Was Andrew Holmes Expelled from Princeton?-- Part 2

Two of the "rioters" at least came to the next session at William and Mary, "but the records are lost, and only the name of Andrew Hunter Holmes is preserved.

They brought with them the 'Princeton dissipation" and a riot ensued, on account of which Holmes was expelled."

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I found out what the 1807 Princeton "Riot" was about.  This was the one which got a lot of students expelled from Princeton, including Virginians Andrew Hunter Holmes and Joseph Cabell Breckinridge.

From Wikipedia Cabell Breckinridge.   (July 14,1788 to September 1, 1823)

He was from the Breckinridge family which had a lot of important people in it and later became a lawyer, soldier, slaveholder and politician from Kentucky.  He also enlisted for War of 1812 service.

--Brock-Perry

Was Andrew Holmes Kicked Out of Princeton for Rioting?- Part 1

Since I've been writing a lot about this guy.

From the 1908 William and Mary Quarterly Magazine. "'The Great Rebellion' at Princeton."

"In April, 1807, occurred some riotous proceedings at Princeton, which are known as The Great Rebellion.'  Among the students 'expelled' was Abel P. Upshur, of Northampton County, Virginia, who afterwards became Secretary of State of the United States.

"He appeared before the Board of Trustees in defense of his comrades and made, it is said, a fine display of argument and eloquence.

"He subsequently attended Yale College.

"Joseph Cumming, Robert Breckenridge, Edmund Pendleton, Charles Snead, and Andrew H. Holmes and probably others of the 'rioters' were Virginians."

I would like to find out exactly what the "riot" was?

Those Rowdy Virginia Boys.  --Brock-Perry

Andrew Hunter Holmes' Virginia Sword-- Part 2

"Being of the opinion that it would more comport with the views of the General Assembly, that these swords should be presented to the persons, authorised to receive them in public, than in private, after having given public notice to that effect, I presented two of them respectively, in person, in the chamber of the House of Delegates, on the 4th of July last, to the gentlemen authorised to receive them.

"The one to Thomas Ritchie, Esq. in behalf of his brother, Col. Archibald Ritchie, the nearest male relative of captain John Ritchie.  --The other to Philip N. Nicholaus, Esq. in behalf of Governor Holmes, of Mississippi, the nearest male relative of Major Andrew Hunter Holmes.

"Copies of my addresses to these gentlemen, with their replies respectively on this interesting occasion, marked B, will accompany this communication.  No person appearing to receive the one in behalf of captain Henley, it has been retained."

--Brock-Perry

Andrew Hunter Holmes' Virginia Sword-- Part 1

From the December 5, 1827,  Richmond Whig newspaper "Governor's Communication.

"Upon my first entering into office, I received a sword which had been voted by resolution of the General Assembly in the year 1816, to captain Robert Henley in honor of his gallant military exploits during the last war; and sometimes afterwards, I received two other swords, voted in like manner, to the nearest male relatives of the lamented captain John Ritchie, and major Andrew Hunter Holmes, both of whom fell in the defence of their country's rights.

"These swords were executed by Mr. Harvey Lewis, under the direction of general Cadwallander of Philadelphia, in a style of superior taste and elegance, highly honorable to the artist, and will ever do honor to the patriotic objects of the General Assembly.

"Gen. Cadwallander has received my thanks in behalf of this Commonwealth, for his polite attention on this occasion."

--Brock-Perry

Joseph Holmes (Father of David and Andrew Holmes)

From WikiTree.  Also his mother Rebecca (Hunter) Holmes.

Joseph Holmes (1746-1806) was the father of both David Hunter, Mississippi Territory Governor and Andrew Hunter Holmes who I have written about earlier.

He was born near Londonderry in Ireland.  He was a successful merchant in Winchester, Virginia before the American Revolution.  During the war he was Colonel Commissary of Prisoners. 

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DAVID HOLMES

U.S. Congressman from Virginia.  Governor of Mississippi Territory in 1809.  Governor of the State of Mississippi 1817 (first governor).

U.S. Senator from Mississippi.  Mississippi Governor again in 1825.

--Brock-Perry

David Holmes (Major Andrew Hunter Holmes' Older Brother)

From WikiTree.

I mentioned Governor David Holmes of the Mississippi Territory several times when writing about Andrew Hunter Holmes.  He later became Governor of Mississippi.

Son of Joseph Holmes and Rebecca (Hunter) Holmes. This is where Andrew Holmes got his middle name.

Brother of Ann (Holmes) Boyd, Elizabeth (Holmes) McGuire, Rebecca (Holmes) Conrad, Andrew Hunter Holmes and Gertrude (Holmes) Moss.

Spouses and children unknown.

Born 10 March 1769 in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Died 20 August 1832, at age 63, in Winchester, Virginia.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Holmes on Mackinac Island-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Fort Holmes is a fortified earthen redoubt located on the highest point of Mackinac Island.  Originally built by the British in 1814 during the War of 1812, it was improved by the Army throughout the rest of the war.  It was built to find additional defense to nearby Fort Mackinac which was at a lower elevation.

The British named the redoubt Fort George (not to confused with Fort George in Ontario) and reinforced it with cannon, a blockhouse and a magazine for gunpowder and other munitions.  However, it never functioned as an independent fortification, but always dependent on nearby Fort Mackinac.

When U.S. forces reoccupied Mackinac Island in 1815 under the terms of the Treaty of Ghent, they took possession of Fort George.  After surveying and measuring it, they renamed it Fort Holmes in honor of Major Andrew Holmes, who was killed in the 1814 Battle of Mackinac Island.

However, they soon abandoned Fort Holmes.  The earthworks and buildings of the former redoubt slowly eroded and disappeared over the course of more than a century.

--Brock-Perry

Major Andrew Hunter Holmes-- Part 4: Honors

The British held Fort Mackinac until the end of the War of 1812 until it was returned with the Treaty of Ghent.  When the Americans reoccupied it, the name was changed to Fort Holmes in honor of the Major.  (Well, actually Fort Mackinac remained with that name, but nearby British Fort George had its name changed to Fort Holmes.)

Holmes was to receive other honors.  A town and county in Ohio were named after him.  On December 16, 1816, an act was passed by the Mississippi General Assembly to name a town in Pike County Holmesville in his honor.

--Brock-Perry

Major Andrew Hunter Holmes-- Part 3: War of 1812 Service

During March 1814, the commander of American forces at Detroit, Colonel Butler, ordered Captain Andrew Holmes of the 24th Tennessee Regiment on a raid into the British Western District in Upper Canada.  His objective was to capture a British military post.  

He won a skirmish/battle near Longwood, a heavily forested tract of land that lay between Delaware and the present town of Thamesville, near present-day Wardsville, Ontario.

Exactly five months later the American forces tried to attack the heavily fortified Fort Mackinac in August 1914.  Major Holmes was killed while leading a force of troops in the attack.

The British ambushed them in a bloody skirmish which left 13 Americans dead including Holmes.

On the 30th of the same month, Andrew Jackson wrote Governor David Holmes a note of condolence saying:  "I sympathize with you most cordially in the afflicting loss of your brother, Major Holmes."

(David Holmes was the governor of the Mississippi Territory.)

--Brock-Perry

Major Andrew Hunter Holmes-- Part 2: His Duel

Andrew Holmes fought a duel with a man named Peyton Smith near present-day Shepherdstown, West Virginia.  Both men were from prominent families in and around Winchester, Virginia.  Andrew killed Peyton.

This was one of three famous duels that took place which caused the Virginia legislature to pass the Anti-Dueling Act in 1810.

Mortified at killing his friend, Holmes left Winchester and enlisted in the U.S. Army.

As a member of the U.S. Dragoons, young Captain Holmes first military assignments were in Louisiana chasing smuggler and prate Jean Lafitte.  Lafitte managed to evade them for months, but was finally captured.

--Brock-Perry

Major Andrew Hunter Holmes

From Find-A-Grave

BIRTH:  1782, Frederick County, Virginia

DEATH:  4 August 1814, (aged 31-32),Mackinac Island, Michigan

CENOTAPH:  Fort Mackinac Post Cemetery, Mackinac County, Michigan

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Holmes County, Ohio, named for him.

His descendants moved to Canada shortly after his death.  Many of his living descendants are named after him and living in Atlantic Canada.

FATHER:  Governor Joseph Holmes  WikiTree just lists him as Joseph Holmes.

MOTHER:  Rebecca Hunter

--Brock-Perry

Andrew Hunter Holmes-- Part 4: Killed at Mackinac

At the Battle of Longwoods, Holmes' 164 men defeated a British force of 240 men under Major James Basden.  The Americans suffered 4 killed and 3 wounded; the British lost 14 killed, 51 wounded, 1 wounded prisoner and 1 man missing.

Holmes returned to Amherstburg and was promoted to major.

Later in 1814 Holmes received command of a battalion and was assigned to the American force sent to retake Fort Mackinac from the British.

Holmes was killed on August 4,1814, leading one of the first assaults on the British defenses; ultimately the American effort failed.

--Brock-Perry

Andrew Hunter Holmes-- Part 2: Service in New Orleans

From the Encyclopedia of the War of 1812.

U.S. Army officer, Andrew Holmes, was born in Frederick County, Virginia, in 1782.  He graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) in 1799 and moved to Kentucky where he became a merchant.

He was appointed an attorney in Mississippi by his brother, David, the territorial governor, on October 8, 1809, and then established a law practice in Washington, Mississippi and was admitted to the bar in Louisiana in 1812.

When the War of 1812 began, he volunteered for service and received a commission as captain in the 24th U.S. Infantry to command a company of mounted light dragoons.  When Louisiana governor William C.C. Claiborne was forced to deal with illegal smuggling by Baratarian pirates, he dispatched Holmes to intervene.

Holmes seized contraband from Jean Lafitte in a raid on November 16, 1812, after a brief engagement and later testified at Lafitte's trial.

--Brock-Perry

Andrew Holmes

From Wikipedia.

Major Andrew Hunter Holmes (1782-August 14, 1814)

Born in Fairfax County, Virginia, was a War of 1812 American officer.

He was captain of the 24th Infantry in the War of 1812 and promoted to major on June 8, 1813.

On April 18, 1814, he was major of the 32nd Infantry.

His victory at the Battle of Longwoods in Upper Canada, near present-day London, Ontario was lauded.

But, he was killed on August 4, 1814, in an attack on Fort Mackinac, Michigan, in the Battle of Mackinac Island.

Holmes County, Ohio, and Holmesville, Mississippi , are named after him.

--Brock-Perry

After the Battle of Longwoods

Still from the HMdb.

This is a Canadian marker erected in 2014.

After an hour of continuous gunfire exchange, the British began to withdraw.  Soon the area was empty, except for the dead British regulars.

Even though his men had won a clear victory, Captain Andrew Holmes would not allow them to rob the dead British soldiers of their shoes and clothes, in respect for the bravery they had shown.

The American casualties amounted to 5  killed and 3 wounded.

Captain Holmes and his officers were concerned that the British would counter attack and they also withdrew.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Longwoods-- Part 5: American Forces and Casualties

From HMdb.

AMERICAN FORCES

Commanded by Captain Andrew Hunter Holmes

24th U.S. Infantry

27th U.S.Infantry

28th U.S. Infantry

Michigan Mounted Infantry

Michigan Militia Cavalry

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CASUALTIES (Killed)

Philip Beard, Levi Bunnell, Joseph Donahue,  Thomas Watkins, Eri Wooden

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Longwoods-- Part 3

 Although Andrew Holmes had defeated the British, he knew he was outnumbered and decided he would be unable to capture the post at Delaware.  At 9 p.m., a short time after the British retired from the field, he abandoned his position at Twenty Mile Creek where the battle was fought and retreated to Detroit.

The British later abandoned their outpost at Delaware.

However, two American six-pounder guns which Holmes had abandoned near Pointe au Pelee were discovered by a Canadian militia unit who destroyed their carriages and concealed the guns in a black ash swamp where they remained until the end of the war.

Holmes was promoted to major, but was killed a few months later at the Battle of Mackinac Island.  The British commander, British Captain James Lewis Basden had been wounded at the Battle of Longwoods, recovered and later fought at the Battle of Lundy's Landing.

The battle site was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1924.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of Longwoods-- Part 2

In the aftermath of Harrison's withdrawal, there was what essentially amounted to a no war.  The British established outposts at Delaware and Port Talbot.  On 23 December 1813, the garrison at Delaware surprised and captured a small American post near Chatham.

The American commander at Amherstburg, Lt. Col. Anthony Butler sent an expedition under Captain Andrew Holmes, to capture one of the two British posts.  They left 21 February 1814 but met problems with weather and hunger.  

The Americans fell back to a hill and fortified it.  A sharp firefight took place on March 4.

The next day, some 240 British troops along with their Canadian militia and Indian allies clashed with the American force of 164.  An attempt was made to outflank the Americans while a direct attack was made on their center.

As dark fell, the entire British force retreated.

British losses were 14 killed, 51 wounded, 1 wounded prisoner and 1 missing. American losses 4 killed and 3 wounded.

--Brock-Perry

Abel P. Upshur-- Part 1: Leader of the "Great Rebellion" at Princeton and Later U.S. Secretary of State

From Wikipedia.

I mentioned in earlier posts on Andrew Hunter Holmes that one of the leaders of the "Great Rebellion" at Princeton in 1807 was Abel P. Upshur and that he had gone on to be the Secretary of War in the Tyler administration.

(1790-1844)

American lawyer, judge and politician from Virginia.  Served as Secretary of the Navy and secretary of State in the Whig administration of President John Tyler.

He was instrumental in negotiating the secret treaty that led to the 1845 annexation of Texas to the United States and also had a key role in it coming in as a slave state.

--Brock-Perry

Andrew Holmes Was a Special Forces Pirate Hunter Before Mackinac- Part 2:

Before the war, Andrew Holmes was from a prominent family in Virginia and was a 1799 graduate of Princeton (but I thought he had been expelled for his role in the "Great Rebellion" of 1807.  Perhaps he was only suspended or later reinstated.

  It is said that he killed a man in a duel.  he enlisted and trained as a "Dragoon" in the 24th U.S. Infantry, a cavalry unit.

The War Department sent Holmes and a detachment of dragoons to New Orleans with orders to stop piracy and slave smuggling.  That meant the Lafitte brothers.

Lafitte had built a fortified camp at Barataria Bay.  Holmes and his men eventually captured them.

He was needed in the Detroit area in the War of 1812.  In February 1814, he led an attack on British fortifications at Port Talbot.  He then beat off an attack of 240 British troops at the Battle of Longwoods and was promoted to major after that battle.

--Brock-Perry