"1814 and We Took a Little Trip"

From the April 14th Toledo (Oh) Blade "History lesson is in perfect pitch" by Janet Romaker.

"So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round" was one of the many great lines from Johnny Horton's song, "The Battle of New Orleans.  To some Americans, this is their history lesson as to the War of 1812.  This is all they really know for sure.  And, there is no way I can hear the song without singing along (usually in my head so folks don't think I'm weird.

The song was written by Johnny Driftwood, a history teacher/principal who penned it to help his students learn about the war.

Northwest Ohio was the scene of many actions during the war, many taking place along the Maumee River.  Thirty-three Ohio counties had encampments, battles skirmishes, sieges or massacres.  Neighbor Kentucky claims to have provided more soldiers than any other state.

"We Took a Little Bacon and ..." Who Did We Catch Near What Town?--  Brock-Perry