In just over three years, Canadians and Americans will begin to observe — perhaps celebrate — the bicentennial of the last military conflict between our countries. While the war from 1812 to 1814 was formally between Britain and the U.S., its main battles were fought on Canadian soil and in Canadian waters. In fact, many “war hawks” in Washington wished to annex all or part of British North America.
As with anniversaries of other significant events, we can expect a flow of new books on this conflict and its participants, supplemented by magazine articles, perhaps a television series, and certainly a museum exhibition. These will help increase awareness both in Canada and the U.S. — where the conflict has been called “America’s Forgotten War.”
The first book in this new wave has just appeared, and it offers a high standard for scholars and general readers. Capital in Flames is by Robert Malcomson, an eminent expert on the War of 1812 and an educator by profession. Malcomson has written several articles for The Beaver, but the focus of his past work has been specialist monographs.
The subject of his latest book is the attack on and occupation of York — the new, small capital of the Province of Upper Canada. While the battle was of small importance militarily, it gained great significance in shaping political mythology, militia policy, and social relations in Upper Canada.
On April 27, 1813, a force of 1,800 Americans landed on the western edge of York, close to today’s Toronto CNE grounds. After brief skirmishes along the shore of Lake Ontario and in nearby woods, the invaders took control. Their well-coordinated amphibious attack was delayed by one last-ditch defensive action when York’s main military magazine was deliberately destroyed. The huge explosion killed or injured several defenders and many Americans, including General Zebulon Pike (known today for the mountain peak in Colorado that bears his name).
Meanwhile, the defeated British forces, poorly led by Major General Sir Roger Sheaffe, retreated from the field, while members of the York-area militia retired to their nearby farms and homes. There were few local heroes, although a well-spoken Scots Anglican minister, the Rev. John Strachan, and several ranking citizens did assert leadership and stability.
The attack did not achieve its main military goal, which was the capture of a large schooner under construction; the vessel was burnt by the retreating British. But the Americans did seize large quantities of food and military supplies. They also demonstrated their naval dominance on Lake Ontario as well as the vulnerability of Canadian settlements along the Niagara Peninsula and Lake Erie.
After six days, the Americans withdrew from little York, but their brief occupation left a malign legacy. Looting by soldiers and local hooligans reduced the holdings of food, valuables, and even books. The small legislative buildings of Upper Canada and nearby barracks were burned to the ground. This was a bitter prelude to many destructive actions on both sides of the border, culminating in the August 1814 burning of prominent Washington buildings, including the White House, by British soldiers.
Was this retribution for the destruction at York? Malcomson does not believe so. Perhaps it was because of the brutal burning of Newark (today’s Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario) in December 1813? Or was it just one nasty incident in a conflict between close neighbours?
Capital in Flames places the attack on York in the wider context of transportation, land, and naval challenges. Robert Malcomson is aware of the risks of exaggerating this military event, so he has expanded the narrative to include a social picture of life, times, people, and place. He does not play at armchair admiral or general, second-guessing past decisions. Rather, Malcomson has written solid, accessible history. This is an excellent book for reading and keeping.
— Victor Rabinovitch (Read bio)
Victor Rabinovitch former president of the Canadian Museum of Civilization (now the Canadian Museum of History), chair of Ottawa's Opera Lyra company, and an adjunct professor at Queen's University.