Why the Tuscaroras Risked Their Lives for the Americans-- Part 2: The Sadness at Fort Neoheroka, N.C.

2.  The Tuscaroras had never forgotten what the British had done to them in 1713.    In the early 18th century, the Tuscaroras lived in North Carolina, before being driven from their homeland by the British in the Tuscarora War at Fort Neoheroka, North Carolina, in March 20-23,1713.

The British and their Indian allies burned the fort and hundreds of Tuscarora men, women and children perished inside it.  Almost 200 more were killed  outside of the fort and approximately 400 Tuscaroras were taken captive and sold into slavery.

The defeat of the Tuscaroras, once the most powerful Indian nation in the Carolinas, allowed the British to open up the frontiers of the Carolinas to white settlement.

Most of the surviving Tuscaroras moved way north and settled in the Lewiston, New York area, becoming the sixth nation of the Iroquois Confederacy.

--Brock-Perry

Why the Tuscaroras Helped Their Lewiston Neighbors-- Part 1: Peaceful Relations

From the Tuscarora Heroes Monument site.

The Tuscaroras could have looked the other way and done nothing when the British attacked, but they didn't.  They moved decisively to prevent a complete massacre.

No one would have expected them to take the stand that they did against the British and the overwhelming force of their blood brothers, the Mohawks.

But, there were two reasons for what the Tuscarora did.

1.  There was a long-standing bond of friendship with the white citizens of Lewiston.    As neighbors, the Lewistonians and Tuscaroras trusted each other and traded and did business together.  They lived peacefully together.

--Brock-Perry

The Tuscarora Heroes Story-- Part 2: The Tuscaroras to the Rescue

Tormented parents found themselves helpless in defending their children.  One 7-year-old was shot and scalped in front of his mother.

At the moment when all hope seemed to be lost and all thought they would become victims in the massacre, the local Tuscarora men  ran down to Lewiston from their village on top of the escarpment and offered the first resistance the enemy had seen.

The Tuscarora attack was so hard that the British and their allies believed there were a lot more of them than there were and the attack stopped in its tacks.

Though outnumbered 30 to 1, the Tuscarora had bought enough time for the surviving townspeople to escape.

Bravery.  --Brock-Perry

The Tuscarora Heroes Story-- Part 1: A Murderous Rampage

From Wikipedia.

In the early morning hours of December 19, 1813, the citizens of Lewiston, New York awoke to unimaginable horrors.   The small frontier village, situated on the Niagara River on the border of the United States and Canada, suddenly found itself on the front lines of war.

Hours earlier, under cover of night, British-Canadian troops had invaded the United States and captured American Fort Niagara without firing a shot.  Then they and their Indian allies  ran down River Road toward unsuspecting Lewiston, armed with torches, guns and tomahawks, intent on retribution and to turning Lewiston into a pile of ashes.

Poorly defended, the citizens of Lewiston were on their own.  They could only run for their lives through the snow and mud in hopes of escaping the impending atrocities.  Civilians were murdered in the rampage.

--Brock-Perry

Tuscarora Heroes Monument, Lewiston, New York

From Wikipedia.

Stands as testament of thanksgiving from the people of Lewiston to the Tuscarora Nation for saving the lives of dozens of local residents during the War of 1812 from British attack on December 19, 1813.  It consists of three 110% lifesize bronze statues that present a tableau of two Tuscarora men rescuing a local woman and her baby from the attack.

Thousands of spectators witnessed the unveiling ceremony of December 19, 2013, the bicentennial of the event.

The monument site has several symbolic aspects.    They are mounted on concrete in the shape of a turtle's back.    The Iroquois believe the earth was formed on a large turtle's back.  The turtle's head points toward an American flag representing the U.S.-Tuscarora alliance since the American Revolution.

Six northern white pines surrounding he monument represent the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.  The Iroquois flag also flies at the site.

--Brock-Perry

Lewiston (NY) Remembers War of 1812, Tuscarora Support

From the Dec. 21, 2019, Niagara Frontier Publications.

It was quite cold, but that didn't cancel Lewiston's annual War of 1812 remembrance ceremony held on Thursday, Dec. 19 at the Tuscarora Heroes Monument at the corner of Center Street and Portage Road.

It was emceed by the village historian Lee Simonson who told the story of Reuben Lewis "Lewiston's First Martyr"  who sent his wife and children to safety, but stayed behind to fight the attacking British who attacked and burned the village.

Tuscarora Nation elder and council member Neil Patterson Sr. offered his thoughts on the event.    They had been monitoring the British and tried to warn of the impending attack.  Though they were ignored, they stayed to defend the whites of the village.

--Brock-Perry

Andrew Jackson Statues in Missouri at Issue

The current Confederate Hatred groups ire has spread over to War of 1812 hero and former president Andrew Jackson who has two statues in Jackson County (Kansas City and Independence, Missouri) which are having plaques added to them with further context on the fact that he was a slave owner and the things he did to Indians.

To read more about it, go to my Civil War II:  The Confederacy Under Attack blog from today located in the My Blog List to the right of this.

At least they haven't defaced or torn down the statues.

--Brock-Perry

Naval Officers Dueling: An "Honorable" Way to Die, the End of Stephen Decatur

Captain Stephen Decatur himself died in a duel in 1820. 

As a military officer, Decatur believed he was obligated to accept  a challenge from anybody who was his social or professional equal or better.  He had survived a 1799 duel  and he was actually opposed to duels between midshipmen under his command.

However, Captain James Barron had taken offense in the role Decatur had taken at his court-martial after the 1807 Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, and he increasingly grew bitter afterwards.

He finally challenged Decatur and mortally wounded  him at Bladensburg, Maryland, the most famous duel in U.S. Navy history.

The blog entries on dueling were all taken from "Dueling Frigates" New London (CT.) Historical Society by Andrew W. German.

--Brock-Perry

Naval Officers Dueling: An "Honorable" Way to Die? The End of Hassard Stackpoole

From New London County Historical Society "Dueling Frigates."

The last ten posts were about ship-to-ship duels.  This one is about man-to-man duels and how two naval officers, one British and one American, lost their lives in duels.

Two of the officers mentioned in the earlier posts this month, not only lived by the dueling code of honor, but also died by it.

Captain Hassard Stackpoole of the Royal Navy's HMS Statira held a four year grudge against Lieutenant Thomas Cecil of the HMS Argo, who had said that Stackpoole "drew a long bow" (lied or exaggerated).  Three months after the frigate, sloop-of-war challenge at New London,  Stackpoole and Cecil met on a beach in Port Royal, Jamaica, in April 1814, and the crack shot Stackpoole was felled by Cecil.

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 10: Well, Now Dueling Sloops of War

Captain William Bowen Mends  of the HMS Loup Cervier suggested that he would make his crew equal to that of the USS Hornet and they could have their own little ship-to-ship duel if  Biddle would tell him the size of the Hornet's crew.

Biddle forwarded the proposal to Decatur, who replied that  'the Hornet shall meet the Loup Cervier, under a mutual and satisfactory pledge," but with their normal crews.

Since the Hornet's crew outnumbered the Loup Cervier's 167 to 103, another duel was averted, and Decatur soon moved his squadron back up the river to Gales Ferry.

So, Not Only Duels Between Men, But Also Ships.  Must Have Been a Naval Thing.  --Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 9: A Hornet-Loup Cervier Duel of Sloops?

The British had played a bit of psychological warfare in June 1813 when HMS Loup-Cervier   (French for the Canadian lynx) joined the squadron off New London.  When the war began, she had been the U.S. sloop of war Wasp and a part of Decatur's squadron at Hampton Roads in Virginia.

At the time, it was commanded by Jacob Jones, now commander of the former British frigate Macedonian.  In October 1812, the Wasp captured the HMS Frolic, but was then captured herself and placed into British service.

Perhaps, Captain Biddle of the Wasp's former sister ship Hornet (formerly Jones' lieutenant on the Wasp) was sent to the HMS Ramilles to arrange the challenge, he met Captain William Bowen Mends of the Loup Cervier.

Perhaps a ship duel was arranged between their two ships.

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 8: There Will Be No Frigate Duel

Then it was Sttephen Decatur's turn to balk:  "But sir, if the [HMS] Statira is to avail herself alone of this concession [ of adding crew], it must be obvious to you and everyone,that should I be yielding to you an advantage I could not excuse to my government; and in making the crew of the Macedonian in any degree equal to such a conflict I should be compelled to break up the crews of this ship and the Hornet, and thus render a compliance with my orders to proceed to sea utterly impracticable."

Like Hardy, he saved face for his subordinate:  "You will have the goodness, sir, to inform Capt. Stakpoole that his letter was shewn to Capt. Jones according to his request, that Capt. Jones is  is extremely desirous of  that a meeting should take place between the Statira and Macedonian, but it is controlled by me for the reasons I have stated."

Of interest, both Decatur and Stackpoole were later killed in duels.

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 7: Still Negotiating for That Duel

Presumably, had a frigate duel come to pass, with an American victory, at least that frigate would be free of the blockade and able to make its escape, since the rest of the British fleet would be held back from pursuing in the name of good sportsmanship. At least one of Decatur's ships would be free to roam.

*************************************

STILL NEGOTIATING FOR A SHIP-TO-SHIP DUEL

British officer Richard Coote, commander of the brig HMS Borer, was sent to Stephen by Thomas Hardy with Hardy's reply.    According to the Connecticut Gazette, the meeting went like this:

"Com. Decatur  offered to dismount (dismount cannons from his ships) until their force was precisely equal; but Captain Coote  replied, that they did not consider two or three guns of any consequence -- 'the difference  was in the men' --  'the crews were everything' -- because battles were commonly won by  boarders swarming aboard the enemy vessel."

--Brock-Perry

Three Montana Sailors on Battleship Row During Attack-- Part 3: Gary Holm on the USS California, Ed Bowers on the USS Ramapo

Lincoln's Gary Holm was on board the USS California when the planes attacked.  It sank after taking two bomb hits and one torpedo and had 100 killed and 62 wounded.  Holm survived by jumping 35 feet into the water and was rescued by a life boat.  He died in 2007.

The late Ed Bowers  of Helena, was on board the oil tanker Ramapo which was anchored near Ford Island.  He remembers the torpedoes hitting the Oklahoma, Arizona, California and West Virginia.

"A bomb went right down the Arizona's stack and into her magazine, and she blew up and the ship broke in half,"  Bowers, wrote.  "It put her down in a hurry."

Three Montana Sailors at Battleship Row on Dec. 7, 1941-- Part 2: Bill Ernst Was on the USS West Virginia

Gunner's Mate 1st class Bill Ernst was wounded by shrapnel on board the USS West Virginia and managed to jump overboard and swim through burning water to safety as the ship sank after being hit by seven torpedoes and two bombs.

Seventy men perished.

He had trained throughout 1941 as an anti-aircraft gunner.  Prior to his Navy enlistment at age 17 in 1940, he had been the Helena Daily Independent head paperboy.  there was a picture of him in the Dec. 8, 1941, on the front page with a caption reading:  "Bill Ernst, 18,  was a member of the crew of the battleship West Virginia which was reported sunk yesterday."

Ernst carried a scar on his forehead for the rest of his life.  He went through the rest of the war on the cruiser USS Salt Lake City and took part in the battles of Midway and Guadalcanal.

Three Local Sailors at Battleship Row on Dec. 7, 1941-- Part 1: Jerry Dullum Was On the USS Arizona

From the December 7, 2019, Helena (Montana) Independent Record  "Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day:  Three local sailors were stationed at Battleship Row" by Curt Synness.

Jerry Dullum, Bill Ernst,  and Gary Holm were there.

Another Helenian, Ed Bowers, was aboard a ship by Ford Island.

Jerry Dullum was aboard the USS Arizona and became the first local man killed in WW II.  He was an electrician's mate 3rd class.  After graduating from Helena High in 1939, he worked at a smelter in East Helena before enlisting in the Navy in 1940.

His family first learned of the attack while getting ready for church.  His death was not verified until two weeks later by a telegram message.

East Helena's Cory-Dullum Post 1000 VFW is co-named for him.

Dueling Frigates-- Part 6: Duel Turned Down

It was Decatur's thought that which ever American frigate fought the British one and won, she would be able to escape out to sea as the rest of the British fleet would be held back from chasing in the name of good sportsmanship.

Although the HMS Endymion was the largest and most heavily armed of the British frigates, Thomas Hardy decided not to put her in play as he was afraid it couldn't match the USS United States' fire power and he informed Decatur:  "I must consider it my duty (tho very contrary to the wishes of Captain Hope) to decline the invitation on his part."

But, speaking with naval etiquette, he continued:  "The Captains of His Britannic Majesty's ships under my orders, as well as myself, cannot too highly appreciate the gallant spirit that has led to the communication from you, sir,  and are equally convinced that no personal feelings toward each other can ever influence a laudible ambition to add to the Naval renown of our respective countries."

Of interest, the HMS Endymion engaged the even heavier armed USS President in 1815 and was victorious.

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 5: Setting Up a Frigate Duel

However, after the American single ship-to-ship victories in 1812 greatly embarrassed the Royal Navy, the British Admiralty ordered its captains not to engage the enemy ship-to-ship.  To comply with this order, Sir Thomas Hardy stated that he would not permit such action if the challenge were issued by a British commander.

On January 17, 1813, Decatur dispatched Captain James Biddle of the Hornet to issue an invitation to Hardy reading:  "If  Mr. Moran's statement be correct, it is evident that Captains Hope and Stackpoole have the laudable desire of engaging with their ships, the United States and the Macedonian.  --We, Sir, are ready and equally desirous  for such a meeting forthwith."

Hard turned the matter over to his captains, and Captain Hassard Stackpoole of the HMS Statira immediately replied:  "It will afford her Captain, officers and crew the greatest pleasure to meet Capt. Jones in the Macedonian to morrow, next day, or whenever such a meeting may better suit his purpose, let him only be pleased to appoint the day and place; say six or ten leagues [18 to 30 nautical miles] south on Montaug Point, or further if he pleases."

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 4: Get Out With a Duel?

The day of the battle between the Chesapeake and Shannon off Boston, Captain Stephen Decatur of the 56-gun frigate USS United States, 38-gun frigate USS Macedonian (previously the HMS Macedonian) and 20-gun USS Hornet, into the Thames River, by New London, Connecticut.

They then found themselves blockaded there by British ships for the next six months.

Decatur tried various schemes to break out.  One of the first attempts were the blue light signals which caused him to cancel one attempt.  Then, he hit upon another scheme.

Captain Decatur was at Brown's tavern in New London, Ct., in January 1813, when Captain Nicholas Moran, a coasting ship commander, came to him and said that he had just been the "guest" aboard the HMS Ramillies, and that Captain Henry Hope of the 46-gun HMS Endymion had said he thought Decatur was afraid of an engagement between their two ships.

Moran also claimed that Sir Thomas Hardy had "remarked, that he should be delighted to see a match between the [HMS] Statira and [USS] Macedonian since they were sister ships."

In Other Word, "Duel."  --Brock-PerryDuel

Dueling Frigates-- Part 3: It's the HMS Shannon vs. USS Chesapeake

Two broadsides were exchanged between the two ships.  When the two ships became entangles, Broke order his men to board the Chesapeake.  What ended was a huge loss for the Americans.  With more than a third of her crew killed or wounded and its commander, James Lawrence mortally wounded and taken below for treatment, the ship struck her colors just 15 minutes after the engagement had begun.

Captain Lawrence reportedly uttered these famous words as he was being taken below, "Don't Give Up the Ship."

The Chesapeake became the first American frigate lost during the war

--Brock-Perry.

Dueling Frigates-- Part 3: The Shannon Versus Chesapeake

Proud of their ships and eager to fight them, captains sometimes went to the extreme of issuing an outright challenge  for a ship-to-ship duel.

One of the most famous ones of these took place between the HMS Shannon and USS Chesapeake on June 1, 1813.

British Captain Philip Bowes Vere Broke had such a well-trained crew on the HMS Shannon that he was really looking for a fight with an American frigate.  His counter-part, Captain James Lawrence, formerly of the USS Hornet, was also looking for a fight on his USS Chesapeake.

Both ships were rated at 38-guns, but both had  about 50, mostly 18-pounders.  The Chesapeake had a crew of 379 and Shannon 330.

On June 1, 1813, Captain Broke sent a challenge to Captain Lawrence, but he didn't get it as he was already on his way out of Boston Harbor and looking for a fight.  Late that afternoon, about 18 miles off of Boston, the Chesapeake, flying a large white banner reading "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights," came across the Shannon.

--Brock-Perry

Dueling Frigates-- Part 2: Advantages of American Super Frigates and Frigates

The strength of a warship were measured in several ways

First was number of guns carried.  The American Super-Frigates which carried at least 44 and sometimes 50 cannons were more heavily armed than all but a few British frigates, which usually carried 38 guns.

Second was the weight of cannon balls fired.    U.S. frigates were commonly armed with cannons firing 24-pound shot, whereas British vessels commonly had 18-pounders.

Thirdly, was the size of the crew.  Naval battles often were settled by boarding an enemy ship and hand-to-hand fighting.  A large crew would help in this case and American crews were generally larger.

So, especially when it was an American Super-Frigate like the USS Constitution up against a smaller British frigate like the HMS Guerriere, the American ship had a decided advantage in a ship-to-ship fight.

--Brock-Perry