Many Federalists-chiefly in the New England states-opposed an armed conflict with Great Britain, continued to trade with the British, and even met in convention to propose secession from the Union. Some members of the president's own Republican Party objected to the war's inevitable costs and questionable objectives, such as the conquest of Canada. To declare war was one thing, but to prosecute it successfully was a different matter. Much of the story of the War of 1812 is about the unpreparedness of America's Army and Navy at the conflict's outset, and the enormous difficulties the new nation faced in raising troops, finding competent officers, and supplying its forces. Most of America's military leaders were inexperienced and performed poorly, particularly in the first two years of war. Only gradually did better leaders rise to the top to command the more disciplined and well-trained units that America eventually fielded.
Book Description: The War of 1812 is perhaps the United States' least known conflict. Other than Andrew Jackson's 1815 victory at New Orleans and Francis Scott Key's poem "The Star-Spangled Banner" written in 1814 during the British attack on Baltimore, most Americans know little about the country's second major war. Its causes are still debated by historians today. Great Britain's impressment of American sailors, its seizure of American ships on the high seas, and suspected British encouragement of Indian opposition to further American settlement on the western frontier all contributed to America's decision to declare war against Great Britain in June 1812. None of these factors, however, adequately explain why President James Madison called for a war the country was ill-prepared to wage. Moreover, the war was quite unpopular from the start. Many Federalists-chiefly in the New England states-opposed an armed conflict with Great Britain, continued to trade with the British, and even met in convention to propose secession from the Union. Some members of the president's own Republican Party objected to the war's inevitable costs and questionable objectives, such as the conquest of Canada. To declare war was one thing, but to prosecute it successfully was a different matter. Much of the story of the War of 1812 is about the unpreparedness of America's Army and Navy at the conflict's outset, and the enormous difficulties the new nation faced in raising troops, finding competent officers, and supplying its forces. Most of America's military leaders were inexperienced and performed poorly, particularly in the first two years of war. Only gradually did better leaders rise to the top to command the more disciplined and well-trained units that America eventually fielded. But despite costly initial setbacks, by the time the fighting stopped American arms had won key victories at Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, and New Orleans under excellent officers such as Winfield Scott, Jacob Brown, and Andrew Jackson. Although the United States achieved few of its political objectives in the War of 1812, its Regular Army emerged more professional, better led, and fit to take its place as the foundation of America's national defenses. I encourage all Army leaders and soldiers to read this pamphlet and the others in our series of campaign pamphlets in commemoration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812. We can all profit from greater knowledge about the beginnings of our Army: an Army forged in victory and defeat during what has often been called the second war of American independence. --Introduction.
After a calamitous start to the war in 1812, made evident by the startling loss of Detroit and a bloody defeat at Queenston Heights, the United States opened the 1813 campaign season with a successful raid on York (modern Toronto). General Henry Dearborn followed up this achievement by taking Fort George on the Niagara River. However, victory eluded the Army with twin defeats at Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams. The two-pronged campaign to seize Montreal in the fall was likewise defeated at Chateauguay and Crysler's Farm. In the west, however, Army-Navy cooperation led to the recapture of Detroit. The war along the border with Canada in 1813 saw a string of bitter defeats punctuated by victory in the Old Northwest. Perhaps most importantly, the Army was recovering from its early mistakes and adapting to the challenges of war on the frontiers. Officers and soldiers were learning their trade and gaining valuable experience. The Canadian Theater, 1813 showcases these battles and leaders and sets them in the context of America's first foreign war.
The year 1814 would test whether the United States had learned enough from the disappointments of the past eighteen months to defeat the wave of British veterans that was about to reach North America. President Madison and his cabinet understood only too well that, if the United States was to win its war, victory would have to come quickly before the full might of Britain arrived on Americaís borders. To achieve this end, the Army would need to be stronger. Congress attempted to expand the size of the Army by raising the enlistment bonus from $40 to $124 and by increasing the authorized strength to 62,500 men. It also augmented the numbers of regimental officers and noncommissioned officers to give regimental commanders more recruiters. Despite these measures, Army strength rose only to approximately forty thousand men by the time active campaigning began in 1814. This brochure covers a number of battles, including Oswego, Sandy Creek, Chippewa, and Lundyís Lane, among others. This book may appeal to high school students, active duty, enlisted military, veterans, and War of 1812 enthusiasts.
The U.S. Army Campaigns of the War of 1812 (Illustrated Edition) presents a comprehensive exploration of a pivotal period in American history, woven together by the collective expertise of several distinguished historians and scholars affiliated with the Center of Military History. This anthology traverses the multifaceted military and political narratives that characterized the War of 1812, employing a rich variety of literary styles and analytical approaches. The collection stands out for its depth of research and the breadth of perspectives offered on the strategic, tactical, and human dimensions of the conflict, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of its complexities and consequences. The contributing authors, including John R. Maass, Steven J. Rauch, Richard V. Barbuto, Richard D. Blackmon, Charles P. Neimeyer, and Joseph F. Stoltz III, bring to the fore their extensive backgrounds in military history and scholarly research. Collectively, their work reflects a rigorous engagement with both primary sources and historiographical debates, situating the War of 1812 within broader historical, cultural, and literary movements. This collaborative effort enriches the anthology's narrative, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the war's multifaceted campaigns and their long-term implications on American and global history. The U.S. Army Campaigns of the War of 1812 (Illustrated Edition) is an essential resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of military history, offering a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the extensive and diverse analyses of the War of 1812. The anthology's integration of meticulous scholarship with accessible writing makes it particularly valuable for readers seeking to deepen their understanding of this period. It invites a renewed scholarly dialogue on the War of 1812, its legacies, and its lessons, underscoring the importance of multidisciplinary perspectives in enriching our historical consciousness.
After a calamitous start to the war in 1812, made evident by the startling loss of Detroit and a bloody defeat at Queenston Heights, the United States opened the 1813 campaign season with a successful raid on York (modern Toronto). General Henry Dearborn followed up this achievement by taking Fort George on the Niagara River. However, victory eluded the Army with twin defeats at Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams. The two-pronged campaign to seize Montreal in the fall was likewise defeated at Chateauguay and Crysler's Farm. In the west, however, Army-Navy cooperation led to the recapture of Detroit. The war along the border with Canada in 1813 saw a string of bitter defeats punctuated by victory in the Old Northwest. Perhaps most importantly, the Army was recovering from its early mistakes and adapting to the challenges of war on the frontiers. Officers and soldiers were learning their trade and gaining valuable experience. The Canadian Theater, 1813 showcases these battles and leaders and sets them in the context of America's first foreign war.
This commemorative brochure details the disappointing first campaigns of the War of 1812. Although the United States declared war on Great Britain, events soon illustrated that the nation, as well as the Army, were ill-prepared for the conflict. On the battlefield, the Army's training, logistical, and leadership deficiencies resulted in a series of embarrassing defeats. Despite these setbacks, the Army ended the year looking optimistically toward the next campaign season to restore its confidence and reputation. The Campaign of 1812 is the second brochure in The U.S. Army Campaigns of the War of 1812 series.
This analysis of the world war between Napoleon and the 6th coalition in 1813 covers operations in Europe, Spain and North America. It examines the differences between alliances and coalitions, comparing the long-term international relationships in alliances and the short-term union of coalitions.
John R. Grodzinski’s volume in the Routledge Research Guides to American Military Studies covers the origins of the War of 1812 - the major post-revolutionary conflict fought between the United States and the British Empire - providing a general overview of the significant battles that occurred at sea and in the area of the present-day Great Lakes and U.S.-Canadian border. The key features of this research guide are the bibliographical elements, namely lists of published books, articles, and on-line resources pertaining to the War of 1812, as well as references to archival resources available in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. The War of 1812 is a valuable supplementary resource for institutional libraries on both sides of the Atlantic.
