The War of 1812 was the true making of the regular regiments and corps of the US Army. Three years' fighting against Britain saw the White House burned down, but also the bloody repulse of the redcoats, then the best infantry in the world, on a number of battlefields. The small constabulary force which entered the war - ill-led, ill-supported, and with an uncertain system of supply - ended it as a professional army with a system of command and services equal to any. This meticulous history of the uniforms of the American regulars is illustrated with many previously unseen paintings and photographs.

James L. Kochan spent nearly two decades as a museum director and curator, principally with the National Park Service, the Army Museum System, and most recently at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, where he served as director of collections. He is the author of two Osprey titles, The United States Army, 1783–1811 and 1812–1815 respectively, and is co-author of Don Troiani’s Soldiers in America, 1754-1865. He is now completing his third book, a study of Royal Navy and Marine dress during the Age of Fighting Sail. He also serves as a historical consultant to museums and the film industry; most recently he served as historical and technical advisor for Peter Weir’s film adaptation of the Patrick O’Brien novels, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.