From the April 17, 2014, Alexandria (Va.) Times "My View: How a Prank Almost Sank the Port City" by Daniel Lee.
Seven British warships dropped anchor alongside Alexandria's waterfront in late August 1814. Captain James Gordon's men "maintained a remarkable level of discipline while obsconding with large amounts of flour, tobacco and beef" while many residents claimed they were not paid for it either.
While leaving the town, British Midshipman John Went Frasier of the HMS Euryalus, was collared by American Captain David Porter (father of the Civil War's David Dixon Porter and foster father of David Glasgow Farragut) and Master Commandant John Orde Creighton.
Upon hearing this, British Captain Gordon turned his guns on the town and that "shirt collar gave way" and Frasier got back to his ship.
Porter went on to command the new USS Essex, formerly the frigate USS Columbia. Creighton went on to command the new corvette USS Argus.
Both men are buried in Washington, D.C..
--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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