Impressment, or “press gang” as it was more commonly known, was recruitment by force. It was a practice that directly affected the U.S. and was even one of the causes of the War of 1812. The British navy consistently suffered manpower shortages due to the low pay and a lack of qualified seamen.
On this day in 1814 the British Army torched Washington DC, including the White House. The operation was a classic example of the British use of combined arms, masterminded by the Royal Navy’s Admiral Cochran and the Army’s General Ross.
The British Empire is why we can’t have nice things.
The death of General Ross.
On this day in 1814 the British Army torched Washington DC, including the White House. The operation was a classic example of the British use of combined arms, masterminded by the Royal Navy’s Admiral Cochran and the Army’s General Ross.
The British Empire is why we can’t have nice things.
The death of General Ross.