Ghosts of 1812 - Battle of Queenston Heights Traditional Cache

Part of the "Ghosts of 1812 Series". Although not the first in the area, this cache has been placed to honour the British, Canadian, Mohawk and American soldiers who fell near these grounds at  the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812.   The cache is a cammoed PB jar containing pad and pen and enough room for some swag and trackables.  Congratulations to "Jo" of mijojelweslandon and Hellnite for being the first ones to find this cache! And now on to the story...

The Battle of Queenston Heights was the first major battle in the War of 1812 and resulted in a British Victory. It took place on October 13, 1812, here in the area of the cache.   It was fought between the American invaders and British, Mohawk and Canadian forces led by Major General Isaac Brock. Brock was struck in the wrist of his sword arm by a musket ball but continued to press home the attack. His bright red coat with its gold epaulettes and his tall figure and energetic gestures made him a conspicuous target, and he was shot down by an unknown American who stepped forward from a thicket and fired at a range of barely fifty yards. Brock was struck in the chest, and died almost instantly as he charged down the very hill where this cache is hidden.  According to legend, Brock's last words were "Push on, brave York Volunteers!"

The battle was fought as the result of an American attempt to establish a foothold on the Canadian side of the Niagara River before campaigning ended with the onset of winter. This decisive battle was the result of a poorly managed American campaign, and may be most historically significant for the loss of the British commander Brock. Despite their numerical advantage and the wide dispersal of British forces against an invasion attempt, the Americans, who were stationed in Lewiston, New York were unable to get the bulk of their invasion force across the Niagara River due to the work of British artillery and reluctance on the part of the undertrained and inexperienced American militia.

As a result, British reinforcements from Fort George were able to arrive. Under the command of Major-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe, who took a strategic route around the battlefield and attacked from above, was able to force those Americans on the Canadian side to surrender.

Be sure to visit all the caches in this series! So far, the series includes the 18 caches listed below...

Ghosts of 1812 - Battle of Queenston Heights GC3P0M2

Ghosts of 1812 - Decew House GC3NVYK

Ghosts of 1812 - Engagement at the Forty GC62DG2

Ghosts of 1812 - Raid on Port Dover GC6374A

Ghosts of 1812 - Shirmish at Butler's Farm GC3VHKE

Ghosts of 1812 - Siege of Fort Erie GC62BWX

Ghosts of 1812 - The Battle for Fort George GC3R61W

Ghosts of 1812 - The Battle of Beaverdams GC3PJP9

Ghosts of 1812 - The Battle of Cook's Mills GC3WNPX

Ghosts of 1812 - The Battle of Frenchman's Creek GC424AM

Ghosts of 1812 - The Battle of Lundy's Lane GC3P22C

Ghosts of 1812 - The Battle of Stoney Creek GC3QAQE

Ghosts of 1812 - The Battlefield at Chippawa GC6382A

Ghosts of 1812 - The Burning of Niagara GC3V685

Ghosts of 1812 - The Capture of "Ohio" and "Somers" GC62DE6

Ghosts of 1812 - The Destruction of Fort Chippawa GC3QATK

Ghosts of 1812 - The Fall of a Warrior GC64FF3

Ghosts of 1812 - The Trek of Laura Secord GC3X4J2