Hey all, this is my first timeline on the board so please be gentle. I'm going to try and get an update per week.
The War of 1812, a war between the United States and the British Empire (as well as Britain’s Indian allies) lasted from June 18, 1812 to March 10, 1815.
It began, as all wars do, due to a myriad of reasons. In the shadow of the larger Napoleonic Wars in Europe were the issues of impressment of Americans into the Royal Navy (virtual kidnapping in many cases), the punitive trade decrees by Britain (as well as France), intrigues in Florida and Britain’s willingness to provide gifts and arms to the Indians in the old Northwest. The annexation of Canada isn’t technically on the table, but if the war goes well the Americans will likely ask for it.
Both sides were woefully unprepared for war. Even though both sides had been busy recruiting… neither side has much to show for it. In British North America Prevost stated that ‘our numbers would not justify offensive operations being taken’ but the mode of conducting the war was suited only to existing circumstances, ‘as they change, so we must vary our line of conduct, adapting it to our means of preserving entire the King’s Provinces’. This contradictory statement it would seem, would contain the entire of British strategy in the summer of 1812.
The first sign of the American invasion would be on July 12th when the American General Hull crossed the Detroit River and occupied the village of Sandwich. He would do nothing there (except give a small speech) until July 14th when he decided to further wait until the heavy guns can be brought across the river to attack Fort Malden. By July 22nd he still had nothing to show for his invasion except for the fact that new carriages would need to be constructed for the 24 lb cannons and mortars in order to cross the river, this would take a further two weeks. His plans will be further interrupted when he hears of the fall of Fort Mackinac.
The British Captain Charles Roberts had received word of war on July 8th indicating that he was to prepare for immediate invasion of Fort Joseph (the most westerly fort of British North America) or, if he were able to seize Mackinac Island from the Americans. On July 16th he mustered a small force of 45 soldiers from the 10th Royal Veterans, 180 fur traders and some 400 Indians and set about for the 50 mile journey to the island. It arrived the next day and forced the capitulation of the local commander, Captain Roberts, with the understanding that none of his men would be harmed.
Isaac Brock, on hearing of Hull’s invasion decided to shift some of his forces from the Niagara border to Western reaches of Upper Canada to confront Hull. On August 6th, Hull would hold another council of war in which it was voted to attack immediately. Upon hearing news of Brock’s arrival 2 days later his mind is changed and he elected to cross the Detroit River and retreat to Fort Detroit. Brock’s small army of 700 men (300 regulars and 400 militia) then cross the Detroit River and follow Hull to Detroit. “It is far from my intention to join a war of extermination,” states Brock in a letter to Hull, “but you must be aware, that the numerous bodies of Indians who have attached themselves to my troops will be beyond control the moment the contest commences“. Hull believed his position to be precarious and worried about the fate of his soldiers and the local civilians should a battle ensue. With this in mind, he decided to surrender to Brock on the 16th. Brock would find good use for the 33 artillery pieces and 2,500 muskets in the battles to come. 1,500 of the Ohio volunteers would be sent home while Hull and 532 regulars would begin the long trek to Quebec City where there were facilities to accommodate that many captives. Lastly, the brig Adams, was seized by the Provincial Marine and renamed Detroit.
While this was happening in Detroit, on July 19th on the surface of Lake Ontario, Prevost’s policy of non-aggression was being pushed again. Early on the 19th, Master Commandant Melanchthon Taylor Woolsey observed a force of 5 ships approaching Sackets Harbor. Four of the ships were identified as belonging to the Provincial Marine (Earl of Moira, Prince Regent, Royal George, Duke of Gloucester), the 5th was never identified. Woolsey attempted to separate one or two of them from the others and give battle but the British closed together and forced Woolsey to retreat this brig, the Oneida, to Black River Bay. From there he attempted to remove the 8 cannonade from the starboard side and get them to shore for installation in the battery above the shipyard. The breeze picks up [POD] and the four ships advance. The four ships fire is clumsy and ill timed (showing the lack of training amongst the Provincial Marine), but the 328 pounds of shot from the ships can only be replied with by 192 pounds from the Oneida. Before he can get the cannons installed in the Fort (now called Fort Tompkins), the Oneida is silenced. By this point word reaches Woolsey on shore that the fifth ship came bearing news that if the Oneida and Lord Nelson (recently captured from the British) were not surrendered, the village would be burned. Woolsey would surrender the two ships later that day as well as significant stores kept in the village. The British Commander, Hugh Earle, did have ground troops (some 100 soldiers), but elected not to occupy the town with his already underequipped squadron.
The battle did add two ships to the Provincial Marine, but the cost was high. The Earl of Moira, already suffering heavily from rot was now barely seaworthy. The Duke of Gloucester was little better off. Hugh Earl’s small force had gained two ships to his squadron, but almost lost one in the process. The crew themselves were little better. Prevost’s confidence in the Provincial Marine was badly shaken after the ordeal and a large effort was made to increase the readiness and efficiency of the men in the organization. Before the war, it was stated that “The officers serving in this division of the Province are in some instances extremely inefficient and, in short, totally unfit for the situations they hold.” This would only be exacerbated with the addition of two new vessels.
Within three weeks, the entire western theater had shifted in favour of Britain.
Thoughts? Questions? Comments? Concerns?
The War of 1812, a war between the United States and the British Empire (as well as Britain’s Indian allies) lasted from June 18, 1812 to March 10, 1815.
It began, as all wars do, due to a myriad of reasons. In the shadow of the larger Napoleonic Wars in Europe were the issues of impressment of Americans into the Royal Navy (virtual kidnapping in many cases), the punitive trade decrees by Britain (as well as France), intrigues in Florida and Britain’s willingness to provide gifts and arms to the Indians in the old Northwest. The annexation of Canada isn’t technically on the table, but if the war goes well the Americans will likely ask for it.
Both sides were woefully unprepared for war. Even though both sides had been busy recruiting… neither side has much to show for it. In British North America Prevost stated that ‘our numbers would not justify offensive operations being taken’ but the mode of conducting the war was suited only to existing circumstances, ‘as they change, so we must vary our line of conduct, adapting it to our means of preserving entire the King’s Provinces’. This contradictory statement it would seem, would contain the entire of British strategy in the summer of 1812.
The first sign of the American invasion would be on July 12th when the American General Hull crossed the Detroit River and occupied the village of Sandwich. He would do nothing there (except give a small speech) until July 14th when he decided to further wait until the heavy guns can be brought across the river to attack Fort Malden. By July 22nd he still had nothing to show for his invasion except for the fact that new carriages would need to be constructed for the 24 lb cannons and mortars in order to cross the river, this would take a further two weeks. His plans will be further interrupted when he hears of the fall of Fort Mackinac.
The British Captain Charles Roberts had received word of war on July 8th indicating that he was to prepare for immediate invasion of Fort Joseph (the most westerly fort of British North America) or, if he were able to seize Mackinac Island from the Americans. On July 16th he mustered a small force of 45 soldiers from the 10th Royal Veterans, 180 fur traders and some 400 Indians and set about for the 50 mile journey to the island. It arrived the next day and forced the capitulation of the local commander, Captain Roberts, with the understanding that none of his men would be harmed.
Isaac Brock, on hearing of Hull’s invasion decided to shift some of his forces from the Niagara border to Western reaches of Upper Canada to confront Hull. On August 6th, Hull would hold another council of war in which it was voted to attack immediately. Upon hearing news of Brock’s arrival 2 days later his mind is changed and he elected to cross the Detroit River and retreat to Fort Detroit. Brock’s small army of 700 men (300 regulars and 400 militia) then cross the Detroit River and follow Hull to Detroit. “It is far from my intention to join a war of extermination,” states Brock in a letter to Hull, “but you must be aware, that the numerous bodies of Indians who have attached themselves to my troops will be beyond control the moment the contest commences“. Hull believed his position to be precarious and worried about the fate of his soldiers and the local civilians should a battle ensue. With this in mind, he decided to surrender to Brock on the 16th. Brock would find good use for the 33 artillery pieces and 2,500 muskets in the battles to come. 1,500 of the Ohio volunteers would be sent home while Hull and 532 regulars would begin the long trek to Quebec City where there were facilities to accommodate that many captives. Lastly, the brig Adams, was seized by the Provincial Marine and renamed Detroit.
While this was happening in Detroit, on July 19th on the surface of Lake Ontario, Prevost’s policy of non-aggression was being pushed again. Early on the 19th, Master Commandant Melanchthon Taylor Woolsey observed a force of 5 ships approaching Sackets Harbor. Four of the ships were identified as belonging to the Provincial Marine (Earl of Moira, Prince Regent, Royal George, Duke of Gloucester), the 5th was never identified. Woolsey attempted to separate one or two of them from the others and give battle but the British closed together and forced Woolsey to retreat this brig, the Oneida, to Black River Bay. From there he attempted to remove the 8 cannonade from the starboard side and get them to shore for installation in the battery above the shipyard. The breeze picks up [POD] and the four ships advance. The four ships fire is clumsy and ill timed (showing the lack of training amongst the Provincial Marine), but the 328 pounds of shot from the ships can only be replied with by 192 pounds from the Oneida. Before he can get the cannons installed in the Fort (now called Fort Tompkins), the Oneida is silenced. By this point word reaches Woolsey on shore that the fifth ship came bearing news that if the Oneida and Lord Nelson (recently captured from the British) were not surrendered, the village would be burned. Woolsey would surrender the two ships later that day as well as significant stores kept in the village. The British Commander, Hugh Earle, did have ground troops (some 100 soldiers), but elected not to occupy the town with his already underequipped squadron.
The battle did add two ships to the Provincial Marine, but the cost was high. The Earl of Moira, already suffering heavily from rot was now barely seaworthy. The Duke of Gloucester was little better off. Hugh Earl’s small force had gained two ships to his squadron, but almost lost one in the process. The crew themselves were little better. Prevost’s confidence in the Provincial Marine was badly shaken after the ordeal and a large effort was made to increase the readiness and efficiency of the men in the organization. Before the war, it was stated that “The officers serving in this division of the Province are in some instances extremely inefficient and, in short, totally unfit for the situations they hold.” This would only be exacerbated with the addition of two new vessels.
Within three weeks, the entire western theater had shifted in favour of Britain.
Thoughts? Questions? Comments? Concerns?
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