War in Niagara. Forward:

Transcription

1 1

2 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 and Ontario. 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, Lundy s Lane and Fort Erie the fate of Canada was decided. 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 other s 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 Cook s Mills are designed for one on one play with each player controlling a brigade of troops, while the scenarios for Lundy s 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 to troop 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. After the last shot was fired and the treaty of Ghent was signed, the greatest General Ripley leads the US 23 rd 2

3 The Battle of Chippawa July 5, 1814 On the morning of July 3 rd 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 an important 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. Brown s plan was to clear the Niagara frontier of British then link up with Commodore Isaac Chauncey s fleet at Newark from which he would sail for Kingston. General Scott's brigade advances at the Battle of Chippawa 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 1 st Brigade commanded by Brigadier General Winfield Scott. The 1 st Brigade was the best trained unit in the American Army whose soldiers wore grey uniforms because there was a shortage of the traditional 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 3

4 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 4

5 Orders of Battle The Americans Brigadier General Winfield Scott (Staff Rating 9) Scott s Brigade 9th/22nd US - 24 figures 11th US - 24 figures 21/25th US - 24 Figures Artillery 2 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) American Stats The British/Canadians 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) Artillery 2 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) US Militia Six Nations US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12 pdr Steady Skirmish Unreliable Skirmish Blood Thirsty Range British/Canadian Stats Regular Lincoln Militia Western Grand River Nations First Shot Skirmish Unreliable Skirmish Blood Thirsty British Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 24 pdr /60 Range Dragoons Cavalry Sabers Marauders 5

6 The Battle of Lundy s Lane July 25, 1814 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. 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 Lundy s 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 so desired, the American 1 st Brigade march out of Chippawa on the Portage Road towards the heights of Lundy s 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 It was 6 o'clock in the evening of July 25th 1814 when General Scott's Force of 1100 attacked the 1700 British troops lead by General Drummond. The Americans began their attack moving directly up the hill against the British position and it s battery of cannons. The British opened fire with a devastating artillery barrage and repulsed the American attack. During this attack General Scott, now wounded, realized that it was impossible to advance against the British battery of seven brass cannons on the hill and ordered his forces to withdraw and regroup. On a brighter note for the Americans, Scott had sent his 25 th Regiment on a flanking maneuver to the east and had managed to turn the British s left flank and Capture General Raill. Meanwhile more British reinforcements began arriving; some marching some fourteen miles. General Brown who had arrived with American reinforcements to see Scott's Brigade being cut to pieces ordered the 2 nd Brigade to capture the British artillery position. The action was furious and chaotic. Colonel Miller s 21 st took advantage of the growing darkness to creep up the hill to within twenty yards of the British. From there they charged 6

7 forward over running the startled British gunners and capturing the artillery. The British ranks had now swollen to 3,600 men against the American 2,800. Over the next two hours the British and Canadians made repeated attacks up the hill to re-capture the precious cannons. A horrible battle of attrition began among the already exhausted and parched armies. The American troops straggle back to their camp at Chippawa, on the way destroying the Bridgewater Mills located in what is now known as Dufferin Islands. Arriving back at their camp they plunge themselves into the river and drank their fill before collapsing into their tents. When the Americans returned to pick up their dead, they found the British entrenched along the Portage Road leading to Lundy's Lane. Deciding not to engage, they returned to their camp in Chippawa and the next day retired to Fort Erie. General Drummond evaluates the artillery at Lundy s Lane By midnight both sides were exhausted. American Generals Brown and Scott had both been wounded along with British General Riall who was wounded and now a prisoner. In the face of superior British numbers, exhausted and unable to hold the hill for which they had so valiantly fought for, the Americans retreated to their camp at Chippawa taking their wounded with them. The ammunition wagons were loaded with wounded and transported back to their camp at Streets Creek. The British and Canadians were too exhausted to harass the retreating Americans as most of the men were marched many miles on this hot July day. The American losses were 173 killed, 571 wounded and 117 missing while the British official losses were 84 killed, 559 wounded and 193 missing. 7

8 Orders of Battle The Americans Major General Jacob Brown 1 st Brigade Brigadier General Winfield Scott 9 th /11 th US - 24 figures 22 nd US - 24 figures 25 th US - 24 Figures US Light Dragoons 6 figures (small unit) Artillery 6 pounder 2 nd Brigade Brigadier General Eleazer Ripley 1 st US 16 figures (small unit) 23 rd US 24 figures 21 st US 24 figures Artillery 5.5 Howitzer Artillery 12 pounder 3rd (Militia) Brigade Brig Gen Peter B. Porter 5th Pennsylvania Militia- 16 figures (small unit) NY Militia 16 figures (small unit) Wilcox Renegades 8 figures (tiny unit) The British/Canadians Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond 2 nd or Light Brigade Maj Gen. Phineas Riall 19th Lt & Prov Dragoons - 6 figures (small unit) Glengarry Light - 24 figures Incorporated Militia Battalion 24 figures 1 st Militia Brigade 24 figures Artillery 6 pounder Morrison Brigade Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Morrison Companies of the 1 st /8 th /41 st 24 figures 89 th Regiment 24 figures Artillery 24 pounder Artillery Rocket Battery Western/Grand River Warriors 12 (small unit) Scott s Column Colonel Hercules Scott 103 rd Regiment -36 figures (large unit) 8 th /104 th Regiments 24 figures Artillery 6 pounder 8

9 American Stats 1 st Brigade US Reliable 2 nd Brigade US US Militia Small Unreliable Wilcox Renegades Tiny Skirmish US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12 pdr US Artillery Artillery 5.5 Howizter Range Range US Dragoons Cavalry Sabers Small Marauders British/Canadian Stats Regular First Shot Militia 103 rd Skirmish Unreliable Large First Shot Glengarry Lt s Skirmish Incorporated Militia s Natives Small Skirmish Blood Thirsty British Artillery Artillery 6 pdr/24 pdr / 60 Range Dragoons Cavalry Sabers Small Marauders Naval Rocket Battery Artillery Rockets

10 The Siege of Fort Erie August 15, 1814 The U.S. troops, now under the command of Brigadier Eleazer Wheelock Ripley, (Brown was severely wounded by a Congreve rocket at Lundy's Lane) retired back to Fort Erie. The British followed up slowly, making contact with the American outposts on 4 August. Since capturing the fort the U.S. troops had expanded and strengthened the landward defences with a V-shaped redan, a dry ditch and a palisade. Despite the now growing flow of British veteran regiments entering the theater, they were slow in developing their siege operations. During the first week some American schooners moved freely between the fort and Buffalo, occasionally sailing down river to bombard the British camp. In a daring raid, the British moved across land some boats from below the falls and on 12 August captured two of the three American vessels anchored off shore. On 13 August Drummond's siege works were complete and four smoothbore cannon siege battery opened fire. The smoothbore cannons however were old and not very effective in breaching the fort's walls. Drummond decided on a three-pronged night assault two days later. It was an ambitious plan, 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 Vilatte and Captain Thomas Powell, managed to penetrate the American defence line, some of them by wading through the waters of the lake to bypass the palisade. The main body, however, was noisy and this alerted the defenders. De Watteville's regiment was in the lead and, to ensure surprise, had been instructed to remove the flints from their muskets. They were met by a withering fire from the American defenders. Unable to return fire, the Swiss panicked. In their haste to get away, they threw the companies of the 8th and 89th into disorder. It was not until daylight that the three regiments were able to reform, too late to renew the assault. The hapless advance 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 of the right column was the signal to advance. Lieutenant Colonel Scott was killed early in the attack, and his men became disoriented and converged with the centre column in their attack on the breach in the north-east demibastion. The combined force suffered heavily from small arms and artillery fire as they closed up to the breach. 10

11 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 Sir Gordon Drummond accepted responsibility for the failure, he attempted to shift most of the blame to De Watteville's Regiment. While the Swiss did break, the attack suffered generally from poor planning and inadequate siege artillery. Despite these shortcomings, the plan nearly succeeded. If the reserve troops had followed up the capture of the bastion or the detonation of the magazine had not occurred the British may have been able to pull it off. Special Rules: Assaulting are assumed to have siege ladders and sappers to breach the defences The American defenders are sheltered behind fortifications and gain appropriate bonuses in combat (Black Powder pg 46, 47, & 68). The British Redoubt contains Siege artillery which gives the attacker +1 to hit vs. fortified targets. 11

12 Orders of Battle The Americans Brigadier General Gaines Left Brigade Brigadier General Eleazer Ripley 21 st US 24 Figures 23 rd US 24 figures Artillery - 6 pdr Center Brigade Brig Gen Peter B. Porter PA & NY Militia- 24 figures US Rifles 8 figures (tiny unit) Artillery 6 pdr Right Brigade (Fort) Lt. Col. William MacRee 9 th/ 11 th / 22 nd US 16 figures (small unit) 19 th US 8 figures (tiny unit) Artillery 12 pdr The British/Canadians Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond Siege Works Artillery 6 pdr Artillery 2 x 24 pdr smoothbore siege cannons Drummond s Column Lt. Col. William Drummond Combined Light 24 figures Native Warriors 8 figures (tiny unit) Scott s Column Lt. Colonel Hercules Scott 103 rd Regiment 36 figures (large unit) 1 st Royal Scotts 24 figures Fischer s Column Lt. Col. Victor Fischer 8 th Regiment 24 figures 1 st Battalion Regiment de Watteville 36 figures 2 nd Battalion Regiment de Watteville 36 figures The Americans prepare for a siege at Fort Erie. 12

13 American Stats US th /11 th /22 nd US Small Reliable 19 th US US Rifles Rifled US Militia US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12 pdr Tiny Tiny Skirmish Sharpshooters Unreliable / 48 Range British/Canadian Stats Unit Type Armament Hand-to- Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special Regular First Shot Light s 103 rd and Watteville Regiments s Skirmish Large First Shot Native Warriors Siege Artillery Siege Artillery Skirmish Terrifying Charge 24 pdr Range British Artillery Artillery 6 pdr Range 13

14 The Battle of St. Davids July 18 th, 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 18 th 1814, Commodore Chauncey decided to take control of Lake Ontario and sail to support Brown s 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 Chauncey s ships and sail for Kingston and link up with Major General Izard s 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 of Niagara. Orders of Battle The Americans Major General Brown 1 st Brigade Brigadier General Scott 9 th /22 nd US Regiments - 24 Figures 11 th US Regiment - 24 Figures 25 th US Regiment - 24 Figures Artillery 6 pdr 2 nd Brigade Brigadier General Ripley 21 st US Regiment - 24 Figures 23 rd US Regiment - 24 Figures US Light Dragoons 6 Figures (small unit) Artillery 12 pdr 3rd (Militia) Brigade Brigadier General Porter PA Militia Regiment 16 Figures (small unit) NY Militia Regiment 16 Figures (small unit) Wilcox Renegades 8 Figures (tiny unit) Artillery 1 Field Howitzer The British/Canadians Lt. General Drummond Light Brigade Major General Raill Glengarry Light - 24 Figures Incorporated Militia Regiment 24 Figures Lincoln / York Militia 24 Figures John Norton s Natives 12 Figures (small) Artillery 6 pdr 1 st Brigade Colonel Hercules Scott 8 th Foot 24 Figures 103 rd Foot 36 Figures 19th Lt Dragoons - 6 Figures (small unit) Artillery 24 pdr Reserve Lt. Colonel John Gordon 1 st Foot 24 Figures Artillery 6 pdr 14

15 Scenario Map: The Lincoln Militia Marches to save their homes 15

16 American Stats 1 st Brigade US Reliable 2 nd Brigade US US Militia Small Unreliable Wilcox Renegades Tiny Skirmish US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12 pdr US Artillery Artillery 5.5 Howitzer Range Range US Dragoons Cavalry Sabers Small Marauders British/Canadian Stats Regular First Shot Militia 103 rd Skirmish Unreliable Large First Shot Glengarry Lt s Skirmish Incorporated Militia s Natives Small Skirmish Blood Thirsty British Artillery Artillery 6 pdr/24 pdr / 60 Range Dragoons Cavalry Sabers Small Marauders Naval Rocket Battery Artillery Rockets

17 The Battle of Cooks Mills October 19th, 1814 After the failed siege of Fort Erie, the British withdrew to Chippawa and the newly arrived American Right Division commanded by Major General George Izard once again moved up to face the British across the river. There, the General Drummond established a defensive position complete with new field defenses. The Americans attempted to outflank the British, but Drummond responded quickly. A British force from Chippawa commanded by Colonel Christopher Myers consisted of 800 men of the 82 nd, 100 th and Glengarry Light faced off against the US 5 th, 14 th, 15 th and 16 th US commanded by Brigadier General Daniel Bissel. The British had with them Congreve rockets and one cannon which proved effective in balancing the numbers. The battle was fought across a small tributary of the Chippawa called Lyon s Creek. Situated at a road crossing was a mill that held winter food 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, 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 Robin s 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 squad had better luck though. One rocket exploded in the midst of an American column as they attempted to form into line, killing and wounding several men and sending the unit into temporary confusion. The British Light companies scampered down into Lyons Creek ravine and engaged in close quarter combat with the enemy. The battle lines moved short distances to and fro as each side gained a momentary advantage. The 5th U.S. maneuvered through the woods about a mile to the north of Lyons Creek in an attempt to sneak behind the British lines and capture their cannon. Col. Myers detected this move and recognized the danger of being surrounded and cut off. He decided his force was in an increasingly precarious position and needed to withdraw. The British army formed into columns and began back up Lyons Creek Rd., their orderly retreat covered by the Glengarries. American forces were seen to emerge from the woods and cheer their victory. The British lost 19 men killed or wounded and the American losses were acknowledge to be 67 men. Apart from the fact that 200 bushels of wheat and flour were destroyed by the American brigade, nothing else resulted from this sharp skirmish as very soon circumstances compelled the Americans to exchange their advance for a somewhat inglorious retreat. Both commanding officers filed reports claiming victory. 17

18 Orders of Battle The Americans Brigadier General Daniel Bissel 1 st Brigade The British/Canadians Colonel Christopher Myers Mixed Brigade 5th US Regiments - 24 Figures 14 th US Regiment - 24 Figures 15 th US Regiment - 24 Figures 16 th US Regiment - 24 Figures Glengarry Light - 24 Figures 82 nd Foot 24 Figures 100 th Foot 24 Figures Artillery 6 pdr American Stats US US Rifles Rifled Steady * Skirmish Sharpshooters British/Canadian Stats Regular First Fire Glengarry Lt s Skirmish British Artillery Artillery Cannon Range 18

19 Generic 1812 Armies: Orders of Battle The Americans Major General 1 st Brigade Brigadier General US Regiments - 24 Figures US Regiments - 24 Figures US Regiments - 24 Figures US Light Dragoons 6 figures (Small Unit) Artillery 1 cannon 2 nd Brigade Brigadier General US Regiments - 24 Figures US Regiments - 24 Figures US Rifle Regiment 12 Figures Artillery 1 cannon 3rd (Militia) Brigade Brigadier General PA Militia Regiment 24 Figures NY Militia Regiment 24 Figures Artillery 1 cannon The British/Canadians Lieutenant General Light Brigade Brigadier General 19th Lt Dragoons - 6 figures (Small Unit) Glengarry Light - 24 Figures Native Warriors 12 figures (Small Unit) Militia Regiment 24 Figures Artillery 1 cannon 1 st Brigade Brigadier General Regiment 24 Figures Regiment 24 Figures Incorporated Militia Regiment 24 Figures Artillery 1 cannon 2 nd Brigade Brigadier General Regiment 36 Figures Regiment 24 Figures Artillery 1 cannon or Rocket Battery British 19th Light Dragoons 19

20 American Stats US US Rifles Rifled US Militia US Artillery Artillery Cannon Steady * Skirmish Sharpshooters Skirmish Unreliable / 48 Range ** US Dragoons Cavalry Sabers Marauders Native Warriors Skirmish Terrifying Charge *One Brigade of Regular can be given the Steady special ability. ** Artillery can be 6 pdr and 12 pdr. British/Canadian Stats Regular First Fire Militia Unreliable * Native Warriors Skirmish Terrifying Charge Glengarry Lt s Skirmish Dragoons Cavalry Sabers Small Marauders British Artillery Artillery Cannon / 60 Range ** Rocket Artillery Artillery Rocket Range *Incorporated Militia Regiments do not suffer from Unreliability. **Artillery can be 6pdr and 24 pdr 20

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 by James L Kochan, Osprey Publishing Knuckleduster Miniatures Makers of 28mm War of 1812 miniatures - Perry Miniatures Makers of 28mm Napoleonic miniatures - Front Rank Miniatures - Makers of 28mm Napoleonic miniatures Warlord Games Miniatures Web-store Conquest Miniatures Makers of 28mm North American Natives Figures are from the author s collection and were purchased from the above sources. General Porter leads the New York and Pennsylvania Militias of the 3 rd Brigade into battle 21