HISTORY OF THE 23rd REGIMENT

History of the 23rd: Fort George

Landing in the first wave of the assault on Ft. George was one company of the 23rd Infantry Regiment. Commanded by Captain Peter Mills, who had only just joined the Army in July of 1812, the 23rd was the newest regiment selected to take part in the initial landings. As often is the case, for the Army of the Centre, whole regiments rarely fought together. Companies were often selected from various regiments . . . according to their abilities . . . and formed into temporary brigades for the length of a single battle. For a company from a regiment that was less than a year old to be selected for the landing brigade must have meant that they were outstanding in some way. They were selected by Winfield Scott himself, a man who was not easily impressed.

Captain Mills would go on to fight at Stoney Creek and was captured there. He would return to service with the regiment in 1814 . . . although still only a captain.

Altogether, approximately 350 men of the 23rd infantry regiments served at Ft. George under the overall command of Maj. Henry Armstrong.

Capt. Daniel McFarland, who would later command the 23rd, was
nearby . . . in command of 100 men of the 22nd Infantry Regiment.

[Top photo courtesy of our Canadian friend Niagara Mike]