Background
The United States invasion across the Niagara River was originally intended to be part of a four-pronged attack on Upper and Lower Canada. Brigadier General William Hull would attack Amherstburg from Detroit, Major General Van Rensselaer would attack across the Niagara River, another attack would cross Lake Ontario to take Kingston, and Major General Henry Dearborn, the commander-in-chief of the United States Army, would use the Lake Champlain route to capture Montreal. These attacks were expected to bring the two British colonies to their knees and ensure a quick victory.
The village of Queenston is located on the west side of the Niagara River at the north end of the Niagara Gorge. In 1812, it was home to roughly 300 inhabitants and 20 scattered dwellings surrounded by gardens and orchards. A wharf and stone guardhouse had been constructed in 1791. South of the village, the ground rose 300 feet (91 m) to the promontory known as Queenston Heights. The slope from the river to the heights was steep but overgrown with shrubs and trees, making it possible to climb. The river was fast-flowing and roughly 200 yards (180 m) wide but was described as being “little trouble to even an indifferent oarsman.”
Queenston was protected by 450 regulars and militia under the command of Captain James Dennis. In the village was Dennis’s grenadier company of the 49th Regiment of Foot, the two flank companies of the 2nd Regiment of York Militia, the two flank companies of the 5th Regiment of Lincoln Militia, and a ten-man detachment from the 41st Regiment of Foot. A nine-pounder gun had been positioned near the guardhouse, and an 18-pounder gun and eight-inch mortar were positioned in a redan two-thirds of the way up the escarpment above Queenston. The guns were manned by members of the 1st Lincoln Artillery, supervised by a small detachment of Royal Artillery personnel. The light company of the 49th Regiment under Captain John Williams protected the redan.
An additional 260 regulars and 300 militia were based at Fort George ten miles to the north. Nearby was an encampment of the Six Nations of the Grand River that could field 160 warriors, while at Chippewa to the south were 150 members of the 41st Regiment and 100 militia from the 2nd Lincoln.
Queenston was attacked by the 6th, 13th, and 23rd Infantry Regiments. Joining the attack were the 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Regiments of New York Militia, supported by a detachment of volunteer riflemen. Van Rensselaer’s plan called for 900 regulars and 2,650 militia to cross the river. The Americans had twelve batteaux, each of which could carry thirty men, and two larger batteux which were fitted with platforms on which field guns or wagons could be carried. The first wave of the boats would carry 40 artillerymen, 150 militia, and 150 regulars. Lieutenant Colonel Van Rensselaer would lead the militia contingent while Lieutenant Colonel John Chrystie of the 13th U.S. Infantry would lead the regulars.
The invasion was supported the 2nd Artillery Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Winfield Scott, two companies of the New York State Militia Artillery, and an artillery detachment from Fort Niagara. Two 18-pounder guns had been placed in an earthwork named “Fort Gray” on Lewiston Heights with a mortar located nearby. Scott’s two 6-pounder field guns were positioned just south of the village of Lewiston several hundred yards north of the embarkation point.
The Americans began crossing the river a few hours before dawn on 13 October. British guards spotted the boats as they approached and opened fire before hastening to the village to spread the alarm. After landing, the Americans climbed the riverbank, formed a column and began advancing towards the village, but were met by a detachment of British regulars and militia under the command of Captain Dennis. During the intense firefight that followed, Lieutenant Colonel Van Rensselaer was hit in the thigh by a musket ball then hit five more times in the heel, thighs and calf. Although he survived, he spent the rest of the battle out of action, weak from loss of blood.
Meanwhile, the British artillery opened fire on the boats and embarkation point, while the American artillery attempted to silence the British guns. As a second wave of boats started across the river, the crews of three of them, one of which was carrying Chrystie, panicked when they came under fire and turned back. One of the others was sunk by the British 9-pounder in the village but as dawn approached, American artillery fire disabled the gun.
A number of boats carrying Lieutenant Colonel John Fenwick (formerly the commandant at Fort Niagara) and 80 men came under intense fire they landed at Hamilton Cove at the north end of the village. Captain Dennis moved quickly to prevent the Americans from establishing a foothold by rushing more of the 49th and the militia to the cove, while Captain William’s company moved down from the redan to the south end of village. During the fierce engagement, Fenwick was hit at least three times including once in the eye. With their boats’ hulls perforated from musket fire, and with many of their comrades killed or wounded, Fenwick’s detachment quickly surrendered.
Meanwhile, Captain Peter Oglivie with the rest of the 13th Infantry had crossed the river and reinforced Van Rensellaer and Wool. Before Van Rensellaer was evacuated with the wounded, he ordered Wool and Oglivie to head upstream, climb the heights and storm the redun battery. Lieutenant John Gansevoort who had been posted at Fort Niagara before the war and knew the area, was ordered to guide them.
At Niagara, Brock had been awakened by the noise of the artillery at Queenston. Although he thought the attack might only be a diversion, he decided to ride there immediately, followed shortly afterwards by his aides, Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonnell and Captain John Glegg. At Brown’s Point he encountered the detachment of the 3rd York preparing to march to Queenston and urged them onwards. He briefly stopped at Vrooman’s Point, and after learning that the enemy was out of range of the carronade, continued galloping towards Queenston where he arrived shortly after dawn.
By this time, Wool and Oglivie had ascended the heights and concealed by the forest had moved into position behind the redan. Without Captain Williams’s company to protect them, the artillerymen fled as soon as the Americans emerged from the trees. Brock immediately dispatched a message to Major General Sheaffe at Fort George, ordering him to send reinforcements.
Brock resolved to retake the redan without waiting for reinforcements. At the foot of the escarpment he assembled a body of men from Williams’s company and from the flank companies of the 2nd York and 5th Lincoln, and placing himself at the head of the soldiers from the 49th, led them up the slope in a frontal attack against the redan. Brock was struck in the wrist by a musket ball but continued upwards towards the enemy. His height, energetic gestures, and officer’s uniform made him an obvious target. An American soldier stepped forward from a thicket and fired at the general from a range of barely 50 yards (46 m). The ball struck Brock in the chest, killing him almost instantly. While the British continued their attack, several men, supervised by Captain Glegg, carried Brock’s body from the field and hid in a house diagonally opposite the home of Laura Secord. Williams then pulled everyone back into the forested area west of the redan where he was joined by Lieutenant Colonel Macdonell and the detachment of the 3rd York from Vrooman’s Point.
Although he was lawyer by trade with little military experience, Lieutenant Colonel Macdonell led a second attempt, together with Williams, to retake the redan. Macdonell and Williams slowly advanced through the shelter of trees until they were about 30 yards (27 m) from the enemy, unaware that Wool and Oglivie had been reinforced. The 49th and 3rd York charged forward and began pushing the Americans back. Someone at the redan panicked and spiked the 18-pounder, however, the battle’s momentum turned when a musket ball hit Macdonell’s mount, causing it to rear and twist around. A second shot hit Macdonell in the small of the back, causing him to fall from his horse. At the same time, Williams was knocked unconscious by a musket ball that grazed his skull. As the British attack faltered, the Americans pressed forward and took 21 prisoners. Williams, who despite his wound had regained consciousness, retreated with the rest of his men to the village, bringing with them the mortally wounded Macdonell down to Queenston. Captain Dennis then ordered his forces to abandon Queenston and pull back to Durham’s Farm near Vrooman’s Point.
By mid-morning, the Americans were only opposed by the 12-pounder at Vrooman’s Point which was at its maximum range. The Americans moved several hundred fresh reinforcements and a 6-pounder field gun across the river to the Queenston landing, then up to the heights. They unspiked the 18-pounder in the redan but its field of fire on the west side of the river was limited. Meanwhile, American soldiers entered the village and began looting.
Lieutenant Colonel Chrystie finally succeeded in crossing to Queenston and briefly took command of the American troops on the heights. When Brigadier-General William Wadsworth arrived, Christie returned to Lewiston to brief General Van Rensselaer. Unaware that Wadsworth had crossed the river, Van Rensselaer had asked Lieutenant Colonel Winfield Scott of the 2nd Artillery to take command at Queenston Heights. When Scott arrived, Wadsworth, who was nominally present as a volunteer, waived his right to command and took charge of the militia. Scott’s command consisted of a collection of unorganised detachments, some without their officers. Likewise, some officers had crossed the river but their men had refused to follow them. It has been calculated that roughly 1,350 American soldiers crossed the river on 13 October.
Sheaffe arrived at Durham’s Farm in the mid-morning followed closely by the first of the British reinforcements from Fort George. A detachment of the Royal Artillery under Captain William Holcroft, with two 6-pounder guns and a 5.5 inch howitzer, advanced on the village, supported by a company of the 41st under Captain William Derenzy. Captain Alexander Hamilton of the Niagara Light Dragoons guided them to firing positions near his home overlooking the river. When the artillery opened fire it once again became hazardous for the American boats to cross the river. Two American boats were sunk, and the two six-pounders near Lewiston were repeatedly silenced by shrapnel fire. Meanwhile, Derenzy slowly began pushing the Americans out of the village.
At the same time, Mohawk warriors from the Grand River under John Norton had climbed the escarpment well to the west of Queenston and were approaching Scott’s position from the south. Norton encountered a militia scouting party that fled towards the safety of their line. A body of infantry moved forward to cover the patrol’s retreat and exchanged fire with the Mohawk. Unwilling to mount a frontal attack, Norton headed west into the woods, then silently circled around to the north side of the American lines. Norton “discharged Leaden death among them” then pulled back to the west. In response Scott led several companies in a slow advance westwards, halting to deliver volleys before entering the woods. In the ensuing skirmish both the Mohawk and the Americans suffered casualties. Faced with mounting casualties, Scott’s men began an orderly withdrawal back to their lines, while Norton continued to harass the Americans.
Major General Van Rensselaer finally crossed over to Queenston but did not ascend to the heights until after Scott had pulled back to the American lines. Van Rensselaer decided to return to Lewiston and arrange for ammunition and more men to be sent across. At the landing he witnessed a group of soldiers suddenly swarm a boat and shove off, desperate to reach the safety of the other side. In the aftermath of Norton’s attack, a significant number of American soldiers had begun to abandon their posts, badly affected by the sight of the dead and wounded, and the war cries of the Mohawk.
After returning to the eastern shore, Van Rensselaer discovered that none of the militia were willing to cross the river. He later reported that “…to my utter astonishment, I found that at the very moment when complete victory was in our hands, the ardor of the unengaged troops had entirely subsided. I rode in all directions—urged men by every consideration to pass over—but in vain.” He dispatched a message to Wadsworth and Scott which left the decision whether to stand and fight or retreat across the river to them, promising to send boats if the decision was made to withdraw.
At Durham’s farm, additional reinforcements had arrived from Niagara. In addition to most of the force that had been in Queenston, Sheaffe now had at his disposal two more companies of the 41st Regiment; the flank companies of the 1st Lincoln, 4th Lincoln, and 1st York; Runchey’s Coloured Company, and the Niagara Dragoons. An artillery detachment under Lieutenant William Crowther of the 41st arrived with two three-pounder field guns transported by the Provincial Royal Artillery Drivers or “Car Brigade,” a militia unit commanded by Captain Isaac Swayze and responsible for moving field guns and munitions during military engagements. Sheaffe sent a dispatch to Chippewa, ordering the three companies of the 41st Regiment and the flank companies of the 2nd Lincoln to march north and rendezvous with him to the south of the heights.
Sheaffe set out with approximately 650 men and marched across fields to ascend the escarpment about a mile west of Queenston. His forces then circled around to south, following the path that Norton had taken earlier. Sheaffe positioned the main body of his regulars facing north and directly in front of the American line at a distance of about 400 yards (370 m). The two light companies of regulars, Runchey’s Coloured Company, and Norton’s Mohawks moved into position west of the American position. When the reinforcement from Chippewa arrived, Sheaffe ordered them into position on his eastern flank.
Just after 3:00 p.m, Sheaffe gave the order to advance. His regulars marched forward to within 100 yards (91 m) of the American line then volleyed en masse. The Americans volleyed in return then began to pull back. The British continued to advance by platoon, halting and firing as they did so, until they were exchanging point-blank fire with the retreating Americans. Meanwhile, the light companies, the Coloured Company and the Mohawks moved in from the west. While some of the Americans were able to make an orderly retreat towards the landing, others panicked and threw down their weapons or fell to the deaths trying to climb down the cliff. As they retreated they encountered many of those who had earlier abandoned the posts and had taken shelter among the trees along the river. They soon discovered that no boats were waiting to evacuate them. Some tried to swim to safety and were shot at. Scott wrote that it took three attempts with a flag of truce to surrender before the British finally ceased firing roughly an hour after the attack began.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Queenston_Heights
The Game
I decided to set up the game as a two phase scenario. The first phase would include the American landings and initial attacks and the second would start at the arrival of Shaeffe and the British reinforcements.
The US would win phase one, if they could hold their beaches, contest Queenston and take the heights. The British would win if they could stop this from happening.
The British were set up by the players close to their historical starting points. The Americans started with their first wave landed on the beach. The Americans would then land their following waves each turn. However, if the landings were contested, they would have to roll a D6 to arrive. This would be effected by what forces contested the landings. If the Mohawks were in site, it would be a minus two. There would also be a minus one for each battery firing across the river. If all the forces contested, this would require the Americans to roll a 5+ for the wave to arrive.
Each brigade of Americans counted as a separate brigade for command purposes. The British counted as one brigade, with the Mohawks counting as a light detachment.
I added some rules to make it more likely that the commanders would be taken out (as happened historically), but the players kept their generals out of danger and none of the effects actually resulted in any losses!
Starting on turn six, the British would roll for their reserves. The would add the roll to a value of six and would have to equal the turn number to arrive. If they were unsuccessful, the reserves would arrive on turn ten anyway.
Once the reserves arrived, the Americans would be able to reorganize their brigades and assign Scott a command.
I also added the custom rally rule to the game, to reflect units running away and coming back into the fight. If a unit was eliminated, it would be able to roll rally attempts to remove its hits. Once they were all cleared, they would come back into play, but with a reduced melee and tenacity rating (one less). The roll would be a six, unless the brigade commander was off the table with them (if the brigade was destroyed or Scott was over the river).
Once the second phase started, the victory conditions would change to the Americans having to hold their beachhead for a tie and the British taking the heights for a British win. The side with the most win points (first and second half) would be the overall winner.
We got going with the battle, with the British having the start turn. They advanced on the beachhead and opened up on the Americans. The Americans tried to sort out their lines and return the favor. The initial volleys favored the British and their disciplined fire. However, as more Americans landed, it was clear the wave was too much and the British fell back into Queenston.
The Americans kept up the pressure and pushed the British back to the heights and the back of the town. However, they had taken horrible losses and were down four of their companies. Even with that, they pushed forward and tried to take the heights. They were unsuccessful, with the British holding on and still largely intact (much better than their historical brethren!).
The British players kept missing their reserve die rolls and the first phase ended up going until turn ten. Scott had arrived on turn eight, so the stage was set for phase two.
The Americans continued to try to take the heights, taking even more casualties. However, the thin red line in front of them finally had enough and began to dissolve. The British reserves worked their way forward to get into the attack. They were initially slowed by the Americans in Queenston, but overwhelmed them in time.
The rear units decided to skirt around the town and try to head for the American landing area for the win. Unfortunately, the reconstituted Americans (rallied by Scott), formed up and headed into the fray to stymy the attack!
As Scotts boys held out (getting ground down in from of the fresh British, the remaining Americans tried a last attempt at the heights. Everything had to go right. Fortunately, for the Americans, it did. They were able to sweep the last units, with the remained running away, due to a failure in their Fortitude. With that, the Americans took the heights and kept the British from the beach and won phase II of the fight. Definitely besting their historical compatriots.
With a win on both sides, the overall fight turned out to be a tie. The British holding out so well in phase I, probably doomed them in phase II. The Americans remained concentrated and were able to resist the reserves and take the ridge. In the end, it was the last turn American push that stole the victory from them!
- Manteuffel