A 200th Anniversary

So yes it was 200 years ago today that James Madison declared war on Great Britain to kick off the War of 1812.  Therefore, the Ministry of Truth (aka the CBC) has some good stuff on "the Current" today.  Different nations remember the war differently (or not at all) and historians debate who won and what long term consequences followed the war.  Me I just look up at the flag flying from my place of work and see that it's a Maple Leaf instead of the Stripes and Stars.

Part of the problem of course is that there were really a series of very different wars.  There was a mainly wilderness campaign fought in the old Northwest.  There was a game of invasion, raid and counter raid across the Niagara, Lake Ontario, St Lawrence frontier which saw a number of open field battles as well as sieges and amphibious landings all fought by a mix of regulars, militia and irregulars on both sides.  There was the Atlantic Campaign which saw raids by British Peninsula Veterans and Marines against local American forces.  And there was a a Naval war in which the RN won, despite  the USN winning a number of single ship victories.

As for me, I will focus on the Niagara, Lake Ontario and St Lawrence campaigns, painting figures for 1813.  And yes the uniforms changed every year!

Between garden work (delayed badly by rain), concerts, final exams and convocations I've also had some time at the painting table.  So far the count is:

British - 49th Foot (24 figures, painted and based with colour), Glengarry Light Infantry (8 figures painted and based, no colour)
American - 13th and 16th Infantry (each 16 strong, painted with colors but yet to be based)

Pictures to follow soon (I hope).