Fort Mims in Alabama-- Part 1

From the DAR July/August 2013 Magazine by Sharri Whiting.

Chalk it up as another unknown item for me.

The 200th anniversary of the battle took place August 30, 2013, and it was marked by a commemoration from August 30-Sept. 1st in Tensaw, Alabama including exhibits, living history demonstrations, period music, crafts, re-enactments and even a pioneer church service.

The Fort Mims Restoration Association joined with descendants of the survivors, members of the Creek Nation and the general public. It was to remember the 500 white settlers, Creek Indians and slaves who died or were captured Aug. 30, 1813.

--Brock-Perry

Georgia County Purchases Fort Daniel Site

From the Dec. 12, 2012, Gwinnett (Ga) Daily Post" by Camie Young.

Fort Daniel protected area settlers in the War of 1812. Its four acres on Hog Mountain predates the county. The Gwinnett County Archaeological Research Society unearthed walls and found artifacts. The land was bought for $24,000.

It is near the intersection of Georgia highways 124 and 324. There is a historical marker and a local elementary school named for the fort. Hog Mountain is the highest point for miles around.

It is named for Major General Allen Daniel, garrisoned by the 25th Regiment of Georgia Militia and was built in 1813.

Fort Peachtree was constructed at Chattahoochie River about 30 miles away. Atlanta's Peachtree Road was built to connect the two forts.

About 300 forts housed Georgia soldiers between the frontier and Civil War days.

--Brock-Perry

How Washington State Almost Became a Part of British Columbia

From the November 11, 2012 Province by Kent Spencer.

Most of the War of 1812 action took place on the east coast, but the British capture of Fort Astora on the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest was a big event. The fort was a newly established trading post dealing with furs. The British Northwest Fur Company purchased Fort Astoria. Had it remained under British control, Washington state would have been a part of Canada's British Columbia.

The British Navy sent the 36-gun sloop HMS Raccoon and, on arrival, demanded the formal surrender which took place and the place was renamed Fort George.

The Peace Conference of 1814 regarded the fort as occupied American territory and it was given back to the Americans.

Almost, But Not Quite. --Brock-Perry

Peter Buell Porter

From Wikipedia.

PETER BUELL PORTER

(August 14, 1773-March 20, 1844) American lawyer, soldier, politician and U.S. Secretary of War. Graduated Yale College in 1791. Moved to Black Rock, New York, in 1809 and elected to Congress where he was a leading War Hawk. From 1810-1816 was a member of the Erie Canal Commission.

In the War of 1812, he was quartermaster general of New York State Militia. In 1812, he participated in and became a major critic of Alexander Smyth's botched invasion of Upper Canada. This led to the famous duel between the two. Neither hit their opponent.

Porter later raised and commanded a brigade of New York militia and he was presented with a Congressional Gold Medal for his conduct at the Battle of Chippewa, Battle of Niagara and the Battle of Erie.

His son, Colonel Petere A. Porter gained recognition, but died at the Battle of Cold Harbor during the Civil War.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander Smyth

From Wikipedia. Doing some more research on the Nov. 16th blog entry.

(1765-April 17, 1830) American lawyer, soldier and politician from Virginia. Member U.S. House of Representatives. General in War of 1812. Smyth County, Virginia, named for him.

Born in Ireland and emigrated to Virginia in 1775. Served as member of the state's House of Delegates and Senate. From 1808 to 1813 served in U.S. Army and commissioned a colonel. At the Battle of Queenston Heights, he refused to support his commander, General Stephen Van Rensselear, a militia general with no experience. For his disobeying orders, Smyth was given Rensselear's command and proved to be very inept himself.

His plans to invade Upper Canada in 1812 had to be called off because of poor organization. A subordinate, General Peter B. Porter accused his commander of cowardice and Smyth challenged him to a duel. As historian John R. Elting wrote, the duel came off and "Unfortunately, both missed."

Smyth was later removed from the Army and returned to Virginia and served again in the House of Delegates and later the U.S. Senate. He died in Washington, D.C. and is buried in the U.S. Congressional Cemetery.

Brock-Perry

Some Facts About the War of 1812-- Part 2

** Major John Norton had a Cherokee father and Scottish mother and deserted the British Army to live with the Mohawks. He sided with the British at the Battle of Queenston Heights and scared the Americans with his fierceness.

** There were attrocities on both sides. Reportedly, after his death, Tecumseh's body was cut up for souvenirs.

**  The U.S. burned York, the capital of Upper Canada because the British had done the same to Lewiston, Black Rock and Buffalo.

--Brock-Perry

Some Facts About the War of 1812-- Part 1

From the November 12, 2012, WGRZ by Richard Kellman.

**** The war resulted in 20,000 deaths, 15,000 of them from disease.

**** Canadian hero Sir Isaac Brock (the Brock in my Brock-Perry signoff) died early in the war at the Battle of Queenstown Heights. He had a reputation for bravery and impulsiveness and thought his posting to Canada had him in a "backwater."

**** The U.S. commander at Buffalo, General Alexander Smyth, was untrained, inept and so hated by his men, some took potshots at him.

**** Peter Porter of Black Rock and Niagara Falls was a wealthy businessmen, officer and Congressman where he was a major War Hawk (those who wanted war) and demanded the annexation of Canada. He fought a duel with General Smyth on Grand Island over an insult. Both men missed.

He became Secretary of War under President John Quincy Adams in 1828. Smyth left the war early and returned to his native Virginia.

Just Some Stuff. --Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Canadian Coins

From the Nov. 12, 2013, Sacramento Bee.

The Royal Canadian Mint is issuing the final coins of the 2012 year and will commemorate the War of 1812. One of the coins is the Battle of Queenstown Heights and the other First Nation leader Tecumseh. 

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veteran Gets New Grave Marker

From the Nov. 25, 2012, Brookfield (Ohio) Tribune Chronicle.

Jesse Reeder is buried in the oldest section of the Brookfield Cemetery and his grave has just received the placement of a new Veterans Association (Administration?) marker.  He was buried in 1883.

The cemetery has forty-three War of 1812 veterans buried in it.

--Brock-Perry

"Everywhere I Saw Devastation": Civilian Life During the War of 1812-- Part 2

Continued from Saturday, Nov. 9th.

On December 10, 1813, retreating Americans, who had occupied Niagara, Upper Canada, since May, set fire to and burned almost all the buildings of his town to the grouund. Residents were given just minutes to leave.

Charlotte Dickson's brick home had been used by American Generals McClure and Brown and Colonel Seal, but even that didn't save it.

 Townspeople did not begin rebuilding until after the war.

Burning and destruction were tit-for-tat on both sides, becoming uglier and more brutal as the war dragged on. All males between the ages of 16 to 60 had to serve in the militia. With men serving in the militia, farming was very difficult, especially during planting season.

Stuff You Don't Usually Hear About in War. --Brock-Perry

Toledo Museum of Arts Opens a Perry's Victory Exhibit

From the Toledo Free Press "Perry's Victory: TMA exhiit celebrates 200th anniversary of Battle of Lake Erie" by Sarah Ottney.

The Toledo Museum of Art's (TMA) newest exhibit combines artwork, history, artifacts and a multi-media display.

The highlight is an eight-foot oil painting by Thomas Birch"Perry's Victory on Lake Erie" and a portrait of Oliver Hazard Perry by Gilbert Stuart. Also at the exhibit is Perry's naval commission signed by President James Madison. Birch started his painting within weeks of the battle. Many other artists painting the victory wrote Perry for accuracy and he did answer some, but it is not known whether he did for Birch. Perry, however, did own one set of the prints.

TMA had a similar exhibit back in 1913, on the centennial of the battle.

Northern Illinois plays a key football game against the University of Toledo This Coming Wednesday. If I Decide to Go, I'll Check Out the Museum. --Brock-Perry

Maryland Veterans To Be Honored-- Part 3

The April 30, 1814, Niles Weekly Reporter in Baltimore describes a raid, possibly at White Haven, then a part of Somerset County:

"The schooner Buzzi, a bay trading vessel, Captain Jarvis, was chased into Wicomico on the 9th by a tender and several barges. Capt. [James]Dashiel, with 25 men of his artillery company and a six-pounder came to his rescue. They had several fine raking shots at the enemy; several men were seen to fall and oars floated on shore. The Englishmen retreated in great haste...."

Somerset County native Joshua Thomas, a Methodist preacher, known as the Parson of the Islands, preached a sermon in 1814 to British troops stationed there predicting their defeat at Baltimore.

Considering the Congregation, This Could Have Caused Problems. --Brock-Perry

November 1813 Timeline: Hurricane and Skirmish

NOVEMBER 12TH:

A hurricane strikes Halifax, Nova Scotia, causing extensive damage to British ships there.

NOVEMBER 13TH:

Skirmish at Nanticoke Creek, Upper Canada. Norfolk County Militia engage a group of American sympathizers (marauders). Light casualties on both sides.

NOVEMBER 16TH:

British extend blockade to all middle and southern states.

NOVEMBER 24TH

Loyal London Volunteers, a unit of Upper Canada militia is formed.

NOVEMBER 25TH:

Loyal Kent Volunteers formed.

NOVEMBER 29TH:

Battle of Autosse, Mississippi Territory. Americans inflict significant casualties on Muscogee (Creek) Nation warriors but fail to achieve a clear victory.

--Brock-Perry

November 1813 Timeline-- Part 6: Decisive Battle of Crysler's Farm

NOVEMBER 11TH

In October, Wilkinson's Army began a coordinated campaign to capture Montreal with between 7,000 and 8,000 soldiers based at Sackets Harbor. He was to link up with Major General Wade Hampton's army which was to advance to Montreal along the Richelieu River.

British Lt. Col. Joseph Morrison's force of about 1,100 men pursued Wilkinson's flotilla down the St. Lawrence River. When the Americans turned to engage with about 3,000 of their force, the British landed and took a strong defensive position on John Crysler's field.

After a bloody battle Wilkinson's troops hastily retreated to their boats and descended the river to French Mills, New York, where they took up winter quarters abandoning their effort to capture Montreal after hearing news of Hampton's defeat at Chateauquay.

Losses for the Americans. Big Win for the Canadians  --Brock-Perry

November 1813 Timeline-- Part 5

NOVEMBER 10TH: British gunboats commanded by Royal Navy Captain William Mulcaster engage American gunboats protecting the flotilla of boats carrying Major General Wilkinson's army on the St. Lawrence River.

The British withdrew when they came under effective American artillery from the shore of the river.

--Brock-Perry

November 1813 Time Line-- Part 4

NOVEMBER 10TH: SKIRMISH AT HOOPLE'S CREEK, UPPER CANADA-- During the American campaign down the St. Lawrence River to capture Montreal, American Major General James Wilkinson landed troops at the head of the Long Sault Rapids and sent Brig. General Jacob Brown along with 2,500 troops to clear the road to Cornwall, Upper Canada, and seize much-needed supplies.

After stopping to repair a bridge at Hoople's Creek, Brown was ambushed by 300 local militia commanded by British regular officer Major James Dennis of the 49th Regiment of Foot. Concealed among the trees, the militia had a strong position but slowly withdrew against the much larger American force.

Dennis succeeded in delaying the American advance enough to allow 150 wagons of British supplies to be safely removed from Cornwall to Coteau-du-Lac, Lower Canada.

--Brock-Perry

Maryland Veterans To Be Honored-- Part 2

During the war there were many raids along the Pocomoke, Annemessex and Wicomico revers and Coulbourne's and Back creeks.

From the diary of Thomas Seon Sudler:

"May 25, 1813, Tuesday night about 10 o'clock, James Curtis came to see me to inform me that the British was up the Pocomoke as far as the Flatts, and that another party of them was up as far as Jerico, the mouth of the Annemessex River. We are becoming a very unhappy people. War and bloodshed appears to be the Ellement of the French Democrats and war party."

Sure Not Too Happy About the British Being Amongst Them. --Brock-Perry

Maryland Veterans To Be Honored-- Part 1

From the Nov. 5, 2013, Delmarva.com "War of 1812 veterans to be honored" by Liz Holland.

Somerset County, on Maryland's Eastern Shore, militia men were to be honored on Sunday, Nov. 10th in a Veterans Day event. Many of those so honored have famous local names like Dashiell, Phoebus, Jones, Long, Pollitt and Yerges.


U.S. 15-star flags will be placed on their graves. There are 80 of them altogether which have been found through much research and effort by the Somerset County War of 1812 Committee. Fourteen of them are at Antioch Methodist Church, St. Andrws Episcopal Church and Manokin Presbyterian Church. Others are located at Deal Island, Crigfield, Marion Station, Westover, Reheboth and Kingston.

Little Known War in Somerset County. --Brock-Perry

USMC in the War of 1812

From Wikipedia.

Just a short summary of the Marines in the War of 1812 in honor of yesterday's 238th birthday of the Corps, established November 10, 1775.

Marine detachments participated in all of the great frigate battles during the war. Marines delayed the British march to Washington at the Battle of Bladensburg. I have written that their bravery and determination were one of the reasons the British didn't sack the Marine Corps headquarters and barracks in Washington, D.C..

Marines held the center of General Andrew Jackson's line at the Battle of New Orleans.

By the end of the war, Marines had earned a reputation for their excellent marksmanship, especially in ship actions.

Ooo-Rah!!! --Brock-Perry

11-11-18: Armistice Day / Veterans Day

The Armistice ending The War to End All Wars, World War I signed and it became known as Armistice Day, later in the U.S. Veterans Day.

It went into effect at 11:11 AM, November 11th whatever the time was in Europe. I plan to be at the ceremony at the Fox Lake, Illinois, train station later today.

--Brock-Perry

Happy Birthday USMC!!!

Today marks the 238th birthday of America's finest fighting outfit, the USMC, established this date in 1775. They also participated and earned honors in the War of 1812 which I will be writing about in more detail tomorrow. Congrats! --Brock-Perry

"Everywhere I Saw Devastation": Civilian Life During the War-- Part 1

From the October 28, 2012, National Post "Everywhere I saw devastation: Civilian life on the front line during the War of 1812" by James Careless.

Thomas-Rene-Vercheres Boucher de Boucherville (there's a name for you) wrote in 1815: "I saw devastation, homes in ashes, fields trampled and laid to waste, forts demolished, forests burned and blackened, truly a most pitiful sight."

He was writing about the Niagara Peninsula, a major scene of conflict.

Civilians on both sides suffered in this area between upper New York state and southwest Ontario. The city of Niagara (now Niagara-on-the-Lake) suffered the most.

--Brock-Perry

The War Gets Comic Book Treatment

October 27, 2012, AP "The War of 1812 gets comic book treatment.

Don't laugh, in my younger days this was a major way I caught up on history and literature. I remember those 15 cent Classic Comics.

Erie, Pennsylvania, local historian Don Haener created a comic book on the War of 1812 to run in conjunction with the its 200th anniversary. He did it to get kids interested in the war. (Do kids even still read comic books?)

Artist Dan Cozy worked with him. and it consists of twenty pages with three illustrations per page and covers the war's major events. (I wonder if it has the old Sgt. Rock and Easy Company's "Kapoww!! Bam, Bam?"

Of course, I Really Liked the Haunted Tank. --Brock-Perry

McHenry County War of 1812 Burials-- Part 5

LINN-HEBRON CEMETERY (HEBRON)

Daniel Cornue 1-20-1876
John Begun 4-2-1850
John A. Ehle 1871
A. Clary 1867
Stephen Wickham 5-26-1873
(also Major Watson 3-16-1845 from the American Revolution)

HEBRON CEMETERY

Zenos Pierce 7-28-1882
David H. Hyde 1880
John Stewart 11-6-1869
(Also Josiah Giddings 10-21-1887 from the Blackhawk War.)

--Brock-Perry

McHenry County War of 1812 Burials-- Part 4

ALDEN CEMETERY (HARVARD)

L.R. Robinson 1876
John McLean 1881
James Helm 7-13-1870


MT. AUBURN CEMETERY (HARVARD)

William Carmack 9-28-1865
Jacob G. Saunders 3-19-1875
B. Lowell 10-23-1860


OAKLAND CEMETERY (WOODSTOCK)

Alfred Barrows
Sylvester Russell
(and Thomas Finney from the Blackhawk War 8-9-1876)

S. DUNHAM CEMETERY MARENGO NORTH) Fillmore.

--Brock-Perry

McHenry County War of 1812 Burials-- Part 3

McHenry County, Illinois.

ORVIS CEMETERY:

John W. Sanborn

SPRING GROVE CEMETERY (in our village)

Joseph Bliven 1851 (also Civil War veteran James K. Rice, 1923) We also have a Bliven Road.

BIG FOOT CEMETERY

Stephen S. Edwards 7-9-1871

ALGONQUIN CEMETERY

J.D. Schuyler
S.Z. Sherwood
William Clark.

--Brock-Perry

Canada's Fort Wellington-- Part 3

Even though the fort was never involved in a battle, it served as a staging and rallying point for local militia and regular British troops.

On February 22, 1813, about 500 men crossed the frozen St. Lawrence River and attacked Ogdensburg where they destroyed American military barracks and burned four ships frozen in the river. They returned with food, ammunition cannon and prisoners. This attack was in reprisal for the American raid earlier in the month on Ganonoque and Elizabethtown.

In November 1813, American General Wilkinson's army, on its way to attack Montreal, feared Fort Wellington's cannons so much that they disembarked from their ships above Ogdensburg and marched through town at night while the boats slipped by unloaded.

Once Wilkinson's army had slipped by, the fort's garrison followed them along the King's Highway (modern Highway 21) and on November 11th met at the Battle of Crysler's Farm near present-day Morrisburg, Ontario, and the much-larger American army was defeated. The attack on Montreal was abandoned and Canada was saved.

The fort fell into disrepair after the war and finally was abandoned in 1832.

Story of a Fort. --Brock-Perry

Canada's Fort Wellington-- Part 2

THE FIRST FORT WELLINGTON

This is the one from the War of 1812.

The first fort was built with earth ramparts reinforced with a verticle palisade fence and a glacis. The North Facade had a masonry gate. Timber buildings were inside the fort and casemates were tunneled into the ramparts for storage.

The fort's main armament was a pair of 24-pdr. cannons mounted on the southeast and southwest corners. Smaller guns defended other parts of the fort.

Unlike other British forts in the area, Fort Wellington was never attacked by the Americans.

A Strong Fort for the Era. --Brock-Perry

Canada's Fort Wellington-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Fort Wellington National Historic Site is a historic military fortification located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River by Prescott, Ontario, orginally built in 1813 on land given by Major Edward Jessup, a prominent Loyalist who left Connecticut after the American Revolution and founded the town of Prescott in 1784.

The British government built it at the head of the Gallup Rapids. Prior to the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway in 1950, these were a series of rapids that ran downriver from Prescott to Montreal. Shipping freight or passengers on regular lake ships was impossible and they would have to shift to smaller batteaux for this segment of the journey.

Prescott is located just a mile from Ogdensburg, New York, on the American side of the river and because of this, was especially vulnerable to military action.

Pretty Close to Have an Enemy. --Brock-Perry

This Date in the War of 1812: British Fort Wellington

From the Parks Canada site.

Two hundred years ago today, an American army led by General Wilkinson successfully passed by Fort Wellington on their way to attack Montreal.

"One consequence of the American Revolution was the emergence of a hostile country to the south of Great Britain's Canadian colonies." Upper Canada (present-day Ontario) was particularly at risk because of the St. Lawrence River between Kingston and Montreal which could be easily cutoff by the Americans on the south shore.

The declaration of war in 1812 caused the British to move fast to the area's defense and Fort Wellington was built at the town of Prescott.

Prescott was founded in 1784 by United Empire Loyalists who fled to Canada from the United States. The capture of Prescott would effectively close the St. Lawrence River.

Initially, local militia occupied two buuildings on the eastern edge of town and built a stockade around them. An advanced battery was built and mounted two 9-pounder cannons.

In December 1812, the commander of British North American forces ordered that a more permanent fort be built. A substantial one-story blockhouse enclosed in earthen ramparts was built over a two-year period.

The fort was never attacked but served as a staging area for regular troops and militia. Early in 1813 an attack was launched across the frozen St. Lawrence River on Odensburg, New York.

After the war, the garrison was gradually removed and the fort deterirated until it was abandoned in 1833. It was rebuilt in 1837.

The Story of a Fort. --Brock-Perry

McHenry County War of 1812 Burials-- Part 2

McHenry County, Illinois.

CRYSTAL LAKE CEMETERY, CRYSTAL LAKE:

N.B. Beardsley 10-6-1845; Newman Crabtree 12-1-1843; Wm. Huffman 12-15-1857; Wm. Kearnes 6-2-1845; George Thompson 7-27-1876

PIONEER CEMETERY: Abraham Dickinson 9-30-1848

FRANKLINVILLE CEMETERY: John Wilbur 6-26-1871; Joseph E. Mead 4-19-1864; Ira Waterman 5-7-1854

RICHMOND CEMETERY: Isaac Mead born 1793 died 1885; John Tebbetts 7-25-1877; William Faulkner 6-28-1881; William Tebbetts.

More Than I Knew. --Brock-Perry

More of a McHenry County War of 1812 Connection Than I Thought-- Part 1: Burials

From "McHenry County, Illinois, 1832-1968" edited by Lowell Albert Nye, 1968 Pages 31-40.

I live in McHenry County, but didn't think there was much of a connection with it and the war since Illinois didn't even become a state until 1819. But, land in Illinois Territory was offered to War of 1812 veterans as part of their pay and to get people to moving to the new territory. Many War of 1812 veterans did come to McHenry County and are buried here.

This information comes from a list of different war veterans buried at local county cemeteries (also given s date of death).

These are War of 1812 veterans:

HOLCOMBVILLE CEMETERY:

G.L. Beckley 10-27, 1884
George Brown
Elijah Waterman 10-21-1854

UNION CEMETERY, CRYSTAL LAKE:

William Jackman, 1871
Abner Mack 3-5-1872.

Many More to Come. --Brock-Perry

November 1813 Timeline-- Part 3: Wilkinson's Army On Way to Montreal and Jackson Wins At Battle of Talladega

NOVEMBER 6, 1813:

Major General James Wilkinson's army, carried in a flotilla of boats, is fired upon and forces a passage past the British Fort Wellington at Prescott, Upper Canada. Wilkinson continues his descent of the St. Lawrence River on his way to attack Montreal, Lower Canada.

NOVEMBER 9, 1813:

American troops under Major General Andrew Jackson defeat Red Stick Muscogee (Creek) fighters beseiging the friendly Muscogee (Creek) village of Talladega, Mississippi Territory. Known as the Battle of Talladega.

-- Brock-Perry

Paul Revere's Bell On the USS Constitution-- Part 2

Best-known for his "Midnight Ride" and his gold and silversmithing, Paul Revere, in his later life, got into manufacturing other metal products. He built an iron and brass foundry in 1787 at the corner of Lynn and Foster streets in Boston's North End. He produced iron products such as fire buckets and window weights. Then he branched out into bolts and spikes for shipbuilding and later cannons and bells.

In 1800, at the age of 65, Revere bought a copper rolling mill and became the first American to successfully roll copper into sheets commercially. The federal government used it on its warships and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts used his copper for the dome of its new statehouse. Robert Fulton used Revere's product on the boilers of his steamships.

In 1788, Revere had built a furnace to make copper spikes, bolts and other ship fittings.

Later, Paul Revere cast copper alloy bells. Before this, the U.S. imported its bells from England. Revere cast his first bell in 1792 and made a total of 398 in his North Boston foundry. Many of these bells are still in use in Boston today, including the one at King's Chapel which weighs 2437 pounds.

The bell of the USS Constitution was also one of his until it was shot away in the battle with the HMS Guerriere.

A "Listen My Children and You Shall Hear" of Revere's Midnight Bell. --Brock-Perry

Paul Revere's Bell On the USS Constitution-- Part 1

Last month, I wrote about the bell of the HMS Guerriere coming to Rhode Island last year and that it had been taken from the ship after its battle with the USS Constitution before the Guerriere sank.

During the battle,the Constitition's bell was destroyed and it had been made by Paul Revere's factory; the Paul Revere famous for his Midnight Ride to warn the Minutemen of the British Army marching out from Boston.

I knew that Revere was also a famous silversmith, but not that he had anything to do with making bells. Of course, that meant I had to do some research.

A Ringing In My Ears. --Brock-Perry

Time Line November 1813-- Part 2

MONTH OF NOVEMBER--

** British begin construction of a road in Upper Canada from Kempenfelt Bay on Lake Simcoe to Penetanguishene on Georgia Bay in order to open a supply route to Fort Mackinack, Michigan Territory, and points west.

This was built as an alternate to using Lake Erie after the Battle of Lake Erie earlier in the fall. Since I am a bit of an old road fan, I may have to do some more research into this road.

NOVEMBER 3RD American forces attack the Muscogee (Creek) Nation village of Tallushatchee, Mississippi Territory.

NOVEMBER 4TH: Britain offers the U.S. direct peace negotiations.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of Sag Harbor, NY-- Part 2

From the 7-12-13, Newsday (NY) "Fort from War of 1812 dedicated in Sag Harbor" by Mitchell Freedman.

Sag Harbor history buff David Thommen wants to right an oversight and that would be a War of 1812 battle that took place in his Sag Harbor that has been mostly overlooked. There just isn't much information on it, but he has been doing a lot of research and has come up with a history of it.

As a result of it, there wiill be a dedication for a long-gone fort on the town's High Street on July 13, 2013, the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Sag Harbor.

Several vessels carrying 100 British troops were spotted by a 16-year-old from Amagansett who warned the garrison at the fort (which may have been called Turkey Hill). That fort was manned by 60 militia and two cannons.

A Forgotten Battle In a Not-So-Forgotten War. --Brock-Perry

Sag Harbor Victory Observed

From the 7-11-13, Sag Harbor (NY) Express "War of 1812 Victory Observed in Sag Harbor" by Emily J. Weitz.

On July 11, 1813, five barges of British troops approached Sag Harbor. According to U.S. General Abraham Ross, they were met with a "reception so warm and spirited from our militia that they abandoned their formation and retreated."

The Americans had a strong fort on a hill with a 9-pound and 18-pound cannon. The British had about 100 men with them. Henry Green and John Gunn were sentinels on the wharf and spread the word that the British were coming.

The British wanted the port for its deep-water harbor They also had a blockade to prevent trade between New York and the rest of the world.

Yet another reason for the attack was that the five British ships off the coast needed provisions of food and fresh water.

The British landed and the Americans held their fire and opened a warm volley upon the British.

Just One of Those Battles That You Don't Hear About. --Brock-Perry

Timeline November 1813-- Part 1: Blockade Of Entire U.S. Eastern Seaboard Established

Events happening in November 1813:

***Arrival of British reinforcements, the 70th Regt., at Quebec, Lower Canada.

*** Naval reinforcements allow the British to blockade the entire U.S. eastern seaboard from New England to Florida. New England was not, however, blockaded, partly because of British dependence on trade with the region via New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I think another reason might have been because New England was the weak link in the American effort and perhaps the British were hoping for them to secede.

NOVEMBER 1-2: Skirmish at French Creek, New York. The British Navy from Kingston unsuccessfully attacks vessels bringing Maj. Gen. James Wilkinson's Army down the St. Lawrence River.

--Brock-Perry