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]](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/oilspill/20130115022255im_/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3a40000/3a40000/3a40400/3a40409_150px.jpg)
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]](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/oilspill/20130115022255im_/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/ppmsca/23000/23076_150px.jpg)
[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](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/oilspill/20130115022255im_/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3b50000/3b52000/3b52400/3b52497_150px.jpg)
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](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/oilspill/20130115022255im_/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3a00000/3a04000/3a04000/3a04060_150px.jpg)
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 |
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Battle of Plattsburg |
View of the Battle Monument, Baltimore |
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British Images
Top of Page
Naval Battles
American Images
British Images
Top of Page Satirical Prints
American Images
British Images
Treaty of Ghent
American Images
Top of Page 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: http://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):
- Bainbridge, William
- Brown, Jacob
- Cassin, John
- Cockburn, George
- Dale, Richard
- Dearborn, Henry
- Decatur, Stephen
- Jackson, Andrew
- Lawrence, James
- Macomb, Alexander
- Madison, Dolley
- Madison, James
- Monroe, James
- Perry, Oliver Hazard
- Pike, Zebulon
- Porter, David
- Ross, Robert
- Scott, Winfield
- 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" 
Compiled by: Sara W. Duke, Curator of Popular & Applied Graphic Art, Prints & Photographs Division.
Last revised: April 2012.
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The
Library of Congress >> Researchers
![Washington. [A] representation of the capture of the city of Washington, by the British forces... August 24th 1814](https://cybercemetery.unt.edu/archive/oilspill/20130115022255im_/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3a40000/3a45000/3a45100/3a45129_150px.jpg)
