noon
Early on the morning of the 3d , learning of the peril of the fort , he sent forward some royal Scots to reinforce the garrison . At Chippewa they heard of the fall of the fort , and Riall determined to attack the Americans next day . To meet this force , General Brown sent General Scott forward with Towsen 's artillery . At noon on the 5th , Scott was joined by Porter with his volunteers and Indians . The British also were reinforced . Nearly half the day was spent by the two armies feeling of each other . Skirmishers were deployed and an occasional shot fired ; but it was not until afternoon that they came together in an earnest struggle .