The Militia
Military in the War
The Armies
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The Militia |
The combatants on both sides of the war were composed from a variety of sources. The British forces were made up of the British Army, the provincial militias, voyageurs and Native warriors. The Americans had their own U.S. Army, as well as many state militias. Militias were composed of all the men from a region between the ages of 16 and 60, who were legally required to take up arms against the enemy when requested by their government. The quality and effectiveness of the troops were dependent on the amount of training and experience they had, the equipment they fought with, how well they were fed and sheltered, the environment they fought in, and by how well they were led. |
Private in the Militia |
Sergeant of the 41st Regiment |
See more: Comments on the military and weapons.
The British Indian Department
Gift giving ceremony at the Amerstburg Indian Department |
One of the most
important organizations within the British colonial government during the
war was the Indian Department. They were responsible for maintaining good
relations with the Native allies. They were also responsible for rallying
the tribes into an effective military ally. The Indian Department
distributed the traditional yearly "presents"to cement the alliances
with the many nations friendly to the British. They also sat in at Native
councils.
The Indian Department commonly employed men whose ties
with the Natives were particularly strong. Men like Matthew Elliott,
Thomas McKee, Robert Dickson, and William Caldwell were all officers of
the Department at various times in their lives. While not part of the
British Army, its officers were given military rank - the head
superintendent was a colonel, and the regional superintendents, like
Elliott, were ranked as captains. The officers, like the army, wore red
coats on the field. The individual officers would also incorporate items
of Native dress and significance into their appearance. |
Historic plaque for William Caldwell |
Historic plaque for Matthew Elliott |
The Indian Department also employed guides, interpreters, storekeepers, and clerks. One of their major outposts was at Fort Malden in Amherstburg.
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One of the unique units from the Western District was a company of rangers formed by Colonel Procter and William Caldwell in 1813. They were trained in forest and Native warfare. Instead of the usual red coat, they were dressed in a plain green one, to act as camouflage. They too carried a musket, but probably carried a tomahawk instead of a bayonet for close combat. Like the Indian Department officers, rangers were used to fight alongside and direct their Native allies. Caldwell's Rangers was actually formed in response to a request by local Native chiefs to start such a unit.
A Caldwell's Ranger |
Building the H.MS. Detroit at the King's Navy Yard |
The headquarters for the Provincial Marine Department on Lake Erie was the King's Navy Yard at Amherstburg. The Provincial Marine was the transport system for the British army in Canada. The boats were used for transporting troops and supplies to and from remote outposts. For the first year of the war, the British had command of the waterways of the Great Lakes. The Americans set out to change that in 1813, building fleets at Sackets Harbour on Lake Ontario and at Presque Isle on Lake Erie. |
| The Canadian commanders realized that they needed help to keep control of the Great Lakes. They asked for members of the British Royal Navy to be sent to the Lakes. The British were proud of the Royal Navy, as it was the most powerful navy in the world at that time. The British felt that with members of the Royal Navy helping, the boats on the Great Lakes would be invincible. The Battle of Lake Erie was to change that perception. Trained men and proper supplies were also needed to succeed in battle. |
First Rate Seaman |
Visit: Upper Canada Provincial Marine, Amherstburg Division web site.
