Winfield Scott
and the War of 1812

Battle of Chippawa

by Rich Barbuto

On 3 July Brown ordered his army to cross. Scott and Ripley crossed the water and approached Fort Erie from opposite directions. The commander of the British garrison surrendered after a minimal defense. Brown ordered Scott's brigade to lead the Left Division's movement northward toward the next British garrison that guarded the bridge at Chippawa. All day on the 4th of July, Scott sent troops to outflank the skillfully executed rear guard action. The British burned bridges that the American regimental pioneers repaired so that the wagons could proceed unhindered. Finally, that evening, Scott pulled up to the Chippawa and surveyed the strong defenses on the north side of that river which flowed into the Niagara. Scott pulled back southward about two miles and made camp behind a Street's Creek, a fordable stream. The rest of Ripley's Brigade eventually closed in on the American camp. Porter's Brigade and the baggage train were still enroute.

On the morning of the 5th of July, natives allied to the British entered the primeval forest that formed the western flank of a flat plain between the lines. These Indians approached the American camp and fired upon the numerous pickets placed around the camp. As Porter's Brigade approached camp, Brown ordered Porter to take part of his brigade and clear the forest of the irritating foe. Porter formed his brigade in a long line with his natives on the west and Pennsylvania Volunteers on the east. They entered the forest moving northward, pushing Britain's native allies and Canadian militia before them. As they were about to exit the forest near the Chippawa River, they ran into several companies of British regulars. Porter's Brigade had lost its cohesion in the running fight and was in no position to defend against an assault by formed infantry. Back the way they came, Porter's troops and natives ran for relative safety of the American lines. The British regulars were the flank guard of Riall's entire brigade crossing the bridge over the Chippawa, intent upon defeating the Americans in their camp.

Meanwhile, Scott had his men prepare and eat a fine meal to celebrate the national holiday they missed the day prior. Not expecting action anytime soon, Scott ordered his men to parade on the plain north of camp. His men were forming up ready to begin crossing the bridge over Street's Creek when Brown rode up and warned Scott that he would have a battle. Unconcerned and perhaps disbelieving Brown, Scott ordered his brigade northward. Henry Leavenworth's combined battalion made up of companies from the 9th and 22nd Regiments was first across the bridge. Riall's artillery had set up and threw shot at Leavenworth's men. Undaunted by the British fire, they marched quickly across the bridge and began forming on line.

Scott ordered Nathan Towson, his artillery company commander, to deploy to the right of Leavenworth and to counter the British fire. Then the 11th Infantry crossed over Street's Creek and formed up on Leavenworth's left. The last regiment, Thomas Jesup's 25th, crossed over. Scott sent Jesup toward the forest to secure the far left of the brigade. Riall formed two of his regiments on line and kept a third behind them. The British moved forward, stopped, and opened up a determined fire fight which the Americans returned in kind. Both sides managed to each bring another company of artillery into the fight. Scott, seeing the British advance, told the commander of the 11th regiment, Major John McNeill, to throw his left flank forward, obliquely. Thus the British were somewhat outflanked the closer they drew to the American lines.

The two sides traded volley for volley. The months of training in the American camp paid off. Riall was said to have exclaimed his shock when the troops he had dismissed as mere Buffalo militia in their simple gray jackets turned out to be well trained, effective regulars. The American fire cut down several British officers as well as scores of British troops. Meanwhile, in the forest, Jesup successfully drove off the British light infantry. He then brought his regiment out of the forest and ordered his men to attack into the flank of the British formation. At about this time, McNeill and Leavenworth did the same. This was too much for Riall's troops who began to withdraw despite the best efforts of their officers to halt them. Riall ordered the 19th Light Dragoons to cover the retreat as the British infantry and artillery moved quickly northward and across the bridge over the Chippawa.

For reasons unknown, Scott failed to press his advantage and Riall's brigade successfully crossed the bridge and then tore up the planking so that the Americans could not follow. Nonetheless, he had commanded his brigade very well. He handled his three battalions and Towson's battery with precision, issuing clear orders appropriately timed for best effect. Brown recognized Scott's contribution when he wrote to the secretary of war, "Scott is entitled to the highest honors our country can bestow to him, more than any other man, am I indebted for the victory on the fifth of July."

Winfield Scott and the War of 1812

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© Copyright 2005 by Rich Barbuto.
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