The War of 1812
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President – Little Belt Affair

The War of 18 12, also, President – Little Belt Affair. . The War of 18 12. Impressment of Americans into British service and the violation of American ships were among the causes of America's War of 18 12 with the British which lasted until 1815. Virginians suffered from a British naval blockade of the Chesapeake Bay and from British troops plundering the countryside by the Bay and along the James, Rapahannock, and Potomac Rivers. The Virginia militia deflected a British attempt to take Norfolk in 1813, and engaged British forces throughout the war. By the end of the war, more than 2000 enslaved African Americans in Virginia and gained their freedom aboard British ships. , President-Little Belt Affair. British and French harassment of United States merchant vessels, including British impressments of American seaman, resulted in U.S. Naval patrols along the Atlantic coast early in the 19th century. The 44-gun USF President, commanded by Comm. John Rodgers, sighted an unidentified foreign warship off Cape Henry and followed it southward on 16 May 1811. Communication problems created confusion, and the ships exchanged broadsides. The foreign ship, identified the next morning as the 20-gun British sloop Little Belt, was badly damaged. This incident amplified disagreement about freedom of the seas, which contributed to the U.S. declaration of war against Britain in June 1812.