Top left: Author and naturalist Roger Fulton discusses the September 12 Battle of Cranberry Creek before leading a group of 10th Mountain Division (LI) soldiers on a kayak journey down the St. Lawrence River, the site of a battle between the British and Americans more than 200 years ago. Bottom left: Captain Michael McKeon, commanding officer of 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, paddles alongside Cranberry Creek, the site of an American-British engagement that took place during the War of 1812. Top right: Situated in the Cranberry Creek Wildlife Management Area, the Battle of Cranberry Creek Memorial is situated in Alexandria Bay, directly off the shore of Cranberry Creek. Kayak members of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) arrived at this location to
10th Mountain Division examines combat from the War of 1812, emphasizing military strategy and leadership.
September 20, 2023, Fort Drum, New York On September 12, men of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) returned to the Battle of Cranberry Creek, reliving nearly two centuries of North Country military history, in exchange for paddles and life jackets instead of rucksacks and battle boots.
The group kayaked along the St. Lawrence River creek route where American and British forces engaged in combat during the War of 1812, guided by author and naturalist Roger Fulton. Along the journey, Fulton described the tactics American soldiers used against a more formidable British opposition, pointing out significant elements of the terrain.
The battle resulted from an American privateering expedition that intercepted a British supply convoy consisting of 15 bateaux and gunboats headed to their headquarters in Kingston, Ontario. According to Fulton, the Americans completely caught the enemy off guard near Goose Bay on July 18, 1813, and there wasn’t a single shot fired. “Apparently, they arrived at night and when they found them, all the British had gone ashore to sleep – except for one sentry, who was also asleep,” he said. Roughly 70 prisoners were marched from Alexandria Bay to Sackets Harbor under the guard of 21st Infantry Regiment Soldiers, with a smaller contingent remaining to arrange the transport of seized goods and to plot a British counterattack.
In order to ensure that the British would be killed if they attempted to land, Captain Dimock sent ten of his men, who were marksmen, to either side of the stream.
Due to their awkward posture in the little creek, the British suffered significant casualties and were unable to accurately return fire.
“All of the British men were thrown into the water when an American shell struck the stern of one of the boats, according to the records,” Fulton added. “And the conflict began. Heavy artillery and grapeshot bombardment was directed on the British. They submitted a demand for the Americans to surrender under a flag of truce because they knew they were greatly outnumbered by them. They couldn’t agree, so the conflict went on.
“Capt. Dimock dispatched 10 of his men on each side of the creek – marksmen – so if the British tried to land, they would be picked off,” he said.
The British took heavy casualties from their poor positioning in the narrow creek, which also disabled them from returning fire with accuracy.
“According to the records, the shell fired from the Americans hit the stern of one of the boats and dumped all of the British men into the water,” Fulton said. “And the battle was on. The British were under heavy cannon and grapeshot fire. They knew they had the Americans way outnumbered, and they sent a demand – under a flag of truce – for the Americans to surrender. They did not agree, and the battle continued to rage.”
The British would eventually retreat after determining that recouping the seized goods was not worth any more lives lost.
“I know one British report that says the commanding officer lost his aide-de-camp, a captain killed, and back in 1813 they didn’t like to lose officers,” Fulton said. “They don’t like to lose them now either, but the point was that it was rare for a British officer to be killed in battle.”
Fulton said the number of Americans killed was estimated between two and seven.
“I dedicated my research to the men who fought in that battle, and those who, unfortunately, died in that battle,” he said.
In order to ensure that the British would be killed if they attempted to land, Captain Dimock sent ten of his men, who were marksmen, to either side of the stream.
Due to their awkward posture in the little creek, the British suffered significant casualties and were unable to accurately return fire.
“All of the British men were thrown into the water when an American shell struck the stern of one of the boats, according to the records,” Fulton added. “And the conflict began. Heavy artillery and grapeshot bombardment was directed on the British. They submitted a demand for the Americans to surrender under a flag of truce because they knew they were greatly outnumbered by them. They couldn’t agree, so the conflict went on.
Fulton remarked, “I just think that young Soldiers could learn a great deal from this history.” This is quick thinking, strategy, and readiness. Furthermore, this did not occur in a distant nation. This occurred in 1813, not too far from Fort Drum, exactly here.
The information operations officer for the 10th Mountain Division (LI), Lt. Col. Marc Cleveland, assisted in organizing Fulton’s August visit to Fort Drum to give a talk on the Battle of Cranberry Creek.
“The 10th Mountain Division has benefited greatly from Roger Fulton’s assistance,” Cl
Through the 10th Mountain Division’s Snap-Link program, which promotes community outreach and unit engagement with local events and activities, the 1st Brigade Combat Team is connected to Alexandria Bay.
ent fosters positive relationships with local leaders and helps to forge ties to the community,” McKeon stated. It also provides an opportunity for people to engage in an activity that they might not otherwise be able to, like kayaking. It would be a fantastic opportunity to introduce young soldiers to the history of the North Country and the U.S. Army while also encouraging them to try new things.With the 10th Mountain Division’s Snap-Link program, the 1st Brigade
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