Lane a larger force than he had fought at Chippewa; but he determined to give battle and rely upon re-enforcements being rapidly sent to him.  Lieutenant Richard Douglass was now dispatched to inform General Brown of the situation.  On the night of the 23d Lieutenant-General Sir Gordon Drummond had arrived at the mouth of the river with re-enforcements.  This was not known to General Brown.  Riall had marched down the road which Scott was to have taken on the 26th, coming by Queenstown, and had not sent any troops across the Niagara.  His re-enforcements were coming up rapidly.  The battle opened late in the afternoon.  The British line, eighteen hundred strong, posted on a ridge in Lundy’s Lane running at right angles with the river, was in front of Scott.  The left of this line was on a road parallel to the river, with a space grown up with small timber, extending some two hundred yards.  He ordered Major Jesup and Colonel Brady to take advantage of this and turn the enemy’s left from the concealed position which the brushwood afforded.  The other infantry forces had been placed in line with detachments of cavalry on both sides and held as reserves.  The British, outflanking Scott on the left, made a movement to attack in flank and fear.  This was repelled by Major McNeil with heavy loss.  Jesup had succeeded in his movement, while Brady, Leavenworth, and Towson were engaged in the front.  Jesup had captured General Riall and a number of other officers far in his front, and then resumed his line.  At nine o’clock the British right was driven back from its assault on Scott’s flank, and his left was turned and cut off.  The center posted on the ridge held its place, supported by nine pieces of artillery.  Another battalion of British troops was on its way as a re-enforcement, and but a short distance away, when General Brown arrived on the field, in advance of the reserve.  He thus describes in his report what occurred from the time of his arrival: 

“Apprehending that these corps were much exhausted, and knowing that they had suffered severely, I determined to interpose a new line with the advancing troops, and thus disengage General Scott and hold his brigade in reserve.  Orders were accordingly given to General Ripley.  The enemy’s artillery at this moment occupied a hill which gave him great advantage and was the key to the whole position.  It was supported by a line of infantry.  To secure the victory it was necessary to carry this with artillery and seize the height.

“The duty was assigned to Colonel Miller.  He advanced steadily and gallantly to his object, and carried the height and the cannon.  General Ripley brought up the Twenty-third (which had faltered) to his support, and the enemy disappeared from before them.  The enemy, rallying his forces, and, as is believed, having received re-enforcements, now attempted to drive us from our position and regain his artillery.  Our line was unshaken and the enemy repulsed.  Two other attempts having the same