Sackets Harbor in Jefferson County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
American Dragoon Commander Wounded
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2014
1. American Dragoon Commander Wounded Marker
Lieutenant Colonel Electus Backus, leader of the U.S. Light Dragoons, was commanding officer before General Jacob Brown assumed the post. While holding the line of defense with his dragoons from the nearby drainage ditch, Backus was wounded and removed from he field. After the battle, he was transported to Brownsville, New York, where he died eight days later. Fellow officers regarded Backus's leadership during the battle as critical to containing the british attack. Lieutenant Colonel Backus was buried in the military cemetery in Sackets Harbor.After the war, the bodies of Colonel Backus and a number of other officers, including Zebulon Pike, were moved to the military cemetery near Madison Barracks, where this wooden monument was placed. By 1860, the monument had decayed and vanished. Illustration from Benson Lossing, A Pictorial Fieldbook of the War of 1812.
From Cantonment to Farm
Following the battle, Smith's Cantonment, an enclosed, fortified barracks for 2,500 troops, was built on a portion of this land. It was abandoned, however, with the development of Madison Barracks in
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Erected by the State of New York. (Marker Number 6.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 43° 56.944′ N, 76° 7.622′ W. Marker is in Sackets Harbor, New York, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Washington Street south of Ontario Street, on the left when traveling west. This historical marker is located in Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Park, along the walking trail, a short distance southwest of the parking lot at the end of Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Sackets Harbor NY 13685, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Smoothbore Muzzle Loader Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Sackets Harbor Battlefield (within shouting distance of this marker); Fight for the Cantonment Area (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1913 Centennial Monument (about 300 feet away); Fort Tompkins (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Fort Tompkins (about 600 feet away); The British Withdrawal (about 600 feet away); The British Advance is Halted (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sackets Harbor.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2014
2. American Dragoon Commander Wounded Marker
A close-up view of the map of Sackets Harbor, showing the location of where Colonel Backus was wounded and where he is buried.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2014
3. Military Cemetery
A close-up view, from the historical marker, of a picture of where General Pike and other military officers are buried in the Sackets Harbor, Military Cemetery.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2014
4. American Dragoon Commander Wounded Marker
A close-up view, taken from the historical marker, showing the stone officers quarter going up in the Madison Barracks.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2014
5. American Dragoon Commander Wounded Marker
View of the historical marker, looking southwest along the park's walking trail, with a view of the park's barn and picnic pavilion in the distant background.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2014
6. American Dragoon Commander Wounded Marker
View of the historical marker, looking west along the park's walking trail, with a view of Lake Ontario in the distant background.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 10, 2014
7. American Dragoon Commander Wounded Marker
View of the historical marker, looking north, towards the park's Hall House facility in the distant background.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 31, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
