The Battle of Plattsburg Bay Further Reading An Overview of the Battle of Plattsburg Bay Background to the Battle of Plattsburg Bay Prevost at Plattsburg Bay The Plattsburg Bay Land Battle: The Americans The Plattsburg Bay Naval Battle: The British The Plattsburg Bay Naval Battle: The Americans George Prevost, Governor General of Canada Books British Naval Activity on Lake Champlain During the War of 1812 Dennis Lewis

The Plattsburg Bay Land Battle: The British At dawn on September 11, Major General Frederick Philipse Robinson is eager to proceed to the ford of the Saranac River. Robinson commands the bulk of the British troops. They have been camped outside Plattsburg for five days awaiting the arrival of the British naval squadron. The naval battle has finally gotten under way. According to the plan, Robinson is to simultaneously cross the river and attack the American redoubts around Plattsburg. His superior, Sir George Prevost, is in no hurry, though. Prevost reviews his strategy and finally tells Robinson to advance on Plattsburg at ten o’clock. Robinson loses more time trying to find the ford to the river when his guides get lost. Once at the Saranac, Robinson’s troops quickly overcome the American defenders and are soon formed in battle order on the far side. Just as Robinson is about to order an all-out attack, a messenger arrives; the British fleet has been defeated and Prevost has ordered a general retreat. Robinson can’t believe it. His crack regular troops outnumber the American defenders three-to-one. Major General Thomas Brisbane tells Prevost the forts can be taken in twenty minutes. Prevost won’t allow it. The invading army retreats. The withdrawal is so quick that the British Army is half way to the Canadian border before it dawns on the American commander, General Macomb, that the enemy is gone. The British officers return to England to face a court martial. Most of them are exonerated and the defeat is blamed on George Prevost.