War of 1812 Vet Fought at Battle of Gettysburg-- Part 2: John Burns

Many 69-year-olds would be content to spend their golden years taking it easy, but not John Burns.

John Burns fought in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War and even tried to work as a supply driver for the Union Army in the Civil War, but was sent back to his home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  That's when the war came calling on him.

Burns was considered "eccentric" by the rest of his town.  When soldiers of Confederate General Jubal Early captured Gettysburg, Burns was the constable and jailed for interfering with Confederate military operations. When the Confederates were pushed out of town, Burns began arresting stragglers for treason.

In the morning of July 1, 1863, as the battle began unfolding, he picked up his flintlock musket and offered his services to the beleagured Union soldiers.  He borrowed a more modern musket from a wounded Union soldier then walked over to the commander of the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry and asked to join the regiment.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Encampment at Old Fort Niagara-- Part 2: Schedule of Events

Scheduled demonstrations:

**  Infantry drills and firing at 10:30 daily

**  Artillery firing at 11 daily

**  Uniforms of the War of 1812 at 11:30 daily

**  Musket firing at noon, 1, , 2, 3 and 5 p.m. Saturday and noon, 1, 2, 4 and 5 p.m. Sunday

**  Regency women's fashions at 12:30 daily

**  "Hot Shot" artillery firing at 1:30 daily

**  Firepower weapon's program at 3:30 Saturday and 2:30 Sunday

There will also be a tour of  Fort Niagara in the War of 1812 at 3:15 p.m. Sunday.

Sounds Like a Great Time.  --Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Encampment Returning This Weekend to Old Fort Niagara

From the September 4, 2022, Niagara Gazette (New York) by Robert  Creenan.

One of Old Fort Niagara's favorite events is returning this weekend to show visitors what life was like during the War of 1812.  There will be close to 100 re-enactors present and it is open to the public Saturday and Sunday from  10 a.m. to 5 p.m..

In addition, there will be other activities:

Lecturer   Richard V. Barbuto, Ph.D. will speak about the Battle of New Orleans at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Visitor Center auditorium.

There will be a "Hot Shot" artillery demonstration showing how cannonballs were heated and what kind of specific damage they could do to a fort or ship.

There will also be musket and other artillery firing.

There will be ongoing demonstrations of  early 19th century soldier life, including blacksmithing, silversmithing, laundry, cooking and foodways.

--Brock-Perry

Glengarry Light Infantry-- Part 5: Uniforms and Equipment

When Governor General Sir James Craig first tried to form the unit he proposed that it wear the dress of the Scottish highland regiments with a Glengarry tartan plaid.  Prevost intended the unit to be used as a skirmishing light infantry and it adopted a dark green uniform with black facings as worn by the 95th Rifles.

However, they were armed with the smoothbore Brown Bess musket rather than the Baker Rifle.

Also, unlike the 95th, the Glengarry Light Infantry were granted colors.

The regimental badge, worn on the  front of the shako  (cap), was a strung bugle on which the letters "G L I" were superimposed in white metal.  The crossbelt featured the thistle surrounded by   the words "Glengarry Light Infantry."

Officers' uniforms consisted of a dark green dolman and pantaloons, with a crimson sash. They also wore a black shoulder sash, with a silver whistle and chain.  Their shako  badge was the same design as that of other ranks, but was of solver.  They may also  have had a dark green pelisse (a short fur trimmed jacket), with black chords and black fur trim.

Now You Know.  --Brock-Perry

Old Fort Niagara to Host Encampment-- Part 2:A Full Lineup of Activities

In addition to Richard V. Barbuto's talk on the turning point of the War of 1812 in September 1814,there will also be a variety of living history activities.  re-enactors will establish period camps and  demonstrate what life was like for common soldiers during the War of 1812.  In other words, no RVs or Glamping.

Throughout the day, troops will perform musket demonstrations, volley firing, artillery firing and other tactical exercises.  Other programs feature period cooking, laundry, blacksmithing, children's games and Native Americans in the War if 1812.

Scheduled programs are:

10:30 am, infantry drill and firing

On the hour and at 3:45 pm, musket firing demonstrations

11:30 am, uniforms of the War of 1812

12:30 pm, regency women's fashions

1:30 pm, "Hot Shot" artillery demonstration 

2:30 pm, firepower weapons program

3:30 pm, Tour:  Fort Niagara in the War of 1812

Activities run from 10 am to 4 pm.  This program is sponsored by the United States Daughters of 1812.

Old Fort Niagara is currently open daily from  10 am to 4 pm.  It is a Registered National Historic Landmark and a New York State Historic Site operated by the Old Fort Niagara  Association.

--Brock-Perry

River Raisin Events Commemorate War of 1812 This Weekend

From the January 17, 2020, Toledo (Ohio) Blade.

The River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe, Michigan, is commemorating  the War of 1812 battle that took place there this weekend.

For those of you who like a little alcoholic taste with your history, on Friday, today, the Battle of the Wines event will be held at the La-Z-Boy Center of the campus of Monroe County Community College from 5:30 to 8:30 PM.  Tickets are $40 and include nine wine tastings from  Michigan, Canada and France.  Food to pair with the wine will be provided.

The battle is also known as the Battles of Frenchtown, Battle of the River Raisin and River raisin Massacre.

The 207th commemoration of the battle, which took place January 18, 1812, and resulted in a major American defeat, is set for 9 am to 2:30 pm  at the battlefield's visitors center.  A musket and cannon demonstration at  11 am will be followed at noon by a remembrance ceremony.

On Sunday, Ron Jones  will give a presentation  at the visitor center mapping  the War of 1812 and its legacy from 1 to 2 pm.  Maps designed by Scottish cartographer John Melish will be on display.

Remember the Raisin  --Brock-Perry

Machine Guns in the War of 1812-- Part 14: Joseph Chambers' Ten-Shot Repeating Musket

A photo of Chambers' repeating musket accompanied the article as well.  

It has two flintlocks/triggers.

Here is the caption:

Chambers' ten-shot repeating musket operated on the same principle as his swivel gun.

But the final round in the barrel would not have a hole, allowing the user to save a shot.  To fire it, he would have to pull a second trigger, tripping the rear hammer.

--Brock-Perry

Mass Graves in Ontario Give Archaeologists Clues As to Buckshot Wounds-- Part 2

Using staple isotopes analysis showed that some of the remains had a more European diet and others more of a North American one, suggesting that soldiers from both sides were buried together in the mass grave.

Three of the individuals' hip bones had injuries consistent with musket shot.

A team of researchers at McMaster University in Canada recreated likeness of humans and reproductions of War of 1812 muskets and tested shots.

Buck and ball consists of a large musket ball and three smaller buckshot pellets.

Injuries on the bones were found to be more often caused by the buckshot.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veteran Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 4

On August 22, 1813, the Georgians marched into Indian Territory.

Most of them had no uniforms and wore civilian attire.  Most were armed with 69 caliber smoothbore muskets similar to those used during the American Revolution.  They were further armed with large knives, tomahawks and swords.

The force number 950 militia and another 450 friendly Indians.  General Floyd and his force fought two major engagements after crossing the Chattahoochee River and entered present-day Alabama.  Private Griggs was present for both.

The Battle of Autossee was on November 29, 1813, was an attack on a Creek Indian stronghold defended by 1500.  It was about half way between present day Tuskegee and Montgomery along the Tallapoosa River and Catabee Creek.  The Americans won, but General John Floyd was wounded and ordered his troops to retreat and reorganize.

--Brock-Perry