Military encampment, Fort Wellington, Prescott, circa 1870.

ILLUSTRATION: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—C-O40161

The War of 1812 lasted from the American declaration of war on Great Britain in June 1812 to the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent in February 1815.

Each article in our Then & Now Journal consists of two parts. The “Then” portion describes events of the war in the same two-month time frame as 200 years ago. The “Now” portion highlights existing memorials, museums, battlefields, fortifications and other sites as well as various commemorative events. Space does not permit us to list every event, and so we encourage you to investigate what may be happening in your area or any event that may be of interest.

THEN

Nov. 1-2: British naval force raids American flotilla at French Creek, N.Y., carrying Major-General James Wilkinson’s troops down the St. Lawrence River to attack Montreal.

Nov. 3: Brigadier-Gen. John Coffee and 900 Tennessee militiamen, including Davy Crockett, defeat Red Stick Creeks at Tallushatchee, Mississippi Territory.

Nov. 6: At night, Wilkinson’s flotilla runs past British batteries at Fort Wellington, Prescott, while the bulk of an 8,000-man force disembarks south of river, marches overland and re-embarks.

Nov. 9: Colonel Andrew Jackson and 2,000 Tennessee volunteers defeat Creeks at Talladega, Mississippi Territory.

Nov. 10: American advanced guard clears Canadian militia from Hoople’s Creek, east of Crysler’s Farm, opening way to Cornwall.

Nov. 11: American cavalry occupy part of Cornwall and loot civilian homes; Lieutenant-Col. Joseph Morrison, commanding 900 British regulars, Canadian militia and native allies, defeats 2,500 American regulars under Brig.-Gen. John Boyd at Crysler’s Farm, ending American attempts to invade Canada.

Fort George, Niagara, 1812.

ILLUSTRATION: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—C-O40161

Nov. 12: Americans withdraw from Cornwall.

Nov. 13: Skirmish at Nanticoke Creek between Canadian militia and Canadian renegades who support Americans; 18 captured and later tried as traitors at “Bloody Assizes”; eight hanged.

Nov. 15: Wilkinson’s army goes into winter quarters at French Mills.

Nov. 16: British extend blockade to all middle and southern states.

Nov. 29:  American troops attack and burn Creek village at Autosse, Mississippi Territory.

Dec. 10: Brig.-Gen. George McClure abandons Fort George and burns Newark (modern Niagara-on-the-Lake).

Dec. 12: British reoccupy Fort George.

Fort Niagara, winter 1812.

ILLUSTRATION: PETER RINDLISBACHER

Dec. 13: Lt.-Gen. Gordon Drummond becomes lieutenant governor of Upper Canada, replacing Maj.-Gen. Francis de Rottenburg.

Dec. 15: Canadian militia capture American post established earlier at Thomas McCrae’s house, near Moraviantown, Upper Canada.

Dec. 17: Canadian militia raid Derby, Vt.

Dec. 19: Col. John Murray leads 550 British infantrymen in surprise night attack and captures Fort Niagara; Maj.-Gen. Phineas Riall destroys Lewiston, N.Y., in retaliation for burning of Newark.

Sir Gordon Drummond.

ILLUSTRATION: LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA—C-70391

Dec. 21: British burn Manchester (modern Niagara Falls, N.Y.) and Fort Schlosser.

Dec. 23: American troops attack Creek village of Eccanachaca, Mississippi Territory.

Dec. 25: HMS Belvidera captures USS Vixen off Delaware coast.

Dec. 30: Riall burns Black Rock and Buffalo; British letter offering direct peace negotiations arrives in United States.

NOW

Nov. 11: Service of Remembrance, Crysler’s Farm, Ont.

Nov. 17: War of 1812 Bicentennial Symposium, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

Fort Niagara, winter 1812.

PHOTO: TONY CHISHOLM

Dec. 7: Niagara on Fire, bicentennial commemoration of burning of Newark, followed on Dec. 10 by memorial service in St. Mark’s Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.

Dec. 19: Bicentennial commemoration of capture of Fort Niagara, including unveiling monument honouring Tuscarora natives, Youngstown, NY.