Curiously, the war had been technically over since the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on the 24th of December. The British having achieved an initial tactical victory failed to exploit it, instead waiting for reinforcements. Despite the mythology to the contrary, highlighted in this song, it was the British that launched the attack on American lines, and everything that could go wrong did. Launched at dawn in heavy fog, the fog lifted just as the attacking forces came within range of American artillery. The British commander of the 44th Regiment had, believe it or not, forgotten the ladders and bridging equipment necessary for the assault on the earthwork American lines. and in one of the main assaults, the British, having lost their officers, stood in the open and were mowed down by American fire. The end result was over 2000 British casualties to 74 American, in a battle that should have been easily won, and a really fun song.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
A Little History for Today: 1812
Curiously, the war had been technically over since the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on the 24th of December. The British having achieved an initial tactical victory failed to exploit it, instead waiting for reinforcements. Despite the mythology to the contrary, highlighted in this song, it was the British that launched the attack on American lines, and everything that could go wrong did. Launched at dawn in heavy fog, the fog lifted just as the attacking forces came within range of American artillery. The British commander of the 44th Regiment had, believe it or not, forgotten the ladders and bridging equipment necessary for the assault on the earthwork American lines. and in one of the main assaults, the British, having lost their officers, stood in the open and were mowed down by American fire. The end result was over 2000 British casualties to 74 American, in a battle that should have been easily won, and a really fun song.
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