CHARACTERS

Brigadier General Eleazar Wheelock Ripley

Ripley was the Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 21st United States Infantry Regiment in August 1812. This regiment took part in several battles including York and Sacket's Harbor. Ripley commanded this regiment at the Battle of Crysler's Farm in 1813.

Ripley was brigade commander serving in the Army of the Centre under Jacob Brown. Brown and Ripley argued over the planned invasion of Upper Canada, with Ripley insisting that the invasion force was inadequate. Ripley's performance was exceptional at Lundy's Lane where his men came to the rescue of Winfield Scott's battered troops and when they captured several pieces of British artillery from a hill near the battlefield. However, he was blamed by Brown for losing the guns during the withdrawal.

He briefly commanded the Army of the Centre during the Siege of Ft. Erie after Brown was wounded at Lundy's Lane, but was superseded by Brigadier General Edmund Pendleton Gaines. He was directly involved in the repulse of a British assault on August 16, and in an American sortie on September 17, where he was wounded.