Horton Journal of Canadian History ~ Papers
Laura Secord and her Involvement in the War of 1812
By
Melissa Newcomb
On June 1st, 1812 President James Madison declared war on Canada. According to him there were five different reasons why a war was needed: first was the impressment of American citizens into the British navy; second, he complained of the British ships off the coast stopping and searching American vessels; third was the British blockade by which, he said his, " commerce had been plundered in every sea". (Turner, 33); forth came the Orders in Council. Finally Madison stated, " In reviewing the conduct of Great Britain towards the United States our attention is necessarily drawn to the warfare just renewed by the savages on the savages on one of our extensive frontiers." (Turner, 33)
On June 23rd, 1813 five hundred American soldiers marched into Queenston, Upper Canada where they stayed the night. The next day the soldiers started on their way to Beaver Dams; the Americans had planned a secret attack to invade and capture De Cew, a large home in Beaver Dams. This house was used as a base for Lt. FitzGibbon. Dew Cew was also a supply depot for arms and ammunition. The mills on the property were used to grind grain for the fifty soldiers that were stationed there. The Americans arrived prepared to surprise the British but when they were almost to Beaver Dams the soldiers were ambushed by one hundred Mohawks. Later Lt. FitzGibbon wrote, "…not a shot had been fired on our side by any but the Indian. They beat the American detachment into a state of terror." (Turner, 76) The battle was seen as a Canadian victory but they would not have won if it were not for the natives. The battle at Beaver Dams was small compared to some but it was very significant because it lowered the American morale. This attack was suppose to be a simple victory for the Americans but they lost. (Turner, 75-77)
However, if it was not for the brave and courageous actions of one woman the outcome of Beaver Dams could have been very different. If it were not for these actions the secret plan of the Americans would have been a success. This woman was Laura Secord. Laura Secord was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts on September 13th, 1775. When Laura was young her mother died, leaving her to take care of her three younger sisters. When Laura was eighteen her father decided that he on longer wanted to live under the United States government and moved his family to Upper Canada (today Southern Ontario). At the age of twenty-two Laura was married to James Secord. They lived a safe and comfortable life in the village of Queenston until the Americans came. ( http://smcdsb.edu.on.ca/mdy/Secord.htm)
On October 13th, 1812 two hundred American soldiers came across the Niagara River to Queenston. Fifty soldiers from Queenston went to the waterfront to protect their village. Before daybreak three hundred more American soldiers came to Queenston. The American soldiers came "commanding money and supplies and searching for weapons." (McLeod, 43) The people living in the village were very frightened, including Laura Secord. In fact she was so frightened that she took her children to a farm about one mile outside of Queenston. By the time the Battle of Queenston Heights was over there were three different encounters between the British and the Canadians and the Americans. The British and Canadians lost the first two battles but won the third. During one of these battles James Secord was injured. Laura had to wait until the sound of the firing guns was over before she could go and try to find her wounded husband. Laura did find her husband and took him back to their home. When the arrived home they found that the Americans had taken advantage of the empty Secord home and ransacked it, what was not stolen was damaged. After this winter came and the Americans drew back. (http://mdmd.essortment.com/whoislaurasec_rjcg.htm)
In June of 1813 three soldiers billeted the small Secord home. The soldiers occupied two bedrooms, leaving Laura and her family with the kitchen and one bedroom. On the night of June 20th 1813 Laura Secord overheard the soldiers talking about their plan to attack Lt. FitzGibbon at De Cew in Beaver Dams. Laura knew that FitzGibbon would have to be warned but James was injured and could not make it all the way to Beaver Dams. Laura was the only one who could go. She left before dawn the next morning. First Laura went to St. David’s, which was less than one half hour away, to see her half brother Charles. She had hoped that her half-brother could go on the voyage with her, however, he was very ill. Laura’s twenty-year-old niece Elizabeth, who was engaged to Charles, agreed to go with her. (http://www.histori.ca/historica/eng_site/minutes/minutes_online/secord.html;
http://mdmd.essortment.com/whoislaurasec_rjcg.htm)
Laura and Elizabeth could not take the main road to Beaver Dams because it would be guarded with American soldiers. Instead of this ten-mile journey Laura and Elizabeth were forced to take a longer journey of nineteen miles. They would have to travel through muddy roads and swamps that were deeper than usual because of a recent rain. Because Laura had to leave to quickly and discreetly she was not wearing proper shoes, only house slippers. Elizabeth was ill and was holding Laura back so she stayed in a small town along the way called Shipman’s Corner. Laura went on the rest of the way alone having to travel through field and forests with the fear of coming upon "wildcats that pounced on their prey from trees, wolves that were very common… and there was the danger of rattlesnakes." (McKenzie, 56) Some natives found Laura after she had passed out from exhaustion. She explained the importance of her mission and they took her the rest of the way to De Cew. When Laura arrived at De Cew she burst into the house and told Lt. FitzGibbon what the Americans had planned. Because of Laura FitzGibbon knew about the attack on the 22nd and had ample time to prepare for when the Americans arrived on the 23rd.
(http://mdmd.essortment.com/whoislaurasec_rjcg.htm; ) http://smcdsb.edu.on.ca/mdy/Secord.htm
If Laura Secord had not have made the journey to warn FitzGibbon would the outcome have been the same? No one can really say for sure but the chances of FitzGibbon having such a tremendous victory are very unlikely. Because of Laura FitzGibbon had the time that he needed to prepare. It is much easier to prepare for an attack if you know it is coming. Laura was very brave and did a very courageous deed to help protect her country. If someone other than Laura had overheard the invasion plans they may not have reacted in the same way. Laura could have just as easily stayed at home where she knew she was safe after overhearing the plans but she knew that this secret attack could be a great tragedy for the Canadian soldiers. In FitzGibbon’s official records Laura Secord’s name was never mentioned even once. FitzGibbon took all of the credit. The victory was a great one and him being credited for the victory would have greatly influenced his career. In later years FitzGibbon did admit that Laura Secord did in fact some to De Cew and did warn him about the Americana invasion. Many monuments have now been erected in honor of Laura Secord sop she will forever be remembered for her courage and loyalty to her country. (http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/people/secord_speach.html)
Bibliography
Carroll, Cheryl. "Who is Laura Secord?"http://mdmd.essortment.com/whoislaurasec_rjcg.htm
McKenzie, Ruth. Laura Secord the Legend and the Lady. Toronto, 1972
Turner, Wesley. The War of 1812 The War that Both Sides Won. Toronto, 1990
" Laura Secord" http://www.histori.ca/historica/eng_site/minutes/minutes_online/secord.html
" Laura Secord" http://smcdsb.edu.on.ca/mdy/Secord.htm
" Laura Secord" http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/people/secord_speach.html
