Battle of Queenston Heights - Background

Background

The United States invasion across the Niagara River was originally intended to be part of a four-pronged attack on Upper Canada's border strongpoints. From west to east, Brigadier General William Hull would attack Amherstburg through Detroit, Major General Van Rensselaer would attack across the Niagara River and another diversionary attack would cross the St. Lawrence River to take Kingston. Major General Henry Dearborn, the commander in chief of the United States Army, intended to make the major attack via Lake Champlain to capture Montreal in Lower Canada. These attacks would theoretically bring the colony to its knees and ensure a quick peace.

However, the main attacks on Upper Canada failed, or could not be launched. Hull was besieged in Detroit and, faced with the threat of a massacre by Britain's Native American allies, surrendered the town and his entire army following the Siege of Detroit. Dearborn and his army remained relatively inactive at Albany, New York, and seemed to be in no hurry to attempt an invasion.

Van Rensselaer was also unable to launch any immediate attack, lacking troops and supplies. Although he held the rank of Major General in the New York state militia, Van Rensselaer had never commanded troops in battle, and was in fact considered the leading Federalist candidate for the governorship of New York. Possibly hoping to get Van Rensselaer out of the way, New York Governor Daniel Tompkins had put Van Rensselaer's name forward to command the American army, and he officially took command on 13 July. Van Rensselaer did secure the appointment of his second cousin, Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer, as his aide-de-camp. Solomon van Rensselaer was an experienced soldier (who had been wounded at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794), and a valuable source of advice to the General.