Meanwhile the HMS Junon had become separated from the other British ships by a mile. On the 19th, Cassin sent his gunboats out again, this time under the command of Captain Joseph Tarbell.
The gunboats split into two divisions and struggled against squalls, adding hours to the operation. By the next morning, Tarbell was 3/4 mile from the Junon and opened fire, hitting the British ship four times in its hull. The British ship was caught completely by surprise.
It slipped its cable to escape, but became becalmed, but the wind returned, turning the tables and the rest of the British fleet began sailing to aide the Junon. The gunboats were outgunned, but fought on valiantly for more than an hour.
One American said his boat was hit three times and he counted "six or seven hundred shot" from the enemy guns.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
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