First, as a salute to the memory of all those, on both sides of the lines, who served, sacrificed, and died as they loyally obeyed their countrys call-to-arms in the North American War of 18121815.
Second, as a mark of respect to the men and women of the military services of Canada, Great Britain, and the United States, who today honorably continue that legacy of service and sacrifice at home and across the globe.
Third, as a thank-you to my fellow Living History reenactors, with and against whom Ive fought for so many years.
Finally, as a legacy for my grandsons, Anthony, Lawrence, and Daniel.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A s I detailed in the first part of this series, no publication is realistically the work of a single individual, or the author in isolation, and this series is no exception. As such, I can only hope to assure all those who have given their support and encouragement that their efforts are deeply and gratefully appreciated by me, but page space forbids their individual mention. Therefore, I must restrict myself to naming and thanking but a few, whilst saluting the many.
To my wife, Diane, my social, book signings, and speaking appointments coordinator, marketing manager, chief accountant, and communications secretary. Thanks for putting up with all of this Two down and only four to go! Until the next ones
To my friend and fellow historian Pat KavanaghOnce again, your generosity in providing me unrestricted access to your vast resource collection of American records, official documents, and personal letters on the war has brought forward a treasure trove of historical information. Without your aid and resources, this work could not have been created. I thank you, sir.
To my fellow author and staunch Canadian nationalist, Donald Graves Your example of meticulous and comprehensive research, as well as your efforts to have the service and sacrifice of the Canadian regiments involved in the War of 1812 recognized, is a lesson and example that I can only hope to emulate in my modest works.
To the many dedicated staff members of the numerous museums, archives, and libraries that I visited to undertake the research for this work and who cheerfully assisted my searches to fruition Your dedication and expertise is a National treasure that cannot be measured or underestimated.
Penultimately, I cannot fail to acknowledge the guidance and support provided by my editor Cheryl Hawley, my designer Jennifer Scott, as well as the whole creative team at Dundurn Press in turning this idea into a reality.
Finally, to Karen, my friend and guide, whose combination of fierce editorial and literary criticism, backed by an equally dedicated and unequivocal support of the value of my writings, helped to create the work that is now evolving in these pagesYou may not have lived to see this work completed, but your spirit and love of our history and heritage lives on within it.
Thank You!
Richard Feltoe
PREFACE
VARIATIONS
As more fully outlined in the introduction to the first part of this series, the historic material included here includes variations in spelling, jargon, and place name changes that have occurred over time. As a result, the following standards have been applied.
- Where variations on spelling in quotes are found, the material has been repeatedly checked to ensure its accuracy and is presented just as it was found in the original documents and without the term [ sic ].
- While generally recognized military terms are presented as is, some of the more archaic or jargon-type words are either followed by a modern equivalent word or referenced in a separate glossary of terms. In a similar manner, maintaining the differential identification of military units from the two principal combatant nations, (when both used a system of numbers to designate their regiments) has been achieved by showing British Regimental numbers as numerals (41st Regiment, 89th Regiment, etc.) and where required with their subsidiary titles (1st (Royal Scots) Regiment, 8th (Kings) Regiment), whilst the American Regiments are expressed as words (First Regiment, Twenty-Fifth Regiment, etc.).
- Where place names appear with a number of variants (e.g., Sacketts Harbour, Sackets Harbour, Sakets Harbor, or Sackets Harbor) I have adopted a single format for each case, based upon a judgment of what I felt was the predominant version used at the time. Where names have changed entirely, or would cause needless confusion (Newark becoming Niagara and currently Niagara-on-the-Lake), I have generally gone with what would clarify the location and simplify identification overall or included a reference to the modern name (Crossroads becoming Virgil).