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July 2, 1814
Plans and Petty Foolishness Opposite Buffalo, Ft. Erie was garrisoned by roughly 170 men, mostly of the 100th Regiment of Foot, under the command of Maj. Buck. On July 1, 1814, Gen. Brown received orders from the Secretary of War to cross the river, capture Ft. Erie, and march on Chippewa, at the mouth of Chippewa Creek, where some additional fortifications had been thrown up, menace Ft. George, and, if assured of the co-operation of Chauncey's fleet, and its capability of withstanding that of Sir James Yeo, to seize and fortify Burlington Heights, at the head of Lake Ontario. This then was the attack plan for the Niagara front for 1814. Gen. Brown issued orders on July 2 for his troops to cross the Niagara River from Black Rock, Accompanied by Scott and Porter. Sen. Scott was to cross with his forces through a difficult pass in the Black Rock Rapids, and land about a mile from Ft. Erie, and at the same time Gen. Ripley was to cross from Buffalo, and land at the same distance on the other side of the fort. Toward the evening of the 2nd, when the arrangements were all completed, Gen. Ripley requested a revision of the plan. He believed that his troops would have to bear the brunt of fighting should the enemy oppose the crossing, and he asked for a larger number of troops. He complained that he could not cross with sufficient force to promise success. Gen. Brown refused, prompting Ripley to tender his resignation. It was not accepted, and the operation continued. Ft. Erie Falls Gen. Scott crossed the river while it was yet dark on the morning of the 3rd, with the 9th, 11th, part of the 22nd, and the 25th Regiments, and battery of artillery under Maj. Hindman; he landed unmolested. Less than two hours after he embarked, his brigade was formed on the Canadian shore, ready for action. Brown ordered Scott to push forward a battalion nearer the fort, to observe the movements of the garrison. This battalion, consisting of light troops and a few Native Americans, were under the command of Maj. Jesup, of the 25th. They drove in the enemy's pickets; and Brown resolved to invest the fort with Scott's brigade, without waiting for the landing of Ripley's who still remained on the US side. He pushed troops into the woods, in the rear of the fort, where he seized a resident, and compelled him to act as guide. After the fort was invested, Ripley crossed the river with the 19th, 21st, and 23rd Regiments, and they took up investing positions in connection with Scott's forces. Brown then demanded the surrender of the fort, giving the commander, Maj. Buck, two hours for consideration. Very soon afterward a white flag came out, and was received by Maj. Jesup; the fort, which was in a very poor condition, surrendered; and at 6PM the British soldiers, marched out and stacked their arms, became prisoners of war, were sent across the river. The result was the near bloodless capture of Ft. Erie. For the second time and American invasion started out with complete success, but the future was not good.
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