was the extent of their preparations. In fact,
these troops, soon to be famous as the Left
Division, were being expertly trained by Gen.
Winfield Scott, one of the most talented offi-
cers in the American army. On July 3, 1814,
riders alerted Riall to the fact that Brown had
in fact crossed, captured Fort Erie, and was
working his way northward. The general re-
acted promptly by gathering up 1,500 soldiers
and about 500 Indians and militia and march-
ing south to meet him. On the evening of July
4, 1814, Riall arrived above the American
camp situated at Street’s Creek and en-
camped for the evening. He would attack the
invaders the next day and, judging from past
performances, did not anticipate much diffi-
culty defeating them.
On the morning of July 5, 1814, Riall sent
several parties of Canadian marksmen and
Mohawk Indians under Chief John Norton
into the woods adjoining Brown’s camp to
distract them while he delivered the main at-
tack. Brown responded by sending Gen. Peter
B. Porter, his New York Volunteers, and some
Seneca Indians who engaged and routed the
entire force. Riall countered by deploying sev-
eral light infantry companies to attack Porter
in the woods, routing him in turn. At this junc-
ture, General Scott was turning out his
brigade of 1,300 men for daily drill. Because
of an acute shortage of blue cloth, they had
dressed in gray militia tunics. Brown sud-
denly rode up and ordered Scott forward in
support of Porter, as something seemed to be
happening in front of the camp. Scott crossed
over Street’s Creek—only to behold Riall’s
1,500 men deploying at the opposite end of
the field to meet them!
The ensuing Battle of Chippawa is leg-
endary in the annals of U.S. Army history.
Scott’s brigade, expertly trained and led,
began deploying under a heavy artillery fire
with the coolness of veterans. Riall, being
somewhat shortsighted, observed these pro-
ceedings and scoffed, “Why, it’s nothing but a
body of Buffalo militia!” However, as the ser-
ried ranks steadily closed and opened up a
heavy fire upon the redcoats, the general
changed his tune. “Why, these are regulars,
by God!” he exclaimed. By then it was too
late. Scott had enlarged the interval between
his battalions and threw both flanks forward,
forming a large V. Riall’s advancing regiments
found themselves in deadly crossfire, while
the cannons of Capt. Nathan Towson tore
bloody lanes through their ranks. Seeing his
army crumbling around him, Riall ordered his
men to charge, but they were blasted back by
accurate volleys. The general recklessly ex-
posed himself, as if seeking death. At length,
the British had no recourse but to effect a
speedy withdrawal over Chippawa Creek and
safety—with Scott in hot pursuit. Casualties
in the Battle of Chippawa were roughly 500
British, militia, and Indians to 300 Americans.
Although a decidedly small affair, it marked
the first occasion in the War of 1812 that U.S.
troops defeated the veteran forces of Great
Britain on an open field. It is commemorated
today in the gray uniforms of the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point.
After this stunning defeat, Riall abandoned
the Chippawa River line and fell back to Fort
George. The Americans followed him
leisurely, and he escaped with a large contin-
gent of troops before being surrounded. For
nearly two weeks thereafter, General Brown
awaited the arrival of Commodore Isaac
Chauncey with reinforcements and siege
guns. When he failed to arrive, the Americans
fell back to Chippawa, with Riall closely shad-
owing their movements. On July 24, 1814,
Drummond arrived from York with British re-
inforcements and pushed south to meet the
enemy. Previously, he had instructed Riall to
avoid combat until his arrival. Accordingly, on
the afternoon of July 25, when General Scott’s
brigade suddenly advanced upon Riall’s posi-
tion at Lundy’s Lane, he immediately fell
back. Fortunately, the retiring British encoun-
tered Drummond’s forces en route, and they
reoccupied the heights overlooking the lane.
A tremendous battle ensued as Scott repeat-
edly charged the British guns and sustained
heavy losses. In the course of battle, Riall
fought bravely and was seriously wounded inRIALL, PHINEAS