Lewiston

With the capture of Fort Niagara on December 19, 1813, British commander Col. J. Murray signaled Maj. Gen. Phineas Riall to begin his attack on Lewiston. Riall’s British troops and allied Native Americans destroyed Lewiston.  His force also destroyed a nearby Tuscarora village.  American militia under Maj. Bennett attempted to halt the British advance, but instead lead a fighting retreat towards Fort Schlosser.  After destroying Manchester (Niagara Falls), Riall’s force returned to Lewiston and then Queenstown.

Lewiston was the site of the main crossing to Canada on the lower Niagara River in 1812. It was from this point that American troops had crossed the river to attack Queenston. However, the British made no attempt to hold the village, as they held Fort Niagara. The village and Lewiston Heights would have given them clear command over the lower Niagara River, and effectively blocked any further attempts on Fort George or Queenston. Since the British soon retreated it is likely that the action was motivated more by revenge for the recent burning of Newark, than by any strategic importance held by Lewiston. Also, they had plans for Gen. Riall to invade and burn Buffalo.