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#1
The legend of Chateauguay
Song published in a French-Canadian newspaper on November 25,
1813. The song celebrates the Battle of Chateauguay during which
300 soldiers, led by Canadian officer Charles de Salaberry, repelled
an advance of 4000 American troops.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
The trumpets sounds, the guns flash, the cannons rear:
SALABERRY appears, bravery at his side
And three hundred Canadians marching behind
Joyously, like he, will challenge death.
Eight thousand Americans advance with a gloomy air.
In vain does Hampton their leader count upon their numbers,
Massive like a fearsome, lowering cloud
But one that the bright sword of Mars [the Roman god of war] will soon
transfix [stab]
[…]
Yes, brave lads, your valour [courage] delights us;
Our motherland will be grateful to you.
Or else, with a generous hand and heart,
Recording her thanks will raise her monument thus:
“Here Canadians covered themselves in glory;
Yes three hundred bested eight thousand here.
Their constant union was lively bulwark [safeguard]
Against the onslaughts of the proud Yankee.
Passer-by, behold them … These peaceful strands
Were defended as a new Thermopylae [famous Greek battle site];
Here Leonidas [King of Sparta] and his 300 warriors
Returned among us to gather fresh glory.”
“The legend of Chateauguay”Le Spectateur, November 25, 1813 | Histori.ca: Peace and conflict, n.d.,
http://www.histori.ca/peace/page.do?subclassName=Document&pageID=365
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#2
A boxing match, or another bloody nose for John Bull
Political cartoon drawn by Charles Williams, published in 1813. The cartoon references the defeat of the
British warship Boxer by the American frigate Enterprise in September 1813 off the coast of Maine.
Who
w
on th
e
1812 war of
?
King George III stands at left, saying,
“Stop … Brother Jonathan, or I shall
fall with the loss of blood—I thought
to have been too heavy for you—But I
must acknowledge your superior skill—
Two blows to my one!—And so well
directed too! Mercy, mercy on me, how
does this happen!!!” On the right, his
opponent James Madison says, “Ha-Ah
Johnny! you thought yourself a “Boxer”
did you!—I’ll let you know we are an
“Enterprize”ing Nation, and ready to
meet you with equal force any day.”
“A boxing match, or another bloody nose for John Bull,” Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ppmsca-10754.
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#3
Diary of Ely Playter
Diary entries written by York militia member Ely Playter in April
1813, just after an American force had invaded and burned York
(present day Toronto).
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
April 28th. Walked down to the back of the Town, met Young Debtlor
who told me his father was dead, was wounded in the leg, had it cut
off and died soon after.
April 29th. At home packing up my things and hideing [sic] them.
D. Brooks passed on his way to Kingston and many others also. An
[American] officer and some men came to my house, broke the door
and took many things away. We watched them til dark.
April 30th. I went to the Garrison and signed my parole and got
a pass. I spoke to General Dearborn of his men plundering my
house. He said it was contrary to his orders. The appearance of
the town and garrison were dismal, the latter shattered and rent
by cannonballs and the explosions of the magazine, not a building
but shows some marks on it. The town thronged with the Yankees,
many busy, the Council office with every window broke and pillaged
[looted] of everything, the Government Building, the Block House
and the buildings adjacent [beside] all burned to ashes.
Ely Playter, “Diary entries, April 28, 29 and 30, 1813” Archives of Ontario, Ely Playter fonds, F 556.
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#4
The taking of the city of Washington in America
Print published on October 14, 1814, by G. Thompson, likely a British artist.
Who
w
on th
e
1812 war of
?
“The taking of the city of Washington in America,” Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-ppmsca-31113.
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#5
Letter from General Macomb to
James Monroe
Letter written by United States General Alexander Macomb to the
United States Secretary of War, James Monroe, shortly after the
withdrawal of British forces from Plattsburgh, New York, in September
of 1814.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
H.Q. Plattsburgh, Sept. 15, 1814
Sir – I have the honor to communicate, for the information of the war department, the particulars of the advance of the enemy into the territory of the U.
States, the circumstances attending the siege of Plattsburgh, and the defence of
the posts entrusted to my charge.
[…]
Finding, on examining the returns of the garrison [military base], that our force
did not exceed fifteen hundred men for duty; and well informed that the enemy
had as many thousand; I called on Gen. Mooers, of the New-York militia, and arranged with him, plans for bringing forth the militia, en masse [all together].
The inhabitants of the village fled, with their families and effects, except a
few worthy citizens, and some boys, who formed themselves into a party, received
rifles, and were exceedingly useful.
[…]
The whole day, until it was too late to see, the enemy’s light troops endeavored [attempted] to drive our guards from the bridge; but they suffered dearly
for their perseverance [persistence]. An attempt was also made to cross the upper
bridge, where the militia handsomely drove them back.
[…]
The conduct of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers, of my command, during this trying occasion, cannot be represented [described] in too high
term … who have all distinguished themselves, by their uncommon zeal [passion]
and activity, and have been greatly instrumental [involved] in producing the
happy and glorious result of the siege.
… The loss of the enemy, in killed, wounded, prisoners, and deserters, since his
first appearance, cannot fall short of 2,500, including many officers ….
Return of killed and wounded, on the American side, during the skirmishing
[fighting] and bombardment above described: Killed, 37 – wounded, 66 – missing, 20
– total, 123.
H. A. Fay (1817), “Collection of Official Accounts, in detail, of all the battles fought by sea and land, between the navy and army of the United
States and the navy and army of Great Britain, during the years 1812, 13, 14, & 15,” (New York: E. Conrad), Library of American Civilization:
LAC 12346
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#6
Account of William Dunlop
Eyewitness account from a William Dunlop, a 21-year-old assistant
surgeon in the British Army. The account was written following the
battle at Lundy’s Lane on July 25, 1814, where the author singlehandedly looked after hundreds of wounded from both armies.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
It would be a useful lesson to cold-blooded politicians, who calculate on a
war costing so many lives and so many limbs as they would calculate on a
horse costing so many pounds … to witness such a scene, if only for one
hour.
… I had two hundred and twenty wounded turned in upon me that morning,
and among others an American farmer, who had been on the field either as
a militia man or a camp follower. He was nearly sixty years of age, but of
a most Herculean frame [strong physique]. One ball had shattered his thigh
bone, and another lodged in his body, the last obviously mortal. His wife, a
respectable elderly looking woman … found her husband lying on a truss
[bunch] of straw, writhing [twisting] in agony, for his sufferings were dreadful.
Such an accumulation [buildup] of misery seemed to have stunned her,
for she ceased [stopped] wailing, sat down on the ground, and taking her
husband’s head on her lap, continued long, moaning and sobbing, while the
tears flowed fast down her face; she seemed for a considerable time in a
state of stupor [shock], till awakened by a groan from her unfortunate husband, she clasped her hands, and looking wildly around, exclaimed, “O that
the King and the President were both here this moment to see the misery
their quarrels lead to—they surely would never go to war without a cause
that they could give as a reason to God at the last day, for thus destroying
the creatures that He hath made in his own image.”
In half an hour the poor fellow ceased to suffer.
“Accounts from the Battle of Lundy’s Lane,” HCO: The history of Canada online, n.d.
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#7
Letter from the Secretary of War
to General Jackson
Letter sent by James Monroe, the United States Secretary of
War, to Major General Andrew Jackson. Jackson commanded the
American troops in the battle of New Orleans, the final major battle
of the War of 1812.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
Comments in brackets are not part of the original document. They have been added to assist the reader with difficult words.
Department of War,
February 5, 1815.
Major General
Andrew Jackson
Sir,
I have just had the honor to receive your letter of the
9 & 13th … communicating an account of the brilliant
victory obtained by the troops under your command, near
New Orleans, over the very superior force of the veteran
troops of Great Britain, which attacked you on the 8th.
It is particularly gratifying [satisfying] to find, that
… with the slaughter and captivity of so many of the
invading foe, it has pleased providence [fate], to extend a
protecting arm over our fellow citizens. History records
no example of so glorious a victory, obtained with so
little bloodshed on the part of the victorious.
I am instructed by the President to convey [express] to
you in strong terms, his approbation [approval] of your
conduct and that of the troops acting under you, who
have rendered [given] such important services to their
country. Your arrangements for the defense of the city
in selecting and fortifying [reinforcing] the proper
points, at which to oppose the enemy, and the disposition
[attitude] of your force in action, afford [give] proof of a
talent for command ….
As quoted in Arsène Lacarrière Latour, Historical memoir of the war in West Florida and Louisiana in 1814-15,
with an atlas, Gene A. Smith (ed.) (Gainesville, FL: University Press of Florida, 1999), pp. 292.
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#8
Sergeant John Spencer Cooper
remembers the Battle of New
Orleans
Who
Eyewitness account from Sergeant John Spencer Cooper, a member
of the British Army, following the Battle of New Orleans and its
aftermath on January 8, 1815.
won
the
1812 war of
?
Comments in brackets are not part of the original document. They have been added to assist the reader with difficult words.
The day after the battle, a truce for six hours being agreed upon, a party of
us was sent to bury the dead. In this sad duty, the Americans brought ours
to a ditch between our lines and theirs, and laid the bodies in rows. We then
took them and threw them into ditches. … While removing the bodies, I
stripped two poor fellows of their shirts; they were bloody enough, but I
wanted them sadly.
The funeral being over, and the truce having expired, we retired to our huts
in haste, and then the game of cannonading [bombardment] began again.
The Americans were highly elated at having beaten the Britishers, and I
believe they boast of it to this day. But all things considered, they had little
reason. Let us recapitulate [review]—they were in number about 14,000,
behind strong breast works [fortifications], and a deep ditch; a frigate
[warship] protected their right flank, a wood [forest] and morass [marsh]
their left. Cannon were plentiful all along their front.
Our force numbered about 7,000, including perhaps 1,000 sailors. We had
no works, no ditch, and only three small guns. Shelter we had none, for
the ground in front of the enemy’s works for about a mile was as flat as a
bowling green.
Sergeant John Spencer Cooper, “An Account by Sergeant John Spencer Cooper, 7th Royal Fusiliers,” Corvallis
community pages, n.d.,
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#9
Letter from the Duke of Wellington
Letter sent on November 9, 1814, by the Duke of Wellington, the
commander-in-chief of the British Army, to the Prime Minister of
Great Britain during the peace negotiations to end the War of 1812.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
Comments in brackets are not part of the original document. They have been added to assist the reader with difficult words.
I think you have no right, from the state of war, to
demand any concession [granting] of territory from
America …. You have not been able to carry it into
the enemy’s territory, notwithstanding your military
success and now undoubted military superiority,
and have not even cleared your own territory on
the point of attack. You cannot on any principle of
equality in negotiation claim a cessation [stoppage]
of territory except in exchange for other advantages
which you have in your power …. Then if this
reasoning be true, why stipulate [demand] for the
uti possidetis [Latin for “as you possess”—a term in
international law that states any property remains
with its owner at the end of a war unless otherwise
stated in a peace treaty]. You can get no territory:
indeed, the state of your military operations,
however creditable [good], does not entitle you to
demand any.
As quoted in Mills, Dudley (1921), “The Duke of Wellington and the Peace
Negotiations at Ghent in 1814”. Canadian Historical Review 2 (1): 19–32.
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#10
Treaty of Ghent
Excerpt from the Treaty of Ghent, signed in Ghent, Belgium, on
December 24, 1814, by representatives of Great Britain and the
United States to officially end the War of 1812.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
Comments in brackets are not part of the original document. They have been added to assist the reader with difficult words.
His Britannic Majesty
and the United States of
America, desirous [wanting]
of terminating [ending] the
war which has unhappily
subsisted [existed] between
the two countries, and
of restoring, upon
principles of perfect
reciprocity [exchange],
peace, friendship, and
good understanding
between them, have, for
that purpose, appointed
their respective
Plenipotentiaries
[ambassadors] …. Who, after
a reciprocal [exchange]
communication of their
respective full powers, have agreed upon the following articles:
Article I
There shall be a firm and universal peace between His Britannic
Majesty and the United States, and between their respective
countries, territories, cities, towns, and people, of every degree,
without exception of places or persons. All hostilities, both by sea
and land, shall cease as soon as this treaty shall have been ratified
[approved] by both parties ….
All territory, places, and possessions whatsoever, taken by either
party from the other during the war, or which may be taken after
the signing of this treaty, excepting only the islands hereinafter
[further on in this document] mentioned, shall be restored [returned]
without delay, and without causing any destruction or carrying away
any of the artillery or other public property originally captured in
the said forts or place … or any slaves or other private property.
“Treaty of Peace and Amity between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of
America, Concluded at Ghent, December 24, 1814; Ratification Advised by Senate, February
16, 1815; Ratified by President; February 17, 1815; Ratifications Exchanged at Washington,
February 17, 1815; Proclaimed, February 18, 1815.” HCO: The history of Canada online, n.d.
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#11
Orleans saved and peace
concluded
Excerpt from a newspaper article published on February 18,
1815, in the Niles’ Weekly Register, a Baltimore, Maryland
newspaper.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
Comments in brackets are not part of the original document. They have been added to assist the reader with difficult words.
Glorious News!
Orleans saved and peace
concluded.
[…]
“The star spangled banner
in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free
and the home of the brave.”
… The enemy has retired in
disgrace from New Orleans,
and peace was signed
at Ghent on the 24th
December, on honorable
terms: At least, so we
believe from the dolefuls
[sorrowful looks] of the British ministerialists
[government ministers] ….
Who would not be an American? Long live the
republic! All hail! Last asylum of oppressed
humanity! Peace is signed in the arms of victory!
H. Niles (ed.), Niles’ weekly register: Containing political, historical, geographical, scientifical, astronomical,
statistical, and biographical, documents, essays, and facts; together with notices of the arts and manufactures,
and a record of the events of the times, vol. 4 (Baltimore, MD: Franklin Press, September 1814 to March 1815),
p. 383 Canadian Historical Review 2 (1): 19–32.
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#1
Casualties and losses
Chart published through Wikipedia.org compares the size of
the British and American armies before and after the War of
1812, and identifies the casualties and losses suffered by both
sides.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
“War of 1812,” Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia, Wikipedia Creative Commons License, CC BY-SA-3.0, Unported. March 24, 2012
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#2
Damn Yankees are trying to
steal our victory in 1812
Magazine article written by Peter Shawn Taylor, published
through Macleans.ca, a Canadian magazine website on
Tuesday October 11, 2011.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
Brock pulled off three stunning victories within the first few months
of the war. He ordered the capture of the U.S. army outpost Fort
Mackinac, at the strategic junction of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan,
before that garrison even knew war had been declared. Then he stunned
the continent by bluffing a nervous U.S. Gen. William Hull into
surrendering his entire army at Detroit without firing a shot. Two months
later he died on the battlefield at Queenston Heights, near Niagara Falls,
in the process of repelling another American force ….
The final two years of war proved much less invigorating, perhaps
because Brock was no longer around. Each side traded victories and
defeats in what became an increasingly bitter struggle. American forces
burned Toronto, then called York, as well as Niagara-on-the-Lake. The
British torched Buffalo, N.Y., and Washington, pillaged the width and
breadth of Chesapeake Bay, and blockaded most of the eastern seaboard.
Significantly, though, every attempted incursion into Canada along
the crucial St. Lawrence valley was turned aside, as much due to
incompetent U.S. leadership and indifferent troops as to Canadian
military prowess. Still, in 1813 a small force of Canadian-born soldiers
under the command of Quebecer Charles de Salaberry defeated a far
larger American army at Châteauguay, Que. This has become a signature
moment in Canadian military mythology ….
By 1814, both sides were eager for peace. And yet the Treaty of Ghent,
crafted on Christmas Eve 1814, was a curious agreement. All borders
were left as they were prior to the war …. It was as if the war never
happened.
Peter Shawn Taylor, “Damn Yankees are trying to steal our victory in 1812,” Macleans.ca, October 11, 2011
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#3
The war that both sides won
Excerpt from a book written by Canadian historian Dr.
Wesley B. Turner entitled The War of 1812: The War That
Both Sides Won, published in 2000.
Who
won
the
1812 war of
?
Who won the war? The answer depends almost entirely on what country
you live in. The Americans tend to think they did. They won several big
land battles that in certain cases prevented major British invasions.
They conquered part of Upper Canada and won control of two lakes. They
still take great pride in several single-ship victories. Combat at sea
and on land created heroes and inspired traditions in the navy and army
…. Finally, the United States did not lose anything. In fact, Americans
believed that their country was more respected as a result of the war,
that it proved its strength and independence.
The Canadian view is different. Canadians believe the main American aim
was to conquer Canada. This was not achieved, and therefore the Canadian
side won the war. Certainly, the major American war effort was on land
and directed against Canada, particularly Upper Canada. Canadians
remember the defeat of large American forces by smaller numbers of
defenders. They forget or disregard western Upper Canada or American
victories on Lake Erie and Champlain as well as in single-ship fighting
at sea. Canada did not have war aims because it did not seek war. Simply,
the fact that Canada survived is an argument that the defenders won.
There was a group who clearly lost as a result of this war: native
peoples south and west of Lake Erie. The death of Tecumseh took the
heart out of much of the western Indians’ resistance to the United
States expansion. The Peace negotiations offered them some hope, but
the expectation of a separate Indian nation probably allied with Great
Britain was not realistic and Britain lacked the power to force such a
settlement upon the United States.
Wesley B. Turner, The War of 1812: The war that both sides won (Toronto, ON: Dundurn Press, 2000),
pp. 130–131.
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