A correct view of the battle near the city of New Orleans, on the eighth of January 1815...

The War of 1812: Selected Images from the Collections of the Library of Congress

The Prints and Photographs Division holds many images relating to the War of 1812 and its participants. This selected list focuses on items that were created during the war and its immediate aftermath. Original drawings and prints made before 1830 help convey how people of that era saw the war. The list is subdivided by nationality, as this may have affected the allegiance of the maker and the nature of the depiction. Suggestions for locating additional images appear after the select list, and a more inclusive list of images relating to the War of 1812 is available upon request [view Ask a Librarian contact information].

Land Battles

American or American-Influenced Images

A view of Col. Johnson's engagement with the savages (commanded by Tecumseh) near Moravian Town, October 5th 1812 [i.e., 1813]	First view of the battle of Patapsco Neck dedicated to those who lost their friends in defence of their country, Septr. 12, 1814	Waterfront fire, probably burning of the Washington Navy Yard, 1814, Anacostia River, Washington, D.C.	[U.S. Capitol after burning by the British]
A view of the Presidents house in the city of Washington after the conflagration of the 24th August 1814	A view of the Capitol after the conflagration of the 24th August 1814	Fort Niagara taken from the British side of the river at Newark	Battle of Niagara from a sketch by Major Riddle
A correct view of the battle near the city of New Orleans, on the eighth of January 1815...	Battle of New Orleans and death of Major General Packenham [sic] on the 8th of January 1815	Battle of New Orleans and death of Major General Packenham [sic] on the 8th of January 1815	The heroe of New Orleans battle of the memorable 8th January 1815 - composed ... by P. Laroque
Battle of New Orleans and defeat of the British... 8th Jany. 1815	Defeat of the British army...	View of the battle near Chalmettes plantation, Jan. 8, 1815	Battle of Plattsburg
Battle of Plattsburg	View of the Battle Monument, Baltimore

British Images

Attack upon George & Federick's towns by a detachment of boats from The R. Hon. Sir T. B. Warrens squadron under Rear Admiral Cockburn in April 1813

Capture of the city of Washington

Washington. [A] representation of the capture of the city of Washington, by the British forces... August 24th 1814

The taking of the city of Washington in America

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Naval Battles

American Images

Capture of H.B.M. Frigate Macedonian, Capt. J.S. Carden by the U.S. frigate United States, Stephen Decatur, Esqr., Commander	HBM frigate Macedonian, Capt. Carden, striking her colours to the U.S. frigate United States, Com'd. Decatur the 25th Octr. 1812	This representation of the battle on Lake Erie is respectfully inscribed to Commodore Perry...	This representation of the battle on Lake Erie is respectfully inscribed to Commodore Perry...
Perry's victory	First view of Com. Perry's victory	Second view of Com. Perry's victory	Constitution's escape from the British squadron after a chase of sixty hours
Constitution and Java, 2nd view	South-east view of Sackett's harbour	Macdonough's victory on Lake Champlain and defeat of the British Army at Plattsburg by Genl. Macomb, Sept. 17th 1814	Com. MacDonough's victory on Lake Champlain Sept. 11th 1814

British Images

This view of his majesty's ship Shannon	To Captain P.B.V. Broke commanding his majesty's ship Shannon...	The troops disembarking to attack Fort Oswego, under the command of Genl. Drummond and Sir T. Yeo, Lake Ontario, May the 6th 1814	The capture of Fort Oswego, on Lake Ontario. North America by Genl. Drummond and Sir J. Yeo May 6th 1814
...his Majesty's ship, the Shannon, in the attack, boarding, and capture of the American frigate, the Chesapeake ...

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Satirical Prints

American Images

Parody. 605,000 sour grapes	A boxing match, or another bloody nose for John Bull	Columbia teaching John Bull his new lesson	The Hartford Convention or Leap no leap
John Bull and the Baltimoreans	John Bull making a new batch of ships to send to the lakesl	Johnny Bull and the Alexandrians	Josiah the first
A scene on the frontiers as practiced by the "humane" British and their "worthy" allies	A scene on the frontiers as practiced by the humane British and their worthy allies!

British Images

A view of Winchester in North America	British valour and Yankee boasting...	A sketch for the regents speech on Mad-ass-son's insanity	The Yankey torpedo
The fall of Washington--or Maddy in full flight

Treaty of Ghent

American Images

Peace of Ghent 1814 and triumph of America

Peace

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Rights and Reproductions

The images are presented for educational and research purposes. The Library of Congress is unaware of any restrictions on the use of the images. However, patrons who plan to publish or otherwise distribute any of the images should be aware that determination regarding the appropriate use of an image ultimately rests with the patron. The Library generally does not own rights to material in its collections. Therefore, it does not charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot give or deny permission for use of the images. For further information, see "Copyright and Other Restrictions That Apply to Publication/Distribution of Images..."

Quality copies of the images may be purchased through the Library of Congress Duplication Services.

Locating Additional Images

Search terms for the Prints & Photographs Online Catalog (PPOC) include:

United States--History--War of 1812 (this is the standard heading for the war; a list of subdivisions that are used with names of wars is available at: //www.loc.gov/rr/print/tgm1/app-c.html). Sometimes the phrase War of 1812 occurs in the text of the descriptions, even when the standard heading has not been included.
Names of specific battles, e.g. Lake Erie, Battle of and types of warfare, e.g., Naval warfare--1810-1820
Names of forts and other places signficant in the war, e.g., Fort McHenry, Fort Niagara, Fort Mackinac
Prominent individuals who were involved include the following (links lead to images made before 1830, showing the individual at the time of the war. Additional images may be available by searching their names directly in PPOC):

And, concluding the war, Treaty of Ghent

A select list of images that include images made after 1830 is included as one of the chapters of another illustrated reference aid, Pictorial Americana: Military History, 1811-1815

Related Resources

Library of Congress

Library of Congress Web Guide: A Guide to the War of 1812

National Archives

Military Records: War of 1812 (guide)

New York Public Library

New York Public Library Digital Gallery includes the most famous War of 1812 print: "A view of the bombardment of Fort McHenry near Baltimore" External link

Compiled by: Sara W. Duke, Curator of Popular & Applied Graphic Art, Prints & Photographs Division. Last revised: April 2012.

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March 25, 2022

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