Fort Erie, Siege of, was an important event in the War of 1812 (1812-1815). It centered on Fort Erie, on the Niagara River in Canada . American troops had captured the fort from the British in July 1814, and British-allied forces attacked the site in mid-August. The Americans held off the attack, but the British besieged (surrounded) the fort. American attacks forced the British to withdraw from their positions about a month later.
Background.
Several American invasions of Canada, at that time a possession of the United Kingdom , had failed in 1812 and 1813. The Americans invaded again in 1814. On July 3, Major General Jacob Brown led American forces across the Niagara River and captured Fort Erie, a British outpost. The fort stood where the river joined Lake Erie .
After briefly advancing farther into Canada, Brown fought bloody battles at Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane before withdrawing to Fort Erie. American soldiers strengthened the fort and extended their defenses beyond it to form a fortified camp. The defenses stretched about 750 yards (685 meters) south along the shoreline of Lake Erie.
British attack.
On Aug. 4, 1814, about 3,500 British soldiers, led by Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond, took position near Fort Erie. In the following days, the British prepared to besiege the fort. They dug trenches and moved artillery pieces into place. About 2,200 American soldiers, led by Brigadier General Edmund Gaines, continued to improve the fort’s defenses. On August 13, Drummond’s artillery began firing on Fort Erie. The fort was strong, however, and the guns caused little damage. As a result, Drummond decided to make a nighttime attack.
Around 2 a.m. on August 15, about 1,300 British soldiers attacked Snake Hill, a sandy rise that anchored the south end of the American fortifications. They were repulsed with heavy losses. Soon afterward, two additional British columns, consisting of about 1,000 infantry and marines , attacked the northern end of the American position. These columns made a direct attack on the fort. The Americans had expected an assault, however, and were ready to repel it.
After heavy fighting, a number of British soldiers breached Fort Erie’s outer defenses. These soldiers attempted to storm a building that blocked entry to the main section of the fort. The attack failed when cannon fire ignited munitions stored beneath the wooden gun platform of a nearby bastion. The resulting explosion killed or seriously wounded about 300 of the invaders. During the course of the British attack on August 15, the British suffered about 900 casualties (men killed, wounded, captured, or missing). American casualties totaled about 85.
Breaking the siege.
Following the battle, Drummond’s remaining forces returned to their camp outside Fort Erie. Heavy rains made transportation difficult, and the British ran short of supplies and ammunition. Many soldiers fell ill, but the siege continued.
On August 28, British artillery fire wounded Gaines, the fort’s American commander. Major General Jacob Brown, who had been wounded in battle in late July, returned and took command of the fort. Hundreds of New York militia (citizen army) soldiers joined the fort’s defenders.
Drummond decided that he would have to withdraw, as he no longer had the men and guns necessary to continue the siege. His men began their withdrawal on September 16. On the following day, however, about 1,500 Americans, many of them under Brigadier General Peter Porter, made a sortie (sudden attack) against the British siege force. The Americans captured and destroyed two British batteries (artillery fortifications). However, some of Drummond’s best-trained regiments halted the American advance. The fighting resulted in heavy losses for both sides. Several American officers, including Porter, were wounded.
Aftermath.
The British troops withdrew from their muddy camp on September 21. Brown’s men held Fort Erie until November 5, when they withdrew to the American side of the Niagara River.
See also Brown, Jacob Jennings ; Chippewa, Battle of ; Lundy’s Lane, Battle of ; War of 1812 .
