War of 1812 Trivia #4

[Gary McClellan]

How did the US Garrison at Ft. Niagara find out that war had been declared in 1812?

[CyberRanger]

They saw it on CNN? (or read about it in a newspaper?)

[Gary McClellan]

Nope

[MartyTurco]

Drudge Report...

[DANJANOU]

Weren’t some of their Officers attending a formal mess function across the river at Fort George. When word reached the British Garrison commander there via messenger from York he politely informed his guests that they were at war and gallantly allowed them to return to their side of the river.

Much better than how the poor commander at Fort Michilmacknic found out. Hull at Detroit forgot to send word to him. The first inkling war had commenced was when he woke up to find a force of British and Canadian troops and Indian allies outside the fort demanding he surrender.

[dannybou]

Weren’t some of their Officers attending a formal mess function across the river at Fort George. When word reached the British Garrison commander there via messenger from York he politely informed his guests that they were at war and gallantly allowed them to return to their side of the river.

Much better than how the poor commander at Fort Michilmacknic found out. Hull at Detroit forgot to send word to him. The first inkling war had commenced was when he woke up to find a force of British and Canadian troops and Indian allies outside the fort demanding he surrender.
And he did!!

[Gary McClellan]

Yep, they were informed by the garrison at Ft. George (though the version in Graves book on Chippawa only says they sent a boat across, nothing about a reception)

[DANJANOU]

Re the mess dinner. IIRC it was something I hear from one of the guides when visiting the fort a couple of years back. Can't confirm if it's true, but it's a nice tale.