History Browser

Starting in the late 1820s, the fortifications of Halifax were developed into a formidable defence complex. The new Citadel on the hill dominated the city’s landscape with batteries dotting the coast to provide crossfire against enemy ships. George’s Island was also heavily fortified to block the passage leading into Bedford basin. This 1865 map of Halifax shows these defences were woven into the layout of the city. (Library and Archives Canada, NMC 48125-6/6)

The battle of Châteauguay took place along the east and west banks of the Châteauguay river. There was a narrow cleared area on the west bank (towards the top of this map published in 1815), and it was here that the Canadian defenders manned their abbatis (barricades made of felled trees) on 26 October 1813. Most of the fighting took place on the west bank, but an American attempt to outflank the abbatis led to fierce and confused fighting on the east bank as well. The broken terrain helped the defenders by keeping the invaders from realizing that they outnumbered the Canadians ten to one.

The rebellions occurred mainly in the Richelieu River Valley in Saint-Denis and Saint-Charles, as well as in Saint-Eustache and in the vicinity of Beauharnois.

The British post at Fort Erie was extensively rebuilt by the Americans who captured it during the summer of 1814. The view here shows the rebuilt fort surrounded by the American camp as in September 1814.

This map of the Niagara Peninsula shows the principle settlements and fortifications found in the frontier region during the War of 1812. The map dates from the mid-19th century, and also shows later features such as the Welland Canal (first opened in 1829), several railways, the 1855 Niagara Falls suspension bridge and the site of the 1866 battle of Ridgeway.

This map shows the route taken by American army commanded by General William Hull from Urbanna, Ohio, to the frontier at Detroit. This was no easy journey. The Americans were forced to build their own road, building bridges and causeways for 200 miles through the wilderness. Also shown is the route taken by British and Canadian reinforcements led by General Isaac Brock to reinforce the defenders in the region. The British were able to travel by water most of the way because the Provincial Marine controlled both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie during the open months of the War of 1812. (Library of the Canadian Department of National Defence)

Geographic maps of Africa showing the location of the Ashanti War.

The open fields of John Crysler's farm on the north shore of the St. Lawrence river made for a very European-style battlefield. Amongst the largely British defenders present at the battle of Crysler's Farm on 11 November 1813 was Crysler himself, serving as a lieutenant in the 1st Dundas Militia.

In 1861, like thousands of French Canadians, Calixa Lavallée (1842-1891) volunteered to serve in the Union army. He enlisted as a 'Musician, first class' in the 4th Rhode Island Regiment, and this photograph shows him in his uniform. After being wounded in the leg in the Battle of Antietam he was discharged in the fall of 1862. In 1880, the composer created the tune 'O Canada'.

Most of the fighting during the War of 1812 occurred in the border areas shown in this map.