Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-07-14
BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA
One Battle In Which Americans De
feated Larger British Force.

feated Larger British Force.
Most historical writer's put a sugar
coating on their accounts Of land bat
ties during the War Of 1912. Facts are
twisted or turned or skinned over to
make their reading palatable to the
American schoolboy. AS a result a
wholly distorted idea Of that war is
generally held. Actually American
troops won few victories, generally re-
treated before or surrendered to infe-
rior forces, and not few times ran
away from the battlefield as soon as
the British soldiers appeared.
The Battle Of Chippewa, fought a
century ago Monday, July 6, was one
Of the few exceptions to that rule. A
force of eighteen hundred Americans
gave $3.50 British and Canadians a Sc
we're trouncing that day and followed
it up a few weeks later with another
which, but for the serious wounds Of
the two ranking and energetic generals
might have caused a slice Of southern
Canada to be part of the United States
today
Three invasions Of Canada had ended
as fiascos when General Brown led his
coating on their accounts Of land bat
1914 Stopping one day to capture Fort
Erie. the American troops pushed on
toward the main British force under
General Riall. The American army was
i,y;la iota hric dac Of
ular troops under General Scott and
General Potter, and one Of militia un-
der General Ripley. General Rails
force was mostly seasoned British vet
Grams, some regiments from yelling
tons army The remainder was Cana
dian militia, fairly well trained.
The American van and British rear
kept up a continuous fight along the
west side of the Niagara river. Brown
sent Porters brigade ahead to locate
the enemy and bring on a battle. Por
ter found his search the morning Of
July 5, and pushed rapidly by Scott's
brigade to the attack. He presumed he
had the British right flank in his front.
Brown hoped he could roll it back on
the main force when Scott's brigade
could attack.
Noon saw little change in the lines.
Then Brown, from the rear, saw dust
clouds rising between Chippewa river
and Streets creek, the British position.
Soon a fierce fire showed Porter was
heavily engaged again. Riall had NOV
ed his entire force against Porter who
was driven back. Ripley's brigade was
ordered to Porter's support; but for
some reason both brigades got out Of
the line Of fire and acted only as re-
serves the remainder of the battle.
Their success had flushed the Brit
ish troops. They advanced through the
woods toward where Scott was resting.
General Brown hurriedly galloped to-
that brigadier's headquarters and told
him Of his danger. Scott, ever ready
to fight, did not wait for REINFORCE
ments. but Immediately arranged his
force for battle.
The American army this day W"
uniformed in gray. There had been n
scarcity Of blue cloth and the quarter
master at Buffalo offered to provide
gray, quantity Of which was on hand.
Brown and Scott accepted his offer and
as a result the familiar blue Of the
American trooper was missing. In hon
or Of this campaign the uniform Of the
West Point cadets has been gray ever
since Also Scott, who was known as
"Old Fuss and Feathers because of
his strictness, had all his officers in full