Connecticut in the War of 1812

United States   War of 1812    Connecticut Military    Connecticut in the War of 1812

Introduction
Overall Connecticut disapproved of the War of 1812. The militia was forbidden to leave the state, and only about 3,000 Connecticut militiamen saw active duty for any length of time. In the Regular Army, Connecticut had 160 men and 156 officers. The legislature did spend some money on internal defenses, including funds for 3,000 muskets, eight cannon, 600 pounds of powder, and five tons of bullets.

In June 1814, the British cornered a U.S. naval squadron in New London. Some 6,000 Connecticut militiamen rushed there, and their presence may have restrained the British, allowing the American sailors escaped overland. The British then caused about $200,000 worth of damage to shipping at Essex. In August 1814, five British ships bombarded Stonington for three days.

In late 1814, the Hartford Convention met at the Old State House to draft anti-war resolutions.

State Records

 * A major published source is Connecticut Adjutant General, Records of Service of Connecticut Men in the I. War of the Revolution, II. War of 1812, III. Mexican War (Hartford, Connecticut: Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company, 1889). Digital version: Internet Archive..


 * Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Connecticut has a section listing veterans.


 * Weed, Clara Louise, List of Connecticut Revolutionary soldiers mentioned in Beckwith's Almanac, New Haven, 1850 to 1870 inclusive : also War of 1812; 1856 to 1889 starting on page 8. To view a digital version of this item click here.


 * Connecticut officers and soldiers, 1700s-1800s (Family tree maker;s family archives, Military records) no 120,


 * Fredriksen, John C., Free Trade and Sailor's Rights: a Bibliography of the War of 1812 (Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, c1985) pages 399.

Rolls of Honor
Congress decorated two Connecticut men who served in the U.S. Navy: Isaac Hull (1773-1843), who commanded the U.S.S. Constitution, and Thomas MacDonough (1783-1825), the hero of Plattsburg Bay. Though MacDonough was not born in Connecticut,he considered Middletown his home.

Soldiers Homes
The first soldiers home in Connecticut was founded on July 4, 1864. It was called Fitch's Home for Soldiers and their Orphans. Probably only a few of the veterans of the War of 1812 lived at this home. A history of the Connecticut soldiers homes was done.

Internet Sites

 * Connecticut Historical Society Manuscripts Blog has various blog articles about the War of 1812 and records available at the society.


 * Connecticut Adjutant General. Record of Service of Connecticut Men in the I. War of the Revolution, II. War of 1818. III. Mexican War. (Hartford: Adjutant General, 1880). Digital version: Internet Archive.


 * Connecticut State Library. Research Guide to War of 1812 Sources at the Connecticut State Library describes the records at the library that are useful for finding information about War of 1812 soldiers from Connecticut.

Other Sources
Books