List of United States militia guerrilla actions in the War of 1812 facts for kids

During the War of 1812, American volunteer soldiers, called the militia, often struggled against the well-trained British army. But when they used clever, surprise tactics, they had much more success! These tactics included setting ambushes, attacking from hidden spots, and making quick raids. This article explores some of these exciting and effective actions by the American militia.

Bold Raids by American Militia

McArthur's Deep Raid into Thames

On July 13, 1812, American forces were invading Canada. Militia commander Duncan McArthur led 100 militiamen to chase enemy fighters. They scattered into the woods and got away.

McArthur was told to keep going into enemy land. He needed to find supplies in settlements along the Thames River. McArthur pushed 60 miles into enemy territory. He found a house guarded by British soldiers. McArthur's men captured the soldiers and took their weapons.

His raiding force also seized boats filled with enemy supplies. On July 17, 1812, McArthur returned to base. He brought back 200 barrels of flour, 400 blankets, and many military items. These supplies were meant for the British troops.

Cass's Surprise Attack at Canard River

On July 16, 1812, American militia colonel Lewis Cass led 250 men. Most were Ohio militia, plus some regular soldiers. Their mission was to scout ahead in Canada.

At Aux Canards River, Cass found a bridge. It was guarded by British soldiers and Native American allies. Cass ordered riflemen to hide in tall grass near the bridge. They would fire when the main attack began.

The plan worked! Cass's main force moved quietly. The enemy did not see them until they had to change direction. This gave the enemy time to get ready. They started firing from a distance.

Then, the hidden American riflemen opened fire. The main American force also fired their guns. The British were forced to retreat. Cass stopped the chase as it got dark. The Americans had no casualties. Reports say the British lost several men killed or wounded.

Raid on Toussaint’s Island

On September 15, 1812, a British naval convoy was moving goods. New York State Militia Captain Elisah Griffen took a gunboat with 18 militiamen. They planned to ambush and raid the convoy.

The American militia landed at Toussaint Island at night. They secured the only family on the island. But one man escaped by swimming and warned the British. The British convoy got ready to fight.

Griffen's militia fired their cannon at the British. Both sides shot at each other for a while. It seemed too risky to capture the convoy safely. So, the American militia pulled back. The Americans had one killed and one wounded. The British reportedly lost two killed and several wounded.

Findlay's Hit-and-Run on Ottawa Villages

On September 16, 1812, American militia colonel James Findlay arrived at St. Marys. He had 350 mounted Ohio militiamen. Findlay and his riders went north into the Great Black Swamp.

Their goal was to raid and destroy Ottawa villages. These villages, Lower Tawas and Upper Tawas, helped the British. The mounted militia destroyed these villages. Findlay and his raiders returned to St. Marys on September 24, 1812.

Raid on Gananoque

On September 21, 1812, 20 New York Militiamen joined a raid. They were led by Captain Samuel McNitt. They teamed up with 90 American riflemen under Benjamin Forsyth. American commander Jacob Jennings Brown ordered this raid.

The Americans traveled secretly by boat to Gananoque. They landed and launched a commando-style attack. They quickly overwhelmed the Canadian militia. The Americans took 3,000 cartridges, 41 muskets, and other supplies. They also burned 150 barrels of food.

Eight enemy Canadian militiamen were killed. Another eight were captured. The American militia and riflemen returned safely. They brought back their captured goods and prisoners.

Commando Raid at St. Regis

At the start of the War of 1812, St. Regis was a neutral area. Both America and Britain agreed not to use it for attacks. However, British agents visited Native American tribes there. They tried to get them to fight the Americans. The tribes refused.

Later, the British set up a military base in St. Regis. The Americans saw this as breaking the agreement. So, American military command ordered Major Guilford Dudley Young to raid the base.

On October 23, 1812, Major Young led 200 New York State militiamen. They quietly entered the area on rafts and canoes. The American militia launched a surprise attack. They killed 8 British soldiers and captured 40.

The militia also seized 38 muskets, two boats, a flag, and 800 blankets. The raiding force returned to American lines with their loot and prisoners. A few militiamen stayed to hold the outpost at St. Regis.

Trimble's Hit-and-Run on Native American Villages

On October 5, 1812, American militia colonel Allen Trimble reinforced Fort Wayne. He had 500 mounted militia and dragoons. Trimble was ordered to raid Native American villages near the Eel River.

He took 250 mounted men with him. Allen Trimble led his raiding force to Eel River. They destroyed two enemy village bases. To avoid a counter-attack, Trimble's force returned safely to Fort Wayne on October 25, 1812.

Raid on Elizabethtown

On February 7, 1813, an American force of 200 men raided Elizabethtown in Canada. This force included New York Militia and Regiment of Riflemen soldiers. They were led by Benjamin Forsyth.

They crossed the frozen St. Lawrence River. They captured 52 enemy fighters and freed 16 prisoners. They also took 120 guns, ammunition, and two barrels of gunpowder. The militia and riflemen burned the temporary barracks.

After the raid, the Americans returned safely. They brought back their captured items, prisoners, and freed hostages.

Surprise Raid at Sugar Loaf

On June 16, 1813, Cyrenius Chapin and his mounted militia made a deep raid. They surprised enemy forces 15 kilometers west of Fort Erie. This place was called the Sugar Loaf. Chapin's force captured 11 enemy fighters.

Hit-and-Run Raid at Littafuchee

During the Creek War, American General Andrew Jackson fought the Creek Indians. Jackson sent Lieutenant Colonel Robert H. Dyer with 200 Tennessee militiamen. Their mission was to raid nearby villages for food.

On October 29, 1813, Dyer and his mounted militia rode out. They raided the village of Littafuchee. They achieved complete surprise. They captured 29 Creek prisoners, including women and children. The militiamen burned the village and took cattle and corn.

Dyer and his men returned to Jackson's army. They brought their prisoners and the food they had captured.

Samuel Dale's Attack on Creek Indians

On November 12, 1813, Samuel Dale led a hit-and-run attack. He was in charge of Fort Glass, a small fort near Fort Madison. Dale had at least 50 American fighters.

Dale's scouts reported 80 to 100 Native Americans camped nearby. Samuel Dale took 60 militiamen to attack them. They crossed the river in two hidden canoes. They spent the night hiding.

At daylight, they moved carefully up the river. Dale and his men suddenly met five warriors. Dale shot one, and another militiaman shot a second. The rest ran away.

Later, Dale and seven militiamen chased 11 Native American warriors in boats. After intense fighting, Dale and his men killed all 11 warriors. Samuel Dale and his men returned safely to their fort.

Hit-and-Run Raid at Autossee

American militia Brigadier General John Floyd had 940 militiamen. More than 300 friendly Lower Creek warriors joined them. Floyd planned a quick raid on the large Red Stick town of Autossee.

On November 24, 1813, General Floyd moved out. He reached Autossee without problems on the 28th. Floyd, his militia, and allies stormed and burned the town on November 29, 1813.

Floyd lost 11 men killed and 54 wounded, including himself. About 200 enemy Red Stick Creek warriors were killed. After destroying the enemy base, Floyd and his force returned to Fort Mitchell.

Raiding and Destroying Creek Villages

American militiamen Samuel Dale rode with Major Cassel's mounted militiamen. Their goal was to raid and destroy Creek villages. They destroyed an enemy Red Stick village at Pintlala Creek.

The American militia raiders set up camp on December 25, 1813. Samuel Dale and his militia then rode on. They raided and destroyed other enemy Creek villages and farms. The raiding force then returned to Fort Deposit and then to Fort Clairborne.

Hit-and-Run Attack in New York

On January 8, 1814, Lt. Colonel Caleb Hopkins and General John Swift led a surprise attack. Both were American militia commanders. They led 70 militiamen against a British group collecting wood.

The American militia surprised the British. The British had 4 killed and 8 captured. The American militia had only 1 killed. The Americans returned to Canandaigua with their prisoners after their successful attack.

Militia Defenses and Ambushes

Engagement at Tipton’s Island

In April 1813, a fight happened at Tipton's Island. It was against a Shawnee war party. The Shawnee were allied with the British during the War of 1812. A Shawnee group killed three American settlers. They also wounded a few more near Fort Vallonia.

An American militia group of 30 men, called the Indiana Rangers, chased the Shawnee. Major John Tipton led them. The Shawnee thought they had escaped. They set up camp on an island in the White River.

John Tipton and his militia tracked them down. Major Tipton ordered his rangers to be completely silent. He even tied one ranger to a tree for talking! The militia quietly moved forward. They took positions along the riverbank.

The American militia rangers opened fire, surprising the Shawnee. Both sides fired at each other for about 30 minutes. One Shawnee was killed. The Shawnee then escaped across the flooded White River. Three warriors drowned trying to swim to safety. Several others were wounded. The militia could not follow them across the river. John Tipton and his Indiana Rangers returned to Fort Vallonia with no casualties.

American Militia Defense at Havre-de-Grace

On May 3, 1813, British Admiral Cockburn launched a large attack on Havre-de-Grace. When British marines landed, American militia began firing. They shot from behind houses, walls, and trees. This was a type of guerrilla warfare.

Cockburn hated this tactic. He complained that the militia fired from hidden spots. They shot at his boats or people without being seen. Still, Cockburn succeeded in looting the villages. He destroyed 45 cannons, burned houses, and facilities. Cockburn himself was only wounded once. The American militia suffered one killed. Even with the militia's resistance, the British completed their raid.

Second Battle of Sackets’ Harbor

On May 29, 1813, a large British force attacked Sackets Harbor. American Lieutenant Colonel Electus Backus commanded the U.S. Regulars. About 500 American militia joined them.

American militia general Jacob Brown led the defense. He placed the militia behind a sand ridge. This spot would allow their fire to hit the best British landing place. Volunteers with a cannon were on the militia's right. The militia were well hidden.

When British ships landed, and troops marched ashore, the militia rose. They fired into the British troops. The militia made it very hard for the British to pass. A British soldier described the heavy fire from an almost invisible enemy.

As the British came closer, the militia fired again. Then they fled into the woods, leaving one cannon. General Brown rallied about 80 militiamen. He placed them behind a large fallen log. From this cover, they fought guerrilla-style. They fired several volleys and then retreated.

The American defense held for an hour. A young American drummer boy picked up a musket and killed a British Colonel. The Americans were pushed back to their third line of defense. General Brown used this time to rally more militia.

Brown rallied about 300 militiamen. He emerged from the woods and made his militia pretend to march toward the British boats. The British commander, George Prevost, thought he was about to be surrounded. He ordered a retreat. The British quickly left without securing a victory.

Later, Prevost asked the Americans to surrender, but they refused. He then asked for his dead and wounded to be cared for. The Americans agreed. Prevost sailed away in defeat. American casualties were 170 killed, wounded, or missing. British casualties were about 260.

American Militia Defense at Hampton Village

On June 25, 1813, a large British fleet attacked Hampton village in Virginia. British General Sir Sydney Beckwith led 2,500 troops. About 600 American militiamen defended the village. Major Crutchfield commanded them.

Militia riflemen under Richard B. Servant hid in the woods. They set an ambush near the road where the British would come. When the British column arrived, Servant's riflemen opened fire. They hit the front of the British column.

Major Crutchfield advanced with his militia. But he was ambushed by British troops hidden in trees. The British fired small arms, cannons, and rockets. Crutchfield and some militia were driven off. Other militia tried to regroup with Servant's riflemen.

American militia cavalry under Captain Cooper harassed the British left side. But the British had more soldiers. The American militia had to give ground. American militia artillerymen fired their cannons. The militia being chased would stop behind a fence or ditch. They would fire at the British, then retreat again.

The militia artillerymen kept firing until the British got close. They then disabled their cannons and jumped into a creek. They swam to safety without losses. Elsewhere, Richard B. Servant again hid his riflemen. He ambushed a British advance guard of 300 French riflemen. When the French walked into the trap, the American militia riflemen opened heavy fire. Thirty French riflemen fell dead.

The British and their allies charged. Richard and his riflemen retreated safely. After fighting hard, all American militia withdrew. The British and French then burned houses, looted, and executed some unarmed civilians.

The Americans protested this behavior. The British falsely claimed Americans had fired on their stranded sailors. An American commander investigated. He found that the militia had not fired on stranded sailors. In fact, they tried to save them. The British had no good excuse for their actions.

American militia casualties were 7 killed, 12 wounded, and 12 missing. British casualties were reported to be higher by some, but the British claimed only 7 killed, 12 wounded, and 11 missing. This battle showed how resilient American militia could be. They used ambushes and harassment to annoy the British.

Ambush at Black Swamp Road

In July 1813, Benjamin Forsyth led an ambush. He was a commander of American riflemen. Seneca Warriors and American militia under Cyrenius Chapin helped him. They ambushed British-allied Mohawks near Newark, Ontario.

American riflemen and Seneca warriors hid on both sides of the road. A group of Seneca and American militiamen on horses would lure the Mohawks. Cyrenius Chapin led this group. They rode near the Mohawks, taunted them, and then pretended to retreat.

The Mohawks chased them. When the enemy entered the ambush area, Benjamin blew his bugle. The hidden American riflemen and Seneca gunners opened heavy fire. The Mohawks lost 15 killed and 13 captured. A British interpreter was also captured. A few Mohawks escaped. The Americans and their allies returned safely with their prisoners.

Ambush at Norfolk in Virginia

On July 13, 1813, American militia successfully ambushed the British at Norfolk. A British naval party landed to dig a well and get water. Captain Richard Lawson led a company of American militia. They went to stop the British party.

The British landing party had two lieutenants, 16 sailors, and 8 Marines. Captain Richard Lawson and his militiamen set an ambush. They hid behind a sand hill. When the British landed, the Americans sprang their ambush. They opened heavy fire.

The surprised British were overwhelmed and captured. Three British marines were killed. One lieutenant, two sailors, and three marines were wounded. The American militia destroyed the British boat. They took the British cannon and all supplies. They returned to their town with the prisoners. The American militia had no casualties.

Raiding and Ambushing the British Navy at Cranberry Creek

On July 18, 1813, New York Militia commander Lieutenant Colonel Jehial Dimock went on a raid. He teamed up with American naval mariner Samuel Dixon. They had at least 50 New York City Militiamen. They sailed from Sackets Harbor in two sloops. Their goal was to raid a British shipping convoy.

On July 19, 1813, the American militia surprised the British convoy. The convoy had one British gunboat and 15 transport boats. The American militia captured the entire convoy without firing a shot. They captured 250 barrels of pork, 300 bags of bread, ammunition, and other stores. They also captured 67 prisoners.

A local Canadian saw what happened and told British authorities. The British sent a large force with 4 heavily armed gunboats. The Americans retreated to Cranberry Creek to set an ambush. They pulled their boats up the creek until it became very narrow. They cut trees to block the creek and built barricades.

The British fleet entered the creek and fell into the American militia's ambush. As British sailors tried to clear the fallen trees, Dimock and Dixon sprang their trap. The Americans opened heavy fire with their muskets. The British tried to fight back, but the terrain made it hard. The wooded area gave the American militia good cover. The British could not maneuver their guns properly. So, the British retreated. They had 4 killed and 17 wounded. The American militia returned safely with all their prisoners and captured goods.

Intercepting a British-Allied Supply Train

On July 27, 1813, Spain, a British ally, supplied Creek Indian chief Peter McQueen. He received provisions and gunpowder to fight American expansion. Peter McQueen and 300 warriors were returning to their village with supplies.

American militiamen under Colonel James Caller and Captain Dixon Bailey went to raid the supply train. Samuel Dale and his militiamen joined them, totaling at least 180 men. When they reached the supply train, the Creek Indians were camping and not on guard. Colonel James Caller and his militia quietly got off their horses. They cautiously approached the Indian camp.

Then, the American militia launched a surprise attack. The Indians were completely surprised. The militia charged, firing their weapons. The panicked Indians fired back but ran off. After the Indians fled, many militia members started looting the supplies. They did not set up proper security.

While most militia were busy looting, the Indians regrouped. They launched a surprise counter-attack. At least 80 militiamen, including Captains Samuel Dale, Dixon Bailey, and Smoot, bravely fought them. After 3 hours of fighting, the American militia retreated. Even though the Creek Indians drove them off, the militia managed to carry off many pack-horses and supplies. The Creek Indians had 10-12 killed and 8-9 wounded. The American militia had only 2 killed and 15 wounded.

Harassing the British at Queenston

On August 7, 1813, a large British force attacked Queenston in Maryland. They had 1500 men in 45 barges. The American militia under Major Nicholson had only 280 troops.

British troops landed but were spotted by American militia Captain James Massey. He commanded a platoon of militia. Captain Massey placed 18 militiamen behind a fence in the dark. They waited for the British column to get very close. When the British reached the fence, the militia opened heavy fire.

After firing, Captain Massey and his militia retreated. After a while, the militia set another ambush behind a fence. When the British reached it, the militia again opened heavy fire. Then Captain Massey and his militia withdrew safely. All American militia and civilians withdrew to safety. The British reportedly had a few men killed or wounded.

Battle of Waterman’s Bluff

On August 8, 1813, a battle took place at Waterman's Bluff. American militia General Buckner F. Harris led a group called the Patriots in Spanish Florida. Spanish Florida was allied with the British.

The Spanish sent 60 soldiers in boats to attack the Patriot militia. Harris was camped on a bluff. The Spanish boats were limited to a narrow channel. They were clearly visible for a quarter mile. Buckner Harris prepared an ambush.

On the bluff, Harris and at least 30 Patriot militiamen hid behind trees and fences. When the Spanish attack force arrived, Harris and the American Patriot militia sprang their ambush. They opened heavy fire. The American militia ambush successfully drove off the Spanish. Spanish casualties were reported as 6 killed and 12 wounded. Buckner F. Harris claimed his militia killed or wounded at least 20 Spanish soldiers.

Cyrenius Chapin’s First Attack Outside Fort George

On October 6, 1813, American forces controlled Fort George in Canada. American militia commander Cyrenius Chapin led a hit-and-run attack. He had volunteers, 12 militiamen, and 20 allied Native Americans.

Chapin and his force advanced from the fort to a town. Chapin found American Adjutant Chesebro, who had left earlier with 20 or 30 men. Chesebro's men had fired on British soldiers picking apples. Chesebro and his men joined Chapin's force.

Chapin scouted the enemy position alone. He returned and formed his men for combat. Chapin attacked the enemy. The enemy retreated into a house and barn. Chapin quickly entered the house and barn. He drove the enemy further to the edge of the woods.

The British then brought cannons into the woods and opened fire. With the British now strongly reinforced, Chapin ordered a retreat. They returned safely to the fort. The Americans lost 2 wounded and 1 killed. The British suffered 7 killed and 2 captured by the Americans.

Cyrenius Chapin’s Second Attack Outside Fort George

On the afternoon of October 6, 1813, Cyrenius Chapin was at Fort George. American Colonel Scott told Chapin the enemy was in town. Scott planned to bombard them with artillery. But Chapin insisted he would attack the enemy himself.

Chapin and his force of volunteers and militia marched under cover of houses. They were about half a mile from the fort. As Chapin advanced, he met the enemy. The enemy fired heavily. Chapin's force fired back. Some of Chapin's men fled back to the fort.

Later, Chapin received reinforcements. About 100 militiamen and 60 allied Native Americans joined him. Chapin and his reinforced army drove the enemy from their positions. The enemy had not protected their sides. Chapin cut off the enemy's left side. He chased them across a farm into the woods.

Chapin bothered the enemy and broke their lines. American militia colonel Caleb Hopkins arrived with 60 or 70 more militiamen. Chapin ordered Hopkins to take a position on the left. He ordered Adjutant Chesebro to break the enemy's right side. Both orders were followed well.

After chasing the enemy for a while, it became nighttime. Chapin decided it was not good to fight longer. Chapin and his entire force returned to the fort. Before arriving, Chapin met several American groups coming to help. The American force suffered only 3 killed and 6-8 wounded. The British suffered 18 killed and 2 captured.

Militia Artillery Damages British Barge

Along Virginia's waterways, a British barge came to pick up troops. Virginia militia were hidden with their cannon behind trees. They fired at the ship and damaged the British vessel.

Ambush at Middlesex Banks

In December 1813, American militia gathered to stop any British landing. Two British deserters came ashore. They told the Virginians that a British captain planned to attack Urbanna. The deserters stole two barges to escape. They said their former mates would return for the barges.

American Captain Thomas C. Hoomes saw a chance to ambush the enemy. He had his militia pull the barges onto the shore. This would tempt the British to return.

The plan worked. At sunrise the next morning, a British force returned for the barges. The American militia, hidden, sprang their ambush. They opened heavy fire with muskets and rifles. The American militia claimed they saw some British fall.

The American militia kept firing until other British barges arrived. These barges had a small cannon and fired at the militia. The American militia were low on ammunition. They did not want to risk their men. So, they retreated safely. This allowed the British to get their barges back.

Surprise Attack on a Red Stick Camp

On December 24, 1813, a surprise attack happened near the Alabama River. After General Ferdinand Claiborne destroyed Econocha, his militia spread out. They raided and destroyed other Creek enemy villages.

American militiaman Jeremiah Austill joined Pushmataha and his pro-American Choctaw warriors. They raided across the Alabama River. After crossing the river, they surprised a Red Stick camp. They killed three enemy Creek Indians. The rest of the Creek Indians fled, leaving their supplies.

Battle of Norwood’s Cove

This battle took place in Southwest Harbor on August 9, 1814. A large number of British troops were in boats. They had an elderly American man as a prisoner. The British saw the elderly prisoner's son. He was with American militiamen hidden behind trees and brush.

The British tried to get the young American to surrender. But the elderly man bravely shouted to his son and the militia to open fire. The American militia obeyed and opened heavy fire. The British also fired, trying to find their targets.

But the American militiamen fired from hidden positions. They were behind trees and natural barriers. This allowed them to aim well and stay unseen. An American militiaman later showed a tree riddled with seventeen bullets. The British could not see the hidden militia. They decided to retreat to their ships.

Later, two boys on the British ship said they saw 7 dead British soldiers. They also saw at least 12 wounded soldiers being treated. However, a British soldier only mentioned 3 badly wounded. The American militia had only one slightly wounded. This battle showed that American militia could fight off professional British troops. They could do this if they had good terrain and cover.

Battle of St. Mary River

This battle happened along the St. Mary's River on February 24, 1815. It was the last fight between America and Great Britain in the War of 1812. A British force of 250 men in six barges planned a raid. Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn commanded them.

As the British fleet neared the Florida side of the river, about 30 American Patriot militia riflemen were hidden. They sprang an ambush from behind tall pines. They opened heavy fire on the British boats. The British barges quickly turned toward the Georgia shore.

Then, 20 or more American militiamen from Georgia also sprang their ambush. They were hidden in the trees. They fired into the British boats. The trees and bushes hid the American militiamen on both river banks. They continued to fire on and harass the British fleet.

The British decided not to complete their raid and sailed away. As the British barges neared the Florida shore again, the Patriot militia marksmen fired deadly volleys. The British were confused. As the British sailed on, the Georgian and Patriot militia ran ahead. They cut across the land formed by the crooked river. They waited for the barges and then opened heavy fire again.

Again and again, the American militia riflemen were left behind. But they would appear again at a lower river bend. They would open heavy fire on the British. The British were finally able to leave the area. Some reports say the British had between 100 and 160 casualties. This might be an exaggeration. However, the British report claimed 29 killed and wounded. The American militias had only 2 killed.