Niagara campaign
Encyclopedia
The Niagara campaign was the final campaign launched by the United States
to invade Canada
during the War of 1812
. It occurred in 1814.
The American
forces were commanded by General Jacob Brown
and General Winfield Scott
.
The U.S. forces began the campaign with the Capture of Fort Erie
on the Niagara Peninsula
.
Next they decisively defeated the British
at the Battle of Chippawa
.
At the Battle of Lundy's Lane
both sides claimed victory, but because the U.S. forces had suffered so many casualties they pulled back to Fort Erie
.
Following their return to the fort, the British under Gordon Drummond
attempted to capture the fort and the Siege of Fort Erie
followed.
The Americans were able to hold out and the British eventually lifted the siege after suffering severe losses. After a small engagement at Cook's Mills
, American forces commanded by General George Izard abandoned Fort Erie and returned to the U.S. side.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to invade Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. It occurred in 1814.
The American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
forces were commanded by General Jacob Brown
Jacob Brown
Jacob Jennings Brown was an American army officer in the War of 1812. His successes on the northern border during that war made him a hero. In 1821 he was appointed commanding general of the U.S. Army and held that post until his death.-Early life:Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Jacob Jennings...
and General Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott
Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, and unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852....
.
The U.S. forces began the campaign with the Capture of Fort Erie
Capture of Fort Erie
The Capture of Fort Erie by American forces in 1814 was an incident in the War of 1812 between the United Kingdom and the United States. The British garrison was outnumbered but surrendered prematurely, in the view of British commanders.-Background:...
on the Niagara Peninsula
Niagara Peninsula
The Niagara Peninsula is the portion of Southern Ontario, Canada lying between the south shore of Lake Ontario and the north shore of Lake Erie. It stretches from the Niagara River in the east to Hamilton, Ontario in the west. The population of the peninsula is roughly 1,000,000 people...
.
Next they decisively defeated the British
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
at the Battle of Chippawa
Battle of Chippawa
The Battle of Chippawa was a victory for the United States Army in the War of 1812, during an invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River on July 5, 1814.-Background:...
.
At the Battle of Lundy's Lane
Battle of Lundy's Lane
The Battle of Lundy's Lane was a battle of the Anglo-American War of 1812, which took place on 25 July 1814, in present-day Niagara Falls, Ontario...
both sides claimed victory, but because the U.S. forces had suffered so many casualties they pulled back to Fort Erie
Fort Erie
Fort Erie was the first British fort to be constructed as part of a network developed after the Seven Years' War was concluded by the Treaty of Paris at which time all of New France had been ceded to Great Britain...
.
Following their return to the fort, the British under Gordon Drummond
Gordon Drummond
Sir Gordon Drummond, GCB was the first Canadian-born officer to command the military and the civil government of Canada...
attempted to capture the fort and the Siege of Fort Erie
Siege of Fort Erie
The Siege of Fort Erie was one of the last and most protracted engagements between British and American forces during the Niagara campaign of the American War of 1812...
followed.
The Americans were able to hold out and the British eventually lifted the siege after suffering severe losses. After a small engagement at Cook's Mills
Battle of Cook's Mills
The Battle of Cook's Mills was the last engagement between U.S. and British armies in the Niagara, and the penultimate engagement on Canadian soil during the War of 1812.-Background:...
, American forces commanded by General George Izard abandoned Fort Erie and returned to the U.S. side.