The Battle of Lundy's Lane, July 25th 1814

Phineas Riall (British commander) is overseeing the last pieces of his artillery being rolled into place when his scouts ride up to report that a large body of U.S. troops is within a mile of their line. He believes his position, on a rise surrounded by farm fields and lush orchards, is the best in the area if a skirmish occurs. But his orders from Major General Gordon Drummond are explicit: Riall is to take no offensive measures until Drummond meets him with reinforcements. In the meantime, Riall tries to make light of the fact that some of his 1000 troops forming up are doing so in front of a graveyard.

Within minutes, the first columns of Americans appear to the south. At a glance Riall estimates that the opposing troops are equal in number to his own, but this could be just the advance party of a much larger force. No sooner do the Americans form up than they fire a volley of muskets at the British forward line. Riall mulls over Drummond's orders. The Americans appear confident and the last thing he wants is a repeat of Chippawa. As he gives the order to withdraw, the first of Drummond's troops arrive from the north and an order from the commander reaches the hill: engage the enemy.

The cannon on the hill open up and begin to hit the American lines with deadly accuracy, but the Americans maintain their ground and continue to fire into the British front.

The rest of Riall’s line stretched down both sides of the hill forming a crescent shape in the center of which Winifield Scott’s men were standing (Scott the American commander). They could hear the British bugles calling, as the first arrivals of Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond’s 800 troops formed up. Scott knew that not only the lives of his men, but the reputation of his brigade hung in the balance. A prudent commander would likely fall back. Within moments, Scott made his decision and a dispatch was sent to Brown: "Brig.-Gen. Scott will engage the British - send reinforcements."

Scott’s defiant attack opened the bloodiest battle of the war so far. These cannon on the high ground devastated the Americans who could only respond with musket fire. Many of the battalion’s commanders were killed or wounded early on. Brown arrived on the field but did not realize the size of the opposing force and engaged his army piecemeal, sending only Eleazar Ripley’s brigade forward to help Scott’s battered men. These officers soon concluded that they had to take the guns if they were to control the battle. James Miller, a young colonel under Ripley’s command, was asked to make a frontal assault on the guns. His understated response was, “I’ll try, sir”, which would earn him a place in American history.

Edited text taken from http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/locations/niagara.html

The Map

The American forces (blue) are on the attack here and must force the British/Canadian force (red) off the objective area and keep it to win. The objective area (circled yellow) includes a graveyard and church, though the church is not capable of garrison (see screen shot for better view of objective area). If a player is not able or willing to capture or re-take the objective area, he should “withdraw” (surrender). The British re-enforcement column (circled green) may only be moved after 5 minutes of game time has elapsed. The swamp, seen as large brownish patch on the mini-map, is difficult but not impossible to traverse. There are no delays on the American forces, and a wise commander would attack hard and quick before Drumond’s forces arrive to further bolster the British position. No up-grades.