This Month in War of 1812: Forts Meigs and George, York and USS President

From the 2023 American Battlefield Trust May calendar.

MAY 1, 1813

**  Siege of Fort Meigs, Ohio.

MAY 1, 1813

**  American forces evacuate York, Upper Canada.  (Toronto today).

MAY 3, 1813

**  Burning of Havre de Grace, Maryland.

MAY 16, 1811

**  The American frigate USS President fires on British sloop HMS Little Belt.

MAY 27, 1813

**  Engagement at Fort George.

MAY 29, 1813

**  Battle of Sacketts Harbor, New York.

--Brock-Perry

May Events in the War of 1812: Fort Meigs, York, Havre de Grace, USS President and Sackets Harbor

From the May 2022 American Battlefield Trust calendar.

MAY 1, 1813

**  Siege of Fort Meigs, Ohio.

MAY 1, 1813

**  American forces evacuate York, Upper Canada (now Toronto).

MAY 3, 1813

**  Burning of Havre de Grace, Maryland.

MAY 16, 1811

**  American frigate  USS President fires on  the British sloop HMS Little Belt.

MAY 24, 1815

**  Battle of the Sink Hole.

MAY 27, 1813

**  Engagement at Fort George.

MAY 29, 1813

**  Battle of Sackets Harbor, New York.

--Brock-Perry

April and May Dates in the American Revolution and the War of 1812

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

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

James P. Wilmer-- Part 1: His Father

From the December 28, 2013, Cecil (Md.) Whig "Havre de Grace sailor killed in final War of 1812 battle"by Ericka Quesenbery Sturgill.

James P. Wilmer was appointed midshipman on Dec. 27, 1802.  His daring War of 1812 exploits were covered in the newspapers but overshadowed by his father, Reverend James Jones Wilmer, Episcopal clergyman who served as chaplain of the U.S. Senate..

He was then appointed chaplain in the U.S. Army in 1813 and served in that until his death in 1814 at the age of 65.  As editor of the Baltimore American newspaper, he covered the burning of Havre de Grace.  He also wrote a lot about his son, who had by then retained the rank of first lieutenant on the USS Essex.

--Brock-Perry

Havre de Grace Bicerntennial Events

From the March 2, 2013, Havre de Grace (Md) Patch. A big event took place last year from may 3-5, 2013, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the British attack on the town. //// Music and vignettes were performed on the streets on May 3rd and restaurants had specials. //// On May 4th, re-enactors recreated the British attack, arriving by barge near Concord Point Lighthouse. That night, the Columbia Orchestra had a concert and fireworks. //// On May 5th, there were ship tours and the Redcoat 5K. //// --Brock-Perry

Havre de Grace Set for Commemoration

From the May 3, 2013, Baltimore Sun.

The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the British attack on Havre de Grace, Maryland, took place this last weekend, Friday to Sunday and featured activities,food and the recreation Saturday of the British raid.

Back then, local militia tried to repel the British under Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn.  Fighting took place from the Concord Point Lighthouse, through the town to where the Susquehanna Museum of the Lock House is today.

Would Have Like to Have Been There.  --Brock-Perry

British Landing At Havre de Grace

From the May 1, 2013, Blog of 1813.

An article appearing in the May 14, 1813, Boston Weekly Messenger.

"A letter from Havre-de-Grace (Md), of May 1, states, 'That the enemy, on the first landing took from the Island what fresh provisions they could find fit to eat, and paid for it, except a yoke of oxen which they spared at the solicitation of the overseer, who told them that he would be a ruined man if they were taken.

The fishermen on the Island scampered in every direction; but the British officers ordered them to their business, and assured that they would not be molested.

They say, fresh provisions they must and will have; and if the inhabitants do not fire upon them, property shall be respected, but if fired upon, they will retaliate.

They burn all vessels and craft they meet with."

All In All, As Good As You Can Hope For If Invaded.  --Brock-Perry

Delaware in the War of 1812-- Part 3

The Americans had the Fulton torpedo, invented by steamboat pioneer Robert Fulton.  They consisted of gunpowder filled barrels with a timing device, the forerunners of today's naval mines.  This sort of weapon continued to be called torpedoes even through the Civil War.  When Admiral Farragut ordered his fleet "Damn the torpedoes!  Full speed ahead!" he was referring to these mine/torpedoes.

The Lewes bombardment ended up as a stand-off.  The town was not captured, nor did they give the British those 20 bullocks.  But the British fleet went after American shipping in the Delaware River and Bay, destroying about twenty ships.

A month later, Havre de Grace, Maryland, was looted and burned.

Most every Delaware town had some sort of fortifications.

No Bull for You!!  --Brock-Perry