Ghosts of 1812 - The Trek of Laura Secord Traditional Cache

Part of the "Ghosts of 1812" series.  The cache is a small cammoed Lock 'n' Lock container that has a pad and pen as well as some swag.  It is suitable for travellers and geocoins.  Now, on the the significance of this area and the legend of Laura Secord.

While most Canadians know of Laura Secord as a hero during the War of 1812, few know her story of bravery, courage and determination that makes her the legend that she is today.  It began during the War of 1812 in the region of Queenston, now known as the Niagara Penninsula.  Laura's husband James was a sergeant in the militia when he went missing in battle.  Laura searched for him among the dead and wounded in the battlefield.  She found him bleeding from gunshot wounds and helped him home where she treated his injuries.

During James's incapacity, the war raged on and the region was captured by the American troops.  However, neither the Americans nor the British had full control of the area.  One day in June 1813, American soldiers came to the Secured homestead and requested dinner.  As she served them, she overhead plans of a surprise attack on the British outpost at Decew House, which was under the command of Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon. The Secords, who had remained loyal to the the British crown and were dedicated to the defence of the colony, knew that Fitzgibbon had to be warned of the imminent attack.  Without Fitzgibbon being forwarned, the whole Niagara Pennisula would fall under the control of the Americans.

As James was disabled due to his wounds and unable to walk, Laura took it upon herself to make the trek to Decew House. At dawn the next day, Laura began her 32 kilmetre journey, which would last 18 hours.  The roads she walked on led to the home of her sister-in-law where her half-brother lay ill in bed.  When she arrived, Laura revealed the purpose of her mission.  Her neice Elizabeth offered to accompany her. Now avoiding the main roads, Laura and Elizabeth chose a difficult path along the course of Twelve Mile Creek, which flowed past DeCew House.  Elizabeth, however, did not have her aunts stamina.  After tramping through fields and woods she collapsed, leaving Laura to complete the most hazardous part of the journey alone.  In the evening, Laura arrived hungry and exhausted at a Native camp and persuaded the chief to take her to the British headquarters at DeCew.  Once there, she alerted Lieutenant Fitzgibbon of the surprise attack.

Two days later, on June 24, 1813, thanks to the heroism of Laura Secord and her long trek, the British and Native troops intercepted the Americans and forced their surrender at the Battle of Beaverdams.  The cache has been placed along the very path that historians have determined to be part of the trek that Laura Secord completed 200 years ago.

(Source:  www.laurasecord.ca)

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