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Stamps that
commemorate
the War of 1812
By Tony Brown
Introduction
Considering its historical significance to Canada, it is surprising that so
few stamps have been issued to commemorate the War of 1812. A
byproduct of the Napoleonic Wars that preoccupied most of Europe at
the beginning of the 19th century, the War of 1812, declared by the
United States on Great Britain under President James Madison on June
18, 1812, is a source of pride to Canadians as many inhabitants,
principally of Upper Canada, fought alongside the Regular British Army
and Indian allies to thwart American plans to capture what were then
the British colonies on their northern flank.
The war was primarily caused by the British Navy's boarding of American
ships to forcibly enlist any sailors of British origin and its attempts to
prevent the United States from trading with France. In addition, the
Americans, who were encountering strong resistance from Indians in
their push westward, believed that Great Britain was encouraging Indian
opposition.
The United States planned to take over Upper Canada (the basis of
modern-day Ontario) and Lower Canada (the basis of modern-day
Québec) in a single mass attack. The invasion was to occur at four
strategic locations: across from Detroit, in the Niagara area, at Kingston,
and south of Montréal. If they succeeded, they would isolate and then
capture the stronghold of Québec City, thereby cutting off any further
British troop movement up the St Lawrence River and into the Great
Lakes.
There were wins and losses on both sides during the two years that the
war lasted, with no clear victory for either of the warring parties (the
Treaty of Ghent signed on Dec. 24, 1814, maintained the status quo).
The British colonies, however, remained independent of the United
States and their inhabitants would continue to forge what would
become some 50 years later the new Canadian nation.
Only three Canadian stamps featuring themes related to the War of
1812 have been issued: one commemorating the birth of Sir Isaac Brock,
"the Hero of Upper Canada," one commemorating Laura Secord, and one
in honour of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel de Saleberry. Tecumseh,
who was an important ally, has never been portrayed on a Canadian
stamp. He has, however, been honoured by Guernsey in a 1996
souvenir sheet that was produced for CAPEX 96.
Isaac Brock
Sir Isaac Brock was the commander of the
British forces at the time of the American
invasion. Born in 1769 to a military family in
Guernsey (an island in the English Channel,
then known as Sarnia), he joined the army
at the age of 16. He was sent to Canada
with the 49th Regiment in 1802 where he
rose in rank to become in 1811 a major-
general and Commander-in-Chief of the
forces of Upper Canada. In truth, he was
not entirely happy with his assignment and
would have preferred the battlefields of
Europe. Nevertheless, he planned the
territory's defence brilliantly and became
a legendary hero when he was felled by
a sharpshooter at the Battle of Queenston
Heights on Oct. 13, 1812.
The stamp, which was issued in 1969, commemorates the 200th
anniversary of the birth of Isaac Brock. In addition to his portrait, the
stamp features Brock's Monument, which marks his grave and is located
near Queenston, Ontario. The statue of Major-General Brock stands atop
a 56-metre column overlooking the territory that his troops successfully
defended. The monument was completed in 1856.
Laura Secord
Laura Secord, nee Ingersoll, was born
in Massachusetts. She moved to
Queenston, which is situated at the
mouth of the Niagara River, with her
family following the U.S. War of
Independence and then married
James Secord, a Queenston merchant
and volunteer "citizen soldier." James
was seriously wounded in the battle of
Queenston Heights and was still disabled
a year later in 1813 when American
forces occupied his farmhouse.
Overhearing the soldiers' careless
chatter about their mission to occupy
the village of Beaver Dam, Laura slipped
away to warn the British who were in
that location. It was one of the
compelling stories of the war; how she lost her shoes and walked in
darkness, barefoot, through the woods, finally running into a British
patrol under a Lieutenant Fitzgibbon to warn them of the American
plans. In the meantime, Indians had learned of the American movements
also and ambushed them on their way to Beaver Dam. A small band of
Canadian militia also fired upon the rear of the American force. Fearing
total annihilation, the American force, which comprised some 570 men,
immediately surrendered to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon when he arrived on
the scene.
The stamp is one of a 1992 se-tenant issue commemorating four
legendary heroes. It depicts Laura courageously travelling through the
woods to warn the British of an impending American attack on their
position. The figures of Indians, who were preparing to ambush the
Americans and whom she met along the way, are visible in the
background.
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry
Charles de Salaberry (1778-1829) was commanding officer of the
Provincial Corps of Light Infantry in Lower Canada (Canadian Voltigeurs),
60th Regiment of Foot. He received the rare Field Officers Gold Medal for
his exceptional service in turning back a superior force of American
regulars at the Battle of Châteauguay on Oct. 26, 1813, thus saving
Montréal from attack. This stamp is from a se-tenant pair issued in 1979.
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a charismatic Shawnee native leader who was brought
up with a hatred of Americans, known as "Long Knives" to the Indians,
following the death of his father in a bloody clash with Virginian militia.
Concerned about the American westward expansion and encroachment
onto Indian territory, Tecumseh supported the British in the War of 1812
in the hope that a British victory would assure the Indians of possession
of their lands. Indian support to the British side of the war was a key
factor in many of the British successes.
Although no Canadian stamp has been issued commemorating
Tecumseh, he has been honoured by Guernsey in a souvenir sheet that
was produced for CAPEX '96.
This sheet features a map showing Lake Erie, the cities of Detroit, Sarnia
(named after Guernsey), York (Toronto) and Queenston Heights. On the
£1 stamp Sir Isaac Brock is shown on his horse Alfred. The 24p stamp
depicts Brock shaking hands with Tecumseh before their joint attack on
Detroit. At this meeting, Brock gave Tecumseh the red sash from his
uniform, and Tecumseh in turn gave Brock his elaborately beaded belt.
Brock was wearing Tecumseh's belt when he was killed in the battle of
Queenston Heights.
Conclusion
The War of 1812 was of enormous significance to Canada. Had the
United States been successful in their endeavour it is likely that Canada
would not have evolved as a separate country. In light of this, it would
perhaps be fitting for a special issue to be produced featuring the major
events of the two-year war or participants in addition to the two who
have already been portrayed on Canadian issues.
This article first appeared on The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada's Web
site. It is reprinted here with the permission of Tony Brown.
commemorate
the War of 1812
By Tony Brown
Introduction
Considering its historical significance to Canada, it is surprising that so
few stamps have been issued to commemorate the War of 1812. A
byproduct of the Napoleonic Wars that preoccupied most of Europe at
the beginning of the 19th century, the War of 1812, declared by the
United States on Great Britain under President James Madison on June
18, 1812, is a source of pride to Canadians as many inhabitants,
principally of Upper Canada, fought alongside the Regular British Army
and Indian allies to thwart American plans to capture what were then
the British colonies on their northern flank.
The war was primarily caused by the British Navy's boarding of American
ships to forcibly enlist any sailors of British origin and its attempts to
prevent the United States from trading with France. In addition, the
Americans, who were encountering strong resistance from Indians in
their push westward, believed that Great Britain was encouraging Indian
opposition.
The United States planned to take over Upper Canada (the basis of
modern-day Ontario) and Lower Canada (the basis of modern-day
Québec) in a single mass attack. The invasion was to occur at four
strategic locations: across from Detroit, in the Niagara area, at Kingston,
and south of Montréal. If they succeeded, they would isolate and then
capture the stronghold of Québec City, thereby cutting off any further
British troop movement up the St Lawrence River and into the Great
Lakes.
There were wins and losses on both sides during the two years that the
war lasted, with no clear victory for either of the warring parties (the
Treaty of Ghent signed on Dec. 24, 1814, maintained the status quo).
The British colonies, however, remained independent of the United
States and their inhabitants would continue to forge what would
become some 50 years later the new Canadian nation.
Only three Canadian stamps featuring themes related to the War of
1812 have been issued: one commemorating the birth of Sir Isaac Brock,
"the Hero of Upper Canada," one commemorating Laura Secord, and one
in honour of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel de Saleberry. Tecumseh,
who was an important ally, has never been portrayed on a Canadian
stamp. He has, however, been honoured by Guernsey in a 1996
souvenir sheet that was produced for CAPEX 96.
Isaac Brock
Sir Isaac Brock was the commander of the
British forces at the time of the American
invasion. Born in 1769 to a military family in
Guernsey (an island in the English Channel,
then known as Sarnia), he joined the army
at the age of 16. He was sent to Canada
with the 49th Regiment in 1802 where he
rose in rank to become in 1811 a major-
general and Commander-in-Chief of the
forces of Upper Canada. In truth, he was
not entirely happy with his assignment and
would have preferred the battlefields of
Europe. Nevertheless, he planned the
territory's defence brilliantly and became
a legendary hero when he was felled by
a sharpshooter at the Battle of Queenston
Heights on Oct. 13, 1812.
The stamp, which was issued in 1969, commemorates the 200th
anniversary of the birth of Isaac Brock. In addition to his portrait, the
stamp features Brock's Monument, which marks his grave and is located
near Queenston, Ontario. The statue of Major-General Brock stands atop
a 56-metre column overlooking the territory that his troops successfully
defended. The monument was completed in 1856.
Laura Secord
Laura Secord, nee Ingersoll, was born
in Massachusetts. She moved to
Queenston, which is situated at the
mouth of the Niagara River, with her
family following the U.S. War of
Independence and then married
James Secord, a Queenston merchant
and volunteer "citizen soldier." James
was seriously wounded in the battle of
Queenston Heights and was still disabled
a year later in 1813 when American
forces occupied his farmhouse.
Overhearing the soldiers' careless
chatter about their mission to occupy
the village of Beaver Dam, Laura slipped
away to warn the British who were in
that location. It was one of the
compelling stories of the war; how she lost her shoes and walked in
darkness, barefoot, through the woods, finally running into a British
patrol under a Lieutenant Fitzgibbon to warn them of the American
plans. In the meantime, Indians had learned of the American movements
also and ambushed them on their way to Beaver Dam. A small band of
Canadian militia also fired upon the rear of the American force. Fearing
total annihilation, the American force, which comprised some 570 men,
immediately surrendered to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon when he arrived on
the scene.
The stamp is one of a 1992 se-tenant issue commemorating four
legendary heroes. It depicts Laura courageously travelling through the
woods to warn the British of an impending American attack on their
position. The figures of Indians, who were preparing to ambush the
Americans and whom she met along the way, are visible in the
background.
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles-Michel de Salaberry
Charles de Salaberry (1778-1829) was commanding officer of the
Provincial Corps of Light Infantry in Lower Canada (Canadian Voltigeurs),
60th Regiment of Foot. He received the rare Field Officers Gold Medal for
his exceptional service in turning back a superior force of American
regulars at the Battle of Châteauguay on Oct. 26, 1813, thus saving
Montréal from attack. This stamp is from a se-tenant pair issued in 1979.
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a charismatic Shawnee native leader who was brought
up with a hatred of Americans, known as "Long Knives" to the Indians,
following the death of his father in a bloody clash with Virginian militia.
Concerned about the American westward expansion and encroachment
onto Indian territory, Tecumseh supported the British in the War of 1812
in the hope that a British victory would assure the Indians of possession
of their lands. Indian support to the British side of the war was a key
factor in many of the British successes.
Although no Canadian stamp has been issued commemorating
Tecumseh, he has been honoured by Guernsey in a souvenir sheet that
was produced for CAPEX '96.
This sheet features a map showing Lake Erie, the cities of Detroit, Sarnia
(named after Guernsey), York (Toronto) and Queenston Heights. On the
£1 stamp Sir Isaac Brock is shown on his horse Alfred. The 24p stamp
depicts Brock shaking hands with Tecumseh before their joint attack on
Detroit. At this meeting, Brock gave Tecumseh the red sash from his
uniform, and Tecumseh in turn gave Brock his elaborately beaded belt.
Brock was wearing Tecumseh's belt when he was killed in the battle of
Queenston Heights.
Conclusion
The War of 1812 was of enormous significance to Canada. Had the
United States been successful in their endeavour it is likely that Canada
would not have evolved as a separate country. In light of this, it would
perhaps be fitting for a special issue to be produced featuring the major
events of the two-year war or participants in addition to the two who
have already been portrayed on Canadian issues.
This article first appeared on The Royal Philatelic Society of Canada's Web
site. It is reprinted here with the permission of Tony Brown.
