The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-05


contests that reflect splendor upon the
American arms. Besides it gave to the na-
ton a remarkable military hero, whose
fame remained untarnished for half CEN
tury.
After the American forces had estab-
lisbed themselves on Canadian soil in the
summer of 1914, the commander, Gen.
Jacob Brown, adopted the policy of threat
ening various important points on that
side of the boundary, il order to prevent
his opponent, Gen. Rial, from making a
counter invasion across Niagara river. On
the 18th Of July he received news Of the
movements of the British that led him to
suppose that such an invasion was on foot,
and yielding to the urgent solicitation Of
Gen. Scott, who commanded one of his
brigades, ordered him to lead a movement
along the Queenstown road to threaten
Forts George and Niagara, and thus put
the enemy on the defensive. The order
was issued at 5 o'clock in the afternoon,
and Scott's brigade was in motion in TWEEN
ty minutes His force numbered 200 men,
namely, four infantry battalions, one babf
terry and two companies of mounted men.
After march of couple of hours the col
umn was met with rumors, spread by Citi-
Zens, that Riali was in the immediate vi
cinity with force fully equal to Scott's,
but in the face of contradictory informa-
ton, credited as positive at Browns head
quarters, the impatient leader refused to
believe the story and continued to "march
rapidly on the forts" as he had been or
dered. He took the precaution, however,
to send a message back to his chief re-
counting what he had heard The British
who appeared on his front he believed to
be only a remnant left by Rail to deceive
the American generals. and these he
promptly attacked.
Instead of remnant be met an army
and unintentionally opened the battle of
Lundy's Lane, or Niagara, as it is also
called. Rail was in the vicinity with a
large force and, moreover, was in full readi-
ness for battle. His troops numbered 4, 500
and many of them were fresh. His position
was on an emiuence along which ran
Lundy's lane, highway between Niagara
river and the head of Lake Ontario. So pre-
cipitate had been Scott's action that there
was no safe way of backing out on the
part Of the Americans. He had advertised
his presence by his bold attack, and should
be withdraw after tentative stroke it
would be confession of weakness and in
vite pursuit. Pursuit under the circum-
stances would be as difficult to withstand
rs the onset of superior numbers in free
field would be.
The enemy opened with musketry and
cannon and Scott accepted the challenge
just as though the entire American army
was at hand. The British artillery was
stationed on an eminence, with infantry to
the right and left of it. Between the Brit |
ish left flank and the river there was a space
left vacant, but at the moment of SCOTS |
attack re-enforcements for Rial were |
marching up to occupy it. They never got |
there however. Scott saw the open space. |
1t was in the uncertain light of evening |
and he detailed the Twenty fifth regiment, |
under Maj. Thomas S. Jesup, to crawl |
through the bushes that covered the ground, |
reach the enemy's left flank and turn it. |
Jesup obeyed and struck the opening of the |
lane into Queenstown road. 1t was down |
Queenstown road that supports were |
TO Rails assistance, and Jesup's |
caused them to halt and change |
their direction. Meanwhile Scott pressed |
the fighting against the British front. He |
did not hope to win the fight alone, but |
thought that be could hold on until relief |
should come from Gen. Brown, in response
to his message that the enemy was reported
in force on his front.
Jesup's movement was brilliant success
in every way. He kept off re-enforcements
from Rail that might have turned the
tide against Scott. He fought with force
superior to his own column out of those
present under Rail, and he captured RIAL
and several of his staff before directions
could be given in the British lines for the
order of battle. The capture of the en-
emy's leader was stroke of luck, perhaps,