The War of 1812 was raging when the capital was stormed. The invaders made short work of the overmatched defenders and rampaged through the city, setting fire to the legislative buildings and executive mansion. Withdrawing, they left behind smoldering ruins and a foe with a keen desire for retribution. That retribution would occur sixteen months later, when the British ravaged Washington D.C. in retaliation for the pillaging of the Canadian capital of York by U.S. forces on April 28, 1813.
James F. Byrne Jr explains.
The arrival of the U.S. fleet prior to the capture of York. April 27, 1813.
In June of 1812, the nascent United States declared war on its former colonial master in response to British impressment of American seamen and other outrages to national honor. Focusing on its ongoing existential struggle against Napoleon, Britain initially adopted a defensive strategy with its 5500 regular troops in Canada. This strategy would prove to be more than a match for American offensive actions.
The Americans expected a quick and resounding victory, but events would prove the preparedness of the American Army was not equal to these lofty expectations. A campaign launched in 1812 resulted in the humiliating loss of Detroit and additional disasters along the Niagara River. Viewing the results of the American operations, the London Times complacently reported “the war had lasted nearly four months yet … the record of the American achievements is a universal blank.”
To rectify this situation, Secretary of War Armstrong pushed for a concentrated attack along Lake Ontario against Kingston - the primary British naval base on the lake. If Kingston fell, Upper Canada would eventually follow. However, Armstrong’s plan was opposed by the senior Army commander along the Canadian border, General Henry Dearborn. A Revolutionary War veteran, the now overage, and overcautious Dearborn erroneously believed that Kingston was strongly defended and convinced Armstrong to forego striking that strategic objective in lieu of seizing a symbolic prize – York, the capital of Upper Canada.
Weakly garrisoned by 600 British regulars, militia and native warriors, York was under the command of Lieutenant Governor Roger Sheaffe. The defenses of York consisted of a series of blockhouses and obsolete artillery. Shaeffer scattered his regulars and native allies around the city and left the militia in the capital – more or less to their own devices.
On April 26, 1813, an American flotilla of 14 armed brigs carrying 1,700 regulars arrived off the coast of York. The following morning troops under the command of General Zebulon Pike stormed ashore west of the town against feeble opposition. British reinforcements were miles away and unable to move along the shore road which was pounded by naval gunfire. Forced to detour into the woods, some reinforcements got lost, most got delayed, and none reached the bridgehead. As the British floundered in the woods, Pike ordered an advance. British attempts to rally were futile, as well coordinated American artillery and ship-based fires supported the advancing Infantry. General Sheaffe ordered his regulars to abandon the city and retreat east along the shore. He left the Canadian militia (in the words of one observer) “standing in the street like a parcel of sheep,” instructing them to negotiate their own surrender.
Battle over
The battle was over, but the victory not yet secured. Over 300 tons of gunpowder stored in a stone warehouse exploded as the Americans approached the city. Among the 37 casualties was General Pike, courageously if not wisely leading from the front. The death of Pike led to a breakdown of discipline among the American troops. Officers on the ground could not rein in their men, and Dearborn remained aboard ship, observing while the Canadian capital was destroyed.
The burning of York infuriated the British command. The Commander in Chief instructed his subordinates to “assist in inflicting that measure of retaliation which shall deter the enemy from a repetition of similar outraged.” In August of 1814, those instructions were faithfully conducted when British forces captured Washington D.C., torching most government buildings.
Lessons Learned:
· Joint operations are a combat multiplier. The well-coordinated naval support at York hamstrung British mobility.
· Force management is necessary for victory. Sheaffe ignored over half his potential combat power (the militia) and suffered accordingly.
· A blind army is a defeated army. Sheaffe did not recon alternate routes to possible landing sites and was unable to reinforce his defense at the point of the American attack.
· Have a succession plan. Pike carefully orchestrated the American landing and assault – but discipline died with him.
· Operations should support strategic objectives; the successful attack at York had little positive impact on the war.
Did you find that piece interesting? If so, join us for free by clicking here.
