A Journey through War

The 3rd of September has brought many changes to my life that will shape the course of my future for years to come. I have signed up to Join the United States Army and will soon be leaving to fght in the war against Great Britain. The war was officially declared on the 18th of June after President Madison was finally persuaded by the War Hawks to battle the British. Madison stated that "war with the British was inevitable" and then asked Congress to go to war a few months later.

After the president's declaration, I thought about Joining the war effort and was reminded of ll the cruel and outrageous actions that the British had performed against the United States. For many years now, The British have been violating our neutral rights and blocking off the French coast from American trading ships. In addition, the British have also been supporting and giving arms to Indian tribes that raid American cities along the Northwest Territory and block expansion into the west.

Lastly and most importantly, the British scum have been practicing the horrid act of impressment on American ships and have been kidnapping thousands of American ailors in the search for Navvy deserters. After reflecting over all of these things, I couldn't help but become overcome with rage and anger. At that very moment, I swore to fght for the army and vowed to claim revenge for Britain's actions. I also promised to avenge all of those who had been impressed by the British Navvy and killed in Indian raids. The British have offended and taken advantage of our nation for long enough.

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It is time to act and show the Brits that we will no longer tolerate their behavior. August 15, 1812 The war has gotten off to a bad start. A few days after I was accepted into the US army and placed under the command of General William Henry Harrison, Congress had ordered for an attack on the British colony of Canada. Thus, we set out from our fort in Detroit and began marching towards Canada. This was going to be my very first battle and I was very anxious to get my first taste of war. I was confident in my fellow soldiers and believed that victory would be unproblematic and straightforward.

However, as we marched to our destination, we were met by the British and a group of Native American warriors who were led by Tecumseh. Our general feared the Indian's vicious war tactics and knew that we would certainly face heavy losses if we engaged the British force. That day we were forced to shamefully surrender Fort Detroit and retreat. After our humiliating defeat, morale among my fellow soldiers was drastically low and we soon began developing doubts about victory. A few weeks later, we yet again attempted to invade Canada, but were once again defeated.

After our two defeats, morale was at an all-time low and the only thing that even vaguely cheered us up, was the mention of the USS Constitution. The hip had managed to defeat the British vessel, Guerriere and was nicknamed "Old Ironsides" when a shot bounced off its hull during battle. It was one the few victories that was heard about in a sea of losses. P. S. I shall not see war for a very long time control over Lake Erie. October 16, 1813 Today is a glorious day and my fellow soldiers and I are relishing a satisfying victory against the British and their Native American allies.

It all started on September 10th, 1813, when Oliver Hazard Perry assembled a fleet of military ships and engaged the British naw in Lake Erie. After a long and bloody battle, the American fleet prevailed and Oliver Perry, watching the battle from Put-in-Bay, Ohio sent General Harrison the message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours. " With Lake Erie under American control, the British frantically evacuated Fort Detroit and hastily headed back for safety in Canada, but in the end, we were able to intercept their troops and force them to wage war.

On October 5th, 1813, we fought the British and their Native American allies in the Battle of Thames. At the end of the bloody battle, we had defeated the enemy force and had managed to kill Tecumseh, he Native American leader who had aided the British in the war. Our luck did not end here, however. A few days after our victory in the Battle of Thames, we attacked the Canadian town of York and set fire to the parliament buildings. After these victories, morale among my fellow soldiers was higher than ever before and we soon grew confident in victory over the British.

August 25, 1814 Yesterday was a sad, sad day in American history that I will never forget for as long as I live. Just a couple of months ago, my fellow soldiers and I had enjoyed a heightened sense of confidence in our chance of victory. We believed that as long as the British were still at war with the French, they would not be able to send the majority of their troops to America and would thus, not be able to pose a large threat. However, several months later, we got news that Britain had managed to defeat the French and their brilliant military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte.

With the French out of the way, the British were able to concentrate their military efforts on the war with America and were ready launch an attack. On August 24, 1814, British ships sailed into Chesapeake Bay and unloaded 5,000 troops (led by Major General Robert Ross) hat were headed directly for the nation's heart, Washington, DC. As the British marched towards the capitol, President Madison hastily ordered for the concentration of all nearby troops and the safekeeping of American documents such as the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and George Washington's Correspondence.

In the Battle of Bladensburg, the recently assembled American defenders tried to hold off the large British attack force, but they were quickly overpowered by the well-trained enemy soldiers. As the British continued to advance towards the capitol, Dolley Madison, the first lady (which I am quite fond of) mazingly risked her life in order to selflessly save President Washington's painting. She was among the last to evacuate the White House. Moments after Dolleys daring act, the British scoundrels barbarically raided and burned important government buildings such as the Capitol and Library of Congress.

The British scum also burned down President Madison's home, the White House, a structure that has long been a symbol of freedom and independence for the American people. There seemed to be nothing we could do to protect the city, but fortunately, as if by the will of god, a iolent hurricane and tornado extinguished the fires and drove the British soldiers back to Benedict. After hearing this shocking story, my dislike for the British turned British again and will try to defend the city of Baltimore which is believed to be the next target for the British troops.

September 21, 1814 The month of September has brought two glorious victories to the American people and has provided us with revenge for the burning of Washington. The first victory took place in the city of Baltimore. In the city of Baltimore, American troops were strengthening Fort McHenry for the upcoming British siege while my squad and I were helping fortify the city for the impending land based attack. While doing my work, I recall seeing a large and magnificent American flag hanging over the fort.

I later learned that the majestic "Star Spangled Banner Flag" had been sewed by Mary Young Pickersgill on General George Armistead's orders. The British were advancing towards the city quickly and we needed more time to reinforce our defenses. Thus, it was decided that a group of soldiers led by General John Stricker would be sent out to buy time for the Americans. On September 12, 1814, John Stricker's and Robert Ross's forces fought each other in the Battle of North Point. Although they lost the battle, they had bought us time and had even managed to kill Major General Robert Ross.

When the British land force arrived, we were ready for them and were able to hold them back easily. Meanwhile, in Fort McHenry, American soldiers were desperately trying to hold off the British naw and keep the fort alive. If this fort fell to the British, the city might have been destroyed and the war might have fallen into their hands. The American defenders however held firm and after 25 hours of bombardment from the British avy, the Brits finally gave up their assault and retreated. After the long, tiresome fght, we celebrated our amazing victory and shouted into the air.

During this period of celebration, Francis Scott Key who had seen the whole battle from his ship and was deeply moved by it wrote the poem "Defense of Fort McHenry'. The poem was set to the tune of a popular British drinking song and was distributed throughout Baltimore on hand bills. While we celebrated our victory in Baltimore, General Sir George Prevost and his 10,000 British troops departed from Canada and attacked New York in the hopes of apturing the seaside city of Plattsburgh. The attack was easily thwarted when a group of American warships on Lake Champlain defeated the British flotilla.

The British realized that control over the lake gave the Americans an advantage over their force and they were required to retreat back to Canada. January 15, 1815 The year of 181 5 has brought the American people another outstanding military victory and the end of a long and tiring war. After being defeated in the Battle of Lake Chaplain, the British realized that war with the USA was detrimental and was simply not worth the effort. On December 24, 1814, Britain and America signed a peace treaty in Ghent, Belgium which officially ended the war between the two nations.

However, news of the treaty traveled too slowly and troops were not informed of the war's end quickly enough. Thus, on January 8, 181 5, the British and Americans engaged in one last gruesome battle at New Orleans. In the battle, Andrew Jackson's 4,000 American ragtag defenders were heavily outnumbered by the 10,000 British troops. However, the British forgot to bring scaling ladders and by simply staying behind earthen defenses and shooting from behind bales of cotton, Jackson Orleans was saved and Jackson became a national hero.

After the ending of the war and the victory at New Orleans, people throughout the nation were feeling proud and honored to be an American. In addition, many Americans started to feel an improved sense of patriotism and nationalism. I myself felt proud to be a part of such a great nation. In a matter of a few years, our young country had grown strong enough to defeat the British army and had even gained the respect of other, much older nations. I believe that this war will define the American people for many years to come.

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