1812 Closure

The 2 Years War, more commonly referred to as the War of Southern Aggression in some country, was a failed attempt by the fledgling republic of the United States of America to invade and annex North American provinces belonging to the United Kingdom

In 1814, near the end of the conflict, the US invaders had been pushed back and british Governor-General Prevost decided to send a force south of the border to try and seize as much territory as possible along the Richelieu River as discussions between the British and US diplomats were underway but had not resulted yet in a peace treaty and Provost felt that occupying US territory would put them at an advantage during the negociation. He managed to group a large force of militiamen, British regulars, (freed by the end of the Napoleonic War) and a small naval fleet under the command of Admiral Downie.

On the US side, the defence was left to Brigadier General Macomb and Admiral Macdonough. Due to the numerical inferiority of their forces, it was decided not to march north to try and prevent the invasion but instead to fall back and make a stand at Platsburgh which they reinforced with bunkers and other earthworks. The work however proved to be too arduous due to the small size of the force and Macomb requested that Vermont (who had until then stayed neutral) send militiamen.

When Provost's forces arrived, the defence were still not fully completed but, thankfully for them, Provost decided to wait for the arrival of Downie's Fleet. This however proved to be only a short respite.

The first British ships to arrive were the gunboats under Captain Pring, mere hours in advance of the rest and they spent the next few days preparing for the engagement. Early in the morning of 11 September, the fleet began bombarding the town. This also signaled the begining of Provost's advance.

While the naval battle managed to turn to the favour of the US ships, the British infantry attacking from the west easily broke trough the undermaned defences at Salmon River and after entering Plattsburgh, even managed to turn some of the captured guns on the US fleet.

The US commanders were forced to capitulate although, owing to the performance of Admiral Macdonough, the surviving US ships were allowed to retire with on parole after surrendering their canons.

Governor-General Prevost then ordered the occupation of the town and that repairs be made to the fortification in case of a counter-attack from US forces. As most inhabitants had fled before the battle, the soldiers face no real resistance and simply took their quarters in abandoned houses.
 
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