This Month in the War of 1812

From the June American Battlefield Trust calendar.

JUNE 6, 1813

**  Engagement at Stoney Creek.

JUNE 18, 1812

**  U.S. declares war on Great Britain.

JUNE 22, 1807

**  The HMS Leopard fires on the USS Chesapeake.

JUNE 22, 1812

**  A mob in Baltimore destroys the printing offices of an anti-war newspaper.

JUNE 22, 1813

**  Battle of Craney Island.

JUNE 1, 1813

**  The USS Chesapeake captured by the British frigate HMS Shannon.    Captain James Lawrence of the Chesapeake dies days later.  He is the person who gave the U.S. Navy the "Don't Give Up the Ship" motto.

--Brock-Perry

Craney Island, Virginia-- Part 5: Most Everything Gone

Continuing with George Wise's letter to his brother describing what happened to him at the Battle of Craney Island.

"They lost a good many men, which gives a little satisfaction.  I am quite out of doors.  I had but one shirt left and that on my back.  At one time I had but a pair of old shoes, one pair of trousers, upper and under jacket  and an old hat, but luckily for me some of the deserters that had took some of them brought them and I recovered three coats, several other pieces with one pair of sheets.  Ten (?) of my spoons and a few other things.

"Our country is compleatly ruined, every day is under arms and our crios are the worst I ever saw.  I will give you a small scetch at sum convenient time of them fight and action with the  gun boats and Frigates, being an eyewitness to the whole.

"My love to your family.  I hope to se you all yet, I am your affectionate brother, Geo. D. Wise."

Again, A Really Bad Day for George.  --Brock-Perry

Craney Island, Virginia-- Part 4: A Bad Day for George Wise

 On August 2, 1945, the old Norfolk-Ledger-Dispatch newspaper ran an interesting article about the Battle of Craney Island by well-known local historian Rev. W.H.T. Squires, D.D..  At the end, he mentioned a letter by George D. Wise, a farmer on Craney Island, describing the attack.  The letter was written on July 19, 1813, 27 days after the attack.

"Dear Brother: I am alive  and tolerably well. but stripped nearly of all.  I have my plantation laid waste by the English and by our own people.  They have taken the Island and my plantation overrun by the soldiers.

"The British made an attack on the island and landed at my house landing and destroying all at the house even to the ... and when they went to attack the island they threw a rocket  on the house where I lived and destroyed it, when they were driven back they commenced plunder.

"They got my sheep and nearly all of my hogs and part of my cattle.  They went so far as to burn down plows sand every other trifling thing."

A Real Bad Day for George.  --Brock-Perry

Craney Island, Virginia-- Part 3: The Battle of Craney Island

 During the War of 1812, it was the scene of the bloody Battle of Craney Island on June 22, 1813.

The British had launched a ground attack to retake the area and the state of Virginia and 1,500 British soldiers took part in the effort according to historian W.H.T. Squires.

In February 1813, a very impressive British squadron of ships showed up and sailed through the Virginia capes to blockade the Chesapeake Bay.  This greatly alarmed residents all through the area.  Fortifications were hastily thrown up.  Men from all over joined up, including mountain men from the western frontier came to offer their help.

The British had fifty barges, led by the 52-foot barge called the Centipede.  Within a short time, all the barges were sunk.  British losses were very heavy, but not one single American was lost, however one soldier  was killed by a careless sentry who tried to celebrate the victory by lighting up a pipe in the powder magazine.

General Robert Taylor and Captain Arthur Emmerson were heroes of the battle.  Taylor, of Norfolk, threw a floating barrier across the mouth of the Elizabeth River.  He ordered a fort to be built, and earth mounds to be dug for the attack on Craney Island.

Emmerson, of Portsmouth, formed a militia and became the captain of the Portsmouth Light Artillery Blues.  His group's artillery fire on the British was particularly devastating.

--Brock-Perry

Craney Island, Virginia-- Part 2: Quarantine Station, Fuel Depot and That Big War of 1812 Battle

 After the Civil War, the island belonged to several owners, including the city of Norfolk which used it as a place of confinement in the 1900s due to the many contagious diseases that occurred there.  Many suffering from small pox and yellow fever were quarantined there.

In the 1920s, the U.S. Shipping Board took over the island and built 18 huge fuel oil storage tanks.  Later, the board leased the island to a molasses company (hopefully they didn't use the fuel tanks to store the molasses.)

In the 1940s, ownership of the island passed to the U.S. Navy and a huge expansion took place due to the increased war demand for fuel, oil and gas.

Today, the island is overseen  by the Navy, which runs the fuel depot and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

But, the biggest military action took place at this island during the War of 1812.  It was the scene of the bloody June 22, 1813, Battle of Craney Island.

--Brock-Perry

Craney Island, Virginia-- Part 1: Origins of the Name and American Revolution and Civil War

 From the September 16, 2020, Virginia-Pilot (Norfolk) "Craney Island has stories to tell" by Robert Hitchings.

In the beginning, Norfolk and Portsmouth shared a small island in the Elizabeth River.  It was named after the birds who nested there.  The problem is that early colonists thought the birds were cranes, but they were actually  white and blue herrons, so it probably should have been called Heron island, but Craney Island stuck.

For years the island was used for primarily agricultural pursuits by farmers, but the Wise family actively raised cows and sheep on it.  Many fishermen used the site to dry their nets.

The island has a long and interesting history.  During the American Revolution, the British Army occupied it and were greatly plagued by smallpox.  During the Civil War, Craney Island became a safe haven for the many runaway slaves who poured into Norfolk after the city fell to Union forces in May 1862.

The biggest military action to occur on the island, however, came during the War of 1812, which I will write about in the next post.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Norfolk, Virginia-- Part 1: First and Second System Fort

From the History of Fort Norfolk.

In the last posts, I wrote about Fort Nelson, built to defend Norfolk, Virginia.  It was built opposite Fort Norfolk.  Some more on that fort.

There was an earlier fortification at the site dating 1776-1779.  It was a First System Fort built 1794, mainly an earthwork.  It was later rebuilt into a masonry fort of the second System in 1808 and designed for 30 guns, but only ten were ever mounted.

It never saw action in the War of 1812 because the British were repulsed by the fort on Craney Island.

--Brock-Perry

Pittsylvania County's Role in War of 1812

From the Dec. 11, 2014, Go Dan River.com Danville, Virginia "Author explores Pittsylvania County's role in the War of 1812" by Susan Elsey.

Author Larry Aaron has written eight books and his latest "Pittsylvania County and the War of 1812" is in its sixth printing.  he gave three reasons for writing it:

1.  The Bicentennial of the war.

2.  His third great grandfather was in Samuel Calland's artillery company at Craney Island.

3.  He wanted to investigate Pittsylvania County's role.
Some facts:

**  Lt. Samuel Hairston, owner of Oak Hill Plantation, was one of the South's largest slave owners.  He saw action on the Northern frontier and the Invasion of Canada.

**  More than 15 militia companies were from Pittsylvania County and served in the Chesapeake Bay area and the defense of Norfolk, Va..

**  Virginia suffered more than any other state than New York and Louisiana.

**  Dolley Madison was the second cousin of Walter Coles.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Craney Island Bicentennial Mural in Portsmouth, Virginia

From 2013 WAVY TV.com, NBC.

Cedar Grove Cemetery on Effingham Street in Portsmouth has the graves of 47 War of 1812 veterans and a mural is being painted along the cemetery wall depicting Captain Arthur Emmerson leading his soldiers to victory at the Battle of Craney Island.

--Brock-Perry

Unearthing a Secret from the War of 1812

From the June 21, 2013, Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press by Mark St. John Erickson.

Another of those informative articles by the War of 1812 expert (also pretty good on the Civil War).

In 2004, Williamsburg archaeologist Alain Outlaw got a chance to probe a long-lost piece of Fort Norfolk just two weeks in advance of a downtown waterfront development project.

The City of Norfolk demolished a giant early 20th century warehouse that had covered the site.

Outlaw unearthed the remains of a defensive palisade thrown up by the Virginia militia to protect the fort from land attack.  The palisade was built by troops under the command of Captain Walker K. Armistead, and Army Corps of Engineers officer.  A c. 1780s well was also found.

Earlier fortifications dating to the War of 1812 have been destroyed, including the defensive works on Craney Island and Fort nelson, across the Elizabeth River from Fort Norfolk, which still remains.

--Brock-Perry

Revenue Cutter Surveyor and Samuel Travis-- Part 1

On July 1st, I wrote about Samuel Travis, while a prisoner on a British ship at the Battle of Craney Island on June 22, 1813, as reporting that an American shell had cut off the feet and legs of almost one entire British barge crew.

A follow up on him and his ship.

From the US Coast Guard site.

There is a painting of "The Capture of the [Revenue Cutter] Surveyor, 12 June 1813"; a watercolor by Irwin John Bevan at the Mariners Museum collection.  It is incorrectly, however, shown flying the national ensign where, as per Treasury Department regulations, it would have flown the Revenue ensign.

The schooner was built by Robert Parsons, in Baltimore, Maryland and was 68 feet long, 19 foot beam, 6 foot draft, 25 man crew and carried six 6-pounder cannons.  It was commissioned in 1807.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

British Get Surprised at Craney Island-- Part 5

Captain Samuel Travis of the captured revenue cutter Surveyor was a prisoner on board a British ship and later reported that one shot from the Americans cut off of the feet and legs of almost one entire barge crew..  Another source lists British losses at 71.

The British fleet retired and never attacked Norfolk again.

There will be activities June 22-13 commemorating the American victory.  There will be tours and exhibits at Fort Norfolk as well as re-enactors, flag raising, patriotic music at High Street Landing and the pealing of church bells.

--Brock-Perry

British Get Surprised at Craney Island, Va.--Part 4

North of Craney Island, fifty British barges were approaching in two columns and came under fire. Royal Navy Captain John Martin Hanshette was the illegitimate son of King George III, and reportedly was eating strawberries and drinking champagne under an umbrella, so sure of success was he.  (I've also seen his name spelled Hanchett or Hanshard, but I was unable to find out much about him.)

His barge grounded on the mud flats 300 yards from the shore and came under terrific fire from the Americans.  Hanshette was among the first to fall and his death threw the barges into confusion.

The British simply were too over confidant.  Their casualties are not known.

--Brock-Perry

The British Get Surprised at Battle of Craney Island, Virginia-- Part 3

From the June 22, 2013, Stars and Stripes "War of 1812: An American Surprise at Craney Island" by Mark St. John Erickson.

The first two parts were posted in June 2013, so it is about time I finished the story.  To see the first two parts, click on the Battle of Craney Island label on this post.  The battle took place on June 22, 1813.

The American fortifications were hastily thrown up to thwart the British advance and consisted of three large caliber naval guns, four 6-pound field pieces manned by militiamen of the Portsmouth Light Artillery.  Also, there were 150 sailors and Marines from the USS Constellation and the Navy yard.

They had just finished getting the three naval pieces in place when the 2,500 Royal marines and soldiers arrived.

British Colonel Sir Thomas Sidney Beckwith arrived at the creek, only to find he couldn't ford it at high tide.  he opened fire at long range with Congreve rockets and the American guns replied and pounded the British who suffered heavy casualties.  The naval guns were particularly effective.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

The War at the Virginia War Museum-- Part 2

The Virginia Manufactory of Arms in Richmond dated to back when the state still was an industrial leader. 

The town of Smithfield, Virginia, was saved by the militia and the British were temporarily stalled by the effectiveness of the militia's Rutherford rifles at Hampton.

At the Battle of Craney Island, the Virginia militia aided by Navy gun crews, a few Marines and a detachment of regular army troops repulsed a two-pronged British attack.

And, Most Folk Know Little That Happened in Virginia During the War. I Know I Sure Didn't. --Brock-Perry

The War at the Virginia War Museum-- Part 1

From the June 27, 1813, Hampton Roads (Va) Daily Pilot "Conjuring up the lost look of an unremembered war" by Mark St. John Erickson.

While preparing for his series of articles on the Battle of Craney Island and events around Norfolk, Mr. Erickson visited the Virginia War Museum at Newport News. There, he found a small collection of original uniforms, head gear and weapons.

He felt seeing these items brought him closer to the Virginia militiamen who fought in the futile defense of Hampton, Virginia, the victory at Craney Island and other encounters with the British.

There were also period edged weapons, most from the Virginia Manufactory of Arms in Richmond.

This Mr. Erickson Sure Knows a Lot About This Area in Virginia During the War of 1812. --Brock-Perry

The British Get Surprised At the Battle of Craney Island-- Part 2

The Royal Navy had arrived in the Chesapeake Bay in February to set up a blockade and conduct raids on the shore.

The USS Constellation had been chased into Norfolk back in 1812 and had been bottled up there ever since.  Back in the first year of the war, 1812, the British Navy had been greatly embarrassed by the domination of the bigger and stronger U.S. frigates in single ship actions with their frigates. 

They really wanted to capture the Constellation as payback.  It was even rumored that at one time the British commander, Admiral Cockburn, had disguised himself and snuck into Norfolk to see the ship himself and gather information for an attack (but I kind of doubt that an admiral would do such a thing).

The Constellation's commander, Captain Charles Stewart, besides wanting to get out of port, lamented how poorly Norfolk was defended with its two small forts.  So he, militia Brigadier General Robert Barrand Taylor and Army Engineer Walter K. Armistead planned the construction of a new fort on Craney Island.  Also, Gosport Navy Yard Commandant John Cassin agreed to let the new Craney Island defenses use his twenty gunboats.

The Constellation sent three of its large caliber naval guns to the new fort which also had a battery of four 6-pound field guns manned by militiamen of the Portsmouth Light Artillery.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

The British Get Surprised At the Battle of Craney Island-- Part 1

From the June 22, 2013, Daily Press "War of 1812: An American Surprise At Craney Island" by Mark St. John Erickson.  Obviously, this is the guy to go to for War of 1812 history in the Norfolk and Hampton Roads, Virginia, areas.

On the morning of June 22, 1813, twenty-two British vessels, as far as could be seen from from Craney Island, were anchored by the mouth of the Elizabeth River leading to Norfolk.  Fifty attack barges manned by soldiers and sailors were making their way toward American defenses on the island.

Lt. Colonel Henry Beatty, the American commander of the earthworks had about 800 militia, Army regulars and sailors on the island defending the channel to Norfolk and the USS Constellation.  He knew he was outnumbered 2-3 times.

Just two miles away, another British column at least the same size as the one approaching from the sea, had already landed and were making their way through woods to a narrow tidal creek that separated the island from the mainland.

Things Sure Were Looking Bad for the Americans.  --Brock-Perry

A Newly Discovered Map Details the Battle of Craney Island

From the June 13, 2013, Daily Press "A newly discovered map of the War of 1812 Battle of Craney island" by Mark St. John Erickson.

The War of 1812 has a striking lack of artifacts and records about Hampton Roads' role in the war.  But recently, a map has been found detailing the city of Norfolk, Craney Island and the Elizabeth River and American defenses.

The map was found by Williamsburg historian Stuart L. Butler in the papers of Royal Navy Captain Robert Barnes, on the HMS Dragon, a 74-gun ship-of-the-line that saw service in the Chesapeake Bay.  It was found in the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Duke University.

It shows details of earthworks on Craney Island, the location of Forts Norfolk and Nelson and even the anchorage of the frigate USS  Constellation which had been bottled up in the harbor.  It even included the locations of American gunboats which defended the east side of the channel.

There were also soundings of the tidal creek which the British tried unsuccessfully to cross in their June 22, 1813 attack on Craney Island.

Butler said it was a mystery as to just how a British officer would come to have a map such as this.  Were their Britsh spies or some traiterous act?

A Real Piece of History.  --Brock-Perry

Joseph Tarbell, USN

Earlier this week I was writing about the USS Alligator, Gunboat #166, and found out that its first commander was Joseph Tarbell.  I'd never heard of him, so Wiki here I come.

(1780-1815)  Served in the First Barbary War and War of 1812.  Born in Norfolk, Virginia.  Became a midshipman in 1798.  From 1800-1804, served on the USS Constitution and other ships in the Mediterranean Squadron.  He was with Commodore Edward Preble's command at Tripoli in 1804.

During the War of 1812, he commanded a boat expedition June 19-23, 1813, against the British at Craney Island .  His fifteen ships battled them for 15 hours and forced them away, sinking 3 British boats, capturing 43 and killing 90.

Never Heard of Him Before.  --Brock-Perry