2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
Showing posts with label Talbot County. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Talbot County. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Talbot County and the War of 1812
From the Feb. 22, 2012, Maryland Star Democrat by Jean Griffith.
Most Americans do not know much about the war. (That is why I started this blog which has been very informative to me.). Actually, I was supposed to teach it the last eight years I taught, but I never got much past 1800.) Some Marylanders, of course, know about Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner.
St. Michaels can be remembered as "The Town That Fooled the British." Before the declaration of war in June 1812, a new armory was established in Talbot County and there was also an organization of local militia.
Not too far away, the HMS Leopard attacked the USS Chesapeake.
The original Star-Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry was sewn by Mary Pickersgill, her daughter, two nieces and a servant. Much of its original length has been lost to time and souvenir hunters.
A Preview of the War Before I Started My Blog Last Year. --Brock-Perry
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Privateering and Boatbuilding in Talbot County
From the April 29, 2012, Easton (Md) Star Democrat by Jean Griffith.
The British Navy far outnumbered that of the United States. The Congress Act of 1812 provided "letters of marque" for those interesting in using a private ship to attack British shipping. They would be known as privateers. This set off a frenzy of activity in Talbot County building privateers.
Pilot Schooners were very useful and would be armed with a long gun called a "Long Tom" and had large crews for boarding with muskets, cutlasses and boarding pikes.
There were 25 shipbuilders in Talbot County at Harris Creek, Easton, St. Michaels, Hopkins Neck, Broad Creek, San Domingo Creek and Third Haven Creek. None of them were naval architects, but all had practical knowledge of the craft.
Congress required each captain to keep a journal and turn it over to the collector of customs when arriving at a U.S. port. The journals would include the value of prizes taken, their disposition and any useful information on the enemy.
Of interest, US Navy purser Samuel Hambleton of Martingham, Talbot County, achieved renown for designing the battle flag with the slogan "Don't Give Up the Ship" flown during the Battle of Lake Erie, September 1813. He was on Perry's flagship and operated two guns.
Aye, It's a Privateer's Life for Me. --Brock-Perry
The British Navy far outnumbered that of the United States. The Congress Act of 1812 provided "letters of marque" for those interesting in using a private ship to attack British shipping. They would be known as privateers. This set off a frenzy of activity in Talbot County building privateers.
Pilot Schooners were very useful and would be armed with a long gun called a "Long Tom" and had large crews for boarding with muskets, cutlasses and boarding pikes.
There were 25 shipbuilders in Talbot County at Harris Creek, Easton, St. Michaels, Hopkins Neck, Broad Creek, San Domingo Creek and Third Haven Creek. None of them were naval architects, but all had practical knowledge of the craft.
Congress required each captain to keep a journal and turn it over to the collector of customs when arriving at a U.S. port. The journals would include the value of prizes taken, their disposition and any useful information on the enemy.
Of interest, US Navy purser Samuel Hambleton of Martingham, Talbot County, achieved renown for designing the battle flag with the slogan "Don't Give Up the Ship" flown during the Battle of Lake Erie, September 1813. He was on Perry's flagship and operated two guns.
Aye, It's a Privateer's Life for Me. --Brock-Perry
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