Niagara Falls in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Ill Try, Sir
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, September 19, 2019
1. Ill Try, Sir Marker
Inscription.
Ill Try, Sir. . On the evening of July 25, 1814, Col. James Miller, commander of the 21st US Infantry Regiment, was asked if his regiment could silence the seven British guns that had been holding the attacking American Army at bay for several hours. Miller replied Ill try, sir. Then under the cover of darkness, the 21st Infantry quietly ascended the southeast slope of this hill. When they advanced within 15 yards of the left flank of the gun line, the Americans fired a volley from their muskets and then assaulted the artillerymen with bayonets and captured the battery. A subsequent British counterattack was unsuccessful. The assault was not a strategic victory for the American forces. Lacking sufficient ammunition and water, they were forced to withdraw to the south. However, news of the successful attack raised the morale of the American people. The following year, the veterans of the 21st Infantry were absorbed into the 5th U.S Infantry Regiment, Colonel Miller took command of the 5th and his famous Ill try, sir became the regimental motto.,
(Placed here on July 25, 2014, the bicentennial of the Battle of Lundys Lane, by the 5th Infantry Regiment Association).
On the evening of July 25, 1814, Col. James Miller, commander of the 21st US Infantry Regiment, was asked if his regiment could silence the seven British guns that had been holding the attacking American Army at bay for several hours. Miller replied Ill try, sir. Then under the cover of darkness, the 21st Infantry quietly ascended the southeast slope of this hill.
When they advanced within 15 yards of the left flank of the gun line, the Americans fired a volley from their muskets and then assaulted the artillerymen with bayonets and captured the battery. A subsequent British counterattack was unsuccessful. The assault was not a strategic victory for the American forces. Lacking sufficient ammunition and water, they were forced to withdraw to the south. However, news of the successful attack raised the morale of the American people. The following year, the veterans of the 21st Infantry were absorbed into the 5th U.S Infantry Regiment, Colonel Miller took command of the 5th and his famous Ill try, sir became the regimental motto.
(Placed here on July 25, 2014, the bicentennial of the Battle of Lundys Lane, by
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the 5th Infantry Regiment Association)
Erected 2014 by 5th Infantry Regiment Association.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical date for this entry is July 25, 1814.
Location. 43° 5.348′ N, 79° 5.754′ W. Marker is in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from Lundy's Lane, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in Drummond Hill Cemetery, along the east edge of Drummond Hill Presbyterian Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6136 Lundy's Lane, Niagara Falls ON L2G 1T1, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle of Lundy's Lane (here, next to this marker);
The cannon by the Soldiers Monument marks the location of the British battery. The marker is partially seen at the center of the photo.
Internet Archive
6. General James Miller (From an Old Painting)
From Perley's Reminiscences by Ben. Perley Poore 1886, page 163.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,497 times since then and 117 times this year. Last updated on September 6, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 22, 2019, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 6. submitted on March 28, 2024, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
