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

That Horrendous Hurricane of 1812 Hits New Orleans-- Part 1

From the June 5, 2022, WGNO News "The Hurricane of 1812" by Christopher  Leach.

This mega storm happened during a time of war.  A very unique letter at the Historic New Orleans Collection gives an account of this hurricane.  It was written in French by  French consul Louis Tousard to a friend.  (I've also seen his named spelled Toussard.)

Cecilia  Hock is an interpreter at the place and says that the year 1812 was a particularly trying one in New Orleans  There were three slave uprisings, a number of earthquakes along the  New Madrid Faultline that began the  previous December that caused levee breeches in New Orleans.  The war with Britain had just started.  

And then came the hurricane.

The hurricane hit at nightfall.

More to Come.  --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

James Wilkinson: Military Hero or Traitor?

From the September 21, 2021, We  Are the Mighty "4 American traitors more destructive than Benedict Arnold" by Team Mighty.

James Wilkinson was one of the most trusted soldiers in American history, serving in both the American Revolution and the War of 1812.  He took on the role of governor of the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and became  one of the Army's most senior officers.

There were many problems with Wilkinson's service, but the foremost among them was that he had been spying for the Spanish most of the time.

When his role in Aaron Burr's own treason was discovered, he placed New Orleans under martial law and imprisoned anyone who might be able to prove Wilkinson was complicit in the plot.

Wilkinson was never caught in his own lifetime, but his papers were discovered in 1854, leading  Theodore Roosevelt to say, "In all our history,  there is no more despicable character."

--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

Action Around Apalachicola Bay-- Part 8: Warning Jackson

WARNING JACKSON ABOUT NEW ORLEANS

Unknown to the British, an American merchant in Havana, Vincent Gray, had learned the invaders planned to  capture cotton bales stored at New Orleans and sell the stolen goods in Liverpool.  Under international law at the time, officers could profit from prize money received for items seized  in war.  It is estimated that 4 million pounds worth cotton, sugar, hemp, tobacco and ships could be seized  at New Orleans, far more than was available in Mobile.

Gray overheard conversations with Nicholls, commander of the Royal Marines, and learned the first British attacks would be on Pensacola and Mobile.  Alarmed at the rumors he was hearing, Gray wrote three letters of warning, that he sent to Secretary of War James Monroe, Gov. William Claibborne of Louisiana and the Forbes partner in Mobile, James Innerarity.

Although his loyalties were torn, James Innerarity  knew the British might loot his stores as war prizes, and decided that the American defenders needed to be warned of these planned attacks.  James requested an interview with Andrew Jackson, and showed him Gray's letter.  By this stroke of fortune, Jackson learned of the British attack on New Orleans four months before the invasion began which gave him time to prepare.

--Brock-Perry

Action Around Apalachicola Bay-- Part 3: Why Was Forbes Mad?

At Prospect Bluff, George Woodbine conscripted John Forbes' agents, William Hanby and Edmund Doyle, along with 25 black slaves, to help build and manage their fort.  With Doyle and Hanby preoccupied, the British and their allies looted the Forbes store.

The former slaves were recruited into the Colonial Marines, and 300 of Forbes' cattle were confiscated to feed Creek and Seminole Indians., who were starving because Andrew Jackson's  forces had burned their villages and crops during the Creek War of 1813.

Woodbine's actions at Prospect Bluff convinced Forbes' partners, James and John Innerarity, the firm would fare better with the Americans than the British.  For the rest of the war, they aided Americans by sharing crucial information they gleaned from their vast trading network that extended from Amelia Island to Pensacola and New Orleans.

--Brock-Perry

Robert Smith Todd-- Part 4: After the War

He was the father of Mary Todd Lincoln.

After the War of 1812, Robert ran a dry goods store with a partner.  Doing this, he made trips to New Orleans to buy French brandies, Dutch gin and green coffee, which they sold in Lexington.  He used these while entertaining friends at his home and he became acquainted with many prominent persons.

Later, he became a partner in a cotton manufacturing company near the Ohio River and by 1835 was serving as the president of  the Lexington branch of the Bank of Kentucky.  In 1827, he was appointed trustee of Transylvania University, alongside with Henry Clay and Charles A. Wickliffe.

Robert Todd was a close friend of John J. Crittenden and served as a justice of the peace and sheriff.  He spent  over twenty years as a clerk of the Kentucky House of Representatives in Frankfort and also served terms a a Kentucky representative and senator.

A Very Prominent and Successful Man.  --Brock-Perry

Clarksville and Andy-- Part 2: Andrew Arrives in Town

On January 13, 1813, Andrew Jackson arrived in Clarksville, Tennessee, on the first of 13 boats carrying infantry on their first leg of a voyage down the Mississippi to stop the British in the Gulf of Mexico area.  Cavalrymen, including 31 from Montgomery County were moving overland to join him.

Jackson's quartermaster, Thomas Hart Benton, was in Clarksville and reputedly brandished a bayonet on local merchants to get them to sell 160 barrels of flour.  They did, but Benton ended up paying $8 a barrel instead of the current going rate of $5.50.

Jackson then continued on his journey, finally arriving at Natchez, Mississippi, where he received rumors that the British were amassing 14,000 troops in the West Indies for the purpose of capturing New Orleans.

Jackson prepared to go there to defend the city.

Col. Samuel Boyer Davis-- Part 2: Built Delamore Place

When Davis helped rescue the family of a French baron from the island of Santo Domingo during a 1792 slave insurrection, he met and fell in love with the baron's daughter Rose and they married.  Later they moved to New Orleans where he became a wealthy landowner.

At the outbreak of the War of 1812, he was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel in the 32nd U.S. Infantry and assigned to the task of defending the entrance to Delaware Bay, which included where he was born, Lewes.

He built an imposing home there he called Delamore Place outside of Wilmington, Delaware.

After the war, he lived in Philadelphia and was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature.

He is buried at the Wilmington & Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

--Brock-Perry

"Old Jordan's Crypt

From Wikipedia Commons.

There is a picture of Jordan Noble's crypt under the category "St. Louis Cemetery 2.

There is a photo of the plaque at Jordan B. Noble "Old Jordan" crypt at the Larry Shapiro Photography site.

--Brock-Perry

Some More On Jordan Noble-- Part 2: Death "The Familiar Face of 'Old Jordan'"

He kept a steady beat with Major Louis D'Auin as he led his company against British on the night of December 23, 1814.

Then, there was role at the Battle of New Orleans.

At his death, June 20, 1890, at age 90, the New Orleans Picayune reported the "death of 'the Drummer Boy of Chalmette'" and ran a woodcut picture of the "Colored Veteran of Four Wars," and encouraged all to attend his Saturday afternoon funeral so they could look on the "familiar face of 'Old Jordan'" one last time.

He was buried at the city's St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, Square 3.

Again, this man would make the subject of a great movie.  Hear that Hollywood.

--Brock-Perry

Some More On Jordan Noble-- Part 1: Born a Slave, Became a Free Man and Drummer

NPS "The rattle of his drum was heard [even] amidst the din of battle ... in the hottest hell of fire."  Gene Allen Smith, TCU.

During the War of 1812, more than 4,800 slaves fled their masters.  Some became British Colonial Marines.  Jordan Bankston Noble was born a mulatto slave in Augusta, Georgia, in October 1800.  He arrived in New Orleans in 1811.

In 1812, he became the drummer of the 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of New Orleans Interesting Facts-- Part 4: Fought After the War Was Over?

**  The Treaty of Ghent ended the war several weeks before the Battle of New Orleans was fought and for years school children have been taught that it was a needless one.

But, "It Ain't Over Till It's Over."  That's is when all the (i)s are dotted and (t)s crossed and signatures applied.  The U.S. government did not ratify it until February.

In addition, now historians have theorized that had the British won the battle and captured New Orleans they would have extended control to the whole Mississippi River and much of the Louisiana Purchase.

In other words, they would have torn up the treaty.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of New Orleans Interesting Facts-- Part 2: Big Annual Celebration and Movies

**  For some 50 years after the battle, the United States celebrated the victory every January 8 with fireworks and parades, much like the 4th of July.

**  In 1938, Cecil B. DeMille directed "The Buccaneer" a heavily fictionalized accounting of the celebrated pirate Jean Lafitte's role in the battle.  In 1958, it was remade with Charlton Heston portraying Andrew Jackson and Yul Brynner as Lafitte.

--Brock-Perry

Battle of New Orleans Interesting Facts-- Part 1: Most Lopsided Victory and Prayers

From the January 8, 2017, New Orleans(Louisiana) Times- Picayune "In the Battle of New Orleans, a city was saved, a hero born and a country validated" by Mike Scott.

On the 202nd Anniversary of the battle.

** It is remembered as the most lop-sided battle in the war.  British casualties came to 2,057 and American just 71.

**  As it began, the Ursuline nuns in New Orleans held a vigil in their chapel praying to Our Lady of Promp Succor for a miracle in the form of an American victory.

They got it and to this day conduct a special mass every January 8.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan Noble-- Part 6: Other Items for Auction

Other items up for bid at the auction:  weapons, swords, a rare New Orleans and Louisiana map, paintings and manuscripts signed by Napoleon Bonaparte, James Madison and Governor C.C. Claiborne.

The collection was on loan for many years to the Louisiana State Museum, but has since returned to private hands.

Neal Auctions hope that an institution will get it, but can't say for sure because of bids.

I am hoping that an institution will get the drum and flag and other items so that the general public can still view them.  I hate to think of them being in somebody's private collection.

But, Money Talks, As We So Well Know.  --Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 4: The Drum Is One of the Most Impiortant Historical Artifacts of New Orleans.

Jordan Noble was sold back into slavery four times, but died a free man.

Historian Shelene Roumillat said:  "In my opinion, the drum is one of the most important historical artifacts that we have here in New Orleans.

I certainly agree and not just because of its connection to the battle, but also his service in four wars as well as his impact on New Orleans music, traditions and the movement for equality.  I certainly hope someone or some group buys it and puts it on display for all to see.

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan Noble-- Part 3: "Broke Down Race and Class Barriers"

Jerry Brock continued on about Jordan Noble:  "He broke down race and class barriers as a soldier (veteran of four wars), musician and statesman.  He pioneered New Orleans marching music and parade traditions and demonstrated bravery, free spirit and dignity in his personal quest for liberty and will to survive and prosper.

"Through his music and community involvement Jordan Noble nurtured a joy of life and love of humanity in a city that underwent massive expansion and sociocultural upheaval during his time."

--Brock-Perry

New Orleans' Jordan B. Noble-- Part 2: "Advanced the Cause of Black Freedom and Human Rights"

One music historian, Jerry Brock, said that Jordan Noble "was arguably the most celebrated black musician in 19th century New Orleans and in a life that bridged nine decades, Noble advanced the cause of black freedom and human rights."

On his death in 1890, the Daily Picayune headlines:  "Answered the Last Roll:  Death of the Drumer Boy of Chalmette," and noted "many will remember the white-headed old man and his well-worn drum."

--Brock-Perry