The Battle of Chippawa

Riall’s Official Chippawa Report

by Richard V. Barbuto

From Major General Phineas Riall to Lieutenant General Sir Gordon Drummond at Kingston.

Chippawa, July 6th 1814

Sir,

I have the honor to inform you that the Enemy effected a landing on the morning of the 3rd Inst. At the Ferry opposite to Black Rock, having driven in the picquet of the Garrison of Fort Erie; I was made acquainted with this circumstance about 8 in the morning and gave orders for the immediate advance to Chippawa of 5 Companies of the Royal Scots under Lieut. Colonel Gordon to reinforce the Garrison at that place. Lieut. Colonel Pearson had moved forward from thence with the Flank Companies of the 100th, some militia and a few Indians to recoinnoitre their Position and numbers; he found them posted on the Ridge parallel with the river near the Ferry, and in strong force. I received information from Major Buck that they had also landed a considerable Force above Fort Erie. In consequence of the King’s Regiment which I had every reason to expect the day before from York not having arrived I was prevented from making an attack that night.

The following morning, the 4th a Body of their Troops were reported to be advancing by the River, I moved forward to reconnoitre, and found them to be in considerable Force with Cavalry and Artillery, and a large body of Rifle Men. Lieut. Colonel Pearson was in advance during this Reconnaissance with the Light Company of the Royal Scots, and the Flank Companies of the 100th and a few of the 19th Lt. Dragoons, four of whom, and Eight horses were wounded in a Skirmish with the Enemy’s Rifle men.

Having been joined by the King’s Regiment on the Morning of the 5th I made my dispositions for attack at 4 o’Clock in the afternoon. The Light Companies of the Royal Scots, King’s and 100th Regt. with the 2nd Lincoln Militia formed the advance under Lieut. Colonel Pearson, the Indian Warriors were thrown out on our right flank in the woods. The Troops moved in three Columns, the third (the King’s Regiment) being in reserve. The Enemy had taken up a Position with his right resting on some Buildings and Orchards close on the River Niagara and strongly supported by artillery. His left towards the wood, having a considerable Body of Riflemen and Indians in front of it.

The Indians and Militia were shortly engaged with the Enemy’s Rifle Men and Indians who at first checked their advance, but the Light Troops being brought in their support, they succeeded after a sharp contest in dislodging them in a very handsome style. I placed two light 24 Pdrs. And a 5 ½ inch Howr. Against the right of the Enemy’s Position, and formed the Royal Scots and 100th Regts. With the intention of making a movement upon his left - our right supported with three Lt. 6 Prs. - on these two regiments advancing for this purpose, the Enemy moved a very heavy Column towards the front of his left which deployed with the greatest regularity and opened a very heavy fire.

I immediately moved up the King’s regiment to the right while the Royal Scots and 100th Regt. were directed to charge the Enemy in front, for which they advanced with the greatyest gallantry, under a most destructive fire. I am sorry to say, however, in this attempt they suffered so severely that I was obliged to withdraw them, finding their further Efforts against the superior numbers of the Enemy would be unavailing. Lieut. Colonel Gordon and Lieut. Colonel, the Marquis of Tweedale Commanding these Regiments being wounded, as were most of the officers belonging to each, I directed a retreat to be made upon Chippawa, which was conducted with good order and regularity, covered by the King’s Regt. under Major Evans, and the Light Troops under Lt. Colonel Pearson, and I have pleasure in saying that not a single prisoner fell into the Enemy’s hands, except those who were disabled from wounds.

From the report of some Prisoners we have made the Enemy’s force amounted to about 6000 Men with a very numerous train of Artillery, having been augmented by a very large body of Troops which moved down from Fort Erie, immediately before the commencement of the Action. Our own force in regular troops amounted to 1500 exclusive of the Militia and Indians, of which last description there were not above three hundred.

Fort Erie, I understand, surrendered upon capitulation on the 3rd Inst.

Although this affair was not attended with the success which I had hoped for, it will be highly gratifying to you to learn that the officers and men behaved with the greatest gallantry. I am particularly indebted to Lieut. Colonel Pearson for the very great assistance I have received from him, and for the manner in which he led his light Troops into action, Lieut. Colonel Gordon, and Lieut. Colonel, the Marquis of Tweedale, and Major Evans, commanding the king’s Regt. merit my warmest praise, for the good example they shewed at the head of their respective regiments. The Artillery under the command of Capt. Mackonachie was ably served and directed with good effect, and I am particularly obliged to Major Lisle of the 19th Lt. Dragoons for the manner in which he covered and protected one of the 24 pdrs which had been disabled. I have reason to be highly satisfied with the zeal, activity and Intelligence of Capt. Holland my Aide de Camp, Capt. Eliot, Dy. Asst. Quarter Master General, Staff Adjutant Grieg, and Lieut. Fox of the Royal Scots, who acted as Major of Brigade during the absence of Major Glegg at Fort George.

The conduct of Lt. Colonel Dixon of the 2nd Lincoln Militia has been most exemplary and I am very much indebted to him for it on this, as well as on other occasions in which he has evinced the greatest Zeal for His Majesty’s Service; the conduct of the officers and Men of this regiment has also been highly praiseworthy. Lieut. Colonel Pearson has reported to me in the most favourable terms the excellent manner in which Lieut. Horton with a party of the 19th Lt. Dragoons observed the motions of the Enemy while he occupied the position he took on his first landing, and during his advance to this place.

I have the Honor to be,
P. Riall
M. Gen.

[Riall completes his letter with the names of Officers killed and wounded.]

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© Copyright 2002 by Rich Barbuto.
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