Battle of Stoney Creek Re-enacted on its Bicentennial

 

 

Vincent J. Curtis

3 June 2013
 

Over six hundred re-enactors crowded the old battlefield to re-enact the Battle of Stoney Creek on its bicentennial anniversary.  The Battle of Stoney Creek, which took place on June 6, 1813, was a decisive battle of the War of 1812 as the victory ultimately decided that Upper Canada would remain in British hands.

 

The weekend festivities featured over three hundred officers and other ranks, with an equal number of re-enactors dressed as sutlers (collectively, the mobile, private enterprise CANEX of its day), settlers, natives, artillerists, and camp followers.  Featured events included demonstrations of American and British field evolutions, or ‘drill’ as it was quaintly called, and the firing of period artillery pieces.

 

The sight of the restored RCAF Lancaster Bomber of Canadian Warplane Heritage, which overflew the battlefield in the morning, Merlin engines purring, did not seem to auger well for American prospects.

 

After an artillery demonstration, the re-enactment began near twilight with the marching of the British troops, dressed in customary red tunics, to the south end of the battlefield.  The line of Red Coats marching in ranks of four ran for over 100 meters end-to-end and looked powerful in numbers alone; even dangerous.  The Royal Scots Grenadiers re-enactors stood in for the 49^th Regiment of Foot and the 8^th King’s Regiment.

 

The demonstration of black-powder musketry and volley-fire during the battle re-enactment was quite realistic; all that was missing were whizzing lead balls and bayonet charges.  The battle raged back-and-forth for a good thirty minutes.  Then, as night deepened, the line of Red Coats began an inexorable advance, culminating in the famous rush made by Sgt Alexander Fraser of the 49^th, his brother Peter, and about thirty other volunteers.  In a feat which would win a Victoria Cross today, Fraser and his cohorts rushed directly at an American artillery battery, captured it, and subsequently captured the two senior American generals, John Chandler and William Winder, along with seventy-five rank and file.

 

With the battle won, the battlefield proceedings ended with the women of the camp marching in single file onto the field, each carrying a lit lantern.  As the moderator read out a name of one the deceased of the battle, a lantern was extinguished.  The spectators were both moved and appreciative.

 

Night having completely enveloped the battlefield, the American forces withdrew to their camp, and the re-assembled Red Coats marched in column of route back to theirs, to much applause for a stunning performance.

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