Existing comment:
The War of 1812 in 1813:
Virginia Manufactory arms played their most consequential role during the War of 1812. When the United States declared war on Great Britain in June 1812, it had relatively few naval ships and only a small standing army. State militias were expected to supply soldiers and to defend against threats to coastal areas. Units from Virginia served in Ohio under General William Henry Harrison, but the Virginia militia was primarily stationed in the Chesapeake Bay theater.
A British naval squadron tool control of the entrance to the bay in February 1813. Virginia forces assembled to protect lower Tidewater areas, especially Norfolk and Portsmouth. The American strongpoints were Fort Norfolk and Craney Island. A British attempt on Norfolk in March 1813 failed. In June 1813, a stronger attack on Norfolk was repulsed by American army, navy, and militia forces in the battle of Craney Island but days later the British drove off militia defending Hampton and sacked it. Over the summer, British forces conducted raids at many places. In late June and early July, they struck near Jamestown and in Isle of Wight. Later, from a base on Maryland's Kent Island, they made incursions into Westmoreland County. Their stealthy forays were often launched too quickly for local militia to be gathered for effective response. In September 1813, British forces withdrew from the Chesapeake, leaving only a small squadron on blockade.
The War of 1812 in 1814:
In spring 1814, the British returned, establishing a base at Tangier Island . From May through July, numerous Virginia and Maryland places were raided, including Accomac on the Eastern Shore and Westmoreland County along the Potomac. On 3 August, a major incursion up the Yeocomico River burned Kinsale and attacked Northumberland Court House but met stuff militia resistance.
In August, new British troops arrived and proceeded to Maryland's Patuxent River. On 19 August, 4,000 soldiers landed and moved on Washington. Among the capital's defenders were Fairfax County militiamen. On 24 August, in a defeat described by the battle-name "Bladensburg Runs," American forces were routed. British forces marched into Washington and burned the Capitol and White House. On 29 August, Alexandria surrendered without firing a shot.
The British next turned to Baltimore. Joining Maryland and US units was a substantial contingent of Virginia militia, which held the left side of the line for the successful American resistance at the battle of North Point on 12 September. After the ineffective if spectacular bombardment of Fort McHenry on 13-14 September, British forces withdrew. The main part left the Chesapeake in October, but an element remained on Tangier Island. Raids continued on the Potomac at Nomini Bay and on the Rappahannock at Tappahannock and North Farnham Church. Word that a peace treaty had been signed on 24 December 1814 reached President James Madison in blackened Washington on 14 February 1815. |