When the United States and the United Kingdom went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which was then divided for administrative purposes into Upper Canada (broadly the present day province of Ontario), Lower Canada (roughly present day Quebec) and the Atlantic Provinces, which included present day Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Flag Map of Upper Canada (orange) Capital Newark 1792 - 1797 York(later renamed Toronto in 1834) 1797 - 1841 Language(s) English Religion Anglican Government Constitutional monarchy Sovereign  - 1791-1820 George III  - 1837-1841 Victoria Lieutenant-Governor See list of Lieutenant-Governors Legislature Parliament of Upper Canada  - Upper house Legislative Council... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Map of Lower Canada (green) Lower Canada was a British colony on the lower Saint Lawrence River and the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence (1791-1841). ... This article is about the Canadian province. ... Atlantic Canada consists of the four Canadian provinces on the Atlantic Ocean: Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. ... This article is about the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. ... Motto: Munit Hae et Altera Vincit (Latin: One defends and the other conquers) Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Largest metro Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English (de facto), French Government Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament House seats 11 Senate... This article is about the Canadian province. ...

Each of these separate administrations formed regular and fencible units, and both full-time and part-time militia units, many of which played a major part in the fighting over the two and a half years of the war.

Regulars and Fencibles

Note that the Fencible units were raised on the same terms as regular troops, but liable only for service in North America.

Quasi-military units

Two militarised bodies were in existence before any of the Canadian land units which participated in the war were raised.

The Indian Department

This consisted of 100 officers, whose purpose was to act as agents, envoys or interpreters to the various Native tribes and nations (nowadays referred to in Canada as First Nations). First Nations is the current title used by Canada to describe the various societies of the indigenous peoples, called Native Americans in the U.S. They have also been known as Indians, Native Canadians, Aboriginal Americans, Amer-Indians, or Aboriginals, and are officially called Indians in the Indian Act, which...

Many of its personnel took part in actions in which the peoples to whom they were attached participated. They were supposed to wear full dress in action, to prevent their being mistaken for Americans by excited warriors (or being taken for "blue-eyed Indians", renegades and rogue fur traders, by American soldiers). Indian Department officers were indeed often of mixed Native and European ancestry. Some claimed to speak little or no English.

The most well known victory won by Natives fighting directly under British command was the Battle of Beaver Dams in 1813. Belligerents Britain United States Commanders James FitzGibbon Charles G. Boerstler Strength 400 natives, 50 regulars 575 regulars Casualties and losses 25 killed and wounded 80 dead or wounded, 462 captured The Battle of Beaver Dams was a small battle on June 24, 1813, during the War of 1812. ...

The Provincial Marine

Main article: Provincial Marine

This had been responsible since the late 18th Century for military transport and police duties on the Great Lakes. When war broke out, they possessed: Provincial Marine was a coastal protection service in charge of the waters in the Great Lakes, the St. ...

Lake Ontario

Royal George, ship, 510 tons, 22 guns

Prince Regent, ship, tonnage unknown, 16 guns

Earl of Moira, brig, 262 tons, 14 guns

Seneca, schooner, 216 tons, 8 guns

Simcoe, schooner, 187 tons, 8 guns

Lake Erie

Queen Charlotte, ship, 400 tons, 17 guns

Lady Prevost, schooner, 230 tons, 13 guns

Hunter, brig, 180 tons, 10 guns

In 1812, the efficiency of the Provincial Marine was described as low, not least because its senior officer was over eighty years old. Nevertheless, the Americans initially had nothing to match it, and it played a major part in the victories of General Isaac Brock. It was expanded during the war, and its officers and sailors played valiant parts in the Battle of Lake Erie and the Battle of Plattsburgh. Lake Ontario, bounded on the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the south by Ontarios Niagara Peninsula and by New York State, USA, is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. ... Lake Erie (pronounced ) is the tenth largest lake on Earth[2] and, of the five Great Lakes of North America, is the fourth largest by surface area, the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume. ... This article refers to the British general. ... Combatants United Kingdom United States Commanders Robert Heriot Barclay Oliver Hazard Perry Jesse Elliot Strength 2 ships 2 brigs 1 schooner 1 sloop 3 brigs 5 schooners 1 sloop Casualties 41 dead 93 wounded prisoners 306 surrendered Entire squadron captured 27 dead 96 wounded One brig heavily damaged The Battle... Combatants Britain United States Commanders George Prevost George Downie † Thomas Macdonough Alexander Macomb Strength 11,000 1,500 regulars 1,900 milita Casualties 300 200 {{{notes}}} The Battle of Plattsburgh also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain ended the final invasion of the Northern states during the War of...

Atlantic Provinces

The Royal Newfoundland Fencibles

This unit was raised in 1803. Many were expert boatmen, and five companies were sent to Upper Canada in 1812 for service as marines on the Great Lakes. They fought as such throughout the war, including at the Battle of Mackinac Island in 1814. The unit was disbanded in 1816. As a "Royal" unit, it had blue facings to its red coats. Combatants British Empire United States Commanders Robert McDouall George Croghan Andrew Holmes† Strength about 300 700 Casualties 1 dead, 1 wounded 13 dead, 51 wounded The Battle of Fort Mackinac was a British victory in the War of 1812. ...

The Nova Scotia Fencibles

Raised in 1803. Although posted to Kingston in 1814, they did not see action. Disbanded in 1816. The unit had red uniforms with yellow facings. Murney Tower, Kingston The Fort Henry Guard performing an historical demonstration The Prince George Hotel Kingston, Ontario, the first capital[1] of Canada, is located at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, where the lake runs into the St. ...

The New Brunswick Fencibles

Raised in 1803. Although established as Fencibles, the regiment volunteered for general service, and became the 104th Regiment of Foot in the British Army. Nevertheless they served in North America only. They made an epic winter march from Fredericton, New Brunswick to Quebec in early 1813. Detachments from the regiment fought at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor and in the various campaigns on the Niagara peninsula. Disbanded in 1817. The unit's uniforms had buff facings. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Template:Hide = Motto: Template:Unhide = Fredericpolis silvae filia noblis (Fredericton noble daughter of the forest) Established: {{{Established}}} Area: 131. ... Nickname: Motto: Don de Dieu feray valoir (I shall put Gods gift to good use; the Don de Dieu was Champlains ship) Coordinates: , Country Canada Province Quebec Agglomeration Quebec City Statute of the city Capitale-Nationale Administrative Region Capitale-Nationale Founded 1608 by Samuel de Champlain Constitution date... The Battle of Sacketts Harbor was fought in northwestern New York on May 29, 1813 during the War of 1812. ...

Another unit, also known as the New Brunswick Fencibles, was formed in 1812 to garrison various posts in the Maritime Provinces, and disbanded immediately after the war ended.

Lower Canada

The Canadian Fencibles

First recruited in Scotland in 1803. The Scottish recruits feared that they were about to be "crimped" for service in India or other unhealthy posts, and mutinied. Eventually, the unit was recruited from the French-speaking peoples of Lower Canada. The light company fought at the Battle of Chateauguay and the grenadier company at the Battle of Lacolle Mills (1814). A small detachment fought at the Battle of Crysler's Farm and some of the battalion companies served as marines with the squadron on Lake Champlain, in several raids in 1813. The unit was disbanded in 1816. Its uniforms had yellow facings. This article is about the country. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Charles de Salaberry Wade Hampton Strength 500 militia and natives 4,000 regulars and militia Casualties 5 dead 16 wounded 50 dead 200 wounded or missing The Battle of Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812 on October 25, 1813. ... In this battle, Major-General James Wilkonson planned another invasion of Canada to make up his huge loss to the British in the Battle of Cryslers Farm. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders William Mulcaster Joseph Morrison James Wilkinson John P. Boyd Strength 800 regulars and militia 8,000 regulars and militia (2500 present) Casualties 22 dead 148 wounded 102 dead 237 wounded 150 missing The Battle of Cryslers Farm was a battle of the War of... For ships named after the lake, see USS Lake Champlain. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Upper Canada

The Glengarry Light Infantry

Formed by order of Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost in 1812, recruited from settlements of discharged Scottish soldiers (and some evicted Scottish highlanders) in Glengarry district. Originally intended to wear highlander uniforms (kilts, etc.), they wore the dark green uniform with black facings of the Rifle Brigade instead, although they were armed with muskets rather than rifles. Companies and detachments fought in several actions in Upper Canada in 1813, and the whole unit fought at the Battle of Lundy's Lane. Disbanded in 1816.The unit specialized in British Light Infantry tactics and thus were trained well in things such as skirmishing and concealed sentry duty George Prevost Sir George Prévost (Hackensack May 19, 1767 – January 5, 1816 London) was a British soldier and colonial administrator. ... There have been several regiments in the British Army numbered as the 95th Regiment of Foot. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Gordon Drummond Phineas Riall Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Strength At start: 2,200, 5 guns Reinforcements: 1,800, 3 guns At start: 2,000, 3 guns Reinforcements: 1,000, 6 guns Casualties 84 dead 559 wounded 193 missing 42 captured 171 dead 572 wounded 110...

There is a modern reenactment unit based in Ontario who still carries out the regiments tradition and is based out of Fort Erie Ontario, on the opposite side of the river from Buffalo New York This article is about the fort and historic site. ...

The Michigan Fencibles

A small (45 men) unit raised at Fort Mackinac in 1813. Served in the west, including at the Battle of Prairie du Chien. Disbanded in 1815. It supposedly had a uniform of red coats with black facings, but given the distance from regular supply sources and the hard conditions in which it served, it is unlikely that they ever presented a uniform appearance. Fort Mackinac painting Fort Mackinac was a military outpost garrisoned from the late 18th century to the late 19th century on Mackinac Island in the U.S. state of Michigan. ... Combatants British Empire Native Americans United States Commanders William McKay Joseph Perkins Strength about 650 about 100 Casualties 0 dead, few wounded 5 wounded The Battle of Prairie du Chien was a British victory in the far western theater of the War of 1812. ...

Full-time Militia

Various full-time units were formed from members of the militia. Although usually intended for garrison duty only, several units saw action. All such Militia units were disbanded very soon after the war ended, and their men returned to their former occupations.

Particularly in Upper Canada, ordinary Militia contingents could not be kept in the field for long, especially around harvest time or the planting season when many militia would want to return to work on their farms. This was one reason for the formation of some of the full-time units.

Lower Canada

The Canadian Voltigeurs

Main article: Canadian Voltigeurs

The Canadian Voltigeurs had a slightly anomalous position, in that they were supposedly militia and subject to the militia laws and ordinances, but were listed as a regular unit during the war. Formed from volunteers from the militia by Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry in 1812, the Voltigeurs were trained to a high standard and fought in several actions including the Battle of Chateauguay. The unit had a grey uniform (rifle green for officers), with black facings and equipment and though their unit contained french speaking Canadians for the majority, their orders were given in English. The Canadian Voltigeurs were a Light Infantry unit, raised in Lower Canada in 1812, and which fought in the War of 1812. ... The Canadian Voltigeurs were a Light Infantry unit, raised in Lower Canada in 1812, and which fought in the War of 1812. ... Charles-Michel dIrumberry de Salaberry Lieutenant Colonel Charles-Michel dIrumberry de Salaberry (1778 - 1829) was a French-Canadian nobleman who served as an officer of the British army in Lower Canada (now Quebec) and won distinction for repelling the American advance on Montreal during the War of 1812. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Charles de Salaberry Wade Hampton Strength 500 militia and natives 4,000 regulars and militia Casualties 5 dead 16 wounded 50 dead 200 wounded or missing The Battle of Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812 on October 25, 1813. ...

The Frontier Light Infantry

A small unit, two companies strong, which were listed as the ninth and tenth companies of the Voltigeurs, but which served separately. Most of its men were English-speaking volunteers from the Eastern townships, unlike the French-speaking main body of the Voltigeurs.

Select Embodied Militia

Formed partly from volunteers, and partly from conscripted men chosen by lot, who served for one year only. (Late in the war, there was some trouble when Prevost refused to exempt men who had already served a year, from the ballot.) Four battalions were initially formed early in 1812, followed by a fifth after war was declared, and a sixth in 1813. The seventh and eighth battalions of Sedentary Embodied Militia were formed in Montreal in late 1813 when an American attack was threatened, but disbanded immediately the crisis was passed. Nickname: Motto: Concordia Salus (well-being through harmony) Coordinates: , Country Province Region Montréal Founded 1642 Established 1832 Government  - Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area [1][2][3]  - City 365. ...

When first formed, they were forced by a shortage of official pattern uniforms to adopt a variety of dress. By late 1813 at the latest, all battalions had been issued red uniforms.

The flank companies of the first to fourth battalions were detached to form two ad hoc light infantry battalions during much of 1813. The light companies of the 2nd and 3rd battalions fought at the Battle of Chateauguay. Combatants Britain United States Commanders Charles de Salaberry Wade Hampton Strength 500 militia and natives 4,000 regulars and militia Casualties 5 dead 16 wounded 50 dead 200 wounded or missing The Battle of Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812 on October 25, 1813. ...

After the fifth battalion attracted unfavourable reports in 1814 (mainly because of the absence without leave of several of its officers), it was reorganised and reformed as a light infantry unit, the Canadian Chasseurs. It appears that several of the flank companies which had already seen much service were consolidated into the Chasseurs, while the existing personnel of the fifth battalion were dispersed among the other battalions. The Chasseurs wore substantially the same uniform as the Voltigeurs and were brigaded with them in the campaign in 1814 which ended with the Battle of Plattsburgh. (This unit should not be confused with the Independent Companies of Foreigners, raised from among French prisoners of war and which served in Chesapeake Bay in 1813, being responsible for several acts of looting and rape, and are erroneously called Canadian chasseurs in several histories.) Combatants Britain United States Commanders George Prevost George Downie † Thomas Macdonough Alexander Macomb Strength 11,000 1,500 regulars 1,900 milita Casualties 300 200 {{{notes}}} The Battle of Plattsburgh also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain ended the final invasion of the Northern states during the War of... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ...

Except for the 6th battalion, which garrisoned the citadel of Quebec city, detachments of all the Select Embodied Militia units saw action in the Montreal or Lake Champlain sectors. For ships named after the lake, see USS Lake Champlain. ...

The Quebec Volunteers

A small (65 men) volunteer unit, which may have been merged into the 6th Select Embodied Militia battalion.

The Compagnie des Guides

A small company of volunteer cavalry.

The Canadian Light Dragoons

Also known as Coleman's Troop after its commander. Saw much action in Upper Canada, though mainly as picquets and despatch riders rather than cavalry.

The Dorchester Provincial Light Dragoons

Another volunteer horsed unit.

The Royal Militia Artillery

A small detachment (1 officer, 22 men) who volunteered for full-time service with units of the Royal Artillery. It participated in the Battle of Crysler's Farm. RGA redirects here. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders William Mulcaster Joseph Morrison James Wilkinson John P. Boyd Strength 800 regulars and militia 8,000 regulars and militia (2500 present) Casualties 22 dead 148 wounded 102 dead 237 wounded 150 missing The Battle of Cryslers Farm was a battle of the War of...

The Corps of Provincial Royal Artillery Drivers

Volunteers who served as drivers for units of the Royal Artillery. Its personnel may also have been paid for providing their own draught animals.

The Corps of Canadian Voyageurs

Originally raised from among the boatmen of the North West Fur Company, to move military supplies west from Quebec and Montreal. The Corps numbered about 400, and was involved in several skirmishes with American raiders during the winter of 1812-1813. In 1813, responsibility for transport was transferred to the Commissariat, and the Corps was disbanded and reformed as the Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs. A commissariat is the department of an army charged with the provision of supplies, both food and forage, for the troops. ...

During the war, members of this corps took part in actions on the Saint Lawrence River, and journeyed far up the Ottawa River to reach Lake Huron. They had no recognised uniform and wore practical clothing as the season required. They also determinedly resisted any attempt to make them conform to any standard of parade ground drill. a broat veiew of the St LAwrence River, with a Quebec City on a background The Saint Lawrence River (In French: fleuve Saint-Laurent) is a large south west-to-north east flowing river in the middle latitudes of North America, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. ... This is about the river in Canada. ... Ipperwash Beach, Lake Huron. ...

So vital was transportation that in 1814, when large numbers of British troops were sent to Canada, Sir George Prevost suggested converting all his Select Embodied Militia to boatmen and voyageurs. This plan met with disapproval from every Canadian officer.^[1]

Upper Canada

Most militia units in Upper Canada formed flank companies, who served on a more regular or full-time basis than the ordinary members of the militia, and were sometimes termed Volunteers. They drilled every weekend, as opposed to the bulk of the militia who were required to turn out for training only twice a year in peace time. Such flank companies took part in the Battle of Queenston Heights and other actions on the Niagara peninsula. Belligerents United Kingdom Canada United States Commanders Isaac Brock † Roger Sheaffe Stephen Van Rensselaer Strength 1,300 6,000 (roughly 1,500 engaged) Casualties and losses 14 dead, 77 wounded Total: 91 100 dead, 300 wounded, 925 captured Total: 1,325 The Battle of Queenston Heights was a British victory...

The Incorporated Militia Battalion

This was formed from volunteers from the militia in 1813. (Many were farmers whose livelihoods were ruined by British requisition of their products or goods; others had suffered from American raids). Originally scattered in several garrisons, the battalion concentrated at York, before seeing action on the Niagara peninsula. The entire unit fought at the Battle of Lundy's Lane. The unit was always used as a body of skirmishing light infantry, and late in 1814, Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond proposed to give the battalion the same uniform as the Glengarry Light Infantry. Template:Hide = Motto: Template:Unhide = Diversity Our Strength Image:Toronto, Ontario Location. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Gordon Drummond Phineas Riall Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Strength At start: 2,200, 5 guns Reinforcements: 1,800, 3 guns At start: 2,000, 3 guns Reinforcements: 1,000, 6 guns Casualties 84 dead 559 wounded 193 missing 42 captured 171 dead 572 wounded 110... Lieutenant-General Sir Gordon Drummond holds the honour of being the first Canadian-born officer to command the military and the civil government. ...

Caldwell's Western Rangers

Known as Caldwell's Rangers, after their commander, noted Loyalist and Indian trader William Caldwell. The unit was a rather small one, probably not more than fifty men. Nominally organised as two companies, they often worked in conjunction with the Indian Department and fought dipersed alongside the Indians (chiefly the Ojibwe, Wyandotte and Pottowottomi). The unit or parts of it fought at the Battle of Moraviantown, the Battle of Longwoods, the Battle of Lundy's Lane and in several actions on the Niagara peninsula. William Caldwell (c. ... The Battle of the Thames, also known as the Battle of Moraviantown, was a battle in the War of 1812 which took place on October 5, 1813. ... Combatants Britain First nations United States Commanders James Lewis Basden Andrew Holmes Strength 300 180 Casualties 14 dead, 52 wounded, 1 missing 4 dead, 3 wounded The Battle of Longwoods was a battle of the War of 1812 on March 4, 1814, fought near present-day Wardsville, Ontario. ... Combatants Britain United States Commanders Gordon Drummond Phineas Riall Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Strength At start: 2,200, 5 guns Reinforcements: 1,800, 3 guns At start: 2,000, 3 guns Reinforcements: 1,000, 6 guns Casualties 84 dead 559 wounded 193 missing 42 captured 171 dead 572 wounded 110...

There is little authenticated documentation as to the clothing and equipment carried by the Rangers. It is known that the rangers were issued a "bucket cap" (probably a cut down infantry shako without the brass plate or feather hackle), grey woollen trousers and a green woollen tunic, and a black leather bayonet belt and cartridge box. This equipment was issued only once; after that, they were told to re-supply themselves from the enemy. In summer, they would wear white cotton instead of woollen trousers.

It is not known with which model musket they were issued, although some scholars have suggested that they would have been captured American Springfield muskets (British forces under Isaac Brock captured over 1200 Muskets and over 200 Rifles at Detroit) while some others contend they may have used trade muskets instead. The Rangers found that the standard infantry bayonet was too cumbersome for bush fighting and often used hatchets (tomahawks) instead. This article refers to the British general. ... Combatants United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Native Americans United States Commanders Isaac Brock Tecumseh William Hull # Strength 600 natives, 330 regulars, 300 militia, 2,500 Casualties 2 wounded 7 killed, 2,493 captured Detroit frontier Tippecanoe – 1st Mackinac Island – Brownstown - Maguaga – Fort Dearborn – Detroit – Fort Harrison – Fort Wayne...

The Rangers' elistment conditions were unique. They were recruited locally from Essex County and enrolled into the militia, but not permitted to quit the British service at their leisure as sedentary Militia could.

Fort Malden National Historic Site (Canada) has in recent years employed summer students for the re-created unit at the Park and regional re-enactments.

The Mississippi Volunteers

An ad-hoc unit, recruited on the spot from voyageurs and traders during the attack on Prairie du Chien in 1814. There was also a Mississippi Volunteer Artillery detachment, . Prairie du Chien is the county seat of Crawford County, Wisconsin. ... Year 1814 (MDCCCXIV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

The Provincial Dragoons

Also known as Merritt's troop, after its first commander. Served on the Niagara peninsula.

The Incorporated Artillery Company

A volunteer artillery unit.

The Provincial Artillery Drivers

As in Lower Canada, volunteers who served as drivers for the Royal Artillery.

The Corps of Provincial Artificers

Attached to the Royal Sappers and Miners. All its other ranks were negroes, many of whom had fought with Runchey's Company of Coloured Men (a local militia unit) at the Battle of Queenston Heights. The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers (RE), and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army. ... Belligerents United Kingdom Canada United States Commanders Isaac Brock † Roger Sheaffe Stephen Van Rensselaer Strength 1,300 6,000 (roughly 1,500 engaged) Casualties and losses 14 dead, 77 wounded Total: 91 100 dead, 300 wounded, 925 captured Total: 1,325 The Battle of Queenston Heights was a British victory...

Part-time Militia

Lower Canada

The French-speaking population of Lower Canada had a long tradition of service in the militia. In 1812, Sir George Prevost disparagingly referred to the Lower Canada militia as "a mere posse, ill-arm'd and without discipline". However, one British officer commented on seeing one unit turned out for duty, that their grey capotes and blue tuques (woollen caps) gave a uniform impression, as did their singing voyageur songs in unison. Many militia had their own hunting weapons, and during the war, large numbers of British muskets were imported and issued to the militia.

In theory, 54,000 men were available for service with the militia. Each parish provided a militia company. These were organised for administrative purposes into "divisions", equivalent to regiments though of very variable size. These in turn were administered by the Districts of Montreal, Trois Rivieres and Quebec (although the Eastern Townships were largely independent of the Montreal district command).

Except in one or two units raised in the cities of Quebec and Montreal, militiamen and junior officers generally wore serviceable homespun clothing, perhaps with a gorget for officers. Field officers sometimes wore a variety of quasi-military uniforms.

Two companies from Beauharnois were heavily engaged at the Battle of Chateauguay. Combatants Britain United States Commanders Charles de Salaberry Wade Hampton Strength 500 militia and natives 4,000 regulars and militia Casualties 5 dead 16 wounded 50 dead 200 wounded or missing The Battle of Chateauguay was a battle of the War of 1812 on October 25, 1813. ...

Upper Canada

The Upper Canadian militia were organised into Regiments, based on the "ridings" of each County, such as the 1st and 2nd Essex Militia based out of Essex County, Ontario. Normally in Upper Canada, militia units would meet once a year to receive minor military training. They would wear their own clothing and many armed themselves with their own weapons.

In Upper Canada, several parts of which were attacked or occupied by American forces, there were conflicting demands on the militia. On the one hand they were required for military duty; on the other, they were urgently needed to grow and harvest crops. This hampered most attempts to organise their efforts consistently.

Early in the war, many officials feared disaffection among the population of Upper Canada, many of whom were recent immigrants from the United States. In the event, Major General Isaac Brock did much to rally public morale by his victory at Detroit. A large part of his force consisted of from volunteers from the York militia. Large numbers of York and Lincoln militia also took part in the Battle of Queenston Heights. This article refers to the British general. ... The Battle of Detroit, also known as the Battle of Fort Detroit or the Surrender of Fort Detroit, was a humiliating loss for the Americans early in the War of 1812. ... Belligerents United Kingdom Canada United States Commanders Isaac Brock † Roger Sheaffe Stephen Van Rensselaer Strength 1,300 6,000 (roughly 1,500 engaged) Casualties and losses 14 dead, 77 wounded Total: 91 100 dead, 300 wounded, 925 captured Total: 1,325 The Battle of Queenston Heights was a British victory...

York and Niagara

In several battles in 1813, British regulars were forced to retreat and leave the local militia either to disband (as at the Battle of Fort George) or make the best terms they could with the Americans (as at the Battle of York). These defeats did little to improve relations between the Canadians and certain British officers. Nevertheless, militia from Lincoln County and other districts along the Niagara River continued to turn out for duty for the remainder of the war. The Battle of Fort George was a battle fought during the War of 1812, in which the Americans captured the British fort on western Lake Ontario. ... The Battle of York was a battle of the War of 1812 on April 27, 1813, at York, Upper Canada, which was later to become Toronto, Ontario. ...

In 1814, up to 500 members of the local (Lincoln) and York sedentary militia took part in the Battle of Lundy's Lane. Two years of warfare had not improved their military prowess. After some confused firing, most were sent away after their ammunition was redistributed among the regulars. One man was killed and twenty-one injured. Combatants Britain United States Commanders Gordon Drummond Phineas Riall Jacob Brown Winfield Scott Strength At start: 2,200, 5 guns Reinforcements: 1,800, 3 guns At start: 2,000, 3 guns Reinforcements: 1,000, 6 guns Casualties 84 dead 559 wounded 193 missing 42 captured 171 dead 572 wounded 110...

Western Districts

During 1814, American troops made several raids from Detroit or Lake Erie against the Essex and Norfolk districts, causing much destruction. The local militia had little support from other British units. They could not stop a determined expedition (for example, that which resulted in the Battle of Malcolm's Mills), but could stop small scale nuisance raids. The Battle of Malcolms Mills was a brief skirmish during the War of 1812, in which a force of American cavalry overran and scattered a force of Canadian militia. ...

Leeds, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry

The militia from the districts along the Saint Lawrence were never so troubled with disaffection as those further west, and took part in several raids and counter-raids over the winter of 1812-1813. Temporarily reinforced with regulars, many participated in the Battle of Ogdensburg. (Some of the Leeds militia sported captured American Rifle Regiment uniforms for the remainder of the war.) Combatants Great Britain United States Commanders George MacDonnell Benjamin Forsyth Strength 520 about 250 Casualties 55 90 The Battle of Ogdensburg was a battle of the War of 1812. ...

Late in 1813, the Americans under James Wilkinson descended the Saint Lawrence to attack Montreal. Militia from Dundas harassed the American boats. 500 militia from Stormont and Glengarry were defeated at Hoople's Creek by 1500 Americans under Jacob Brown, but Wilkinson abandoned the campaign shortly afterwards. General James Wilkinson James Wilkinson (1757 – December 28, 1825) was a U.S. soldier and statesman, who was associated with several scandals and controversies. ... Jacob Jennings Brown (May 9, 1775-February 24, 1828) was an American army officer in the War of 1812. ...

Other than this episode, the militia along the Saint Lawrence were little troubled during the remainder of the war.

Notes

References

• British Forces in North America 1793-1815, Rene Chartrand & Gerry Embleton, Osprey Publishing Ltd. UK, 1998, ISBN 1-85532-741-4
• The Incredible War of 1812, J. Mackay Hitsman (updated Donald E. Graves), Robin Brass Studio, Canada, 1965, ISBN 1-896941-13-3