  Fought July, 1812. American Force under General Hull, 2,500. British and Indians under Colonel Proctor, about 400. Hull crossed the strait at Sandwich With near three thousand of the foe, Occupied the site of Windsor, And prepared to strike a blow He believed would prove fatal To our southwestern borderland; Demanded instant full submission, And the support of his command. Ah! he knew not how Canadians Loved the brave old Union Jack, But scouted at the dauntless souls That drove the foeman back. He, with o’er-confidence and pride, Formed his invading force once more, And marched away that summer day By the noble river’s shore; Marched downward by the river With banners bedight and gay, To subjugate the British post That held him there at bay. Swiftly out from old Fort Malden Proctor led his valiant band, Formed beside the Canard River, Taking a bold, intrepid stand. A handful of British heroes, With Indian allies fierce and brave, Cunningly taking position Our southwestern border to save, In silence grim awaited The clamorous march of the foe, And the wind sighed in the foliage, And the river made murmur low. As the dead the British were silent Till the American line drew near, Then thundered on them a volley, And defied them with cheer on cheer. The advancing foe was staggered, And confused by the deadly rain That Proctor hurled from the Canard In volleys again and again. And all in vain Hull struggled His wavering line to maintain; His men were falling around him, And the field he never could gain. Proctor swept them from left to right In confusion; Hull strove in vain,— In sore defeat, and put to retreat, He fled by the river again. |
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