To regain the initiative lost at Queenston, the Americans planned a general invasion for 28 November 1812. Before dawn, advance parties crossed the Niagara River to cut communications between Fort Erie and Chippawa and to silence the British shore guns. The attackers failed to destroy the bridge over Frenchman's Creek, and the batteries they had overrun were soon retaken by British reinforcements. After confused fighting, the advance parties returned to the American shore. The main assault failed to materialize, and the fiasco ended American hopes for victory on the Niagara Frontier in 1812.