Between July, 1812 and November 5th, 1814, “twelve distinct 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 Vincent, who had to retreat with the crippled remnant of his 1,400 men—­was at last in the possession of the enemy.  This win was made more complete by General Prevost’s belated and, of course, futile attack upon Sackett’s Harbour.  When assured success stared him in the face, his flaccid nature suggested retreat, and what might have been a signal victory became a disgraceful failure.  The position of affairs at this time was admirably summed up in a letter written by Quartermaster Nichol.  “Alas! we are no longer commanded by Isaac Brock....  Confidence seems to have vanished from the land, and gloomy despondency in those who are at our head has taken its place.”  Brock’s courage, judgment, military skill and personal magnetism were never so much needed.