The Battle of York 1813

In June 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. The "Town of York" was founded by British Colonial Officials in 1793, on what was the Upper Canada Frontier. The war of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain lasted from 1812 to 1815. In 1813, the United States began mobilizing forces to invade Canada. An American fleet of 1700 soldiers appeared off York on the 27th April 1813 and overcame the British and Canadian troops. The six hour battle ended as the retreating British ignited a gunpowder magazine just before they left, killing 38 and wounding 222 Americans.

   
The victorious Americans occupied York for 6 days. They robbed homes and set fire to buildings, including the Parliament Buildings. The looting and burning of the town led to calls for revenge across Upper Canada and set the precedent for subsequent burnings including that of The White House in Washington, D.C. in 1814. The American troops then crossed the Niagara River, to cut off Upper Canada and open the way for attack on Montreal. The British eventually re-built Fort York, it's guns deterring any U.S. ships from entering Toronto Bay.

The diet for the British Army during the war of 1812 consisted of bread, soup, milk and tea for breakfast. For lunch the tables had to be draped with cloths and set with plates, knives, forks and spoons. Only then would the meal be served, which consisted of soup thickened with flour or rice, followed by meat and vegetables. For supper, they each had one pint of meat broth.

Fresh meat was in a continuous supply for the troops of Upper Canada, as a result of a decision made by London in 1802, as the country abounds in cattle. The army's demand for beef during the war of 1812 resulted in military officials turning to the United States for supplies. Thousands of cattle were driven into Canada from New York and Vermont. 

The meat was prepared in 2 ways. The Scottish soldiers boiled their meat, sometimes adding oats and potatoes, while the English soldiers preferred to roast theirs. Fish consumption was frowned upon by the military, as there were concerns over dysentery. Hunting was practised by the soldiers, adding grouse and pigeon to their diet. Pears, apples and berries were available to soldiers on the Niagara Frontier. The bread was made from Canadian flour and the mess cooks baked bread and biscuits for the men away from the regiments.