Visit to the Chippawa Battlefield, Chippawa Village Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada

  I have walked a number of battlefields. Some memorable, others very forgettable.  This one is very special to me.  It is very easy to imagine regiments marching across the fields here and even smell the black powder.  The field is small in comparison to such places as Gettysburg.  But as there is very little development, and what there is is screened by trees, it appears much bigger.  When I first stopped here in August 1985 there was only a single marker off the road.  Now there are walking paths and very good interpretive signage.

 The Battle of Chippawa was small in terms of the number of regiments.  The main fight on the "plain" was between three regular infantry battalions and an artillery battery on each side.  In the woods, militia, volunteers and Native Americans fought out a very different battle.  To me that is what makes it tactically intriguing.  It is easily imagined, easily understood because it is a smaller "playing field."  There are regulars facing off, the power of artillery and a deadly game of hide-and-seek in the woods.

  And it is the stuff of legend. General Winfield Scott had incurred the ire of The American War Department.  In consequence The War Department decided to send grey uniforms instead of the regulation blue uniforms.   The grey uniforms caused a short term case of mistaken identity by the British who assumed they were militia and anticipated an easy victory.  Observing the maneuvers as the troops advanced while under fire caused the British commander to exclaim, "Those are regulars, by God!"  Because of the American victory here West Point cadets wear grey today to honour this battle.  The stuff of legend!

Looking from American Artillery position near Ussher house towards British line.

Always important to know where you are!

Wood in distance was sure if fight between militia and Native Americans.

Looking towards Niagara river.  Site of Ussher farm house and lane.

Scott deployed his brigade along this lane from here to wood line in distance.

Same view as above but in 1814

  Today there is a marked entrance to the battlefield with a welcoming sign.  Plenty of parking spaces for buses and cars.  From the parking lot there is a short walk either across the field to the interpretation signage or along the river road past the old marker I saw in 1985.  The interpretive signage is set up along what would have been a farm lane in 1814 running from the river road, past the Ussher farm and towards the woods.  This is where is American 1st Brigade under Winfield Scott deployed into line.  Across the field in front of you was where the British line deployed.  Here in the actual field you notice that while there is plenty of room for Scott to deploy his artillery and three battalions in line, his British counterpart has room to deploy only two battalions and artillery, with his third battalion in reserve.  One of the advantages of actually visiting a battlefield is that you can  understand clearly how things happened.  Looking towards the woods you appreciate how much room they  needed to maneuver battalions even on this small scale.  The interpretive signs should be read from left to right and do a very good job of setting the stage of why this battle was fought and then how it was fought.

With maps and books in hand I follow the course of the battle.

Pointing towards Street's Creek where Scott's brigade crossed and then deployed into line.

  How they would have looked.

   In the center of the field, just behind the signage is a memorial cairn which has memorial tablets to all sides who fought here.  British/Canadian and American regiments and batteries are listed, and there is a memorial tablet to the Native Americans who fought on both sides.  Lastly a tablet that mentions that since this "unpleasantness" America and Canada have enjoyed over two hundred years of peace as neighbors. That is a nice thought to take with you as you leave.

  Thank you to my wife Janine for visiting this battlefield in both 1985 (during our honeymoon), again in 2018, and for editing this posting.

13th Continental Regiment 1776

  The 13th Continental Regiment ( Read's Regiment) was raised April 23, 1775, as a Massachusetts militia regiment at Cambridge, Massachusetts, under Joseph Read. The regiment would join the Continental Army in June 1775. The regiment saw action during the Siege of Boston, the New York Campaign and the Battle of Trenton. As part of General Glover's brigade it fought  the rear guard action at Pell's Point in October 18, 1776.  The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1777, at Morristown, New Jersey.

  Littl Little e is known of the uniform warn by this Regiment in 1776.  As other Massachusetts regiments raised during this time had brown coats faced and lined red I have gone with that.  The regimental colors are based on similar colors done for other Massachusetts regiments during this time.  Figures are from RSM miniatures and the flag by The Flag Dude.

July 5, 1814 Battle of Chippewa

  Yesterday was the 204 anniversary of the Battle of Chippewa.  Although minor in terms of numbers the Battle is important in the rebuilding of the American army during the War of 1812.  General Winfield Scott 's highly trained brigade is able to stand toe to toe with British regulars.  The brigades gray jackets becomes the stuff of legend in the history of the American regular army.

   Later this month I will be visiting the battleground of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane.  I have a wedding to go to outside Buffalo New York and as part of the time there we will be visiting the Canadian side  of the Niagara falls area.

   In addition on July 22 I will be putting on a "What if" battle of Chippewa at club game night.  I will fight the historical battle but will allow additional reinforcement for both sides  of troops available who might have taken part in the fighting.


Please stay tuned!

Sailing in the USS Constitution July 4, 2018

  A once in a life time experience.  And something to cross off my bucket list.

 

   During my time with the National Park Service in the 1980's I was stationed at the Charlestown district of Boston National Historical Park.  Each day arriving to work and later leaving work I passed by the USS Constitution.  Still a commissioned ship of the United States Navy,  "Old Ironsides is crewed by serving members of the navy.  It is a living  history of the traditions of the navy from the War of 1812. a must see for anyone visiting Boston. 

  Once a year on July 4 the ship is towed out from its pier and brought to the outer harbour and back again.  In addition to invited dignitaries and  guests a small number of people are chosen by lottery to sail on the Constitution.  My wife Janine (who I met while working at the navy yard) and I have always wanted to do this.  Well, this year we were picked to sail on the Constitution! We set sail at 10:00 a.m. on July 4th for a four hour cruise.

Crowds on the main deck

Singing sea shanties

   We arrived early at 8:30 am at the Navy Yard.  We had to go through security before entering the ship.  Similar to going through TSA at the aurport.   It was very hot (about 99 degrees) and we brought lunch and plenty of water and Gatorade with us on board.  Everyone was excited and happy and in a good mood.  Janine and I explored the main deck and gun deck.  The ship's crew members entertained us with stories about the ship and also ran children (and some adults) through simulated cannon gun drill.  A group who sang sea shanties entertained us with their music throughout the cruise.   Once the lines were established the tugs started us off the dock and off we went.  The Constitution does not have enough sails to be under her own power so tugs push us along at a leisurely pace.  Plenty of smaller boats and tour  ships follow along side. 

   On board the ship was a volunteer group who represents the ships Marine detachment.  They had excellent kits and have a very good musket drill and firing demonstration.

  If you were interested you could also get a flag that was flown on the Constitution.  You got a certificate signed by the captain.  A crew member helped you raise the flag and then lowered it.   Another crew member then helped you fold it in a military fashion.  Janine and I just had to do it. 

  A pleasant time and a very memorable experience.  One that we will not forget.  After all how many people can say they sailed on the USS Constitution!

3rd Continental Regiment 1776

  The 3rd Continental Regiment was raised  in January 1776 by consolidating Colonel Learned's, Danielson's and Wood's  1775 regiments .  It was enlisted until January 1777 and  served during the seige of Boston and later in the campaigns around New York city.  It was Commanded by Colonel Ebenezer Learned until his retirement in May 1776 due to illness.  Learned later returned to military service and commanded a brigade during the Saratoga campaign.

  During the siege of Boston Colonel Learned and the 3rd Continental regiment manned the important Dorchester heights position which forced the British evacuation of Boston.  When the Americans marched into Boston the 3rd led the march into the city and was assigned the duty of removing obstacles like abatis and caltrops.  Afterwards they marched south to New York city.  Although they did not participate in the fight on Long Island they did see service later in the campaign.  They were assigned to the Brigade commanded by General John Glover with the 13th, 14th and 26th Continental regiments.  At Kip's Bay September 5 they formed the defensive line at Kingsbridge  that Washington's forces retreated past.  At Pell's Point  on October 14 they fought a delaying action against advancing British light forces.  Remnants of the Regiment fought at Trenton before being disbanded with the expiration of enlistments.  Many of the men later enlisted into the 4th Massachusetts regiment of 1777.

  Little is known of the uniform of the 3rd Continental Regiment.  Massachusetts had large supplies of brown wool.  These included captured and re dyed British coats.  Usually coats were supplied with red linings and a waistcoat or vest matching the coat color.  There were a variety of wool for facing colors avalible.  Since none are listed for the 3rd I have assigned them white.

  The figures are from The RSM line of miniatures.  Most know about their Seven Years War line, but few know they have a small but very nice line of American Rev War figures.  A bulk pack of 36 figures cost $30.   Very reasonably priced.  The regimental colors are from The Flag Dude and is typical of existing colors of the time period.  I will be adding a Bunker Hill or Grand Union color if he comes through with his order.

Painting Totals 2018

  I have been painting a lot this year.  Some of my figures have come out very good, others just ok.  Since we are at the half way mark through the year I thought I would add up my total figures painted. Civilian figures and farm animals are not included. 
 
 I was a bit surprised at what I have done so far.

American Rev War:
12 Militia Horse
24 Rifle men rev war
30  Smallwood's Maryland
30 Continental line infantry (1st NY)
30 Continental line infantry (3rdNy)
30 Continental line infantry (13th Continental regiment)
30 Continental line infantry (19h Continental regiment)
1  Brigadier

War of 1812:
6 New York militia hussars
24 Militia war of 1812
24 US regulars war of 1812

WAS/SYW:
2 French cannon
8 French gunners
12 French fusiliers
12 French Cavalry

Totals:
242 x  Infantry
31 x Cavalry
2 x Cannon

My plans for the remainder of the year?

  In Rev War I will be adding five more continental line regiments and a militia regiment.   I will be  doing a two gun battery  representing Hamilton's New York  Artillery regiment.   Then I am pretty much done with my American 1776 army.    I would like to add Colonel Rall's brigade of the Rall, Lossberg and Knypausen Hessian regiments if I can afford the miniatures.  For July 4th I am planning a parade of my American Rev War collection. 

In War of 1812 the 41st Regiment of foot and some British flank companies need to be primed and placed in the painting line.  I also have a headquarters group of American officers to do.  It would make a very nice display item. 

I have another French Cavalry Regiment to complete in my mid eighteenth century French army that is half way done;  but for  some reason I just cannot get them done.  After that I am not sure where that project will be going.  I love the figures and they are my most colorful army.  But I just cannot muster the enthusiasm to paint a another army to fight them.  It is possible I may sell or trade them but I can not make up my mind.  We will see.

In Full Glory Reflected: Book review

In Full Glory Reflected:  Discovering the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake
By Ralph E. Edelman and Burton K. Kummerow

My son got me a copy of this book for father's day.   It is a great read about the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake bay area.  Lots of ideas about raids and local militia opposing naval landing parties. The battles of Bladensburg and North Point are covered in detail. 

The strength of the book are the wonderful illustrations by the famous artist Gerry Embelton.  These alone are worth the price of the book.  In addition there are two outstanding birds eye maps of the battles at Bladensburg and North Point.  Great eye candy and great for creating your miniature battlefields.

Finally there is a guide to sites featured in the book and yours of sites.  Again indispensable for planning future adventures your War of 1812 sites in the Chesapeake area.

Highly recommended!