Laura Secord’s dangerous journey to warn of an impending American attack helped win the Battle of Beaver Dams June 24, 1813. 

300 Cayuga warriors, later joined by 100 Mohawk under the command of Captain William Kerr were able to intercept the Americans and force their surrender..  

 By 1813, the US invaded Canada, again. By June they were occupying homes in Queenston, Ontario. One of the residents of the town, Laura Secord, had to endure American officers occupying her home, while she nursed her injured husband, James Secord, a soldier fighting for the British. She overheard the American officers discussing plans to launch a surprise attack on an outpost commanded by Lieutenant FitzGibbon. On the morning of June 21, 1813, Secord quietly slipped away  walking a treacherous 32 kilometres to warn Fitzgibbon. 

 

Laura Secord (1775-1868)
Issued in 1992 by Canada Post
Part of the Canadian Folklore (3rd series), Legendary Heroes series
Designers for the set: Allan Cormack, Deborah Drew-Brook and Ralph Tibbles

 

 

Laura Secord 
Issued 2013 by Canada Post
Part of the Bicentenary of the War of 1812 (2nd series)
Designer: Susan Scott

In order to warn the British troops at Beaver Dams some 19 kilometres (12 miles) away, Laura Secord employed a circuitous, roundabout route to evade capture and detection by the Americans, travelling first to family at St Davids and then on to Shipman’s Corners (present day St. Catharines). In spite of exhaustion, Laura’s adventure continued through forests and fields but followed in the direction of Twelve Mile Creek. Ultimately, she came across a First Nations encampment, managing to overcome her fear and explain what she had discovered about the pending American attack.

The indigenous chief took Laura Secord to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon to report what she knew about American intentions. First Nations scouts reported to Captain Dominique Ducharme on June 24, 1813 about the advance of American troops towards Beaver Dams. This information was sent to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon and a trap was being set by the British and their First Nations allies. How things would play out was still up in the air since the Americans, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles G. Boerstler, were aware that First Nations scouts had spotted their troops.
Snapshots in History: June 21-24: Remembering Laura Secord and the Battle of Beaver Dams – Albert Campbell District Blog

 This is the route Secord took.  The image is courtesy Niagara Falls reviews who created this wonderful map and info brochure. The intro to the brochure puts the walk into perspective. 

“Just over 200 years ago, a 37-year-old wife and mother of five began a gruelling 20-mile walk through mosquito-, wolf-and snake-infested territory across the Niagara Escarpment. She did it with full knowledge that the invading army she intended to foil, patrolled those roads and pathways she avoided, with full intent to execute her on the spot should they learn she were a spy. Paul Revere has nothing on Canada’s Laura Secord.”

So its no wonder two Canadian stamps have featured Laura Secord over the years. She was a badass. 

What else happened on June 24? It’s an all Canadian date with Mary Pickford featured last year.