Battle of New Orleans.

Saturday, February 28, 2015

HMS Cyane/USS Cyane-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

This past week, I have been writing about the USS Constitution capturing the HMS Levant and HMS Cyane 200 years ago.

The Levant got away, but the famous American ship was able to hold on to the Cyane.

The HMS Cyane was a 22-gun Banterer-class post ship, 6th rate, built in 1806 and originally named the HMS Columbine.  It was 118 feet long and had a crew of 155.

In 1807, it was operating off Copenhagen against the Danish Navy and then it blockade Zealand Island off the Danish coast.

In February 1808, it captured eight merchant ships in the Mediterranean.  On 22 May, she captured the privateer Medusa, the last Spanish ship captured before Spain turned against Napoleon. to begin fighting the French.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

Friday, February 27, 2015

Battle of St. Marys River-- Part 3

On February 24, 1815, 47 days after the Battle of New Orleans, 42 days after the Battle of Point Petre (Point Peter) on the St, Marys River and 12 days after the 2nd Battle of Fort Bowyer (Alabama), the Royal Marines reached a point 3/4 mile away from their objective.

This is where they were attacked by Americans from Camp Pinckney.  The British barges were forced to turn back under heavy fire.  Once out of range, the British landed and after 20 minutes were forced to retreat.  American casualties were reported at 2 killed.  The British lost 29 killed and wounded., including the two commanding officers.

The battle took place 3/4 mile downriver from the present-day Camp Pinckney Landing near Folkstone.  The battle also continued downriver until near the town of St. Marys.

--Brock-Perry

Thursday, February 26, 2015

200 Years Ago: Napoleon Leaves Elba

FEBRUARY 26TH, 1815.  Napoleon and 1,200 leave the island of Elba in the Mediterranean to start his 100-day reconquest of France.

A good thing that England had settled its war with the United States.

Brock-Perry

Battle of St. Marys River-- Part 2

Rear Admiral Sir George Cockburn sent a company of Royal Marines up the St. Marys River, reportedly to destroy Archibald Clark's sawmill near present-day Folkston, Georgia.  Also, they were possibly after the U.S. "works," maybe the American post at Camp Pinckney near Coleran.

Regardless, it was a huge operation, with the British force numbering some 52.  They proceeded upriver by water on Feb. 23, 1815, in seven barges and one gig under Commander Charles George Rodney Phillot of the HMS Primrose and Cmdr. David Euren Bartholomew of the HMS Erebus.

--Brock-Perry


Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Battle of St. Marys River-- Part 1

From Dale Cox's Explore Southern History site.  There is not a lot of information on this small battle (skirmish) but this is a good source.  Mr. Cox also has a lot of other history blogs, including a favorite of mine, Civil War Florida blog.  You can get to all of them from this blog.

This was the last land battle of the War of 1812.  British forces under Admiral Sir George Cockburn occupied Cumberland Island on the Georgia coast in January 1815 and planned to use it as a base of operations in the vicinity.

They then attacked the U.S. Army military post at Point Petre (Fort Peter) on the St, Marys River on January 13, 1815, drove off the garrison and captured the town of St. Marys, Georgia.

They withdrew a short time later but continued to capture American ships and encouraging free and slave blacks to come to Cumberland Island and join them..  Nearly 1500 did.

Next, the Last Battle of the War of 1812 in February.  --Brock-Perry

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

200 Years Ago: Battle of St. Mary's River: The Real Final Battle of the War

FEBRUARY 24TH, 1815:  Battle of St, Mary's River, Georgia.

--Brock-Perry

USS Hannah, 1st Ship in U.S. Navy-- Part 2

Continued from Feb. 19th entry.

The Hannah was hired by General George Washington and Nicholson Broughton was commissioned to command it on 2 September 1775.  It set sail for Beverly, Massachusetts, but fled to Gloucester, Massachusetts two days later, pursued by the HMS Lively and another ship.

It later slipped out and captured the British sloop Unity.

The Hannah's U.S. service ended 10 October 1775, when it was run aground by the HMS Nautilus.  The Nautilus then engaged an American fort ashore and was forced to draw off, but the Hannah's career was over.

First American Warship.  --Brock-Perry

Monday, February 23, 2015

HMS Levant, the One That Got Away

From Wikipedia.

The Levant was completed on 22 April 1814 and was a 22-gun Cyrus-class 6th rate sloop with two 6-pdr. long guns and twenty 32-pdr. carronades.  It was one of five British ships captured by the USS Constitution during the war.  There 16 ships in the Cyrus-class.

The Levant and HMS Cyane were escorting two convoys when they were attacked by the Constitution on Feb. 20, 1815.  They were heavily outgunned by the much longer range American guns but made a fight of it.

The Cyane surrendered first and a prize crew placed upon it and then the Constitution gave chase to the Levant and captured it as well.  All three ships then headed for the Cape Verdi islands where they encountered a British squadron.  The Levant ran aground and was recaptured.  It was broken up in 1820.

--Brock-Perry

Saturday, February 21, 2015

USS Constitution to Commemorate Its Last two Captures-- Part 2

The battle in which the Constitution captured the HMS Cyane and HMS Levant took place February 20, 1815 near the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean.  The Constitution was commanded by Charles Stewart (who was the senior flag officer in the U.S. Navy when the Civil War broke out and placed on the retired list on December 21, 1861, at the age of 83).

The Treaty of Ghent had been ratified by the U.S. three days earlier so the war was officially over, but a clause in the treaty allowed hostilities to continue until news of it reached all parties concerned.  As a result, the Constitution was able to keep its prizes.

The HMS Cyane later served in the U.S. Navy.  The HMS Levant was recaptured by the British Navy.

The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship and actively served from 1797 to 1855.  Today it is manned by U.S. Navy personnel and a part of Boston's famous "Freedom Trail."  Some 500,000 visitors see the ship a year. and it is scheduled to be drydocked at Charlestowne Navy Yard this spring for a three-year restoration.

I saw the ship once, but the line to go aboard was too long.

--Brock-Perry

Friday, February 20, 2015

USS Constitution To Commemorate Its Last Captures of the War Today-- Part 1

From the Mystic Seaport site.

The frigate USS Constitution scored a dual victory 200 years ago today when it captured the British ships HMS Cyane and HMS Levant in action in the Atlantic Ocean.  The battle will be commemorated to visitors aboard the world's oldest commissioned warship in Charlestown Navy Yard today.

The ship's saluting gun will be fired at noon.

A Proud Ship.  --Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: The USS Constitution Captures Two British Ships

Even though the war by now was officially over with the U.S. ratification of the Treaty of Ghent three days earlier, there were still ships and places who didn't know about it.

FEBRUARY 20, 1815:  The USS Constitution captured the British sloops of war HMS Levant and HMS Cyane off the coast of North Africa.

Also, this date:  The Privateer schooner Dove out of Liverpool, England, captured the American brig Georges.  It is the last captured vessel to be brought into Halifax Harbor.

--  Brock-Perry

Battle of Ogdensburg Commemorated

From the Feb. 19, 2015, Watertown Daily Times "Battle of Ogdensburg Happens Feb. 21-22"

The 30t annual re-enactment of the battler will take place in the streets of Ogdensburg this weekend, marking the 202nd anniversary of the February 22, 1813, battle.

The street battle will take place Saturday afternoon followed by a talk on General Thomas Benedict at the town's library.  Benedict was from DeKalb and commanded the northern frontier of New York from Sackets Harbor to Salmon River.  He was one of St. Lawrence County's highest ranking officers during the war.

--Brock-Perry

Canadian Forces Continued War of 1812 Commemoration Until This Week

From the Feb. 18. 2015, Ottawa Citizen by David Fugliese.

Canada's Conservative Government spent $30 million on the commemoration of the war, but that officially ended in 1813.  Even with that amount spent, most Canadians paid little attention to the war.

The Canadian Forces (name given to Canada's military), however commemorated the war until Feb. 16, 2015, by wearing War of 1812 pins on their uniforms.

I suppose they have now been removed.

--Brock-Perry

Thursday, February 19, 2015

USS Hannah: First Ship in U.S. Navy-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Back on Feb. 4th, I wrote about Glover Broughton who fought during the War of 1812.  His grandfather, Captain Nicholson Broughton commanded the Hannah, the first ship commissioned for general Washington in the American Revolution.  I'd never heard of this ship so did some fast Wiki research.

The USS Hannah was a schooner commissioned 2 September 1775 and decommissioned in October 1776.  As such, it was the first armed American naval vessel ever.  It was 78 tons and mounted four 4-pdr. guns.  It was owned by John Glover's (Clover Broughton's great grandfather) in-laws of Marblehead, Massachusetts.

It was named for his wife Hannah and tye crew was made up primarily Marbleheaders.

A Sailing We Will Go During the Revolution.  --Brock-Perry

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Treaty of Peace and Amity Between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America

This is the official name of the Treaty of Ghent.

  It had 11 articles and written by Henry Clay.

The three British commissioners who signed and affixed their seal were Sir James Gambier, Henry Goulburn and William Adams.

The American commissioners were John Quincy Adams, J.A. Bayard, Henry Clay and Albert Gallatin.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago Today: Madison Proclaims Peace

FEBRUARY 18TH, 1815:  President James Madison proclaims the Treaty of Peace and Amity between His Britannic Majesty and the United States of America.

This is the official name of what is commonly referred to as The Treaty of Ghent.

--Brock-Perry

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

200 Years Ago:Treaty of Ghent Ratified by Congress and Signed by President Madison

FEBRUARY 17TH, 1815:  Congress was forced to meet at Blodgett's Hotel because the Capitol lays in blackened ruins.  Ratifies the Treaty of Ghent.

The Treaty of Ghent signed by President Madison at the Octagon House in Washington, D.C., because the White House is also in ruins.

The ratification of the Treaty of Ghent exchanged at Washington, D,C. with the British ambassador.  President Madison declares the war at an end, but border disputes between the two countries linger for years.

Also on Feb. 17th, The U.S. Congress rejects the First Bank of the United States proposal but agrees to maintain a peacetime army of 10,000.

--Brock-Perry

Monday, February 16, 2015

200 Years Ago: U.S. Senate Ratifies the Treaty of Ghent: The War Is Over!

FEBRUARY 16TH, 1815:  The U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Ghent.

On February 16, 1815, President James Madison sent the Treaty of Ghent to the U.S. Senate which unananimously ratified it.  With the ratification of it, the War of 1812 was officially over.  The senators were very relieved the war was finally over.

The treaty, however, accomplished none of the United States' original objectives.

The Treaty of Ghent had been signed in Ghent, Belgium December 24, 1814 and was soon afterwards apprived by the British Parliament.  It took six weeks for news of it to reach North America and Washington, D.C..

As part of the approval, the British had insisrted that the U.S. Senate either approve or disapprove it with no amendments.

The following day, Secretary of State delivered the signed document to the British minister in Washington, D.C..

End of the War.  --Brock-Perry

Commodore Barney's Personal Items-- Part 4

PISTOL:  An unusual European boarding pistol with folding bayonet.  Perhaps purchased by Barney from a local gun dealer ot given to him after the Revolutionary War.

SPYGLASS:  Made by Adams of Fleet Street which was one of the most famous instrument workshops in the 18th and early 19th century in London.  He likely bought it on one of his four trips to England.

WALLET:  When this item arrived at the museum, it had letters and documents written by him and stored in it.  Most date from the War of 1812.

COMMISSION:  Barney's commission to rank of Captain of the Flotilla in the Service of the United States signed by President James Madison on April 25, 1814.

OTHER OBJECTS:  a decanter, a flagon, a Masonic Apron made of silk, and a 19th century trunk made in China.

All these objects had previously been on loan to the Maryland Historical Society for its Star-Spangled Banner celebration.  They were gifted to the museum on December 31, 1814 and will be on display through 2015..  The Maryland Historical Society was founded in 1844.  It's museum and library occupies an entire block in the Mount Vernon District of Baltimore.

Thanks Descendants.  --Brock-Perry

Commodore Joshua Barney's Personal Items Donated to Maryland Historical Society-- Part 3

Unable to catch Barney's fleet, the British began a "campaign of terror" destroying the towns of Calverton, Huntington, Prince Frederick, Benedict, Lowe Marlboro and St. Leonard.

Secretary Jones ordered Barney to take his fleet farther upriver and scuttle the ships if seriously threatened by the much larger fleet.  When that happened, Barney did just that and, with 360 sailors and 120 Marines, now fighting on land, participated in the Battle of Bladensburg which led to the capture of Washington, D.C..

Joshua Barney was serious;y wounded at the battle and died from it four years later.

Next. Commodore Barney's Belongings.  --Brock-Perry

Commodore Joshua Barney's Personal Items Donated to Maryland Historical Society-- Part 2

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

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Commodore Joshua Barney's Personal Objects Gifted to Maryland Historical Society-- Part 1

From the January 29, 2015 Press release Packet.

Personal objects belonging to famed War of 1812 Commodore Joshua Barney, including a pistol, spyglass, personal journal along with hundreds of letters and personal objects, have now been donated to the Society.  They have been on display at the "Full Glory Reflected: Maryland in the War of 1812" exhibit at the Maryland Historical Society building at 201 W. Monument Street in Baltimore.

Descendant Anne Helm Galvin said, "I knew that the items we would be donating would be handled in the best possible way...."

I agree with her and am very glad they have been donated.  I hate it when history gets sold to a private collector who then hides it away from the general public.  Though, I appreciated the able caretaking of the items from private citizens.  I always think history should be available to all and no better way than in a museum.

--Brock-Perry

Friday, February 13, 2015

Alabama's Fort Bowyer

From Wikipedia.

Fort Bowyer was a short-lived American earthen and stockade fort at the mouth of Mobile Bay.  The British attacked it twice.

The first time was in September 1814 and they were unsuccessful causing the British to turn their attention from Mobile to New Orleans..

The second attack, yesterday 200 years ago, was successful and now the British had a shot at capturing Mobile.

Between 1819 and 1834, the United States built the masonry Fort Morgan on the site of Fort Bowyer.  Fort Morgan became a main part of Confederate defenses during the Civil War.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: Battle and Capture of Fort Bowyer

FEBRUARY 12TH, 1815:  Battle of Fort Bowyer.

FEBRUARY 13TH, 1865:  A planned British attack on Mobile, Mississippi Territory, is called off after news of the Treaty of Ghent reaches forces at Fort Bowyer on Mobile Bay.

FEBRUARY 13-14TH--  News of the Treaty of Ghent reaches Washington, D.C.

FEBRUARY 15TH--  Congress votes $500,000 to rebuild federal buildings destroyed during the British raid and occupation of Washington, D.C..

--Brock-Perry

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 8

On February 27, 1815, the HMS Dauntless departed the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay

There has always been the question as to why the tender's crew didn't use the carronade cannon as it was the most powerful piece of ordnance at the skirmish.  Some suspect that the ice had allowed the militia to approach so closely that their musket fire which would have been concentrated on any British trying to man it, kept them away.

Joseph Stewart, the American commander, died August 4, 1839 at Tobacco Stick (Madison), Dorchester County, Matyland.

The captured carronade was named by the Americans for Lt. Phibbs and the black woman cook and is called the "Becky Phibbs."  It can be seen on the western side of Taylors Island Bridge on Maryland Route 16.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 7

The skirmish/battle took place over two hours when the British surrendered using a white handkerchief.  The Marylanders captured a 12-pdr. carronade cannon, swivel gun, 17 muskets, 6 pistols and gunpowder.

The militiamen with Joseph Stewart:  Moses Navy, William Geohagen, John Bell, Moses Geoghegan, Robert Travers, Henry K. Travers, Daniel Travers, Matthias Travers, Nichs North, William Dove, Thomas Tolly, John Tolly, James Hooper, Hugh Roberts, Moses Simmons and an unknown black man.

There were 16 militiamen involved.  Afterwards in a disposition to attain prize money, another 26 militiamen were listed.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 6: OK, That's Why the Name

So, the battle took its name from the ice mound piled up close to the British tender where the American militia took cover during the attack.

Again, I usually don't think of ice being on the Chesapeake Bay either, but evidently so.

--Brock-Perry

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 5

The tender had come to within 400 yards off shore before being frozen in.

Maryland militia had, meanwhile, been gathered by Private Joseph Fookes Stewart (1777-1839.  They were apart of Captain Thomas Woolford's Company of the 48th Maryland Regiment.  They heard that the tender was stuck between ice from the shore and a cake of ice that had drifted in from the bay and just 400 yards from the shore.  Also, there was "a mound of ice, which had formed at about 150 yards from the tender."

Sounded like an excellent time to strike, and they did.

The tender was commanded by Lt. Matthew Phibbs, RN.  Also on the tender was a midshipman, 3 Royal Marines and 13 sailors, including a black man named Abraham Travers and a black woman cook named Becca.

--Brock-Perry

Is It Phibbs or Phipps? Ice Mound in Maryland? James or Taylors Island

I have seen that the HMS Dauntless' tender was commanded by a Lt. Matthew Phibbs, Royal Navy.  But the cannon captured from the tender is called the "Becky Phipps" and named for the black cook, Becca, and the tender's commander.

Also, not only do I not think of ice on the Chesapeake Bay, but definitely not an ice mound.

Also, some accounts refer to a James Island and others to a Taylors Island where the re-enactment took place.

So, What happened?  --Brock-Perry

Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 4

From the Maryland in the War of 1812 site.

BATTLE OF ICE MOUND, FEBRUARY 7, 1815

The last known skirmish in the Chesapeake Bay area.

The schooner HMS Dauntless was offshore and had sent her tender to James Island near the mouth of the Choptank River to raid livestock on nearby farms.

From the ship's log:  "February 7th: "at daylight saw ourselves surrounded with ice and by 7 o'clock the ship was fast...  Noon.  Fine hard weather saw nothing of our boats...  8 p.m., fresh breezes with severe frost the boats not having returned fear they are frozen in."

--Brock-Perry


Monday, February 9, 2015

"Polly and the Setting Goose"

A story I found in the Battle of Ice Mound Facebook page.

The British raised many places in Dorchester County, Maryland, during the war.

There is a traditional story of a woman named "Polly."  Reportedly she would hide the family valuables under a setting goose.  Every farm family knows you don't intentionally disturb a setting goose who will ferociously defend her nest and egg.

One item Polly hid was a silver teapot.  It still survives and can be seen at the home of one of her descendants.

This was researched by Ralph E. Eshelman at the Ridgeton House.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 3: "Becky Phipps"

FROM THE HISTORICAL MARKER AT THE SITE.

"BATTLE OF ICE MOUND."

"Last battle of the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Bay.  A tender to the British ship of war 'Dauntless' was captured by Joseph Stewart and local militia near James Island on February 7, 1815.

"Ice along the shore allowed the militia to approach within firing range.  The cannonade taken from the tender was named for two of the twenty captured, Lt. Matthew Phibbs, and African-American cook Becca.

"By tradition it has come to be called 'Becky' Phipps."

--Brock-Perry

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Battle of Taylors Island: Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 2

At 11 a.m., at the Fire Hall, a National Park Service ranger will have presentation on the battle.

The battle will be re-enacted afterward at a private field near the Island Grille.  This re-enactment is special because it will feature the actual number if participants in the original; battle, the only full-scale bicentennial re-enactment.

Along with Americans, there will be British sailor and Marine re-enactors.

There are plans to have a long boat and jolly boat, such as the ones used in the attacks on Tobacco/Stick/Madison before the Battle of Ice Mound.  There may be a cutter on site as well.

For more information, go to the Battle of Ice Mound War of 1812 Facebook page.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Taylors Island, Md: Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 1

From the January 28, 2015, Star-Democrat (Md) "War of 1812 battle of re-enactment planned.  The bicentennial of the Battle of Taylors Island from the War of 1812 is scheduled for February 7th at the Taylors Islamd Volunteer Fire Company House.  There will be a re-enactment of the Battle of Ice Mound immediately following the ceremony.

The battle, actually more of a skirmish, is often referred to as the Battle of Ice Mound, which I find somewhat strange for the Chesapeake Bay which I generally think of as being warmer.

At 9:30 a.m., the 20-member Chesapeake Blues will honor battle participants buried at Old Trinity Church in Church Creek as well as at Bethlehem's "Brick" Church at Grace Church, both on Taylors Island.  They will fire a three-volley salute at both cemeteries.

The battle took place today, February 7, 1815, 200 years ago.

--Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago: War Still Goes On Despite Treaty of Ghent

OK, news was a bit slower back in 1815.  Definitely took longer to get from Europe to North America.

FEBRUARY 4TH:  U.S. adopts second enemy trade law.

FEBRUARY 7TH:  Skirmish of Taylor's Island, Dorchester County, Maryland.

FEBRUARY 8TH:  News of the Treaty of Ghent (signed Dec. 24, 1814) arrives in North America.

FEBRUARY 11TH:  British besiege Fort Bowyer, (today's Alabama), at mouth of Mobile Bay.

On the same day that the British begin their siege of Fort Bowyer, Mississippi Territory, Henry Carroll, secretary of U.S. Secretary of State Henry Clay, arrives in New York from Plymouth, England, with a signed copy of the Treaty of Ghent.

--Brock-Perry

Friday, February 6, 2015

Major Andrew Hunter Holmes

Wikipedia.

Was a captain with the 24th U.S. Infantry and promoted to major June 8, 1813  On March 4, 1814, he was victorious leading the 32nd U.S. Infantry at the Battle of Longwoods, Upper Canada.

He was killed August 4, 1814 in the attack on Fort Mackinac.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Longwoods, Upper Canada-- Part 2

Andrew Holmes figured that the British at Port Talbot would be alerted to his presence by the fleeing militia, so determined to try to attack Delaware instead.

He advanced, but found out a bigger British force was assembling and then retreated to Twenty Mile Creek and fortified a hill by it.

The larger British force attacked on March 4, 1814.  It consisted of two companies of regulars (45 men), Canadian militia (50 men) and 44 Indians.  American strength was 164.

British losses were heavy against the fortified Americans and they were forced to withdraw.  British casualties 14 killed and 51 wounded.  American were 4 killed and 3 wounded.

Even in victory, Holmes believed himself to be outnumbered and withdrew back to Detroit. The British later abandoned their Delaware post.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Longwoods, Upper Canada-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

The battle was a mounted American raiding party which defeated Canadian militia and Indian allies near Wardsville, present-day Southwest Middlesex, Ontario.

Andrew Holmes commanded the U.S. forces and James Lewis Basden the British.

Background

After the American victory at the Battle of Lake Erie, William Henry Harrison occupied Detroit in October 1813

A no-man's land formed between Detroit and the British along the north coast of Lake Erie.  The British  established outposts at Delaware and Port Talbot.

Holmes and his command left Amherst burg on 21 February and moved along the shore of Lake Erie, but found the soil too soft and had to abandon his two cannons near Pointe au Pelee.  Originally, he was headed for Port Talbot, but he clashed with Canadian militia who g escaped him.  He figured they'd alert the garrison at Port Talbot.

--Brock-Perry

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Glover Broughton-- Part 2

 Glover Broughton and his brother took command of ships before they were 21.

He was a seaman on the privateer America out of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1812, and was captured and sent to the infamous Dartmoor Prison in 1815. This was the main location for American prisoners, many of them Marblehead men.

While there, he drew a map of the circular prison which is still used as a resource today.

Broughton survived Dartmoor and returned to the United States and became a wealthy and successful merchant.

After retirement from the sea, he became very involved with Marblehead.  One thing he did was help War of 1812 veterans to get benefits.  Back then, pensions and compensation did not come automatically and had to be applied for.

--Brock-Perry

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Glover Broughton (1796-1869) of Marblehead, Massachusetts-- Part 1

From the Jan. 29, 2015, Wicked Local Marblehead "Marblehead 101: Clover Broughton (1796-1869" by Pam Peterson.

Glover Broughton was the grandson of Captain Nicholson Broughton of the Hannah, the first ship commissioned for general Washington's fleet in the Revolutionary War.  Also, his great grandfather, General John Glover, was a hero of the Revolution.

His father enlisted in the Continental Army at age 13 and was a merchant and privateer after the war.  He was captured several times by the British and died in Martinique in 1804 at the age 40.

Glover Broughton and his brother John sailed on their father's ships from an early age.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry


Roger Jones: Roger ap Catesby Jones-- Part 2

Continued from Sunday, February 1st:.

His son, Catesby ap Roger Jones, commanded the CSS Virginia in its important battle with the USS Monitor in 1862.  He later commanded the Selma, Alabama, naval station and foundry.

His son Charles Lucian served on the CSS Tennessee at the Battle of Mobile.

Another son, also named Roger Jones served as Inspector General for the U.S. Army from 1888-1889.

Roger Jones was appointed a second lieutenant in the USMC on January 29, 1809 and promoted to first lieutenant the following year.  He resigned July 1812 to take a commission as a captain in artillery, U.S. Army and received brevet promotions through the ranks during the War of 1812..

Promoted to colonel in August 1818, he served as adjutant general.

He is buried at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C..

--Quite a Military Family.  --Brock-Perry

The Second USS Macedonian-- Part 2: Civil War Service and to 1922

The USS Macedonian departed Portsmouth, New Hampshire and joined the USS Brooklyn off Pensacola, Florida on 12 January 1861.  After that, it patrolled the Gulf of Mexico and off South America after which it saw duty with the West Indies Squadron.

In July 1863, along with the USS Kearsarge, it looked for the CSS Southerner.

Noted naval person Alfred Mahan Thayer served aboard it.

From 1863 to 1870, it was a school and practice ship for midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.  Put into ordinary in 1871 and then sold into merchant service.  By 1900, it had been converted into the Macedonian Hotel at City Island in the Bronx.  It was mentioned in Ripley's Believe It or Not in 1983.

It caught fire and burned down in 1922.

I saw a picture of it as the Macedonian Hotel and it sure didn't look much like a ship anymore.

--Brock-Perry

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

The Second USS Macedonian-- Part 1: From the Original's Keel

After the first USS Macedonian was decommissioned in 1828, the U.S. Navy ordered another one to the design of the original captured HMS Macedonian.  It was a Lively-class frigate for the Royal Navy, one of 16 ships built to a 1799 design.  They proved to be quite a workhorse and efficient class of ships.

This new Macedonian was rebuilt from the keel of the original one and launched in 1836 as the USS Macedonian and placed in service under Captain Thomas ap Catesby Jones (there he is again) and served in the West Indies Squadron and was one of the six warships in Commodore Perry's opening of Japan in 1854.

It also saw service in the Civil War.

--Brock-Perry

The First USS Macedonian

The USS Macedonuian was originally the HMS Macedonian, captured during the War of 1812, captured by Stephen Decatur and his USS United States on October 25, 1812.  After the capture, the ship was repaired for two weeks then brought into Newport, Rhode Island as a prize.  Decatur became even more famous for this feat.

It was commissioned into U.S. service after further repairs and served out the war.

It was decommissioned in 1828 and broken up in 1834.

Serving Two Navies  --Brock-Perry

Monday, February 2, 2015

Lyrics to Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans"-- Part 2

Again, please no singing along as you read them.

REFRAIN

"Old Hickory said we could take 'em by surprise
If we didn't fire our muskets
'Till we looked 'em in the eye
We held our fire
Till we seed their faces well
Then we opened up our squirrel guns
And really gave 'em....Well....

REFRAIN 2

"Yeah, they ran through the briars
And they ran through the brambles
And they ran through the bushes
Where a rabbit couldn't go
They ran so fast
That the hounds couldn't catch them
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.


"We fired our cannons 'till the barrels melted down
So we grabbed an alligator and fought another round
We filled his head with cannonballs and powdered his behind
And when we touched the powder off the gator lost his mind.

Refrains.

Think I'll have to Go Play This Song and Really Sing Along With It.  --Brock-Perry

Lyrics to Johnny Horton's "Battle of New Orleans"-- Part 1

Arranged by J. Driftwood, sung by Johnny Horton.  Hit #1 on the Billboard pop charts April 27, 1959.  You can find it on the Johnny Horton album 16 Biggest Hits.

Please do not sing along as you read it!

"In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississipp
We took a little bacon we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.

REFRAIN

"We fired out guns and the British kept a comin'
There wasn't nigh as many as there were a while ago
We fired once more and they began to runnin'
On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.


"We looked down the river
And we see'd the British come
And there must have been a hundred of 'em
A beatin' on the drum
They stepped so high
And they made the bugles ring
We stood beside our cotton bales And didn't say a thing.

Then a new refrain in the next post.

Didn't Sing Along, Did You?  --Brock-Perry

200 Years Ago Today: A New British Naval Yard

FEBRUARY 1, 1815:  British start building Pentanguishene Naval Yard.

--Brock-Perry

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Roger Jones: Roger ap Catesby Jones (1789-1852)-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Still on the Catesby ap Jones family.  This was the father of Civil War Catesby ap Roger Jones mentioned in the previous post.

Roger ap Catesby ap Jones was both an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army.  He was also the longest-ever serving adjutant general of the Army.

An important member of the distinguished United States military family whose members held commissions in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, World War I and World War II.  )What, no Spanish-American War?)

His brother was  Thomas ap Catesby Jones of the U.S. navy in War of 1812 fame.

Many of his children went on to serve both in the U.S. and Confederate service.

--Brock-Perry