The War of 1812

Submitted as partial credit to Mr. Haskvitz by

Evelyn Hsu and Christina Li

Why it Began…As Britain continued impressments on the American vessels, cries for war with the country grew chaotic. Because the thriving foreign trade of the U.S. was being challenged on the Atlantic, President James Madison decided to proclaim war against Britain. Meanwhile, the British wanted to conclude their policy of searches and seizures of American ships, the message to the U.S. was delayed, powerless to cease the conflict.

Chaotic Months of the War

June of 1812 June 16 British Orders in Council

is RepealedBritish Orders in Council was revoked, which is the policy of impressments, after following a movement by British politician Henry Brougham. News would not reach the United States for weeks; it was now exceptionally too late to prevent the war.

June 18 President Madison

Declares WarIn Washington D.C., President James Madison signed the declaration of war that began the War of 1812. "Mr. Madison's War" had begun and would not end for another two and a half years.

July of 1812 July 12 Hull Enters Canada

U.S. forces led by General Hull invades Canada issuing a proclamation to Canadians, offering them protection if they do not oppose the Americans.

July 17 Fort Michilimackinac

Surrenders to the British

August of 1812 August 5 Battle of Brownstown

Major Thomas Van Horne directed approximately two hundred Ohio militiamen in an attempt to open up supply lines south of Detroit to assist General Hull's delayed invasion into Canada. Assault on the American side of the Detroit River at Brownstown by Native Americans led by Tecumseh caused Van Horne to lose seventeen men as well as crucial military mail. He retreated to Detroit.

August 9 Battle of Magagua

U.S. forces under Colonel James Miller made an additional attempt to guide supplies to British-besieged Detroit on Lake St. Clair. The attempt was unsuccessful when a British-Indian force drove off Miller and his men on the American side of the Detroit River at Magagua under Captain Adam Muir.

August of 1812 Continued…

August 15 Fort Dearborn Massacre

General William Hull, blockaded by the British in Detroit, foolishly ordered Captain Nathan Heald to evacuate Fort Dearborn (modern-day Chicago). After Heald abandoned the fort, the Potawatomi Indians assaulted the militia garrison and civilians. Many Americans were massacred or taken prisoner.

August 16 American Surrender of

DetroitIn one of the worst events of the war for the United States, General Hull surrendered the fort at Detroit without firing a shot. He had recently failed in his attack into Canada and found himself surrounded by British regulars and militia led by General Brock and the Natives led by Tecumseh. The British would retain power of the fort for thirteen months, abandoning it after their defeat in the Battle of Lake Erie in September 1813.

October of 1812 October 13 Brock Killed at the

Battle of Queenston HeightsWhen British General Brock was killed in the battle with a bullet through his chest, it was up to John Norton and Major General Sheaffe to win the Battle of Queenston Heights. He believed that he should get all the credit for this battle.

October 18 The Wasp Defeats the

Frolic The Wasp Captured by

the PoictiersThe American ship, USS Wasp, commanded by Jacob Jones captured the Royal Navy ship HMS Frolic. Unfortunately, after the battle at sea, The USS Wasp fell victim to the powerful ship, Poictiers

December of 1812 December 3 William Eustis Resigns

as Secretary of War resigned position as secretary of war in the face of criticism following American reverses on the battlefield

December 29 The 'Constitution'

Defeats the 'Java‘ Paul Hamilton Resigns

as Secretary of the Navy when the United States Navy achieved several remarkable victories that ended the British warships. Hamilton was a supporter of military preparedness, particularly sea fortifications.

January of 1813 January 12 William Jones Sworn in

as Secretary of the NavyJones fulfilled the duties of that post until his resignation in 1814 and served for several months as Madison's interim secretary of treasury as well.

January 23 The Battle of Frenchtown

also known as the River Raisin Massacre was a rigorous conquer for the Americans during the War of 1812, in an attempt to retake Detroit early in 1813.

February of 1813 February 3 John Armstrong Sworn in as

Secretary of War Armstrong was deemed Brigadier General and given the responsibility of the defense of New York City. Later that year, when William Eustis resigned as secretary of war, President Madison selected Armstrong to replace him, though Secretary of State Monroe and Secretary of the Treasury Gallatin strongly opposed the appointment.

February 24 The Hornet Defeats

the PeacockOn February 24th 1813, The USS Hornet, under Captain James Lawrence, destroys the British ship HMS Peacock in just 11 minutes. 

March of 1813 March 27 Oliver Hazard Perry Begins

Construction of Lake Erie FleetAs President Madison and his advisors began to re-calculate the efforts needed to continue with the invasion, it became clear that control of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie would be essential to keep supply routes open. Likewise, Sir George Prevost, Governor General and Commander in Chief of the King's Forces, also realized the importance of sustain military rule on the Lakes for continued defense of the British Provinces. Soon both sides embarked on ship building programs to improve their naval strength in the Great Lakes.

March 30 British Blockade

Extended Across Eastern Seaboard American victories at sea declined during 1813. The British navy tightened its blockade of the eastern coastline. The British stationed a strong fleet in Chesapeake Bay that included several battleships, also covering New York, Long Island Sound, Boston, and other ports with smaller blockade navy force.

April of 1813 April 15 Wilkinson Captures

Mobile, AlabamaGeneral Wilkinson effortlessly captures Mobile in a fight against an army with merely 100 soldiers

April 27 Americans Capture York

(Toronto) Immigrants began to arrive in Upper Canada and at York from across the Atlantic in significant numbers. American force invaded and burned York (present day Toronto) the capital of Upper Canada. A powder magazine blew up, killing the American General Pike. Major-General Sheaffe led his regulars back through York and on to Kingston, leaving the York militia, the natives and the citizens of the village in American hands. The Americans took the town and stayed four days, burning several important buildings including the Parliament Buildings.

May of 1813 May 1 Seige of Fort Meigs

Fort Meigs was a large fort built by the army of General William Henry Harrision. British troops and Indian warriors attacked the fort in 1813.

May 27 Americans Capture Fort

George The French erected a fort in 1613; however, the first permanent settlement was made by England in 1760. The British occupied the town during the American Revolution after defeating the American Navy. After securing the town, the British constructed Fort George.

 

May of 1813 Continued… May 29 British Forces Defeated at Sackett's Harbor

To retaliate for the capture of York, Sir George Prevost conceived the design of attacking Sackett's Harbor. This idea was inspired by visit to Kingston, where he heard that General Dearborn had withdrawn most of the stronghold to assist in the mission against Fort George. On the 27th of May, 1813, Prevost began his plan, leading nearly a thousand men embarked in small boats. It was his intention to reach Sackett's Harbor in the night, and at daybreak to assault and carry the place by surprise.

June of 1813 June 1 The Shannon Defeats the

Chesapeake The ensuing battle was the finest single-ship action in the age of sail. Captain James Lawrence, the new commander of the Chesapeake, was confident in the ability of his veteran crew, but had reckoned without British Captain Philip and the Shannon. The unequalled ferocity left 148 American and 83 English sailors killed or wounded. All the Chesapeake’s officers were casualties and Lawrence died of his wounds three days later.

June 6 American Detachment

Defeated at Stoney Creek In the battle, a British and Canadian force of 700 under General John Vincent defeated an American force three times its size under General William Winder and General John Chandler, prompting an American withdrawal from the Niagara Peninsula.

August of 1813 August 1 Fort Stephenson Prevails

over British Attack During the summer of 1813, Major George Croghan successfully defended several attacks on US Fort Stephenson from British Soldiers and Native Americans; including Tecumseh under the orders of British Colonel Proctor.

August 4 Perry's Fleet Enters Lake

Erie The victory, which made Perry a national hero, gave the United States control of Lake Erie and helped pave the way for Harrison's victory in the battle of the Thames River, in which Perry participated. After the war, he served as a captain in the Mediterranean.

August of 1813 Continued…

August 5 Decatur vs. Dominica

Off the southern U.s. coast, Captain Dominique Diron, U.S. French privateer schooner Decatur, betrothed Dominica, the British schooner. The wounded British commander refused to surrender, therefore, he got slaughtered and his troops had to haul down the colors.  

August 14 Capture of the USS Brig

Argus by HMS Brig Pelican Pelican captured the American brig that had been raiding round the British coast in John Paul Jones-like audacity during an engagement off St. David's Head of South Wales. Lieutenant Henry, the commander of Argus, lost a leg and died the following day.

August of 1813 Continued…

August 30 Fort Mims Massacre

A huge force of young Creek Indians went on the warpath to retaliate an ambush by American white settlers and to recuperate Indian lands taken by the whites. On August 30, 1813, the Creek under William Weatherford made a surprise raid on Fort Mims, a temporary fortification at the confluence of the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers in lower Alabama. Despite Weatherford's calls for restraint, the Indians massacred some 500 whites, causing a concerted effort by US militiamen to seek revenge and crush the Creek nation. 

September of 1813 September 10 Battle of Lake Erie

The Battle of Lake Erie was fought among nine ships of the United States Navy and six vessels of Great Britain. This crucial triumph of the Americans over the British fleet ensured American power of the lake and the North-Western Territory. Subsequent to the defeats in the Great Lakes Theater, opened supply lines and American morales were improved.  

Septembmer 28 Harrison Lands in

Canada General Harrison brings his troops to Canada in hopes of reclaiming what was lost to the United States.

October of 1813 October 5 Battle of the Thames 

After the British were driven from Detroit, Harrison followed their retreating army into Ontario and up the Thames River until General Procter was forced to give battle. A cavalry charge broke the British ranks, and the Native Americans offered the only real resistance. Proctor was later court-martialed for cowardice. The victory marked the end of Tecumseh's native alliance, and led to the re-establishment of American control over the Northwest frontier.

Octover 26 Battle of Chateaugay

American General Wayne invades Canada while general Hampton advances down the Chateaugay River against defenses established by General Prevost. The Canadian militia, led by Colonel Salaberry, forces Hampton to withdraw and later resign his post.

November of 1813

November 29 Battle of Autosse

General John Floyd with approximately 1000 men raids the village of Autosse, killing 200 Native Americans and destroying their dwellings.

August of 1814 August 24 Battle of Bladensburg

British General Robert Ross flees in this battle against the American troops under Brigadier General Winder and went on to occupy Washington, D.C.

August 25 British occupation of

Washington, D.C.Ross occupied the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. for two days. During this time, the public buildings, including the Capitol and White House were burned, before the British retreated to their ships on the Patuxent, leaving in the early hours of August 26.

September of 1814 September 12 Battle of North Point

Major General Robert Ross was killed after disembarking at North Point, east of Baltimore. In the battle that followed Ross's mortal wounding, the British under Colonel Arthur Brooke won against Brigadier General John Stricker's militia but at a heavy loss, and they advanced on Baltimore the following morning.

September 13-14 Battle of Baltimore. 

The Star Spangled Banner is written by Francis Scott Key. The British forces are stopped by a determined defense along the road to Baltimore. Unlike on the road to Washington, these American forces do not break. In Baltimore Harbor, they withstood a British bombardment unscathed.

September of 1814 continued…

September 24 Battle of Plattsburgh

(Lake Champlain)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. The US secures its northern border with the huge victory over the larger British force.

September 26 General Armstrong

captured by BritishDuring the battle at Lake Champlain, General Armstrong is abducted by the British.

How it Ended…

Treaty of Peace and Amity between Britain and the United States of America, concludes at Ghent with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814; Ratification was advised by the Senate on February 16, 1815; it was ratified by President and exchanged at Washington on February 17, 1815; and it was finally proclaimed the next day.