Battle of New Orleans.

Thursday, December 31, 2015

The Restoration of Baltimore's Cannons-- Part 2

During the War of 1812, Patterson Park was a key defensive position at the Battle of Baltimore (part of which was the bombardment of Fort McHenry).  However, there is no evidence that these restored cannons were there at the time.  It is believed that the cannons were used elsewhere in the city's defense.

Restoration began in 2014 with funding provided by the Star-Spangled 200 grant program.  Taylor removed the oxidized and corroded metal, stabilizing the surface and removed the salt that had built up.  Many had evidently been under water at one time or another.

At the Battle of Baltimore, a British land attack was fended off which led to the bombardment of Fort McHenry.

At a banquet at the Belvedere Hotel in 1907, the Society of the War of 1812 presented the City of Baltimore with ten cannons dug up from the city streets after serving for years as curbs.  These were mounted at Patterson and Riverside parks and marked tghe positions of the Maryland militia at the battle.

--Brock-Perry

The Restoration of Baltimore's Cannons-- Part 1

From the August 12, 2015, Carroll County (Maryland) Times "New Windsor expert finishes restoration of Baltimore cannons" by Jacob de Nobel.

Forrest Taylor has a love of military history which eventually led to his making cannons.  For the past 15 years, he has run his Cannons Online, Inc, out of his home in New Windsor.  He specializes in making replica cannons and restoring old ones.

On Tuesday August 11, he unveiled the cannons at Baltimore's Patterson Park, now returned to their original state.  For one hundred years, Patterson Park has been adorned by rows of cannons that were used by children as their own special jungle gym.  Most people figured these cannons were reproduction ones.

But, the cannons all had signs of battle damage.  All were pre-War of 1812 vintage and manufacture dates were from the 1660s to late 1700s and were made in Sweden, France, England and America.

--Brock-Perry


Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Three Unforgettable Sounds from the War of 1812

From the June 4, 2015, Lebanon Daily News by Bruce Kauffmann.

1.  Francis Scott Key and that poem of his, later set to music.

2.  "Don't Give Up the Ship"  Spoken by James Lawrence in the battle of the USS Chesapeake vs. HMS Shannon.

3.  Oliver Hazard Perry  "Don't Give Up the Ship" flag at the Battle of Lake Erie and "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

--Brock-Perry

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Sackets Harbor Trail Added to NTS

From the June 6, 2015, Watertown (NY) Daily News "Sackets Harbor Trail added to National Trails System (NTS".

The Sackets Harbor Trail is at the eastern end of Lake Ontario in Northern New York andis among ten local and state trails being added to the NTS.

The Sackets Harbor Trail consists of a 3/4 mile loop and includes Sackets Harbor Battlefield History Trail.

The trail features both educational and recreational opportunities.

There are ten panels that describe the Battle of Sackets Harbor during the War of 1812 and the 1860s Naval Shipyard located there.

--Brock-Perry

Monday, December 28, 2015

Hurricanes: 1813 St. Marys, Georgia-- Part 5: Fernadina, Fla. Hit Too

"Gunboats ashore shouldn't be too damaged, a few new boats, 3 or 4 cables and anchors-- some canvas and carpenter work.

"The Gun Vessels and almost every Vessel on shore lay in the street.

"No. 6 lost rudder and channels.

"Nos 160 and 165 the ironwork of their rudder.

"The Saucy Jack, Privateer of Charleston, Laying Ready to sail is now laying high and dry on a marsh that must be at least five feet above the line of Low Tide.  She draws 14 feet, seven feet being the Common Rise.

"The town has suffered much.   Seven inhabited houses blown down but no lives lost.

"Fernadina has 20 houses blown down and every vessel in port drove on shore except a Swedish brig.  Considerable amount of mercantile property destroyed."

It Was Sure a Bad One.  --Brock-Perry


Saturday, December 26, 2015

Hurricanes: 1813 St. Marys, Georgia-- Part 3: Damage to Gunboats

Commodore Hugh Campbell continued with his damage report:

"(Gunboats) Nos. 160, 158, 63 and 165 are on shore above high water mark and should be gotten off with little damage.

"160 and 158 in ordinary.

"No. 3 Hospital Vessel parted her cable and drifted over a body of marsh about three miles and is now on Florida shore and hope to get her off.

"No. 168, John Hulbert, cmdr, is laying off the south end of Cumberland when hit ran for harbor at Fernandina and anchored above it but driven over a marsh about 7-7 miles from this place with loss of its mainmast."

And, There Was Still More to report.  --Brock-Perry

Friday, December 25, 2015

The Christmas Peace That Ensured Canada-- Part 2

"For Canada, the Treaty of Ghent forced the Americans to recognize the Canada-U.S. border as a legitimate boundary.  It ensured that Canada would survive as a separate entity from the United States.

"It also was the first sense for Canadians that they were indeed a separate entity, not Americans, and although closely tied to Britain, not really British either, but 'Canadians'..."

--Brock-Perry

The Christmas Peace That Ensured There'd Be a Canada-- Part 1

From the Dec. 24, 2015, Radio Canada International "Dec. 24, 1814: The Christmas peace that ensured 'Canada" by Marc Montgomery.

The British colonies of Upper and Lower Canada had successfully repelled U.S. forces intent on invading and conquering them since mid-1812.

That is when British and American delegates started meeting in Ghent to bring he war to an end.

The British initially thought they had the upper hand in negotiations and believed the United States woul;d conceded to them territory including present states of Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Wisconsin for a promised independent "Indian State.  They also wanted this to be a protective barrier against American westward expansion.

They were also hoping to get the boundaries of Canada extended to the southern shores of the Great Lakes and part of the present-day state of Maine (then a part of Massachusetts).

The American negotiators, however, would have nothing to do with those ideas.

The two sides eventually agreed on essentially what amounted to as status quo.


Thursday, December 24, 2015

Hurricanes: St. Marys, Georgia-- Part 2: Fate of the Gunboats

Commodore Hugh Campbell continued his report:

"Gun Vessel No. 164, Jno. R. Grayson, cmdr. had just returned from convoying troops to Beaufort, sunk at anchor-- 20 died of 26.Mr. Grayson and 2 others reached a marsh on the Florida side and survived the night.

"Mr. Lecompt, midshipman and 2 others were rescued from an old wreck 2 1/2 miles down the river.

"No. 161 in ordinary lies sunk above the harbor and hope to be able to raise it.

"No. 62, condemned at anchor and had men from vessels in ordinary, sank at anchor but no lives lost."

--Brock-Perry


Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Hurricanes in the War of 1812: 1813 Hurricane at St. Marys, Georgia-- Part 1

From the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Commodore Hugh G. Campbell wrote a letter to Secretary of the Navy Jones from St. Marys, Georgia,  on 18 September 1813:

"We had yesterday morning and night proceeding one of the most severe Gales I have ever witnessed--  It commenced about 6 p.m. at NNE and veered to NNW when it blew with the greatest force and continued until about 1 A.M. at which time the Tide, which had Risen to an uncommon hight ceased to flow, and for about one hour we were favored with a calm--

"About two o'clock the Gale recommenced, every Vessel in the harbor drove on shore or sunk at their moorings."

More to Come.  Brock-Perry

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

The Meaning of Galoot

The term "galoot" is an 1812 nautical term for a raw recruit or green hand.

Apparently it was originally a sailors contemptuous word for a soldier or Marine.

I use this term often to describe big, clumsy dogs or puppies and had no idea of its War of 1812 origin.

A War of 1812 Term.  -Brock-Perry

Monday, December 21, 2015

Historical Marker Dedicated in Richmond, Va.

From the Feb. 25, 2015, WBDC 16 News Delmarva "War of 1812 Historical Marker to be Dedicated Sunday" by Lauren Hottoway.

Richmond, Virginia.

A historical marker in suburban Richmond was dedicated.  It marks the site of a defensive camp established to protect the city from a possible British attack that never came.  It was never attacked or even threatened.

It is another stop on the War of 1812 Heritage Highway to link sites associated with the war in honor of the bicentennial.

The dedication was Sunday in Sandston.

--brock-Perry

Saturday, December 19, 2015

U.S. Facts About the War of 1812

From the June 5, 2013, CNN U.S. "By the numbers: U.S. war veterans."

I am doing this list in my Cooter's History Thing Blog which will cover all wars.

WAR OF 1812 (1812-1815)

Total in Service: 286,730

Casualties:  Dead-  2,260, Wounded--  4,505

Last veteran:  Hiram Cronk, died in 1905 at age 105.

--Brock-Perry

Marking the End of the War of 1812-- Part 2: Treaty Signers

The Treaty of Ghent was signed by both British and American officials on December 24, 1814.

Those signing it for the British were:

Anthony St. John Baker, secretary of the British delegation
William Adams, Admiralty lawyer
Henry Goulbourn, member of Parliament and Parliamentary Secretary of War and the Colonies.
Admiral Lord Gambier, Royal Navy and governor of Newfoundland.

Signing for the Americans:

John Quincy Adams, minister to Russia
Albert Gallatin, Secretary of Treasury
Christopher Hughes, Secretary of the U.S. Commission
James Bayard, lawyer and U.S. senator
Johnathan Russell, U.S. Representative in England
Henry Clay, Speaker of the House of Representatives and leader of the War Hawks.

--Brock-Perry

Marking the End of the War of 1812-- Part 1: Ceremonies

From the February 19, 2015, Niagara This Week by Melinda Cheevers.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.

Commemoration turned to celebration on Tuesday.  This took place in two parts.  There was a church service at St. Marks Anglican Church (used as a hospital during the war by both British and American troops).

Then there was a procession to the Court House for the signing of the Treaty of Peace, later known as the Treaty of Ghent.

It was signed in Ghent, Belgium at 6 p.m. on December 24, 1814, but actually not ratified by both the U.S. and Britain until February 17, 1815.

--Brock-Perry

Friday, December 18, 2015

Epraim Brevard Osborne, War of 1812 Medical Doctor

Buried in Salem Cemetery, Navarro County (or possibly Hill County)Medical doctor in the war and one of the few survivors of the Fort Mims Massacre.  His brother Spruce Osborne was killed there.  Ephraim was also at the Battle of New Orleans.

He married in 1818.

He died May 23, 1875, in Emmett, Navarro County.

A note from his son mentioned that Lt. Osborne was at Fort Mims and the Battle of New Orleans.  He added, "I have heard him tell of the breast works of cotton bales and of the dense fog that enveloped the whole face of the earth."

--Brock-Perry

Three War of 1812 Veterans Buried in Navarro County, texas

US Gen Web.

This site says that there are three War of 1812 veterans buried in Navarro County, Texas:

Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor--  District judge.  Born 1791, Died 1893.

Henry Griggs buried in Chatfield Cemetery.  (I have written about him earlier this week.)

Ephraim Brevard Osborne, MD, Salem Cemetery

I was not able to find Henry Griggs' name in the Find-a-Grave War of 1812 Veterans Buried in Texas.

--Brock-Perry

Thursday, December 17, 2015

The HMS Dauntless: The Real One

From Wikipedia.

This was the ship I wrote about in the Battle of Ice Mound earlier this week.

Launched in 1808 after being built at the Deptford Dockyard on the River Thames.  The ship was 422 tons, 108.4 feet, 29.7-foot beam, 121 crew and mounted 26 guns.

In November 1809 it escorted a convoy to the African coast and also escorted convoys to Russia.

In early 1814, it was sent to the Newfoundland Station.

On 22 May, the Dauntless and Cyane recaptured the Eolus.

With the end of the Napoleonic Wars and War of 21812, it was no longer needed and paid off in Portsmouth, but recommissioned in 1818 for service in the East Indies.  It was sold for breaking up in 1823.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Dauntless in Pirates of the Caribbean

The movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl" featured the HMS Dauntless as the Pride of the Royal Navy, but in search of pirates instead of Frenchmen or Americans.  It was certainly a scourge for Captain Jack Sparrow and Capt. Hector Barbosa.

The movie Dauntless was based on the HMS Victory, a 100-gun first rate ship-of-the-line.  It carried Governor Swann and his daughter Elizabeth from England to his post in the Caribbean.

--Brock-Perry

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 6: Texas

After his service was over, Henry Griggs returned to Hancock County, Georgia and married Nancy Ann Sturdivant on October 16, 1816.  her father had fought the British during the American Revolution.

They had a family and moved to Texas when it became a state.  They first settled in Grimes County and later moved to Chatfield.

Nancy Ann Griggs died in 1868 and Henry on December 27, 1871, having just celebrated his 78th birthday.
\
--Brock-Perry

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 5: "Calabee Night Fight"

In January 1814, Gen. John Floyd had recovered from his wound and began an advance again. He established Camp defiance near the first battle site.  Early on the morning of January 27, his command was caught by surprise in what became known as the "Calabee Night Fight."  After some extremely hard fighting, the Americans won the day thanks in large part to the action of their cavalry.

Accounts say the dragoons put "15 warriors to the sabre."

But, once again, despite the victory, Floyd withdrew again, then the six month enlistments were up and the end of Henry Griggs' military career.

--Brock-Perry

Monday, December 14, 2015

War of 1812 Veteran Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 4

On August 22, 1813, the Georgians marched into Indian Territory.

Most of them had no uniforms and wore civilian attire.  Most were armed with 69 caliber smoothbore muskets similar to those used during the American Revolution.  They were further armed with large knives, tomahawks and swords.

The force number 950 militia and another 450 friendly Indians.  General Floyd and his force fought two major engagements after crossing the Chattahoochee River and entered present-day Alabama.  Private Griggs was present for both.

The Battle of Autossee was on November 29, 1813, was an attack on a Creek Indian stronghold defended by 1500.  It was about half way between present day Tuskegee and Montgomery along the Tallapoosa River and Catabee Creek.  The Americans won, but General John Floyd was wounded and ordered his troops to retreat and reorganize.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veteran Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 3: Paid More for Horse Than Own Service

Floyd had four troops of cavalry in his command, about 175 men.  Among them were Henry Griggs and his Hancock County militia known as "Captain Duke Hamilton's Volunteer Troop of Light Dragoons."

In mid-August, the Georgia militia assembled and moved out against the Indians.  Their force consisted of infantry, cavalry and artillery.

Griggs and his company met the rest of the force at Milledgeville, then capital of Georgia..  There they were enlisted into federal service on Friday, August 20, 1813, for six months' duty.  Griggs actually served six months and fifteen days.

The Hancock cavalry were part of Major Frederick Freeman's four troop Cavalry Squadron.  Back then, militia men supplied their own horses and each man was paid an extra 40 cents a day for the use of their animal.   Griggs himself received $8 a month for his own service, coming to a total of $51.87.  His horse, however, received $78.40.

--Brock-Perry

Saturday, December 12, 2015

War of 1812 Veteran Henry Griggs to Be Honored-- Part 2

Henry Griggs was a private in the Georgia militia from Hancock County during the war and served on the southern Indian frontier.  The red Stick group of the Creek Indians in Georgia in the late spring and summer of 1813 started attacking white settlements and farms leading up to a massacre involving hundreds of militia and civilians.

Under Georgia Militia law, every county was divided into districts with each having about sixty men between the ages of 15 and 60.  Henry Griggs was in one, a cavalry unit referred to as dragoons.  When not at war, militia socialized on "muster day" when assembled for drills and parades.  There was often a barbecue that went along with the muster.

After the massacre, the United States government authorized Georgia's governor to raise 1500 militia to fight the Creeks.  They were to be commanded by Brigadier General John Floyd.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Veteran Henry Griggs Honored in Texas-- Part 1

From the Dec. 11, 2015, Corsicana (Rexas) Daily Sun "War of 1812 Veteran to be honored at Chatfield.

Henry Griggs will be honored at 2 p.m. December 13, tomorrow, at Old Chatfield Cemetery.  he was a Chatfield.  He is the only-known War of 1812 veteran buried in Navarro County, Texas.  He came to the county in his later years and died on 1871.

At the ceremony Sunday, historical plaques will be dedicated.  They are being erected by organizations of descendants of the War of 1812.  One is the Craig Austin Rowley Chapter of the General Society of the War of 1812.  The other is the John Cavet Chapter #39 of the United States Daughters of 1812.

They are assisted by the Chatfield Cemetery Association and the Hodge-Martin-Chatfield Museum.

--Brock-Perry

Friday, December 11, 2015

The Battle of Ice Mound-- Part 4: The Cannon "Becky Phipps"

The British tender was dismantled and sold at auction.    The 12 pdr. carronade was kept by the local community and named "Becca Phipps."  That would be names of the cook and British lieutenant.  The name of the gun became corrupted and today is called the "Becky Phipps."

It was fired for many years to celebrate special events   It exploded while being fired to celebrate Woodrow Wilson's election in 1912.  It was eventually repaired and put on public display in the early 1950s and nicely refurbished in 1999.

Today it can be seen after you cross the bridge on Taylors Island Road.

A Piece of the War of 1812 Right There.  --Brock-Perry

The Battle of the Ice Mound-- Part 3: British Surrender

The American militia closed to within 150 yards of the British and found extra large mounds of ice that could be used for protection against enemy fire, especially against their cannon, a small carronade.  They opened fire on the trapped Englishmen.

After a two hour exchange of fire, the British surrendered

Two of the British crew, including Lt. Phibbs, were taken to Easton and eventually to Baltimore.  The rest were put into jail near Madison.

After the battle, Private Stewart petitioned Congress for prize money and years later, he and his men received $1800 which they all split, a good-sized fortune back then.

--Brock-Perry

Thursday, December 10, 2015

The Battle of the Ice Mound-- Part 2

They stole 7 sheep, burned several vessels and captured a black man and a woman (a cook by the name Becca).  They started to return to their ship but the winter was very cold which resulted in a lot of draft ice.  They had to stop and spend the night on the lee shore of James Island.

The next morning they discovered they were trapped by ice that stretched all the way to the shore of Taylors Island.

The 48th Maryland Militia had an opportunity to attack them because of the ice.  Led by Private Joseph Stewart, an American force of about twice the size of the British group made their way across the ice.  Along the way they found clumps of ice stacked up because of the tides.

--Brock-Perry


The Battle of the Ice Mound-- Part 1: HMS Dauntless

From the Exploratorius Blog "Battle of Ice Mound: Reloaded.

The HMS Dauntless, one of 30 Comorant-class sloops of war, was launched in 1808 and sailed for Newfoundland, Canada on April 4, 1814.  It mounted sixteen 32-pdr. carronades, eight 18-pdr. carronades and two 6-pdr. long guns.

Ships like the Dauntless made life along the Chesapeake Bay miserable with raids against shore towns and watermen.

Not much is known about the Dauntless until it showed up in Maryland waters during the winter of 1814-1815.

On February 6, 1815, a tender from the ship commanded by Lt. Matthew Phibbs, one midshipman, 13 crew members and 3 Royal Marines raided Tobacco Stick (present-day Madison).

--Brock-Perry

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

North Carolina-Built Jeffrsonian Gunboats

From the NC1812 site.

Three were built in North Carolina.  Gunboat No. 166 was built in Smithville (now Southport) and later had its name changed to USS Alligator.

--Brock-Perry

British Fleet at Battle of Fort Peter, Jan. 13-14, 1815

From Wikipedia.

The British fleet consisted of 1 ship-of-the-line, 6 frigates, 2 bomb-vessels and two schooners.  British losses were 3 killed and 5 wounded.  U.S. losses were 1 killed, 4 wounded and 9 missing as well as two gunboats captured.

British Ships:

Albion
Dragon--74-guns
Regulus--  44-guns
Brune-- 56-guns
Severn--  40-guns
Hebrus--  36-guns
Rota--  38-guns

Primrose--  18 guns
Terror and Devastation, 8-guns each (bomb-vessels)
Canso and Whiting--  12-guns (schooners)

--Brock-Perry



Tuesday, December 8, 2015

St. Marys to Observe 200th Anniversary of Its Battle-- Part 2

The British drove 90 or so Americans from the fort.  Its commander, Captain Abraham M. Massias, reported 14 casualties and retreated north.  The British burned the fort and moved inland, also burning the property of Archibald Clark whose historic home is still on Osborne Street.

The British remained until February, leaving either when they learned of the war's end or the continuing skirmishes with American troops.

The U.S. senate ratified the Treaty of Ghent on February 18, 1815, officially ending the war.

Saturday's event will be held next to Oak Grove Cemetery at the corner of St. Marys and Bartlett streets.

A St. Marys History Walk trail is going to be built.

--Brock-Perry

St. Marys to Observe 200th Anniversary of Its Battle-- Part 1

From the Jan. 11, 2015, Florida Times Union "St. Marys to observe 200th anniversary of its battle in War of 1812" by Jared Keever.

"Historians sometimes have a hard time marking the exact date of the end of the War of 1812."  It took place, however, in St. Marys and that city will observe what is also referred to as the Battle of Point Peter, one of the last known battles of the war. The commemoration will begin Saturday.

On Jan. 10, 1815, the British landed about 1500 Marines on the north end of Cumberland Island, Georgia, and later attacked a small wooden fort outside St. Marys called Fort St. Peter on Jan. 13.

--Brock-Perry

Monday, December 7, 2015

Day of Infamy 74 Years Ago-- Part 2: Iowa Pearl Harbor Survivor Sails On

From the Nov. 17, 2015, Newton (Iowa) Daily News "A native son sails on.  Leland Lester, Colfax native and Pearl Harbor survivor, passes away at age 94" by James W. Brooks.

One of Iowa's last Pearl Harbor survivors died at age 94 on Nov. 14th.  He was raised in rural Colfax and joined the Navy at age 19.  Aboard the USS Pennsylvania when the attack came and he later served on the USS California.  He didn't talk about his war experiences for a long time, but then began making appearances in local schools to tell.

There are now perhaps just two Pearl Harbor survivors remaining in Iowa: Bob Ulrich of Lisbon and Clarence Pfundheller of Audubon.  Harlan J. Searle of Mason City died in April at age 93.

Day of Infamy 74 Years Ago-- Part 1: Louisiana Pearl Harbor Survivor Dies in 2014

From the Feb, 18, 2014, Nola Times-Pacayune (New Orleans) "Pearl Harbor survivor Robert Templet of Metairie dies at 93."

At age 21 Robert Templet was a radioman 3rd class stationed at Ford Island.  He died February 18th and was one of the last three known Pearl Harbor survivors in the New Orleans area.

He enlisted in New Orleans on August 30, 1940.  His father and two other brothers had enlisted earlier.  he was turned away the first time he attempted to join as he was two pounds too light (minimum weight accepted was 125 pounds).Officers told him to go to the banana wagon on Canal Street and eat some and drink some water and return. He did and he made it.

Mr. Templet described December 7th as "a beautiful, beautiful day" as far as the weather.  He spent the day at the radio transmitting messages for his commanding officer.

He was a member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.


Saturday, December 5, 2015

Marblehead in the War of 1812-- Part 2: Fortifying

Both the USS Essex and USS Constitution had many sailors from Marblehead in their crews as did privateers from Salem.

There was a distinct danger to Marblehead from the sea.  It was decided at a Town Meeting to reinforce the arsenal and Fort Sewall at the mouth of the harbor which had been neglected and falling into disrepair ever since the Revolution.

To protect Little Harbor, Fountain Park was fortified with a battery of cannons as designated as Fort Washington.

A 42-pounder was placed at Skinner's Head (now Glover's Landing).  Smaller cannons were placed at Goodwin's Head and Gilberts Heights.  Guards were stationed at Marblehead Neck.

--Brock-Perry

Marblehead and the War of 1812-- Part 1: Unpopular War, Privateers

From the Dec. 31, 2014,Wicked Local "Marblehead 101: Marblehead and the War of 1812" by Pam Robertson.

The war of 1812 was not popular in the state of Massachusetts or New England.  It hurt their maritime business interests with the constant threat of British seizure of their ships..  The town of Marblehead was still struggling with poverty as a result of the Revolutionary War 30 years prior.

However, many of its captains became privateers under letters of marque received from President Madison. This gave them the right to capture foreign ships and confiscate their cargoes.

Some of Marblehead's privateers:

CONCORDIA--  owned by the Blackler family and John Pedrick

ORIENT

BETSEY--  captured off Newfoundland

--Brock-Perry

Friday, December 4, 2015

Historic Battle of New Orleans Stamp Issued Back in January-- Part 2

Continued from January 6, 2015.

The Battle of New Orleans will have a re-enactment January 9-Jan 11th in which 1500 British and Americans will have encampments in Chalmette, where the battle took place.

They will act out five of the different battles that took place during the New Orleans Campaign.  This will take place about a mile away from the federal Chalmette Battlefield where the battle actually took place.  re-enactments are not allowed on federal battlefields.

I wish they would be allowed, however.

--Brock-Perry


Wednesday, December 2, 2015

The USS Constitution at Washington Navy Yard-- Part 1

From the May 18, 2015, "Lost Capitol Hill: The USS Constitution" by Robert Pohl.

He was looking for the connection between this famous U.S. warship and Washington Navy Yard  He found that it was only at the outbreak of the War of 1812 that the Constitution ever came to that yard.  It was one of six frigates authorized by Congress in 1794 and began building in Boston the next year, being launched Oct. 21, 1797.

It served in the Quasi-War with France and the First Barbary War.  In the latter it was overseas for four years and had one of the peace treaties signed on board and transported the memorial back to the U.S..  Once back in the U.S., she was overhauled and returned to duty.  In June 1810, Isaac Hull became its commander.  he was in command during the ship's most important engagements of the War  of 1812.

Brock-Perry

Seven Times the U.S.-Canada Border Wasn't So Peaceful

From the June 30, 2015, History site by Christopher Klein.

I am just listening the events and dates.  he goes into bigger detail.

1.  The American Revolution(1995)

2.  War of 1812 (1812-1814)

3.  Patriot War (1838)

4.  Pork & Beans War (1838-1839)

5.  Pig War (1859)

6.  Fenian Raids (1866-1871)

7.  Cypress Hills Massacre  (1873)

--Brock-Perry

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

War of 1812 Memorial for Marines Now Has Names-- Part 2

After the battle of Lake Erie, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's vessels returned to Put-in-Bay on September 11, 1813 and prepared for the journey back to Erie, Pennsylvania.

Ten days later, the USS Lawrence was transporting sick and wounded from the Battle of Lake Erie and Dr. Usher Parsons, a surgeon on the ship, noted in his journal that the two Marines died of typhus near what is now Avon Lake.

Bill Krejci and John Shondel are now working on getting veterans headstones for the men at the cemetery.

Relatives of both men have been contacted as well.


War of 1812 Memorial for Marines Now Has Names-- Part 1: The Battle of Lake Erie

From the September 23, 2015, Lorain County (Ohio) Chronicle-Telegram by Jon Wysochanski.

Two hundred and two years ago, two Marines who sustained major injuries at the Battle of Lake Erie, were buried at sea.  Tuesday these two men were honored at Lakeshore Cemetery where they are believed to have been buried after their bodies washed up on shore.

For years a local legend spoke of the two men being found by a passerby on a supply trail that is now Lake Road, who buried them.

They went unnamed until local au Bill Krejci delved into the story and discovered their names.

Henry Van Poole and Richard Williams were privates in the U.S.M.C., serving in a detachment under Lt. John Brooks Jr.

--Brock-Perry