The Napoleonic Wars in Europe ended with the Treaty of Paris on 30 May 1814.As a result, the British government was able to send several veteran regiments to reinforce the beleaguered forces in Canada. During July and August, 16,000 British troops arrived in Canada.
Governor General Sir George Prevost led 11,000 men down the Richelieu River to attack the American forts on Lake Champlain. Strong garrisons were established in Quebec and Montreal. Prevost sent the remaining British regiments to Upper Canada to reinforce Lieutenant-General Gordon Drummond's army.
On 1 July, Brigadier-General Jacob Brown and Brigadier-General Winfield Scott led an American force of 3,500 across the Niagara River into Upper Canada. Its objective was to take York (Toronto) and then launch an assault on the main British base at Kingston. Lieutenant-General Drummond immediately took steps to counter the American offensive. His army confronted the Americans at Lundy's Lane.
The British force of 3,000 was composed of the 89th, 103rd, and 104th regiments together with the King's Regiment and the Royal Scots. By 5:00 p.m. on 25 July 1814, Drummond had deployed his army, and it was soon hotly engaged with the American force. The fighting continued as darkness fell over the battlefield. Bright flashes of musket fire illuminated the fierce struggle. By 10:00, the American force withdrew from the battle. Although both sides had suffered heavy casualties, the British could claim a victory.
