War of 1812-1815

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The War of 1812 was a 32-month military conflict between the United States on the one side, and on the other Great Britain, its colonies and its Indian allies in North America. The outcome resolved many issues which remained from the American War of Independence, but involved no boundary changes. The United States declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions brought about by Britain's continuing war with France, the impressment of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy, British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion, outrage over insults to national honor after humiliations on the high seas, and possible American interest in annexing Canada.

Siege of Detroit or the Battle of Fort Detroit
15–16 August 1812
A British force under Major General Isaac Brock with Native American allies under the Shawnee leader, Tecumseh, used bluff and deception to intimidate the American Brigadier General William Hull into surrendering the fort and town of Detroit, Michigan, and a dispirited army which nevertheless outnumbered the victorious British and Native Americans. The British 41st Regiment, which subsequently became the Welch Regiment, was awarded the battle honour "Detroit", one of the few to be awarded to British regiments for the War of 1812. The captured colours of the 4th U.S. Infantry are currently in the Welch Regiment Museum at Cardiff Castle.

Battle of Queenston Heights
13 October 1812
British, Canadian militia and Mohawks Army commanded Major General Isaac Brock defeats American Army commanded Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer. It took place on , near Queenston, in the present-day province of Ontario, Canada. Major General Isaac Brock was killed.

Battle of Lake Erie
10 September 1813
Nine vessels of the United States Navy defeated and captured six vessels of British Royal Navy. It was one of the biggest naval battles of the War of 1812.

Battle of the Thames
5 October 1813
American Army commanded General William Henry Harrison defeats British and Indian Army commanded Maj. Gen Henry Procter and chief Tecumseh. It resulted in the death of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, and the destruction of the Native American coalition which he led.

The Chesapeake Campaign
June 1814
This was the only time in American history when the nation's capital was invaded by a foreign power. The campaign was led by British Rear Admiral George Cockburn during the summer of 1814: the assault on Washington including the Battle of Bladensburg, the burning of the White House, the Capitol, the Navy Yard, and other public buildings in Washington, DC.

Battle of New Orleans
8 January 1815
The final major battle of the War of 1812 American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the Louisiana Purchase. The Treaty of Ghent, having been signed in 1814 but hostilities continued until late February when official dispatches announcing the peace reached the combatants in Louisiana, finally putting an end to the war. The Battle of New Orleans is widely regarded as the greatest American land victory of the war.