Canadian Border Campaigns — 1811-14 Naval Battles — 1898
Chesapeake Campaign — 1899-1902 Creek Indian War — 1899-1902
![]() |
The war itself went badly at first for the Americans, and revealed many weaknesses in the U.S. armed forces. Fortunately for the United States, Britain was so occupied with the Napoleonic War in Europe that it could spare very few forces to aid the Canadians. Unfortunately for the United States, Tecumseh, the most important Indian leader in the Northwest Territories joined forces with the British against the United States and did great service to them. Likewise, an ongoing War with the Creek Nation in the south occurred at the during the War of 1812 and some of its leaders made an alliance with Britain.
The war was fought on several fronts, the most important being the Canadian border. There were also several inconclusive Naval battles on the Atlantic, and the 'Chesapeake Campaign' wherein the British marched on Washington and Baltimore and burned the White House. Finally, a creek war in the southwest evolved into British invasion of the Mississippi which culminated in the battle of New Orleans. The net result of all the fighting was for naught. The terms of the peace treaty were simply to return to ante bellum conditions. The causes which inspired the war did not exist after Britain defeated Napoleon and commerce returned to a peaceful footing.
![]() |
The War on the Canadian Border was fought on three fronts, one was the Detroit campaign, under Colonel Proctor and Tecumseh, fought mostly by Northwest Indians who opposed the American settlement of the Ohio valley. Another was the Niagara front led by General Brock, who pushed the war into American territory. There were also several battles fought around the Lake Champlain region. Most of the early battles on the Canadian Front were won by the British, but the naval victory of Oliver Hazard Perry which resulted in American control of Lake Erie, was more important than any number of losses by land because it deprived the British of the ability to sustain the 'Detroit' front of the war. It also helped the American cause a great deal when Britain's Indian allies withdrew from the conflict after the death of their leader Tecumseh.
Date | Battle Summary | |
---|---|---|
Battle of Tippecanoe
(Detroit )
Americans victory
Fought November 7, 1811 between 1000 American militiamen and settlers under William Henry Harrison, and a large number of natives under Tenskwatawa, the brother of Tecumseh. Harrison intended to force the Indian to move their settlement at 'Prophetstown' out of the area, but he was attacked by the Indians, in spite of orders by Tecumseh to avoid aggressive attacks. The battle itself was inconclusive but the Americans succeeded in driving the Indians out of the region. Shortly after, Tecumseh allied with the British during the War of 1812. | ||
Battle of Lake Erie
(Detroit )
Americans victory
Fought September 10, 1813, between the English flotilla of six schooners, under Commodore Barclay, and a largely superior American squadron, under Commodore Perry. The whole British flotilla was destroyed, with a loss of 134 killed and wounded. The Americans lost 27 killed and 96 wounded. | ||
Battle of Thames (Naval )
Americans victory
Fought October 5, 1813 between 1,300 British and Indian forces under the command of Colonel Proctor and Tecumseh, who was killed in battle, and 3,500 Americans under William Henry Harrison, shortly after the Americans took control of Lake Erie. The British were decisively defeated and the Americans assumed control of the Northwest Territories. |
Shawnee Hero. Tried to unify tribes against the colonists. Fought for Britain during War of 1812. | |
War hero of Tippecanoe and the War of 1812, and briefly, President of the United States. | |
British General who served with Tecumseh in the War of 1812. | |
Naval Hero, commander of American forces at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. | |
Brother of Tecumseh that led a troop of Indians against the a U.S. Army at Tippecanoe in defiance of his brothers advice. | |
Tecumseh and the War of 1812 in | Indian History for Young Folks by Francis S. Drake |
Tecumseh in | America First—100 Stories from Our History by Lawton B. Evans |
Madison—The Shooting Star and the Prophet in | This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall |
Harrison—The Hero of Tippecanoe in | This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall |
Tecumseh in | Four American Indians by Frances M. Perry |
Tippecanoe and Tyler Too in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Tippecanoe in | Boys' Book of Border Battles by Edwin L. Sabin |
Voice from the Open Door in | Boy's Book of Indian Warriors by Edwin L. Sabin |
Brigadier General Tecumseh in | Boy's Book of Indian Warriors by Edwin L. Sabin |
Date | Battle Summary | |
---|---|---|
Battle of Queenston Heights (Niagra )
British victory
Fought October 13, 1812, between 4,000 British (chiefly Canadian volunteers), under General Brock, and about 5,000 Americans, under Van Reusselaer. The Americans attacked the British position on Queenston Heights, and after very severe fighting, were totally defeated. The exact losses are unknown, but the British took 1,000 prisoners, and the American column was practically annihilated. | ||
Battle of Burlington Heights (Niagra )
British victory
Fought May 5, 1813, when the British under Colonel Procter were attacked by 1,300 Americans under General Clay, while engaged with another American force holding Burlington Heights. The Americans broke the British line and seized their guns, but Procter, who had only 1,000 men, with some Indian auxiliaries, rallied his troops and routed Clay, with a loss of nearly I,000 killed, wounded and captured. | ||
Battle of Chrystlers Farm (Champlain )
British victory
Fought November 11, 1813, between 800 British under Colonel Morrison, and about 3,000 Americans under General Boyd. The Americans were defeated with a loss of 249 killed and wounded and 100 prisoners. The British lost 203. | ||
Battle of Châteauguay (Chesapeake )
British victory
Fought 1813, between the Americans, 7,000 strong, under General Hampton, and a force of Canadian Militia, far inferior in numbers, who were strongly posted near Chateauguay. The Americans attempted to storm the Canadian lines, but the Canadians made a most gallant defense, and repulsed them with heavy loss. | ||
Battle of Black Rock (Niagra )
British victory
Fought 1814, between 1,400 British troops under General Riall, and a force of 2,000 American Indians, occupying a strong position at Black Rock. The British stormed the entrenchments and dispersed the enemy, following up their success by the seizure of Buffalo. | ||
Battle of Chippewa (Niagra )
Americans victory
Fought July 6, 1814, between 4,000 Americans under General Jacob Brown, and 2,400 British, 1,500 being regulars, under General Riall. Riall attacked Brown in a strong position at Chippewa, and was repulsed with considerable loss. | ||
Battle of Lundy's Lane (Batavian Revolt )
British victory
Fought July 25, 1814, between 5,000 Americans, under General Jacob Brown, and 3,000 British, under Sir George Drummond. Drummound occupied high ground on each side of Lundy's Lane, where he was attacked by the Americans. The fighting lasted till far into the night, when a final assault was repulsed, and the Americans retired to Chippewa with a loss of 858. The British lost 878. |
Commander of Canadian forces during the War of 1812. Won early victories, but killed at Queenston Heights. | |
Heir to one of the largest fortunes in the United States, governor of New York, and military Hero. | |
During War of 1812, warned a British Lieutenant of an impending surprise attack. | |
Commander of the United States army during the War of 1812, in the New York region. |
Perry's Victory on Lake Erie in | Boys' Book of Sea Fights by Chelsea Curtis Fraser |
The War of 1812 in | Story of the Great Republic by H. A. Guerber |
Story of Laura Secord in | Our Empire Story by H. E. Marshall |
War of 1812 in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Hull's Surrender of Detroit in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Lucky Shot in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Story of Sackett's Harbor in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Commodore Perry in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Remember the River Raisin in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Oliver Hazard Perry in | Twelve Naval Captains by Molly Elliot Seawell |
![]() |
Date | Battle Summary | |
---|---|---|
Battle of Constitution and Guerriere
(Naval )
Americans victory
A famous frigate action, fought August 19, 1812 between the British frigate HMS Guerriere of 49 Guns, under Captain James Dacres and the USS Constitution under Isaac Hull, shortly after the outbreak of hostilities between the two nations. After a furious battle, the Guerriere surrendered. Although of no strategic value, the early victory by American forces boosted morale among Americans considerably. | ||
Battle of Shannon and Chesapeake (Niagra )
British victory
A famous frigate action, fought May 29, 1813, between the British frigate Shannon, of 38 guns, commanded by Captain Broke, and the American frigate Chesapeake, also of 38 guns, under Captain John Lawrence. The Chesapeake sailed out of Boston Harbour to attack the Shannon, and after a brisk action was taken by the board by the British. The Shannon lost 4 officers and 21 men killed, and 3 officers and 56 men wounded; the Chesapeake, 8 officers and 39 men killed, and 9 officers and 106 men wounded. Captain Lawrence was killed and Captain Broke wounded. |
Commander of the USS Constitution during the War of 1812. | |
Naval Hero noted for his exploits during the war Barbary War, and also the War of 1812. |
Don't Give up the Ship in | Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans by Edward Eggleston |
Old Ironsides in | America First—100 Stories from Our History by Lawton B. Evans |
Constitution and the Guerriere in | Boys' Book of Sea Fights by Chelsea Curtis Fraser |
Don't Give Up the Ship in | Story of the Great Republic by H. A. Guerber |
Madison—War with Great Britain in | This Country of Ours by H. E. Marshall |
Constitution and the Guerriere in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Old Ironsides in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Wasp and the Frolic in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Young Hero in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Adventure of the Ship President in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Story of Stonington in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Shannon and the Chesapeake in | The Struggle for Sea Power by M. B. Synge |
Towards the end of the war, the British managed to enter Chesapeake bay and
attack both Washington D.C. and Baltimore. In both cities state buildings were
damaged, including the White House and Library of Congress, but the cities were
not occupied, and the strategic objective appeared to be to bring a quick close
to the war. This objective was obtained. A peace treaty was signed by the
end of the year returning all prisoners and conquered territories to the condition
the were before the war began. Since Britain was no longer at war with France
many of the grievances America had with her were no longer relevant.
Date | Battle Summary | |
---|---|---|
Battle of Bladensburg (Chesapeake )
British victory
Fought August 24, 1814, between the British under General Ross, and the Americans under General Winder, who was opposing the British advance upon Washington, and had taken up a position which commanded the only bridge over the Potomac. Ross attacked with a portion of his force, under Thornton, and, having carried the bridge, a combined assault upon the main position resulted in a signal defeat of the American army, which broke and fled. Ross entered Washington the same evening. | ||
Battle of Baltimore (Creek War )
British victory
This city was attacked September 11, 1814, by a British fleet of ten sail, under Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane, and a land force of 3,270 under General Ross, who fell during the action. The Americans, 17,000 strong, under General Winder, were defeated, but the British retired on the evening of the 13th. The British lost 46 killed and 300 wounded, the Americans, 20 killed, 90 wounded, and 200 prisoners. |
British general who led the Chesapeake campaing in the War of 1812. Burned the White House. Died at Baltimore. | |
Wrote the National Athem while imprisoned on a British ship during the Battle of Baltimore. |
The Star-Spangled Banner in | Story of the Great Republic by H. A. Guerber |
![]() |
The battle of New Orleans was actually fought after peace had been declared, unbeknownst to any of the warring parties. Like most of the other American victories in this war, it was of little strategic importance, but an important moral booster, since showing the ability to 'stand up to Britain' was critical for any country that did not want to be pushed around by the imperial giant. The net result of the Creek Wars was the transfer of a great deal of creek territory to the United States Government, and an American foothold in Florida.
Date | Battle Summary | |
---|---|---|
Siege of New Orleans
(Detroit )
Americans victory
This city, held by a garrison of 12,000 Americans, under General Jackson, was attacked December, 1814, by a British force of 6,000 men, under General Keane, aided by the fleet. On the 13th the American warships, lying in the Mississippi, were captured by a boat attack, and by the 21st the whole of the troops were disembarked. After a few skirmishes, Sir Edward Pakenham, arrived and took command on the 25th, and on January 1, 1815, a determined attack was made upon the American position. This failed, and owing to difficulties as to supplies, the British retired. On the 7th a final assault took place, but the assailants were again repulsed, with a loss of 1,500, including Pakenham, and the expedition then withdrew. At the time of the action peace had already been concluded, though of course neither party was aware of the fact. |
Hero of the Battle of New Orleans, President of U.S., and founder of Democratic Party. |
Book Links |
---|
War with the Creek Nation in | Indian History for Young Folks by Francis S. Drake |
Old Hickory in | America First—100 Stories from Our History by Lawton B. Evans |
How Old Hickory Fought the Creeks in | Historical Tales: American II by Charles Morris |
End of the War in | American History Stories, Volume III by Mara L. Pratt |
Old Fort Mims the Foolish in | Boys' Book of Border Battles by Edwin L. Sabin |
Red Sticks at Horseshoe Bend in | Boy's Book of Indian Warriors by Edwin L. Sabin |
Image Links | ||
---|---|---|
![]() Captain Porter and Young Farragut arrive at the Essex in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() The boatswain's mate discourses upon the war in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() The young midshipman discovers a man-o-war in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() The Essex and squadron at Nukahiva in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() The Essex cuts out the bark in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() Capturing the Alert in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() Diagram showing the cruise of the Essex in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() 'We have started both our anchors, Captain Porter.' in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() The Phoebe and Cherub attacking the Essex in Midshipman Farragut |
![]() Appearance of the Thames battle-ground in 1860 in Indian History for Young Folks |
![]() Battle of the Thames in Indian History for Young Folks |
Lake Erie in A First Book in American History |
![]() Jackson and the British Officer in A First Book in American History |
![]() Weatherford Surrenders to General Jackson in A First Book in American History |
![]() At the battle of New Orleans in A First Book in American History |
![]() The Guerriere was a helpless hulk in the water in America First—100 Stories from Our History |
![]() Battle Map: Lake Erie in Boys' Book of Sea Fights |
![]() Battle of Erie in Boys' Book of Sea Fights |
![]() Battle Map: Constitution vs. Guerriere in Boys' Book of Sea Fights |
![]() Action between the Constitution and the Guerriere in Boys' Book of Sea Fights |
![]() Wasp and the Reindeer in Boys' Book of Sea Fights |
![]() Launch of an English Man-of-War in 1812 in The Hanoverians |
![]() The Battle of New Orleans in The Hanoverians |
![]() The Constitution and the Guerriere in Story of the Great Republic |
![]() Don't give up the ship.' in Story of the Great Republic |
![]() Lundy's Lane in Story of the Great Republic |
![]() Battle of New Orleans in Story of the Great Republic |
![]() The bugles at Chateauguay in Canada: Peeps at History |
Tecumseh Defends the Whites at Fort Meigs in Back Matter |
![]() The massacre at Fort Dearborn in Back Matter |
The Defense of New Orleans in Back Matter |
![]() Where the Battle of Lake Erie Was Fought in Builders of Our Country: Book II |
![]() Perry Leaving the Lawrence in Builders of Our Country: Book II |
![]() Where the Battle of Plattsburg was Fought in Builders of Our Country: Book II |
![]() General Jackson keeping watch of the enemy from the roof of his headquarters in New Orleans in Builders of Our Country: Book II |