The Battle of Sackett's Harbour, 1813

x, 162 pp., plus notes and index. Includes several illustrations reproduced from original engravings and five maps. From the jacket: "The Battle of Sackett's Harbour on Lake Ontario in 1813 was a critical event for the United States in the War of 1812. U.S. forces needed the harbor as a hub for their offensives in Lake Ontario, along the Niagara, and in Lake Erie during the war. Although they repulsed the British attacks with great difficulty, all their ship stores were burned in the battle. Without being able to outfit its new ships being built at the Navy Yard, the U.S. could not return to the offensive to seize Upper Canada. However, retention of this vital base did allow the U.S. to effectively defend American territory from further British offensives. Using primary sources such as personal journals and court records, Patrick Wilder tells the fascinating and largely unknown story of how the fledgling U.S. Army and Navy built and employed the base at Sackett's Harbour. He describes the incredible difficulties they faced in supporting the campaign from far away cities such as Philadelphia, New York, Pittsburgh, and Washington. Wilder presents an absorbing account of the heros, cowards, and incompetents among these energetic Americans who were confident that they would prevail over their seasoned opponents."