HEADLINES FROM THE WAR IN THE AMERICAS – CANADA

A copy of the Declaration of War between The United Kingdom and her former colonies. – image courtesy of Wikipedia.com

London – June 1, 1812 – Bellicosity gives way to hostilities as the former colonies declare war upon Great Britain. The upstart American government, citing infringements on their sovereign rights has delivered a declaration of war to the Prime Minister. Sources friendly to the Crown in the Americas suggest that the former colonies are seeking to exploit the recent weakening of the Royal Navy and make the best of their improved relations with the Empire of Napoleon I. The people rallied in the streets in support of his Majesty’s Britannic government. Troops of soldiers are being raised in response to the crisis.

Sandwich, Ontario, Dominion of Canada– A force of British regulars and Canadian militia repelled an invading force launched across the Detroit River. The invading Americans, lead by General W^m. Hull were driven back across the boundary river and invested in the town of Detroit. After a brief siege the victorious British forces lead by Major General Isaac Brock captured the town and some 500 renegade Canadians who sided with the invaders. General Brock’s force was vastly outnumbered by the Americans. He attributes his success in the campaign to the superior fighting spirit of the British soldier as well as the support he received interdicting the American’s supply lines. This interdiction was provided by a coalition of His Majesty’s native allies lead by the Shawnee chieftain Tecumseh.

Lieutenant General Arthur Wellesley, newly appointed commander of all His Majesty’s forces in Canada and North America – image courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Montreal City, Lower Canada – Lt. General Arthur Wellesley, famed for his many successes in India arrived in the city to assume command of the ever growing British forces in Lower Canada. He replaces General Brock the gallant hero of the Campaign in Upper Canada who fell in the victorious battle at Queenston Heights where he repelled yet another invading American force. General Wellesley has ordered the building of a large number of fighting vessels to begin in the city of Windsor. These craft are being built to counter reports of an American buildup aimed at wresting control of Lake Erie from British control.

Amherstburg Upper Canada. The Royal Navy’s fleet assembling.- image courtesy of eighteentwelve.ca

Montreal, Lower Canada – News of a great victory has arrived from General Wellesley’s headquarters. In a fiercely fought battle, British naval forces prevailed over the Americans on Lake Erie. The American Commodore, Oliver Hazard Perry, having lost one ship’s compliment of cannon, transferred his flag to the USS Niagara. Perry then attempted to force the British line by calling his gunboats to aid in the effort. Fortunately, the gunboats so recently ordered into being by General Wellesley were able to intervene and prevent the American’s from carrying out their plans. Niagara and the remaining American vessels were forced to retreat, leaving the lake in British hands.

Sir John Sherbrooke, liberator of Maine. His strength of arms returned thousands of subjects to the Empire. – image courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada – Another great British victory was won today as forces lead by Sir John Coape Sherbrooke captured that portion of the State of Massachusetts known as Maine. British forces are streaming southward taking large tracts of land in the American states of Vermont and New Hampshire. Reports indicate that many of the New Englanders have embraced the British forces as liberators and have renewed their oaths of allegiance to His Gracious Majesty, King George III. At the end of the war, Sir John has pledged to petition the Crown to readmit these lands to the Empire as a new province of Canada.