A Frontier in Flames, War Along the U.S. Canadian Border-- Part 2: Early Losses Followed By American Victories

When war was declared, it was only natural that this area become the major battlefield.

On paper, it looked like an uneven contest.  The United States had more than 7.5 million people compared to just 500,000 in Canada.  Plus, Great Britain was in a battle for its life in Europe with Napoleon, leaving no extra troops to sent to North America.

The defenses of Canada were left in the hands of British troops already stationed there, along with Canadian militia and a coalition of American Indian tribes.  The Indians were crucial, but proved to be difficult allies.  they pretty much did as they pleased, but their very presence terrified Americans.

However, the Americans suffered from poor military leadership which led to a series of  humiliating, bloody losses in the latter half of 1812 and early 1813.  Several of these defeats were followed by the massacre of American prisoners by the Indians, as well as by atrocities by both sides.

The tide began to turn in the U.S. favor in 1813 as new leaders such as Winfield Scott, Zebulon Pike and William Henry Harrison replaced the older commanders.  Following the death of tecumseh, on October 5, 1813, the tribal coalition collapsed, effectively ending British attacks into the Northwest Territory.

--Brock-Perry