Neimeyer, Charles P. The Chesapeake Campaign, 1813-14

A volume from the Casemate Illustrated series. In early 1813, Britain launched an offensive in Chesapeake Bay to divert American regular troops from the Canadian border and put pressure on the United States to come to terms. As Secretary of War John Armstrong wanted to keep the regular army on the northern front, he decided to protect the Chesapeake Bay region with local forces and state militias, believing that the British raids were more of a distraction than a serious threat. This defensive strategy meant that cities, ports and even the nation's capital remained unprotected, with responsibility for their defence largely falling to less experienced, hastily organised militia units. While American forces successfully defended Craney Island near Norfolk and prevented a British occupation, British troops routed an American force at Bladenburg and opened the way to Washington, where they set fire to public buildings, including the White House and the Capitol. This symbolic victory was followed by the Battle of North Point and the defence of Fort McHenry, where the Americans succeeded in repelling the British troops in Baltimore. Although the British raid on Washington was a symbolic coup, it did not disrupt the US government nor did it have a significant impact on the course of the war. The failed attempt to capture Baltimore, combined with a decisive American victory at Plattsburgh, New York, underscored American resilience and contributed to Britain's decision to end the war without territorial concessions. Illustrated with photographs and maps, The Chesapeake Campaign 181314 examines the most important battles of this campaign.