Important People
In this page you will find out who were the important people in the war of 1812 and some intresting facts about these people.
Isaac Chauncey was the man who commanded the American naval forces in Lake Ontario. Unlike Oliver Hazard Perry on Lake Erie, Chauncey couldn't completely defeat the Brithish fleet in Ontario, although Isaac Chauncey emeged successful in many encounters with his enemy. Chauncey's fleet was instrumental in achieving American invasions to Upper Canada, particularly on the Niagara frontier.
This major general led the American invasion to Lower Canada. Hampton used the Chateauguay River to reach Lower Canada in fall of 1813. Hamptons army encountered the Canadian defense force commanded by Lutinent Colonel Charles de Salaberry. When they had encountered each other, they began to fight. The Canadians were stronger causing the Americans to retreat. Hampton had failed, and never tried to attack Lower Canada again.
Henry Dearborn commanded American military forces on the Niagara frontier in 1813. Dearborn led the American troops at the Battle of York, capturing the capital of Upper Canada. He successfully captured the British Fort George and occupied much of the Niagara Peninsula during the 1813 campaign. However, American troops were eventually pushed back, while Dearborn was succeeded by Major General James Wilkinson.
William Henry Harrison is known for his achievements in frontier territories. While serving under various commanders, and as commander himself, Harrison opened many Amerindian lands to American settlers. Naturally, the Amerindians fought back, and Harrison was in charge for the defense of the new settlements.
A threat appeared when Shawnee Chief Tecumseh pressed for a confederacy of the Amerindian tribes. Harrison lead his force against the Amerindians and defeated the at the Battle of Tippecanoe.
During the War of 1812, Harrison got the rank of Brigadier General and commanded the Northwest Army on the Detroit frontier. He successfully forced the British forces back in 1813, then he re-captured Detroit, taken earlier by British General Isaac Brock, and defeated the British forces at the Battle of the Thames, when Tecumseh was killed.
After the war, Harrison was nominated for President of United States and died in 1841.
Andrew Jackson was the man in charge of repulsing the British invasion into the southeastern U.S. During the Battle of New Orleans, Jackson managed to repulse the British attack on January 8, 1815 Jackson faced little losses to himself and gigantic damage to the enemy. Jackson's victory at New Orleans served to convince the American people that the War of 1812 was a success.
James Madison served as President Jefferson's Secretary of U.S. when the events leading up to the War of 1812 took place. Madison was elected President in 1808, when the U.S St became caught up in the war between Great Britain and Napoleon.
A political group called the War Hawks was pushing for a rough policy towards Great Britain. Because of this situation, and other factors, Madison signed the declaration of war in 1812. James Madison was present at the signing of the Peace Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814.
Oliver Hazard Perry, who went to the American Navy at the age of 13, commanded the U.S fleet in Lake Erie in the year 1813. He strengthened his army until he was able to leave the safety of the Presque Isle harbor and give the battle to the British fleet. Perry's fleet numbered nine well-equipped ships, while the British had six vessels, in bad fighting condition. Perry defeated the British army and captured all six of the enemy's ships. He gained complete control of Lake Erie and won much respect for the victory. Perry was the first person in history to bring back an entire war as a prize of war.