08/31/2026
ON THIS DAY, AUGUST 31, 1814:
THE LARGEST LAND INVASION OF THE UNITED STATES DURING THE WAR OF 1812 OCCURRED IN THE VILLAGE AND TOWN OF CHAMPLAIN
On this day, August 31, 1814, the largest land invasion of the United States occurred in the village and town of Champlain, N.Y., during the War of 1812. Champlain was the staging area for the decisive Battle of Plattsburgh on September 11, 1814.
Between 1812 and 1815, the town of Champlain was a revolving door for American and British armies as well as militia and officers on both sides. In November of 1812, American general Henry Dearborn’s 5,000 soldier army camped in the village on their way to conquer Montreal. In September 1813, American general Wade Hampton camped at Dewey’s Tavern with 3-4,000 soldiers on his way to Odelltown and Montreal. In March of 1814 American general James Wilkinson’s 4,000-man army camped in the village before a battle at the Lacolle stone mill. In the summer of 1814, Gen. George Izard’s 4,000-man army camped on the hill around Pine and Spruce Streets on the lookout for British troops.
There was considerable activity in and around the village and town of Champlain by the military and militia forces on both sides. Two blockhouses were burned down by the British during Murray’s Raid in 1813. One structure was on Prospect St. A few months later, houses and businesses in the village were pillaged. Many skirmishes took place on upper Prospect St. and on Rt. 276 between Dewey’s Tavern and the border which resulted in the deaths of American commander Lieut.-Col. Benjamin Forsyth and British commander Captain St. Valier Mailloux, as well as many soldiers.
Between, May and August of 1814, American general George Izard’s army, about 4,000 troops strong, camped on a hill in the open fields around today’s Pine and Spruce Streets. In early August, the Secretary of War ordered Izard to Sackets Harbor, N.Y. Izard delayed as long as he could because he knew that the British army was massing troops north of the Line. In an August 11 letter, he wrote: “I will make the movement you direct, if possible; but I shall do it with the apprehension of risking the force under my command, and with the certainty that every thing in this vicinity but the lately erected works at Plattsburg and Cumberland Head will, in less than three days after my departure, be in the possession of the enemy. He is in force superior to mine in my front; he daily threatens an attack on my position at Champlain; we are all in hourly expectation of a serious conflict. . . . Let me not be supposed to hesitate about executing any project which the government I have the honor to serve think proper to direct. My little army will do its duty.” He then waited for a reply from the Secretary.
When Gen. Izard could wait no longer, he wrote on August 20: “I must not be responsible for the consequences of abandoning my present strong position. I will obey orders and execute them as well as I know how. Major General Brisbane commands at Odell Town. He is said to have between five and six thousand men with him. At Chambly are said to be about four thousand.” Izard reluctantly left Champlain on August 27.
On August 31, the British invasion of Champlain started under the command of Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost. The right wing camped on Prospect St. around Pliny Moore’s stone farm house and apple orchards. On September 1, the left wing under Gen. Thomas Brisbane camped around Dewey’s Tavern (profiled here several times). The British army consisted of three brigades that totaled 10-14,000 soldiers. The total number of soldiers that may have made it to Plattsburgh afterwards was estimated to be around 8,000.
The British occupation of Champlain was mostly peaceful in nature. The goal was not to plunder the village but to march to Plattsburgh. However, generals Prevost and Brisbane issued orders that urged Champlain residents to abandon their allegiance to the United States government and invited them to provide provisions to his army. When few villagers came forward, Prevost commandeered wagons and teams and loaded them with baggage and stores. The owners of these items were usually compensated with British gold.
On September 4, the right wing marched down Prospect St., over the Elm St. bridge and south on Main St. to Honey Moore’s Corners (Rt. 9 and Rt. 9B). It took 12 hours for the soldiers to march through the Village of Champlain. They met the left wing from Dewey’s Tavern who marched down Mason Rd. to Coopersville. All of the troops marched to Chazy on their way to Plattsburgh. A number of British troops were left in Champlain on the lookout for American militia. Skirmishes occurred near the “upper bridge” at the corner of Main and Church Streets as well as at King’s Bay and Coopersville.
The Battle of Plattsburgh occurred on September 11 and the British navy was defeated on the lake. Gen. Brisbane reluctantly withdrew his army back to Champlain. The British artillery stayed in Champlain until September 25 due to bad roads.
It is interesting to note that after the war, Gen. Thomas Brisbane sailed to Australia and was made governor of New South Wales in 1821. Brisbane, Australia is named after him.
One question needs to be asked: What would have happened if Gen. Izard’s army had not left Champlain? The army was camped on top of the hill overlooking the village. It had a strategic advantage but it may not have been able to prevent the British from crossing the two bridges over the Great Chazy River. Izard knew his army was one-third the size of the British force so he was at a disadvantage. And the British army was determined to get to Plattsburgh to meet up with the navy who was preparing to sail south.
It is likely a major battle would have occurred in the village with property destroyed and many lives lost. Izard’s army may not have been able to hold their position on the hill. With an overwhelming force, the British may have been able to force their way through Izard’s position or flank around them. But in doing so, the British force would have been weakened and their effectiveness at Plattsburgh may have been reduced. The British may have also been delayed in getting to Plattsburgh, possibly after the naval battle. Many scenarios of “what if” can be contemplated.
