Posted on 07/16/2011 1:15:25 PM PDT by ConservativeStatement
It’s a sticky question. Exactly how should Canada commemorate the 200th anniversary of a war in which our predecessors repelled an invasion by the United States – now this country’s closest ally and most valued trading partner?
The bicentennial of the War of 1812 is fast approaching. It’s a major formative event in Canada’s history – but like all wars, was wrenching and destructive. Both the White House and early Parliament buildings in Upper Canada were torched during the conflict.
(Excerpt) Read more at theglobeandmail.com ...
As a political entity Canada didn’t even exist in 1812. The war was between the US and Britain. Sort of round two of the revolutionary war. A lot of the fighting was on soil that is now Canada but that is it. One of the main instigations of the war happened on the high seas and nowhere near Canada as it is today.
The massacre of wounded at Frenchtown was the result of British Major General Henry Proctor deciding to leave some 500 wounded Americans in the “care” of indians allied with the british.
As soon as Proctor was out of sight the indians proceeded to slaughter every last one of them. They victims were primarily Kentucky militia. Today 9 Kentucky counties are named after men who fought there.
I also remember Oliver Hazard Perry sweeping the British Navy off of Lake Erie, effectively neutralizing British control in the Great Lakes, with a fleet he and his men built themselves.
Andy Jackson also kicked ass on the cream of the British Army with the help of buccaneers, slaves, and frontiersmen down in New Orleans.
Brits burned Washington, which is a good thing in my book, I invite them to do it again.
I don't even know if the War of 1812 is even taught in schools any more. But if it is, it is probably only the burning of Washington, blockades of the harbors and the Battle of New Orleans (which was actually fought a few weeks after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed).
The war over the Canadian territory was horrific for both sides.
My mistake. nearly 500 killed in the battle of Frenchtown with 69 wounded being massacred by the indians.
In 1814, Procter was tried by court martial for his conduct during the retreat. He was found guilty of “deficiency in energy and judgement”, and suspended for six months without pay. The Prince Regent insisted the findings and sentence be read to every regiment in the Army. Procter’s sentence was later reduced to a reprimand, but the conviction effectively ended his military service.
Cue the music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUu249jSprw&feature=related
(from a young lady's video submitted for extra credit in her social studies class)
The Battle of Frenchtown was the deadliest battle ever fought on Michigan soil and the largest single day loss of American lives in the war of 1812.
If you walk into the southeastern Michigan woods today you’ll notice was a horrible tangled wall of vegetation it is. I can’t imagine trying to actually get to a certain spot miles away through it. There’s no such thing as a straight line from point A to Point B.
The River Raisin is named after the tangle of wild grape vines that are common across the whole area.
How about a do-over and see how it comes out this time?
Just kidding. The Canucks are O.K.
Thanks to you and the others on this thread for the history. I didn`t know Canada wasn`t Canada at the time—it seems like the only time I have ever heard of this war talked about is by Canadians saying `we kicked your butt.`
aka The War of Canadian Aggression.
But isn’t the War on Terror just the current campaign in World War 0, Christendom versus Islam, begun in 600-whatever? (beginning with either the first attack of the Moslems on the Jews, or the first attack on an outpost of the Eastern Roman Empire)
When I was a kid (Ike was POTUS) the painting you posted was a card in a series called US Naval Victories and it was also a stamp in a Goldenbook History of the War of 1812. Seeing it in your post brought back memories that,unfortunately, most American kids will never have.
They burned the White House.
You have to give them their due I guess. There is a Freeper connection to the whole thing but I doubt anyone but bert gets it.
I'll withhold my decision on how complete I want the reenactment to be until I see who wins the election in 2012.
lol
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