SAINT-LAURENT·un organisme du gouvernement de l'Ontario



BATTLE OF CRYSLER'S FARM 1813
In November, 1813, and American army of some 8000 men, commanded by Major-General Wilkinson, moved down the St. Lawrence en route to Montreal. Wilkinson was followed and harassed by a British "corps of observation" consisting of about 800 regulars, militia and Indians commanded by Lieut.-Col. Joseph Morrison. On November 11, Morrison's force, established in a defensive position on John Crysler's farm, was attacked by a contingent of the American army numbering about 4000 men commanded by Brigadier-General J. P. Boyd. The hard fought engagement ended with the Americans' withdrawal from the battlefield. This reverse, combined with the defeat of another invading army at Chateauguay on October 26, saved Canada from conquest in 1813.
Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario






War of 1812 Light 6 Pounder Gun

This is a replica of a typical 6 pounder (2.7 kg) muzzle loading gun (guns were measured by the weight of the solid shot they fired) as used both by British and US Artillery in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Crysler's Farm. Made out of cast iron, bronze wa also used extensively by both sides for guns of this size. Bore size is 3.66 inches (9.3 cm). It had a range of 1200 yards (1097 m) with solid shot and 300 yards (274 m) with grape or canister shot with a firing rate of 2 or 3 rounds a minute. It was drawn by 4 or 6 horses hitched to a 2 wheeled limber which doubled as a munitions wagon. A gun crew consisted of up to 15 men plus horse riders and handlers.

This gun was made possible in part by a donation from the Friends of the Crysler's Farm Battlefield and a grant from Heritage Canada in 2013 in recognition of the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Crysler's Farm that took place on November 11, 1813 on the Casselman, Loucks, Fetterly, Atkinson, Haines and Boucks farms.






BRITISH COURT OF HONOUR


IN GRATEFUL MEMORY
OF THE
BRILLIANT SERVICE AND GALLANT CONDUCT
OF
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOSEPH W. MORRISON
OF THE 89TH REGIMENT OF FOOT
OFFICER COMMANDING THE
VICTORIOUS BRITISH AND CANADIAN FORCES
AT
CRYSLER'S FARM
NOVEMBER 11, 1813


TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF
MORE THAN EIGHT HUNDRED OFFICERS AND MEN OF
THE ROYAL NAVY
THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY
THE 49TH REGIMENT OF FOOT
NOW DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S ROYAL REGIMENT
THE 89TH REGIMENT OF FOOT
NOW THE ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS
WHO DECISIVELY DEFEATED
A GREATLY SUPERIOR FORCE OF THE ENEMY
AT
CRYSLER'S FARM
NOVEMBER 11, 1813


The St. Lawrence Parks Commission gratefully acknowledges the outstanding contribution of the Friends of Crysler's Farm Battlefield to the preservation and promotion of the nationally significant military engagement fought on November 11, 1813 in a muddy farmer's field beside the St. Lawrence River. The Battle of Crysler's Farm marked the end of the most serious American attempt to conquer Canada during the War of 1812.

With the help of the Friends, the Battlefield Memorial Building was re-opened in 1999. A dedicated group of volunteers, the Friends have created renewed interest in the battle and its presentation to the Canadian people. It is thanks to their vision and successful fundraising efforts that the building is staffed, maintained, and open to the public during the main tourism season.

Since 2000, the Friends have been instrumental in sponsoring the yearly Military Re-enactment Weekend which has become Eastern Ontario's foremost living history event, and which attracts hundreds of re-enactors and thousands of visitors to the site.

The group's aim is to continue its partnership with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission towards a common goal of rejuvinating the Battlefield Memorial Building, the Memorial mound and the surrounding grounds.

This plaque was presented to the Friends on November 11, 2005 in recognition of their untiring commitement to raise awareness of the Battle of Crysler's Farm and the vital role it played in the history of Canada.


La Commission des parcs du Saint-Laurent reconnaît avec gratitude la contribution remaquable des Amis du champ de bataille de la ferme Crysler pour la préservation et la promotion de l'affrontement militaire d'importance nationale combattu le 11 novembre 1813 dans un champ boueux à côté de fleuve Saint-Laurent. La bataille de la ferme Crysler a marqué la fin de la plus sérieuse tentative américaine de conquérir le Canada pendant la guerre de 1812.

L'édifice commémoratif du champ de bataille a été ouvert de nouveau 1999 avec l'aide des Amis, un groupe de bénévoles dévoués, ont créé un intérêt renouvelé dans la bataille et sa présentation au peuple canadien. C'est grâce à leur vision et à leurs efforts de collecte de fonds que l'édifice est pourvu de personnel, entretendu, et ouvert au public pendant la principale saison touristique.

Depuis 2000, les Amis ont contribué à parrainer la fin de semaine de reconstitution militaire annuelle qui est devenue l'un des principaux événements d'histoire vivante de l'est de l'Ontario et attire des centaines d'interprètes militaires historiques et des milliers de visiteurs au site.

Le but de groupe est de continuer son partenariat avec la Commission des parcs du Saint-Laurent vers un but commun de rajeunir l'édifice commémoratif du champ de bataille, la colline commémorative et les terrains qui les entourent.

Cette plaque a été présentée aux Amis le 11 novembre 2005 en reconnaissance de leur inlassable dévouement à accroître la sensibilisation à la bataille de la ferme Crysler et le rôle vital qu'elle a joué dans l'histoire du Canada.


BATTLEFIED
OF CRYSLER'S FARM
PRO PATRIA

IN MEMORY OF

CAPTAIN THOMAS NAIRNE AND
LIEUTENANT DANIEL CLAUS
OF THE 49TH REGIMENT, LIEUTENANT
CHARLES DE LOIMIER OF THE
CANADIAN FENCIBLE REGIMENT AND
THE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
AND MEN OF THE 49TH, 39TH AND
CANADIAN FENCIBLE REGIMENT
AND THE CANADIAN VOLTIGEURS
KILLED IN ACTION.

Interactive diorama of the Battle of Crysler's Farm


CANADIAN COURT OF HONOUR

TO THE GLORIOUS MEMORY OF
MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED CANADIAN OFFICERS AND MEN
— DETACHMENTS FROM THE FOLLOWING UNITS:—
CANADIAN FENCIBLE REGIMENT (BRITISH ARMY)
MILITIA ARTILLERY
PROVINCIAL CORPS OF LIGHT INFANTRY
(CANADIAN VOLTIGEURS)
1ST REGIMENT STORMONT MILITIA
2ND REGIMENT GRENVILLE MILITIA
1ST REGIMENT LEEDS MILITIA
INDIAN DEPARTMENT — UPPER CANADA
WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE VICTORIOUS ACTION
AT
CRYSLER'S FARM
NOVEMBER 11, 1813


TO COMMEMORATE
THE OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE
UPPER CANADA MILITIA
WHO FOUGHT BRAVELY IN DEFENCE OF THE
ST. LAWRENCE FRONTIER
1812 - 1814

UNITS
1ST REGIMENT OF GLENGARRY MILITIA
2ND REGIMENT OF GLENGARRY MILITIA
1ST REGIMENT OF STORMONT MILITIA
1ST REGIMENT OF DUNDAS MILITIA
1ST REGIMENT OF GRENVILLE MILITIA
2ND REGIMENT OF GRENVILLE MILITIA
1ST REGIMENT OF LEEDS MILITIA
2ND REGIMENT OF LEEDS MILITIA
INDIAN DEPARTMENT — UPPER CANADA

ENGAGEMENTS

SALMON RIVER, 23RD NOV. 1812: 19TH AND 20TH FEB. 1814
OGDENSBURG, 22ND FEB. 1813: 4TH OCT. 1812
HOOPLE'S CREEK, 10TH NOV. 1813
CRYSLER'S FARM, 11TH NOV. 1813
TOUSSAINT'S ISLAND 16TH SEPT. 1812
PRESCOTT, 4TH OCT, 1812
BROCKVILLE 7TH FEB. 1812
GANANOQUE, 21ST SEPT. 1812





















IN COMMEMORATION OF
THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF

THE BATTLE OF CRYSLER'S FARM
THIS PLAQUE IS DEDICATED TO
THE CANADIAN AND AMERICAN NATIONS
WHOSE COMMON MEMORIES OF
OLD UNHAPPY FAR-OFF THINGS AND BATTLES LONG AGO
NOT ONLY CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR SEPARATE
HERITAGES AND TRADITIONS
BUT FORM A BOND BETWEEN
TWO FRIENDLY PEOPLES
ERECTED BY
THE ONTARIO—ST. LAWRENCE DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
JULY 1963

IN HONOUR OF
THE BRAVE MEN
WHO FOUGHT AND FELL

IN THE VICTORY OF
CRYSLER'S FARM
ON THE
11TH NOVEMBER 1813
THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED
BY THE
CANADIAN PARLIAMENT
1895


BATTLE OF CRYSLER'S FARM

Here, on the farm of John Crysler, was fought one of the decisive battles of the War of 1812. On 11 November 1813 Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Morrison, with 800 British and Canadian regulars, militia, and Indians, engaged an American force of 4,000 under Brigadier-General John Boyd. The open terrain was suited to the training of the well-drilled British regulars who, after two hours of heavy fighting, routed the enemy. This victory ended a major American thrust at Montreal.

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Government of Canada - 1923




BATAILLE DE LA FERME CRYSLER

Ici fut livrée des batailles décisives de la guerre de 1812. Le lieutenant-colonel Joseph Morrison, à la tête de 800 hommes (réguliers britanniques et canadiens, miliciens et Indiens) livrait combat, le 11 novembre 1813, aux 4000 homes du brigadier-général américain John Boyd. Les réguliers britannique, bien exercés au combat en rase campagne, mirent les Américains en fuite après deux heurs de rude bataille. Cette victoire brisa la poussée important de l'ennemi vers Montréal.

Commission des lieux et monuments historiques du Canada.
Gouvernement du Canada - 1923