HISTORY

The Actual Niagara Campaign of 1814

The campaign on the Niagara front in 1814 finally proved the metal of the American army, but as it turned out it was nothing but an afterthought.

Secretary of War Armstrong's instructions for the summer campaign of 1814 was for the American army to sail across Lake Ontario to attack and capture Burlington. However in the same note, Armstrong noted that there would not be enough ships on the lake to supply the army once it arrived at its intended landing site. This would leave the American army cut off and out of supply.

Perhaps recognizing that he was asking the impossible, his letter made a side comment that perhaps a crossing could be made to capture the lightly defended Ft. Erie and then the army could march north along the river from there.