10thMountain | 12 Jul 2016 5:51 a.m. PST |
Hello, Can anyone recommend some topics that I could research pertaining to the War of 1812? I need to look at the tactical and strategic aspect of a battle or campaign. Thank you |
BlackJoke | 12 Jul 2016 6:32 a.m. PST |
You may want to look at the Naval side, especially as the bloackade all but destroyed the American economy. Odd side bar to this is that the effective bloackade meant the American sent some of there better sailors and naval commanders to the great lakes. All depends on the purpose of your research. |
epturner | 12 Jul 2016 7:44 a.m. PST |
I always thought Queenston Heights was the epitome of Doodle farce. A bad plan, no strategic direction, poor command relationships, almost no recce performed…. It's a comedy of errors that had the tragedy of humans dying. I found it a fantastic study of how not to perform the Operational Art. My two shillings. Eric |
Vigilant | 12 Jul 2016 8:17 a.m. PST |
Main thing to consider regarding strategic action is difficulty of movement. Most battles were close to rivers, lakes or the sea. Forested terrain reduced the use of cavalry to virtually nil and severely limited the size of artillery pieces. The other point would be training and enthusiasm for the war, the southern and western states were much keener than the northern states, some of whom refused to fight outside their own state. |
Toronto48 | 12 Jul 2016 9:55 a.m. PST |
From an American point of view and if you are doing this as an academic exercise I would suggest the Battle of Chippewa and possibly add Lundy's Lane to it to complete the campaign Chippewa offers an opportunity to look at the creation of n effective US force through a complete reorganization and training at the famous "Camp of Instruction" run by Generals Windfield Scott and George Izzard (IMO, Scott's camp was much more successful) This would involve a review of how Scott and Izzard adapted the current US Drill and Tactical instructions to the force he had and the changes he had to make in these as well as organization. Improvements were made in supply and logistics as shown by the use of a grey uniform which inspired the West Point dress of today. His efforts were successful as they completely surprised the British Generals who were amazed at the quick transformation of the US Army as seen by the famous comment " My God! They are regulars" Scott created an army that was first able to defeat British Regulars at Chippawa and then stand "toe to toe" with the Crown Forces at Lundy's Lane a few days later. This would give you a tight focus on a series of events focusing on things like unit training, tactics and the roll of personal leadership as demonstrated in a single campaign To start you off I would recommend the following books by Donald Graves "Where Right and Glory Lead!: The Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814" and 'Red Coats & Grey Jackets: The Battle of Chippawa, 5 July 1814" There is also John R Elting's "Amateurs to Arms:A military history of the war of 1812". All three books have excellent bibliographies and notes that will show the primary and other documents that were used Good luck |
Brechtel198 | 12 Jul 2016 10:11 a.m. PST |
To complete the Niagara campaign of 1814 the siege of Fort Erie would have to be included, along with the skirmishes that followed after the British were defeated and lifted the siege. It was the bloodiest campaign of the war, including New Orleans, and it saw the hardest fighting between what was essentially two professional forces commanded by competent commanders on both sides. |
Tango01 | 12 Jul 2016 10:50 a.m. PST |
Have you pay a visit to the 1812 forum…? TMP link Amicalement Armand |
Rudysnelson | 12 Jul 2016 3:54 p.m. PST |
American War of 1812. SUpply, limitations on militia and volunteer troop deployments. The change of uniforms winter/summer and headgear are the most common. The uniforms of state militia and volunteers. Basic topics. The difference is the research on the enmies. They are different in the north and the south. |
Clays Russians | 13 Jul 2016 10:06 a.m. PST |
I think I would check Canadian sources, they did after all come out of it the winners |
John the Greater | 15 Jul 2016 2:02 p.m. PST |
Try the New Orleans campaign. There was lots more than the one battle. The whole thing is full of "what ifs". And there is plenty of US material available. If you can PM brass1, you will get more information than any one human should possess. |
Toronto48 | 17 Jul 2016 10:06 a.m. PST |
I always thought that it would be nice if the OP could reply to threads like this to acknowledge the help received and to add any comments Not doing so is like a hit and run. |
epturner | 17 Jul 2016 3:16 p.m. PST |
Toronto48; I concur. I'd also like to know a little more about the reason for the request, as there are a lot of resources and it might be easier to direct the OP to what he/she is seeking. Eric |