Historical Campaign Overview
On 7 July 1814, two days after the victory at Chippawa, Major General Jacob Brown started to move northwards. He turned Riall's position at Chippawa, and Riall promptly withdrew his forces. The Americans followed them along the Portage Road to Queeenston. Upon the American arrival at Queenston they found that the British troops had abandoned the region and withdrawn to Fort George and Fort Mississauga. In the distance Brown could see the blue waters of Lake Ontario and searched for the white sails of Chauncey's fleet from Sackett's Harbor. Chaucey's ships would provide the heavy seige guns he needed, would prevent any water-borne reinforcements from reaching the British forts, and shorten his lengthening supply line from Buffalo by utilizing depots on the south shore of Lake Ontario.
On 13 July, Brown sent an urgent appeal to Chauncey, but he did not come being laid up with a fever, and had no intention of allowing his fleet to be used to transport army supplies. Chauncey ignored Brown's appeal.
By 19 July, Brown was slowly withdrawing from the area surrounding Fort George and Fort Mississauga. Brown then abandoned Queenston and moved south towards Chippawa. He had hoped that Riall would be rash enough to attack at once and was dissapointed when he learned that only a few militia had followed im as far as Queenston.
Brown was startled when he learned that British troops were moving south from Fort Niagara on the east bank of the Niagara River. What could this mean but a British attack upon Fort Schlosser, the advanced supply depot he had to rely on in the absence of Chauncey at Sackett's Harbor. To cross the river to aid Fort Schlosser would be too difficult, and to get troops there from Buffalo would take far too long. His response was to threaten Fort George and ordered Winfield Scott to turn about and move his brigade northwards along the west bank towards the mouth of the Niagara River. Perhaps this would prompt the British to halt their advance on Fort Schlosser.
Historical Battle Overview
Brigadier General Winfield Scott moved with alacrity after receiving his orders at 4:00pm on 25 July 1814. As Scott neared Lundy's Lane, a road running at right angles from the Portage Road, he caught sight of Riall's troops. The ground near the Niagara was heavily wooded, but that along the lane had been cleared, and near the top of the sloping ground over which the lane ran stood a small church and a cemetary. Scott began at once to deploy his brigade for battle and sent a request to Brown to order the remainder of the American army forward as quickly as possible.
Aware now that the Americans were preparing for battle, but under orders not to provoke an attack, Riall began to withdraw. However, Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond, who had arrived with reinforcements from York (Toronto) that morning, at once countermanded Riall's orders. Drummond instructed the artillery gunners to place their guns on the slope near the church and the 89th Foot to support them as quickly as possible. By the time Scott was out of the woods along the Portage Road and deployed, the British, stretched out along Lundy's Lane, were ready for him. The Glengarry Lights were on Drummond's right, with the 89th Foot, some Royal Scots, and a company of the 41st Foot on the slope in the centre, behind the guns. The Incorperated Militia and a company of the 8th were on the left covering the Poratge Road. Marching to join Drummond were Lt. Colonel Hercules Scott and the 103rd, as well as Lt. Colonel J. G. P. Tucker of the 41st.
Drummond had scarcely completed his dispositions when the Americans began the action by sending their skirmishers forward to feel out the British position and possibly determine their strength. At this juncture, Winfield Scott realized that he was in a difficult position. For the moment he was outnumbered and could not withdraw except by re-forming his line into a column and retiring along the Portage Road. To do this would invite attack while in a vulnerable position. His only choice then was to avoid disaster by attacking.
Employing his full force, Scott thrust his men forward against the British left and centre, but could make no impression at all on the centre where the British gunners broke up charge after charge by two American regiments, the 11th and 22nd Infantry. On the left, the 25th Infantry succeeded in circling through the woods east of the Portage Road, and outflanked the militia and a few Royal Scots located there. During this manouver a skirmish ensued where Major General Phineas Riall was wounded in the arm and taken prisoner. These unexpected successes gave the Americans little advantage, as the British troops who had initially been forced back reformed facing the road, thereby securing their flank and preventing any chance the Americans might have of getting behind the 89th Foot. In the centre, supporting the artillery, the troops of the 89th, Royal Scots, 8th, and 41st, resisted all the American assaults.
By 9:00pm and it was beginning to grow dark, yet no decisive success had been achieved by either side. Meanwhile, Ripley's and Porter's brigades had arrived to join forces with Winfield Scott's battered brigade. At the same time the remainder of the British troops under Lt. Colonel Hercules Scott and Lt. Colonel J. G. P. Tucker had reached the battlefield
The fighting resumed after a short "intermission" and to the Americans it was obvious that possession of the guns near the church was the key to success or failure, and Ripley was determined to take them. Masking the advance of the 21st Infantry in the dusk by an attack by the 23rd and 1st on the south face of the slope, the British gunners were overwhelmed by a sudden bayonet charge. Once the 21st was in possession of the guns, the other American regiments advanced again and all of the high ground was fell to Ripley.
Drummond had no choice but to do his utmost to recover his former strong position. Three times his weary troops charged with bayonet an equally weary enemy clinging to the piece of ground they had gained. Had either side possessed fresh reserves the end would probably come quickly, but both had committed everything they had.
It was the Americans who withdrew first. Brown realized that, unless the British were prepared to give up, he would have to do so, for his men were exhausted and in need of ammunition and water that they could no longer continue to hold the high ground they had won. Brown, therefore gave the order to collect the American guns and retire.
Historical Outcome
Lundy's Lane was not only a hard fought battle, it was a costly one. Drummond reported 5 officers and 76 other ranks killed, 30 officers and 532 other ranks wounded, and 14 officers and 219 men missing or taken prisoner. Brown gave his losses as 11 officers and 160 men killed, 53 officers and 520 men wounded, and 8 officers and 109 men missing or tken prisoner.
Briefings and Orders of Battle
Commander Upper Canada : Lt. General Gordon Drummond:
The Americans have blundered into Riall's brigade before your forces were able to concentrate. However,
all the regiments are due to arrive throughout the evening. Now is as good a time as any to fight the Americans
It is now 7:00pm 25 July 1814. Your forces are concentrating for battle. What orders do your commanders have? For a detailed
Order of Battle click HERE.
Commander Right Division, British Army in Canada : Major General Phineas Riall:
You can see that the Americans are preparing for battle, but orders not to provoke an attack, you make plans to
withdraw. However, Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond, who had arrived with reinforcements from
York (Toronto) this morning, at once countermanded your orders. Drummond instructed the artillery gunners
to place their guns on the slope near the church and the 89th Foot to support them as quickly as possible.
Reinforcements are expected later this night.
Commander Left Division, U.S. Army: Major General Jacob Brown :
A messanger arrives at your headquarters in Chippawa and reports that the sound of guns to the north is a general
action. Brigadier Scott's brigade has met the British at the crossroads of Lundy's Lane and Portage Road, near the falls.
The British are reinforcing the battle and appear to be making a stand. It is now 7:00pm 25 July 1814. What orders do your commanders have? For a detailed
Order of Battle click HERE.
Commander 1st Brigade, Left Division : Brigadier General Winfield Scott :
You fully realize that you are in a difficult position. For the moment you was outnumbered
and cannot withdraw except by re-forming your line into a column and retiring along the Portage Road.
To do this would invite attack while in a vulnerable position. Your only choice now to avoid disaster
is to attack. You are comforted with the knowledge that the remainder of your division is marching to support you.
Deployment of Forces at 7:00pm, 25 July 1814
British: The British battery of artillery must be deployed on the hill as shown on the map below.The remainder of Riall's brigade may be deployed anywhere on the hill or north of the hill.
American: Scott's Brigade with Towson's Company of artillery may enter anywhere on the south edge of the table.
Reinforcements :
British: Colonel Hercules Scott's force arrives at the west end of the Lundy's Lane (from Beaver Dams) at 8:00pm on a roll of a 1 on a d10, a roll of 1 or 2 at 8:10pm, 1, 2, or 3 at 8:20pm, and so on until arrival.
American: Major General Brown and the remainder of the U. S. Left Division arrives at the south end of the Portage Road (from Chippawa) at 8:00pm on a roll of a 1 on a d10, a roll of 1 or 2 at 8:10pm, 1, 2, or 3 at 8:20pm, and so on until arrival.
Battlefield Darkness and Visibility :
The sun set at 7:45pm that day and by 9:00pm the battlefield was shrouded in darkness. Appropriate guidelines concerning reduced visibility and other limitations of conducting night actions are strongly recommended for this action.
Lundy's Lane 25 July 1814 Map:
Lundy's Lane - July 25, 1814 : After Action Report
Yet to be tabled by the members of the NMWST.
