After almost two years of war, the debts were piling up and President James Madison had to review the financial status of the country with Congress. Madison started out by saying that the expenses of the current year "have necessarily been extensive". But there was good news, the money was well-spent; America had gained a great many victories. The enemy had been vigorously and successfully repulsed. Many forts were captured in the upper Northwest and America had gained supremacy on both Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. America was now in command of a large portion of Upper Canada including much of the St. Lawrence border, the Indian wars in the west had ceded and our soldiers have displayed honor, discipline and "prowess". All of which are the best auguries or signs which foretell of an eventual victory. Here is a list of the victorious battles that Madison listed as evidence of money well-spent
Craney Island - On June 22nd, 1813 737 men on Craney Island battled a Briish force of almost 2500 in a battle to save the city of Norfolk, Virginia from a British invasion.
Fort Miegs - With the help of 1200 Kentucky Militia, Americans held up against fierce fighting against a combined force of British regulars, Canadian militia and Native American warriors at Fort Miegs in the Northwest Territory. 600 men were lost, but the British and their Native allies were eventually forced to withdraw. The British attempted a second siege, but the American army fortified itself and stood strong.
Sackett's Harbor - After defeating the British at Fort George on the Ontario, Captain Chauncey returned to Sackett's Harbor where the British attempted a counter-attack. On September 28th, Captain James Chancey met British General Sir James Yeo's flagship and destroyed it so severely that Yeo ha to flee. Chauncey gained supremacy for the America on Lake Ontario.
Sandusky - The battle of Fort Stephenson was the last western battle fought in U.S. territory. Under Major Croghan, the Americans fended off a British and Indian attack to capture an American supply base on the Sandusky River.
York - On April 27th, 1813 the fort under British Major General Roger Hale Sheaffe fell to the Americans and Brigadier General Zebulon Pike who was killed in the battle. The Americans suffered heavy losses, but managed to capture the fort, town and dockyard of York.
Fort George - Fort George was the westernmost British fort on Lake Ontario. Captain Chauncey set his eyes on Fort George and scored a decisive victory on Lake Ontario before returning to Sackett's Harbor.
Fort Erie - In 1813, as Captain Chauncey was on his way to Fort George, 3000 American men from Buffalo, New York were sent to capture Fort Erie on their march to Fort George. The plan was changed based upon false reports of 6,000 British soldiers stationed there, but during the battle of Fort George, the British abandoned Fort Erie.
Fort Malden - After the strategic defeats at York and Fort George, the British were forced to abandon Fort Malden and in September the fort was torched and it's inhabitants were forced to flee. American troops moved in to begin reconstruction.
Detroit - In 1812, Brigadier General Hull surrendered the Fort of Detroit to British commander Major General Isasc Brock after he and Tecumseh pulled off an outlandish faux attack. After Captain Oliver Hazzard Perry's decisive naval battle of Lake Erie in September of 1813, the Americans were able to recover Detroit from the British. General Isaac Brock was killed in the fight.
Here are the President's own words.
"The expenses of the current year, from the multiplied operations falling within it, have necessarily been extensive; but on a just estimate of the campaign in which the mass of them has been incurred the cost will not be found disproportionate to the advantages which have been gained. The campaign has, indeed, in its latter stages in one quarter been less favorable than was expected, but in addition to the importance of our naval success the progress of the campaign has been filled with incidents highly honorable to the American arms.
The attacks of the enemy on Craney Island, on Fort Meigs, on Sackett's Harbor, and on Sandusky have been vigorously and successfully repulsed; nor have they in any case succeeded on either frontier excepting when directed against the peaceable dwellings of individuals or villages unprepared or undefended.
On the other hand, the movements of the American Army have been followed by the reduction of York, and of Forts George, Erie, and Malden; by the recovery of Detroit and the extinction of the Indian war in the West, and by the occupancy or command of a large portion of Upper Canada. Battles have also been fought on the borders of the St. Lawrence, which, though not accomplishing their entire objects, reflect honor on the discipline and prowess of our soldiery, the best auguries of eventual victory. In the same scale are to be placed the late successes in the South over one of the most powerful, which had become one of the most hostile also, of the Indian tribes."
http://historicforrest.com/CraneyIsland1813/
http://www.fortmeigs.org/history/
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2016/09/1813-james-madison-captain-chaunceys.html
http://www.sandusky-county-scrapbook.net/FtStephenson.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Stephenson
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2016/08/1812-james-madison-surrender-of-detroit.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_York
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Malden
http://www.stateoftheunionhistory.com/2016/09/1813-james-madison-captain-perrys.html
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/Push_on%2C_brave_York_volunteers%28large%29.jpg
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