On October 9, 1812, 100 American sailors and soldiers crossed the Niagara River to capture two British vessels anchored near Fort Erie.

Lieutenant Jessie Elliot had only recently arrived at Buffalo and almost immediately started gathering troops for a raid on the ships.

[1] The British sailors on Detroit were distracted by the action on the Caledonia, allowing Elliot's men to easily take the brig by surprise.

They briefly regained control of the brig but cannon fire from Black Rock drove them away.

The two ship's cargo included 200 muskets, $200,000 worth of fur, and so much pork destined for Fort Amherstburg that the British there had to go on half rations.