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Battle of River Raisin
Informed of a British force at Frenchtown while camped at the Maumee Rapids, U.S. Gen. James Winchester sent a contingent to capture the town. Col. William Lewis engaged the British, driving them from Frenchtown. British Col. Henry Procter returned and attacked. The Americans, at a disadvantage, put up a good fight. Winchester was captured and his command surrendered. Procter left behind the wounded. The next day, warriors returned to pillage and many of the wounded Americans were killed. -
Raid on Havre de Grace
A squadron of the British Royal Navy under Rear Admiral George Cockburn, who had vowed to destroy any town that showed resistance, attacked Havre de Grace, Maryland, at the mouth of the Susquehanna River. The townspeople and Maryland Militia showed resistance. But, the British defeated them and raided the town at will until withdrawing back to their warships. The admiral had not planned to attack, but when he saw an American flag flying over the town and the local battery fired shots, he did. -
Battle of Sackets Harbor
After American forces on Lake Ontario attacked a British shipyard at the small town of York (now Toronto), the British decided to launch their own raid on the main US shipyard. When the British heard that many of the American ships and soldiers had to attack a British fort, leaving Sackets Harbor open, they took the chance to strike. Fortunately for the Americans, winds prevented most of the British from the fight. But, the attack panicked Americans in the shipyard. -
Battle of Lake Erie
It was a major U.S. naval victory, ensuring control over Lake Erie and preventing any territorial cession in the Northwest to Great Britain in the peace settlement. The Americans' fleet of nine ships engaged six British warships in Lake Erie. After an American flagship was reduced to remains, men transferred to another ship and sailed directly into the British line, forcing its surrender. The loss of the British reversed the course of the northwest campaign and forced them to leave Detroit. -
Battle of Chippawa
After soldiers from infantry regiments and the army were trained to capacity, they saw success in Canada and set up camp in Ontario. The British thought that only a small force of insufficiently trained Americans took the fort, so they were in no rush to attack. When they did, seeing the Americans' grey uniforms, they were not worried at all because this signified American militiamen (or so they thought). The British expected an easy fight, but soon realized their mistake. Then the British fled. -
Battle of Bladensburg
This battle was fought in Maryland, and the British victory left Washington D.C. open to British invasion. The embarrassing defeat of American forces did lead to the British setting fire to public buildings and even the presidential mansion. -
Bombardment of Fort McHenry
After the veteran troops had been freed up after completing the war with Napoleon, the British strategy had turned offensive. The British intended to capture the port city of Baltimore, but the Americans had been preparing for it. The U.S. was victorious. Also, the Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key during this battle. -
Battle of Pensacola
The British occupied Pensacola (They borrowed it in an agreement with Spain, because Great Britain had helped them in their fight against Napoleon), trying to form a threatening force to lead a march on New Orleans, take the city from the Americans, and end the war. In the attack, Jackson commanded his infantry to charge through town, and the British battery was overwhelmed. In defeat, British troops fled and destroyed Fort San Carlos and powder magazine to make it useless as an American base. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans resulted from the British trying to take over New Orleans as a last effort. They believed the best strategy to win the war was to take over this important shipping port. -
Battle of the Sink Hole
It was fought after the official end of the War of 1812, between Missouri Rangers and Sauk Indians. It was completely unnecessary, but mostly happened because the Sauk had not received word from the British that the Treaty of Ghent had ended the war.
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