Battle of Ogdensburg
Ontario, CanadaThe Battle of Ogdensburg, which occurred during the War of 1812, resulted in a British victory over American forces and the capture of the village of Ogdensburg, New York. The conflict arose from an illicit trade route established between Ogdensburg and Prescott, Upper Canada (now part of Ontario), along the Saint Lawrence River. American militia, reinforced by regular troops, had occupied a fort and barracks in Ogdensburg and engaged in occasional raids on British supply lines.
In February 1813, British Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost passed through Prescott, assessing the situation in Upper Canada. He appointed Lieutenant Colonel "Red George" MacDonell to command British troops in Prescott and ordered an attack on Ogdensburg if the American garrison weakened. Using reinforcements temporarily stationed in Prescott, MacDonell improvised an attack plan. The battle saw British forces charging towards Ogdensburg, catching the Americans by surprise. Despite initial resistance and some artillery fire from the Americans, British forces overran the town, leading to American retreat and capture.
The British victory at Ogdensburg removed the American threat to British supply lines in the region for the remainder of the war. British forces burned American gunboats and captured military supplies while some looting occurred. Although the battle had relatively small-scale military significance, it allowed the British to continue purchasing supplies from American merchants in Ogdensburg during the war. The event also highlighted the presence of Tories and Federalists in the Ogdensburg area and had lasting implications for the region's dynamics.