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The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the War of 1812War of 1812

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and Britain and its colonies in British North America from ...
 on July 25, 1814, fought in present-day Niagara Falls, OntarioNiagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls, Ontario is a city on the Niagara River, in the Golden Horseshoe region....
. It was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in CanadaCanada

Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, occupying most of northern North America....
.
BackgroundOn July 3, 1814, an American army under Major General Jacob BrownJacob Brown

Jacob Jennings Brown was an American army officer in the War of 1812....
 had launched an attack across the Niagara RiverNiagara River Overview

The Niagara River flows to the north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario....
, near its source on Lake ErieLake Erie

Lake Erie is the eleventh largest lake on Earth and, of the five Great Lakes of North America, it is the fourth largest by ...
. His force quickly capturedCapture of Fort Erie

The Capture of Fort Erie by American forces in 1814, was an incident in the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United...
 the British position at Fort ErieFort Erie, Ontario

Fort Erie is a town on the Niagara River in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada....
 and then advanced north. Two days later, one of his two brigades of regular U.S. Infantry under Brigadier General Winfield ScottWinfield Scott

Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, diplomat, and presidential candidate....
 won a victory against an equal British force at the Battle of ChippawaBattle of Chippawa

The Battle of Chippawa was a decisive victory for the American army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Canada along t...
, putting them to flight.

A few days after the battle, Brown outflankedFlanking maneuver Overview

In military tactics, a flanking maneuver, also called a attack, is an attack on the sides of an opposing force....
 the British defences along the Chippawa River and the British fell back to Fort GeorgeFort George, Ontario

Fort George is a historic military structure at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, that was the scene of several battles ...
. Brown lacked the necessary numbers and heavy artillery to attack this position.






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Timeline

1814   War of 1812: Battle of Lundy's Lane - Reinforcements arrive near Niagara Falls, Ontario for General Riall's British and Canadian force, and bloody, all-night battle with Jacob Brown's Americans commences at 18.00; Americans retreat to Fort Erie.






Encyclopedia


The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the War of 1812War of 1812

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and Britain and its colonies in British North America from ...
 on July 25, 1814, fought in present-day Niagara Falls, OntarioNiagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls, Ontario is a city on the Niagara River, in the Golden Horseshoe region....
. It was one of the bloodiest battles ever fought in CanadaCanada

Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, occupying most of northern North America....
.

Background

On July 3, 1814, an American army under Major General Jacob BrownJacob Brown

Jacob Jennings Brown was an American army officer in the War of 1812....
 had launched an attack across the Niagara RiverNiagara River Overview

The Niagara River flows to the north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario....
, near its source on Lake ErieLake Erie

Lake Erie is the eleventh largest lake on Earth and, of the five Great Lakes of North America, it is the fourth largest by ...
. His force quickly capturedCapture of Fort Erie

The Capture of Fort Erie by American forces in 1814, was an incident in the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United...
 the British position at Fort ErieFort Erie, Ontario

Fort Erie is a town on the Niagara River in the Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada....
 and then advanced north. Two days later, one of his two brigades of regular U.S. Infantry under Brigadier General Winfield ScottWinfield Scott

Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, diplomat, and presidential candidate....
 won a victory against an equal British force at the Battle of ChippawaBattle of Chippawa

The Battle of Chippawa was a decisive victory for the American army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Canada along t...
, putting them to flight.

A few days after the battle, Brown outflankedFlanking maneuver Overview

In military tactics, a flanking maneuver, also called a attack, is an attack on the sides of an opposing force....
 the British defences along the Chippawa River and the British fell back to Fort GeorgeFort George, Ontario

Fort George is a historic military structure at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, that was the scene of several battles ...
. Brown lacked the necessary numbers and heavy artillery to attack this position. At the time, a British naval squadron controlled Lake OntarioLake Ontario

Lake Ontario , bounded on the north by Ontario and on the south by Ontario's Niagara Peninsula and by New York State, is one...
. Commodore Isaac ChaunceyIsaac Chauncey

Isaac Chauncey was an officer in the United States Navy....
, commander of the American ships based at Sackett's Harbor was waiting for new frigates to be completed before he could challenge the British squadron (and when they were ready, the Americans were further delayed when Chauncey fell ill). As a result, no reinforcements or heavy guns could be sent to Brown, while the British were able to move several units of reinforcements across the lake to Fort George.

For most of July, Brown's army occupied QueenstonQueenston, Ontario

The Village of Queenston is located 5km north of Niagara Falls, Ontario in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake....
, a few miles south of Fort George. In this forward position, he was harassed by Canadian militia and Indians. On July 24, Brown fell back to the Chippawa River, intending to secure his supplies before advancing west to BurlingtonBurlington, Ontario

Burlington is a city located in the Golden Horseshoe, across Lake Ontario and Burlington Bay harbour from Hamilton, in Halto...
. As soon as Brown retired, a British force under Major General Phineas RiallPhineas Riall

Phineas Riall, KCH was a British army officer, who fought in the War of 1812....
 advanced to Lundy's Lane, four miles (6 km) north of the Chippawa, to allow light troops to maintain contact with the American main force.

Approach to Lundy's Lane

Early on July 25, the British Lieutenant Governor of Upper CanadaUpper Canada

Upper Canada was a British territory in what is now the Canadian province of Ontario....
, Lieutenant General Gordon DrummondGordon Drummond

Lieutenant-General Sir Gordon Drummond holds the honour of being the first Canadian-born officer to command the military and...
, arrived in Fort George to take personal command on the Niagara peninsula. He immediately ordered a force under Lieutenant Colonel John Tucker to advance south along the east side of the Niagara River, hoping this would force Brown to evacuate the west bank. Instead, Brown ordered an advance north, intending in turn to force the British to recall Tucker's column to protect Fort George. The Americans apparently did not know that the British held Lundy's Lane in strength.

As soon as Riall knew the Americans were advancing, he ordered his troops to fall back to Fort George and ordered another column in the area under Colonel Hercules Scott to move to Queenston, to cover Riall's withdrawal. These orders were countermanded by Drummond, who had force-marched a detachment of reinforcements to Lundy's Lane from Fort George. The British were still reoccupying their positions when the first American units came into view.

Battle

First phase:Scott's attack

Lundy's Lane, a spur from the main portage road alongside the Niagara River, ran along the summit of some rising ground and therefore commanded good views of the area. The British artillery (two 24-pounder and two 6-pounder guns, one 5.5-inch howitzerHowitzer

howitzer is a type of field artillery....
 and a Congreve rocketCongreve rocket Overview

The Congreve Rocket was a British weapon designed by William Congreve in 1804....
 detachment) was massed in a cemetery at the highest point of the battlefield.

The American brigade of Winfield Scott, who had won the Battle of Chippawa, emerged in the late afternoon from a forest into an open field and were badly mauled by the British artillery. Scott sent the 25th U.S. Infantry to flank the British left. They caught the British and Canadian units there (the light company of the 1/8th (King's)8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot Overview

The 8th Regiment of Foot was a regiment of the British Army....
 and the Upper Canada Incorporated Militia BattalionCanadian Units of the War of 1812

When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which w...
) while they were redeploying and unaware of the American presence, and drove them back in confusion. The British and Canadians rallied, but had been driven off the Portage Road. Major Thomas JesupThomas Jesup

Thomas Sidney Jesup was an American military officer known as the "Father of the Modern Quartermaster Corps"....
, commanding the 25th U.S. Infantry, sent Captain Ketchum's light infantry company to secure the junction of Lundy's Lane and the Portage Road. Ketchum's company captured large numbers of wounded and messengers, including Major General Riall who had been wounded in one arm and was riding to the rear. Most of the prisoners (although not Riall) escaped when Ketchum himself ran into an enemy unit while trying to rejoin Jesup.

This action, and the steadiness of Scott's brigade nevertheless persuaded Drummond to withdraw his centre to maintain alignment with his left flank, and also pull back the Glengarry Light InfantryCanadian Units of the War of 1812

When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which w...
, who had been harassing Scott's own left flank. The withdrawal of Drummond's centre left the artillery exposed in front of the infantry.

Second phase:Brown's attack

As night fell, Scott's brigade had suffered heavy casualties, but Brown arrived with the American main body (a brigade of regulars under Brigadier General Eleazer Wheelock RipleyEleazer Wheelock Ripley

Eleazer Wheelock Ripley , was a graduate of Dartmouth College, distinguished Brigadier General in the War of 1812, and a U....
 and another of volunteers from the militia under Peter B. Porter). As Ripley and Porter relieved Scott's brigade, Brown ordered the 21st U.S. Infantry under Lieutenant Colonel James MillerJames Miller (general)

James Miller was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New Hampshire, the first Governor of Arkansas T...
 to capture the British guns.

James Miller's response to Brown's order, "I'll try, Sir", is now the motto of the 21st U.S. Infantry. While the British were distracted with another attack by the 1st U.S. Infantry on their right, Miller's troops deployed within a few yards of the British artillery. They fired a volley of musketMusket Overview

A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smoothbore long gun, which its user generally fires from the shoulder....
ry which killed most of the gunners and followed up with a bayonetBayonet

A bayonet is a knife- or dagger-shaped weapon designed to fit on or over the muzzle of a rifle barrel or similar weapon....
 charge which captured the guns and drove the British centre from the hill. The British infantry immediately behind the guns (the 2/89th) tried to counter-attack, but were driven back by Miller and Ripley.

Meanwhile, the British column under Colonel Hercules Scott was arriving on the field, already tired from its futile march and countermarch. Unaware of the situation, they blundered into Ripley's brigade and were also driven back in disorder, losing their own three guns. These were recovered by the light company of the 41st Foot, but were either abandoned again or remained in British hands but could not be brought into action.

Third phase:Drummond's counter-attack

While the Americans tried to deploy their own artillery among the captured British guns, Drummond (who had been wounded in the neck) reorganised his troops and mounted a determined attempt to retake his own cannon. There was no subtlety; Drummond merely launched an attack in line, without attempting to use his many light infantry to harass or disorder the American line, or to locate any weak points in it. The attack was beaten back after a short-range musketry duel over the abandoned guns, in which both sides suffered heavy casualties.

Undeterred, Drummond launched a second attack, using the same methods and formation. Although some American units wavered, they were rallied by Ripley and stood their ground. While the combat was taking place, Winfield Scott led his brigade (which had been reorganised into a single ad-hoc battalion under Major Henry LeavenworthHenry Leavenworth Overview

Henry Leavenworth was an American soldier. ...
) in an unauthorised attack against Drummond's centre. Scott's brigade was engaged both by the British and by units of Ripley's brigade, who were not aware of the identity of the troops they were shooting at. Drummond's line was driven back but Scott's men broke in disorder and retreated, before rallying on the American left. Scott rode off to join Jesup's regiment, still out on the right flank, but was severely wounded shortly afterwards.

Shortly before midnight, Drummond launched a third counter-attack, apparently using every man he could find. This time the fighting was even closer, with bayonets being used at one point, but again the exhausted British fell back.

End of the battle

By midnight, both sides were spent. Each side had lost about the same number of men—878 British and 860 American. On the American side, only 700 men were still standing in the line. Winfield Scott and Jacob Brown were both severely wounded. Brown would soon recover, but Scott's injury removed him from the campaign. With supplies and water short, Brown ordered a retreat. Porter and Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Hindman (Brown's artillery commander) protested but complied. Ripley was apparently left unaware of Brown's order, until he realised that Hindman's artillery had been withdrawn. Although urged by Porter to maintain his position, he also withdrew. The British still had 1,400 men on the field, but they were in no condition to interfere with the American withdrawal. Drummond had ordered some units to hold the Portage Road and left some light infantry outposts near the Americans, but had withdrawn the remainder a short distance west along Lundy's Lane.

The American artillerymen had suffered severely during the fighting, and Hindman had difficulty finding sufficient horses to get all his guns away. One American 6-pounder gun had been lost earlier during the close-range fighting when its drivers had been hit by musket fire and the horses had bolted into the British lines, Hindman had also to abandon a howitzer with a broken carriage. However, the Americans were able to drag away one captured 6-pounder gun which had earlier been pushed to the bottom of the high ground in the centre of the former British position. Hindman later found some more horses and sent a team back to recover one of the prized British 24-pounder guns. They were captured by British parties who were apparently wandering around the battlefield.

Aftermath

In the early hours of the morning, Brown ordered Ripley to recover the abandoned British guns the next day. Reinforcing his exhausted men with detachments which had been left at Chippawa, Ripley moved out with 1,200 soldiers but found that Drummond had reoccupied the battlefield with 2,200 men. Ripley withdrew, unmolested.

The American army now fell back to Fort Erie, first deliberately destroying Riall's old fortifications along the Chippawa River and burning the bridges behind them. Because they were short of transport, they had to abandon some equipment and supplies to make room for the wounded on the available wagons. Drummond was later to claim from this that the Americans had retreated in disorder. In fact, after burying some of the British and Canadian dead on the battlefield and burning many American corpses in large funeral pyres, the British had themselves withdrawn to Queenston until Drummond received reinforcements.

Outcome and analysis

There had been much fighting at close quarters. Veteran British officers, who had fought against French armies in the Peninsular WarPeninsular War

The Peninsular War was a major conflict during the Napoleonic Wars, fought on the Iberian Peninsula by Spanish, Portuguese, ...
, were horrified at the carnage they had witnessed at Lundy's Lane. Drummond reported, "Of so determined a Character were [the American] attacks directed against our guns that our Artillery Men were bayonetted by the enemy in the Act of loading, and the muzzles of the Enemy's Guns were advanced within a few Yards of ours".

The battle confirmed that the American regular forces had evolved into a highly professional army. Scott is widely credited for this progress, having modelled and trained his troops using French RevolutionaryFrench Revolutionary Army

The French Revolutionary Army is the term used to refer to the military of France during the period between the fall of the ...
 drills and exercises, although not all the American units present at Lundy's Lane had benefitted from his personal training.

Like the overall war, there is some dispute about the actual outcome of the battle. Some historians say that the Americans retreated, based upon General Drummond's report that the British held the field. Others state that the British retreated during the night but took the position back in the morning when the Americans retreated because of exhaustion and lack of supplies.

Evidence compiled by Donald E. Graves, a Canadian historian employed at the Directorate of History, Department of National Defence Canada, provides what is likely the most complete and unbiased interpretation of the battle to date. Graves argues that General Drummond failed to use skirmish pickets to protect his guns, which were consequently captured by the Americans. Drummond also showed little tactical finesse during his counter-attacks, not using his light infantry properly and mounting only straightforward frontal attacks. American historian John R. Elting suggests that if Drummond had instead concentrated on the vulnerable American left flank, he might have won a decisive victory. (Drummond had much administrative experience, but had previously seen action only in the abortive campaign in Flanders in 1794 as a comparatively junior officer.)

The American force therefore appears to have won a pyrrhic victoryPyrrhic victory

A Pyrrhic victory is a victory which comes at devastating cost to the victor....
, having captured the British artillery and forcing the British to withdraw from the heights after failing to recapture their guns.

In respect to the effect of the battle on the War, the British may claim a strategic victory since they had driven the American army away from Fort George and inflicted so many casualties that the Americans could no longer mount a major attack.

Battlefield and memorials

The site of the battle is now a residential and commercial area of Niagara Falls, OntarioNiagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls, Ontario is a city on the Niagara River, in the Golden Horseshoe region....
. Part of the battlefield site was preserved next to the Drummond Hill Cemetery on Lundy's LaneLundy's Lane

Lundy's Lane is a city street in Niagara Falls, Ontario, which extends east to west from Stanley Avenue in the city's downto...
 east of Drummond Road. Other memorials added to the site include:

  • Soldier’s Monument — created by the Canadian Parliament and unveiled by Lundy’s Lane Historical Society in 1895
  • Commemorative Wall — added 1994
  • Laura Secord Monument — Laura SecordLaura Secord

    Laura Secord was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812....
     is buried at the Drummond Hill Cemetery
  • Lundy's Lane is mentioned in the unofficial Canadian patriotic anthem, The Maple Leaf ForeverThe Maple Leaf Forever

    "The Maple Leaf Forever" is a Canadian song written by Alexander Muir in 1867, the year of Canada's Confederation....


At Queenston HeightsQueenston Heights Summary

The Queenston Heights is a geographical feature of the Niagara Escarpment immediately above the village of Queenston, Ontari...
 and Lundy's Lane our brave fathers, side by side
for freedom, homes, and loved ones dear, firmly stood and nobly died.
And those dear rights which they maintained, we swear to yield them never.
Our watchword evermore shall be, the Maple LeafFlag of Canada

The National Flag of Canada, popularly known as the Maple Leaf and l'Unifoli, is a base red flag with a white sq...
 forever!

Orders of battle

British order of battleAmerican order of battle

Lieutenant General Sir Gordon DrummondGordon Drummond

Lieutenant-General Sir Gordon Drummond holds the honour of being the first Canadian-born officer to command the military and...

  • Right Division (Major General Phineas RiallPhineas Riall

    Phineas Riall, KCH was a British army officer, who fought in the War of 1812....
    )
    • 2nd (Light) Brigade (Lieutenant Colonel Thomas PearsonThomas Pearson

      Thomas Pearson was a British soldier, who took part in the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars, and in the War of ...
      )
      • Glengarry Light InfantryCanadian Units of the War of 1812

        When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which w...
         (Lieutenant Colonel Francis Battersby)
      • Upper Canada Incorporated Militia BattalionCanadian Units of the War of 1812

        When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which w...
         (Lieutenant Colonel William Robinson)
    • 1st Militia Brigade (Lieutenant Colonel Love Parry)
      • Detachments from 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th Lincoln and 2nd York Regiments
    • 19th Light Dragoons (1 troop) (Major Robert Lisle)
    • Provincial Dragoons (Merritt's Troop)Canadian Units of the War of 1812 Summary

      When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which w...
       (Captain William Hamilton MerrittWilliam Hamilton Merritt

      William Hamilton Merritt was an influential figure in the Niagara Peninsula of Upper Canada in early 19th century and one of...
      )
    • Royal ArtilleryFacts About Royal Artillery

      RGA redirects here. For the Danish political party, see Red-Green Alliance....
       (Two 6-pounder guns, One 5.5-inch howitzer)
  • Drummond's column
    • 2nd Battalion, 89th Foot (Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wanton MorrisonJoseph Wanton Morrison

      Joseph Wanton Morrison was a British soldier, best known for commanding the British troops at the Battle of Crysler's Farm d...
      )
    • 1st Battalion, Royal Scots (3 companies) (Captain William Brereton)
    • 1st Battalion, 8th (King's)8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot Overview

      The 8th Regiment of Foot was a regiment of the British Army....
       (Light company) (Captain Francis Campbell)
    • 41st Foot (Light company) (Captain Joseph B. Glew)
    • Artillery (Captain James MachLachlane)
      • Royal Artillery (Two light 24-pounder guns)
      • Royal Marine Artillery (Two Congreve rocket launchers)
  • Colonel Hercules Scott's Column
    • 1st Brigade (Colonel Scott)
      • 103rd Foot (Major William Smelt)
      • 1st Battalion 8th (King's) (5 companies) (Major Thomas Evans)
      • 104th (New Brunswick) FootCanadian Units of the War of 1812

        When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which w...
         (Flank companies)(Captain Richard Leonard)
    • 2nd Militia Brigade (Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Hamilton)
      • Caldwell's Western RangersCanadian Units of the War of 1812

        When the United States and Great Britain went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which w...
      • Detachments from 1st, 2nd Norfolk, 1st Essex, 1st Middlesex,
        4th, 5th Lincoln and 2nd York Regiments
    • Royal Artillery (Three 6-pounder guns) (Captain James Mackonochie)
  • Reserve (Lieutenant Colonel John Gordon)
    • 1st Battalion, Royal Scots (7 companies)


Note: the companies of the Royal Scots and 8th King's were very

understrength, after the Battle of Chippawa earlier in the month.
Left Division (Major General Jacob BrownJacob Brown

Jacob Jennings Brown was an American army officer in the War of 1812....
)
  • 1st Brigade (Brigadier General Winfield ScottWinfield Scott

    Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, diplomat, and presidential candidate....
    )
    • 9th U.S. Infantry (Major Henry LeavenworthHenry Leavenworth Summary

      Henry Leavenworth was an American soldier. ...
      )
    • 11th U.S. Infantry (Major John McNeil)
    • 22nd U.S. Infantry (Colonel Hugh BradyHugh Brady Overview

      Hugh Brady was an American general from Pennsylvania....
      )
    • 25th U.S. Infantry (Major Thomas JesupThomas Jesup

      Thomas Sidney Jesup was an American military officer known as the "Father of the Modern Quartermaster Corps"....
      )
    • Towson's Company U.S. Artillery (Two 6-pounder guns, One 5.5-inch howitzer)
  • 2nd Brigade (Brigadier General Eleazer Wheelock RipleyEleazer Wheelock Ripley

    Eleazer Wheelock Ripley , was a graduate of Dartmouth College, distinguished Brigadier General in the War of 1812, and a U....
    )
    • 21st U.S. Infantry (Lieutenant Colonel James MillerJames Miller Overview

      James Miller may refer to any number of individuals:...
      )
      • 17th U.S.Infantry (one company)
      • 19th U.S. Infantry (one company)
    • 23rd U.S.Infantry (Major Daniel McFarland)
    • 1st U.S. Infantry (four companies) (Lieutenant Colonel Robert Nicholas)
  • 3rd (Militia) Brigade (Brigadier General Peter B. Porter)
    • 5th Pennsylvania Militia (Major James Wood)
    • New York Militia Volunteers (Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Dobbin)
    • Canadian Volunteers (approx. 1 company) (Lieutenant Colonel Joseph WillcocksJoseph Willcocks

      Joseph Willcocks was a publisher, soldier and political figure in Upper Canada....
  • U.S. Artillery (Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Hindman)
    • Ritchie's Company (Two 6-pounder guns, One 5.5-inch howitzer)
    • Biddle's Company (Three 12-pounder guns)
  • Cavalry (Captain Samuel D. Harris)
    • Detachment U.S. Dragoons
    • Troop New York Volunteer Dragoons


Note: A company of three 18-pounder guns under Captain Alexander Williams

and another of two 18-pounder guns under Lieutenant David Douglass

apparently could not be brought into action

External links