Skip to content
The War AtlasThe · War · Atlas

BATTLE // September 6, 1814

Battle of Plattsburgh

LOADING MAP TELEMETRY…

Source · Wikipedia

Significance

The Battle of Plattsburgh ended the final British invasion of the northern United States during the War of 1812. A British army under Prevost, numbering approximately 11,000, converged on Plattsburgh alongside a naval squadron under Downie, facing a combined American force of around 3,500 regulars, militia, and naval vessels under Macomb and Macdonough. British casualties stood at roughly 300 against approximately 200 American, reflecting the scale of the repulse. By halting this invasion, the battle removed British leverage over the northern frontier at a moment when peace negotiations were already underway, denying Britain a territorial foothold that could have altered the terms of the Treaty of Ghent.

Tactics

The battle involved two converging British forces: a land army under Prevost approaching Plattsburgh and a naval squadron under Downie operating on Lake Champlain. The American defense combined militia and regular army detachments under Macomb on the ground with warships under Macdonough on the lake. The overview does not provide further detail on maneuvers, dispositions, or terrain use beyond this dual-force convergence and the combined naval-land defense of the lakeside town.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • United States3,500
    medium
  • United Kingdom11,000
    medium

United Kingdom fielded a 3.1 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Royaume-Uni300
    medium
  • États-Unis200
    medium

Commanders (6)

Compare with sibling battle

6 options

Pick a battle to compare side-by-side

Related

6 sibling battles · 4 factions

Last verified June 2026
Cite this page →Suggest a correction →