1812 and all that | On Top of the World

Category Archives: 1812 and all that

On the eve of the War of 1812, British and American commanders joined in a toast to King and President, then went off to battle one another in a four-year bloodbath that decided the future of Canada. Dramatic sequences reveal lives disrupted by the clash for control of the North American continent. (Photo: Courtesy Niagara Parks)

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1812 – Part 8: The British Retreat and the Death of Tecumseh

Posted on November 9, 2011 by On Top Of The World

Following the loss of the British Fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie it was decided to destroy everything that could be of use to the Americans and retreat up the Detroit River to the Thames Valley. Proctor, the British general, promised Tecumseh that he would fight in the forks of the Thames in Chatham. But outnumbered and with no fortifications they were forced to retreat further inland. A thousand natives fought valiantly but they and 500 British regulars were no match for 3,000 American troops.

Posted in 1812 and all that | Tagged American troops, Amherstburg, Arnold’s Mill, Battle of the Thames, British, Chatham, Detroit River, Essex County, First Nations, Indian Confederation, Lemuel Sherman’s farm, London, McCrae Homestead, Ontario, Proctor, Royal Scots Grenadiers, Tecumseh, Thames River, Thamesville | Leave a comment

1812 – Part 7: The Battle of Lake Erie

Posted on November 2, 2011 by On Top Of The World

Prior to the War of 1812 navigation between Lake Erie and the Upper Great Lakes was forced to pass through a narrow channel on the lower Detroit River. It was here in 1796 that the British built Fort Malden. During the War, both the British and the Americans were anxious to gain control of Lake Erie. When the American squadron moved into Put-in-Bay in the late summer of 1813, potentially cutting off the supply routes to the forts and their native allies, the British fleet was forced to leave Amherstburg and engage in battle.

Posted in 1812 and all that | Tagged Admiral Barclay, Battle of Lake Erie, British Indian Department, Detroit River, First Nations peoples, Fort Amherstburg, Fort George, Fort Malden, General Isaac Brock, Jay Treaty, Lake Erie, Niagara Peninsula, Oliver Hazard Perry, Ontario, Provincial Marine dockyards, Put-in-Bay, Shawnee, Tecumseh, Upper Great Lake Fleet, War of 1812 | Leave a comment

1812 – Part 6: Settlement in South Western Ontario

Inspired by Simcoe’s dream to create a British colony, flamboyant Colonel Tom Talbot obtained a land grant in South Western Ontario and offered new immigrants the opportunity to settle the land. It was a tough but rewarding life clearing the land, planting and harvesting crops, and building roads. As part of the deal, all male members of the family had to join the militia. No problem until war broke out.

1812 – Part 5: Rebuilding Fort York

After the Battle of York, the Americans destroyed the Fort, the Governor’s House and the Parliament Buildings. They then decided that the town of York (modern day Toronto) was not worth keeping and left town. After the War of 1812 Fort York was rebuilt. See which significant buildings survive and how archaeologists are unearthing Toronto’s past.

1812 – Part 2 – The story of Laura Secord

Laura’s walk to warn British troops of an American invasion may have contributed in saving Upper Canada from becoming a U.S. State, but it came at a price. The Officer she warned later repaid the debt.

1812 – Part 1: The War begins

War is announced – but in 1812 civility reigns. The British officers are entertaining their American counterparts at Fort George and so war will not start until everyone has first finished their dinner.

Category Archives: 1812 and all that

1812 – Part 8: The British Retreat and the Death of Tecumseh

1812 – Part 7: The Battle of Lake Erie

1812 – Part 6: Settlement in South Western Ontario

1812 – Part 5: Rebuilding Fort York

1812 – Part 4: The Battle of York

1812 – Part 3 – The Story of Billy Green

1812 – Part 2 – The story of Laura Secord

1812 – Part 1: The War begins

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