Last Battle of War of 1812 Fought at Alabama's Fort Bowyer-- Part 1

From the July 23, 2012, Birmingham (Alabama) News "War of 1812's last battle fought at Fort Bowyer in what became Alabama" by David White.

Most people think the last battle of the war took place at New Orleans on January 8, 1815, after the Treaty of Ghent had been reached, ending the war once the United States ratified it.  Not so, however.  There was a later one in February 1815 when 3,000 British soldiers attacked fewer than 400 Americans at the log and sand Fort Bowyer at the mouth of Mobile Bay near where Fort Morgan was later built.

The fort's commander, William Lawrence, surrendered it February 11, 1815, a few days after the British landed at what is now called the Fort Morgan Peninsula.  During the attack, cannonfire was exchanged and the British fired off Congreve Rockets like at Fort McHenry (the rockets' red glare).  The British, however must have learned their lesson at New Orleans and didn't make a frontal assault..

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry