Military Strength in North America in the War of 1812

American Military at the Onset of the War; 

Regulars 7000 to 10,000 men

1. 17 Regiments of Foot *Increased to 25 regiments in June
2. Rifles Regiment
3. Marines Detachments
4. Light Artillery Regiment *sometimes fought as infantry
5. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Artillery *sometimes fought as infantry
6. 1st and 2nd Light Dragoons *These were large units which were divided around the United States

*450,000 to 500,000 militia, of which 10,000 or so were volunteers which supplied their own equipment. Units would join the regular army in operations. There were also 5,000 naval forces and marines available for land duties, and 3,000 rangers (6 Companies).

British and Canadian Troops June 1812; Onset of the War; 

Total 6034 Men in the Canadas, and 3747 in the Maritimes (14 Battalions)

Upper Canada; 1500 Men

1. 41st Foot

2. 10th Royal Veteran Battalion

3. Royal Newfoundland Fencibles Detachments as Marines on Ships

4. Holcroft’s Company of Artillery

*10,000 to 12,000 militia, one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Lower Canada

1. 8th Foot1st Battalion

2. 49th Foot

3. 100th Foot

4. 10th Royal Veteran Battalion Detachments

5. Royal Newfoundland Fencibles Detachments as Marines on Ships

6. Canadian Fencibles Regiment

7. Three Companies Royal Artillery

*50,000 to 60,000 Militia one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Maritimes

1. 8th Foot 2nd Battalion
2. 98th Foot (partially in Bermuda)
3. 99th Foot
4. 104th Foot
5. Nova Scotia Fencibles 
6. Five Companies of Royal Artillery

*15,000 Militia one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Units Arrived or Raised in Canada by December 1812

Total 8,136 in the Canadas, and 4519 in the Maritimes

1. 1st Foot
2. 89th Foot
3. 103rd Foot
4. Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles Light Infantry; Formed in Upper Canada from Scottish Canadians

American Military 1813; 

Regulars 7000 to 10,000 men

1. 46 Regiments of Foot *21 New Regiments Formed in January
2. Rifles Regiment
3. Marines Detachments
4. Light Artillery Regiment *sometimes fought as infantry
5. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Artillery *sometimes fought as infantry
6. 1st and 2nd Light Dragoons
7. *450,000 to 500,000 militia
8. 10,000 volunteers 
9. 5,000 naval forces and marines available for land duties
10. 16 Companies of rangers (raised January)

British and Canadian Troops 1813; 

Total 6034 Men in the Canadas, and 3747 in the Maritimes (14 Battalions)

Upper Canada; 1500 Men

1. 41st Foot

2. 10th Royal Veteran Battalion

3. Royal Newfoundland Fencibles Detachments as Marines on Ships

4. Holcroft’s Company of Artillery

*10,000 to 12,000 militia, one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Lower Canada

1. 8th Foot1st Battalion

2. 49th Foot

3. 100th Foot

4. 10th Royal Veteran Battalion Detachments

5. Royal Newfoundland Fencibles Detachments as Marines on Ships

6. Canadian Fencibles Regiment

7. Three Companies Royal Artillery

*50,000 to 60,000 Militia one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Maritimes

1. 8th Foot 2nd Battalion
2. 98th Foot (partially in Bermuda)
3. 99th Foot
4. 104th Foot
5. Nova Scotia Fencibles 
6. Five Companies of Royal Artillery

*15,000 Militia one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Units Arrived or Raised in Canada by December 1812

Total 8,136 in the Canadas, and 4519 in the Maritimes

1. 1st Foot
2. 89th Foot
3. 103rd Foot
4. Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles Light Infantry; Formed in Upper Canada from Scottish Canadians

 Information, charts, and text from the excellent "The Napoleon Series"

Royal Marine Battalions in the War of 1812

Royal Marine Battalions in the War of 1812

Three Royal Marine Battalions fought in the War of 1812. Battalions fought at actions near Lake Ontario, and Southern Lower Canada (Quebec) and the attached artillery fought throughout Niagara. In 1814, these were heavily involved in the US counter invasion. Each battalion had attached artillery. The attached artillery fought in the blue and grey fatigues shown above. They would have been wearing a fatigue hat as shown. 

The plates above, and the information below were published by British artillery expert Carl Franklin. The complete article PDF is easily found online for more information. Though these are for the Royal Marine Artillery, I have included the text which explains that the  artillery had identical uniforms as the Marines. These are the best, and most comprehensive plates for these temporary formations. Unfortunately, no one makes these with regular back packs and pantaloons. Perry miniatures makes them, but with blanket rolls, they would be suitable for Egypt and the early Napoleonic Wars. Brigade Games sells heads and command packs. I am making my first unit a mix of Perry metals with a backpack swap, and the Brigade Games heads and command. I am not sure about the second unit yet. Alternatively, light infantry formations often left their packs behind so the the Brigade Games packs would do.

Two battalions were formed to defend Canada, and a third battalion of regular companies mixed with the Colonial Marines was formed in 1814 of freed slaves. The third battalion had 3 companies of regular marines, and 3 of Colonial Marines. The third battalion had 1 company of each fight at Bladensburg, and North Point. Afterwards, the 3 companies of freed slaves resettled in the Caribbean. All three battalions were divided again after the war. 

The 3 battalions would have had red jackets, and either "fast blue" or white pantaloons. The high gaiters shown in so many illustrations is not correct for in the field since these were full dress. Technically, white pantaloons were worn in warm weather, and fast blue in cooler climates. I will make one of each colour of pantaloons. Presumably marines serving in Canada would have had fast blue pantaloons. In the invasion of the US they could have worn either. It was summer when the Chesapeake happened so I would assume either colour could have been worn. All three units were present in the Chesapeake.

These units had standards, but I believe these were kept at headquarters, as these were ad hoc formations that filled somewhat of a light infantry role. I'm not certain of this, but it makes sense.

Each battalion had attached artillery these consisted of; 4 six pounders, 2 5.5 inch howitzers, 2 eight inch howitzers, 2 ten inch mortars, and a rocket section (equivalent of 2 cannons). The rocket sections would presumably have had all three types of rockets (small, mid, and heavy) the launchers varied for each (see my earlier article). Elements of these fought at many engagements, but seemed to mostly be divided up for different purposes.

Our wargaming group will be continuing to game the rest of the War of 1812 campaigns. The Chesapeake Campaign, New Orleans Campaign, The Western Theatre, and even Queenston Heights. After a long hiatus, The War of 1812 returns.