war in niagara - knuckleduster...

2

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."

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

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.

General Ripley leads the US 23rd

Infantry

3

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.

Riall ordered a head long assault

thinking that the Americans would easily

General Scott's brigade advances at the Battle of Chippawa

http://war1812.tripod.com/winscot.html

http://war1812.tripod.com/greyuniform.html

http://war1812.tripod.com/greyuniform.html

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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

5

Orders of Battle

------------------- The Americans------------------

Commander-in-Chief

Brigadier General Winfield Scott (Staff Rating 9)

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)

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)

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

Commander-in-Chief

Major General Phineas Riall (Staff Rating 8)

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)

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


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

6

The Battle of Lundy’s Lane

July 25, 1814

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.

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

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.

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

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forward over running the startled British gunners and capturing the artillery.

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.

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.

8

Orders of Battle

------------------------ The Americans------------------------

Commander-in-Chief

Major General Jacob Brown

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

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



Brig Gen Peter B. Porter

5th Pennsylvania Militia- 16 figures (small unit)

NY Militia – 16 figures (small unit)

Wilcox Renegades – 8 figures (tiny unit)

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

Commander-in-Chief

Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond

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


Morrison Brigade

Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Morrison

Companies of the 1st/8

th/41

st – 24 figures

89th

Infantry Regiment – 24 figures


Artillery – Rocket Battery

Western/Grand River Warriors – 12 (small unit)

Scott’s Column

Colonel Hercules Scott

103rd

Regiment -36 figures (large unit)

8th

/104th

Regiments – 24 figures


9

American Stats


1st Brigade

US Infantry

Infantry

Smoothbore

Musket

6

3

4+

3

Reliable

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



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”

10

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.

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

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 demi-bastion. The combined force suffered heavily from small arms and artillery fire as they closed up to the breach.

11

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.

12

Orders of Battle

------------------------- The Americans-----------------------

Commander-in-Chief

Brigadier General Gaines

Left Brigade

Brigadier General Eleazer Ripley

21st US Infantry – 24 Figures

23rd

US Infantry – 24 figures

Artillery - 6 pdr

Center Brigade

Brig Gen Peter B. Porter

PA & NY Militia- 24 figures

US Rifles – 8 figures (tiny unit)

Artillery – 6 pdr

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

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

Commander-in-Chief

Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond

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)

Scott’s Column

Lt. Colonel Hercules Scott

103rd

Regiment – 36 figures (large unit)

1st Royal Scotts – 24 figures

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.

13

American Stats


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


Unit Type Armament Hand-to-

Hand

Shooting Moral Stamina Special

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

Native

Warriors

Infantry

Smoothbore

Musket

1

1

4+

1

Skirmish

Terrifying

Charge

Siege Artillery

Smoothbore

Siege

Artillery

24 pdr

1

3-2-1

4+

3

60” Range

British

Artillery

Artillery

6 pdr

1

3-2-1

4+

2

24” Range

14

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----------------------

Commander-in-Chief

Major General Brown

1st Brigade

Brigadier General Scott

9th

/22nd

US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures

11th

US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures

25th


Artillery – 6 pdr

2nd

Brigade

Brigadier General Ripley

21st US Infantry Regiment - 24 Figures

23rd


US Light Dragoons – 6 Figures (small unit)



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

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

Commander-in-Chief

Lt. General Drummond

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

1st Brigade

Colonel Hercules Scott

8th

Foot – 24 Figures

103rd

Foot – 36 Figures

19th Lt Dragoons - 6 Figures (small unit)


Reserve

Lt. Colonel John Gordon

1st Foot – 24 Figures

Artillery – 6 pdr

15

Scenario Map:

The Lincoln Militia Marches to save their homes

16

American Stats


1st Brigade

US Infantry

Infantry

Smoothbore

Musket

6

3

4+

3

Reliable

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



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”

17

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.

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 cannon commenced firing, but was apparently ill placed behind a small

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 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.

18

Orders of Battle

--------------------- The Americans----------------------

Commander-in-Chief

Brigadier General Daniel Bissel

1st Brigade

5th US Infantry Regiments - 24 Figures

14th


15th


16th


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

Commander-in-Chief

Colonel Christopher Myers

Mixed Brigade


82nd

Foot – 24 Figures

100th

Foot – 24 Figures

Artillery – 6 pdr

American Stats


US Infantry

Infantry

Smoothbore

Musket

6

3

4+

3

Steady *

US Rifles

Infantry

Rifled

Musket

6

3

4+

3

Skirmish

Sharpshooters



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

19

Generic 1812 Armies:

Orders of Battle

------------------------- The Americans-----------------------

Commander-in-Chief

Major General

1st Brigade

Brigadier General




US Light Dragoons – 6 figures (Small Unit)

Artillery – 1 Smoothbore cannon

2nd

Brigade

Brigadier General



US Rifle Regiment – 12 Figures



Brigadier General

PA Militia Regiment – 24 Figures

NY Militia Regiment – 24 Figures


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

Commander-in-Chief

Lieutenant General

Light Brigade

Brigadier General

19th Lt Dragoons - 6 figures (Small Unit)


Native Warriors – 12 figures (Small Unit)

Militia Regiment – 24 Figures


1st Brigade

Brigadier General

Infantry Regiment – 24 Figures


Incorporated Militia Regiment – 24 Figures


2nd

Brigade

Brigadier General



Artillery – 1 Smoothbore cannon or Rocket Battery

British 19th Light Dragoons

20

American Stats


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.



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

21

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 3rd Brigade into battle

http://www.knuckleduster.com/

http://www.perry-miniatures.com/

http://www.frontrank.com/

http://www.warlordgames.com/

http://www.conquestminiatures.com/

war in niagara - knuckleduster...

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