Battle of Chippawa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Battle of Chippawa

The Battle of Chippawa
H. Charles McBarron Jr.

Date	July 5, 1814
Location	Chippawa, Upper Canada (present-day Ontario) 43°03′08″N 79°01′29″W / 43.05222°N 79.02472°W / 43.05222; -79.02472
Result	American victory

Belligerents

United Kingdom
- Upper Canada

Mohawk

United States
Seneca

Commanders and leaders

Phineas Riall

Jacob Brown
Winfield Scott
Peter Porter
Red Jacket

Strength

2,000

3,564, of which 2,109 were engaged

Casualties and losses

108 dead
319 wounded
100 captured
18 missing
Total: 535

60 killed
249 wounded
19 missing
Total: 328

National Historic Site of Canada

Official name: Battle of Chippawa National Historic Site of Canada

Designated:

1921

The Battle of Chippawa was an important fight during the War of 1812. It happened on July 5, 1814, near the Niagara River in what was then Upper Canada (now Ontario). In this battle, the United States Army won against British forces. This victory, along with the later Battle of Lundy's Lane, showed that American soldiers, when well-trained, could stand strong against experienced British troops. Today, the battlefield is a special place called a National Historic Site of Canada.

The Battle of Chippawa: A Key Moment in the War of 1812
Images for kids
See also

The Battle of Chippawa: A Key Moment in the War of 1812

Setting the Stage for Conflict

In early 1814, it became clear that Napoleon was losing in Europe. This meant that many skilled British soldiers, who had been fighting in Europe, would soon be sent to Canada. The American Secretary of War, John Armstrong Jr., wanted the United States to win a big victory in Canada before these British reinforcements arrived.

Major General Jacob Brown was put in charge of a large group of American soldiers. Secretary Armstrong wanted him to attack Kingston, which was a main British base. However, Brown couldn't get the help he needed from Commodore Isaac Chauncey, who led the American navy on Lake Ontario. Chauncey was waiting for new warships to be built. So, General Brown decided to focus his attack on the Niagara River area instead.

Preparing for Battle: Training and Strategy

To make the American army stronger, two special training camps were set up. One was in Buffalo, New York, led by Brigadier General Winfield Scott.

At Buffalo, General Scott started a tough training program. His soldiers drilled for ten hours every day. He made sure all units used the same training manual, which helped them work together better. Scott also removed officers who weren't good at their jobs, making sure only skilled leaders remained. He also improved camp hygiene, which helped keep his soldiers healthy.

There was one small problem: the soldiers didn't have enough blue uniforms. Instead, many received gray jackets. General Scott made sure his best-performing unit, the 21st US Infantry, got the blue uniforms, saying the black ones they had were "a disgrace." This detail about the gray uniforms became famous later on.

The Niagara Campaign Begins

By early July, General Brown's army was ready near the Niagara River. Since the navy couldn't help with a direct attack on Fort George, Brown decided to capture Fort Erie first.

On July 3, Brown's army, including Scott's well-trained soldiers, easily captured Fort Erie. It was defended by only a small British force. After more American volunteers and about 600 Iroquois warriors joined them, Scott began moving north along the road next to the Niagara River. They quickly pushed back a small British group.

Major General Phineas Riall led the British forces. He thought the Americans were mostly militia, not trained soldiers.

Later that day, Scott's troops met British defenses near Chippawa Creek. After a short fight with cannons, Scott pulled his troops back a few miles to Street's Creek. He planned to have a Fourth of July parade there the next day.

The British forces were led by Major General Phineas Riall. He believed that the Americans had left many soldiers behind at Fort Erie. He also thought the American soldiers he faced were mostly untrained militia. Because of this, Riall decided to attack, hoping to push the Americans back across the Niagara River.

The Battle Unfolds

On the morning of July 5, British light infantry, militia, and Native American allies crossed Chippawa Creek. They began shooting at Scott's outposts from the nearby woods. General Brown ordered Brigadier General Peter B. Porter's brigade and the Iroquois warriors to clear the woods. They succeeded, but then they ran into Riall's main British army and had to retreat quickly.

A map showing the movements of troops during the Battle of Chippawa.

General Scott's troops were already moving forward from Street's Creek. Their cannons, led by Captain Nathaniel Towson, opened fire. The British cannons tried to fire back, but Towson's guns were very effective. They destroyed a British ammunition wagon and put most of their cannons out of action.

Scott's soldiers formed a long line. The 25th U.S. Infantry was on the left, the 11th U.S. Infantry and 9th U.S. Infantry were in the middle, and the gray-clad 22nd U.S. Infantry was on the right with Towson's cannons. At first, General Riall thought the American line was made up of militia, who were often seen as less skilled. He expected them to break and run after a few shots. But the American line held steady, even under British cannon fire.

The British infantry, with the 1st (Royal Scots) Foot and the 100th Foot in front, advanced in a line. The ground was uneven, which made their formation a bit messy and kept them under American cannon fire for longer. General Riall ordered his soldiers to fire only once and then charge with bayonets. As the British moved closer, their own cannons had to stop firing to avoid hitting them. Meanwhile, the American cannons switched to firing canister, which was like a giant shotgun blast.

When the two lines were less than 100 yards apart, Scott moved his outer units forward. This created a "U" shape, allowing his soldiers on the sides to fire at the British from multiple directions. Both sides fired many shots for about 25 minutes. General Riall, whose coat was hit by a bullet, finally ordered his troops to retreat. The British 1/8th Regiment covered their withdrawal. Scott stopped his brigade, though some of Porter's Iroquois chased the British almost to Chippawa Creek.

Counting the Costs: Casualties

The American army reported 60 soldiers killed, 249 wounded, and 19 missing.

The British suffered heavier losses. The 100th Regiment, which was in the middle of their line, was hit especially hard. In total, the British reported 108 killed, 319 wounded, 75 wounded and captured, 15 unwounded and captured, and 18 missing.

What Happened After the Battle

Two days after the battle, General Brown moved his army across Chippawa Creek, forcing the British to retreat to Fort George. However, he couldn't attack Fort George because Commodore Chauncey still hadn't brought naval support or heavy cannons. This meant Brown's army couldn't get the supplies or reinforcements they needed. At the same time, the British quickly brought in more soldiers, making their position too strong for a direct American attack. These events eventually led to another major battle, the Battle of Lundy's Lane, a few weeks later.

Remembering Chippawa: Its Lasting Impact

Chippawa Battlefield Park, where visitors can learn about the battle.

The Battle of Chippawa was very important because it showed that American regular soldiers could fight just as well as, or even better than, the experienced British troops. It also highlighted the excellent shooting skills of the American soldiers. Historians often say that General Riall was too confident and made tactical mistakes, which led to the many British casualties.

The 25th Infantry Regiment, which fought bravely at Chippawa, later became part of the 6th Infantry Regiment. The 6th Infantry's motto, "Regulars, by God," comes from this battle, celebrating the professionalism of the American soldiers.

Today, several active U.S. Army infantry battalions carry on the history of the regiments that fought at Chippawa.

There's a popular story that the gray parade uniforms worn by cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point were chosen to honor General Scott's gray-clad troops at Chippawa. However, it seems the gray uniforms were actually chosen because they were durable and cheaper than blue ones.

The battlefield is now preserved as the Chippawa Battlefield Park. It's part of the Niagara Parks Commission and has a monument and signs that explain the battle. It was named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1921.

Chippewa Square in Savannah, Georgia, is also named after this important battle.

Images for kids

A drawing from 1899 showing the Battle of Chippawa.
A record from 1815 showing a 17-year-old soldier wounded at Chippawa.