One of the officers guarding the Heights during the War of 1812 was John Harvey (1778-1852). Harvey had entered the British army in 1794 at age 16. He served in Ireland, Holland, France, South Africa, Egypt, Ceylon and India, and later was Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, and the Governor of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. In 1813, as a lieutenant-colonel, he was posted with Major-General Vincent at Burlington Heights.
Following the British defeat at Fort George, Harvey suggested that Vincent's men catch the Americans unprepared in a night attack on their camp in Stoney Creek at the farms of James and William Gage. On June 5, 1813, at 2:00 am, Vincent and Harvey took 704 men of the 8th and 49th Regiments from Burlington Heights, and marched them in attack on the 3,500 American soldiers. 23 British soldiers were killed, 136 wounded and 55 went missing. However, by morning the British had taken several cannons and 125 prisoners, including seven officers, General Chandler and General Winder. The rest of the American army were in retreat to Niagara.
Most consider the Battle of Stoney Creek to be the battle that turned the tide of the War of 1812 to the benefit of Canada and Britain. For his courageous strategy and skill, Harvey received the Star of Bath and the Star of Guelph, and was knighted Sir John Harvey in 1824. Burlington Heights Park was renamed Harvey Park in his honour on June 11, 1894.