The Anticipated Attack Upon York

Source

"Rumours had been heard all during the winter of the preparations which were being made on the American side. Yeo and his sailors were still struggling through the snow from Halifax. There were no telegraphs in those days, and but one road, the Kingston road, which wound its way through the forests and the scattered settlements which fringed the shores of the lake. News came slowly. It was a time of expectancy and all Canada was waiting for the attack."

"It was known at York that the breaking up of the ice would be the signal for the sailing of the enemy's fleet."

"About 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon the 26th, some ten ships of the enemy were sighted from the 

Highlands of Scarborough about eight miles out on the lake, and steering apparently towards York."