Joshua Barney was born in Baltimore 6 July 1759 and died 1 December 1818. He was a hero in both the American Revolution and the War of 1812, going to sea at age 13. During the Revolution, he was captured three times, held in a notorious prison ship and escaped twice.
In the 1790s, he was hired by the French to run their West Indies Squadron.
He achieved his biggest fame during the War of 1812, first commanding the legendary Baltimore privateer Rossie.
In 1813, he presented a plan to Secretary of Navy William Jones for defense of the Chesapeake Bay by proposing a flotilla of small, inexpensive barges perfect for the shallow bay waters and hence referred to as the "Mosquito Fleet."
This fleet proved a great disruption to British plans in the area and Barney became commander of this United States Chesapeake Flotilla.
--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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