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War in Niagara
Forward:
While Europe fought the armies of
Napoleon, a lesser known war erupted on the
frontiers of British Upper Canada. On June 18,
1812, the United States declared war on Great
Britain and her colonies in Canada. In attempt
to strike at Great Britain, the US set their sights
on Canada. Former President Thomas Jefferson
believed: "The acquisition of Canada this year,as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a
mere matter of marching, and will give us the
experience for the attack on Halifax, the next
and final expulsion of England from the
American continent."
For three years, Niagara would be a war zone,
the scene of American invasions and bloody
battles. The Niagara frontier was a strategic
link and trade route between Lakes Erie andOntario. After several failed attempts in 1812
and 1813, the US made one last effort in the
summer of 1814 to capture Niagara. If
successful, the US Left Division would then
board ships bound for Kingston to strike at the
British headquarters, cutting off all British
territories west of Quebec. It was here at that
the Battles of Chippawa, Lundys Lane and Fort
Erie the fate of Canada was decided.
After the last shot was fired and the
treaty of Ghent was signed, the greatest
outcome of the war was the 200 years of peace
and friendship between the US, Great Britain
and Canada. The United States and Canada are
now each others largest trading partners, and
share 6416 km of undefended border.
The Scenarios and Army Lists:
The following are 5 scenarios for use
with the Black Powder miniature war game
rule set. The battles for Chippawa and Cooks
Mills are designed for one on one play with
each player controlling a brigade of troops,
while the scenarios for Lundys Lane, the siege
of Fort Erie and the battle of St. Davids are
designed for four or more players. Note that
there was some creative licencing in regards totroop strengths in order to achieve (in the
opinion of the author) greater playability. Also
included are generic army lists for gamers to
engage in What if scenarios.
General Ripley leads the US 23rd
Infantry
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The Battle of Chippawa
July 5, 1814
On the morning of July 3rd 1814, the
5000 strong US Left Division lead by Major
General Jacob Brown crossed the Niagara River
at Black Rock, what is now Buffalo, NY.
Situated on the Canadian side was a trading
post defended by a small fort apply named Fort
Erie. This was the southern end of animportant trade road that ran north to the
village of Newark on the shores of Lake
Ontario. Newark was guarded by Fort George
at the mouth of the Niagara River some 15
miles north of the Niagara Falls. The small
garrison of 60 soldiers at Fort Erie surrendered
to the Americans without firing a shot and the
US division began its march north. Browns
plan was to clear the Niagara frontier of British
then link up with Commodore IsaacChaunceys fleet at Newark from which he
would sail for Kingston.
On the evening of July the 4th the
Americans were camped at Streets Creek two
miles south of Chippawa. These troops lead by
General Winfield Scott were joined by more
regulars and militia under Major General Jacob
Brown and as well as some allied natives.
Across the Chippawa river was British Major
Phineas Raill with three British infantry
regiments, Canadian militia, natives and
artillery. Eager to engage the Americans, Riall
Crossed the bridge at Chippawa and ran head
strong into the US 1st Brigade commanded by
Brigadier General Winfield Scott. The 1st
Brigade was the best trained unit in the
American Army whose soldiers wore grey
uniforms because there was a shortage of thetraditional blue army cloth. The two opposing
armies were of almost equal strength, both
being supported by natives and militia.
Riall ordered a head long assault
thinking that the Americans would easily
General Scott's brigade advances at the Battle ofChippawa
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break, but the Americans held their line and
with steadfast discipline repulsed the British. It
was over quickly, the British lost 415 killed,
wounded or missing. And the Americans lost
328 killed, wounded or missing.
Riall and his remaining forces retreated
back across the Chippawa creek where they
dug in and awaited for an American attempt to
cross the creek. Brown wasted no time in
flanking the British by attempting the cross
further west. Riall realizing that his position
was impossible to hold, withdrew all the way
back to Fort George. Brown advanced to
Queenston to await for Chauncey to sail.
General Riall advances south of Chippawa to face the
American invaders
Grand River Natives advance through the woods to
protect the British flank
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Orders of Battle
------------------- The Americans------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Brigadier General Winfield Scott (Staff Rating 9)Scotts Brigade
9th/22nd US Infantry - 24 figures 11th US Infantry- 24 figures 21/25th US Infantry- 24 Figures Artillery2 smoothbore cannons (6&12 pdr)
3rd (Militia) Brigade
Brig Gen Peter B. Porter (Staff Rating 7) 5th Pennsylvania Militia- 16 figures (small unit) Six Nations Warriors- 16 figures (small unit)
------------------The British/Canadians-----------------
Commander-in-Chief
Major General Phineas Riall (Staff Rating 8)1st Brigade
1st Regiment - The Royal Scots - 24 figures The King's 8th Regiment- 24 figures 100th Regiment - 24 figures 19th Light Dragoons: - 4 figures (tiny Unit) Artillery2 smoothbore cannons (6&24 pdr)
2nd Brigade (Staff Rating 8)
Lt. Col Thomas Pearson 2nd Lincoln Militia - 16 figures (small unit) Western/Grand River Warriors - 16 figures (small
unit)
American Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
US Infantry Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Steady
Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 2 4+ 2
Skirmish
Unreliable
Six Nations Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 1 5+ 2
Skirmish
Blood Thirsty
US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12
pdr
1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48 Range
British/Canadian Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
Regular
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 First Shot
Lincoln Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 2 4+ 2
Skirmish
Unreliable
Western
Grand River
Nations
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 1 5+ 2 Skirmish
Blood Thirsty
British
Artillery
Artillery 6 pdr / 24
pdr
1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48/60 Range
Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 1 - 4+ 1 Marauders
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The Battle ofLundys Lane
July 25, 1814
After Commodore Chauncey failed to
sail his fleet from Sackets Harbour and support
the American Left Divisions advance, Brown
withdrew from Queenston to Chippawa in
order to resupply. Lieutenant General Gordon
Drummond had now arrived in Queenston to
take command of the British Army in Niagara.
Along with him came various regular and
militia regiments from York (Toronto) and
Burlington. He ordered Raill to shadow the US
withdraw as far as Lundys Lane, a hill a few
miles west of the mighty Niagara Falls. There
they waited.
Seeing that the British were finally
going to give Brown the engagement that he sodesired, the American 1st Brigade march out of
Chippawa on the Portage Road towards the
heights of Lundys Lane. When General Riall
first heard that a large force of American troops
was headed his way he gave orders to abandon
the British position on the Hill. His advanced
column was headed north on the Portage Road
towards Queenston when they collided with
Major General Drummond's column marching
at the double time towards Lundy's Lane.
Drummond immediately ordered Riall back to
Lundy's Lane, and both columns hurried to
take up their positions on the Hill.
It was 6 o'clock in the evening of July25th 1814 when General Scott's Force of 1100attacked the 1700 British troops lead by GeneralDrummond. The Americans began their attackmoving directly up the hill against the Britishposition and its battery of cannons. The Britishopened fire with a devastating artillery barrageand repulsed the American attack. During thisattack General Scott, now wounded, realized
that it was impossible to advance against theBritish battery of seven brass cannons on thehill and ordered his forces to withdraw andregroup. On a brighter note for the Americans,Scott had sent his 25th Regiment on a flankingmaneuver to the east and had managed to turnthe Britishs left flank and Capture GeneralRaill.
Meanwhile more British reinforcementsbegan arriving; some marching some fourteenmiles. General Brown who had arrived withAmerican reinforcements to see Scott's Brigadebeing cut to pieces ordered the 2nd Brigade tocapture the British artillery position. The actionwas furious and chaotic. Colonel Millers 21stInfantry took advantage of the growingdarkness to creep up the hill to within twentyyards of the British. From there they charged
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forward over running the startled Britishgunners and capturing the artillery.
The British ranks had now swollen to3,600 men against the American 2,800. Over the
next two hours the British and Canadians maderepeated attacks up the hill to re-capture theprecious cannons. A horrible battle of attritionbegan among the already exhausted andparched armies.
General Drummond evaluates the artillery at LundysLane
By midnight both sides were exhausted.American Generals Brown and Scott had bothbeen wounded along with British General Riallwho was wounded and now a prisoner. In the
face of superior British numbers, exhausted andunable to hold the hill for which they had sovaliantly fought for, the Americans retreated totheir camp at Chippawa taking their woundedwith them. The ammunition wagons wereloaded with wounded and transported back totheir camp at Streets Creek. The British andCanadians were too exhausted to harass theretreating Americans as most of the men weremarched many miles on this hot July day. TheAmerican losses were 173 killed, 571 woundedand 117 missing while the British officiallosses were 84 killed, 559 wounded and 193missing.
The American troops straggle back totheir camp at Chippawa, on the way destroyingthe Bridgewater Mills located in what is nowknown as Dufferin Islands. Arriving back attheir camp they plunge themselves into the
river and drank their fill before collapsing intotheir tents. When the Americans returned topick up their dead, they found the Britishentrenched along the Portage Road leading toLundy's Lane. Deciding not to engage, theyreturned to their camp in Chippawa and thenext day retired to Fort Erie.
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Orders of Battle
------------------------ The Americans------------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Major General Jacob Brown1
stBrigade
Brigadier General Winfield Scott 9th /11th US Infantry - 24 figures 22nd US Infantry- 24 figures 25th US Infantry- 24 Figures US Light Dragoons6 figures (small unit) Artillery6 pounder
2nd
Brigade
Brigadier General Eleazer Ripley 1st US Infantry16 figures (small unit)
23
rd
US Infantry24 figures 21st US Infantry24 figures Artillery5.5 Howitzer Artillery12 pounder
3rd (Militia) Brigade
Brig Gen Peter B. Porter 5th Pennsylvania Militia- 16 figures (small unit) NY Militia16 figures (small unit) Wilcox Renegades8 figures (tiny unit)
--------------------The British/Canadians-------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond2
ndor Light Brigade
Maj Gen. Phineas Riall 19th Lt & Prov Dragoons - 6 figures (small unit) Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 figures Incorporated Militia Battalion24 figures 1st Militia Brigade 24 figures Artillery6 pounder
Morrison Brigade
Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Morrison Companies of the 1st/8th/41st24 figures 89th Infantry Regiment24 figures Artillery24 pounder ArtilleryRocket Battery Western/Grand River Warriors12 (small unit)
Scotts Column
Colonel Hercules Scott 103rd Regiment -36 figures (large unit) 8th/104th Regiments24 figures Artillery6 pounder
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American Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
1st
Brigade
US Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Reliable
2nd
Brigade
US Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3
US Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 2 4+ 2 Small
Unreliable
Wilcox
Renegades
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
1 1 4+ 1 Tiny
Skirmish
US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12
pdr
1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48 Range
US Artillery Artillery 5.5Howizter 1 2 4+ 2 36 Range
US Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 4 - 4+ 1 Small
Marauders
British/Canadian Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
Regular
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 First Shot
Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
Unreliable
103rd
Infantry Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
8 4 4+ 4 Large
First Shot
Glengarry Lt
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Muskets
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
Incorporated
Militia
Infantry Smoothbore
Muskets
6 3 4+ 3
Natives Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 1 5+ 2
Small
Skirmish
Blood Thirsty
British
Artillery
Artillery 6 pdr/24 pdr 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48 / 60 Range
Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 4 - 4+ 2 Small
Marauders
Naval Rocket
Battery
Artillery Rockets 1 3-2-1 4+ 1 60
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The Siege of Fort Erie
August 15, 1814The U.S. troops, now under the command of
Brigadier Eleazer Wheelock Ripley, (Brown wasseverely wounded by a Congreve rocket atLundy's Lane) retired back to Fort Erie. TheBritish followed up slowly, making contactwith the American outposts on 4 August. Sincecapturing the fort the U.S. troops had expandedand strengthened the landward defences with aV-shaped redan, a dry ditch and a palisade.
Despite the now growing flow of Britishveteran regiments entering the theater, theywere slow in developing their siege operations.During the first week some Americanschooners moved freely between the fort andBuffalo, occasionally sailing down river tobombard the British camp. In a daring raid, theBritish moved across land some boats frombelow the falls and on 12 August captured twoof the three American vessels anchored off
shore. On 13 August Drummond's siege workswere complete and four smoothbore cannonsiege battery opened fire. The smoothborecannons however were old and not veryeffective in breaching the fort's walls.Drummond decided on a three-pronged nightassault two days later. It was an ambitiousplan, and given the nature of night operations,one that was certain to fail.
Fisher's column was the first to move
out, leaving the British camp at 2:00 a.m. The"forlorn hope", led by Major Charles de Vilatteand Captain Thomas Powell, managed topenetrate the American defence line, some ofthem by wading through the waters of the laketo bypass the palisade. The main body,however, was noisy and this alerted thedefenders. De Watteville's regiment was in the
lead and, to ensure surprise, had beeninstructed to remove the flints from theirmuskets. They were met by a withering firefrom the American defenders. Unable to returnfire, the Swiss panicked. In their haste to get
away, they threw the companies of the 8th and89th into disorder. It was not until daylightthat the three regiments were able to reform,too late to renew the assault. The haplessadvance guard were abandoned to their fate,most becoming prisoner-of-war.
The remaining two columns waited,concealed in a ravine to the north of the fort,until 2:30 a.m. The sound of the engagement ofthe right column was the signal to advance.
Lieutenant Colonel Scott was killed early in theattack, and his men became disoriented andconverged with the centre column in theirattack on the breach in the north-east demi-bastion. The combined force suffered heavilyfrom small arms and artillery fire as they closedup to the breach.
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They launched three major assaults and
were repulsed each time. Finally, on the fourth
attempt, the British infantrymen overcame the
American gunners and broke into the bastion.
They turned the smoothbore cannons on the
defenders and started to clear the northern
barracks but were driven back to the bastion.
Here the British hung on tenaciously in the
expectation that reserves would reinforce their
effort. They made one more attempt to
breakout soon after daylight on the morning of
16 August.
During the fighting, an ammunition
chest caught fire, causing the expense magazine
under the smoothbore cannon platform of the
bastion to explode. Men, masonry, timber and
other assorted debris were hurtled skyward in a
pillar of fire. The mangled British survivors
surrendered. The waiting reserves outside the
fort refused to advance, convinced that the fort
was mined and that a similar fate awaited
them. Having lost 366 killed or wounded and
539 missing, Sir Gordon Drummond stopped
the attack. Among the killed was his nephew,
Lieutenant Colonel William Drummond.
The assault had been a disaster. While SirGordon Drummond accepted responsibility forthe failure, he attempted to shift most of theblame to De Watteville's Regiment. While theSwiss did break, the attack suffered generallyfrom poor planning and inadequate siegeartillery. Despite these shortcomings, the plannearly succeeded. If the reserve troops hadfollowed up the capture of the bastion or thedetonation of the magazine had not occurredthe British may have been able to pull it off.
Special Rules:
Assaulting Infantry are assumed to havesiege ladders and sappers to breach the defences
The American defenders are shelteredbehind fortifications and gain appropriate bonuses
in combat (Black Powder pg 46, 47, & 68).
The British Redoubt contains Siege artillerywhich gives the attacker +1 to hit vs. fortified
targets.
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Orders of Battle
------------------------- The Americans-----------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Brigadier General GainesLeft Brigade
Brigadier General Eleazer Ripley 21st US Infantry24 Figures 23rd US Infantry24 figures Artillery - 6 pdr
Center Brigade
Brig Gen Peter B. Porter PA & NY Militia- 24 figures US Rifles8 figures (tiny unit) Artillery6 pdr
Right Brigade (Fort)
Lt. Col. William MacRee 9th/ 11th/ 22nd US Infantry16 figures (small unit) 19th US Infantry8 figures (tiny unit) Artillery12 pdr
--------------------The British/Canadians-------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Lieutenant General Gordon DrummondSiege Works
Artillery6 pdr Artillery2 x 24 pdr smoothbore siege cannons
Drummonds Column
Lt. Col. William Drummond Combined Light Infantry24 figures Native Warriors8 figures (tiny unit)
Scotts Column
Lt. Colonel Hercules Scott 103rd Regiment36 figures (large unit) 1st Royal Scotts24 figures
Fischers Column
Lt. Col. Victor Fischer 8th Regiment24 figures 1st Battalion Regiment de Watteville36 figures 2nd Battalion Regiment de Watteville36 figures
The Americans prepare for a siege at Fort Erie.
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American Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
US Infantry Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3
9th
/11th
/22nd
US Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Small
Reliable
19th
US
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
1 1 4+ 1 Tiny
US Rifles Infantry Rifled
Musket
1 1 4+ 1
Tiny
Skirmish
Sharpshooters
US Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Unreliable
US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12pdr 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 24 / 48 Range
British/Canadian Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-
Hand
Shooting Moral Stamina Special
Regular
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 First Shot
Light Infantry Infantry Smoothbore
Muskets
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
103rd
and
Watteville
Regiments
Infantry Smoothbore
Muskets
8 4 4+ 4 Large
First Shot
Native
Warriors
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
1 1 4+ 1 Skirmish
Terrifying
Charge
Siege Artillery
Smoothbore
Siege
Artillery
24 pdr 1 3-2-1 4+ 3 60 Range
British
Artillery
Artillery 6 pdr 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 24 Range
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The Battle of St. Davids
July 18th
, 1814
This fictitious scenario tries to answer the
question What if Chauncey had sailed to
support Brown? In this scenario that would
have likely taken place on July 18th 1814,
Commodore Chauncey decided to take control
of Lake Ontario and sail to support Browns
division that was waiting at Queenston.General Drummond has realized that his only
option was to defeat Brown in the field or be
cut off and loose Upper Canada. If Brown
could defeat Drummond, he could board
Chaunceys ships and sail for Kingston and link
up with Major General Izards Right Division.
Drummond decides to march on Queenston
and outflank Brown from the west. The two
armies meet in St. Davids to decide the fate ofNiagara.
Orders of Battle
--------------------- The Americans----------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Major General Brown1st Brigade
Brigadier General Scott 9th/22nd US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures 11th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures 25th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures Artillery6 pdr
2nd
Brigade
Brigadier General Ripley 21st US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures 23rd US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures US Light Dragoons6 Figures (small unit)
Artillery12 pdr
3rd (Militia) Brigade
Brigadier General Porter PA Militia Regiment16 Figures (small unit) NY Militia Regiment16 Figures (small unit) Wilcox Renegades8 Figures (tiny unit) Artillery1 Field Howitzer
-----------------The British/Canadians----------------
Commander-in-Chief
Lt. General DrummondLight Brigade
Major General Raill Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 Figures Incorporated Militia Regiment24 Figures Lincoln / York Militia 24 Figures JohnNortons Natives12 Figures (small) Artillery6 pdr
1st
Brigade
Colonel Hercules Scott 8th Foot24 Figures 103rd Foot36 Figures
19th Lt Dragoons - 6 Figures (small unit) Artillery24 pdr
Reserve
Lt. Colonel John Gordon 1st Foot24 Figures Artillery6 pdr
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Scenario Map:
The Lincoln Militia Marches to save their homes
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American Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
1st
Brigade
US Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Reliable
2nd
Brigade
US Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3
US Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 2 4+ 2 Small
Unreliable
Wilcox
Renegades
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
1 1 4+ 1 Tiny
Skirmish
US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12
pdr
1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48 Range
US Artillery Artillery 5.5Howitzer 1 2 4+ 2 36 Range
US Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 4 - 4+ 1 Small
Marauders
British/Canadian Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
Regular
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 First Shot
Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
Unreliable
103rd
Infantry Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
8 4 4+ 4 Large
First Shot
Glengarry Lt
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Muskets
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
Incorporated
Militia
Infantry Smoothbore
Muskets
6 3 4+ 3
Natives Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 1 5+ 2
Small
Skirmish
Blood Thirsty
British
Artillery
Artillery 6 pdr/24 pdr 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48 / 60 Range
Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 4 - 4+ 2 Small
Marauders
Naval Rocket
Battery
Artillery Rockets 1 3-2-1 4+ 1 60
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The Battle of Cooks Mills
October 19th, 1814After the failed siege of Fort Erie, the
British withdrew to Chippawa and the newlyarrived American Right Division commandedby Major General George Izard once againmoved up to face the British across the river.There, the General Drummond established adefensive position complete with new fielddefenses. The Americans attempted to outflankthe British, but Drummond responded quickly.
A British force from Chippawa commanded byColonel Christopher Myers consisted of 800men of the 82nd, 100th and Glengarry LightInfantry faced off against the US 5th, 14th, 15thand 16th US Infantry commanded by BrigadierGeneral Daniel Bissel. The British had withthem Congreve rockets and one cannon whichproved effective in balancing the numbers.
The battle was fought across a small tributary
of the Chippawa called Lyons Creek. Situated
at a road crossing was a mill that held winterfood stores for the British army. Lead elements
of the British force came into contact with
American pickets during the night but the main
force began the battle about 8 in the morning on
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 1814. The 100th and 82nd
Foot formed into battle lines and advanced on
the U.S. bridgehead positioned in a small
wooded tributary of Lyons Creek known as
Robins Notch. That small American force
staved off the British assault alone for about 15
minutes while reinforcements raced across the
pontoon bridge to their support.
The British cannon commenced firing,but was apparently ill placed behind a small
woods and had little effect. The rocket squadhad better luck though. One rocket exploded inthe midst of an American column as theyattempted to form into line, killing andwounding several men and sending the unitinto temporary confusion.
The British Light companies scampered downinto Lyons Creek ravine and engaged in close
quarter combat with the enemy. The battle linesmoved short distances to and fro as each sidegained a momentary advantage.
The 5th U.S. maneuvered through the woodsabout a mile to the north of Lyons Creek in anattempt to sneak behind the British lines andcapture their cannon. Col. Myers detected thismove and recognized the danger of beingsurrounded and cut off. He decided his forcewas in an increasingly precarious position and
needed to withdraw.
The British army formed into columns andbegan back up Lyons Creek Rd., their orderlyretreat covered by the Glengarries. Americanforces were seen to emerge from the woods andcheer their victory.
The British lost 19 men killed or wounded andthe American losses were acknowledge to be 67men. Apart from the fact that 200 bushels of
wheat and flour were destroyed by theAmerican brigade, nothing else resulted fromthis sharp skirmish as very soon circumstancescompelled the Americans to exchange theiradvance for a somewhat inglorious retreat.Both commanding officers filed reportsclaiming victory.
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Orders of Battle
--------------------- The Americans----------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Brigadier General Daniel Bissel
1st
Brigade
5th US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures 14th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures 15th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures 16th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures
-----------------The British/Canadians----------------
Commander-in-Chief
Colonel Christopher Myers
Mixed Brigade
Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 Figures 82nd Foot24 Figures 100th Foot24 Figures Artillery6 pdr
American Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
US Infantry Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Steady *
US Rifles Infantry Rifled
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
Sharpshooters
British/Canadian Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
Regular
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 First Fire
Glengarry Lt
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Muskets
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
British
Artillery
Artillery Smoothbore
Cannon
1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48 Range
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Generic 1812 Armies:
Orders of Battle
------------------------- The Americans-----------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Major General1
stBrigade
Brigadier General US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures US Light Dragoons6 figures (Small Unit) Artillery1 Smoothbore cannon
2nd Brigade
Brigadier General US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures US Rifle Regiment12 Figures Artillery1 Smoothbore cannon
3rd (Militia) Brigade
Brigadier General PA Militia Regiment24 Figures NY Militia Regiment24 Figures Artillery1 Smoothbore cannon
---------------------The British/Canadians------------------
Commander-in-Chief
Lieutenant GeneralLight Brigade
Brigadier General 19th Lt Dragoons - 6 figures (Small Unit) Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 Figures Native Warriors12 figures (Small Unit) Militia Regiment 24 Figures Artillery1 Smoothbore cannon
1st Brigade
Brigadier General Infantry Regiment24 Figures Infantry Regiment24 Figures Incorporated Militia Regiment24 Figures Artillery1 Smoothbore cannon
2nd
Brigade
Brigadier General Infantry Regiment36 Figures Infantry Regiment24 Figures Artillery1 Smoothbore cannon or Rocket Battery
British 19th Light Dragoons
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7/28/2019 Black Powder- Niagra 1814
20/21
20
American Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
US Infantry Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Steady *
US Rifles Infantry Rifled
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
Sharpshooters
US Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
Unreliable
US Artillery Artillery Smoothbore
Cannon
1 3-2-1 4+ 2 24 / 48 Range
**
US Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 4 - 4+ 2 Marauders
Native
Warriors
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
4 1 4+ 2 Skirmish
Terrifying Charge
*One Brigade of Regular Infantry can be given the Steady special ability. ** Artillery can be 6 pdr and 12 pdr.
British/Canadian Stats
Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special
Regular
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 First Fire
Militia Infantry Smoothbore
Musket
6 3 4+ 3 Unreliable *
NativeWarriors Infantry SmoothboreMusket 4 1 4+ 2 SkirmishTerrifying Charge
Glengarry Lt
Infantry
Infantry Smoothbore
Muskets
6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish
Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 4 - 4+ 2 Small
Marauders
British
Artillery
Artillery Smoothbore
Cannon
1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48/ 60 Range
**
Rocket
Artillery
Artillery Rocket 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 60 Range
*Incorporated Militia Regiments do not suffer from Unreliability. **Artillery can be 6pdr and 24 pdr
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7/28/2019 Black Powder- Niagra 1814
21/21
21
References and Further Readings:
Where Right and Glory Lead! by Donald E. Graves, Robin Brass Studio Inc. Niagara 1814 The final invasion by John Latimer, Osprey Publishing The United States Army 1812-1815 by James L Kochan, Osprey Publishing Knuckleduster Miniatures Makers of 28mm War of 1812 miniatures -www.knuckleduster.com Perry Miniatures Makers of 28mm Napoleonic miniatures -www.perry-miniatures.com Front Rank Miniatures - Makers of 28mm Napoleonic miniatures www.frontrank.com Warlord Games Miniatures Web-store www.warlordgames.com Conquest Miniatures Makers of 28mm North American Natives www.conquestminiatures.com Figures are from the authors collection and were purchased from the above sources.
General Porter leads the New York and Pennsylvania Militias of the 3rd Brigade into battle
http://www.knuckleduster.com/http://www.knuckleduster.com/http://www.knuckleduster.com/http://www.perry-miniatures.com/http://www.perry-miniatures.com/http://www.perry-miniatures.com/http://www.frontrank.com/http://www.frontrank.com/http://www.frontrank.com/http://www.warlordgames.com/http://www.warlordgames.com/http://www.warlordgames.com/http://www.conquestminiatures.com/http://www.conquestminiatures.com/http://www.conquestminiatures.com/http://www.conquestminiatures.com/http://www.warlordgames.com/http://www.frontrank.com/http://www.perry-miniatures.com/http://www.knuckleduster.com/