officer, with a view of
causing a temporary check to an invading force, rather than for the
purpose of defending it against a regular siege. But Major Buck was so
careful of himself and his men as to abandon the fort without firing a
shot--an error fatal to the British--for although Fort Erie could not
have been held for any length of time against the overwhelming strength
of the enemy, still a few hours' defence would have enabled General
Riall to concentrate his forces and attack the Americans before they
were firmly established on Canadian soil. The able dispositions which
General Riall had made of the forces under his command along the
Niagara line by the direction of General Drummond, who had anticipated
an invasion at that point where it commenced, were such, that the least
impediment to the progress of the invaders would have enabled General
Riall to have concentrated his troops, and to have fallen upon and
dispersed the enemy before they could have time to be prepared for an
effectual resistance. As it was, the Americans were permitted to occupy
this important post without resistance, and transfer, unmolested, to the
Canadian side all the troops they pleased.

On the following day, General Brown advanced with his whole force, of
over 4,000 men, down the river to the plains of Chippewa, with the
intention of taking possession of the British post at the mouth of the
Chippewa or Welland river. General Riall, having collected what forces
he could, consisting of five companies of the Royal Scots, a part of the
8th or King's Regiment, a part of the 100th Regiment, and the 2nd
Lincoln Militia, amounting in all to about 1,500 men, determined to
check him, until further assistance should arrive. A series of
manoeuvres ensued on both sides, and the most furious battle hitherto
occurring during the war, followed, when General Riall, finding himself
no longer able to sustain the fight against a force so unequal in
universal strength, gave orders to abandon the field--his troops
retiring in the rear of the works at Chippewa and destroying the bridge
across the river, which they had previously repaired.

The loss on both sides is said to have been nearly equal--amounting to
between 400 and 500 on each side.

"The 2nd Lincoln Militia, under Major David Secord, distinguished
themselves in this action by feats of genuine bravery and heroism,
animated by the example of their gallant leader, which are seldom
surpassed even by