three books
Originally constructed during the War of 1812, Fort Henry sits near where the mouth of the Cataraqui River flows into the St. Lawrence. The fort standing today was built between 1832 and 1837 to protect Ontario's end of the Rideau Canal. After falling into disrepair, Fort Henry became a "living museum" in 1938, with the introduction of the Fort Henry Guard. It also served as a prisoner-of-war camp for German Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine personnel during The Second World War. Today it is a National Historic Site of Canada.
In 1812, the future of British North America hung in the balance as the United States declared war with the avowed goal of conquering the Canadas and removing British influence from the continent forever.
The Call to Arms is the first of six books in the series Upper Canada Preserved — War of 1812. Each book in this battlefield-based chronicle combines the best of modern historical research with extensive quotations from original official documents and personal letters to bring to life this crucial period of Canada's early history. Numerous historical images of locations are counterpointed with comparable modern perspectives to give a true then-and-now effect.
In April 1813 the Americans launched a new campaign to conquer Upper Canada, after their failure to do so in 1812. However, following initial victories, the U.S. assault stalled as a combined force of British regulars, Canadian militia, and Native allies counterattacked, throwing the Americans entirely onto the defensive by the end of June. During the next six months, this seesaw of military advantage was repeated again and again as each side escalated its commitment of men and resources and fought to gain the "final" victory.
