From the April 5th East Haddam (Ct) Haddam Patch by Philip R. Devlin.
Most War of 1812 action in Connecticut took place in and around Long Island Sound. The American attempt to blow up a British ship in New London Harbor caused a British retaliatory attack against Pettipaug Point, today's Essex, Ct..
To free Commodore Stephen Decatur's squadron from British blockade, a barge steered toward the HMS La Hogue with a torpedo deployed on the front, but the hauling line got tangled in the ship's anchor line and the torpedo blew up prematurely causing no damage.
The next day, some Americans in a small skiff were captured and agreed to lead the British to Pettipaug Point. On April 8, 1814, 220 British soldiers went 6 miles up the Connecticut River. A deal was struck whereby homes would be saved, but 28 American ships were torched and two were taken.
Essex still celebrates the "Burning of the Ships" the second Saturday in May.
Something I Didn't Know. --Brock-Perry
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.
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