Last Battle of the War of 1812 Fought at Alabama's Fort Bowyer-- Part 2

American commander William Lawrence was outnumbered by the British troops and cut off by them as well as by a fleet of 38 enemy ships which prevented a water withdrawal.  These British troops had seen prior action at New Orleans.  Their casualties were 13 dead and 19 wounded.  American caualties were 1 dead and 10 wounded.

The British intnded to take Fort bowyer, then Mobile before returning to New Orleans for another round.  A few days after the surrender, British commander Alexander Cochrane got word of the Treaty of Ghent and abandoned the fort which fell into disrepair.  Several years later, the United States began construction on the much stronger Fort Morgan which still stands.

The story of Fort Bowyer has essentially been forgotten in this "Forgotten War."  The Battle of New Orleans was much better-known and had many more soldiers involved.  British casualties at that earlier battle were 2,000 killed, wounded and captured while the Americans only suffered 70.

Now I Know About It.  --Brock-Perry