Black Powder Niagara 1814

War in Niagara

Forward:

While Europe fought the armies of outcome of the war was the 200 years of peace Napoleon, a lesser known war erupted on the and friendship between the US, Great Britain frontiers of British Upper Canada. On June 18, and Canada. The United States and Canada are 1812, the United States declared war on Great now each other’s largest trading partners, and Britain and her colonies in Canada. In attempt share 6416 km of undefended border. to strike at Great Britain, the US set their sights on Canada. Former President Thomas Jefferson believed: "The acquisition of Canada this year, The Scenarios and Army Lists: as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching, and will give us the The following are 5 scenarios for use experience for the attack on Halifax, the next with the Black Powder miniature war game and final expulsion of England from the rule set. The battles for Chippawa and Cook’s American continent." Mills are designed for one on one play with each player controlling a brigade of troops, For three years, Niagara would be a war zone, while the scenarios for Lundy’s Lane, the siege the scene of American invasions and bloody of Fort Erie and the battle of St. Davids are battles. The Niagara frontier was a strategic designed for four or more players. Note that link and trade route between Lakes Erie and there was some creative licencing in regards to Ontario. After several failed attempts in 1812 troop strengths in order to achieve (in the and 1813, the US made one last effort in the opinion of the author) greater playability. Also summer of 1814 to capture Niagara. If included are generic army lists for gamers to successful, the US Left Division would then engage in “What if” scenarios. 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.

After the last shot was fired and the treaty of Ghent was signed, the greatest

General Ripley leads the US 23rd Infantry

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 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 On the evening of July the 4th the miles north of the Niagara Falls. The small Americans were camped at Streets Creek two garrison of 60 soldiers at Fort Erie surrendered miles south of Chippawa. These troops lead by to the Americans without firing a shot and the General Winfield Scott were joined by more US division began its march north. Brown’s regulars and militia under Major General Jacob plan was to clear the Niagara frontier of British Brown and as well as some allied natives. then link up with Commodore Isaac Across the Chippawa river was British Major Chauncey’s fleet at Newark from which he Phineas Raill with three British infantry would sail for Kingston. 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 the traditional blue army cloth. The two opposing armies were of almost equal strength, both General Scott's brigade advances at the Battle of being supported by natives and militia. Chippawa Riall ordered a head long assault thinking that the Americans would easily

3 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

Orders of Battle

------The Americans------The British/Canadians------

Commander-in-Chief Commander-in-Chief  Brigadier General Winfield Scott (Staff Rating 9)  Major General Phineas Riall (Staff Rating 8)

Scott’s Brigade 1st Brigade  9th/22nd US Infantry - 24 figures  1st Regiment - The Royal Scots - 24 figures  11th US Infantry- 24 figures  The King's 8th Regiment- 24 figures  21/25th US Infantry- 24 Figures  100th Regiment - 24 figures  Artillery – 2 smoothbore cannons (6&12 pdr)  19th Light Dragoons: - 4 figures (tiny Unit)  Artillery – 2 smoothbore cannons (6&24 pdr) 3rd (Militia) Brigade  Brig Gen Peter B. Porter (Staff Rating 7) 2nd Brigade (Staff Rating 8)  5th Pennsylvania Militia- 16 figures (small unit)  Lt. Col Thomas Pearson  Six Nations Warriors- 16 figures (small unit)  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 6 3 4+ 3 Steady Musket Skirmish Militia Infantry Smoothbore 4 2 4+ 2 Unreliable Musket Skirmish Six Nations Infantry Smoothbore 4 1 5+ 2 Blood Thirsty Musket

US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48” Range pdr

British/Canadian Stats

Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special

Regular Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 First Shot Infantry Musket Skirmish Lincoln Militia Infantry Smoothbore 4 2 4+ 2 Unreliable Musket Western Grand River Infantry Smoothbore 4 1 5+ 2 Skirmish Nations Musket Blood Thirsty

British Artillery 6 pdr / 24 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48”/60” Range Artillery pdr

Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 1 - 4+ 1 Marauders

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.

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 After Commodore Chauncey failed to moving directly up the hill against the British sail his fleet from Sackets Harbour and support position and it’s battery of cannons. The British the American Left Divisions advance, Brown opened fire with a devastating artillery barrage withdrew from Queenston to Chippawa in and repulsed the American attack. During this attack General Scott, now wounded, realized order to resupply. Lieutenant General Gordon that it was impossible to advance against the Drummond had now arrived in Queenston to British battery of seven brass cannons on the take command of the British Army in Niagara. hill and ordered his forces to withdraw and Along with him came various regular and regroup. On a brighter note for the Americans, militia regiments from York (Toronto) and Scott had sent his 25th Regiment on a flanking Burlington. He ordered Raill to shadow the US maneuver to the east and had managed to turn the British’s left flank and Capture General withdraw as far as Lundy’s Lane, a hill a few Raill. miles west of the mighty Niagara Falls. There they waited. Meanwhile more British reinforcements began arriving; some marching some fourteen Seeing that the British were finally miles. General Brown who had arrived with going to give Brown the engagement that he so American reinforcements to see Scott's Brigade desired, the American 1st Brigade march out of being cut to pieces ordered the 2nd Brigade to Chippawa on the Portage Road towards the capture the British artillery position. The action heights of Lundy’s Lane. When General Riall was furious and chaotic. Colonel Miller’s 21st first heard that a large force of American troops Infantry took advantage of the growing darkness to creep up the hill to within twenty was headed his way he gave orders to abandon yards of the British. From there they charged the British position on the Hill. His advanced

6 forward over running the startled British The American troops straggle back to gunners and capturing the artillery. their camp at Chippawa, on the way destroying the Bridgewater Mills located in what is now The British ranks had now swollen to known as Dufferin Islands. Arriving back at 3,600 men against the American 2,800. Over the their camp they plunge themselves into the next two hours the British and Canadians made river and drank their fill before collapsing into repeated attacks up the hill to re-capture the their tents. When the Americans returned to precious cannons. A horrible battle of attrition pick up their dead, they found the British began among the already exhausted and entrenched along the Portage Road leading to parched armies. 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.

Orders of Battle

------The Americans------The British/Canadians------

Commander-in-Chief Commander-in-Chief  Major General Jacob Brown  Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond

1st Brigade 2nd or Light Brigade  Brigadier General Winfield Scott  Maj Gen. Phineas Riall  9th /11th US Infantry - 24 figures  19th Lt & Prov Dragoons - 6 figures (small unit)  22nd US Infantry- 24 figures  Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 figures  25th US Infantry- 24 Figures  Incorporated Militia Battalion – 24 figures  US Light Dragoons – 6 figures (small unit)  1st Militia Brigade – 24 figures  Artillery – 6 pounder  Artillery – 6 pounder

nd 2 Brigade Morrison Brigade  Brigadier General Eleazer Ripley  Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Morrison st  1 US Infantry – 16 figures (small unit)  Companies of the 1st/8th/41st – 24 figures rd  23 US Infantry – 24 figures  89th Infantry Regiment – 24 figures st  21 US Infantry – 24 figures  Artillery – 24 pounder  Artillery – 5.5” Howitzer  Artillery – Rocket Battery  Artillery – 12 pounder  Western/Grand River Warriors – 12 (small unit)

3rd (Militia) Brigade Scott’s Column  Brig Gen Peter B. Porter  Colonel Hercules Scott  5th Pennsylvania Militia- 16 figures (small unit)  103rd Regiment -36 figures (large unit)  NY Militia – 16 figures (small unit)  8th/104th Regiments – 24 figures  Wilcox Renegades – 8 figures (tiny unit)  Artillery – 6 pounder

American Stats

Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special

1st Brigade Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Reliable US Infantry Musket

2nd Brigade Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 US Infantry Musket

US Militia Infantry Smoothbore 4 2 4+ 2 Small Musket Unreliable

Wilcox Infantry Smoothbore 1 1 4+ 1 Tiny Renegades Musket Skirmish

US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48” Range pdr

US Artillery Artillery 5.5” 1 2 4+ 2 36” Range Howizter

US Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 4 - 4+ 1 Small Marauders British/Canadian Stats

Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special

Regular Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 First Shot Infantry Musket

Militia Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish Musket Unreliable

103rd Infantry Infantry Smoothbore 8 4 4+ 4 Large Musket First Shot

Glengarry Lt Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish Infantry Muskets

Incorporated Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Militia Muskets Small Natives Infantry Smoothbore 4 1 5+ 2 Skirmish Musket Blood Thirsty

British Artillery 6 pdr/24 pdr 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48” / 60” Range Artillery

Dragoons Cavalry Sabers 4 - 4+ 2 Small Marauders

Naval Rocket Artillery Rockets 1 3-2-1 4+ 1 60” Battery

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 lead and, to ensure surprise, had been bombard the British camp. In a daring raid, the instructed to remove the flints from their British moved across land some boats from muskets. They were met by a withering fire below the falls and on 12 August captured two from the American defenders. Unable to return of the three American vessels anchored off fire, the Swiss panicked. In their haste to get shore. On 13 August Drummond's siege works away, they threw the companies of the 8th and were complete and four smoothbore cannon 89th into disorder. It was not until daylight siege battery opened fire. The smoothbore that the three regiments were able to reform, cannons however were old and not very too late to renew the assault. The hapless effective in breaching the fort's walls. advance guard were abandoned to their fate, Drummond decided on a three-pronged night most becoming prisoner-of-war. assault two days later. It was an ambitious plan, and given the nature of night operations, The remaining two columns waited, one that was certain to fail. concealed in a ravine to the north of the fort, until 2:30 a.m. The sound of the engagement of Fisher's column was the first to move the right column was the signal to advance. out, leaving the British camp at 2:00 a.m. The Lieutenant Colonel Scott was killed early in the "forlorn hope", led by Major Charles de Vilatte attack, and his men became disoriented and and Captain Thomas Powell, managed to converged with the centre column in their penetrate the American defence line, some of attack on the breach in the north-east demi- them by wading through the waters of the lake bastion. The combined force suffered heavily to bypass the palisade. The main body, from small arms and artillery fire as they closed however, was noisy and this alerted the up to the breach. defenders. De Watteville's regiment was in the

They launched three major assaults and During the fighting, an ammunition were repulsed each time. Finally, on the fourth chest caught fire, causing the expense magazine attempt, the British infantrymen overcame the under the smoothbore cannon platform of the American gunners and broke into the bastion. bastion to explode. Men, masonry, timber and They turned the smoothbore cannons on the other assorted debris were hurtled skyward in a defenders and started to clear the northern pillar of fire. The mangled British survivors barracks but were driven back to the bastion. surrendered. The waiting reserves outside the Here the British hung on tenaciously in the fort refused to advance, convinced that the fort expectation that reserves would reinforce their was mined and that a similar fate awaited effort. They made one more attempt to them. Having lost 366 killed or wounded and breakout soon after daylight on the morning of 539 missing, Sir Gordon Drummond stopped 16 August. 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 Infantry 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.

Orders of Battle

------The Americans------The British/Canadians------

Commander-in-Chief Commander-in-Chief  Brigadier General Gaines  Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond

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

The Americans prepare for a siege at Fort Erie.

American Stats

Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special

US Infantry Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Musket

9th/11th/22nd Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Small US Infantry Musket Reliable

19th US Infantry Smoothbore 1 1 4+ 1 Tiny Infantry Musket Tiny US Rifles Infantry Rifled 1 1 4+ 1 Skirmish Musket Sharpshooters

US Militia Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Unreliable Musket

US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 24” / 48” Range pdr

British/Canadian Stats

Unit Type Armament Hand-to- Shooting Moral Stamina Special Hand

Regular Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 First Shot Infantry Musket

Light Infantry Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Skirmish Muskets 103rd and Watteville Infantry Smoothbore 8 4 4+ 4 Large Regiments Muskets First Shot

Native Infantry Smoothbore 1 1 4+ 1 Skirmish Warriors Musket Terrifying Charge Smoothbore Siege Artillery Siege 24 pdr 1 3-2-1 4+ 3 60” Range Artillery

British Artillery 6 pdr 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 24” Range Artillery

The Battle of St. Davids

July 18th, 1814

This fictitious scenario tries to answer the cut off and loose Upper Canada. If Brown question ‘What if Chauncey had sailed to could defeat Drummond, he could board support Brown?’ In this scenario that would Chauncey’s ships and sail for Kingston and link have likely taken place on July 18th 1814, up with Major General Izard’s Right Division. Commodore Chauncey decided to take control Drummond decides to march on Queenston of Lake Ontario and sail to support Brown’s and outflank Brown from the west. The two division that was waiting at Queenston. armies meet in St. Davids to decide the fate of General Drummond has realized that his only Niagara. option was to defeat Brown in the field or be

Orders of Battle

------The Americans------The British/Canadians------

Commander-in-Chief Commander-in-Chief  Major General Brown  Lt. General Drummond

1st Brigade Light Brigade  Brigadier General Scott  Major General Raill  9th/22nd US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures  Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 Figures  11th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures  Incorporated Militia Regiment – 24 Figures  25th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures  Lincoln / York Militia – 24 Figures  Artillery – 6 pdr  John Norton’s Natives – 12 Figures (small)  Artillery – 6 pdr 2nd Brigade  Brigadier General Ripley 1st Brigade st  21 US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures  Colonel Hercules Scott rd  23 US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures  8th Foot – 24 Figures  US Light Dragoons – 6 Figures (small unit)  103rd Foot – 36 Figures  Artillery – 12 pdr  19th Lt Dragoons - 6 Figures (small unit)  Artillery – 24 pdr 3rd (Militia) Brigade  Brigadier General Porter Reserve  PA Militia Regiment –16 Figures (small unit)  Lt. Colonel John Gordon  NY Militia Regiment – 16 Figures (small unit)  1st Foot – 24 Figures  Wilcox Renegades – 8 Figures (tiny unit)  Artillery – 6 pdr  Artillery – 1 Field Howitzer

Scenario Map:

The Lincoln Militia Marches to save their homes

American Stats

Unit Type Armament Hand-to-Hand Shooting Moral Stamina Special

1st Brigade Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 Reliable US Infantry Musket

2nd Brigade Infantry Smoothbore 6 3 4+ 3 US Infantry Musket

US Militia Infantry Smoothbore 4 2 4+ 2 Small Musket Unreliable

Wilcox Infantry Smoothbore 1 1 4+ 1 Tiny Renegades Musket Skirmish

US Artillery Artillery 6 pdr / 12 1 3-2-1 4+ 2 48” Range pdr

US Artillery Artillery 5.5” 1 2 4+ 2 36” Range Howitzer