Military General Service clasp Chrystler’s Farm
G. Glass, Canad’n Militia
Roll confirms George Glass, Canadian Voltigueurs
Battle of Crysler’s Farm: 11 Nov 1813
Brigadier-General John Wilkinson led his force of 8,000 American troops out of Sackett’s Harbour on 27 October 1813. He was to join with Brigadier-General Wade Hampton’s contingent of 4,000 men that was advancing to the St. Lawrence River from Lake Champlain. Once the American generals had combined their armies, they were to take Montreal.
As Wilkinson’s army moved up the St. Lawrence from Lake Ontario, it was followed by 600 British troops of the 89th Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Morrison commanded the regiment. He was reinforced with two companies from the 49th Regiment, three companies of Voltigeurs, and a small band of Mohawk warriors. With 880 troops, he continued to shadow the much larger American force.
Finally, on 11 November 1813, the American commander, Brigadier-General Wilkinson, turned to engage Morrison’s troops. The British took up defensive positions along a heavy fence of cedar logs bordering the fields of a local farmer, John Crysler. The Voltigeurs and Mohawks deployed in the nearby forest. As the Americans attacked, the men of the 89th and 49th regiments met them with disciplined fire. British volleys devastated the American infantry. From the adjacent woods, the Mohawks and Voltigeurs decimated the American ranks with accurate fire.
American casualties continued to mount until Brigadier-General Wilkinson finally withdrew his forces. After the battle, the American army retreated to Plattsburg, New York.
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