Background to War
Just a few decades after miraculously winning the American Revolution in 1783, the United States of America once again was at war with Great Britain. Hoping to punish the Americans for their previous rebellion, the British were intent on humiliating them and regaining their lost colonies. In an attempt to provoke another war, they searched and seized over 1,000 American ships on the Atlantic Ocean. Worse yet, they impressed (forced into military service) over 6,000 American sailors to aid them in their fight against Napoleon. This was a fate considered to be worse than death, for sailors were either forced to fight the French, their former allies, or be imprisoned for the duration of the war in abandoned ships, where the widespread disease, starvation, and foul water led to certain death.
The American public was outraged at these actions, and Congress promptly declared war on England in 1812. The war, now referred to as the War of 1812 and the Second War for Independence, was considered over before it even began. The newly formed United States was no match to the greatest empire the world had ever seen. Great Britain controlled the economy, had the latest technology, and proudly boasted to be the best and largest military in the world.
British Offensive Strategy
With a few exceptions, the United States lost nearly all of the battles between 1812 and 1814. The British strategy was complex but could be simplified to three main objectives to defeat the newly formed country. First, they would destroy the capital of Washington D.C. Secondly, they would destroy the Northern United States through Lake Champlain. Lastly, they would destroy the South through New Orleans. This three-pronged offensive strategy would cut the nation off from all angles, weakening their defenses and preventing them from receiving outside assistance.
However, God intervened to protect America and its newfound democracy and commitment to religious freedom. Let us take a few minutes to see how God intervened to thwart British plans to destroy America and her constitutional rights.
Battle of Washington D.C. Miracle: On a hot summer evening in August 1814, the British invaded Washington D.C., the newly formed capital of the United States. They burned the White House, several government buildings, and much private property. Due to her quick thinking, Dolly Madison saved the original Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the famous painting of George Washington. This in and of itself was quite a feat, for the British were intent on crushing American morale. As the British felt that their mission in Washington D.C. was accomplished and proceeded to nearby Baltimore, three miracles in the weather assisted the Americans, thus defeating the British.
An immediate rainstorm put out the fire, saving Washington D.C from utter destruction. An unexpected hurricane devastated the British navy, whipping their ships around in chaos and making it impossible to proceed with their offensive on water. A sudden tornado incapacitated the British army on land. According to Ian Harvey: “The National Weather Service reports that more British soldiers were killed as a result of the storm than had been killed in the battle the day before. Two British cannons were even lifted up and moved by the force of the accompanying tornado which ripped through the middle of the city. What makes this event even more serendipitous for the Americans is that, as Smithsonian reports, there have only been seven other tornadoes recorded in Washington, D.C. in the 204 years since.”1
Battle of Plattsburgh Miracle: Less than a month later, the British attempted to invade from Canada in an effort to take the northern United States. Conflict ensued at Lake Champlain, where 14,000 British fought against 5,000 Americans.
Not only were the American numbers significantly lower, but they were also greatly inexperienced. The British soldiers were battle seasoned veterans who gained their experience fighting Napoleon and his armies on the battlefields of Europe. The Americans were recent militiamen, who had formerly been farmers, shopkeepers, and tradesmen. The world’s finest navy fought the world’s most inexperienced navy, yet after two and a half hours, the American soldiers won!
While there were not any drastic changes in the weather as had been in previous battles, the unexpected victory was credited to be a miracle by many veterans. Additionally, this unexpected victory, called the Battle of Plattsburgh, halted British invasion from the North and was critical in getting them to sign a peace agreement in 1815.
Battle of New Orleans Miracle: While Great Britain was willing to sign a peace treaty in 1815, they were taking months to negotiate the terms, hoping that an unexpected win on their end would grant them a last-minute victory. While exchanging formalities with American ambassadors in Europe, the British were sailing 8,000 battle-hardened veterans through the Gulf of Mexico to attack the Americans in New Orleans. Hearing news of their sneak attack, General Andrew Jackson quickly rallied the city to the defense. The 4,500 American men that were able to fight were a mix of pirates, free African-Americans, Indians, and backwoods frontiersmen. They were not typically a group that relished working together, but their attitudes were changed after he notably gave a patriotic address about having to unite together. General Jackson did all this while recovering from the wounds of two bullet holes in his left arm!
In just 30 minutes, there were 2,000 British causalities with only 100 American losses. President James Madison proclaimed: “History records no example of so glorious a victory obtained with so little bloodshed on the part of the victorious.”2 The American victory at the Battle of New Orleans ended the War of 1812, and soon thereafter, peace between the two countries was officialized at the Treaty of Ghent.
How These Wartime Miracles Impact Us Today
Throughout the Bible, there are dozens of examples of times where God performed miracles and turned the tides of battles. As we study the history of the United States of America, we can see that this time of protection was foreordained by God. Revelation 13 describes a long period of religious persecution and oppression, known as the “Dark Ages,” and at the end of that period, a nation would be raised up. It is described as a “lamb with two horns,” (Revelation 13:11), which many Bible commentators believe refers to a peace-loving country (for a time) with both civil and religious liberty. This description fits American exactly, for at precisely the prophesied time, it arose “out of the earth” to extend the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition to its inhabitants.
God intended for us to be free, both politically and spiritually: ‘Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Cor. 3:17). Not only was American democracy protected in the American Revolution but it was also safeguarded during the War of 1812.
We will not always have the freedom that has been granted us these last 250 years, so let us use this freedom for good. Let us encourage ourselves on what God has done on behalf of our nation and in our personal lives. Even more so, let us value our constitutional rights, and use this time to spread the good news that there is a Sovereign God who is divinely interested in nations, but most importantly, personally invested in every individual. He is coming soon, so let us share that with as many people as possible!
All Scripture taken from the Kings James Version
- Harvey, Ian. “The Burning of Washington and How a Freak Storm Saved the Day.” https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/10/12/burning-of-washington/.
- Various History Editors. “Battle of New Orleans.” https://www.history.com/topics/war-of-1812/battle-of-new-orleans.
