THIS WEEK in the War of 1812 (July 6-July 12)

Battle Scars.

During the War of 1812, Fort George served as the headquarters for the Centre Division of the British Army.
(Photo: Parks Canada)

After the Battle of Chippawa (July 5, 1814), both sides claim victory and both sides are exhausted from the engagement.

Within a few days, the American commander, Major General Jacob Brown, outflanks the British at  Chippawa Creek, forcing the British to fall back to Fort George on the western (Canadian) side of the Niagara River near its mouth at Lake Ontario.

But Brown lacks the necessary troops and heavy artillery to attack this well fortified position. And because the Royal Navy still controls Lake Ontario – Brown can’t get adequate supplies from Sackett’s Harbor on the New York side of Lake Ontario. The British, however, are able to get shipments of fresh troops and supplies in from York (Canada).

Niagara Frontier 1813-1814
(Map courtesy Parks Canada and the Royal Canadian Geographic Association)

Seeing his current position outside Fort George as untenable, Brown begins slowly retreating down the Canadian side of the Niagara River. The British, under Major Phineas Riall, follow Brown’s troops – setting up one of the bloodiest battles of the 1812 war: Lundy’s Lane.