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The following list is alphabetical.
British and Canadians
Americans | Amerindians
Captain Robert Barclay
Robert Barclay commanded the British naval squadron on Lake Erie. His adversary was American Oliver Hazard Perry, leading the American fleet. Initially, Barclay maintained a blocade of the harbor where the American ships were positioned, but when he left briefly to resupply, Perry moved his fleet out into the lake. The two commanders met at Put-in Bay on Lake Erie, where the nine American ships defeated the six-ship British fleet. Barclay was seriously wounded and taken prisoner.
Isaac Brock commanded all armed forces in Upper Canada in the beginning of the War of 1812. While Brock preferred to fight Napoleon in Europe, he knew of the possibility of war in North America, and stayed there even with permission to return to England.
One week before the Battle of Queenston Heights, Brock turned forty-three. He joined the army at 15 and moved upward through the ranks. During the War of 1812, he was responsible for the early British victories, which helped boost morale and convince Canadians that they had a chance. Unfortunately for the British, this charismatic and decisive leader, who developed a friendship with Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, was killed by an American sniper at Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812.
Charles de Salaberry successfully repulsed the invasion of American General Hampton into the province of Lower Canada. Leading a force of Canadian soldiers and militia, and some Amerindians, de Salaberry prepared for battle by building fortifications on the Chateauguay River. At the Battle of Chateauguay, de Salaberry defeated the American force and prevented a strike at Montreal. During the battle he stood on a tree stump, and later wrote that he rode a wooden horse.
Gordon Drummond entered the British army at 17, and served in Holland, Egypt, West Indies, Canada and Europe. In 1813, he returned to Canada as administrator of the province of Upper Canada, second-in-command to Sir George Prevost, governor of the province.
In the winter of 1813, Drummond organized the recovery of the Niagara Peninsula by the British and the raids in retaliation for the burning of Newark. He assisted in repulsing the American invasion in 1814, and in 1815 assumed Prevost's position.
Drummond returned to England in 1816, awarded the title of General and knighted for his performance in British North America.
George Prevost occupied the position of Governor of Upper Canada during the War of 1812. A capable administrator, Prevost had behind him a military career in the West Indies and North America. Throughout the war, he preferred to resort to defensive strategies. Prevost encountered several failures, which damaged his otherwise excellent performance in a position as difficult.
Henry Proctor was responsible for the defense of the Detroit frontier during the year 1813. His first ventures against the invading American forces were successful, especially at the Battle of Frenchtown. However, he was forced to retreat due to dwindling supplies and a tired, demoralized army, from American General Harrison's advancing force. He abandoned the city of Detroit, previously captured by British General Brock, and attempted to flee to the Niagara frontier. He was pursued by the American army, who met him at the Battle of the Thames, which saw the death of Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. Proctor lost the battle, and was later court-martialed for his conduct. He was suspended from military duty and pay for six months.
Phineas Riall was the commander of British forces in the Niagara peninsula during the campaign of 1814. Riall arrived to assume command the previous winter, and defeated American troops in several skirmishes, in addition to capturing several cities.
At the Battle of Chippawa, Riall was defeated, and his forces retreated from the Niagara frontier. Later, at the Battle of Lundy's Lane, the general was wounded and captured by American troops.
Robert Ross commanded the British force that conducted raids against the United States cities of Washington and Baltimore in the year 1814. Working together with Admiral George Cockburn and his fleet, he was able to successfully capture the city of Washington. Ross and Cockburn then traveled to Baltimore, but could not capture the city and contended with a bombardment from their ships.
Roger Hale Sheaffe succeeded General Isaac Brock after the latter was killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights. Sheaffe is mainly responsible for the British victory at Queenston. However, his retreat when York, the capital of Upper Canada, was attacked proved that he was not as talented as Brock had been. Sheaffe eventually retired from command due to illness.
John Vincent served as commander of British forces on the Niagara frontier in the year 1813. After he was forced to abandon Fort George to the American forces, Vincent managed to halt the pursuing army and reclaim a large part of the Niagara Peninsula that was captured by the Americans. He became ill in the winter of 1813-1814 and was replaced by Major General Phineas Riall.
James Yeo commanded the British fleet on Lake Ontario in the year 1813. He had several encounters with the American fleet under Isaac Chauncey, and was defeated in two brief battles. Neither fleet, however, was completely destroyed, and for the most part, Yeo's fleet was in the secure harbor of Kingston.
Major General Isaac Brock
Source: Canadian Heritage Parks Canada Brochure
Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Salaberry
Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond
Sir George Prevost
Major General Henry Proctor
Major General Phineas Riall
Major General Robert Ross
Major General Roger Hale Sheaffe
Brigadier General John Vincent
Sir James Lucas Yeo
