1 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 2 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 4 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 5 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.