Eleazor Ripley was wounded at York and also participated in the battles of Sacketts Harbor and Crysler's Farm.
In April 1814, he was promoted to brigadier general and commanded the Second Brigade of Major general Jacob Brown's Left Division in the Niagara Campaign. At the Battle of Lundy's Lane, his brigade captured and held British cannons until the Americans could withdraw. However, Brown accused Ripley for losing those guns. Ripley demanded and got a court martial to clear his name.
He briefly commanded Brown's division during the Siege of Fort Erie after Brown had been wounded at Lundty's Lane, but he was replaced by Brigadier general Edmund Pendleton Gaines.
Ripley was conspicuous in the repulse of the British assault on Fort Erie on August 16 and the American sortie from the fort on September 17, 1814, where he was wounded again. he was awarded the Congressional Gold medal for his action at Fort Erie. This was the precursor of the Medal of Honor.
Ripley later moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1815 and left the Army in 1820.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
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