The Naval War of 1812 | Page 6

led by an utterly incapable general, retreated after a slight skirmish with
an enemy whose rout would have been a matter of certainty had the
engagement been permitted to grow serious.
In the early spring of 1814 a small force of 160 American regulars,
under Captain Holmes, fighting from behind felled logs, routed 200
British with a loss of 65 men, they themselves losing but 8. On Lake
Ontario the British made a descent on Oswego and took it by fair
assault; and afterward lost 180 men who tried to cut out some
American transports, and were killed or captured to a man. All through
the spring and early summer the army on the Niagara frontier was
carefully drilled by Brown, and more especially by Scott, and the
results of this drilling were seen in the immensely improved
effectiveness of the soldiers in the campaign that opened in July. Fort
Erie was captured with little resistance, and on the 4th of July, at the
river Chippeway, Brown, with two brigades of regulars, each about
1,200 strong, under Scott and Ripley, and a brigade of 800 militia and

Indians under Porter, making a total of about 3,200 men, won a
stand-up fight against the British General Riall, who had nearly 2,500
men, 1,800 of them regulars. Porter's brigade opened by driving in the
Canadian militia and the Indians; but was itself checked by the British
light-troops. Ripley's brigade took very little part in the battle, three of
the regiments not being engaged at all, and the fourth so slightly as to
lose but five men. The entire brunt of the action was borne by Scott's
brigade, which was fiercely attacked by the bulk of the British regulars
under Riall. The latter advanced with great bravery, but were terribly
cut up by the fire of Scott's regulars; and when they had come nearly up
to him, Scott charged with the bayonet and drove them clean off the
field. The American loss was 322, including 23 Indians; the British loss
was 515, excluding that of the Indians. The number of Americans
actually engaged did not exceed that of the British; and Scott's brigade,
in fair fight, closed by a bayonet charge, defeated an equal force of
British regulars.
On July 25th occurred the Battle of Niagara, or Lundy's Lane, fought
between General Brown with 3,100 [Footnote: As near as can be found
out; most American authorities make it much less; Lossing, for
example, says only 2,400.] Americans and General Drummond with
3,500 [Footnote: General Drummond in his official letter makes it but
2,800; James, who gives the details, makes it 3,000 rank and file;
adding 13 per cent, for the officers, sergeants, and drummers, brings it
up to 3,400; and we still have to count in the artillery drivers, etc.]
British. It was brought on by accident in the evening, and was waged
with obstinate courage and savage slaughter till midnight. On both
sides the forces straggled into action by detachments. The Americans
formed the attacking party. As before, Scott's brigade bore the brunt of
the fight, and over half of his men were killed or wounded; he himself
was disabled and borne from the field. The struggle was of the most
desperate character, the combatants showing a stubborn courage that
could not be surpassed. [Footnote: General Drummond writes: "In so
determined a manner were their attacks directed against our guns that
our artillerymen were bayoneted while in the act of loading, and the
muzzle of the enemy's guns were advanced within a few yards of ours."
Even James says: "Upon the whole, however, the American troops
fought bravely; and the conduct of many of the officers, of the artillery

corps especially, would have done honor to any service."] Charge after
charge was made with the bayonet, and the artillery was taken and
retaken once and again. The loss was nearly equal; on the side of the
Americans, 854 men (including Generals Brown and Scott, wounded)
and two guns; on that of the British, 878 men (including General Riall
captured) and one gun. Each side claimed it as a victory over superior
numbers. The truth is beyond question that the British had the
advantage in numbers, and a still greater advantage in position; while it
is equally beyond question that it was a defeat and not a victory for the
Americans. They left the field and retired in perfect order to Fort Erie,
while the British held the field and the next day pursued their foes.
Having received some reinforcements General Drummond, now with
about 3,600 men, pushed forward to besiege Fort Erie, in which was
the American army, some 2,400 strong, under General Gaines. Col.
Tucker with 500 British regulars was sent across the Niagara to destroy
the batteries at Black Rock, but was