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

Andrew Jackson's Head-- Part 3

Samuel Dewey presented Andrew Jackson's head to the Secretary of the Navy Mahlon Jackson and it was presumed that he discarded the head.

But, in fact, he took it home and it descended through his family for generations.  Eventually it ended up with a relative in France.  In 1998 a curator of the Museum of the City of New York located the head in the home of Dickerson family members in the Paris suburbs.

Today, the Museum of the City of New York has in its collection the original Beecher figurehead with a second head  carved by Dodge & Sons of New York in 1834.  The museum also has the original Beecher head decapitated by Dewey.

--Brock-Perry

The Attack on Andrew Jackson's Head-- Part 2

There was a thunderstorm of unusual violence on the night of July 2, 1834 and the young  Sam Dewey, he was just 28,  took his row boat from Billy Gray's Wharf in Boston and rowed over to the USS Constitution.  Climbing over the ship's side by use of the manropes, he went to the bow.

There he accomplished the decapitation and rowed back to safety.  He took the fruits of his labor with him with the idea of presenting the head to President Jackson himself.  However, Jackson was seriously ill and no one permitted to visit him.

He did get to see Vice President Van Buren though, who was not amused.

Dewey then gave the head to the Secretary of the Navy, Mahlon Dickerson, and no charges were filed, however.

You Sure Would Have Thought. --Brock-Perry

The Attack on Jackson's Head-- Part 1: The Offending Figurehead

From the USS Constitution Museum "Off with his head" by Margherita M. Desy and Kate Monea.

I wrote about this episode in a blog entry earlier.

When the USS Constitution entered Dry Dock 1 in the Charlestown Navy Yard (Boston) on June 24, 1833, her docking had been delayed so that President Andrew Jackson and Vice President Martin Van Buren could be in attendance.  However, Jackson was too unwell to attend it.

Jackson was generally liked by the people of New England at the time, but fell out of favor less than a year later after he vetoed a bill to recharter the Second Bank of the United States, resulting in financial hardship for merchants.

Just prior to Jackson's fall in popularity, the commandant of the Charlestown Navy Yard, Jesse Elliott had hired a local carver named Leban S. Beecher to create a figurehead of President Jackson, a hero of the War of 1812.

When news of this figurehead got out, Bostonians were enraged.  A call went out to save the famous ship "from this foul disgrace" and threats were made to Beecher.

After the figurehead was installed, the Constitution was refloated from the dry dock and placed under the protective cover of the USS Independence and Columbus.

However, this did not deter one brave local captain named Samuel Worthington Dewey, who took it upon himself to decapitate the offending figurehead.

--Brock-Perry

Elliott and the USS Constitution: The President's Head

As you have read in recent pots, Jesse Elliott's time commanding the USS Constitution also led to situations.

This is from the USS Constitution museum blog.

Jesse Elliott took command of the Boston Navy Yard in 1833 where the USS Constitution was beginning its first major restoration.  To impress President Andrew Jackson, Elliott had a full-length figurehead of Jackson carved and installed on the ship's bow.

Bostonians who disliked Jackson were outraged.  To underscore the point, a local sea captain named Samuel Worthington Dewey climbed aboard the ship on the night of July 2, 1834, and beheaded the figurehead.

Jackson was infuriated and embarrassed by the controversy, but no charges were filed.

Elliott received orders to sail the USS Constitution and take command of the Mediterranean Squadron.

--Brock-Perry

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage to Host Commemoration of the Battle of New Orleans-- Part 2

The annual wreath-laying ceremony with keynote speaker Robert D. Tuke and the presentation of the colors with the Tennessee National Guard and Tennessee SocietyUnited States Daughters of 1812 will take place at 1 p.m.

Robert Tuke, who was an active duty Marine Corps officer 1969-1973 and recently retired from his law firm Trauger & Tuke as well as serving as an  as an adjunct professor at the Vanderbilt School of Law.  Following the brief program, the wreaths will be laid on the tomb to honor both General Jackson and his wife, Rachel.

At 2:30, there will be an exclusive event for Hermitage members with the Vice President of Collections, featuring New Orleans-related relics from the Hermitage collection.

"This is one of my favorite days at the Hermitage," said Howard J. Kittell, President and CEO of the Andrew Jackson Foundation.  "This event commemorates a crucial victory for our nation in a conflict with Great Britain.  General Andrew Jackson led a ragtag army of U.S. servicemembers, volunteer militia, free blacks, Native Americans, and even a band of pirates to defend New Orleans in an invasion.

"The battle only lasted about 30 minutes but resulted in more than 2,000 British casualties.  Jackson became an American hero, and national pride was at an  all-time high.  We look forwad to commemorating that  victory with a day filled with events that young and old will not only enjoy, but learn from, including an annual wreath-laying ceremony at Jackson's tomb."

Brock-Perry

Andrew Jackson's Hermitage to Host Battle of New Orleans Commemoration

From the December 30, 2022, Rutherford County Source.

Andrew Jackson's home, the Hermitage in Tennessee will host its annual Battle of New Orleans Commemoration from 9 a.m. to5 p.m., Sunday January 8, 2023 with a keynote address by former Marine Corps officer and recently retired Nashville lawyer, as well as a line-up of activities for the family.

Ground passes to the public will be free to the public with a wreath-laying ceremony at 1 p.m.

ACTIVITIES:

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.:  Children's crafts and games.

10 a.m., noon and 3 p.m.:  Battle of New Orleans Gallery talks by  the Director of Interpretation.

Noon:  A reading from Jackson's orders to rally the 2nd Division of the State of Tennessee will take place on the balcony of the Hermitage Museum.

--Brock-Perry

John Downes, USN-- Part 5: Around the World in the USS Potomac and End of His Career

Along the around the globe voyage, the USS Potomac became the first U.S. Navy ship to host sitting royalty, when the king and queesn of Hawaii came aboard.

When Downes arrived in Valparasio Chile, Jeremiah N. Reynolds came aboard.  He was an American explorer and author and served as Downes' personal secretary for the trip and wrote a book about his experience, "The Voyage of the United  States Frigate Potomac."

Downes'  sea service ended with this cruise.

On returning home, Downes was severely criticized for his actions in Sumatra, but President Jackson defended his actions, saying that what he did there would deter future aggression by the Malays.  However, that didn't come to pass because in August 1838, another American merchant ship, the  Eclipse, was attacked.  The United States responded with what is called the Second Sumatran  Expedition.

From 1837 to 1842, and again from1850-1852, he commanded  the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston Harbor.  He died there on August 11, 1854.

--Brock-Perry

This Month in the War of 1812: Battle of the Thames and Battle of Queenston Heights, Isaac Brock, Tecumseh

From the American Battlefield Trust  "War of 1812 Timeline."

OCTOBER 5, 1813

**  Battle of the Thames.    British defeat and death of Tecumseh.

OCTOBER 7, 1813

**  Andrew Jackson establishes camp at Fayetteville, Tennessee, to recruit American forces to combat  the Creeks in Alabama.

OCTOBER 9, 1811

**  Major General Isaac Brock is appointed administratior of Upper Canada.  (He is the Brock in my Brock-Perry sign off each post, and an amazing general.)

OCTOBER 13, 1812

**  British-Canadians win the  Battle of Queenston Heights, Upper Canada (Ontario).

OCTOBER 13, 1812

**  British General Isaac Brock killed at the Battle of Queenston Heights.

OCTOBER 26, 1813

**  Engagement at Chateauguay.

--Brock-Perry

Lt. Col. Anne-Louis de Toussard-- Part 3: A Major Force in Creation of the USMA

In 1798 he proposed the idea of a national military school, with a comprehensive curriculum, to  Secretary of War James McHenry.  He helped convert the West Point garrison into that academy in 1800.  He then began instruction to the first twelve cadets in the first Class at the academy on 1800.

His regiment was disbanded in 1802 and he returned to France via Santo Domingo in 1802.  French Vice-Consul in Philadelphia in 1805.  Served as the French Consul ad interim in New Orleans  1811-1816 (when he wrote the letter about the Hurricane of 1812).  Supported the work of General Jackson during the War of 1812.

Returned to Paris in 1816.  Made a Knight of the Royal Military Order of St. Louis in 1799  Wrote "American Artillerists Companion" in 1809.  Married  Maria Francisca Joubert in 1788 and then Anna Maria Geddes in 1795.

A grandson of his, Lt. -Col.  Anthony Eugene Stocker MD (1819-1897), a grandson, succeeded him in the Society of the Cincinnati, being admitted as a Heriditary Member in 1888.  He was a medical doctor during the Civil War, most of the time in a position of leadership in the medical corps.

--Brock-Perry

Talking About Old Fort Jackson, Savannah-- Part 1: Was It Named After Andrew or Stonewall?

 From the May 18, 2022, Bluffton, Today (S.C.) "Harrell:  Sit on the Shore and watch the boats go by" by Annelore Harrell.

She lives on the north side of the Savannah River, her friend lives on the south side of it.  They wanted to get together so settled on this old fort located in the middle between them.

This fort was not named after Stonewall Jackson or even Andrew Jackson .  The fort in question was named after  James Jackson.  Who?

James Jackson came from Devonshire, England, in 1722 and studied law and became an avid Patriot for independence and involved in the American Revolution.  He had quite the temper and was an expert with the sword.  He also got involved in the political world and had more "than one brouhaha, most notably the Yazoo land deal."

James Jackson was governor of Georgia, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate as well as quite a war hero.  Admiring citizens  of Georgia gifted him a house near Reynolds Square in Savannah.

I Always Thought It Was Named for Andrew Jackson.  --Brock-Perry

The Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815

From the January 8, 2022, We Are the Mighty  "Today in Military History:  Battle of New Orleans

On January 8, 1815,  U.S. General Andrew Jackson won one of the most decisive battles in the War of 1812.  But, the Treaty of Ghent, technically ending the war had been signed two weeks earlier, but not ratified but the U.S. and no one knew it at the time.

In September of 1814, the Americans had won a major victory on Lake Champlain in New York and the British were ready to negotiate peace terms.  Representatives from both sides met in Belgium and signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814.

LEADING UP TO THE BATTLE

On December 23, 1814, A British force reached the LeCoste's Plantation, abut nine miles south of New Orleans.  Andrew Jackson led an American force in a surprise attack on the British which delayed them long enough for the Americans to build a heavily fortified defensive earthwork along the Rodriguez Canal, about four miles south of the city

The British general Sir Edward Packenham had every reason to believe he was going to be successful.  He was leading a force of some 8,000 British regulars, fresh from fighting the Napoleonic Wars and would be up against some 4,700 Americans.  Of these, only a small number were regular troops.  The rest were militia, civilians,  Choctow Indians, freed slaves and even pirates.

Instead of a victory, the British were mowed down and lost some 2,000 of their force as opposed to some 100 for Jackson.

--Brock-Perry

Marines in the War of 1812

Happy 246th birthday United States Marine Corps!!

From Wikipedia.

During the War of 1812, Marine detachments on ships took part in the great frigate duels that characterized the war at sea.  These were also the first and last engagements of the war.

Probably their most significant service took place when they held the center of General Andrew Jackson's defensive line at the Battle of New Orleans, the final major land battle and one of the most one-sided engagements of the war.

Then, there were victories of American ships over the HMS Cyane, HMS Levant and HMS Penguin in the last engagements of the war where the Marines gained a reputation as expert marksmen in ship-to-ship action.

They played a large role in the 1813 defense of Sackets Harbor, New York, and Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia.

--Brock-Perry

John S. Roberts: War of 1812 Veteran and an Important Man in Early Texas

From the John S. Roberts Chapter National Society United States Daughters of 1812.

He was a very important person in the early days of Texas, but also fought in the War of 1812 before that.

The Battle of New Orleans had a great impact on the future of Nacogdoches, Texas, because so many future east Texans participated in it.  Some of those men were Bean, Bullock, Goyens, Perry and John S. Roberts.

John S. Roberts was 19 years of age when he traveled  from Nashville with militiamen under the command of General Carroll, to join Coffee and Jackson with a contingent of Tennesseans.

An account of the battle written in 1840 in France by Cardinal  Moyne credits Roberts  with being  "in the thickest of the historic battle" and conducting himself "in a brave manner" where he fought with "conspicuous bravery."

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 October Events: Thames, Tecumseh, Jackson, Brock, Queenston Heights, Chateauguay

1813

OCTOBER 5

**  Battle of the Thames.  Tecumseh killed.

1813

OCTOBER 7

**  Andrew Jackson established camp ay Fayetteville, Tennessee (Camp Blount) to recruit Americans to fight the Creek Indians in Alabama.

1811

OCTOBER 9

**  Major General Isaac Brock appointed Administrator of Upper Canada.  He is the Brock in my signoff, Brock-Perry.

1812

OCTOBER 13

**  British and Canadians win the Battle of Queenston Heights, Canada.  Isaac Brock killed.

1813

OCTOBER 26

**  Engagement at Chateauguay.

--Brock-Perry

Camp Blount Volunteer Days Begins-- Part 3: Led To the State's Nickname and Jackson Becoming President

"We  think we have a little bit of the claim to the reason why Tennessee got its name (Volunteer)," Dr. Farris Beasley said.  "We  were the biggest muster site for the War of 1812.  That's where we come from."

The association said that this was led to General Jackson becoming the seventh president of the United States and the turnout  of Tennessee volunteers earned the state its nickname, the "Volunteer State."

The public is invited to the free and open event  from 9 am until 4 pm Saturday, October 2.  

Volunteer Days will include speakers, music, demonstrations, history and more.

Some of the demonstrations which will be taking place include firing a cannon, rifles and pistols; blacksmithing; spinning and weaving; flint knapping; woodworking and leather working.  Native American, equestrian, local archaeologist, period crafts, period music, women's fashion and historic impression demonstrations will also be held.

Camp Blount is located at 1124 Huntsville Highway in Fayetteville and is Tennessee's eighth historic site.

It's Going On Right Now, So, If In the Area.  --Brock-Perry

Camp Blount Volunteer Days Gets Underway-- Part 2: How Tennessee Got the Nickname Volunteer State

"Fayetteville was involved in two of the muster sites that supplied troops to two of the major battles in the War of 1812," said Dr. Farris Beasley, a member of the association, who said that Tennessee at that time was considered a frontier state.  "There was no Alabama, no Mississippi, or no Louisiana."

In September 1813, a call for troops went out from President James Madison to Tennessee  Governor Willie Blount.

"The governor called on General Andrew Jackson, in charge of the Tennessee militia, to raise militia and volunteers,"  Beasley said, adding that they met at Camp Blount.  "The governor gave the order to meet on the south bank of the Elk River at the big oak trees."  Those oaks would have been  in front of where the Walmart in Fayetteville sits today.

They called for 2,500 volunteers,"  Beasley said.  "4,500 showed up.  And for the first time, a Nashville newspaper used the term Tennessee, the volunteer state."

Beasley said that Andrew Jackson kept a diary and often the words "my Tennessee volunteers" are found within those pages.

So That's How We Got "Tennessee Volunteers."  --Brock-Perry

Camp Blount Volunteer Days Gets Underway in Tennessee This Weekend-- Part 1: Played a Major Role in the War of 1812

From the September 28, 2021, Elk Valley Times (Tennessee) "Camp Blount Volunteer  Days gets underway Friday and Saturday" by Lora Scripps.

Members of the Camp Blount Historic Site  Association are getting ready for the first Camp Blount Volunteer Day set for this Friday and Saturday, October 1 and 2.  It will be held on the site of the historic Camp Blount in Tennessee.

The camp was located on the banks of the Elk River, just a little over a half mile south of downtown Fayetteville and is the site where Gen. Andrew Jackson mustered troops for the Creek  Indian War in October of 1813 during the War of 1812.

The muster of volunteers back then was the beginning of a campaign that culminated  in the Creeks defeat at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

Nine months later, Tennesseans again mustered at Camp Blount under Jackson and marched to New Orleans where they took part in the Battle of New Orleans, the final defeat of the British in the war.

--Brock-Perry

Southwest Georgia Played Key Role in War of 1812-- Part 3: Forts, Fort Mims, Battle of Horseshoe Bend and Negro Fort

Not only was a trail hewed from the Wilderness, but Gen. David Blackshear also built a series of forts along that trail:  Fort Telfair, Fort Twiggs, Fort Jackson, Fort Pike, Fort Mitchell, Fort Green Fort Lawrence, Fort Adams, Fort Clark and Fort McIntosh.

Other forts in the region included  Fort Gaines, Fort Mitchel, Fort Morgan and Fort Scott.

Military action in the region began on August 30, 1813, when a war party of Creek Indians under Spanish and English influence, attacked  Fort Mims in what is now in Alabama and 500  mostly white settlers were killed.  In retaliation, Gen. Andrew Jackson would lead his Tennessee volunteers with the aid of Cherokee warriors, killing around  800 Creeks in the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

Another battle of note which highlighted the alliances formed during the War of 1812 would take place on the Apalachicola River at a fortification called British Fort, but more commonly known as Negro Fort.  There, the British enlisted runaway slaves and Indians to harass the white settlers of the region.

--Brock-Perry

Southwest Georgia Played a Key Role in the War-- Part 2: The Blackshear Trail and Andrew Jackson

Much of the defense of Georgia's south border fell to General David Blackshear, who was instructed to construct a series of  fortifications for that purpose.  Blackshear, like many who fought in the War of 1812, had gained military experience during the American Revolution.  He had been at an early engagement of that war at Moore's Creek Bridge in North Carolina.

After the war, he became a surveyor, moving to Springfield in Laurens County, Georgia, settling on a land grant he received for his Revolution service. 

After war was declared in June 18, 1812, he returned to military service and was authorized to construct 11 forts along Georgia's southern and western borders.

The first clue to this effort he made can be found on a Georgia historical marker on Highway 300 in  Crisp County.  It reads:  "Blackshear Trail. made by General David Blackshear during the War of 1812, was used by General Andrew Jackson when he led  his troops from Fort Hawkins, near Macon,  through Hartford, now Hawkinsville, to Fort Early in 1818.

"The section was roadless except for this and a few Indian trails.  General Jackson used it in his campaign against the Seminole and Creek Indians.  The Battle of Skin Cypress Pond was fought on the Blackshear Trail.  During the battle, three  U.S. soldiers and a number if Indians were killed.

"They were buried at the site in unmarked graves."

--Brock-Perry