The Call to Arms: The 1812 Invasions of Upper Canada by Richard Feltoe (review)

The writing of history is a work in progress, and this is particularly true of studies about the War of 1812, which author Richard Feltoe prefers to call “the North American War of 1812–1815.” As he explains in his introduction, Feltoe undertook this work, the first in a series of six planned “chronological parts,” after reading many published accounts of the war. To him the approach in those works was either too widespread or too microscopic and lacking in context. Consequently, he has undertaken to write a study “somewhere in the middle.” He decided to concentrate on the Niagara frontier, which saw more fighting than any other area of North America, a story untold “in recent publishing history.” His focus, he argues, is reinforced by the image on the front of the Upper Canada Preserved medal, which depicts the Niagara River, and facing across this “dividing line” are the national symbols of the American eagle and the British lion alongside a beaver representing the Canadas.

Three chapters out of seven, as well as a few pages in chapter 1, concentrate on the Niagara frontier. To explain what happened there requires discussing the causes of the war as well as preparations for it in both the United States and British North America. Feltoe emphasizes the American westward drive into Native lands, which not only produced frontier warfare but also aroused American ambition to drive the British out of North America altogether. The impetus to war was also moved, he believes, by American ambition to profit from control of the continent’s resources and the shipping trade with Europe. He describes clearly the serious divisions within the United States and the inadequacies of its military system to prosecute war effectively against the Canadas. All this context is found in standard historical accounts.

In chapter 3, the author diverges from the Niagara region to look briefly at minor actions on the St Lawrence River, followed by detailed treatment of the capture of Fort Michilimackinac, battles around Detroit, and its surrender by General Hull. In the following chapter the author writes about skirmishing along the St Lawrence River, including the oddly named “Battle of Matilda.” He provides illustrations and maps for these battles, showing movements of units with times. The relevance of events in these two chapters to the situation on the Niagara frontier is suggested rather than explained.

The book’s great strength is Feltoe’s detailed treatment of events: the gathering of American forces along the Niagara frontier, the Battle of Queenston Heights, and General Smyth’s later failed invasion attempts. His precise accounts could be very useful for re-enactors – of which Feltoe is one – and should appeal to readers interested in military history. The detail consists of quotations from contemporary documents, lists of forces on both sides and of casualties, illustrations, and maps of the river as well as of the battles. These last – eight for Queenston Heights and three for the November invasion attempt – present movements of units with arrows, letter and number designations, and times.

In 160 pages, including notes, selected bibliography, and index, this is an impressive beginning for Feltoe’s proposed series. Feltoe offers a meticulous, detailed, and careful treatment of his subject, which, despite a few slips, is a valuable addition to the literature. He describes British North America as “Crown colonies,” a term that came into use later in the century and in the war period, if employed, would apply only to Gibraltar and Newfoundland. He refers to Brock and Sheaffe as lieutenant governors. That office from 1805 to 1817 was held by Francis Gore, who maintained the title during the war years, despite his absence in England. Brock, Sheaffe, and their successors were designated “Senior Member of the [Executive] Council” and they were also referred to as “president of the council” or “administrator” of the province. The town adjacent to Fort George was known to Canadians and British as...