Did a Tornado Save D.C.?-- Part 3: The Admiral and the Lady's 'Interposition of Providence'

Obviously shocked and surprised by the violent weather, the British decided it was time to leave.

A local D.C. weatherman wrote:

"As the British troops  were preparing to leave,  a conversation was noted between the British admiral (Sir George Cockburne and a Washington lady regarding the storm.  The admiral explained, 'Great God, madam!  Is this the kind of storm to which you are accustomed in this  infernal country?'  

The lady answered, 'No sir, this is special  interposition of Providence to drive our enemies from our city.'  

The admiral replied, 'Not so, madam.  It is rather to aid your enemies in the destruction of your city.' "

Saved by a Tornado?   --Brock-Perry

washing

April Events During the War of 1812: Napoleon Abdicates, York Attacked and the Dartmoor Massacre

 From the American Battlefield Trust April 2022 calendar.

APRIL 4, 1814

**  Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to Elba off the coast of Tuscany;  Great Britain now concentrates on its war with the United States.  Bad news for us.

APRIL 6, 1815

**  Seven American prisoners are killed and 32 wounded in the "Dartmoor Massacre" at Dartmoor Prison in Devon, England

APRIL18, 1806

**  The Non-Importation Act passed

APRIL 27, 1813

**  Attack on York (modern-day Toronto);  General Zebulon Pike killed

APRIL 29, 1813

**  Raid on  Frenchtown, Maryland, by British flotilla under  the command of Admiral George Cockburn

--Brock-Perry

HMS Asia-- Part 2: Took Part in the War of 1812 at Baltimore and New Orleans

The Asia was off the Chesapeake Bay in the United States in July 1814.  The Royal Marine Artillery Company of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Marines were ferried from Bermuda to the Chesapeake aboard the Asia, via the HMS Tonnant. 

During the bombardment of Fort McHenry, guarding Baltimore, the Asia was anchored off the city along with the Seahorse, Surprise and Severn.

Later, the Asia was one of Admiral Cockburn's fleet at New Orleans  at the start of 1815 in support of the attack on Andrew Jackson's position.  Some 107 Royal marines disembarked from the ship to assist in the attack.

In 1819, the Asia was renamed the HMS Alfred.  From 1822 to 1829, the Asia was reduced  to a 50-gun fourth rate frigate and was eventually broken up in 1865.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Albion-- Part 2: Operations in the War of 1812

In 1812, he long conflict with Napoleon was over and after a long refit. the Albion became the flagship of Rear Admiral  George Cockburn and the ship then took part in the War of 1812 against the United States.  The previous ship of the line HMS Albion had also taken part in a war with the United States, the American Revolution.

In the summer of 1814, she was involved with actions along the coastline of the Chesapeake Bay, where she operated all the way up the Potomac and  and Patuxent rivers, destroying large amounts of American shipping as well as U.S. government property.

These operations ended once it was learned that peace had been declared in 1815.

--Brock-Perry

St. Mary's County Museum Division Exhibits Detailed Model of British Ship of the Line HMS Albion

From the November 24, 2020, Southern Maryland Chronicle .

The St, Mary's County Museum Division in Leonardtown, Maryland, has partnered with a local  model ship builder to have a special exhibit of a model of the British ship HMS Albion, the flagship of a fleet of British ships that raided Leonardtown and St. Mary's County during the War of 1812 Chesapeake Campaign of 1814 which led to the burning of Washington, D.C., and the Battle of Baltimore.

The model enthusiast is retired Marine Colonel Robert Ballard who has loaned the stunning and intricate model to  display at the Old Jail Museum.

Several display panels give the history of the ship, her raids along the Chesapeake Bay and Admiral Cockburn (I've been writing about him recently because of his proclamation to Blacks to emigrate from the United States.

Mr. Ballard said this model took a year to make and he wanted people to see it.

--Brock-Perry

St. Mary's College, Md., Unveils Memorial to Enslaved People

From the November 20, 2020, The Hill "See the first memorial  to the enslaved peoples of southern Maryland in St. Mary's" by Anagha Srikanth.

In 2016,  the remains of slave quarters on campus were discovered during an archaeological dig ahead of the construction of a new stadium.  This proved that St. Mary's had an association with  slavery.  Indeed, all colleges built before 1865, especially in the South, had an association with slavery.

On November 21, the college unveiled  a new memorial at a virtual commemoration to the slaves of southern Maryland.  It takes the shape of a cabin.

The site, which appears to have been abandoned sometime around the 1820s also correlates with an interesting chapter of the area's history.  During the War of 1812, British Admiral George Cockburn sailed along the eats coast of the United States near the British-held Chesapeake Bay.

He encouraged  enslaved people to defect in return for their freedom.  About 19 slaves from the St. Mary's area reportedly defected, raising the possibility that the found slave quarters might even have been theirs.

Never Enough History Markers.  --Brock-Perry

HMS Canso-- Part 2: As A Ship in the Royal Navy

So, the Lottery didn't have much success as a privateer. but, considering the odds she faced when captured, it was no surprise that she was taken.

After capture, she convoyed several prizes to Bermuda and was taken into British service and renamed the HMS Canso  under the command of Lt. Wentworth P. Croke, who commanded her the whole time she was in the Royal Navy.  On September 11, it captured the Massachusetts and in November, it and several other vessels were  grounded in hurricane off Halifax, but soon got off.

On 11 May 1814, the Canso recaptured the brig Traveller, which had previously been captured by the American privateer Surprise.

In the second half of the year, the Canso operated with several other ships in the Chesapeake Bay, capturing six American ships.  The squadron then sailed to St. Mary's, Georgia, under Admiral George Cockburn, where they attacked Fort Peter in January 1815.  This was after the Treaty of Ghent, but before it was ratified.

--Brock-Perry

Other D.C. Damage-- Part 1: "So the Rascals Could Have No Further Means of Abusing My Name"

The day after the destruction of the White House,  British Admiral George Cockburn entered the building of the Washington newspaper, the National Intelligencer, intending to burn it down.  Several women, though, persuaded him not to burn it down as there was a fear the fire might spread to surrounding homes.    Cockburn had been offended by the paper's reporters referring to him as"The Ruffian".  Instead of burning it, he had it pulled down brick by brick and ordered all type of the letter "C" destroyed "so that the rascals could have no further means of abusing my name."

The British also went to the U.S. Treasury hoping to find money or items of worth and only found old records.  They burned it and other nearby public buildings.  Next was the U.S. Department of War building, but all important records had been removed.  It burned.

The first U.S. Patent Office but it was saved through the efforts of William Thornton, the former architect of the U.S. Capitol and now superintendent of the Patent Office, who convinced them not to burn it.

When the smoke cleared, the Patent Office was the only public building in the U.S. capital left untouched.

I "C" What You Mean.  --Brock-Perry

North Carolina's War Governor, William Hawkins-- Part 2

A strong supporter of the federal government during the war and assisted in raising an additional volunteer militia of nearly 7,000.

Even though he supported the war effort, he believed the national government ignored his state.

At the beginning of the war, the state had less than 10,000 militia.  Madison asked for 7,000 militia troops from N.C. and they were sent.  Many of these were of Scotch descent.

In July 1813, British Admiral George Cockburn had nearly 100 ships off the N.C. coast at Ocracoke.  It was feared an attack on New Bern was forthcoming.

Hawkins routinely surveyed the state's coastal defenses.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Fort Peter-- Part 3

In the fall of 1812, the Camden County Battalion was raised at Point Peter.

The Battle of Fort Point Peter, 1815


On January 10, 1815, British forces under Admiral Sir George Cockburn landed at Cumberland Island off the Georgia coast.  On Jan. 13th they bombarded Fort Peter and then landed and took the fort without casualties before heading for the town of St. Marys where they drove off  American defenders and captured it on Jan. 15th.

They captured two American gunboats and twelve merchant ships.  Fort St. Tammany was not a factor in these actions.  They ended their occupation of St. Marys and Fort St. Tammany after a week.  Then they burned Fort Peter and withdrew to Cumberland Island.

British officers lived in Dungeness, former mansion of deceased Revolutionary War American hero General Nathaniel Greene.

--Brock-Perry

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

200 Years Ago: Barney Destroys His Flotilla to Prevent Capture

AUGUST 22ND, 1814:  American Commodore Joshua Barney deliberately destroys his flotilla near the town of Pig Point, Maryland, preventing its seizure by a British force under Rear Admiral George Cockburn.

Deprived of these prizes, the British nevertheless succeed in capturing several merchant ships as well as the town and a large quantity of tobacco.

--Brock-Perry

Hampton, Virginia, Pillaged By British-- Part 1

From the June 22, 2013, Hampton Roads, Va. Daily Press "War of 1812: British raiders pillage Hampton" by Mark St. John Erickson.  Again, the go-to guy for anything War of 1812-related in eastern Virginia.

British Rear Admiral George Cockburn landed soldiers and Marines on the north shore of Hampton Roads during the pre-dawn hours of June 25, 1813.  He had already led incendiary raids along the shores of northern Chesapeake Bay in the spring, including the May 3rd plundering and burning of 40 houses in Havre de Grace, Maryland.

But "nothing prepared Americans for the outrages his troops committed after overwhelming a furious but hopelessly outnumbered defense and sacking of the town of Hampton."

So villainous was the trail of plunder, homicide and sexual assault left largely by the French soldiers who made up part of Cockburn's command that one incensed Virginian offered a reward of $1,000 for the admiral's head and $500 for each of his ears, the Niles Weekly Register of Baltimore reported.

Mean Old Cockburn.  --Brock-Perry

The Defense of Wilmington, NC, in 1813-- Part 2

In 1852, he wrote an account of the July 1813 muster in Wilmington:

"Recollection of Wilmington--Battle of Greenfield.

"At one period of the last war with Great Britain, it was assumed a sanguinary and devastating aspect, the British government had given orders to their fleet on our coast to lay waste with fire and sword every available point of our country.  Admiral Cockburn, who commanded, and had never distinguished himself in any other service than that of robbing hen roosts, was well-fitted to execute the barbarous mandate.

"Witness his infamous outrage upon the inhabitants of Hampton, with numerous excesses of a kindred nature."

Obviously, Mr. Jones was not a big fan of Cockburn.

--Brock-Perry

With "the Utmost Hostility"

From the Maryland in the War of 1812 Blog "Naval Orders: "the utmost Hostility against the shores of the United States..." April 1814. 

Vice Admiral Sir Alexander F.I. Cochrane wrote to Rear Admiral George Cockburn in Bermuda, April 28, 1814, Cochrane had replaced Admiral Sir John Warren as commander of the North American Station in Bermuda. He issued these orders to his second in command, Cockburn, who followed them with relish, becoming the most hated British naval officer in America. 

Already in 1813, he had attacked principal Maryland shore towns of Havre-de-Grace (May 3) and Fredericktown and Georgetown on May 5th. 

--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

When the War Came to North Carolina's Albemarle Region-- Part 2

In 1814, the British attacked Knott's Island with 300 men, capturing three ships, burning three others.  In addition they killed 12 head of cattle and "destroyed" Thomas Walker's furniture.

In July 1813, British Rear Admiral George Cockburn feared that US ships might capture Norfolk, Virginia, by a rear attack using the Dismal Swamp Canal and use Ocracoke Inlet to escape.  On July 12th, he landed a force on Ocracoke and Portsmouth islands.

The federal revenue cutter there escaped, but the British captured two ships, 200 cattle, 400 sheep and 1,160 fowl, but paid $1600.

This attack led to a panic in the Albemarle region.  Militias were called out.  Chowan County's militia went to New Bern.  Elizabeth City mustered 507 men, but only could arm 150.

North Carolina in the War.  --Brock-Perry

Pretty Nasty War in Southern Maryland

From the September 21, 2012, SoMdNews.com "War returns to Jefferson Park" by Joseph Morris.

"There's something a little macabre about celebrating the 200th anniversary of an event as devastating as the War of 1812 in Southern Maryland.  We're not talking about 'Finding Nemo' here, more like 'Reservoir Dogs.'"

On their way to Washington, DC, the "Brititsh left a swath of destruction from St. George's Island to Chaptico, burning plantations, carrying off livestock, property and slaves, smashing up the tombstones in the cemetery at King and Queen Parish in Chaptico and using the church to stable their horses."

"Chaptico citizens were forced to stand naked in the hot August sun in 1814 while Redcoats threw candlesticks and other ossessions down the town well.  Many of the region's oldest homes were lost to flames as Admr. George Cockburn oversaw the destruction of as many plantations as he could lay fire to."

The populations of St. Mary's and Charles counties diminished after that as many left.  Entire communities left to settle in Kentucky and Indiana.  A lot of those heading for Kentucky went on the Ohio Trail and settled in what became Bardstown.  Some even went as far as Missouri and even Texas.

The article writer's mother's great grandmother and father died along the way to Kentucky and her grandfather was returned to Maryland with some of those who gave up the new life.

Jeffersn Patterson Park and Museum at 10515 Mackall Rd. in St. Leonard has been hosting a War of 1812 reenactment for 14 years and will have another one this weekend.

I Believe the Proper Word Is Commemoration.  All War Is Nasty.  --Brock-Perry