Woods Fort, Missouri: Built By Nathan Boone and His Men

From the Great River Road.com.

Captain Nathan Boone's (youngest son of Nathaniel Boone) company of U.S. Mounted Rangers built a series of forts to protect Missouri from Indian attacks.

Woods Fort was built at the Cottle/Woods settlement and was an almost square stockade made of strong oak timbers set perpendicular in the ground and extending to a height to afford protection from attack.

Woods Fort was the most extensive fort in the region near St. Louis and enclosed the spring, cabins, Woods Tavern and Inn and Deacon Cottle's Universal Church.  During the War of 1812, the fort served as the headquarters for Lieutenant Zachary Taylor, later the 12th U.S. president.

The settlement around Woods Fort eventually became Troy,  Missouri.

The Sac/Fox Treaty of 1815-1816 ended hostilities with the Indians.

--Brock-Perry

Woods Fort, Mo.-- Part 3: A Square Stockade

From the City of Troy site.

 Settlers built the square stockade known as Woods Fort near the corner of Maone and Boone streets.

The stockade stretched 70 yards north and included the home of Zadock Woods.  It extended  east to include the home of Joseph Cottle.

--Brock-Perry

Woods Fort, Missouri-- Part 2: Forts and the Battle of Sink Hole

To defend themselves against Indian attack, pioneers of the area (now Lincoln County) built several forts in the area, including Woods Fort, Fort Howard, Fort Stout, Fort Clark and Fort Cap au Gris.

Major Zachary Taylor's command rendezvoused at Woods Fort in September 1814.  Five months later thy did the same at Fort Howard.  Black Hawk's band on Indians skirmished with settlers and the U.S. Mounted Rangers at the Battle of Sink Hole.

--Brock-Perry

Woods Fort, Present-Day Troy, Mo.-- Part 1: Named After Zaddock Woods

From Waymarking.

In the last post I mentioned the U.S. Mounted Rangers being based at Woods Fort in 1815, present-day site of Troy, Missouri.

Woods Fort was where settlers gathered for protection from the Indians (primarily Sac and Fox Indian tribes) during the War of 1812.  It was the headquarters of Lieutenant Zachary Taylor (later U.S. president).

Troy was laid out on the site of Woods Fort in 1819.  Before whites came to the area, it was the site of an old Sac and Fox Indian camp.  The first white settlers to the area were Joseph Cottle and Zadock Woods and they built their cabins there in 1810.

--Brock-Perry

St. Charles, Mo. & War of 1812-- Part 5: Death of James Callaway

In early march 1815, a detachment of the Rangers headed north out of Camp Clemson to recapture horses taken by the Indians.  They succeeded in doing this, but as they were returning they were attacked by Indians at Loutre Creek.  At least four Americans were killed, including James Callaway.

Afterwards, his father and a group of men traveled to the site and buried him.

By June, the company was operating further north out of Woods Fort where the town of Troy was later established.  This is where William Becknell was discharged at the rank of ensign after two years of service.

Later that year, he hire a lawyer to get money owed him for his second year of service.  Becknell considered it to be $601 that he was owed.

--Brock-Perry

St. Charles, Mo. & the War of 1812-- Part 4: War on the Frontier Did Not End With Treaty of Ghent

Even after the War of 1812 ended with the Treaty of Ghent, the war along the frontier with the Indians continued.

During the winter of 1814-1815, Captain James Callaway and the U.S. Mounted Rangers operated from Camp Clemson on Loutre (Otter) Island located where the Loutre Creek enters the Missouri River.  This is where present-day Hermann is located.

North of this place was the home of the Sac and Fox Indian tribes.

--Brock-Perry

St. Charles, Mo. & the War of 1812-- Part 3: Battle of Credit Island

William Becknell witnessed a conversation between Benjamin Howard and James Callaway where Howard either borrowed $400 from Callaway or had somehow ended up indebted to Callaway.  This came up in litigation several years later.

Shortly afterwards, the U.S. Mounted Rangers traveled up the Mississippi River to the Rock River in present day Quad-Cities, where the Battle of Credit island took place September 4 and 5.  The American force was led by General Zachary Taylor and was defeated forcing a retreat down the Mississippi River to Fort Johnson, located where the state boundaries of Missouri, Illinois and Iowa meet.

Benjamin Howard returned to St. Louis, but fell sick along the way and died soon afterward.

--Brock-Perry

St. Charles & War of 1812-- Part 2: Benjamin Howard

William Becknell was appointed ensign by order of General Benjamin Howard.  James Callaway at the same time was appointed captain of the company of U.S. Mounted Rangers.

In 1810, Benjamin Howard had been appointed governor of the Louisiana Territory by President Madison.  That territory was later renamed the Missouri Territory.  In 1812, he resigned his position to become a brigadier general and assumed command of American troops west of the Mississippi River, including the U.S. Mounted Rangers.

Becknell and his company then spent the majority of the next two years in service northwest of St. Charles, Mo. in an area between the Missouri and the Mississippi rivers.

In the mid-summer of 1814, the company was at Cap au Gris, where the Cuivre River flows into the Mississippi near present-day Troy.

--Brock-Perry

St. Charles (Mo.) & the War of 1812: A Boone Connection

From the World of Hannah Chribbs Evans blog.

The St. Charles militia was commanded by Nathan Boone.  They were replaced by a company of U.S. Mounted Rangers.

By 1813 that company was led by Captain Daniel Morgan Boone and Lt. James Callaway.   The two Boones were the sons of famous frontiersman Daniel Boone, who was then living at Femme Osage Creek, twenty miles southwest of St. Charles.

Lt. Callaway was the son of Flanders and Jemima Boone Callaway, and the grandson of Daniel Boone.

A Daniel Here, A Daniel There.  --Brock-Perry

Benjamin Howard (Missouri)-- Part 3: Where Is He Buried?

Unfortunately, while returning from the attack on Peoria, Howard fell ill and died in St. Louis, Missouri territory on September 18, 1814.  He was originally buried at an unknown site, but likely somewhere in downtown St. Louis.

Later, he was moved to the Old Grove Church graveyard, north of downtown sometime between 1817 and 1844.

Then, he was allegedly reinterred at Bellefontaine Cemetery sometime after 1851, but that cemetery has no record of it.

Find-a-Grave lists him as being buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Howard (Missouri)-- Part 2: Attack on Peoria

The Louisiana Territory for which Benjamin Howard was governor was renamed the Missouri Territory in June 1812.

He resigned his post as governor in the War of 1812 and became a brigadier general in the 8th Military Department.  He and Nathan Boone (Daniel Boone's youngest son) attacked Sac and Fox villages in Illinois and established Fort Clark by Peoria.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Howard (Missouri)-- Part 1

 From Wikipedia.

Benjamin Howard moved along the Mississippi River with Col. Benjamin Stephenson in an attempt to clear the Indians out.

1760-September 18, 1814

Congressman from Kentucky, first governor of Missouri Territory, brigadier general War of 1812.

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, then part of Virginia and graduated 1797 from College of William and Mary.  Served in the 10th and 11th Congresses from Kentucky.  On April 17, 1810, was appointed by President James Madison to be governor of Louisiana Territory (the part of the Louisiana Purchase north of the present day state of Louisiana.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 10: Dispersing the Indians

They found a deserted Sac village near modern-day Quincy, Illinois,.  They then  marched  east to the Illinois River and followed it to Peoria.

From there they went north to Gomo's village which they found to also be deserted.

There were no battles in the campaign, but it did disperse the Indians and forestalled further attacks.

The force returned to Fort Russell near Edwardsville by late October 1813.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 9: More Indian Problems

But in 1813, problems with the Indians resurfaced in the Illinois Territory as there were scattered attacks in Illinois as well as in the Missouri Territory.

By August 1813, General Benjamin Howard of Missouri had gathered both Illinois and Missouri Rangers and militia.  The Illinois militia was commanded by Benjamin Stephenson.  Howard's army of 1,400 marched north along the Mississippi River.

Howard's men were on the west side of the river while Stephenson was on the east.

--Brock-Perry

--

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 8: The American Attack on the Peoria Villages

On October 18, 1812, Gov. Edwards and 400 mounted troops marched out of Fort Russell and burned two Kickapoo villages on the Saline Fork of the Sangamon River, present-day Springfield, Illinois.

They then turned west and marched to Peoria where they attacked Kickapoo, Miami and Potawatomi villages.  They burned the villages down and destroyed all the provisions, making prospects for winter survival much less.  They also captured 80 horses, took four prisoners and killed between 24 and 30 Indians.

They returned to Fort Russell on November 1 and the militia was released.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson-- Part 7: Edwards Organizes Punitive Expedition Against Indians

Ninian Edwards negotiated with the Potawatomie Chief Gomo, but these negotiations broke down.  Raids and confrontations between small groups of settlers and Indians continued through 1811.  In 1812, the fall of Fort Dearborn (Chicago) and subsequent massacre galvanized public opinion and outrage.

Governor Edwards decided there should be an expedition against the Indians at Peoria Lakes.  Troops from Kentucky were expected to join the expedition but didn't show up.  Edwards had mounted rangers under Col. William Russell of Kentucky, hero of the Battle of King's Mountain during the American Revolution.

Fort Russell by Edwardsville was named for him.

Also in Edwards' force were militia commanded by Charles (Nelson?)  Rector and the newly promoted to colonel Benjamin Stephenson.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson=-- Part 6: A Line of Blockhouses Across the Illinois Territory

From the Benjamin Stephenson House Site "The War of 1812 and Indian Threat."

In the early days of the Illinois Territory, Indians posed a definite threat to white settlement.  The fact that the British constantly meddled in Indian affairs trying to stir them up, made matters worse.

When Ninian Edwards, for whom Edwardsville is named, became territorial governor in 1809, he organized and strengthened the territory's militia.  Benjamin Stephenson was appointed brigade commander of the militia and later became adjutant.

One of the first things Stephenson did was to build a line of blockhouses across the state from east to west.  This line was anchored by Fort Russell, just north of Edwardsville.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson-- Part 5: Very Involved in Edwardsville's Economy

In April 1816 he was appointed Receiver of U.S. Land Office in Edwardsville and held that post until his death in 1822.  In 1818, he was a delegate to Illinois' First Constitutional Convention.  In 1819 he was founder and first president of the Bank of Edwardsville and also held that position until his death.

He was buried at Lusk Cemetery in Edwardsville.

His house, which was built in 1820, still stands and now operates as a museum and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

On his grave he is listed as "Colonel Illinois Militia Rangers War of 1812."

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson-- Part 4: Militia and U.S. House of Representatives

During the War of 1812, he was appointed commander of a regiment of territorial militia with the rank of colonel.  He took part in two campaigns and later was appointed adjutant general.

In September 1814 he was elected as an Illinois Territorial, non-voting, member of the U.S. House of Representatives and served a partial term to March 1815.  Then, he was elected to a full term March 1815 to March 1817..

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson-- Part 3: Very Important in Early Illinois History

From Find-A-Grave.

July 8, 1769 to October 10, 1822

Buried at Lusk Cemetery in Edwardsville, Illinois.

U.S. Congressman.  Lived in Virginia and Kentucky before moving to Randolph County in Illinois Territory in 1809.  Later appointed Randolph County's first sheriff by Territorial Governor Ninian Edwards.  The two men became good friends for the rest of their lives.

Moved to Edwardsville in Madison County and operated a general store and other businesses.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 2

He served as representative from Illinois Territory in the U.S. Congress 1814-1816 and was representative to the convention that wrote the first Illinois Constitution in 1818.

In 1820 he built the house that still stands and is believed to be the oldest standing house in the state.

Benjamin Stephenson died October 10, 1822 and is buried in Edwardsville.

Stephenson County in Illinois, in the northern part of the state, is named for him.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 1

On Saturday,. April 7, I wrote about the War of 1812 muster taking place at the Stephenson House in Edwardsville, Illinois, on April 14.  I am familiar with this town because it is on Route 66, but i didn't know about the Stephenson House so did some more research.

From Wikipedia.

Colonel Benjamin Stephenson was a prominent citizen and politician.  Born 1769 in Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia in 1788, then moved to Kentucky and to the Illinois Territory in 1809.

He was an Illinois militia colonel and commanded a regiment in the War of 1812.  In 1813, he was appointed adjutant of the Illinois militia.

--Brock-Perry

Grave of Jacob Nicholas Jones, USN

Last week in a post on the Lewes, Delaware, War of 1812 Heritage Trail, I wrote about the Ryves Holt House which at one time was the home of the famous Commodore Jacob Nicholas Jones, hero of the USS Wasp-HMS Frolic battle in the war.

He is buried in the Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery in Wilmington, Delaware.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Memorial Park in Lewes, Delaware-- Part 2: The First City in the First State

From the City of Lewes site, which bills itself as "The First Town in the First State."

 Located downtown by the entrance to the Otis Smith City Docks.  Also known as "The Cannonball Park" at the corner of Savannah Road and Front Street, along the Lewes-Reheboth Canal.

The park commemorates the defense of Lewes during a two-day British bombardment April 6-7, 1813.  Many of the cannonballs fired by the British were collected by local residents and preserved to this day.

The site was where a battery was located during the attack and is marked by a granite monument.

The four large guns are from the U.S. government and the small gun is believed to be from a pirate vessel found abandoned in the creek.  There is also a 3-inch World War I naval gun on the lower terrace of the park that was placed there by the American Legion in 1930.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Memorial Park in Lewes, Delaware

From TripAdvisor.

Located on Front Street and Canal Street across from the post office and the Cannonball House in Lewes, Delaware.    One reader said his kids enjoy the cannon and a dock that is popular with fishermen and a good place to watch cruising boats.  Located in downtown Lewes, right by shopping.

Has authentic War of 1812 cannons.

So, get Your History and Shopping Too.  --Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Military Muster in Edwardsville

From the April 6, 2018, Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer  "Military muster marks bicentennial: by Carol Arnett.

This is being held to mark the 200th anniversary of Illinois becoming a state in 1818 as well as the War of 1812 and will take place at the historic Edward Stephenson House, (built in 1820) in Edwardsville.  There will be tours of the house and 20 re-enactors present who will be portraying War of 1812 American soldiers.

A lecture on Colonial-era medicine and their uses will be given at 2 p.m..

--Brock-Perry

British Flag Captured in War of 1812 On Display at USNA Museum

From the April 6, 2018, Annapolis (Md) Patch  "British Flag Captured In War Of 1812 To Go On Display"

Viewing of a British Royal Standard flag will take place at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Museum in Dahlgren Hall April 7.  It flew over York (now Toronto) Canada and was captured by U.S. forces during the War of 1812.

Both Congressional and Presidential Directives require the USNA to preserve and exhibit captured flags.

This will be the first time this particular flag has been seen by the public since the 1880s when it was "lost,"  The flag is 35' by 25' in size.

The museum has over 60,000 items and several War of 1812 flags.  Among its flag collection are 200 battle flags and over 600 flags altogether.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail, Lewes, Delaware-- Part 4: Fisher House and Churches

**Henry Fisher House--  American Revolution hero.  The house was sold to Colonel Samuel Boyer Davis who was living there when he commanded the defense of Lewes in the War of 1812.

**  Presbyterian Church--  has a communion service given to it by Col. Samuel Davis.  Two Delaware governors are buried there.

**  Saint Peter's Episcopal Church--  Four Delaware governors are buried here.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail-- Part 3: Lightships and Commodore Jones

**  Overfalls Lightship, given to Lewes Historical Society in 1973.  The last lightship still functioning on the east coast.  In service 1892-9161.  One of only 17 lightships still afloat and there was once 179.

**  Blockhouse Pond--  site of an American encampment during most of the War of 1812.

**  Ryves-Holt House-- believed to be the oldest house in Delaware.  Dating to 16685, was once a colonial inn.  Commodore Jacob N. Jones once lived here.  He received much acclamation for his defeat of the HMS Frolic in his ship, the USS Wasp.  (He is buried in Wilmington, Delaware's Wilmington and Brandywine Cemetery.)

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail-- Part 2: Lewes 1812 Memorial Park

Some of the sites on the trail:

**  1812 Memorial Park.  Was a defense battery during the Battle of Lewes.  Has a granite monument placed there by the National Society U.S. Daughters of 1812.

The four cannons in the upper lumps were given to Lewes by the government.  A smaller gun by them is believed taken from a pirate vessel found abandoned in the creek.  There is also a World War I 3-inch naval gun placed at the park by the American Legion in 1930.

**  Across the street from the park is The Cannonball House, erected before 1797  It was the home of David Rowland and struck by cannonballs during the British attack on Lewes April 6-7, 1813.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Heritage Trail in Delaware-- Part 1: An Eagle Scout's Work

While looking up more information on New Castle, Delaware, in the War of 1812, I came across mention of this trail.

It is an eight mile hiking trail established recently by  Eagle Scout Conor Small of Troop 2540, Lewes, Delaware.  It is a tour of key locations and buildings used during the War of 1812, including the 1812 Memorial Park.

--Brock-Perry

Thomas Stockton-- Part 2: War of 1812 Veteran and Delaware Governor

Continued from March 19, 2018, post.

As a member of the Delaware militia, Stockton took part in the attack on Fort George on the Niagara River and was at the Battle of Lundy's Lane.  Eventually he was promoted to major in the 42nd Infantry.  he retired from service in 1825.

In 1844, he was elected governor of the State of Delaware where he served until his death in 1846.  He was the sixth Delaware governor to die in office.

A member of the Society of Cincinnati, he was buried at Immanuel Episcopal Church.  Several of his sons and grandson served in the Civil War.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Delaware in the War of 1812

From Wikipedia.

On Pea Patch Island in the Delaware River.

After the island was given to the federal government by Delaware for the construction of a fortification, not a whole lot was done during the war.  What was done was directed largely by Captain Samuel Babcock, who also worked on the defenses of Philadelphia.

A seawall and dykes were built around the island but there was no evidence that an actual fort of any sort was on the island when the war ended.  A martello tower was planned for it.

Construction of a star fort began on the island December 8, 1817.  Chief engineer Joseph Totten designed the fort.

--Brock-Perry

New Castle, Delaware

From Wikipedia.

Named Fort Nieuw-Amstel after the Dutch captured it, but it in turn was seized by the British in 1664, when they seized the whole New Netherlands Colony.

Arsenal On the Green was built in 1809, a one-story, windowless building, erected in anticipation of war with England.   At the time, it housed weapons and ammunition.   It has had many uses since then and currently is the home of the New Castle Historical Society.

In 1830, it was no longer used for military storage, but did house soldiers while Fort Delaware was under construction..  During one cholera outbreak, it was used as a hospital.  Today it also houses a restaurant/banquet facility.

--Brock-Perry