Declared War - Jun 12, 1812

The United States declared War on Great Britain on June 12, 1812. The war was declared as a result of long simmering disputes with Great Britian. The central dispute surrounded the impressment of American soldiers by the British. The British had previously attacked the USS Chesapeake and nearly caused a war two year earlier. In addition, disputes continued with Great Britain over the Northwest Territories and the border with Canada. Finally, the attempts of Great Britain to impose a blockade on France during the Napoleonic Wars was a constant source of conflict with the United States.

Gen. Hull invades Canada - Jul. 12, 1812

On July 12, 1812, forces under General Hull crosses into Canada at Sandwich. The invasion is quickly stopped, and American forces are forced to withdraw. By August 16, 1812 Hull surrenders Detroit.

USS Constitution vs Guerriere - Aug. 19, 1812

On August 19, 1812 the USS "Constitution" defeats the "Guerriere," off the coast of Nova Scotia. The battle lasts for an hour, and was a great victory for the Navy.

Battle of Queenston Heights - Oct. 13, 1812

American forces were defeated on October 13, 1812 at a battle near Niagara Falls, on Queenston Heights. The American officers were unable to convince militia troops to cross over to Canada and bring sufficient reinforcements to carry the day.

USS United States vs Macedonia - Oct. 25, 1812

On October 25, 1812, the US frigate "United States" defeated the HMS "Macedonian." The battle takes place off the coast of Africa. Captain Stephen Decatur is the commander of the "United States."

Battle of Raisin Eiver - Jan. 21, 1813

On January 21, 1813, the Battle of Raisin River takes place. The American force, commanded by General Winchester, surrenders to British Colonel Henry A Proctor and loses 100 dead and 500 captured.

USS Constitution - Feb. 14, 1813

Between February 14 and 19, 1813 the USS "Constitution" defeated the "Lovely Ann," "Phoenix" and the "Catherine."

USS Hornet vs Peacock - Feb. 24, 1813

On February 24, 1813, the USS "Hornet," under Captain James Lawrence, engages and destroys the British vessel HMS "Peacock."

Battle at York, Canada - Apr. 27, 1813

On April 27, 1813, American forces, under General Henry Dearborn, captured the British base at York, Canada. This is made possible by close cooperation between the Navy and the Army.

Fort Meig - May __, 1813

In May 1813, Fort Meig, (named after Retuen Jonathan MEIG) commanded by General Harrison, handily withstands a siege by the British and the Indians. When a relief column arrives, the British and the Indians withdraw.

British attack Sacketts Harbor - May 23, 1813

On May 27, 1813, the British attack Sacketts Harbor. The British force is repulsed after a difficult battle.

Battle of Ft. GEORGE - May 27, 1813.

On May 27, 1813, American forces, under Lt. Col. Winfield Scott, attack and capture the British garrison at Fort George, commanded by British General Vincent.

USS Chesapeaka vs Shannon - Jun. 01, 1813

On June 1, 1813, the USS "Chesapeake" is attacked and captured by the HMS "Shannon." The "Shannon," which was a 52-gun frigate, clearly outclasses the "Chesapeake"; but Captain Lawrence, the commander of the "Chesapeake," is goaded into going to battle with the "Shannon." Lawrence is killed in the fight.

USS President Battles - Jul. , 1813

During the course of July, 1813; the USS "President" defeats three British vessels off the coast of Ireland. They are the "Daphne," the "Eliza Swan" and the "Alert."

Ft Mims - Aug. 30, 1813

On August 30, the Creeks, led by Chief Red Eagle, capture Fort Mims. The Creeks massacre over 500 men, women and children. This attack inflamed American sentiment and assured the coordinated attacks on the Creeks that were to follow.

Ft. Stephenson - Aug. 02, 1813

On August 2, 1813, Major George Croghan successfully defended Ft. Stephenson from an attack from the British and Indians under Colonel Proctor. General Harrison had ordered Croghan to abandon the fort as undefensible.

USS Enterprise vs Boxer Sep. 05, 1813

The HMS "Boxer" is defeated by the USS "Enterprise" on September 5, 1813, off the coast of Maine.

Battle of Lake Erie - Sep 10, 1813

On September 10, 1813, Commodore Perry defeats the British fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie. The Battle, which is hard fought by both sides, ends up with a total defeat for the British. Perry sends his famous message to his commander: "WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND THEY ARE OURS." Lake Erie becomes an American lake. While War was declaired already the Federal Government thought this would be a good time to get rid of the Indian problem.

Gen. Jackson attacks Creeks - Oct. 04, 1813

On October 4, 1813, General Jackson leads a force to attack the Creeks in their home territory. Jackson fights a number of battles, and a constant fight to maintain enough militia with him, but he soon defeats the Creeks.

USS Essex - Oct. , 1813

The USS "Essex" defeats and captures the British vessel Alert. The "Essex" is commanded by Captain Porter.

Battle of Thames - Oct. 05 1813

On October 5, 1813, at the Battle of Thames, American forces cross into Canada across Lake Erie after the American victory on the lake. British forces, under General Proctor, are forced to withdraw, with American forces following closely. The American forces catch up with the British and Indians, and decisively defeat them. Tecumseh, the Indian chief, is killed in the battle.

Battle of Tallushatchee - Oct. 30, 1813

Learning that a considerable body of "Redsticks" had posted themselves at Tallushatchee, on the south side of the Coosa, about thirteen miles distant, a detachment of JACKSON's militia under Colonel John COFFEE was detached with 900 men (including Davy CROCKETT) the mounted troops having been previously organized into the 8th brigade, and placed under his command, With this force Col. COFFEE was enabled, through the direction of an Creek pilot, to ford the Coosa, at the Fish-dams, about four miles above the Islands; and having encamped beyond it, very early the next morning preceded to the execution of his orders. As a result of this ambush, 186 Creeks were killed. "Of the Americans, 5 were killed, and 41 wounded. Two men were killed with arrows, which, on this occasion, formed a principal part of the arms of the "Redsticks"; each one having a bow and quiver, which he used after the first fire of his gun, until an opportunity occurred for reloading." [See also Pickett, History of Alabama, Charleston, Ed. 1851 Vol. II., p. 293 et. seq. [Piekett (p. 298) gives November 3, 1813, as the date of the battle of "Tallasehatche."] [See John Henry Eaton, "Life of JACKSON", Ed. 1812 p. 53:] [Croncicle of Indian Wars, pg 139]

Battle of Chrysler's Farm - Nov. 11, 1813

At the Battle of Chrysler's Farm, on November 11, 1813, American forces are defeated by smaller numbers of British forces; 100 miles from Montreal.

Battle of Ft. Niagara - Dec. 18, 1813

On December 18, 1813, the British capture American Fort Niagara. They went on to capture Buffalo

Battle of Horseshoe Bend - Mar. 27 1814

On March 27, 1814, the forces of Andrew Jackson defeat the Creeks in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, on the Tallapoosa River in Alabama. This decisive victory ends the Creek War.

USS Wasp -Jun. , 1814

In June, 1814, the USS "Wasp" engages British ships off the coast of England. In the course of June, the "Wasp" captures ten ships. The cruise ends when the "Wasp" defeats the HMS "Reindeer" in a devastating fight.

Battle of Chippewa - Jul. 05, 1814,

The Battle of Chippewa takes place on July 5, 1814, near Ft. Erie. American forces and Gen. Winfield Scott decisively defeat the British forces.

Battle of Lundy's Lane - Jul. 25, 1814

On July 25, 1814 the Battle of Lundy's Lane, near Niagara Falls, takes place. In the course of the battle, 2,000 men, commanded by General Gaines for the Americans and General Drummond for the British, exchange in intense fire. Eight hundred and fifty men on both sides are casualties.

USS Wasp - Sep. 12, 1814

Between September 12 and 26, the USS "Wasp" successfully attacks and captures three British ships: the "Three Brothers," the "Bacchus" and the "Atlanta." The "Wasp" exploits delay part of the British force heading for New Orleans.

Treaty of Ghent - Dec. 24, 1814

On December 24, the Treaty of Ghent is signed ending the war. The war in the field continues until mid-February.

New Orleans Captured - Jan. 08, 1815

On January 8, 1815, American forces, under General Jackson, decisively defeat the British forces trying to capture New Orleans. The battle, which takes place after the Treaty of Ghent has been signed, is the most decisive American victory of the war.

Battle of Bladensburg -

British forces march on Washington. At a brief battle on the road, known as the Battle of Bladensburg; the British forces defeat the American forces, who withdraw in disarray, thus opening the road to Washington. The British burn the White House and the Capitol, but the rest of Washington is saved by a strong rain storm. The British, under orders not to hold any territory, withdraw.

Lake Champlain -

In one of the most important battles of the war, American naval forces, under the command of Commodore MacDonough, defeat a British fleet on Lake Champlain. The American naval victory forces the British to withdraw, and thus ends the British invasion.

Ft. McHenry -

The American forces stop the British advance on Baltimore. The British are stopped by a determined defense along the road to Baltimore. Unlike on the road to Washington, these American forces do not break. In addition, American forces at Ft. McHenry, in Baltimore Harbor, withstand a British bombardment unscathed