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Battle of Lundy's Lane

American soldier loads musket over wounded British soldier
Source: J. T. Keigher

After the Battle of Chippawa, Major General Jacob Brown and his army of around 4,000 men moved towards Lake Ontario and occupied the city of Queenston. However, the American general expected Captain Isaac Chauncey, whose fleet controlled Lake Ontario, to arrive with supplies and support attacks on British-held forts along the Niagara River. Captain Chauncey, however, feared that diverting his ships to such tasks would compromise his military position. As a result, General Brown withdrew back to Chippawa.

British Major General Phineas Riall followed the American forces along the Portage Road, stretching along the Niagara River. General Riall was joined by Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond with reinforcements. When General Brown learned of the advance of the British forces, he turned back and re-captured Queenston. The American forces would then march along the Portage Road, and meet the British where the road intersected with Lundy's Lane. The meeting occurred on July 25, 1814.

With neither side certain of the size of the opposing force, there was much confusion prior to the battle. General Riall first ordered retreat from Lundy's Lane, thinking the entire American force was attacking. In reality, it was only a part of the army, led by Brigadier General Winfield Scott. As the American attack began, General Drummond arrived at the scene and ordered the British army onto the hill at Lundy's Lane, placing the artillery there.

General Riall was seriously wounded and captured in the first attack, but the British held their ground. When General Brown arrived with the rest of the American troops, he resumed the attack and succeeded in capturing the British artillery on the hill. The British charged back up the hill with bayonets. Each side repeatedly gained and lost control of the hill. In the evening, British reinforcements consisting of 1,200 men arrived, and the American attack was repulsed. General Brown and General Scott were both wounded and left the scene of the battle. General Drummond, also wounded, remained to direct his troops. At last, General Brown ordered the American army to retreat to Chippawa.

The Battle of Lundy's Lane proved to be the bloodiest battle in the War of 1812, with the Americans losing over 700 soldiers and the British and Canadian, over 600. While it is unclear which side won the battle, the last invasion of Upper Canada had been stopped. General Brown and his army retreated to Fort Erie.