The bloody battle that was fought on the muddy ploughed fields of John Crysler's Farm near Cornwall, Ontario on a cold and wet November morning in 1813,  was an monumental event in Canadian history. One which effectively ended the American campaign of 1813 and put the the British firmly in control of both sides of the St. Lawrence.

89th Colours at Crysler's Farm. Painting by Adam Sherriff-Scott

The British and Canadian regular and militia contingent faced an unimaginable task. To face up and hold a huge American force which vastly outnumbered them.

But they were brilliantly lead by the highly motivated and tactical genius of The British and Canadian force led by Colonel Joseph Morrison, Colonel Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry in Lower Canada and Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison in Upper Canada, who lead the force in the field against a dishevelled and dispirited American army of over 8,000 strong.

Facing an almost impossible task, the 400 British regulars standing side by side with Canadians of both French & English decent with the native Mohawk warriors of Tyendinaga, shoulder to shoulder in defence of their new country, held and defeated the American invasion bent on sweeping up the St Lawrence and capturing Montreal, cutting British lines of communications and stopping the heart of the continent.

Mural by Adam Sheriff Scott at the Battle of Crysler's Farm Visitor Centre, Crysler Park.

Some 31 allies paid with their lives and over 150 were woulded. But the American toll was terrible. More than 100 dead, some 240 wounded and over 100 captured in the bitter rout.