Niagarans want England to return War of 1812 flag
American banner was captured during the Battle of Queenston Heights
A battle flag captured in the heat of fighting at Queenston Heights during the War of 1812 should rest in Canada, says a group trying to have the trophy repatriated from the U.K.
The American flag, taken by a Chippewa warrior fighting with the British, is hanging in the Great Hall of Royal Hospital Chelsea, in London, England.
The flag’s journey, from the scene of one of the most important battles in Canadian history, is a “fascinating” one, said Bob Ciupa, who is helping to lead the charge to have the flag brought back to Canada.
“Those colours belong in Canada,” said Ciupa, who along with Brian McGillion, Ron Dubciak, Ron Gibson and Gary Cornet have been working for about a year to have the flag returned from England. “There is no more significant military artifact (to Canada) than that flag. We need to ask for this.”
Ciupa, a Niagara resident, and the others involved, have researched the story behind the flag’s journey and can recount in detail what happened that day in the autumn of 1812.
British Gen. Isaac Brock was lying dead from a sniper’s bullet, shot just above the heart after he led a frontal assault up Queenston Heights to dislodge U.S. forces that had taken the rocky hill top on Oct. 13, 1812.
Maj.-Gen. Roger Hale Sheaffe arrived in the afternoon from Fort George with reinforcements, including 300 regular soldiers and 250 militia, accompanied by Capt. Robert Runchey’s Company of Coloured Men, and they stealthily climbed Queenston Heights.
Sheaffe decided against a frontal assault against the Americans, who had repelled not only Brock’s frontal assault but also that of his aidede-camp, Lt.-Col. John MacDonell, who was also mortally wounded in a similar attack.
The Americans had been pinned down by a small group of First Nations warriors allied with the British. Mohawk chiefs John Norton and John Brant and about 80 Haudenosaunee, Delaware and Chippewa warriors fought the Americans, preventing them from taking over the heights. The Indigenous force was critical in preserving the British victory.
Sheaffe attacked from the rear,
trapping the Americans against the cliff. The sound of guns prompted American Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer’s reserves from the New York militia to crumble without support, as they were running low on ammunition.
An eyewitness, Sir. John Beverly Robinson wrote in his diary the American flag was captured just before “poor Brock fell.”
Ciupa said the flag was taken by a Chippewa warrior, the only time colours were captured in the “heat of battle” on Canadian soil.
The flag has the arms of the United States on one side, while on the other side are the arms of New York and its motto “Excelisor.” It had been the flag of a New York militia unit.
Robinson wrote the flag was presented to Sheaffe on the field and “I saw him with it round him on the field.”
Ciupa said Sheaffe “wore the colours for the rest of the battle.”
The British-Canadian charge with bayonets took the Americans by surprise. Alongside the 41st Regiment of Foot and the 49th Foot, Runchey’s Company of Coloured Men fired a single volley and charged, forcing the American surrender.
U.S. Lt.-Col. Winfield Scott, who had taken over from wounded commander Capt. John Wool, waved a white handkerchief, signalling surrender. Almost 1,000 Americans were taken prisoner, with 300 killed or wounded. The British regulars, Upper Canada militia, and First Nations warriors lost 28 men, with 77 wounded.
It was one of the most important Canadian victories in the War of 1812 and critical to the history of what would become Canada, said Ciupa.
Although how the flag settled in England is unsettled, Gibson suggested one of Brock’s brothers returned it to King George III. Once in England, the flag bounced about from various locations before ending up at Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Gibson said it took the group about six months to find where the flag is located. It had been in the war trophy collection at Chapel Royal, Whitehall, then transferred to Royal Hospital Chelsea by King William IV in 1834.
Royal Hospital Chelsea is a seniors home for retired British army veterans located in central London.
“This has been quite the endeavour,” Gibson said of the research. “But a lot of fun, too.”
Liam Best, senior communications manager, Royal Hospital Chelsea, said in an email the “colours were laid to rest” at the hospital “at the express direction of the reigning British monarch of the time.”
Best said the flag is “on display” and not in storage.
“Our board of commissioners have been charged with the preservation and upkeep of our heritage items, including the colours mentioned and we take great care in the preservation, storage and restoration of our artifacts.”
Eric Durr, of the public affairs office for New York’s National Guard, on behalf of the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Centre in Saratoga Springs, told Metroland the New York group would not interfere with a request from Canada regarding repatriation of the flag.
The mixed British force “won it fair and square,” he said.
Durr said there were about five New York militias involved in the Battle of Queenston Heights. At the time, capturing another force’s flag constituted a significant victory and symbolized winning the battle.
Ciupa discovered the story behind the capture of the American flag in January 2022. He also learned, for the first time, about the participation of Runchey’s Company and how it fought for the British.
In a June 5, 2023, letter sent to King Charles III, the group said the flag “may be said without hyperbole to be the pre-eminent military artifact in Canada’s history.”
Not only was the flag taken during a critical military battle, but it was captured by a diverse military force that included British soldiers, local militia, Indigenous and Black combatants, said Ciupa.
“This is so typically Canadian,” he said. “The symbol of that flag resonates with our country today. That’s what Canadians have been fighting for.”
Ciupa has also sent letters to the Canadian government, military officials and local politicians seeking assistance.
Niagara Falls Conservative MP Tony Baldinelli sent a letter in June to Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, requesting Canada ask British authorities to return the flag.
“It needs to be repatriated back to Canada and displayed in the country where it was used in battle,” said Baldinelli.
William Morrison, spokesperson for Baldinelli, said while the Canadian government acknowledged the MP’s letter, “no formal response” has been provided.
Baldinelli “continues to be engaged in this matter,” said Morrison, adding he recently met with a representative of the group.
The minister has not responded to a request for comment.
Canadian Heritage spokesperson Daniel Savoie said the government department has a program to support the return of cultural heritage items to Canada. Should a heritage institution wish to acquire a cultural item from outside Canada they can apply to the Movable Cultural Property Grants program, he said, which can provide financial support for repatriating a cultural item.
Ciupa has also been in contact with First Nations’ representatives in an attempt to identify the Chippewa warrior who picked up the American flag.
“If we can identify that warrior, the symbolism would be fabulous,” said Ciupa. “It would be great to honour the First Nations forefathers and what they did (in the battle and the War of 1812).”
Ciupa said an opportunity for the flag to be officially returned to Canada could occur during an already announced royal tour of Canada this year, the first visit to a British realm since King Charles III’s coronation. But the visit is facing uncertainty after it was recently disclosed King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer.
Best said officials are aware of the letter Ciupa sent to King Charles, “and we are required to await Crown permission regarding movement of any items entrusted to us in our collection.”
Ciupa sent a followup letter Feb. 2 to the King, wishing him well and a speedy recovery, but also reiterating the group’s interest in having the flag returned to Canada.
The goal would be to have the flag prominently displayed at either Fort George or Queenston Heights, said Ciupa.
“That would be wonderful.”
The flag ‘may be said without hyperbole to be the pre-eminent military artifact in Canada’s history.’