Anybody good at research???? (1 Viewer)

[mikemiller1955]

I'm trying to find a historical map of deployed troops and artillery for the Battle of Chippewa.

I want an accurate map showing displacement of terrain....troops and artillery.

Does anybody have a link they can forward?

I have found a couple and want to do a diorama...but some renditions of the battle have Scott's artillery on the bank of the Niagra and some renditions have the artillery on the tree line.

All the expert reasearchers on here...can you help me?

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Michael,

I have to look in one of my reference books that resides in my daughters room so since she is alseep I will have to look at it in the am and get back to you.

Dave

 

[mikemiller1955]

Hi Michael,

I have to look in one of my reference books that resides in my daughters room so since she is alseep I will have to look at it in the am and get back to you.

Dave

Thank you Dave...I'm most interested in artillery placement on both sides if you get time.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Michael,

I have been digging in my references and have found very little. I have a map from the West Point Atlas Series which shows no Artillery for either side. The placement of the units is all there to include Indians and Militia units but no Artillery is even mentioned. I find this odd and would expect them to have a Horse Artillery battery at a minimum so I will see if I can find out anything more. Ken Osen may be a better person to talk with here I believe he has a better understanding of this War. But I still have a couple of other books in boxes so I will try and find them today.

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

Michael,

Belay my last. Here is some information:

July 5th Scott was already advancing from Street's Creek. His artillery (Captain Nathaniel Towson's company, with three 12-pounder guns) deployed on the portage road and opened fire. Riall's own guns (two light 24-pounder guns and a 5.5-inch howitzer) attempted to reply, but Towson's guns destroyed an ammunition wagon and put most of the British guns out of action.

So now we just need to find a map with the detail for Streets Creek and its portage.

Hope this is helpful

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

More details:

Scott's troops deployed into line with the 25th U.S. Infantry on the left near the woods, the 11th U.S. Infantry and 9th U.S. Infantry in the centre and the 22nd U.S. Infantry on the right with Towson's guns.

The British infantry, with the 1/1st (Royal Scots) Foot and the 100th Foot leading and the 1/8th (King's) Foot in reserve, were advancing very awkwardly and becoming bunched and disordered, because Riall had formed them into line for an advance over uneven ground with some very long grass instead of keeping them in column, in which they could have advanced more rapidly. Advancing in line meant that Riall's troops moved more slowly and were under fire from the American artillery for longer. As the redcoats of the 1/1st and 100th Regiments moved forward, they masked their artillery which had to stop firing in order to avoid hitting them. The American gunners switched from firing roundshot to firing canister, with lethal consequences for the British infantry. Once the opposing lines had closed to less than 100 yards apart, Scott advanced his wings, forming his brigade into a "U" shape which allowed his flanking units to catch Riall's advancing troops in a heavy crossfire.

Both lines stood and fired repeated volleys; after 25 minutes of this pounding Riall, was forced to order a withdrawal. The 1/8th, which had been moving to the right of the other two regiments, formed line to cover their retreat. As they in turn fell back, three British 6-pounder guns came into action to cover their withdrawal, with two more 6-pounders firing from the entrenchments north of the Chippawa. Scott halted his brigade here and did not persue the British.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Dave...you do good work.

The first map I posted shows an "A" by the tree line...

which I assume was Towson's 3 cannons.

I had read different accounts where the artillery crew had their back to the Niagra...so I assumed they were on the right of Scott's Brigade.

For the British...I think their guns were un-strategically placed behind their troops to the north west by the Chippewa River.

I have read several versions with different accounts...

1) the British captured Towson's guns momentarily and turned them on Scott's troops before they were recovered

2) the British artillery was effectively dismissed from action as a direct hit from Towson

3) the British guns were still in effect to cover their retreat

4) Towson discharged his cannons into the trees for some remaining snipers not run off by Porter prior to the battle


Hehehehe....it's all very confusing....but after your comments...I'm pretty sure Towson 3 guns were on the tree line facing east.