During the War of 1812 Brockville was attacked
on February 6th, 1813, by a group of 200 men led
by Captain Forsyth the American Commander at Ogdensburg.
They crossed the ice and arrived in Brockville just
before midnight, as a result all of Brockville Militia
were asleep. Captain Forsyth entered the jail and
let out all of the prisoners except for one man
who had been charged with murder. The left flank
force led by Lieutenant Johnson, consisting of civilian
volunteers, met up with Sergeant Foster and a group
of sharpshooters. In the confusion they fired upon
each other. Several Brockville citizens were surprised
to look out their windows to see a small American
Civil war waging in what would be the present day
Reliable parking lot. Forsyth and his men remained
in Brockville only long enough to take Major Carley,
three captains, two lieutenants and forty-five prominent
citizens. Shortly after arriving in Ogdensburg,
the prisoners were all released and the major was
exchanged for an imprisoned American major.
