Anne Louis Toussard-- Part 3: Impact on American Artillery, Forts, West Point and DuPont Gunpowder

Again, I have seen Toussard's name spelled with just one "s" and also with two of them.  I am using the double "s" spelling.

In April 1795, President Washington appointed Toussard  a major in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, beginning a period during which he had  enormous influence on the American military.  After supervising the construction of several significant fortifications, he restructured the U.S. artillery service on the French model, bringing uniformity to its use of cannons.

In 1798, he laid out the plans for what would become the  Military Academy at West Point.

Also, his "American Artillerists Companion" (1809) became the standard text for artillery instruction.  Along the way,  he aided Eleuthere Irenee du Pont in establishing gunpowder  mills in Delaware, which would prove vital to American interests.

Again, I don't know how I never came across his name before his letter about the Hurricane of 1812.  

An Important Person in American History.  Sadly, One Who Is Not Known. --Brock-Perry

Anne Louis Toussard-- Part 2: Back to France and Then to Haiti

Considering that I had never heard of this person before I came across his name in regards to the Hurricane of 1812.  He obviously had quite a varied and impactful life in both France and the United States.

Back in France, he received the Royal Order of St. Louis on 3 July 1779 and was made a major in the artillery on  5 April 1780.

In 1784, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Fernch Army and stationed on Saint-Domingue (Haiti).  In the slave revolt  led by Toussaint  L'Ouverture, he commanded troops battling the slaves and tried to persuade the local government to arm free Blacks but was ignored.

Nonetheless, Tousard was blamed for the failure of the colonial officials to obey orders from France in this regard and was arrested and imprisoned.  U.S. pressure caused his release  in February 1793 and he went to the United States and settled on a farm outside of Wilmington, Delaware.

And, his story still isn't over.

--Brock-Perry

Book on Thomas Macdonough Is Delaware's Book of the Week

From Delaware News. "DE Heritage Commission Book of the Week:  Captain Thomas Macdonough" by Virginia Mason Burdick.

The son of an American Revolution veteran, Thomas Macdonough would serve with distinction in the War of 1812.    After the climatic Battle of Lake Champlain, Macdonough would go down in history as one of Delaware's  greatest military heroes.

In her biography, Virginia Burdick discusses the life and times of the good captain and tells the story of a lesser-known hero of America's Second War of Independence.

You can view or download a PDF version of the book at this site.

He also had the USS Montgomery at his famous battle which I have written about before.

--Brock-Perry

Jacob Jones, USN-- Part 3: A Victory Then a Loss

As the two vessels continued to close, the Wasp collided with the bowsprit of the HMS Frolic.  Jones immediately ordered his men to board the Frolic, where they overwhelmed the British crew and captured the ship.

It was all over in 45 minutes.  Out of110 sailors aboard the Frolic, 90 had been killed or seriously wounded.  The Americans suffered only five killed and five wounded.

The victory over the Frolic was complete, but just then the sails of another ship were seen, which turned out to be the HMS Poictiers, a 74-gun British ship-of-the-line, appeared on the horizon.

Under normal circumstances. Jones' ship could easily outsail the slower, more powerful Poictiers; but the rigging of the Wasp was in tatters.  After the Poictiers fired a warning shot at the smaller American vessel, Jones was forced to surrender.

Regardless of the loss of his ship, Congress presented Jones with a gold medal for his action.

The Delaware native served four more decades in the U.S. Navy.

Jones had weathered a turbulent childhood and failure in several occupations before ge found himself a home in the Navy.

--Brock-Perry

Grave of Jacob Nicholas Jones, USN

Last week in a post on the Lewes, Delaware, War of 1812 Heritage Trail, I wrote about the Ryves Holt House which at one time was the home of the famous Commodore Jacob Nicholas Jones, hero of the USS Wasp-HMS Frolic battle in the war.

He is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Memorial Park in Lewes, Delaware-- Part 2: The First City in the First State

From the City of Lewes site, which bills itself as "The First Town in the First State."

 Located downtown by the entrance to the Otis Smith City Docks.  Also known as "The Cannonball Park" at the corner of Savannah Road and Front Street, along the Lewes-Reheboth Canal.

The park commemorates the defense of Lewes during a two-day British bombardment April 6-7, 1813.  Many of the cannonballs fired by the British were collected by local residents and preserved to this day.

The site was where a battery was located during the attack and is marked by a granite monument.

The four large guns are from the U.S. government and the small gun is believed to be from a pirate vessel found abandoned in the creek.  There is also a 3-inch World War I naval gun on the lower terrace of the park that was placed there by the American Legion in 1930.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail, Lewes, Delaware-- Part 4: Fisher House and Churches

**Henry Fisher House--  American Revolution hero.  The house was sold to Colonel Samuel Boyer Davis who was living there when he commanded the defense of Lewes in the War of 1812.

**  Presbyterian Church--  has a communion service given to it by Col. Samuel Davis.  Two Delaware governors are buried there.

**  Saint Peter's Episcopal Church--  Four Delaware governors are buried here.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail-- Part 3: Lightships and Commodore Jones

**  Overfalls Lightship, given to Lewes Historical Society in 1973.  The last lightship still functioning on the east coast.  In service 1892-9161.  One of only 17 lightships still afloat and there was once 179.

**  Blockhouse Pond--  site of an American encampment during most of the War of 1812.

**  Ryves-Holt House-- believed to be the oldest house in Delaware.  Dating to 16685, was once a colonial inn.  Commodore Jacob N. Jones once lived here.  He received much acclamation for his defeat of the HMS Frolic in his ship, the USS Wasp.  (He is buried in Wilmington, Delaware's Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery.)

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail-- Part 2: Lewes 1812 Memorial Park

Some of the sites on the trail:

**  1812 Memorial Park.  Was a defense battery during the Battle of Lewes.  Has a granite monument placed there by the National Society U.S. Daughters of 1812.

The four cannons in the upper lumps were given to Lewes by the government.  A smaller gun by them is believed taken from a pirate vessel found abandoned in the creek.  There is also a World War I 3-inch naval gun placed at the park by the American Legion in 1930.

**  Across the street from the park is The Cannonball House, erected before 1797  It was the home of David Rowland and struck by cannonballs during the British attack on Lewes April 6-7, 1813.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail in Delaware-- Part 1: An Eagle Scout's Work

While looking up more information on New Castle, Delaware, in the War of 1812, I came across mention of this trail.

It is an eight mile hiking trail established recently by  Eagle Scout Conor Small of Troop 2540, Lewes, Delaware.  It is a tour of key locations and buildings used during the War of 1812, including the 1812 Memorial Park.

--Brock-Perry

Thomas Stockton-- Part 2: War of 1812 Veteran and Delaware Governor

Continued from March 19, 2018, post.

As a member of the Delaware militia, Stockton took part in the attack on Fort George on the Niagara River and was at the Battle of Lundy's Lane.  Eventually he was promoted to major in the 42nd Infantry.  he retired from service in 1825.

In 1844, he was elected governor of the State of Delaware where he served until his death in 1846.  He was the sixth Delaware governor to die in office.

A member of the Society of Cincinnati, he was buried at Immanuel Episcopal Church.  Several of his sons and grandson served in the Civil War.

--Brock-Perry

Caesar Augustus Rodney of Delaware

From Wikipedia.

American lawyer, politician and soldier from Wilmington, Delaware.  His uncle, Caesar Rodney signed the Declaration of Independence and is shown on the Delaware state quarter.

1772- 1824

Member Delaware and U.S. House of Representatives.   U.S. Attorney General under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

During the War of 1812 he was captain of a rifle corps which became the Delaware 1st Artillery.  Stationed at Fort Union and on the Canadian border.  He later assisted in the defense of Baltimore in 1814.

He later headed the American Commission to the new South American republics and their findings were a big reason for the Monroe Doctrine.  Appointed U.S. minister to Argentine, he died there and is buried there.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Christina-- Part 3: First Swedish Colony at "The Rocks"

From Wikipedia.

Also called Fort Altena.  first Swedish settlement in North America located one mile east of present-day Wilmington, Delaware.  It is at the confluence of the Christina and Brandywine rivers and at a stone outcropping which formed a natural wharf.  These are called "The Rocks."

The expedition to set up the first Swedish outpost was led by Peter Minuit, who also founded New Netherlands.  He ordered the construction of an earthwork fort around "The Rocks."

However, the Dutch claimed land south from New Netherlands to the Delaware River, so conflict was inevitable.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Christina, Wilmington, Delaware-- Part 1: Named for the Queen of Sweden

Fort Union was built on the site of Fort Christina during the War of 1812.

The Swedish built Fort Christina on the banks of the Christina River.  The fort was quickly built for protection against Indians and the Dutch and was named for the queen of Sweden..  It's site is located where the statue is.

--Brock-Perry

The Rocks at Fort Christiana Park

From the cardcow site.

The Rocks of Fort Christina Park, Wilmington, Delaware.

Postcard with inscription  "The Rocks believed to be the exact spot where Swedish colonists landed in 1638 and formed New Sweden.  The 25-foot monument  executed by Carl Milles, world famous sculptor, was paid for by subscription by the Swedish people, was presented to the American people by Royal Emissary at the tercentenary celebration in 1938."

You can see "The Rocks" in front of the statue.

I have seen the fort spelled both Christina and Christiana.  Christina would be the correct spelling.

--Brock-Perry

Thomas Stockton-- Part 1: Delaware Militia and Governor

From Wikipedia.

In the last post, I mentioned that Caleb P Bennett was brought up on charges of not doing is duty by Thomas Stockton during the War of 1812.

Born 1781  Died 1846.

American soldier and politician from New Castle, Delaware.  Member of Whig Party, War of 1812 veteran and governor of Delaware.   His father was a brigadier general in the American Revolution in the Delaware militia.  Graduated from Princeton College and joined the Delaware militia.

During the War of 1812, he participated in the attack on Fort George on the Niagara River and the Battle of Lundy's Lane.

Entering politics, he was elected governor of Delaware in 1844 and became the sixty governor of the state to die in office.

--Brock-Perry

Caleb P. Bennett-- Part 2: Colonel of Delaware Militia, Governor

In the War of 1812, he was a captain of artillery and commander of the town of New Castle where he erected a battery.  He was made colonel of the militia and made sure his men received enough training and discipline to be good soldiers.

But, their was a problem with brigadier general and Whig rival Thomas Stockton who brought Bennett up for court martial charging him with failure to do his duty, but it was not proved.

After the war Bennett was very involved in politics in Delaware.  he served as governor from 1833 to 1836 and died in office as had Joseph Haslet, becoming the fifth governor of the state to die in office.

He is buried at the friends Burial Ground in Wilmington, Delaware.

--Brock-Perry

Joseph Haslet, Delaware's War Governor-- Part 4: Lewes Attacked

The British bombarded Lewes on April 6, 1813.  There were no human American casualties, but "one chicken was killed and one pig wounded."

Over 300 British cannonballs were picked up by the Americans (who didn't have cannonballs in the battle).  Between 40 and 50 were of the 32-pdr. variety.  A British landing the next day was beaten off.  In June, though, the British landed at Milford and took what they needed.

Meanwhile. the other British fleet in the Chesapeake was raiding towns along the coast:  Havre de Grace, Georgetown and Frenchtown.  Everyone in New Castle County, Delaware, was nervous.

--Brock-Perry

Delaware's Joseph Haslet, War Governor-- Part 3: Rush to Lewes, Delaware

For protection against the British, an encampment was built at "The Rocks" in Wilmington, Delaware.  Captain Caleb P. Bennett fortified New Castle and Pea Patch Island was deeded over to the U.S. government so that a fort could be built on it.  That fortification eventually became Fort Delaware.

Lewes was particularly vulnerable to the British and received repeated requests/demands for provisions.  These were refused.

Governor Haslet and his militia rushed to the town's defense.

--Brock-Perry

Delaware's Joseph Haslet, War Governor-- Part 2: State Mostly Against the War

Joseph Haslet ran for governor in 1814, but lost.  He ran again and won, serving from January 15, 1811, to January 18, 1814.  The War of 1812 took place during much of his tenure.

His state of Delaware was mostly against the war, but Haslet got the legislature to raise a 1,000 militia force and to make $25,000 to equip it.

The bright spot of the war for the Americans were the naval victories.  One of those was the capture of the British ship HMS Frolic by Captain Jacob Nicholas Jones of Delaware which gave the state much pride.  However, the arrival of British fleets in the Chesapeake and Delaware bays was cause for alarm.

--Brock-Perry