For this purpose two enemy brigs were filled with troops and were sent over to Fort Niagara with more to follow.
It was to parry this threat that Brown moved his forces and brought about the clash at Lundy's Lane.

"As it appeared," he explained, "that the enemy with his increased strength was about to avail himself of the hazard under which our baggage and stores were on our side of the Niagara, I conceived the most effectual method of recalling him from the object was to put myself in motion towards Queenston.

General Scott with his brigade were accordingly put in march on the road leading thither." The action was fought about a mile back from the torrent of the Niagara, below the Falls, where the by-road known as Lundy's Lane joined the main road running parallel with the river.

Here Scott's column came suddenly upon a force of British redcoats led by General Drummond.

Scott hesitated to attack, because the odds were against his one brigade, but, fearing the effect of a retreat on the divisions behind him, he sent word to Brown that he would hold his ground and try to turn the enemy's left toward the Niagara.