Sacketts Harbor Attacked

On May 27, 1813, the British attacked and were defeated at Sacketts Harbor in Ontario.

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The British saw an opportunity to capture the main US naval base at Sackets Bay in late May when the American Great Lakes Fleet was away attacking Fort George. On May 27th a British force set off arriving the next morning off Sackets Bay. The British troops started rowing ashore when a sails were spotted in the distance. The attack was called off with the fear that it was the retuning American fleet. It turned out to be a group of US replacement troops. The British sent troops that included Native Americans to attack the American troops. The American troops landed their ships on Stony Point along Henderson Bay. The British and Native Americans pursued the American troops. Within a half an hour the Americans lost 35 men killed. The remaining 115 Americans surrendered.

The British gained an initial victory. However the battle that became known as the Battle of Henderson Bay gave the Americans a chance to prepare their defenses and receive reinforcements.

The next day the British troop landed on Horse Island, which was South of the town. American forces were not able to stop the landing. The British then crossed a causeway than connected the Island to the shore. They turned towards the town but ran into concerted defense. The American fell back slowly eventually placing themselves behind a series of blockhouses and other prepared defensive positions.
The British were unable to advance on the American positions. They were not able to bring their large guns to bear on American positions, and the Americans put up a spirited defense. Finally the British commander Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost, realized that his forces could not prevail, and he ordered a retreat.

At the end of the day the British suffered 265 casualties both killed, wounded and captured, while the Americans suffered 307.