Campaigns of a British Officer in Europe and America, 1814-1815: Finding Aid

Biography of Unknown Author

The unidentified author of Campaigns of a British Officer in Europe and America was likely an officer in the British Army. Topical coverage of the volume, and its successor, suggest that the author took part in multiple War of 1812 battles, including the Battle of Bladensburg, the burning of Washington, the Battle of Baltimore, and the Battle of New Orleans. After returning to Europe, the author presumably also took part in the Battle of Waterloo.

Description of Contents

The Campaigns of a British Officer in Europe and America, comprising a single volume of 116 leaves, spans from 1814 to 1815. Kept by an unidentified officer during the War of 1812, the volume covers the Battle of Bladensburg, Battle of Baltimore, Burning of Washington, and the Battle of New Orleans.

The volume, an undated manuscript of the first of a two volume account of British operations during the War of 1812 and the Napoleonic Wars, bears the full title of "Campaigns of a British officer in Europe and America giving a particular account of the British operations in the United States in 1814 and 1815: the taking of Washington City, the unsuccessful attack of the British Army and Navy in Baltimore; and their memorable defeat before New Orleans by the United States Army under Genl. Andrew Jackson, with plans of the several engagements, and also that of the battle of Waterloo." The narrative of the text appears on verso, with notes and occasional battle maps on recto.

Topical sections of the volume include: Battle of Bladensburgh in Maryland August 24th, 1814; Battle of the meetinghouse near Baltimore 12th Sept 1814, Retreat from Baltimore September 1814; Eulogium for General Ross; Origin of the enterprise against Washington; Entrance into Washington and reasons for burning the public and private buildings; Destruction of public property and retreat from Washington; Reflections upon the enterprise; Summary of operations; Foraging in Maryland; Incursion into Virginia; Arrival at Jamaica and preparations to attack New Orleans; Embarkation in a new expedition; Descent upon New Orleans; Attack upon the American lines near New Orleans; and Defeat.

Arrangement

The Campaigns of a British Officer in Europe and America comprises a single volume.

Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Campaigns of a British Officer in Europe and America is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Gift of David Dixon Porter in 1866. Accession No. 9606.

Related Materials

Location of Copies or Alternate Formats

Digital copies of Campaigns of a British Officer in Europe and America are available in the USNA Digital Collections at https://usna.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01USNA_INST/t2tcj0/alma991003597729706751.

Related Archival Material

Volume 2 of Campaigns of a British Officer, covering the British retreat from New Orleans, the Battle of Fort Bowyer, Dauphin Island, and the Battle of Waterloo, can be found in the War of 1812 mss., 1776-1879, LMC 2439 at Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Campaigns of a British Officer in Europe and America, MS 199

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in May 2020.

Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

• Baltimore, Battle of, Baltimore, Md., 1814
• Bladensburg, Battle of, Bladensburg, Md., 1814
• New Orleans, Battle of, New Orleans, La., 1815
• United States -- History -- War of 1812
• United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Participation, British
• Washington (D.C.) -- History -- Capture by the British, 1814

Genre Terms

• Manuscripts