He was not a professional soldier but his troops had been trained and organized by Winfield Scott who was now a brigadier.

After two years of dismal reverses, the United States was learning how to wage war.

Incompetency was no longer the badge of high military rank.

A general was supposed to know something about his trade and to have a will of his own.
With thirty-five hundred men, Jacob Brown made a resolute advance to find and join battle with the British forces of General Riall which garrisoned the forts of St.George's, Niagara, Erie, Queenston, and Chippawa.

Early in the morning of July 3, 1814, the American troops in two divisions crossed the river and promptly captured Fort Erie.