Queenston

13 October 1812

This battle straddled the banks of the Niagara River at Queenston as an American force invaded Canada.

The Americans, under General Stephen van Rensselaer, had more than 3000 men - two thirds of which were militia.

The defending British were led by General Sir Isaac Brock and only numbered 1000 men.

The tactical situation swung markedly in Brock's favour, however, when the American regular soldiers crossed the river and found themselves in trouble on two fronts.

Firstly, they were tied down by accurate defensive fire and then their erstwhile militia comrades refused to leave American soil.

Brock took advantage of the situation and smashed the isolated Americans, whose countrymen watched from across the river.

The British lost 14 killed, including Brock, and 96 casualities, while the Americans suffered 250 killed and 700 men taken prisoner.