War in Niagara - Knuckleduster Miniatures

1
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."
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.
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.
After the last shot was fired and the
treaty of Ghent was signed, the greatest
rd
General Ripley leads the US 23 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
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.
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 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
being supported by natives and militia.
General Scott's brigade advances at the Battle of
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
 Brigadier General Winfield Scott (Staff Rating 9)
Commander-in-Chief
 Major General Phineas Riall (Staff Rating 8)
Scott’s Brigade
 9th/22nd US Infantry - 24 figures
 11th US Infantry- 24 figures
 21/25th US Infantry- 24 Figures
 Artillery – 2 smoothbore cannons (6&12 pdr)
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)
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)
2nd Brigade (Staff Rating 8)
 Lt. Col Thomas Pearson
 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
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Steady
Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
2
4+
2
Skirmish
Unreliable
Six Nations
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
1
5+
2
Skirmish
Blood Thirsty
US Artillery
Artillery
6 pdr / 12
pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
2
48” Range
British/Canadian Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Regular
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
First Shot
Lincoln Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
2
4+
2
Skirmish
Unreliable
Western
Grand River
Nations
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
1
5+
2
Skirmish
Blood Thirsty
British
Artillery
Artillery
6 pdr / 24
pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
2
48”/60” Range
Dragoons
Cavalry
Sabers
1
-
4+
1
Marauders
5
Special
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
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 25th Regiment on a flanking
maneuver to the east and had managed to turn
the British’s left flank and Capture General
Raill.
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.
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 2nd Brigade to
capture the British artillery position. The action
was furious and chaotic. Colonel Miller’s 21st
Infantry took advantage of the growing
darkness to creep up the hill to within twenty
yards of the British. From there they charged
Seeing that the British were finally
going to give Brown the engagement that he so
desired, the American 1st 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
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forward over running the startled British
gunners and capturing the artillery.
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.
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.
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
Orders of Battle
------------------------ The Americans------------------------
--------------------The British/Canadians-------------------
Commander-in-Chief
 Major General Jacob Brown
Commander-in-Chief
 Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond
1st Brigade
 Brigadier General Winfield Scott
 9th /11th US Infantry - 24 figures
 22nd US Infantry- 24 figures
 25th US Infantry- 24 Figures
 US Light Dragoons – 6 figures (small unit)
 Artillery – 6 pounder
2nd or Light Brigade
 Maj Gen. Phineas Riall
 19th Lt & Prov Dragoons - 6 figures (small unit)
 Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 figures
 Incorporated Militia Battalion – 24 figures
 1st Militia Brigade – 24 figures
 Artillery – 6 pounder
2nd Brigade
 Brigadier General Eleazer Ripley
 1st US Infantry – 16 figures (small unit)
 23rd US Infantry – 24 figures
 21st US Infantry – 24 figures
 Artillery – 5.5” Howitzer
 Artillery – 12 pounder
Morrison Brigade
 Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Morrison
 Companies of the 1st/8th/41st – 24 figures
 89th Infantry Regiment – 24 figures
 Artillery – 24 pounder
 Artillery – Rocket Battery
 Western/Grand River Warriors – 12 (small unit)
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)
Scott’s Column
 Colonel Hercules Scott
 103rd Regiment -36 figures (large unit)
 8th/104th Regiments – 24 figures
 Artillery – 6 pounder
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American Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Special
1st Brigade
US Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
2nd Brigade
US Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
US Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
2
4+
2
Small
Unreliable
Wilcox
Renegades
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
1
1
4+
1
Tiny
Skirmish
US Artillery
Artillery
6 pdr / 12
pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
2
48” Range
US Artillery
Artillery
5.5”
Howizter
1
2
4+
2
36” Range
US Dragoons
Cavalry
Sabers
4
-
4+
1
Small
Marauders
Reliable
British/Canadian Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Regular
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
First Shot
Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
Unreliable
103rd Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
8
4
4+
4
Large
First Shot
Glengarry Lt
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Muskets
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
Incorporated
Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Muskets
6
3
4+
3
Natives
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
1
5+
2
Small
Skirmish
Blood Thirsty
British
Artillery
Artillery
6 pdr/24 pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
2
48” / 60” Range
Dragoons
Cavalry
Sabers
4
-
4+
2
Small
Marauders
Naval Rocket
Battery
Artillery
Rockets
1
3-2-1
4+
1
60”
9
Special
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.
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.
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
10
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 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.
11
Orders of Battle
------------------------- The Americans-----------------------
--------------------The British/Canadians-------------------
Commander-in-Chief
 Brigadier General Gaines
Commander-in-Chief
 Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond
Left Brigade
 Brigadier General Eleazer Ripley
 21st US Infantry – 24 Figures
 23rd US Infantry – 24 figures
 Artillery - 6 pdr
Siege Works
 Artillery – 6 pdr
 Artillery – 2 x 24 pdr smoothbore siege cannons
Drummond’s Column
 Lt. Col. William Drummond
 Combined Light Infantry – 24 figures
 Native Warriors – 8 figures (tiny unit)
Center Brigade
 Brig Gen Peter B. Porter
 PA & NY Militia- 24 figures
 US Rifles – 8 figures (tiny unit)
 Artillery – 6 pdr
Scott’s Column
 Lt. Colonel Hercules Scott
 103rd Regiment – 36 figures (large unit)
 1st Royal Scotts – 24 figures
Right Brigade (Fort)
 Lt. Col. William MacRee
 9th/ 11th/ 22nd US Infantry – 16 figures (small unit)
 19th US Infantry –8 figures (tiny unit)
 Artillery – 12 pdr
Fischer’s Column
 Lt. Col. Victor Fischer
 8th Regiment – 24 figures
 1st Battalion Regiment de Watteville – 36 figures
 2nd Battalion Regiment de Watteville – 36 figures
The Americans prepare for a siege at Fort Erie.
12
American Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Special
US Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
9th/11th/22nd
US Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Small
Reliable
19th US
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
1
1
4+
1
Tiny
US Rifles
Infantry
Rifled
Musket
1
1
4+
1
Tiny
Skirmish
Sharpshooters
US Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Unreliable
US Artillery
Artillery
6 pdr / 12
pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
2
24” / 48” Range
British/Canadian Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-toHand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Regular
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
First Shot
Light Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Muskets
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
103rd and
Watteville
Regiments
Infantry
Smoothbore
Muskets
8
4
4+
4
Large
First Shot
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
1
1
4+
1
Skirmish
Terrifying
Charge
Smoothbore
Siege
Artillery
24 pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
3
60” Range
Artillery
6 pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
2
24” Range
Native
Warriors
Siege Artillery
British
Artillery
13
Special
The Battle of St. Davids
July 18th, 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 18th 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----------------------
-----------------The British/Canadians----------------
Commander-in-Chief
 Major General Brown
Commander-in-Chief
 Lt. General Drummond
1st Brigade
 Brigadier General Scott
 9th/22nd US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures
 11th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures
 25th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures
 Artillery – 6 pdr
Light Brigade
 Major General Raill
 Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 Figures
 Incorporated Militia Regiment – 24 Figures
 Lincoln / York Militia – 24 Figures
 John Norton’s Natives – 12 Figures (small)
 Artillery – 6 pdr
2nd Brigade
 Brigadier General Ripley
 21st US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures
 23rd US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures
 US Light Dragoons – 6 Figures (small unit)
 Artillery – 12 pdr
1st Brigade
 Colonel Hercules Scott
 8th Foot – 24 Figures
 103rd Foot – 36 Figures
 19th Lt Dragoons - 6 Figures (small unit)
 Artillery – 24 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
Reserve
 Lt. Colonel John Gordon
 1st Foot – 24 Figures
 Artillery – 6 pdr
14
Scenario Map:
The Lincoln Militia Marches to save their homes
15
American Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Special
1st Brigade
US Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
2nd Brigade
US Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
US Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
2
4+
2
Small
Unreliable
Wilcox
Renegades
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
1
1
4+
1
Tiny
Skirmish
US Artillery
Artillery
6 pdr / 12
pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
2
48” Range
US Artillery
Artillery
5.5”
Howitzer
1
2
4+
2
36” Range
US Dragoons
Cavalry
Sabers
4
-
4+
1
Small
Marauders
Reliable
British/Canadian Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Regular
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
First Shot
Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
Unreliable
103rd Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
8
4
4+
4
Large
First Shot
Glengarry Lt
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Muskets
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
Incorporated
Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Muskets
6
3
4+
3
Natives
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
1
5+
2
Small
Skirmish
Blood Thirsty
British
Artillery
Artillery
6 pdr/24 pdr
1
3-2-1
4+
2
48” / 60” Range
Dragoons
Cavalry
Sabers
4
-
4+
2
Small
Marauders
Naval Rocket
Battery
Artillery
Rockets
1
3-2-1
4+
1
60”
16
Special
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 82nd, 100th and Glengarry Light
Infantry faced off against the US 5th, 14th, 15th
and 16th US Infantry commanded by Brigadier
General Daniel Bissel. The British had with
them Congreve rockets and one cannon which
proved effective in balancing the numbers.
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 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, 1814. 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 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.
The British cannon commenced firing,
but was apparently ill placed behind a small
17
Orders of Battle
--------------------- The Americans----------------------
-----------------The British/Canadians----------------
Commander-in-Chief
Brigadier General Daniel Bissel
Commander-in-Chief
Colonel Christopher Myers
1st Brigade
Mixed Brigade








5th US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures
14th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures
15th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures
16th US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures
Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 Figures
82nd Foot – 24 Figures
100th Foot – 24 Figures
Artillery – 6 pdr
American Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Special
US Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Steady *
US Rifles
Infantry
Rifled
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
Sharpshooters
British/Canadian Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Regular
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
First Fire
Glengarry Lt
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Muskets
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
British
Artillery
Artillery
Smoothbore
Cannon
1
3-2-1
4+
2
48” Range
18
Special
Generic 1812 Armies:
Orders of Battle
------------------------- The Americans-----------------------
---------------------The British/Canadians------------------
Commander-in-Chief
 Major General
Commander-in-Chief
 Lieutenant General
1st Brigade
 Brigadier General
 US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures
 US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures
 US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures
 US Light Dragoons – 6 figures (Small Unit)
 Artillery – 1 Smoothbore cannon
Light Brigade
 Brigadier General
 19th Lt Dragoons - 6 figures (Small Unit)
 Glengarry Light Infantry - 24 Figures
 Native Warriors – 12 figures (Small Unit)
 Militia Regiment – 24 Figures
 Artillery – 1 Smoothbore cannon
2nd Brigade
 Brigadier General
 US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures
 US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures
 US Rifle Regiment – 12 Figures
 Artillery – 1 Smoothbore cannon
1st Brigade
 Brigadier General
 Infantry Regiment – 24 Figures
 Infantry Regiment – 24 Figures
 Incorporated Militia Regiment – 24 Figures
 Artillery – 1 Smoothbore cannon
3rd (Militia) Brigade
 Brigadier General
 PA Militia Regiment – 24 Figures
 NY Militia Regiment – 24 Figures
 Artillery – 1 Smoothbore cannon
2nd Brigade
 Brigadier General
 Infantry Regiment – 36 Figures
 Infantry Regiment – 24 Figures
 Artillery – 1 Smoothbore cannon or Rocket Battery
British 19th Light Dragoons
19
American Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Special
US Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Steady *
US Rifles
Infantry
Rifled
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
Sharpshooters
US Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
Unreliable
US Artillery
Artillery
Smoothbore
Cannon
1
3-2-1
4+
2
24” / 48” Range
**
US Dragoons
Cavalry
Sabers
4
-
4+
2
Marauders
Native
Warriors
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
1
4+
2
Skirmish
Terrifying Charge
*One Brigade of Regular Infantry can be given the Steady special ability. ** Artillery can be 6 pdr and 12 pdr.
British/Canadian Stats
Unit
Type
Armament
Hand-to-Hand
Shooting
Moral
Stamina
Regular
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
First Fire
Militia
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
6
3
4+
3
Unreliable *
Native
Warriors
Infantry
Smoothbore
Musket
4
1
4+
2
Skirmish
Terrifying Charge
Glengarry Lt
Infantry
Infantry
Smoothbore
Muskets
6
3
4+
3
Skirmish
Dragoons
Cavalry
Sabers
4
-
4+
2
Small
Marauders
British
Artillery
Artillery
Smoothbore
Cannon
1
3-2-1
4+
2
48” / 60” Range
**
Rocket
Artillery
Artillery
Rocket
1
3-2-1
4+
2
60” Range
*Incorporated Militia Regiments do not suffer from Unreliability. **Artillery can be 6pdr and 24 pdr
20
Special
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 1812-1815 by James L Kochan, Osprey Publishing

Knuckleduster Miniatures – Makers of 28mm War of 1812 miniatures - www.knuckleduster.com

Perry Miniatures – Makers of 28mm Napoleonic miniatures - www.perry-miniatures.com

Front Rank Miniatures - Makers of 28mm Napoleonic miniatures – www.frontrank.com

Warlord Games – Miniatures Web-store – www.warlordgames.com

Conquest Miniatures – Makers of 28mm North American Natives – www.conquestminiatures.com

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