A Far Different North America, 1812 to Modern Day

The War of 1812 stalemate and eventual peace accords while cannot be completely attributed to General Sir Isaac Brock, his leadership had a profound effect on the war's overall outcome. With this said how much would the death of one man effect the overall outcome of a given conflict before it occurred, in this I have to say massive.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The War of 1812 is a confusing subject to say the least, with both opposing sides claiming victory; yet neither side in reality actual attained it. Perhaps the then British Empire could claim an overall victory due to the fact that they prevented their given colonies from falling. In addition to countering the initial American invasion, lead a successfully invasion of their own. Placing my own nationalistic tendencies aside as a Canadian, the war could have easily favoured the American side. America had greater population base, a relative easy logistical line towards the British America proper, a sound if small military industrial base, and America most importantly of all did not depend on sea lines of communication (SLOC) for military support.

While America’s military did have occasion bad luck or had leadership that was simple not good at their job. Overall America was going into a possible long-term conflict they could not possible win, the Canadian populace was simple to loyal to the crown, the terrain favouring the defender far to much, and the vast superiority overall the British had. Even still true credit should be given General Sir Isaac Brock who through his prudent planning of readying Canada for an American invasion allowed British North America to maintain a fighting chance, until reinforcement could be funnelled towards British North America. It was completely plausible that if America’s military had a bit more luck, a lack lustre British preparation for invasion; could have in short order taken over the British colonies or at the very least forced Britain into an unfavourable negation position.

In this setting there is a small POD but that none of the less overall creates a profound and lasting effect on North America. What if General Sir Isaac Brock passed away before the lead up to the War of 1812, due to this the war itself was more violent, and due to the Napoleonic Wars Britain could simple not support its North American colonies rapidly as in our OTL. Which overall lead to a British North American colonies that was decidedly still British but furious at the motherland's lack of rapid support, resentfully of the United States to the point of utter hatred, and did not have much believe in the way the home islands were governing their colonies.

1000px-Anglo_American_War_1812_Locations_map-en.svg.png
 
Last edited:
This should be interesting to read.
My own TL has a very similar POD to this, so it will be interesting to see how we go down different paths.
 
Part I: The Death That Changed It All

I'm hoping to make Canada exist but in a totally different viewpoint and culture. I hope I don't follow your TL to closely, but trust me when I say that mine will be really out there and unique. ;)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part I: The Death That Changed It All

Point of Divergence (POD) February 6, 1811: After only a few months of being able to prepare Upper and Lower Canada Major General Sir Isaac Brock dies from a bout of pneumonia contracted over the winter. Leadership of the British military forces in Canada temporarily falls to Brigadier General Roger Hale Sheaffe until a proper replacement could be possible chosen from existing ranks, or sent from the UK.

May 12, 1811: Word reaches the United Kingdom of the death of Major General Brock. It is decided that a relative unknown commander fighting in the Peninsula Wars Major General Robert Craufurd would replace him. Craufurd is recalled to England post haste to replace Major General Brock in North America. It is thought by the upper echelons of the British Army that the harsh but fair command style Craufurd would stiffen the resolve of a now mostly likely weary British garrison in North America.

September 1, 1811: Major General Craufurd lands in Quebec City along with a single additional regiment of soldiers (900 men in all), being greeted by the regional government, Lieutenant Govern General Sir George Prévost, along with formerly taking command of British North America military forces. On the same day the Major General and a company is sent to York under orders to determine the viability of actual defending Upper Canada during invasion. Lieutenant Govern General was highly weary of the former Major General Brock’s plans to defend against American aggression in Upper Canada, preferring instead to concrete on the defence of Lower Canada.

November 22, 1811: Major General Craufurd reaches York and is completely shocked by the state of repairs Fort York is in, and the amount of soldiers garrisoning it. In effort to fix this given issues the Major General orders the call up of militias and recruitment from the local population to bolster the small garrison.

March 8, 1812: The snow has thawed enough for the Major General to send a detail report back to the Lieutenant Govern General in Quebec City, as well as allowing training manoeuvres to occur with a recently recruited locals and militia.

March 22, 1812: The first in a hopefully series of training manoeuvres occur, and the Major General is utterly shocked by the level of competence shown by the local militia and garrison. As he was already known for in the Peninsula Wars, Major General Craufurd orders the flogging of one in ever fifty militia men who partook in the manoeuvres as punishment for their poor performance. Unlike the regular British soldiers, the local militia men are unused to such brutal punishment causing major hatred against their new leader.

March 25, 1812: Believing that if America did attack Upper Canada was a completely lost, Major General Craufurd orders what little of mobile forces in the area to head to the Citadel in Quebec City or Kingston in effort to bolsters up Lower Canada’s defences.

April 1, 1812: By now the locals in Upper Canada have found out that they more or less had been abandoned by the much hated Major General, soon undeclared local militias spring up across Upper Canada. Local political leaders attempt to create a secretive treaty with local natives, to bolster this far flung undeclared militias; it proves successfully.

April 20, 1812: The governor of Upper Canada Sir Frederick Philipse Robinson sends word to Lower Canada that in effort to defend his colony, he has allowed the recruitment of any willing able body British citizens or friendly local natives initial plans is to recruit 4000 able body men. By doing this the locals hail him as a hero and patriot to Upper Canada.

April 26, 1812: Tecumseh a native leader of rebellion against America, is told of the offer of alliance by Governor of Upper Canada by his scouts;along with its favorable conditions for his people. After a few hours of discussion with his advisers he accepts the Upper Canadian offer.

June 2, 1812: Major General Craufurd arrives back in Quebec City, with over 1400 men, half of which are British regulars to the delight of the Lieutenant Govern General.

June 18, 1812: The United States of America (USA) official declares war agianst the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (shortened to UK), what little of a functional USA Army is mobilized and state militias are called to arms.

June 29, 1812: The Lieutenant Govern General of British North America finds out about the declaration of war against his colony an orders Major General Craufurd to prepare to repulse a likely American attack.
 
Last edited:
Part II: When North America Goes To War

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part II: When North America Goes To War

July 12, 1812: General Hull occupies the British town of Sandwich, by a force 1000 untrained, poorly equipped militia. America still woefully unprepared federal military is still prepares for warfare across the British-American border.

July 26, 1812: Native leader Tecumseh with around 300 of his warriors and additional 400 local Upper Canadian militia men led by a local men Robert Green attacks General Hull’s army, what now is known as the Battle of Sandwich is the first in a series of bloody battles. Due to the fact that while Tecumseh was an able tactical leader he and his forces had little knowledge of more classical European open warfare. On the pressure of Robert Green, Tecumseh begrudgingly follows his lead in the upcoming battle. Although out numbered the “ad-hoc” Canadian forces attack General Hulls entrenched forces, the battle is bloody the end result is General Hull retreats from battle but only after the Canadians suffer over 400 dead to Hull’s 100.

August 1, 1812: New reaches York of the allied victory agianst America near the small town of Sandwich; locals go into a frenzy of celebration, soon any and all local mobilized militias head towards Sandwich about 2,400 men in all.

August 27, 1812: News reaches Quebec City of the local victory against the Americans in Upper Canada, and Major General Craufurd begins to reconsider his defence policy.

September 10, 1812: Major General Craufurd with the consent of the Lieutenant Govern General sends a regiment of infantry and small detachment of engineers to reinforce the depleted garrison at Fort York.

September 22, 1812: Local Upper Canadian militias, allied natives, and around 900 British regulars lead by then Brigadier General Roger Hale Sheaffe receive word of an American invasion force heading towards Niagara on the Lake. Colonel Sheaffe organize his forces and due to the influx of volunteers from York the Brigadier General is able to muster around 2,400 men under arms.

October 13, 1812: The Battle of Queenston Heights occur, due to a lack of men and unfavourable odds the British force is routed by Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer 6,000 strong army. The British force fought stubbornly, but in the end British suffered over 800 dead, and the Americans over 1,700. In all the Battle of Queenston Heights is often referred to as the Massacre of Queenston Heights due to the killing of the majority of captured British men and the Brigadier General Sheaffe himself by unruly New York militia men angered over the amount of casualties that occurred, after the battle who were attempting to surrender. Although Major General Stephen Van makes an example of the fifty or so New York militia men executing them all, the damage is done.

October 17, 1812: By this time word had spread to York of the British defeat of Queenston Heights, the capture of Fort George, and the cold blooded murder Brigadier General Sheaffe when attempting to surrender honourable after the battle. Major General Stephen Van push his army forward hopping to capture Hamilton, which would allow his force to have winter quarters.

November 1, 1812: Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer army reaches the outskirts of Hamilton during which what little resistance is mustered is swept aside, and his Army sets up camp within Hamilton for the coming winter. Soon after this constant harassment occurs against the American encampment by local militia men. Over course of only a week almost a 100 American soldiers are killed by local militia men either through ambushing patrols, or simply murders on public streets.

November 5, 1812: The force sent by Major General Craufurd reaches Fort York, to be told of the news of the loss of Niagara on the Lake, and almost any land south of Hamilton. Due to winter coming the commanding officer Colonel Sheppard decides to continue with his initial orders to prepare York to repulse an attack, the Royal Engineers began their work almost immediately.

November 10, 1812: Commodore Isaac Chauncey attacks Kingston Harbour, successively destroying the un-built St. Lawrence a ship of the line on the slips, however his formation sustains heavy damaged due the cannon of Fort Henry. Overall the resulting damage forces both the American and Canadian naval formations of lake Ontario to become non important in the grand scheme of the conflict.

November 27, 1812: By now Major General Van Rensselaer men had suffered over 200 dead from local partisan attacks, and many amongst his army saw the Canadian men as merely as wolfs hiding amongst the lambs. At local tavern the final straw is broken word is received that another american patrol had been wiped out, the American militia soldiers at this tavern are infuriated both due to alcohol having an effect and due to their fellow soldiers been killed by men hiding in the shadows. What is now known as the Night of Bayonets, the group of American militia soldiers from the tavern head back to the American encampment with the news of the ambush soon after a frenzy mob forms intent on killing any able body male within Hamilton. By the end of night American mob had killed over 300 men in their attempt to find the murders of their comrades. Although Major General Van Rensselaer once again punishes ever men involved after restoring order using his regular soldiers; the damage was done. Due to the transport route Hamilton is located on word soon spreads of the American massacre across British North America.

(the timeline will now note when drastic changes occur from OTL)

November 28, 1812: Skirmish at Frenchman Creek, American victory same as OTL, heavier losses however.

December 18, 1812: Battle of the Mississinewa, American victory same as OTL.

December 26, 1812: Great Britain blockades Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay

December 29, 1812: Sinking of HMS Java

December 29, 1812: Paul Hamilton resigns as Secretary of the Navy due to rumors of incompetence.
 
Last edited:
The Conflict Becomes Personal

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part III: The Conflict Becomes Personal

Januarys 12, 1813: Williams Jones is appointed as Secretary of the Navy.

Januarys 22, 1813: Battle of Frenchtown occurred, deceive British victory.

Januarys 23, 1813: River Raisin Massacre occurs, America public opinion upon founding out about this sways heavily towards the completely conquest of British North America.

February 5, 1813: John Armstrong is appointed as Secretary of War.

February 6, 1813: Raid on Elizabethtown occurs.

February 16, 1813: 104th Regiment commences march from Fredericton to Upper Canada.

February 22, 1813: Battle of Ogdensburg occurs.

February 24, 1813: Sinking of HMS Peacock.

March 3, 1813: Admiral George Cockburn’s squadron arrives in Lynnhaven Bay.

March 19, 1813: Sir James Lucas Yeo appointed Commander-in-chief of the Lake Squadron.

March 27, 1813: Oliver Hazard Perry constructs the lake Erie fleet.

March 28, 1813: Colonel Sheppard and his men have heavily reconstructed the defences of Fort York, and although no new cannon is available the men under his command has increased to over 4,000. Due to his current orders from Major General Major General Craufurd, the Colonel is forced to dig in and wait for the American attack.

March 30, 1813: British blockade from Long Island to Mississippi begins in earnest.

April 1, 1813: Commerce raids begin in Chesapeake Bay in earnest as well.

April 6, 1813: Lewes, Delaware is bombarded heavily by British, mass civilian casualties occur over 200 dead.

April 13, 1813: Capture of Mobile Alabama, British causalities are light due to extensive bombardment due to extensive bombardment before the assault by the British Army, civilian death toll over 3,000. The reasoning for the bombardment was fault intelligence acquired by the British that told there were American regulars garrisoned within built up area of Mobile, besides a few state militia men amongst "ad-hoc" defence points there was no soldiers in Mobile itself. American government decries this bombardment as unneeded for a military viewpoint and a war crime. Public sentiment in the United States becomes near xenophobic to any British citizens or anything British for that matter.

April 15, 1813: American military forces occupy the entirety of British Western Florida.

April 27, 1813: Major General Van Rensselaer reinforced army of 9000 men begins to march from its winter encampment in Hamilton to York, Major General Van Rensselaer has trouble maintaining order and professionalism within his ranks due to the recent reinforcements accounts of British massacres of soldiers and civilians alike during the winter months.
 
Last edited:
Why wasn't Sheaffe put in charge? He was second in command, on the scene, and he had the right seniority for it?
I'd like to see this fleshed out, as of right now its hard to understand why the fighting is more brutal, and why the British would bomb an entire city rather than just the defenses.
 
Top