Alexander Fraser

Alexander Fraser (early 1789 - 10 July 1872) was a Scottish-born British Army officer who served in the War of 1812 and later became a prominent figure in the early colonial development of Eastern Ontario, Canada. He is notably remembered for his pivotal role in the Battle of Stoney Creek, where he captured both commanding American generals after leading a decisive night attack. Fraser later held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Canadian militia and was a founder, landowner, and magistrate of the town of Perth in Ontario.

Early life Alexander Fraser was born in early 1789 at the Fort Augustus barracks in Inverness-shire, Scotland, the eldest son of Peter Fraser, a veteran drummer in the 71st Regiment of Foot, and Jean MacDonald. The family included six children. As dependents of a soldier, they likely received accommodation, rations, and education at the barracks. In 1807, Fraser enlisted in the 10th Royal Veteran Battalion alongside his father and two brothers. The battalion was soon deployed to Canada for garrison duty on the frontier amid rising tensions with the United States. The family is believed to have arrived in Quebec in September 1807.

Service in the War of 1812 In August 1810, Alexander Fraser transferred to the 49th Regiment of Foot, a leading regiment known as the 'Green Tigers' for its fighting reputation. His brother Peter joined him in the same regiment in May 2011. Alexander was promoted to sergeant and appointed assistant sergeant major in January 1813, despite being younger and less experienced than other sergeants.

Battle of Stoney Creek

The Battle of Stoney Creek, fought in the early hours of 6 June 1813, was a crucial British and Canadian defensive victory over an invading American force. During a nocturnal engagement, British forces launched a surprise assault on the American encampment. The British victory was largely determined by the capture of both American commanding officers by Fraser and an overestimation by the American forces of British strength. The battle was a turning point in the defence of Upper Canada. Fraser's actions as assistant sergeant major in the 49th Foot Regiment during the battle propelled him into the officer class, a position he leveraged for the remainder of his life.

In the days before the battle, the 49th Foot Regiment was part of a poorly equipped force of approximately 1,600 men, pursued by over twice their number of well-equipped American troops after the British defeat at Fort George. The American army was under the joint command of Brigadier General John Chandler and Brigadier General William Winder. On the evening of 5 June 1813, the invading American force camped alongside a shallow stream near Stoney Creek.

After the Americans established their camp, the British and Canadians, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel John Harvey, quietly advanced from their nearby base at Burlington Heights and launched a surprise night-time attack with some 800 men. Despite initial success, the larger size of the American force meant the attack soon lost momentum.

Major Charles Plenderleath, commanding the British 49th Foot Regiment, observed the flash of two cannons from the American artillery, positioned close to the 49th's line. Realizing the importance of these guns, Plenderleath called for volunteers to charge the cannons before they could reload. Sergeant Alexander Fraser and his 21-year-old brother Peter, a corporal, were among approximately 20 volunteers. Fortunately for the British, American General Winder had just ordered the artillery to cease firing, and unaware of the British advance, the artillerymen began hitching their gun carriages to horses. This action meant the cannons were unable to fire and many of the American artillerymen were momentarily without personal arms. The British infantrymen reached the cannons, engaged the gunners and quickly captured the position. They then continued to engage the American 23rd Infantry, which managed one volley before being scattered by the 49th's momentum.

Amidst the confusion, American General Chandler, injured nearby when his horse fell, limped into the newly secured British lines. Sergeant Fraser, taking a break from bandaging Major Plenderleath, took the general as his prisoner. A few minutes later, General Winder, the American co-commander, made the same mistake. Realizing his error, Winder drew his pistol and aimed it at Fraser, who was poised to take him prisoner. Fraser pointed his musket at Winder's chest and also took him prisoner.

Soon after the battle, Sergeant Alexander Fraser was rewarded for his bravery with a field commission and posted to Fredericton, New Brunswick, as an adjutant in the New Brunswick Fencibles. He was promoted to lieutenant in June 1815. His regiment was disbanded in February 1816, and he was placed on half pay and granted a large land package at the Perth Military Settlement in Eastern Ontario.

Political involvement Although unsuccessful in his bids for election in 1836 and 1844, Fraser was politically active as a conservative loyalist and was aligned with establishment figures opposed to the Reform movement. in 1814 and the couple had 15 children, ten of whom survived to adulthood. His sons Alexander Jr. and James Alexander held public service roles in Carleton County, with the latter being recognised by Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald in 1879.

Tombstone in Perth's Old Pioneer Cemetery of Alexander Fraser, as well as his wife Ann, his son Alexander, his son Charles Plenderleith, his daughter Margaret, and his son Johnnie.

Death and legacy Alexander Fraser died at Annsfield on 10 July 1872 and was buried in the Old Pioneer Cemetery in Perth alongside his wife. In 2013, his grave was marked with a commemorative plaque by the Gravesite Project, honouring veterans of the War of 1812.

Fraser's contributions to Canadian military history and civic life have been documented by historians Ron W. Shaw and M.E. Irene Spence, who describe his ascent from drummer's son to military commander and civic leader as an example of the opportunities for personal advancement available in colonial Canada.