Canadian units of the War of 1812

When the United States and the United Kingdom went to war against each other in 1812, the major land theatre of war was Canada, which was then divided for administrative purposes into Upper Canada (broadly the southern portion of the present day province of Ontario), Lower Canada (roughly the southern part of present day Quebec) and the Atlantic Provinces, consisting of the colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton (colony between 1784-1820). Each of these separate administrations formed regular and fencible units, and both full-time and part-time militia units, many of which played a major part in the fighting over the two and a half years of the war.

Regulars and Fencibles

Note that the Fencible units were raised on the same terms as regular troops, but liable only for service in North America.

Quasi-military units

Two militarised bodies were in existence before any of the Canadian land units which participated in the war were raised.

The Indian Department

This consisted of 100 officers, whose purpose was to act as agents, envoys or interpreters to the various Native tribes and nations (nowadays referred to in Canada as First Nations).

Many of its personnel took part in actions in which the peoples to whom they were attached participated. They were supposed to wear full dress in action, to prevent their being mistaken for Americans by excited warriors (or being taken for "blue-eyed Indians", renegades and rogue fur traders, by American soldiers). Indian Department officers were indeed often of mixed Native and European ancestry. Some claimed to speak little or no English.

The most well known victory won by Natives fighting directly under British command was the Battle of Beaver Dams in 1813.

The Provincial Marine

Main article: Provincial Marine

This had been responsible since the late 18th Century for military transport and police duties on the Great Lakes. When war broke out, they possessed:

Lake Ontario

Royal George, ship, 510 tons, 22 guns

Prince Regent, ship, tonnage unknown, 16 guns

Earl of Moira, brig, 262 tons, 14 guns

Duke of Gloucester, brig, tonnage unknown, 10 guns

Seneca, schooner, 216 tons, 8 guns (commandeered trading vessel)

Simcoe, schooner, 187 tons, 8 guns (commandeered trading vessel)

Lake Erie

Queen Charlotte, ship, 400 tons, 17 guns

Lady Prevost, schooner, 230 tons, 13 guns (under construction, joined a few weeks after the outbreak of war)

Hunter, brig, 180 tons, 10 guns

In 1812, the efficiency of the Provincial Marine was described as low, not least because its senior officer was over eighty years old. Nevertheless, the Americans initially had nothing to match it, and it played a major part in the victories of General Isaac Brock. It was expanded during the war, and its officers and sailors played valiant parts in the Battle of Lake Erie and the Battle of Plattsburgh.

Atlantic Provinces

The Royal Newfoundland Fencibles

Main article: The Royal Newfoundland Regiment

Although units had been raised in Newfoundland as early as 1795, the regiment which fought in the War of 1812 was officially formed in 1803. Its authorised establishment was 1,000, but it numbered 556 when the war broke out. Many of the regiment's soldiers were expert boatmen, and five companies were sent to Upper Canada in 1812 to serve as marines on the Great Lakes. They fought as such throughout the war, suffering heavy casualties at the Battle of Lake Erie. When not serving aboard ships, the regiment was split up into garrisons and detached companies throughout Upper Canada.

A detachment of ninety men from the regiment, together with thirty officers and men from the Royal Artillery, opened a trail (using old trapper and fur trader routes) from York, the provincial capital of Upper Canada, to the Nottawasaga River during the early month of 1814. The detachment subsequently took part in the Battle of Mackinac Island and the Engagement on Lake Huron.

The unit was disbanded in 1816. As a "Royal" unit, it had blue facings to its red coats.

The Nova Scotia Fencibles

Raised in 1803. Although posted to Kingston in Upper Canada in 1814, they did not see action. Disbanded in 1816. The unit had red uniforms with yellow facings.

The New Brunswick Fencibles

This regiment also was raised in 1803. Although established as Fencibles, the regiment volunteered for general service, and became the 104th Regiment of Foot (New Brunswick Regiment) in the British Army in 1810. Nevertheless they served in North America only. They made an epic winter march from Fredericton, New Brunswick to Quebec in early 1813. Detachments from the regiment fought at the Battle of Sackett's Harbor and in the various campaigns on the Niagara peninsula. Disbanded in 1817. The unit's uniforms had buff facings.

Another unit, also known as the New Brunswick Fencibles, was formed in 1812 to garrison various posts in the Maritime Provinces, and disbanded immediately after the war ended.

Lower Canada

The Canadian Fencibles

Main article: Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry

First recruited in Scotland in 1803. The Scottish recruits feared that they were about to be "crimped" for service in India or other unhealthy posts, and mutinied. Eventually, the unit was recruited from the French-speaking peoples of Lower Canada. The light company fought at the Battle of Chateauguay and the grenadier company at the the Battle of Lacolle Mills (1814). A small detachment fought at the Battle of Crysler's Farm and some of the battalion companies served as marines with the squadron on Lake Champlain, in several raids in 1813. The unit was disbanded in 1816. Its uniforms had yellow facings.

Upper Canada

The Glengarry Light Infantry

Formed by order of Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost in 1812, recruited from settlements of discharged Scottish soldiers (and some evicted Scottish highlanders) in Glengarry district. Originally intended to wear highlander uniforms (kilts, etc.), they wore the dark green uniform with black facings of the Rifle Brigade instead, although they were armed with muskets rather than rifles.

Companies and detachments fought in several actions in Upper Canada in 1813, and the whole unit fought at the Battle of Lundy's Lane. The unit specialized in British light infantry tactics and thus was well-trained in duties such as skirmishing and concealed sentry duty.

The unit was disbanded in 1816. The modern descendant is The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders. A modern reenactment unit is based in Fort Erie Ontario, on the opposite side of the river from Buffalo, New York.

The Michigan Fencibles

A small unit of 45 men raised at Fort Mackinac in 1813. They served in the west, including at the Battle of Prairie du Chien. Disbanded in 1815. The unit supposedly had a uniform of red coats with black facings, but given the distance from regular supply sources and the hard conditions in which it served, it is unlikely that they ever presented a uniform appearance.

Full-time Militia

Various full-time units were formed from members of the militia. Although usually intended for garrison duty only, several units saw action. All such Militia units were disbanded very soon after the war ended, and their men returned to their former occupations.

Particularly in Upper Canada, ordinary Militia contingents could not be kept in the field for long, especially around harvest time or the planting season when many militia would want to return to work on their farms. This was one reason for the formation of some of the full-time units.

Lower Canada

The Canadian Voltigeurs

Main article: Canadian Voltigeurs

The Canadian Voltigeurs had a slightly anomalous position, in that they were supposedly militia and subject to the militia laws and ordinances, but were listed as a regular unit during the war. They were formed from volunteers from the militia by Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry in 1812. The Voltigeurs were trained to a high standard and fought in several actions including the Battle of Chateauguay. The unit had a grey uniform (rifle green for officers), with black facings and equipment. Though their unit contained french speaking Canadians for the majority, their orders were given in English.

The Frontier Light Infantry

A small unit, two companies strong, which were listed as the ninth and tenth companies of the Voltigeurs, but which were administered separately. Most of its men were English-speaking volunteers from the Eastern townships, unlike the French-speaking main body of the Voltigeurs.

Select Embodied Militia

Formed partly from volunteers, and partly from conscripted men chosen by lot, who served for one year only. (Late in the war, there was some trouble when Prevost refused to exempt men who had already served a year, from the ballot.) Four battalions were initially formed early in 1812, followed by a fifth after war was declared, and a sixth in 1813. The seventh and eighth battalions of Sedentary Embodied Militia were formed in Montreal in late 1813 when an American attack was threatened, but disbanded immediately the crisis was passed.

When first formed, they were forced by a shortage of official pattern uniforms to adopt a variety of dress. By late 1813 at the latest, all battalions had been issued red uniforms.

The flank companies of the first to fourth battalions were detached to form two ad hoc light infantry battalions during much of 1813. The 1st Light Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel George MacDonnell, which included the light companies of the 2nd and 3rd battalions, fought at the Battle of Chateauguay.

After the fifth battalion attracted unfavourable reports in 1814 (mainly because of the absence without leave of several of its officers), it was reorganised and reformed as a light infantry unit, the Canadian Chasseurs. It appears that several of the flank companies which had already seen much service were consolidated into the Chasseurs, while the existing personnel of the fifth battalion were dispersed among the other battalions. The Chasseurs wore substantially the same uniform as the Voltigeurs and were brigaded with them in the campaign in 1814 which ended with the Battle of Plattsburgh. (This unit should not be confused with the Independent Companies of Foreigners, raised from among French prisoners of war and which served in Chesapeake Bay in 1813, being responsible for several acts of looting and rape, and were given the title "Canadian Chasseurs" by Major General Sidney Beckwith without authorisation.)

Except for the 6th battalion, which garrisoned the citadel of Quebec city, detachments of all the Select Embodied Militia units saw action in the Montreal or Lake Champlain sectors.

The Quebec Volunteers

A small (65 men) volunteer unit, which may have been merged into the 6th Select Embodied Militia battalion.

The Compagnie des Guides

A small company of volunteer cavalry.

The Canadian Light Dragoons

Also known as Coleman's Troop after its commander. Saw much action in Upper Canada, though mainly as picquets and despatch riders rather than cavalry.

The Dorchester Provincial Light Dragoons

Another volunteer horsed unit.

The Royal Militia Artillery

A small detachment (1 officer, 22 men) who volunteered for full-time service with units of the Royal Artillery. It participated in the Battle of Crysler's Farm.

The Corps of Provincial Royal Artillery Drivers

Volunteers who served as drivers for units of the Royal Artillery. Its personnel may also have been paid for providing their own draught animals.

The Corps of Canadian Voyageurs

Originally raised by William McKay from among the boatmen of the North West Fur Company, to move military supplies west from Quebec and Montreal. The Corps numbered about 400, and was involved in several skirmishes with American raiders during the winter of 1812-1813. In 1813, responsibility for transport was transferred to the Commissariat, and the Corps was disbanded and reformed as the Provincial Commissariat Voyageurs.

During the war, members of this corps took part in actions on the Saint Lawrence River, and journeyed far up the Ottawa River to reach Lake Huron. They had no recognised uniform and wore practical clothing as the season required. They also determinedly resisted any attempt to make them conform to any standard of parade ground drill.

So vital was transportation that in 1814, when large numbers of British troops were sent to Canada, Sir George Prevost suggested converting all his Select Embodied Militia to boatmen and voyageurs. This plan met with disapproval from every Canadian officer.

Upper Canada

Most militia units in Upper Canada formed flank companies, who served on a more regular or full-time basis than the ordinary members of the militia, and were sometimes termed Volunteers. They drilled every weekend, as opposed to the bulk of the militia who were required to turn out for training only twice a year in peace time. Such flank companies took part in the Battle of Queenston Heights and other actions on the Niagara peninsula.

The Incorporated Militia Battalion

This was formed from volunteers from the militia in 1813. Originally scattered in several garrisons, the battalion concentrated at York, before seeing action on the Niagara peninsula. The uniform featured green facings, although issues of uniforms were erratic and not all companies would have had the official recognised uniform. The entire unit fought at the Battle of Lundy's Lane.

The unit was always used as a body of skirmishing light infantry, and late in 1814, Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond proposed to give the battalion the same uniform as the Glengarry Light Infantry.

Caldwell's Western Rangers

Known as Caldwell's Rangers, after their commander, noted Loyalist and Indian trader William Caldwell. The unit was a rather small one, probably not more than fifty men. Nominally organised as two companies, they often worked in conjunction with the Indian Department and fought dispersed alongside the Indians (chiefly the Ojibwe, Wyandotte and Pottowottomi). The unit, or parts of it, fought at the Battle of Moraviantown, the Battle of Longwoods, the Battle of Lundy's Lane and in several actions on the Niagara peninsula.

There is little authenticated documentation as to the clothing and equipment carried by the Rangers. It is known that the rangers were issued a "bucket cap" (probably a cut down infantry shako without the brass plate or hackle), grey woollen trousers and a green woollen tunic, and a black leather bayonet belt and cartridge box. This equipment was issued only once; after that, they were told to re-supply themselves from the enemy. In summer, they would wear white cotton instead of woollen trousers.

It is not known with which model musket they were issued, although some scholars have suggested that they would have been captured American Springfield Model 1795 Musket (British forces under Isaac Brock captured over 1200 Muskets and over 200 Rifles at Detroit) while some others contend they may have used trade muskets instead. The Rangers found that the standard infantry bayonet was too cumbersome for bush fighting and often used hatchets (tomahawks) instead.

The Rangers' enlistment conditions were unique. They were recruited locally from Essex County and enrolled into the militia, but not permitted to quit the British service at their leisure as sedentary Militia could.

Fort Malden National Historic Site (Canada) has in recent years employed summer students for the re-created unit at the Park and regional re-enactments. There is also a Modern Re-enacting unit that recreates the Rangers; they are based out of Amherstburg, Ontario and work in conjunction with Fort Malden.

The Mississippi Volunteers

An ad-hoc unit, recruited on the spot from voyageurs and traders during the attack on Prairie du Chien in 1814. There was also a Mississippi Volunteer Artillery detachment.

The Provincial Dragoons

Also known as Merritt's troop, after its first commander, Captain William Hamilton Merritt. Served on the Niagara peninsula.

The Incorporated Artillery Company

A volunteer artillery unit.

The Provincial Artillery Drivers

As in Lower Canada, volunteers who served as drivers for the Royal Artillery. They and their draught animals were used to convert a detachment of Royal Artillery into a "car brigade", essentially horse artillery, under Captain W.H. Jackson. The detachment was stationed at Fort George and played a major part in the Battle of Queenston Heights. Two more such detachments were subsequently formed at Kingston.

The Corps of Provincial Artificers

Attached to the Royal Sappers and Miners. All its other ranks were negroes, many of whom had formed Runchey's Company of Coloured Men (a local militia unit) at the Battle of Queenston Heights.

Part-time Militia

Lower Canada

The French-speaking population of Lower Canada had a long tradition of service in the militia. In 1812, Sir George Prevost disparagingly referred to the Lower Canada militia as "a mere posse, ill-arm'd and without discipline". However, one British medical officer (William "Tiger" Dunlop) commented on seeing one unit turned out for duty, that their grey capotes and blue tuques (woollen caps) gave a uniform impression, as did their singing voyageur songs in unison. Many militia had their own hunting weapons, and during the war, large numbers of British muskets were imported and issued to the militia.

In theory, 54,000 men were available for service with the militia. Each parish provided a militia company. These were organized for administrative purposes into "divisions", equivalent to regiments though of very variable size. These in turn were administered by the Districts of Montreal, Trois-Rivières and Quebec (although the Eastern Townships were largely independent of the Montreal district command).

Except in one or two units raised in the cities of Quebec and Montreal, militiamen and junior officers generally wore serviceable homespun clothing, perhaps with a gorget for officers. Field officers sometimes wore a variety of quasi-military uniforms.

Two companies from Beauharnois were heavily engaged at the Battle of Chateauguay.

Upper Canada

The Upper Canadian militia were organised into Regiments, based on the "ridings" of each County, such as the 1st and 2nd Essex Militia based out of Essex County, Ontario. Normally in Upper Canada, militia units would meet once a year to receive minor military training. They would wear their own clothing and many armed themselves with their own weapons.

In Upper Canada, several parts of which were attacked or occupied by American forces, there were conflicting demands on the militia. On the one hand they were required for military duty; on the other, they were urgently needed to grow and harvest crops. This hampered most attempts to organise their efforts consistently.

Early in the war, many officials feared disaffection among the population of Upper Canada, many of whom were recent immigrants from the United States. In the event, Major General Isaac Brock did much to rally public morale by his victory at Detroit. A large part of his force consisted of from volunteers from the York militia. Large numbers of York and Lincoln militia also took part in the Battle of Queenston Heights.

York and Niagara

In several battles in 1813, British regulars were forced to retreat and leave the local militia either to disband (as at the Battle of Fort George) or make the best terms they could with the Americans (as at the Battle of York). These defeats did little to improve relations between the Canadians and certain British officers. Nevertheless, militia from Lincoln County and other districts along the Niagara River continued to turn out for duty for the remainder of the war.

In 1814, up to 500 members of the local (Lincoln) and York sedentary militia took part in the Battle of Lundy's Lane. Two years of warfare had not improved their military prowess. After some confused firing, most were sent away after their ammunition was redistributed among the regulars. One man was killed and twenty-one injured.

Western Districts

During 1814, American troops made several raids from Detroit or Lake Erie against the Essex and Norfolk districts, causing much destruction. The local militia had little support from other British units. They could not stop a determined expedition (for example, that which resulted in the Battle of Malcolm's Mills), but could stop small scale nuisance raids.

Leeds, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry

The militia from the districts along the Saint Lawrence were never so troubled with disaffection as those further west, and took part in several raids and counter-raids over the winter of 1812-1813. Temporarily reinforced with regulars, many participated in the Battle of Ogdensburg. (Some of the Leeds militia sported captured American Rifle Regiment uniforms for the remainder of the war.)

Late in 1813, the Americans under James Wilkinson descended the Saint Lawrence to attack Montreal. Militia from Dundas harassed the American boats. 500 militia from Stormont and Glengarry were defeated at Hoople's Creek by 1500 Americans under Jacob Brown, but Wilkinson abandoned the campaign shortly afterwards.

Other than this episode, the militia along the Saint Lawrence were little troubled during the remainder of the war.

References

• British Forces in North America 1793-1815, Rene Chartrand & Gerry Embleton, Osprey Publishing Ltd. UK, 1998, ISBN 1-85532-741-4
• The Incredible War of 1812, J. Mackay Hitsman (updated Donald E. Graves), Robin Brass Studio, Canada, 1965, ISBN 1-896941-13-3