A new invasion of Canada was planned under the command of General Jacob Brown, aimed at the Niagara Peninsula. Fort Erie was the first objective that stood in the way. General Gordon Drummond, the British commander in the area hoped that the garrison at Fort Erie could at least buy him enough time against the American invasion to consolidate his forces. Major Thomas Buck was given command of the fort with a garrison of 137 British soldiers. As Brown's force crossed into Cananda and approached Fort Erie, Buck fired only a few shots at the Americans from the fort's cannon then surrendered. The Americans had captured an important fort at little cost. The fort's garrison had bought the British little time and Buck was later court-martialed for his hasty surrender. From thier new base at Fort Erie, Brown next marched up the Niagara River and met the British at the Battle of Chippewa