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Most Canadians know the name of Laura Secord, though the subject of her heroic trek has long been the subject of controversy. There are conflicting reports of how she saved the British and Canadian forces at the Battle of Beaver Dams during the War of 1812.
Laura Ingersoll Secord was the wife of James Secord. They lived in the small village of Queenston on the Niagara River in Upper Canada. Residing on the border, they saw a great deal of action during the war.
Though Laura was born in the United States and had family living across the border, she was loyal to the British Crown and the defense of the colony. At times, the British troops occupied the area around Queenston. On one such occasion, the Secords were forced to take American Officers into their home. It was at this time that Laura’s famous act of patriotism began.
June 21, 1813, Laura’s husband, James, was home recuperating from a wound he had suffered at the Battle of Queenston Heights six months earlier. The American officers came to the Secord’s and insisted Laura serve them dinner. Food was plentiful. The wine flowed. The officers became careless and boasted that they were going to attack the British and Canadians at Beaver Dams.
Colonel Boerstter planned to attack Lieutenant Fizz Gibbon and destroy his headquarters and take the detachment that was protecting the military equipment captive. Laura knew that if Fizz Gibbon wasn’t warned, the entire Niagara Peninsula would be lost.
Laura talked to James. He was unable to go. He was barely able to walk and it would be impossible for him to get a messenger past the American Sentries. Laura, to James’ dismay, decided she would make the trek. At dawn the following morning, Laura began her journey. Here, the controversy begins.
Some versions of the story say that Laura led her cow through the countryside as a cover for inquiring American Sentries. It is now believed that this story is a myth. Romantic and interesting, but probably not true.
Another version, which seems to be supported by historical evidence, says that Laura told Colonel Boerstter she was going to St. David’s to see her half-brother, Charles, who was in bed with a fever. Laura did indeed go to St. David’s. Her visit would serve a double purpose. She could visit her sick brother and find out if he had sufficiently recovered to take the message to Fitzgibbon. If not, possibly one of James’ nephews, who lived in the house where Charles was being nursed could go.
Laura left the house at the crack of dawn, dressed in a cotton dress with a long straight skirt and a white bonnet. On her feet, Laura wore slippers made of light kid with low heels and with ties at the instep. They offered little protection on the country roads, still less in crossing fields or walking through the woods. Laura knew she could not be captured. In those days the punishment for spies was death by firing squad.
When Laura reached St. David’s she learned that Charles was still quite ill. James’ two oldest nephews were away with the militia. Her heart sank as she realized she would have to make the dangerous trek herself. The woods were full of Indians and wolves. In places she would have to walk through dense woods and swamps. Laura was not deterred.
Laura’s niece, Elizabeth, walked with her for three hours before giving up when they neared Black Swamp. Laura continued her journey alone.
From here, Laura was uncertain of the way and feared she would encounter unfriendly Indians. Following the general direction of Twelve Mile Creek, she crossed over fields and waded through swamps. The hot sun beat down upon her. Brambles tore at her clothes. It is believed that at some point she lost the kid slippers she was wearing and continued her trek in bare feet.
Laura must have experienced some qualms about wildcats, wolves and rattlesnakes. At that time, the Niagara Peninsula was full of them. Determined, Laura continued on her way. As darkness fell, she reached the edge of the swamp and climbed a steep escarpment. She forged ahead through the thick undergrowth. Upon entering a clearing, Laura found herself surrounded by Indians. Though she trembled in fear, Laura didn’t panic. Somehow she made the chief understand the urgency of the situation. According to her own account, the chief escorted her to Beaver Dams and to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon.
Laura told Fitzgibbon of the impending attack by the Americans. Though Fitzgibbon had no idea who Laura was, he was impressed by her grit. Her deep-set eyes had dark circles around them and were filled with anxiety. Her clothes were torn and bedraggled and her feet were bare. Fitzgibbon was convinced she was telling the truth and ordered his men to escort her to the safety of the nearby Turney farm.
In 1827, Fitzgibbon referred to Laura in a letter. “The weather on the 22nd day of June 1813, was very hot and Mrs. Secord, whose person was slight and delicate, appeared to have been and no doubt was very much exhausted by the exertion she made in coming to me, and I have ever since held myself personally indebted to her for her conduct upon that occasion…”
Laura did not publicly record her story for many years. In 1860, when she was 85 years-old, The Prince of Wales, while visiting Canada, read Laura’s account of her trek and sent her one hundred pounds.
Today, in a churchyard in Niagara Falls, a monument has been erected in memory of Laura.
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