Osprey Men-at-Arms 226 : The American War 1812-1814

Typically the United States is said to have declared war on Great Britain in 1812 because of the Royal Navy's impressment of American seamen from American ships and the British desire to create an Indian buffer state between the growing expansion of the United States and Canada. Actually, an Englishman who had lived in the United States for eight years before the war's outbreak, William Cobbett, described what was probably the real cause. 'There seemed to be wanting just such a war as this to complete the separation of England from America; and to make the latter feel that she had no safety against the former but in the arms of her free citizens.'. Regardless of the reasons, however, on 4 June 1812, U.S. President James Madison, asked Congress to declare war. The House of Representatives approved quickly, but the Senate agreed only after debate, on 18 June, and only by six votes. The feelings which divided the Senate were felt throughout the entire American public. Philip Katcher details the history, uniforms and equipment of the British, American and Militia forces which fought in the American war, accompanied by numerous illustrations and photographs, including eight full page colour plates by Bryan Fosten.

Contents

• The War
• The British Army
• The American Army
• The Militia
• The Plates