Field of Glory: The Battle of Crysler's Farm, 1813

by Donald E. Graves

One of the turning points in the War of 1812. In the fall of 1813 the largest army yet assembled by the United States invaded Canada, determined to capture Montreal. The courageous but ill-trained and badly led American forces were defeated by British, Canadian and native troops in two important the Battle of Chateuaguay and, above all, the Battle of Crysler's Farm, fought on a muddy field beside the St. Lawrence River.

Genres: History, Military History, Canada

448 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1999

About the author

Donald Edward Graves is a military historian who has worked for the Canadian National Historic Sites Service, the National Archives of Canada and the Canadian Department of National Defence. He is currently the director of Ensign Heritage Group.

Reviews

[Maxwell Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long, yet well-written work by the now-deceased Canadian historian Donald Graves.

This book features a buildup to the battle, preparation for and politics during the St Lawrence Campaign of 1813, a description of both the Battles of Châteauguay and Crysler's Farm, outlying of the setting of the regions where the battles took place, and primary sources from all sides during the time. One can learn about the identities and reputations of both American and Crown Forces, medical procedures and lifestyle of the era, and much more. The book ends with the fate of the battlefield and a description of the modern site where the memorial stands (Upper Canada Village).

l recommend this book to all Canadian military history readers and learners of the Napoleonic era.

[Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent and detailed history of the American Campaign that invaded Canada with the intention of capturing Montreal during the War of 1812, in hope that this would result in Canada becoming part of the United States. This well researched history illuminates that the grand plan was administered by weak minded Americans. They were badly led by their officers and this allowed the smaller British and Canadian soldiers to soundly defeat them in November of 1813 at the Battle of Crysler’s Farm. The author, Donald E. Graves, lays the blame with the American Secretary of War, John Armstrong and his two commanding generals, James Wilkerson and Wade Hampton. Armstrong split his forces into two columns, Wilkerson lead the column marching along the St. Lawrence River from the Niagara region and Hampton lead a column from the Lake Champlain area north into Canada. Unfortunately for the Americans, these two commanders were not on speaking terms and did not cooperate with one another to form a combined force before entering into battle with the Brits and the Canadians. The real error was made by Armstrong who knew these men hated one another, yet set up this command arrangement with Wilkerson being in Supreme command, but Hampton refusing to take orders from Wilkerson. Armstrong tried to be a go between for these generals, but owning to communication difficulties in 1813, it was an impossible arrangement doomed to failure. Adding insult to injury, Wilkerson often was at odds with the United States of America. He had previously joined with Aaron Burr in an attempt to split off territories in Louisiana from the U.S. and create their own county. Once the plot was discovered, Wilkerson avoided prosecution by turning against Burr and testifying against him. Then, while still in the American Army, Wilkerson was employed by Spain to spy on the United States. How James Wilkerson still became a high-ranking officer in the United States Army remains a mystery to me. He is known as the general who never won a battle; but, who never lost a court martial.

[Michael Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting to read, especially if you know the area in which the action described is set. As well, I found the author's biographical descriptions of the participants added greatly to the book. This is something not usually given in a history book to the extent it is in this volume. More authors should do this because along with being interesting in itself it reinforces the idea that those who show up in history books are not of a different category of persons, but rather are just like the people you see around you.
Would recommend it.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Donald Graves history that I read. After working for two summers in the area and touring many of the sites I felt I had learned a fair bit of what happened. I definitely missed a few things. The appendices are great and the detail of what the weapons of the day could do is very interesting. My biggest disappointment with the book is the realization that Canada flooded the battle field as part of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does bring up one minor annoyance I sometimes run into, where the title doesn't quite match up with the content; only a fifth of the book is actually about the battle of Chrysler's Farm. However, the book is still an excellent history of the 1813 St. Lawrence campaign, especially of the decisions made on the U.S. side.

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough but yet very readable. Covers a lot of the background to the battle, the battle itself and the aftermath. Enjoyed reading it.

[Matthew Ericson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book