Battle of Lundy's Lane: bloody night battle near Niagara Falls

Background. On 3 July 1814 an American army under Major General Jacob Brown launched an attack across the Niagara River near its source on Lake Erie. A few days after the battle, Brown outflanked the British defences along the Chippawa Creek and the British fell back to Fort George near the mouth of the Niagara on Lake Ontario. As Brown retired, British light infantry and militia under Major General Riall advanced to Lundy's Lane, 4 miles (6.4 km) north of the Chippawa, to allow light troops to maintain contact with the American main force. Early on 25 July, Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond arrived in Fort George to take personal command on the Niagara peninsula, ordering Lieutenant Colonel John Tucker to advance south from Fort Niagara along the east side of the river, hoping this would force Brown to evacuate the west bank.

Engagement. The battle commenced on 25 July 1814. American forces beat back attacks after a short-range musketry duel, suffering heavy casualties. The Glengarry Light Infantry were mistaken for Americans and forced to withdraw. The engagement was one of the bloodiest of the war, with significant losses on both sides.

Aftermath. The British won a strategic victory as American casualties left them badly outnumbered, forcing a retreat to Fort Erie. The British withdrew to Queenston after burying dead and burning corpses. American official casualty returns listed 171 dead, 572 wounded, and 117 missing. Four British regiments received the 'Niagara' battle honour.