Benjamin Forsyth
Benjamin Forsyth (c. 1760 – June 28, 1814) was an American officer of rifle troops in the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States. Born in North Carolina, Forsyth joined the United States Army in 1800 as an officer and was a captain of the Regiment of Riflemen at the outbreak of war in 1812. He led raids into Upper Canada along the Saint Lawrence River in 1812–13 before transferring south and taking part in the battles of York and Fort George. Promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel, he held a command along Lake Champlain. Forsyth was killed in June 1814 at Odelltown, Lower Canada.
Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Forsyth | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1760 Stokes County, North Carolina |
| Died | June 28, 1814 (aged 53–54) Odelltown, Lower Canada |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1800; 1808—1814 |
| Rank | Major Brevet Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Regiment of Riflemen |
| Relations | James N. Forsyth, son |
Early life
Forsyth was born circa 1760 in either Stokes County, North Carolina[2] or in Virginia. His parents were James Forsyth and Elizabeth Forsyth. Area records show he purchased land in Stokes County in 1794. In 1797 he married Bethemia Ladd.
Forsyth was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 6th Infantry Regiment on April 24, 1800 and was discharged on June 15, 1800. He was commissioned as a captain in the Regiment of Riflemen on 1 July 1808.[3]
War of 1812
Based at Ogdensburg, New York during the autumn and winter of 1812, he led the successful Raid on Gananoque and other attacks across the Saint Lawrence River, which threatened the British supply lines to their forces in Upper Canada.The Raid on Elizabethtown occurred on February 7, 1813, when Benjamin Forsyth and 200 men crossed the frozen St. Lawrence River to occupy Elizabethtown and seize military and public stores, free American prisoners, then capture British military prisoners.[4]
On October 24, 1812, Forsyth wrote to President James Madison that he had served as a captain for four years without promotion and requested a brevet promotion in recognition of his service.[5] Forsyth was promoted (not brevetted) to major on January 20, 1813 and brevetted to lieutenant colonel on February 6, 1813.[3]
In February 1813, the British used a temporary superiority in strength to drive Forsyth from his positions at the Battle of Ogdensburg.
Forsyth's company was ordered to join the main American force at Sackett's Harbor rather than reoccupy Ogdensburg. They led the American assault at the Battle of York, and played a major part at the Battle of Fort George.
In July 1813, In July 1813, Benjamin Forsyth and his riflemen with the aid of Seneca Warriors and American militia under the command of militia commander Cyrenius Chapin conducted a successful ambush against the British allied Mohawks near Newark, Ontario. The American riflemen and Seneca warriors would hide on both sides of the road. While a group of Seneca and American militiamen on horses led by Cyrenius Chapin would lure the Mohawks to the ambush site by conducting a feigned retreat. Cyrenius Chapin and his combined group of mounted militia and Seneca riders rode near the Mohawks, taunted them, and rode back down the road. The Mohawks pursued. When the enemy entered the kill zone, Benjamin blew his bugle as a signal to initiate the ambush. The hidden American riflemen and Seneca gunners rose out of their concealment and opened a heavy fire on the Mohawks. The Mohawks lost 15 killed and 13 captured including a British interpreter. A few of the Mohawks escaped. The American riflemen, militia, and Seneca allies withdrew back to friendly lines with their prisoners.[6]
American General Wade Hampton I led a raid in September 1813 into Champlain. After the raid, General Wade Hampton withdrew back to American lines. Major Benjamin Forsyth was stationed in Chazy. He raided into Canada capturing some British goods and several horses near Lacolle. Forsyth went on another raid at Odelltown capturing a lot of goods. Many of the goods were distributed among the American soldiers as recompense for their baggage lost at Ogdensburg.[7]
Later in the year, Major Forsyth and his men took part in the campaign aimed at capturing Montreal, but were not present at the Battle of Crysler's Farm. Forsyth was promoted to brevet Lieutenant Colonel the following winter. He was active in skirmishing and patrolling north of Lake Champlain in the late spring and summer and was killed in June 1814 in a clash at Odelltown, Lower Canada.
Legacy
Following his death, the people of North Carolina named Forsyth County after him.[8] In addition, the state General Assembly paid for his son's education through special legislation and gave him a jewelled sword. Forsyth Street on Manhattan's Lower East Side is also named for him.[9]
Notes
- Evans, Meghann (September 28, 2014). "Community honors legacy of Benjamin Forsyth". Winston-Salem Journal. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
- Tucker (2012), p. 247
- Heitman p. 430
- Mahon, J. (1972). The War of 1812 {Pg. 140}. Da Capo Press. ISBN 978-0-306-80429-8
- Stagg p. 441
- "The Insolent Enemy" by D.E. Butters pg. 128-130.
- "University of the State of New York Bulletin" by University of the State of New York pg. 42.
- Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 128.
- Feirstein, Sanna (2001). Naming New York : Manhattan places & how they got their names. New York, New York: New York University Press. p. 59. ISBN 9780814727126. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
References
- Heitman, Francis B. (1903). "Historical register and dictionary of the United States Army". War Department. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- Stagg, J. C. A. (ed.). "To James Madison from Benjamin Forsyth, 24 October 1812 (Abstract)". University of Virginia Press. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
- Tucker, Spencer (2012). The Encyclopedia Of the War Of 1812: A Political, Social, and Military History [3 volumes]: A Political, Social, and Military History. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781851099573.