1812 Lawson Project

In 1812, according to census information, the population of the United States was around 7 240 000. The population of the British colonies of Upper and Lower Canada was approximately 6807. This showed a huge advantage on the American side, making it look easier to take Canada. They had another advantage because the British were already fighting another war across the sea, delaying the British from helping their forces in Canada, but it was harder than walking and claiming it as their own. The Americans had poorly trained troops, they were disorganized, their troops didn't want to cross the border and they had to defeat the, 1^st, 6^th, 8^th, 41^st, 89^th, 93^rd, 95^th, Meuon and Waterville Regular Regiments. These were well-trained, regular British career soldiers.

In addition to the Regular Regiments, the Americans had to get through the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencables, Canadian Regiment of Fencables, Glengarry Light Infantry, Canadian Corps of Voyageurs, Battalion of Incorporated Militia, Kent Militia Rifle Company, Royal Marines, Hamilton Ships company, HMS Detroit, HMS Endeavour and the Natives such as the Shawnee, Fox, Sauk and the Creek Native groups.

The first person to die in the War of 1812, after the signing of the declaration of war, died at Canard River, July 16, 1812.

The capture of Fort Mackinac, July 17 1812, was an easy win for the British; it was also the first recognized military act. The Americans were unsuspecting of the British assault. Lieutenant Hanks and his men were waking up to find that the whole fort was swarming with British troops and that the villagers were all taken hostage. Hanks gave up the fort not just because his troops were outnumbered but it was also because of his fear of Natives. Later Lieutenant Hanks and his men got shipped off to America to be paroled, while the remaining inhabitants were made to swear allegiance to King George the III, thus becoming British subjects.

The Battle of Queenston Heights, October 13, 1812, was a good day for the Americans and the British. Although the British lost an important commander, General Isaac Brock, to an American sniper, the British still succeeded in taking the Heights when British Major General Robert Hale Sheaffe arrived with reinforcements from Fort George and ordered an attack.

Almost a year after the Battle of Queenston Heights, Tecumseh died at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. General William Henry Harrison led an army of 3500 troops against a force of 700 British soldiers and 1000 Native warriors along the Thames River at Moravian town. The Americans had a great victory. The British either fled or surrendered and the Native leader, Tecumseh, had been killed, but not all hope was lost. Two great leaders and friends had been killed (General Isaac Brock October 13, 1812, Tecumseh October 5, 1813).

The Battle of Baltimore (Fort McHenry), September13-14, 1814, was a memorable date for the Americans because Francis Scott Key wrote their national anthem, The Star Spangled Banner.

Francis Scott Key a 35-year-old poet-lawyer, put these significant words to a British drinking tune, while captive on a British ship. Key had seen the next morning that Fort McHenry’s flag was still flying by the dawn’s early light letting Francis know that his fellows hadn’t given up the fort.

Star Spangled Banner

The Battle of the Longwoods, March 4^th, 1814, was the date of yet another loss for the British. The Americans got the upper hand in this battle, not to mention the upper half of the snowy and icy hill. The British had about 300 men in total. Regiments of the British included The Royal Scots Light Infantry 1^stregiment of foot (that’s Paul’s re-enacting group, go Royal Scots), the 89^th light infantry, a group of Kent Militia, a company of Rangers and some Native warriors. The Americans had tripled the amount of troops and pelted the British troops while staying on their hill behind a quickly constructed abitis of logs and branches.

The capture of HMS Caledonia and Detroit, December 9, 1812, these two British vessels anchored under the fire of Fort Erie, was a blow to the British and a great coup for the Americans. The HMS Caledonia, a small schooner witch had been pressed into service after the capture of Fort Mackinac and the HMS Detroit, the former American brig Adams which was captured by Brock at the Battle of Detroit. American Lieutenant Jesse D. Elliot was very determined to capture these two British Vessels and add them to his own force across the river. Using some sailors that had arrived just in time and other drafts of his army, Lieutenant Elliot had around one hundred men to pull off this score.

The signing of the Treaty of Ghent

December 26, 1814 wasthe date of which the first treaty was created for stopping the war. One of the people that signed the treaty was the future president of the United States John Quincy Adams, son of the second President of the United States, John Adams.