The Niagara Campaign of 1814: The Battle of Lundy's Lane “The poor fellows...could not have anticipated such a dreadful slaughter as they have since awfully witnessed" US Representative Samuel Sherwood on Lundy’s aftermath Further Reading The Battle of Lundy's Lane Background to the Battle of Lundy's Lane The British at Lundy's Lane Two Accounts From The Battle The Aftermath of Lundy's Lane Surgeon William Dunlop Tends to the Wounded William Dunlop Remembers a Tragic Scene Books Where Right and Glory Lead! The Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814 Donald E Graves

The Americans at Lundy's Lane Miller had led a smaller force around to the left of the British and was waiting for Ripley's men to storm the hill. Creeping within musket range, Miller watched the British swallow the bait as they turned their attention to stopping the American frontal attack. A whispered order to fix bayonets and take aim was passed down Miller's line. A moment later, they opened fire on the unsuspecting British gunners many of whom fell dead. Within seconds Miller's group was around the guns putting bayonets to any left standing. Some nearby British infantry scrambled to dislodge the Americans, but another deadly volley from Miller sent them tumbling downhill. Despite a nasty leg wound, Brown did well fortifying the hill position with more guns and strengthening the surrounding lines. One advantage was that British command was temporarily in chaos. Hundreds of fresh British troops come marching toward the rise unaware that it had been occupied by Americans; scores of them were cut down by the U.S. guns and the rest scattered. Not only the British were deceived by the darkness. Ripley's men were holding off British counter-attacks, but the musket exchanges from only yards apart caused heavy casualties. Ripley sent word to Brown begging for forces to harass the enemy line before the British became totally desperate and launched a bayonet charge; Ripley did not think his men could withstand it. Winfield Scott, who had already been badly bruised, had made his own plans to break the British line. He gathered what men he could. Only 100 or so of the 800 who followed him out that afternoon were able to stand and fight. As Scott's men pierced one of the British front lines, Ripley's men fired down on them, not being able to distinguish American from British silhouettes cutting across their front. Brown's force barely managed to repel a third British attack on the guns. The American commander was groggy from loss of blood, and understandably, the strength to continue fighting was ebbing out of the American ranks. Most of their experienced gunners were no longer standing. It was nearing midnight and both ammunition and supplies were critically low. The men wished their throats were coated with water rather than the gunpowder and dirt, which was choking them. Winfield Scott's rallying presence on the battlefield was lost when he was carried to the rear after a bullet tore apart his shoulder. In fact, seven of ten regimental commanders had been killed or wounded, leaving little order amongst the remaining men. Obstinate under most circumstances, Brown's resolve dissolved. Word had it that only 700 of the over 2000 he had led into battle were still standing, and just barely. Before he collapsed from his wounds, Brown relented declaring that the men had done all they could, and placed Ripley in charge of withdrawing the troops to Chippawa. They would try again in the morning and attempt to gather more of their wounded then. Reluctantly, Ripley carried out the order, trying to do so without drawing the enemy into attacking. The British were equally exhausted and could not pursue, taking the hill only after most Americans were well clear of the battlefield. The Vermont drummerboy, Jarvis Hanks, who was lucky to escape the battle unscathed remembered that, "This memorable battle closed, by apparent consent, and desire of both armies. They retreated from the scene at the same time, weary and exhausted."