War of 1812 History — North America’s Definitive Resource
The War of 1812 (June 18, 1812 – February 17, 1815) was a defining conflict between the United States and Great Britain fought primarily across the Canadian frontier, the Great Lakes, and the Atlantic seaboard. This website offers the most comprehensive collection of War of 1812 articles, battle histories, regimental guides, uniform charts, and primary-source research available online.
Founded by Robert Henderson of Access Heritage Inc. — published War of 1812 historian, heritage consultant, and National Monument project historian.
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a thousand visitors who explore this site daily. This “1812
experience” offers numerous articles, quality book reviews,
extensive links, and the largest collection of War of 1812 images on
the internet. Event listings, reenactment news, animated battle
maps, sound clips, and quizzes are all found here. This website is
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War of 1812 Articles
Featured
The First American Invasion of Quebec in the War of 1812
The November 1812 American invasion of
Lower Canada, where a small band of Canadian Voltigeurs and
Mohawk warriors stood between General Dearborn’s army and
Montreal. A forgotten Canadian triumph.
Read
Article › - Crazy Things Done to Fail a British Military Medical Examination in the Napoleonic Wars Putting wax on your teeth to fake scurvy? Some soldiers had creative and dangerous ways to avoid service in the British Army.
- “Good Morning” — Waking Up as a British Soldier in the War of 1812 What was the daily routine of a British soldier stationed in Canada in 1812? A detailed look at morning duties, parade, and barrack life.
- The Battle of New Orleans, 1815 Was the American victory at New Orleans proof of U.S. army superiority on the world stage, as claimed at the time?
- Hunter, Hero and Friend: The British Soldier’s Dog in the Napoleonic Wars Stories of man’s best friend in barracks, on the march, and under fire during the Napoleonic era.
- Gaining an Advantage: An Experimental Brown Bess at the Battle of Plattsburgh, 1814 A rare instance of an experimental weapon deployed in the War of 1812 — half a company of British light infantry were armed with it.
- The Battle of North Point, 1814 A key turning point in the Chesapeake campaign. U.S. forces inflict heavy casualties on the British, halting the advance on Baltimore.
- Drink Up! Alcohol and the British Soldier in the Canadas during the War of 1812 A study of rum rations, regulations, and the culture of drinking among soldiers in the War of 1812.
- “Rape, Murder and Pillage” — The Crimes of Britain’s Foreign Companies in Virginia What happened in the summer of 1813 when ex-French prisoners of war landed on Virginia’s shores as British auxiliaries.
- Patriots or Traitors? The Leaking of Secret U.S. War Plans to the British in 1812 Shocking revelations from a U.S. war-hero-turned-British-spy implicating Federalist politicians as his accomplices.
- The Siege of Fort Erie, 1814 U.S. forces defend their foothold on the Niagara Peninsula and inflict heavy casualties on the British Army at Fort Erie.
- “Full of Confidence” — The American Attack on Kingston Harbour, 1812 In November 1812 U.S. Commodore Chauncey took his fleet out on Lake Ontario looking for a fight. The consequences shaped the rest of the war.
- A Serious and Alarming Mutiny: The Michigan Fencibles at Fort McKay, 1814 A dramatic event at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin following the British capture of that territory.
- The American Attack at Frenchtown on the River Raisin, January 1813 The dramatic running battle fought by the Essex Militia and native allies defending Frenchtown — a forgotten engagement of the War of 1812.
- The Long Road to a National War of 1812 Monument As National Monument project historian, Robert Henderson unlocks the bumpy political road to an 1812 monument on Parliament Hill.
- Christmas Season during the War of 1812 Christmas and New Year’s Day customs, decorations, and celebrations among soldiers during the war.
Artefact Corner
- Royal Artillery Gunner’s Sword of the War of 1812 A detailed historical description of how the Royal Artillery were armed and accoutred during the War of 1812.
- American Eagle Head Officer’s Sword, 1812 One of the many variations of the Eagle Headed swords used in the American army and navy during the War of 1812.
- French Patterns of Swords used by the U.S. Navy and Army, 1812 Oliver Perry’s French pattern sword and its use by other officers in the War of 1812.
- Brief Notes on a British 1804 Pattern Cartridge Box in Canada The challenges of identifying and acquiring War of 1812 artefacts, and piecing together their provenance.
Book Reviews
- A Most Warlike Appearance: Uniforms, Flags and Equipment of the United States in the War of 1812 by René Chartrand. Back in print and much improved after two decades out of stock — the essential reference on U.S. uniforms of the War of 1812.
- Excerpt from “Desperate Bravery” — The Last Invasion of Quebec, 1814 by Robert Henderson.