Chippawa Battlefield Panel 1

Chippawa Battlefield Panel 1. Background to a Battle. On these fields and the surrounding woods 4,000 American, British, Canadian and Native forces fought the first major battle of the Niagara campaign of 1814. When the last shots died away on Samuel Street's farm, more than 800 lay dead and wounded. Since 18 June 1812, when the United States declared war on Great Britain, a small force of British Regulars, Canadian Militia and Native Warriors had turned back seven American invasions of Canada., On 3 July 1814, Major General Jacob Brown, commanding a well trained force of 4,500 troops, crossed the Niagara River from Buffalo, New York and quickly captured Fort Erie. The next day, Brown ordered Brigadier General Winfield Scott to take his brigade and the U.S. Dragoons (1400 men) north, along the River Road and secure the bridge over the Chippawa (Welland) River, 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) north of this spot. Scott pushed the rear guard of the British forces along the river road, only to find the bridge destroyed and the British forces in a strong position on the north side of the river at Fort Chippawa. He returned to Street's (now Ussher's) Creek to camp for the night. Just before midnight, Scott was joined by Major General Brown who was followed by Brigadier General Eleazer Wheelock Ripley's Second Brigade of U.S. Regulars with the U.S. Artillery (1,200 men) and Brigadier General Peter B. Porter's 3rd Brigade of state militia and allied native warriors (500 militia and 400 warriors)., Native Warriors served along side the British forces and American forces at Chippawa. They were considered excellent reconnaissance troops and marksmen. Their fierce reputation in battle was considered an asset by commanders on both sides.