06/06/2026
RANGERS ROADS - Battle of Stoney Creek 1813: The Night the Tide Turned
On June sixth, 1813, the Battle of Stoney Creek was fought on the outskirts of modern-day Hamilton. The battlefield is now an historic site called Battlefield House with a manor, art installations and a monument
This location is also the site of the annual June 6th and 7th reenactment that commemorates the victory of the British and their allies over the invading Americans
This battle was immortalized in Stan Rogers’ song “Billy Green” the Scout
After the capture of Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake by American forces, the British retreated and camped on Burlington Heights. The location was roughly where Dundurn Castle sits today
Billy Green set out to free his brother-in-law, who was captured by the Americans. Billy was able to negotiate his brother-in-law’s freedom because his distant cousin was General William Henry Harrison (later President). Billy was given the sentry’s password (Wil-Hen-Har), so Billy and his brother-in-law could pass through the American lines. But, before they could return to safety, the Americans recaptured the brother-in-law and allowed Billy to return home with the promise not to share the password with the British
However, Green went straight to the British camp and shared the information with James FitzGibbon. FitzGibbon would later be the man whom Laura Secord informed about the American movements before the Battle of Beaver Dams
The vastly outnumbered British immediately mounted a night attack on the American camp based on Green’s information and the scouts from John Norton’s Indigenous force. They snuck right to the American lines, capturing or killing the American guards before opening fire on the surprised Americans
In the ensuing chaos, the British captured seven officers, including two Brigadier Generals. Within 45 minutes of fighting, the American forces retreated to Fort George until withdrawing in December
Among the British forces was a detachment from the 1st York Militia and the Incorporated Militia Battalion, both of which are perpetuated by The Queen’s York Rangers (1st American Regiment) (RCAC)
