2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
From the American Battlefield Trust 2021 Calendar.
APRIL 19, 1775
Battles of Lexington and Concord (American Revolution)
MAY 1, 1813
Siege of Fort Meigs, Ohio.
MAY 3, 1813
Burning of Havre de Grace, Maryland.
MAY 28, 1780
Battle of Waxhaws, South Carolina (American Revolution)
MAY 28, 1813
Battle of Sackets Harbor, New York. Hey, that's Caroline Abbott's home.
--Brock-Perry
** The growth of American manufacturing after the war.
** American victories against the British in the War of 1812 were proof of America's military and naval strength. (Well, I have to disagree with this one. We got lucky. Thank you Napoleon.)
** Britain and Canada eventually allying with America following the war.
** American expansion into the West instead of the North.
** Settlement of Ohio and further west into the territories of Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.
** Initial farm work as a rough endeavor involving the entire family, including young children, and relying on neighbors and family members.
** Continues westward expansion of the frontier, resulting in the admission of Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Alabama into the Union four years after the War of 1812.
** America as a country today.
Again, any girl reading this book series will have a great knowledge of U.S. history from this era. Why, I wouldn't even have to do this blog.
--Brock-Perry
There are six books in the Caroline Abbott series. The last two have a whole lot to do with the War of 1812, which, of course is of interest to us.
The "Caroline's Battle" book which I covered in the last two posts was the fifth in the series. The sixth also has a lot to do with the war, "Changes for Caroline."
Here is a summary of events covered in this book:
** How the Americans and British sought to end the war, culminating in the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814.
** The Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, between American and British forces unaware that the war was over, resulted in a crashing American victory.
** Celebration of the war's end as news spread across the United States.
** The War of 1812 resulted in status quo ante bellum, with heavy military and civilian losses and neither the British or American sides gaining or losing territory.
--Brock-Perry
** The completion of the USS General Pike following the Second Battle of Sackets Harbor.
** President Madison receiving the news of the British invasion of Washington, D.C. after the Battle of Bladensburg.
** First Lady Dolley Madison, who saved several important papers as well as the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington before fleeing the White House.
** The burning of Washington, D.C., and its impact on American citizens.
** Mary Pinkersgill who was commissioned by George Armistead to create a flag "so large the British will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance", resulting in the "Star-Spangles Banner" flying over Fort McHenry.
** The Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814, witnessed by Francis Scott Key, and the presence of the flag following the battle, signaling that Fort McHenry had not been captured.
** "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem Francis Scott Key wrote following the Battle of Baltimore and later set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven", a popular drinking song of the time.
** The formal adoption of "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem of the United States on March 3, 1931.
These Girls Will have a Good Understanding of the War of 1812 After Reading This Book. --Brock-Perry
Five books were written about the life of American Girl's Caroline Abbott War of 1812 doll. Two of them was specific to the War of 1812, "Caroline's Battle" and "Changes for Caroline."
"Caroline's Battle" discusses several War of 1812 battles. Topics covered:
** Sackets Harbor today
** The second Battle of Sackets Harbor on May 28, 1813, with the British sending a fleet to take the town and destroy the USS General Pike.
** Lack of soldiers to defend the town.
** Lack of wind causing the British fleet to stall, allowing the people of Sackets Harbor to arm and prepare for battle.
** Lack of any battle or combat experience among the American militiamen against British forces, with haphazard results.
** Accidental destruction of supply storehouses in Navy Point at the time of the British defeat.
Well, it would appear that someone has done some research on the topic.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Trivia about a doll?
1. Caroline's release coincided with the beginning of the War of 1812's bicentennial in 2012.
2. Caroline is the first and currently only character in the BeForever line to be retired.
3. With the archival of her collection in 2015, Caroline's availability was among the shortest of any Historical character at approximately three years; the only other characters with such availability were Cecile Rey and Marie-Grace Gardner.
--Caroline-Perry
Her father considers her flighty. Caroline struggles with changes and also struggles to make her own decisions. Later in the series, she learns how to use her heart and mind to make decisions.
Caroline is jealous when her cousin Lydia becomes friends with Rhonda, a girl staying with the Abbotts, and seems to believe that they're leaving her out with whatever they do. When she has a worker at Abbott's shipyard make Rhonda ice skates, she believes Rhonda will love ice skating as much as she does, but is disappointed and frustrated when she finds Rhonda doesn't.
Caroline is younger than both Rhonda and Lydia, but wants to be included in everything they do.
Her least favorite chore is cooking which she is not very good at.
She has a way of reading the expressions of others without them saying anything or telling her how they're feeling.
She is proud of her father and will go to great lengths to please him and often boasts about him.
Caroline loves her home town of Sackets Harbor and doesn't like leaving.
American Girl describes her as daring and self-reliant.
Kind of interesting that these dolls have such a background story to them and evidently regular books written about them.
--Brock-Caroline
From American Girl Dolls Wiki.
Caroline was born in a log cabin and is the only child of her family. She has lived in Sackets Harbor (New York) her whole life, and her family runs a shipyard on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Sackets Harbor, of course, played a huge role in the War of 1812 as an American base and where many warships were built.
Caroline enjoys outside activities, especially sailing on Lake Ontario and ice skating in the winter. She dreams of being captain of her own ship one day. She also likes fishing. Caroline likes embroidery and likes to sew. When she is upset, she keeps busy by embroidering.
She also likes the cows on her cousin's farm.
Caroline is described as sweet and clever. Her friends call her a true hero because she is not afraid to put her courage to the test.
Considered adventurous, tomboyish, brave, heroic and independent, Caroline is prone to making rash decisions, sometimes bordering between brave and foolish. Caroline is very stubborn, sensitive and easily offended.
--Brock-Perry
From American Girl Fandom.
The Caroline Abbott doll was released in 2012 to coincide with the bicentennial of the War of 1812. (This was the reason I started this blog.) It was not updated in any sort of way. It was retired in 2015, though her mini dolls are still available.
Caroline's meet outfit is intended to reflect the higher waisted Federal fashions in the U.S.. This was one of the first eras where not only did children's fashions progress to less restrictive designs and no longer reflected the adult style. They also had bifurcatedd underwear as pantalettes, as skirts had risen high enough to show ankles, but legs were still expected to be covered.
E Bay has quite a few Caroline Abbott Dolls offered with prices between $100 and $200. Plus, there are accessories.
You could go broke.
--Brock-Perry
