A War of Utmost Importance

From the June 19th Chicago Tribune by Dennis Byrne.

describing the war as the "least celebrated war" and "one of the most bungled."

It was "so obscure that many Chicagoans will be surprised to learn that the Fort Dearborn Massacre was one of the earliest battles" where 500 Potawatomi and other Native American tribes allied with the British killed, wounded ot captured 100 soldiers and civilian men, women and children evacuating the fort under promise of safe passage.

SOME OTHER WAR OF 1812 ITEMS:

Fortunately for the U.S., the British were involved in a life or death struggle with Napoleon in Europe.

Both Fance and Britain ignored American neutrality in their conflict which was part of the reason for the War of 1812.

Britain was pulling US sailors off our ships and also arming Indians against us.

Congressional War Hawks wanted to invade and annex Canada.

Britain had 500 ships and 500,000 soldiers.

The U.S. had 6 warships and 5,000 regular Army soldiers supported by poorly trained and equipped state militias.

Out troops were led by "incompetent, coweardly, prideful or confused generals, mostly old guys left over from the Revolutionary War."

An Interesting Overview of the Situation in 1812.  --Brock-Perry