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The Battle of Chippawa, fought on July 5th 1814, was the opening engagement of
the Niagara campaign of 1814, the longest and bloodiest military operation of
the War of 1812. The
battle took place on the fields of Canadian Samuel StreetÕs farm near the banks
of the Niagara River. It
began when a British, Canadian and aboriginal force of about 2,000 men, under
Major-General Phineas Riall, attacked an invading American army of about 3,500
men under Major-General Jacob Brown. The
fighting started early in the morning and lasted until nearly six oÕclock in the
evening.Ê When it was over, the attackers had been decisively defeated. Three
weeks later, however, the invaders were turned back at the bloody battle of LundyÕs
Lane, fought on 25 July 1814. The
Battle of Chippawa cost the lives of about 200 American, British, Canadian and
native warriors allied to both sides, most of whom are thought to be buried at
the battle site.Ê It marked the first time the American regulars faced British
regulars in a stand-up military action fought in the open and many historians
cite Chippawa as the birthplace of the modern American army.Ê Due to a shortage
of cloth, the American force wore grey uniforms instead of the usual blue.Ê To
this day, tradition says that West Point cadets wear grey uniforms to honour those
who fought in this battle.Ê The
Niagara Parks Commission acquired the site of the Battle of Chippawa in 1995 and
has preserved 121 hectares (300 acres) of this pristine battlefield, the last
remaining site from the War of 1812.Ê A self-guided walking tour helps visitors
retrace the events of the battle. A
memorial service has been held on July 5th each year to commemorate the fallen
of all the nations involved in this pivotal battle. A focal point of the Battlefield
is the memorial cairn, dedicated to the regiments and First Nations warriors who
fought in the battle and to commemorate the peace that has prevailed between Canada
and the United States since that time. The monument is constructed of dolomite
limestone donated by Fort Niagara (Youngstown, NY), another key site in the War
of 1812.Ê
General
admission:
Free | 
