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Battle of Fort George

The Battle of Fort George was fought on May 27, 1813, between British and American forces during the War of 1812. Fort George was located on the Canadian side of the Niagara River, near its mouth and nearly opposite Fort Niagara. Fort George was garrisoned by some 1000 British regulars an an additional militia of several hundred men under General John Vincent. The Americans planned to take the fort from the rear and capture its garrison. For this, they had about 4,000 men under the nominal command of Morgan Lewis, although actually commanded by Winfield Scott. The troops landed north of the fort by the Lake Ontario fleet of Isaac Chauncey. After delivering the troops, the fleet supported them with cannon fire. Vincent determined that he could not hold the fort, so he spiked his guns and retreated southward. British losses were 51 killed and 305 wounded among the regulars, while most of the militia was taken prisoner. American losses were 40 killed and 120 wounded. On December 10, 1813, the Americans abandoned Fort George.