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The battles that defined North America Among British Army historians the reputation of Sir John Fortescue stands virtually without equal. His comprehensive fourteen volume history is a work of unparalleled achievement in its field. Fortescue combines thorough source material research with insightful academic observation of the conduct of the campaigns he describes and of the decisions, errors and strategic and tactical options of their principal protagonists. The Leonaur editors have carefully selected passages from Fortescue’s magnum opus to create a series of books, each focusing on a specific war or campaign.
In 1812, the British Army, together with the armies of its European allies, was engaged against the might of Napoleon’s imperial France. Since the loss of the New World colonies there had been little affection between Britain and the United States of America. The Americans, having consolidated their nation, and looking to expand their influence, invaded Canada. The Canadians remained staunchly British in their allegiances and decisively repelled the American Army. A British Army expeditionary force, including soldiers who had recently defeated Napoleon’s French Army in Iberia, was despatched and the Americans suffered the ignominy of the occupation of Washington and the burning of the White House. Finally, an American force under Jackson, inflicted a bloody defeat on the British at New Orleans. The British commander, Pakenham, who was Wellington’s brother-in law, was killed in the battle. Tragically, and unknown to the protagonists, peace terms had been signed two weeks previously in Europe. Nevertheless, America had redeemed itself with an iconic victory, Canada had demonstrated it was capable of holding its own ground and the British Army had once again shown its renowned mettle. The War of 1812 was a war in which, unusually, all nations who had fought in it were comparatively satisfied with its outcome.
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