George Armistead-- Part 2: Entered Army During Quasi-War with France

From Wikipedia.

April 10, 1780- April 25, 1818

American military officer.  Commander of Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore.

Born at Newmarket Plantation in Caroline County, Virginia (now the town of Milford )  Newmarket Plantation apparently still stands and is in use.

His military career began during the Quasi War with France when he was commissioned an ensign in the 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment on January 14, 1799.  He became a second lieutenant on March 3, 1799 and 1st lieutenant May 14, 1800.

After the Quasi War, the Army was reduced in strength and Armistead was discharged June 15, 1800.

--Brock-Perry

George Armistead-- Part 1: Commander of Fort McHenry

Well, what about the commander of Fort McHenry, the one who wanted the giant garrison flag which became "The Star-Spangled Banner?"

From Find-A-Grave.

Born 10 April 1780 in Caroline County, Virginia.

Death 25 April 1818 (age 38)  Baltimore County, Maryland

Buried Old St. Pauls Cemetery, Baltimore.

United States Army Officer.  Served as Major and commander of Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland.  He was in command of the Fort in the War of 1812 when the British unsuccessfully attempted to force its capitulation by a naval artillery bombardment.

The attack was witnessed by Francis Scott Key, who immortalized it in the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner."  Major Armistead was the uncle of Civil War Confederate General Lewis Armistead, who is buried next to him.

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 7: Eben Appleton and Georgianna Appleton

Eben Appleton donated the flag with the request that it always remain on view for the public.

From Find-A-Grave.

Full Brock-Perryname:  Ebenezer Stuart "Eben" Appleton.

Born 19 August 1845 in Baltimore.  Death 1 June 1925.

Buried at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York.

Mother Georgeanna Louise Frances Armistead.  Born 1817, Died 25 July 1878.  Buried Old St. paul's Cemetery, Baltimore

Given the Fort McHenry flag by her father, Lt. Col. George Armistead.  The flag was presented to the Massachusetts Historical Society.  (Not sure about this.)

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 6: Eben Appleton

From the Star-Spangled Banner, Smithsonian.

Eben Appleton was a New York stockbroker who inherited the Star-Spangled Banner upon his mother's death in 1878.  The flag had received a lot of publicity in the 1870s which had transformed it  into a national treasure.  Eben Appleton received a whole lot of requests to lend it for patriotic occasions.  He did lend it to the City of Baltimore for its sesquicentennial in 1880.

After that he became concerned about the flag's deteriorating condition so he began keeping it in a safe deposit box in New York City.

In 1907, he loaned it to the Smithsonian and in 1912 converted it into a gift.

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 5: Three More Fragments

From Natural Museum of American History, Smithsonian.

The museum has three fragments of the Star-Spangled Banner that were presented to William Carter bybalt Major Armistead's grandson, Eben Appleton.  Carter was a local historian who carried the flag in a parade during Baltimore's Sesquicentennial Celebration 13 October 1880.

The flag was later being packed for shipment to New York and Appleton cut off three pieces and gave them to Carter.  Later, Carter's daughter gave the pieces to the Maryland Historical Society who later donated them to the Smithsonian.

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 4: 25-Hour Bombardment and Gifted to the Smithsonian

The British fleet bombarded Fort McHenry for 25 hours between September 13-14, 1814.  When they were unable to force the fort to surrender, the attack ended and they sailed off.  The flag was still flying.

This so impressed Francis Scott Key that he wrote his famous poem "The Defence of Fort McHenry."  This became the "Star-Spangled Banner" that we know today.

The flag that flew there at the end of the bombardment became a significant artifact, yet remained in the possession of Major Armistead and later, his family.  He was promoted to brevet lieutenant-colonel for his action.

Eben Appleton, his grandson, inherited the flag in 1878.  In 1907, he loaned it to the Smithsonian Institution and in 1912 made it a formal gift.

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 3: Original Size Was 30 by 42 Feet

Mary Pickershill stitched the flag using a combination of cotton and dyed English wool.  She was assisted by her daughter, 2 nieces and a black indentured servant.

The flag consisted of fifteen horizontal red and white stripes and fifteen white stars on a blue field, that according to the Flag Act of 1794 when Vermont and Kentucky entered the Union.

The flag was originally 30 by 42 feet and each star was two feet in diameter.  After the battle, the Armistead family occasionally would give away pieces as souvenirs and gifts.  This and deterioration of the flag over the years has resulted in the loss of several feet.  It now measures 30 by 34 feet.

And, there are just 14 stars, the 15th was given as a gift and unfortunately the recipient or whereabouts is unknown.

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 2: The Great Garrison Flag

The larger of the two flags made for Armistead is referred to as the Great Garrison Flag and it was the largest battle flag ever flown up until that time.

The smaller one was known as the Storm Flag and was more durable and less prone to fouling in inclement weather.

The flag was most likely sewn by Mary Young Pickersgill, a noted Baltimore seamstress.  She received a government commission to make it in 1813.  Cost of the flags was $405.90.  Major George Armistead specifically wanted "a flag so large that the British would have no difficulty seeing it from a distance."

--Brock-Perry

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag-- Part 1: The Great Garrison Flag

From Wikipedia.

The Star-Spangled Banner Flag is also referred to as the Great Garrison Flag and flew during the naval portion of the Battle of Baltimore.  This is the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write his poem "Defence of Fort McHenry."

This was retitled using words near the end of the first stanza.  It was set to music to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" by John Stafford Smith.

When it became apparent that the British were going to attack Baltimore, the fort's commander, Major George Armistead expressed the desire for a very large flag to fly over the fort.

General John S. Stricker and Commodore Joshua Barney placed an order with a prominent Baltimore flagmaker to make two large flags.

--Brock-Perry

Fabric from "Star-Spangled Banner" Goes to Auction-- Part 3: Pieces Given to Cornelius Attwood for Civil War Service.

These two pieces of the flag were given to General Attwood for his service with the  25th Massachusetts in the Civil War.  There are also other flag fragments from flags associated with him.  The scraps in question from the Fort McHenry flag were probably given to him by his friend George Preble who looked after the flag in the 1870s.

About eight feet of the original Fort McHenry flag is gone and believed to have been given to war heroes,

Cornelius Gilbert Attwood was given the pieces which were taken care of by him and his family ever since.

The auction was May 11.

--Brock-Perry

Fabric from "Star-Spangled Banner" Goes To Auction-- Part 2: Two Pieces

Major George Armistead had commissioned a local Baltimore woman named Mary Pickersgill to make two flags for Fort McHenry.  The largest one was flown the morning after the British bombardment.  This is the one that inspired Francis Scott Key to write his poem.

The majority of the flag (after the pieces of fabric were cut off) was donated to the Smithsonian by Armistead's family.

This two by 3.25-inch white segment of the flag and a red 1.5 by 1.25-inch swatch are being offered for $40,000.

--Brock-Perry

Fabric from the "Star-Spangled Banner" Goes Up For Auction-- Part 1

From the May 5, 2016, Daily Mail (UK)  Scrap of fabrick from original Star-spangled banner which inspired inspiration for America's national anthem goes under the hammer."

"A piece of the Star-Spangled Banner which floated over Fort McHenry during the bombardment...."

This is a piece that goes for sale for the first time.  The original flag was kept by Major George Armistead.  Small sections of it would be removed and given to various military figures.  This took away the final eight feet of the flag.

So, A Piece of the Famous Flag Goes on Auction.  --Brock-Perry

About That "Star-Spangled Benner"-- Part 3: After the Battle

Francis Scott Key's "Defence of Fort McHenry" was published in newspapers and then set to music.  The "Star-Spangled Banner" was recognized as the National Anthem in 1931.

Over the years, souvenir seekers snipped away bits of the flag.  This is how the museum in Fayetteville came to get the snippet they have on loan.

The main part of the flag is now in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C..

The "You're a Grand Old Flag" exhibit opened May 22 and will continue until July 8.

The exhibit also contains a 48-star flag (the one used in World War II) and a 40-star one.  But the scrap of the Fort McHenry flag is drawing the most attraction.

--Brock-Perry

About That Famous "Star-Spangled Banner"-- Part 2

The scrap of that famous flag is on loan to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum from the Star-Spangled Flag House & Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.  It is in a frame and under glass with a card and envelope from Laura Emory, who died in 1967 at the age of 78.  The scrap was found among her personal effects.

The flag flew over Fort McHenry during the British bombardment of the fort September 13-14, 1814.

The bombardment and flag flying was witnessed by Francis Scott Key, a lawyer and amateur poet who then was inspired to write the poem "Defense of Fort McHenry.

--Brock-Perry

About That Famous "Star-Spangled" Flag-- Part 1: And a Quiz on Your U.S. Flag Knowledge

From the June 13, 2018, Fayetteville (NC) Observer "This scrap of flay inspired the 'Star-Spangled Banner'"

The Airborne & Special Operations Museum at Fort Bragg, located by Fayetteville has a very special fragment of a flag in its "Grand Old Flag" exhibit. It is a small scrap of the famous flag that flew over Fort McHenry and inspired Francis Scott Key to write what today is the "Star-Spangled Banner," our National Anthem.

This article also included a quiz "How much do you know about the American flag?"  It consists of 12 questions, some easy, others really hard.  I got nine correct, even though I had lucky guesses on some of them.  They will even rate you.  I rated "Real Patriot."  Not to brag, BUT....

Type in the name of the article and pick the one by the Fayetteville Observer in your search.

--Brock-Perry

Horse Island Light

Earlier this month I wrote about Horse Island by Sackets Harbor, New York, and then wrote about the First Battle of Sackets Harbor.

From Wikipedia.

In July 2017, the 24-acre Horse Island was acquired by the Civil War Trust, which has enlarged its efforts to include War of 1812 and American Revolution site preservation.  This was the first grant in the United States made for a War of 1812 site under the National Park Service battlefield grants program.

During the War of 1812, the British used the island as a staging area and the Second Battle of Sackets Harbor took place here.  (I guess I'll have to write about this battle next.)

Because of its location by Sackets Harbor, on March 3, 1831, Congress authorized $4,000 for a lighthouse on Horse Island.  A new one was built in 1870.

--Brock-Perry

It's U.S. Flag Day

The Second Continental Congress adopted the U.S. flag on this date in 1777.

Of course, probably the most famous American flag is the one that flew over Fort McHenry in Baltimore during the War of 1812.  This is the one that inspired a certain poem by a certain man which has much significance today.

And, of course, there is that one sport's well-paid athletes who refuse to stand for  the song associated with that flag.

Anyway, I have my flags up, do you?

--Brock-Perry

Chalmette National Cemetery-- Part 2: From the War of 1812 to the Vietnam War

But, the cemetery's origins did not begin until 1864, when Abraham Lincoln established national cemeteries. The reason was to have places to bury those killed in the Civil War.

About half the graves at Chalmette National Cemetery are those of Civil War soldiers and there are 16,000 altogether dating from the War of 1812 to the Vietnam War.

The gravestones get smaller until some are just eight by eight  inches square for those who are unknown. About half of the Civil war soldiers are unknown, many of them having been hastily buried where they fell in fighting and then later removed to the national cemetery.

--Brock-Perry

Chalmette National Cemetery-- Part 1: Next to the Chalmette Battlefield

From the May 28, 2018, WGNO (New Orleans)  "NOLA 300:  Memories of wars past at Chalmette National Cemetery" by Mark Deane.

The cemetery is located right next to Chalmette Battlefield where Andrew Jackson's outnumbered hodge-podge American army defeated the British at the famed Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812.

The Chalmette National Cemetery also contains the remains of four War of 1812 veterans.

--Brock-Perry

Indigenous Warriors Helped Save the Day at Battle of Queenston Heights-- Part 3: "The More Game, the Better the Hunting"

Canadian militia warned the Indians that the battle was lost and they best turn around and leave.  There were just too many American troops that they faced.

One of the Indians replied with one of the best quotes in Canadian history, "The more game, the better the hunting."

The Indians fell in on the Americans and though outnumbered, forced them to fight desperately.

Thousands of American militia were still being held in reserve at Lewiston.  These men were generally unhappy as for weeks they had received poor food and were never issued tents.  They were ordered to cross the river to support the American troops. But the sounds of battle and above all, the sound of the Six Nation warrior war cries convinced them to stay put.

This allowed time for British reinforcements to reach the fight and rout the demoralized U.S. troops.  Almost a thousand of them were captured.

--Brock-Perry

Indigenous Warriors Save the Day at the Battle of Queenston Heights-- Part 2

The first part of the plan to capture Upper Canada involved 1,400 American troops crossing the Niagara River from Lewiston, New York, and seizing the heights.  At the time of the attack, there were no trees on Queenston Heights and it offered a commanding view and control of the surrounding countryside.

The invaders captured an important British battery and General Brock was mortally wounded trying to lead his troops in its recapture.  Things were going very badly for the British soldiers, their Canadian militia and several escaped American slaves.

But, at the critical moment, a force of 200 Six Nation warriors came jogging into the the scene from Fort George.

--Brock-Perry

Indigenous Warriors Saved British and Canadians at the Battle of Queenston Heights-- Part 1

From the June 3, 2018, Niagara This Week.com "Indigenous warriors turned the tide of the Battle of Queenston Heights" by Paul Forsyth.

"War cries helped convince American reinforcements in Lewiston to refuse to join the fray."

Major General Isaac Brock has a monument at Queenston Heights where he was killed by a musket shot.  But, most Canadians do not know of the important role Indians played in the British victory.On October 13, 1812, just months after the United States declared war on Britain, the Americans were planning for their conquest of Upper Canada starting with the capture of Niagara.

--Brock-Perry   The Brock stands for Isaac Brock

The First Battle of Sackets Harbor-- Part 5: An American Victory

Near the end of the battle, the flagship of the British ships, the Royal George,  was hit by a 24-pdr shot in its stern and it went through her, killing eight and doing much damage.

The British fleet withdrew and the American band struck up "Yankee Doodle" and three victory cheers rose up.

On July 24, 1812, General Jacob Brown attributed the American victory to Woolsey, Bellinger and Camp.  He gave special regards to the crew of the 32-pdr.  One of them was Julius Torry, a black man known as Black Julius.

The American Battlefield Trust and its partners have bought 25 acres of the battlefield.  This must be Horse Island.

--Brock-Perry

The First Battle of Sackets Harbor-- Part 4: The Battle Is On

Captain Woolsey left the Oneida in charge of a lieutenant and went ashore to direct those guns.  He placed the 32-pounder under command of sailing master William Vfirst baughan.

The British fleet moved in.  The first shot from the American 32-pdr failed to hit any of the British ships and hoots of derision rose from them.

The British returned fire and the engagement went on for two hours.

Most of the British shot were reported accurate, but the Americans inflicted many gits and their adversary.

--Brock-Perry

First Battle of Sackets Harbor-- Part 3: Taking the Oneida's Guns Ashore

The British dropped anchor and the Oneida anchored at Navy Point with its nine-gun broadside aimed at the enemy.  The ship's other guns on the opposite side were hastily taken ashore and put in defensive positions along the shoreline.

This was near where a 32-pdr. gun that had been intended for the Oneida but found to be too heavy had been mounted on a pivot.

In Sackets Harbor, alarm guns were fired and the call went out to local militias to come help, but most did not arrive in time to take part in the battle.

The British were not expecting the Americans to have any significant ordnance, but soon found otherwise.

--Brock-Perry

The Prince Regent Provincial Marine Ship

To read about the history of the Prince Regent Provincial Marine Ship, click on the label below and go to the January 6, 2018, entry at the bottom.

--Brock-Perry

Not To Get the British Prince Regent Ships Confused

From Wikipedia.

There were two ships in the British service by the name of Prince Regent.  The one I mentioned in the last post was the Provincial Marine's Prince Regent which i will write about in the next post.

There was also another HMS Prince Regent.  This one was a Royal Navy ship and was launched in 18 46-60 guns.  It was built at Kingston, Upper Canada and took part in the raid on Fort Oswego.

It was later renamed HMS Kingston in 1814 and was sold in 1832.

--Brock-Perry

First Battle of Sackets Harbor-- Part 2: The British Provincial Marine Demands Surrender

On Sunday, July 19, 1812, Captain Melancthon Taylor Woolsey of the USS Oneida discovered five British warships off Sackets Harbor.  They belonged to the Provincial Marine and were the Royal George (24 guns), Prince Regent (22 guns),  Earl of Moira (22 guns), Governor Simcoe (10 guns) and Seneca (2 guns).

The British captured a merchant ship and sent its crew ashore with demands for the surrender of the USS Oneida and the Lord Nelson, a merchant ship captured before war was declared.  The Americans were told that if a shot was fired at the British, they would burn Sackets Harbor.

The Oneida attempted to escape, but was turned back to Navy Point by British guns.

--Brock-Perry

First Battle of Sackets Harbor-- Part 1: An American Victory

From Wikipedia.

The battle was fought July 19, 1812 when a British attack was repelled and the important shipyard where eventually 12 American warships were built was saved.

Sackets Harbor is on the southeast shore of Lake Ontario in northern New York state.

Following the battle, the defenses of Sackets Harbor were greatly strengthened.  Eventually there were several thousand troops stationed in and around Sackets Harbor as well as some 3,000 people working at the Navy shipyard.

As a result, during this period of time Sackets Harbor became the fourth largest town in the state.

--Brock-Perry

Civil War Trust Purchases War of 1812 Historic Land in Sackets Harbor

It is great that this organization, which, of course, does so much to preserve Civil War battlefields has expanded its objective to preserving American revolution and War of 1812 ones as well.

Their latest success in the War of 1812 has been to purchase the 24 acres of Horse Island, near Sackets Harbor.

To read more about it, go to my Saw the Elephant Civil War blog for today.  You can get to it by clicking on the My Blog List area to the right of this.

--Brock-Perry