Battle of Chippewa

The Battle of Chippewa took place on July 5, 1814, near Ft. Erie. In the battle that American forces and Gen. Winfield Scott decisively defeated the British forces.

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General Winfield Scott led an American assault on the Niagara River to enter Canada. On July 3, 1814, he commanded 2,000 men as they crossed the river. As his boat neared the shore, Scott tested the depth with his sword and declared that it was shallow enough for him to disembark. However, he disappeared into a hole and was subsequently dragged back into the boat, marking an ominous beginning to the campaign.

A few moments later, the boat neared the shore, and Scott and his men began disembarking. Scott and his men soon encircled Fort Erie, which was then occupied by 170 British soldiers. By the evening, the fort had surrendered.

Meanwhile, British General Phineas Riall, commanding Fort George, headed south to impede the American advance beyond Fort Erie. Riall established a line at the Chippewa River, two miles above Niagara Falls, with 2,000 men in his command. On the morning of the 5th, Scott narrowly avoided capture after being enticed to a Canadian home for breakfast.

By the afternoon, General Riall resolved to advance on the American troops and crossed the Chippewa River to engage the American forces. The British forces had brought their artillery across the river. Scott positioned his troops to prepare for the British attack. He formed a line, anchored with his own artillery pieces. Rail assumed that the Americans were militia and would be easily defeated. However, when the fighting commenced and the Americans held their ground, Riall acknowledged his error and is widely reported to have exclaimed, “Those are regulars by God!”

The two sides advanced on each other, but the Americans successfully flanked the British on both sides, enveloping them in more sustained fire. The British troops were unable to withstand the levels of casualties they were sustaining. Consequently, after thirty minutes, Riall ordered the British troops to withdraw. The Americans emerged victorious. Although not a particularly large battle by European standards, it was a significant triumph. For the first time, equal-sized regular armies of British and American troops engaged in combat, and the Americans emerged victorious. 

 A few moments later the boat neared the shore and Scott and the men began to disembark.  Scott and his men soon surrounded Fort Erie.  By the evening the fort with 170 British soldiers had surrendered. 

At Fort George British General Phineas Riall headed south to stop the American advance beyond Fort Erie.  Riall created a line at the Chippewa River two miles above the Niagara Falls.  Riall had 2,000 men with him. On the morning of the 5th Scott was almost captured after being lured for breakfast at a Canadian home.

By the afternoon General Riall decided to advance on the American troops and crossed the Chippewa River to engage the American forces.  The British forces had brought across their artillery.  Scott moved his troops to be ready to face the British.  He formed up a line, which was anchored, with his own artillery pieces.  Rail assumed that the Americans were militia and would break easily.  When the fighting began and they didn’t Riall realized his mistake and is widely reported to have said “those are regulars by god”. 

The two sides advanced on each other but the Americans the Americans were able to flank the British on both sides thus enveloping them in more sustained fire.  The British troops were not able to sustain the levels of casualties they sustaining and after a half an hour Riall ordered the British troops to withdraw.  The Americans had one the day.  While not a very large battle by European standards it was a very important victory, for the first time equal size regular armies of British and American troops met on the field of battle and the Americans were victorious.