YORK, Battle of, in the War of 1812. Perry's victory at Lake Erie (q.v.) and Harn son's defeat of Proctor at the Thames (q.v.) successfully concluded one part of the cam paign for the invasion of Canada. As the next step Gen. Henry Dearborn (q.v.) planned to capture York (now Toronto), besiege Fort George (q.v.) by land and water, and then move on to Kingston after being joined by the troops at Buffalo, which were to capture Forts Erie and Chippewa. Leaving Sackett's Harbor (q.v.) defenseless, Corn. Isaac Chauncey (q.v.), with 14 vessels, carrying 112 guns and 9t10 men, conveyed Dearborn, Zebulon M. Pike (q.v.) and 1,600 .troops to York, which was attacked on the morning 27 April 1813. The British garrison of regulars and militia under Major-General Sheaffe were driven back toward their main works but when about 60 yards away a powder magazine was exploded by the British causing great 'havoc and killing about 40 British and 100 American soldiers, Pike being among those mortally wounded.
Nevertheless the Americans pressed forward and finally drove the regulars toward Kingston and captured the militia, besides large quanti ties of stores and a 10-gun brigade. The public buildings were then stt afire. The American loss was about 320 killed and wounded and the British 90 killed, 200 wounded and 300 prison ers. This paved the way for the capture of Fort George (q.v.) and the later battles of Stony Creek, Beater !)ant, Chrystler's Farm, Chateaugay, Lacolle Mill, Fort Erie, Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, Plattsburg and Lake Champlain (qq.v.). Consult Wiley and Rines, 'The United States,' Vol. V, pp. 402-405; Rooset eh, 'Nasal War of 1812,' pp. 224-230; Whitney, Henry. 'Life of Pike' ; 'American State Papers, Military Affairs,' Vol. I pp 442-444; Maclay, E. S. 'History of the Nat y,' Vol I; Cooper, I. F., 'Naval History,' Vol. II ; histo ries of the war by Lossing, Brackenridge and Armstrong.