Ghosts of 1812 - Engagement at the Forty Traditional Cache

Part of the "Ghosts of 1812" series. The cache is a small cammoed "lock 'n' lock" plastic container that has a pad and pen as well as some swag. It is suitable for travellers and geocoins. Please be sure to hide this cache as good or better than found to avoid capture. Now, on to the story....

On May 27, 1813, following the Battle of Fort George, the British abandoned Fort George and Fort Erie and retreated towards their post at Burlington Heights in present-day Hamilton, Ontario. The Americans consolidated their position at Niagara and then sent an army to pursue the British with plans to destroy the remnants of their army at Burlington Heights. On the night of June 5, 1813, the Americans stopped for the night at Stoney Creek, planning an attack on Burlington Heights the following day. The British realized that the Americans would likely be successful in a daylight attack on their position on the heights and planned a bold counter move.

In the early hours of June 6, 1813, they launched a vicious bayonet attack on the American encampment at Stoney Creek. The British were outnumbered by the much larger American army but had surprise on their side. American generals Winder and Chandler were captured and the Americans were thrown into disarray. The British retreated before sunrise so that dawn would not reveal the small size of their army..

The Americans retreated back towards Fort George, stopping at the Forty Mile Creek (after passing through lands that hold this cache) late June 6th, while their officers argued tactics. They were still there on June 8 when attacked by British ships on Lake Ontario, and Haudenosaunee warriors and Upper Canadian militiamen who had followed their retreat from Stoney Creek. The Americans retreated back to the safety of Fort George...

Be sure to visit all the caches in this series! So far, the series includes the 17 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