York Captured

On April 27, 1813, American forces, under General Henry Dearborn, captured the British base at York, Canada.

York, Ontario, which later became Toronto, was situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. Although strategically insignificant, it served as an easy target due to reports of British naval construction in the area.

American forces were under the command of Commodore Chancey. Departing from Sacketts Harbor on April 25th, the American contingent consisted of a corvette, a brig, and twelve schooners. Approximately 1,600 to 1,800 troops, including the renowned explorer General Pike, were aboard the ships.

On the morning of April 27, 1812, American troops disembarked three miles from York. Fortuitously, the initial wave of British troops arrived at the landing too late. By the time they did arrive, the second wave of American troops had already arrived, and it was too late for them to make a significant impact. American troops outnumbered the British two to one. Initially, the British and their Indian allies put up a valiant defense, but the Americans were able to overpower them and drive them back to York. The commanding British officer, General Roger Hale Sheaffe, ordered his troops to withdraw, leaving the Canadian militia to defend the town alone.

The American troops swiftly advanced towards the city. They then regrouped under the ramparts of York’s western ramparts. General Pike was interrogating a British prisoner when a devastating explosion shook the garrison. The British had detonated the armory. The explosion caused a bolder to strike Pike, who succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.

American troops subsequently occupied the city. Despite initial orders to refrain from looting, American troops soon engaged in widespread looting and burned down government and other buildings within the town.

The raid on York was publicly celebrated as the first US victory in the ground war against Canada. However, this triumph was tempered by several factors. Firstly, the failure to capture British troops intact. Secondly, the escape of British regulars. Thirdly, the unfortunate demise of Pike.

The American casualties were 55 killed and 265 wounded. The British, whose contemporary records may be slightly inaccurate, suffered 82 killed, 43 wounded, 69 wounded prisoners, and 274 captured, with 7 missing.