The following is some additional information on the skirmish between American and British forces on March 4th, 1814 at the River LaTranche, also known as the fight at Longwoods. The forces involved were; British Captain J.L. Basden, 89th Regiment 1st Royal Scots, Light Company 101 men 2/89th, Light Company 45 Kent Militia, Caldwell's Rangers 50 Indians 44 Total 240 Americans: Captain A.H. Holmes, 24th U.S. Infantry Regulars of the 24th, 26th, 27th, 28th Infantry 94 Michigan Rangers, Michigan Militia Dragoons 70 Total: 164 (1) On the 4th, the British attacked and according to Holmes' report, his troops formed a hollow square on top of a hill across a ravine from the British. ( See: 'An American Square in Action, 1814' by Allan Ferguson, "EE&L" #71, page 46). However, later in his report Holmes says; "On the north, west and south front the fire had been sustained with much coolness and with considerable loss to the foe. Our troops on these fronts, being protected by logs hastily thrown together, the enemy not charging, both the rifle and musket were aimed at leisure, perhaps always told: (2) So, according to Holmes, the position had been strengthened and Basden's report of the action confirms it; "I therefore made my disposition for an immediate attack, it growing late, they were posted on the opposite side of a ravine on a high bank close to the road, and I thought I could preceive a slight brushwood fence thrown up, as I presumed to obstruct the road." (2) Later, during the British frontal attack; They, however instantly cheered and rushed on, making for the road on the opposite side with the intention of carrying this fence. However, this was found im­possible, the ascent being so steep and slippery. I now desired the men to follow me and I moved in the ravine to the right for some distance under an un­common fire. On ascending and gaining the top of the bank I was very much surprised to observe another face of the work. " (2) J.I. Pools details the construction of the American position. "The strengthening of his position was then proceeded with, which was fortified by an abatiss on three sides formed of logs piled upon each other breast high and faced on the outside with brushwood. The portion of the hills looking immediately to the east, and over which the road crossed, was also slightly strengthened in the same manner. These hills, besides being very steep, were covered with water, which was brought up from the creek during the night in no stinted draughts, and being quickly frozen into ice, owing to the intense cold, was then concealed by snow being thrown there-upon, so that the American position, previously naturally strong was now practically unassailable". (1) As to the ground conditions in general; "The snow was about fifteen inches deep with a strong crust rendering the approach to the enemy very difficult." (3) Faced with an enemy force in a position of unknown strength, Basden sent his Indians, militia and rangers on flanking attacks and then, unfortunately decided to take his regulars on a frontal assault in column; "At the sound of the bugle the flank companies moved on in an open column of sections (the 89th light company being weak in sub-divisions) led by the Royals with an advance from them. " (2) After two attacks in this formation, Basden placed his men in ex­tended order and at dusk tried another assault_ Close to the American position he was wounded in the thigh and as he was carried back, a general retreat was ordered. Losses were 14 killed, 52 wounded and 1 missing, over 27% casualties. Fortunately for the British, the Americans also decided to retire, with a mere 1 killed and 7 wounded. Sources: 1. 'The Fight at Battle Hill' by J.I. Poole ( reprinted from 'Trans­actions' for 1911-1912 of the London and Middlesex Historical Society. The Defended Border, Upper Canada and the War of 1812 edited by M_ Zaslow, Toronto, 1964, pages 130-142. 2. Letters of Holmes and Basden. History of the Campaign on the Niagara Frontier, Volume 3, edited by E. Criukshank, , New York, 1971, pages 2f82.-1. 3. A History of the War of 1812 by J. Hanny, Toronto, 1905, Page 244 Back to Empire, Eagles, & Lions Table of Contents Vol. 1 No. 84 Back to EEL List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1985 by Emperor's Headquarters This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com