The Battle of Lundy's Lane
Lieutenant-General Gordon Drummond

Head Quarters, Upper Canada, near Niagara Falls, 27 July 1814

I embarked on board H.M. Schooner Netley at York on Sunday evening the 24th Instant, and reached Niagara at Day break the following morning. Finding from Lieut. Colonel Tucker that Major General Riall was understood to be moving towards the Falls of Niagara to support the advance of his division, which he had pushed on to the place on the preceeding evening, I ordered Lieut. Colonel Morrison with the 89th Regt and a Detachment of the Royals and Kings, drawn from Fort George & Messissaga to proceed to the same point, in order that with the united force, I might act against the Enemy (posted at Streets Creek, with his advance at Chippawa) on my arrival, if it should be found expedient.

I ordered Lieut Colonel Tucker, at the same time to proceed up the Right Bank of the River with 300 of the 41st and about 200 of the Royal Scots and a Body of Indian Warriors, supported, (on the River) by a party of armed Seamen, under Captain Dobbs, R. Navy. The object of this movement was to disperse or capture a body of the Enemy which was encamped at Lewiston; some unavoidable delay having occurred in the march of the Troops, up the right bank, the Enemy had moved off, previous to Lt Colonel Tucker's arrival. I enclose the report of that officer, & have to express myself satisfied with his exertions.

Having refreshed the Troops at Queenston and having brought across the 41st Royals and Indians, I sent back the 41st and 100th Regts to form the Garrisons of the Forts George, Mississaga and Niagara, under Lieut Colonel Tucker, and moved with the 89th Regt and Detachments of the Royals and King's, and Light Company of the 41st in all about 800 men, to join Major General Riall's Division at the Falls.

When arrived within a few miles of that position, I met a report from M. Genl Riall that the Enemy was advancing in great Force. I immediately pushed on, and joined the Head of Lt Col. Morrison's Column, just as it reached the road leading towards the Beaver Dam, over the summit of the Hill, at Lundy's Lane. Instead of the whole of M. General Riall's Division which I expected to have found, occupying this position I found it almost in the occupation of the Enemy, whose Columns were within 600 yards of the top of the hill, and the surrounding woods filled with his Light Troops, the advance of M. Genl. Riall's Division, consisting of the Glengarry Light Infantry and Incorporated Militia having commenced their retreat upon Fort George.

I countermarched these Corps, and formed the 89th Regt and the Royal Scots Detachments, and 41st Light Companies in the rear of the Hill, their Left resting on the great road. my two 24 pounder Brass Field Guns, a little advanced in front of the centre, on the summit of the Hill. the Glengary Lt Infantry on the right, the Battalion of Incorporated Militia and the Detachmt of the King's Regt on the left of the great road. the Squadron 19th Light Dragoons in rear of the left on the road. I had scarce compleated this formation, when the whole front was warmly and closely engaged the Enemy's principal efforts were directed against our left and centre. After repeated attacks, the Troops on the left were partially forced back, and the Enemy gained a momentary possession of the road. This gave him, however, no material advantage, as the Troops which had been forced back, formed in rear of The 89th Regt., fronting the road, and securing that Flank. It was during this short interval that Major-General Riall, having recd. a severe wound, was intercepted, as he was passing to the rear, by a party of the Enemy's Cavalry, and made prisoner.

In the Centre, the repeated and determined Attacks of the Enemy were met by the 89th Regt, the Detachments of the Royals and King's, and the Light Company 41st Regt. with the most perfect steadiness and intrepid gallantry, and the Enemy was constantly repulsed with very heavy loss. Of so determined a Character were their attacks directed against our Guns, that our Artillery Men were bayonetted by the Enemy in the Act of loading, and the muzzles of the Enemy's Guns were advanced within a few Yards of ours. The darkness of the night during this extraordinary conflict, occasioned several uncommon Incidents. Our Troops having for a moment been pushed back, some of our Guns for a few minutes remained in the Enemy's hands. They were, however, not only quickly recovered, but the two pieces, a Six Pounder, and a 5 1/2 Inch Howitzer which the Enemy had brought up were captured by us, together with several Tumbrils; and in limbering up our Guns at one period, one of the Enemy's Six Pounders was put, by mistake upon a limber of ours, and one of our six limbered on one of his, by which means the pieces were exchanged, and thus, though we captured two of his guns, yet, as he obtained one of ours, we have gained only one gun.

About 9 O'Clock, (the Action having commenced at 6) there was a short intermission of firing, during which it appears the enemy was employed in bringing up the whole of his remaining force, and he shortly afterwards renewed his attacks with fresh Troops, but was everywhere met with equal gallantry and success.

About this period, the remainder of M. General Riall's Division, which had been ordered to retire on the advance of the Enemy, consisting of the 103 Regt under Colonel Scott, the Head Quarter Division of the Royal Scotts, the Head Qr Division of the 8th or King's; flank Compys 104th, some Detachments of Militia, under Lt Col. Hamilton, I.F.O. joined the Troops engaged, and I placed them in a second line, with the exception of the R. Scots and Flank Compys 104th, with which I prolonged my front line on the right, where I was apprehensive of the Enemy's out flanking me. The Enemy's efforts to carry the Hill were continued until about midnight, when he had suffered so severely from the superior steadiness and discipline of His Majesty's Troops that he gave up the contest and retreated with great precipitation to his Camp beyond the Chippawa. On the following day he abandoned his Camp, threw the greatest part of his Baggage, Camp Equipage and Provisions into the rapids, and having set fire to Streets Mills, and destroyed the Bridge at Chippawa, continued his retreat in great disorder, towards Fort Erie.

My Light Troop, Cavalry and Indians are detached in pursuit and to harass his retreat, which I doubt not he will continue until he reaches his own Shores.

The loss sustained by the Enemy in this severe action cannot be estimated at less than 1500 Men, including several hundreds of Prisoners left in our hands. His two Commanding Generals Browne and Scott are said to be wounded. His whole force, which has never been rated at less than five thousand having been engaged.

Enclosed I have the honor to transmit a return of our loss, which has been very considerable. The number of troops under my command did not, for the first three hours, exceed 1600 men; the addition of the troops under Colonel Scott did not encrease it to more than 2800 of every discription.

A very difficult, but at the same time a most gratifying duty remains, that of endeavouring to do justice to the Merits of the Officers and Soldiers by whose valour and discipline this important success has been obtained. I was very early in the action deprived of the services of M. General Riall, who, I regret to learn has suffered the amputation of his Arm in the Enemys possession his Bravery, Zeal and activity have always been conspicuous. To Lt Colonel Harvey Deputy Adjutant-General I am so deeply indebted for his valuable assistance previous to, as well as his able and energetic exertions during this severe contest, that I feel myself called upon to point Your Excellency's attention to the distinguished merits of this highly deserving officer, whose services have been particularly conspicuous in every affair that has taken place, since his arrival in this province. The zeal and intelligence displayed by Major Glegg, Asst Adjt General deserve my warmest approbation. I much regret the loss of a very intelligent and promising young Officer, Lieut Moorsom, 104th Regt., Depy Asst Adjt General, who was killed towards the close of the action. The active exertions of Capt Eliot Depy Asst Qr Master Genl of whose gallantry and conduct I had occasion, on two former instances, to remark, were conspicuous. Major Maule and Lieut Le Breton of the Quarter Mr Genls department were extremely useful to me. the latter was severely wounded.

Amongst the Officers from whose active exertions I derived the greatest assistance, I cannot omit to mention my Aides-de-Camp, Captains Jervois and Loring, and Captain Holland Aide de Camp to M Genl Riall; Capt Loring was unfortunately taken Prisoner by some of the Enemy's Dragoons whilst in the execution of an order.

In reviewing the action from its commencement, the first object which presents itself as deserving of notice is the steadiness and good countenance of the Squadron of the 19th Light Dragoons under Major Lisle, and the very creditable and excellent defence made by the Incorporated Militia Battn under Lt Colonel Robinson who was dangerously wounded. and a Detachment of the 8th (King's) Regt under Captain Campbell. Major Kirby succeeded Lt Colonel Robinson in the Command of the Incorpd Militia Battn and continued very gallantly to direct its efforts. This Battn has only been organized a few months, and much to the credit of Capt Robinson of the King's Regiment (Provincial Lt Colonel) has attained a highly respectable degree of discipline.

In the reiterated and determined attacks which the Enemy made on our centre for the purpose of gaining at once the crest of the Position, and our Guns, the steadiness and intrepedity displayed by the Troops allotted for the defence of that post, were never surpassed. they consisted of the 2nd Battn 89th Regt commanded by Lieut Colonel Morrison, and after the Lt Col. had been obliged to retire from the field by a severe wound, by Major Clifford, a Detachment of the Royal Scots under Lieut Hamphill and after he was killed, Lieut Fraser; Detachment of 8th or King's, under Captain Campbell, Light Company 41st Regt under Capt Glew, with some detachments of Militia under Lieut Colonel Parry 103rd Regt. These Troops, repeatedly, when hard pressed, formed round the Colours of the 89th Regt. and invariably repulsed the desperate efforts made against them.. On the right the steadiness and good countenance of the 1st Battn Royal Scots under Lieut Colonel Gordon, in some very trying moments, excited my admiration.. The King's Regiment (1st Battn) under Major Evans, behaved with equal gallantry and firmness, as did the Light Company of the Royals, detached, under Capt Stewart, the Grenadier of the 103, detached, under Capt Browne, and the Flank Companies of the 104th under Captain Leonard. The Glengary Light Infantry Fencibles displayed most valuable qualities as Light Troops. Colonel Scott, Major Smelt, and the officers of the 103rd deserve credit for their exertions in rallying that regiment after it had been thrown into momentary disorder. Lieut Colonel Pearson, Inspg Field officer, directed the advance with great intelligence, and Lieut Colonel Drummond of the 104th having gone forward with my permission, early in the day; made himself actively useful in different parts of the field, under my direction. These officers are entitled to my best thanks, as is Lieut Colonel Hamilton, Inspg. Field officer, for his exertions after his arrival with the Troops under Colonel Scott. The Field Artillery, so long as there was light was well served. The credit of its efficient state is due to Captain Mackonachie, who has had charge of it, since his arrival with this Division. Capt McLoughlin who has charge of the Batteries of Fort Messissaga volunteered his services in the field on this occasion; he was severely wounded. Lieut Tomkins deserves much credit for the way in which the two Brass 24 prs of which he had charge, were served, as does Serjeant Austin of the Rocket Company, who directed the Congreve Rockets which did much execution.

The zeal, loyalty and bravery with which the militia of this part of the province have come forward to cooperate with His Majesty's Troops in the expulsion of the enemy, and their conspicuous gallantry, in this, and in the Action of the 5th instant, claim my warmest thanks.

I cannot conclude this despatch without recommending in the strongest terms, the following officers, whose conduct throughout the late operations has called for my marked approbation and I am induced to hope that Your Excellency will be pleased to submit their names for promotion to the most favourable consideration of His Royal Highness, The Prince Regent, viz. Captain Jervois, my Aide-de-Camp, Capt Robinson, King's Regt (Provincial Lieut Colonel) Commg the Incorporated Militia. Captain Eliot, Depy Asst Qr Master General, Capt Holland, Aide-de-Camp to Major Genl Riall, and Captain Glew 41st Regt.

This despatch will be delivered to you by Captain Jervois, my Aide-de-Camp, who is fully competent to give Your Excellency every further information you may require.

William Wood, ed. Select British Documents of the Canadian War of 1812. (1926) III, 1:144-151.