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War of 1812: Canadian-American Military Engagement Prior and During the Event
Petar Nikolic
NO312: Canadian-American Relations
Dr. Debra Nash-Chambers
Wilfrid Laurier University -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The affair was a military naval engagements between British warship HMS Leopard and the American frigate USS Chesapeake. Commander Salusbury Humphreys of the Royal Navy violently boarded the Chesapeake led by James Barron who was looking for British renegades. 3 Americans were killed and 18 Wounded. This engagement created an uproar that led up to the events of the War of 1812. Source: Tucker and Reuter, 1996. -
The Battle of Tippecanoe
This war was an American victory over the First Nation during Teumseh's War. The Old Northwest (north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi) witnessed many battles between the two sides. Sources claim that the British/Canadians aided the Aboriginals in resisting American settlement. Source: Grodzinski, 2011
Photo: Alonzo Chappel of Smithsonian Inst. -
British Capture Fort Michilimackinac
On July 17, 1812 Captain Charles Roberts let a 600-man British, Canadian and Aboriginal force. Recognizing the superior force, American commander Lieutenant Porter Hanks accepted the terms of surrender when Roberts' force had them flanked. source: Dunnigan, 2012 -
The Surrender of Detroit
Sir Isaac Brock marched up the road towards the fort with his men as Tecumseh swept north through the forest. Tecumseh marched his men three times through an opening in the forest to make his army look bigger. American Brigadier General William Hull and his 2188 men surrendered and lost 39 guns, a large store of shot, flint, powder, supplies and an unfinished ship. Source: Marsh, 2011 -
The Sacking of York
16 American ships under Commodore Isaac Chauncey arrived at the capital of Upper Canada. The Americans suppressed a small group of warriors defending the shore and easily took control of the city with 1700 men. Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe retreated and ordered all valuables to be destroyed. Americans then set fire to Parliament, Government House, several other buildings and the local printing press. Source: Lafferty, 2011 -
Battle of Beaver Dams
Laura Secord was a Quenston housewife who over heard talk regarding an upcoming American attack. She Trekked 30 Km toward Beaver Dams to warn the British as she played a very important role in their victory. American forces surrendered when they were ambushed by 400 aboriginal warriors (Caughnawaga and Mohawk). Source: Ridler, 2015 -
The Battle of Thames (Moravuantown)
Short on supplies Major General Henry Procter commanded all British and Canadian forces to retreat up the Thames river due to short supplies but decided to stand at Moraviantown. Tecumseh disagreed and his men were eager to remain put and fight the despised Americans. As the battle waged, Tecumseh was wounded and killed, along with chief Stiahta. Later, the Aboriginal will to resists Americans was depleted. Procter led a poor retreat and suffered a loss to Americans. Source: Ridler, 2011 -
Siege of Fort Erie
The siege was a British blockade of their own fort located at the entrance of the Niagara River opposite from Buffalo which the Americans have captured. Despite the unsuccessful British/Canadian, it prevented the last major invading American force of the war. Source: Zavits, 2011 -
Battle of Chippawa
American Major-General Jacob Brown sent 500 Pennsylvania militia and warriors to clear the skirmishers from the wood-line. For the first time in the war, American regulars had defeated an equally sized British/Canadian force in an open battle. British casualties were 148 dead, 321 wounded and 46 missing. American casualties include 58 dead, 241 wounded and 19 missing. Source: Grodzinski, "Battle Of Chippawa." 1985 -
Battle of Lundy's Lane
Major General Jacob Brown invaded Upper Canada across the Niagara River and seized Fort Erie with over 3500 men camping at Chippawa. on the 25th, Brigadier General Winfield Scott led his 1000 men of British, Canadian and Aboriginals along the portage Road towards the intersection of Lundy's lane 2 KM of the falls at Niagara. With 900 casualties on each side, Lundy's Lane was one of the most important battles of the war, for it stopped American advance to Upper Canada. Source: Turner, 2011 -
The Burning of Washington
Frustrated by the American damages, Sir George Prevost instructed his men to retaliate. The British moved through the poorly distributed American troops of 7000 men with surprising ease. While most private residents were left alone, the White House, the Capitol building (including the Library of Congress), the treasury building, and the navy yard were all in flames before the British left the following day. Source: Lafferty, 2011
