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.

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 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.

"During the War of 1812 the U.S. Navy came of age. In fleet actions on the lakes and single ship engagements at sea, American men of war defeated Royal Navy ships of similar force. Naval officers such as Isaac Hull, Stephen Decatur, Oliver H. Perry, David Porter and Thomas Macdonough became heroes, and their ships, Constitution, United States, Niagara, Essex, and Saratoga, symbols for an American public proud of its navy. The three volumes will again call to mind the famous naval actions and events of our second war of independence with Great Britain"--Introduction.

When war broke out between Great Britain and the United States in 1812, Sir George Prevost, captain general and governor in chief of British North America, was responsible for defending a group of North American colonies that stretched as far as the distance from Paris to Moscow. He also commanded one of the largest British overseas forces during the Napoleonic Wars. Defender of Canada, the first book-length examination of Prevost’s career, offers a reinterpretation of the general’s military leadership in the War of 1812. Historian John R. Grodzinski shows that Prevost deserves far greater credit for the successful defense of Canada than he has heretofore received. Earlier accounts portrayed Prevost as overly cautious and attributed the preservation of Canada to other officers, but Grodzinski challenges these assumptions and restores the general to his rightful place as British North America’s key military figure during the War of 1812. Grodzinski shows that Prevost’s strategic insight enabled him to enact a practicable defense despite scarce resources and to ably integrate naval power into his defensive plans. Prevost’s range of responsibilities in British North America were daunting. They included overseeing joint endeavors with Indian allies, managing logistical matters, monitoring naval construction and personnel needs, supervising colonial governments, and commanding the defense of Canada. Tasked with protecting an extensive and complex territory, Prevost employed a mix of soldiers, sailors, locally raised forces, and indigenous people in taking advantage of the American military’s weaknesses to defeat most of its plans. Following his recall to Britain in 1815 after the defeat at the Battle of Plattsburgh, Prevost would have been court-martialed had he not died unexpectedly. In carefully examining the charges leveled against Prevost, Grodzinski shows the general to have preserved the integrity of Canada, allowing diplomats to ensure its continued existence.