Forts were bases or hideouts which were used to defend territory, provide a place for the soldiers to stay, to train, prepare for an attack and store weapons. The main forts in Canada used during the War of 1812 were Fort York, Fort Wellington, Fort Amherstburg, Fort Mississauga, Fort Erie, and Fort George, one of the most significant British forts which still stands today in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Concerned about American aggression long before the War of 1812, the British built Fort George between 1796 and 1802 to protect their territory. All of these forts were strategically located on main waterways, like the Niagara River and Lake Ontario. Because these areas were located near the border between Upper Canada and American territory, they were vulnerable to attack and needed to be defended. When a fort wasn’t under attack, soldiers had a daily schedule which began early in the day. The men would get out of bed around 3:30 a.m. to the sound of a drum roll and bathe. An inspection was performed to check that the soldiers were wearing the right uniform known as fatigue attire or underdress. At dawn, the soldiers would be called for the first parade of the day, after which they would perform their daily duties such as repairing damaged walls, caring for old uniforms and making new ones or preparing food in the mess hall. At 9:00, the soldiers had breakfast in their barracks and another inspection was necessary to check if soldiers were wearing the correct uniform. Later, soldiers were allowed to have a break from their duties and order food or alcohol at the canteen, or military restaurant, or play a game of cards or music. After the break, the men would have to check their weapon kit which involved cleaning the musket steel with oil, rubbing clay onto the white belts of their uniform and polishing their black boots, hat and pouch. At 11:00, the soldiers would prepare for the full dress parade and then at 2:00, they would sit down for dinner in their barracks.