Delaware in the War of 1812-- Part 1

From the June 6, 2012, Delaware First Media News:  "The War of 1812: Dealware's Role in 'America's Second War for Independence'" by Larry Nagengast.

Lewes,Delaware has a sign on a house reading "The CANNONBALL HOUSE."  This is the last remaining Lewes home bearing a mark from that long-ago war.  A patch on the foundation shows where a cannonball struck it on April 6th or 7th in the year 1813.  It was restored by the Lewes Historical Society.

Chuck Fithian, curator of archaeology for the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, says the declaration of war by the United States on June 18, 1812 "was not one of our better moments."  The two main reason s for it was British impressment of American sailors and their support of the Indians in the Northwest Terrotory.

In December 1812, the British fleet began its blockade of the Chesapeake Bay (which I've been writing about).  In February 1813, some of those ships moved to the Delaware Bay.  Lewes had some 800 residents at the time.  In March, the British fleet appeared off Cape Henlopen.

And, that's when the war really came to Delaware.

British Ships in Delaware!!  --Brock-Perry