Burlington Heights. The Americans under
Gen. John Chandler and William H. Winder
mounted a slow pursuit, which was attacked
in camp by Col. John Harvey at Stoney
Creek on June 6, 1813. Bisshopp was present,
commanding the reserves, but saw no fight-
ing. Both Chandler and Winder were cap-
tured, and the leaderless invaders withdrew
back to Fort George with British forces shad-
owing their every move. On June 25, Ameri-
can Gen. John Boyd dispatched a force under
Lt. Col. Charles Boerstler, 14th U.S. Infantry,
to burn a cache of British supplies at the
DeCou House. En route, they were sur-
rounded at Beaver Dams by a smaller force of
Indians under Lt. James Fitzgibbon. Bis-
shopp at that time was stationed at Twelve
Mile Creek with a strong picket, and he
rushed two light companies of the 104th Foot
and one from the Eighth to Fitzgibbon’s assis-
tance. His prompt arrival at the height of the
battle convinced Boerstler that he was both
surrounded and outnumbered, so he capitu-
lated his entire force. This disaster ended
fighting in the vicinity of Fort George for the
rest of the year and resulted in the resignation
of Gen. Henry Dearborn.
The British had thus far successfully con-
tained various American forays, but their po-
sition was perpetually undermined by severe
supply shortages, notably salt, which was es-
sential for preserving meat. On July 11, 1813,
Bisshopp became apprised of a great quantity
of salt stored at Black Rock, across the Niag-
ara River, and he resolved to launch a raid to
acquire it. Early that morning he assembled
200 regulars and 44 Canadians under Fitzgib-
bon, then landed on the New York side unan-
nounced. Surprise was complete, and the
British very nearly captured Gen. Peter B.
Porter of the militia, a former “war hawk”
congressman who had helped precipitate the
War of 1812. Clad only in his nightgown,
Porter hastily mounted a horse and fled down
the street while Bisshopp began supervising
removal of salt, “a scarce and most valuable
article.” His men also began burning various
warehouses and the 50-ton schoonerZephyr
anchored in the river. During these actions,
however, Porter was actively rallying his dis-
persed militia for a counterattack. The Ameri-
cans received timely and welcome assistance
from a body of Seneca Indians under Farmer’s
Brother and Young King, who attacked the
British as they loaded booty onto their boats.
Bisshopp managed to escape under a galling
fire, but he was hit three times. Twenty-seven
British soldiers were also killed or wounded.
Bisshopp lingered in great discomfort for
several days before dying from his injuries on
July 16, 1813. To his dying gasp he accepted
full responsibility for his defeat and was visi-
bly tormented over the loss of so many men.
In light of his great popularity among British
soldiers and Canadian militiamen, Bisshopp’s
passing was lamented. He was a most valu-
able officer, brave, devoted to the well-being
of his men, and preferred to serve his country
than dine on riches and enjoy the inheritance
awaiting him at home.Bibliography
Allen, Robert S., ed. “The Bisshopp Papers During the
War of 1812.” Journal of the Society for Army His-
torical Research61 (1983): 22–29; Babcock, Louis.
The War of 1812 Along the Niagara Frontier.Buf-
falo, NY: Buffalo Historical Society, 1927; Char-
trand, Rene. British Forces in North America,
1793–1815.London: Osprey, 1998; Green, Ernest.
“Some Graves at Lundy’s Lane.” Niagara Historical
Society Publications22 (1911): 4–6; Suthren, Vic-
tor. The War of 1812.Toronto: McClelland and
Stewart, 1999; Turner, Wesley. The War of 1812:
The War That Both Sides Won. Toronto: Dundurn
Press, 1990.BISSHOPP, CECIL