inct invasions of
Canada by superior forces of the enemy were defeated." Out of fifty-six
military and naval engagements between the British and U.S. forces,
thirty-six were won by the British. Though the victories of 1812 were
the direct factors that brought about a change in the national destiny
of Canada, "Queenston Heights was not the culminating feat of arms." As
a result of brooding over these disasters that had befallen the "Grand
Army of the West," and the "national disgrace" of overwhelming defeat,
the people of the United States, as a whole, independent of politics,
"were now"--so write American chroniclers--"compelled to become
belligerents."

In consequence of this national thirst for revenge, Generals Harrison
and Winchester started to look for trouble in January, 1813, and--were
rewarded. Strongly stockaded at Frenchtown, on the Raisin River, with a
seasoned army, they invited attack. Colonel Procter, with 500 soldiers
and 800 Indians under Roundhead, accepted the challenge, and making a
furious attack upon Winchester before daybreak, took the General and 405
of his "Grand Army" prisoners. Brockville was then raided, and fifty-two
citizens kidnapped by the U.S. soldiers. During the next two years raids
of this nature were of frequent occurrence, first by one belligerent,
then by the other, and with varying success. Major Macdonald's capture
of Ogdensburg, when he took eleven guns and 500 U.S. soldiers, was the
next big win for Canada.

In April, to balance the account, General Pike descended upon York. The
capital of Upper Canada at that time had a population of only 1,000, and
was weakly garrisoned. While the enemy was advancing upon the small fort
to the west of the village, a powder magazine exploded, killing many on
both sides. General Sheaffe, thoroughly alarmed at the prospect,
destroyed his stores, and, after 300 of his force had been captured,
retreated with the remainder to Kingston--for which he was severely
censured--and York surrendered. Then Procter, inflated by his victory at
Frenchtown, and overrating his military skill, attacked Fort Meigs, on
the Maumee River, was badly repulsed, and hopelessly lost all prestige.

This defeat of the British was followed by Dearborn's assault upon Fort
George. With 7,000 men behind him, aided by the guns of Chauncey's fleet
at the river mouth, he captured the time-worn fortification, and the
Niagara frontier--despite the dogged resistance of General Vince