America and Canada 1812-1815
- The war of 1812 between Britain and America was a tragic and unnecessary conflict. England and America
- had very high tensions between them for many years because of the British insistence to search neutral shipping for contraband. It was intended to blockade any supplies that may have been sent to Napoleon's continental efforts. The Americans became fed up with this and on June the 12th 1812 declared war on England . As President Madison said "to defend the freedom of the seas". He intended to use this an excuse to conqure Canada,knowing full well that the Brithish army was very depleted because of the Peninsula conflict.
- The defences in Canada were weak consisting of only four regular Battalions 8th,41st, 49th, and the
- 100th foot with the 10th Veteran Btn and a locally raised unit, the Newfoundland Regt. Together with a few artillary companies, totaling 4,450 men,were to guard a 1,600 mile frontier. A large proportion of the American army was inexperienced and newly formed,the only commander of any experience being Andrew Jackson. During some of the early border actions, one commander appeared as one of great skill. Major-General Isaac Brock (1769-1812) who arrived in Canada in 1802 as commander of the 49th. He is credited for repelling an American invasion of Canada late 1812 by the capture of Fort Dearborn (now Chicago).The garrison was later massacred by the British supported Indians after they had surrendered,
- Major-General Stephen van Rensselaer crossed the Niagra and readied for a full scale invasion of Canada.
- Brock answered the challenge and defeated the Americans at Queenstown on the 13th of October with a much smaller force,this battle cost Brock his life. The war began to escalate to a much larger scale and as the British forces in at the Peninsula became available, they were sent to the America's. The American armies planned a two pronged assault on upper Canada which ended as a disaster after the American burning of York, capital of Upper Canada now (Toronto) on the 24th of April. The Canadians and Allies captured Fort George and the Americans were routed at Stoney Creek (6th of June ). The British victory was nulified by Prevots defeat at Sacketts's Creek 28/29th of May 1813,this was the USA arsenal.An American operation against Montreal was defeated on the 25th of October and at Chrysler's Farm 11th of November. A renewed offensive defeated the small British force at Chippewa River 5th of July 1814 . With a stalemate battle at Lundy's Lane on the 25th of July,British reinforcments began to arrive and with this a further invasion of Canada was dismissed . A British Navy Squadron was defeated on Lake Eire by Comander Oliver Perry, September the 10th.
- As the war progressed Harrison and Commander Perry recovered Detroit September
- 29th. A small detatchment of British troops were defeated at the battle of the Thames, 5th of October. The British troops, now being reinforced by the Peninsular war regiments ,allowed Major-General Robert Ross to occupy Washington 24th of August 1814. On the same day Naval officers directed two regiments into the capital , on to the Parliment Grounds this being the remainder of the . 48th regiment . and the 49th regiment ( both regiment's had recived massive losses on the Peninsular) . On the 24th of August both regiments burned the Parliment House and the Capitol the next day . The Parliment house was badly scorched and blackened. Once the British troops had moved on the American people wanted the building to look far better than it presently did . They painted as much as possible with the only paint available at the time "WHITE" . The Building became known as the White House from that day forward.
- The British advanced to New Orleans which was in effect the biggest mistake the British made . The
- American force's had been routed in every battle with the British, but this was to prove the end of the British advance. Following an amphibious landing on the 8th of January 1815, the British troops advanced toward well entrenched American forces. General Pakenham's full frontal assault was not only poorly planned but was not needed,as the American forces could have been easily flanked and defeated. The British troops advanced into a massive volley of shell . The force fought with great courage but were smashed by the American entrenchments . This was reflected by the casualty rate , 2,100 British died with Pakenham himself being killed . The American forces had lost in total 7 killed and six wounded .
The reason this Battle and loss of life was unnecessary is that on the 24th of December 1814, peace had already been signed at Ghent. America and Britain were no longer at War
- Excerpt from Philip J. Haythornthaite's book WELLINGTON'S MILITARY MACHINE published 1995
- The information is intended for short historical value only, far more information can be gained from the above Publication
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- Last revised: April 09, 2000.