Virginia saw significant action during the War of 1812, from the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair to the defense of Norfolk against British invaders. Many Virginians supported the struggle for independence from Great Britain—others vehemently opposed “Mr. Madison’s War.”
A largely forgotten conflict, the war played an important role in the history of the United States. While comprehensive histories of the war are few, there is a positive lack of state-focused studies. Drawing on extensive primary and secondary sources, the author provides an in-depth portrait of the “Old Dominion” at war in the early years of the nation’s history.

Christopher M. Bonin is a lifelong student of military history and lives in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Christopher M. Bonin
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 185
Bibliographic Info: 10 photos, 5 maps, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2018
pISBN: 978-1-4766-7108-6
eISBN: 978-1-4766-3330-5
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi
Author’s Note viii
Introduction 1
1. “BRITISH OUTRAGE!” The Chesapeake-Leonard Affair 9
2. The Road to War: 1808–1812 22
3. The War of Words: Support and Opposition for the War of 1812 in Virginia 39
4. The Opposing Forces: The Americans 54
5. The Opposing Forces: The British 67
6. Virginians in the Northwestern Campaign 80
7. “The guns are roaring at this moment!” The 1813 Campaign 100
8. “VIRGINIANS TO ARMS!” The 1814 Campaign 120
9. The Aftermath 140
Conclusion 151
Chapter Notes 155
Bibliography 168
Index 173