1812 The Forgotten War

The War of 1812 is sometimes called a forgotten war because it was a side-line event of the Napoleonic War which was happening in Europe. It was a bunch of skirmishes on the Great Lakes, a few towns in Upper and Lower Canada and also on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Some historians also called it the second fight for independence of the former British colonies, though this did not have as much success. Had it been a successful invasion of Canada, Canada would be part of the United States now.
This book compares the modern tourist region of Niagara to the situation of the fighting forces in the three-year battle from 1812 to 1815. Nine main battles are investigated: On the waterInvasion of Quebec or Lower Canada.The Siege of Detroit.Storming of Fort York.Battle of Fort George.Queenston Heights.Battle of Beaverdams.Siege of Fort Erie.Battle of New Orleans.
The U.S. threw itself into this war because Britain used force to "impress" or kidnap Americans who became unwilling sailors on British ships. The first American attacks were disjointed and failed. Detroit was surrendered to the British in August 1812.
British Major General Robert Ross marched into Washington on August 24, 1814 and had his men set fire to various government and military buildings, including the White House, called the Presidential Mansion at that time. It was a retaliation for the American destruction of Port Dover in Upper Canada. The Burning of Washington is the only time a foreign power has captured and occupied the capital of the United States. President James Madison, military officials and his government fled the city to a small town in Montgomery County, Maryland, known now as "the United States Capital for a Day." He spent the night at the house of Caleb Bentley and his Quaker family. The house still exists, known as the Madison House.
Luckily, a heavy thunderstorm put out the fires in Washington putting weight to the argument that God was on the American side. The occupation of Washington lasted about 26 hours.
The Treaty of Ghent was signed by British and American delegates on December 24, 1814, ending the War of 1812. One wonders what would have become of Britain's Canadian territory in North America had the Americans indeed won the War of 1812.