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"