British forces capture Fort Niagara during the War of 1812

Background. Major General Francis de Rottenburg, British Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, was alarmed by American victories in the west and eastern concentrations in late 1813. Fort Niagara's outer defenses had suffered unrepaired damage from artillery fire in 1812 and early 1813. This deterioration was not a factor in the fort's eventual capture by British forces.

Retaliation. The capture was a direct response to American actions. On 10 December 1813, American forces set fire to the village of Newark, incensing Canadians. British forces retaliated by capturing Fort Niagara nine days later on the night of 19 December 1813, marking a significant escalation in the Niagara frontier conflict.

Casualties. British reports stated 65 Americans were killed. However, Robert Lee, an American civilian present during the attack, provided a sworn deposition in January 1814. He claimed the initial report excluded bodies found bayoneted in house cellars after the British took possession, suggesting higher casualties than officially recorded.

Legacy. The action was recognized in British Army battle honours, first awarded as 'Niagara' in 1815. Several modern military units trace their lineage to forces present at Fort Niagara during the war, including specific American infantry regiments and British artillery batteries that fought during the capture.