War of 1812 Marker Ceremony in Ponchatoula

From the May  4, 2022, Hammond (Louisiana)  Daily Star.

When the British threatened New Orleans in January 1814, Louisiana men rallied to defend their city.  Among the militia men was Antoine Lavigne.  His and others effort led to the British defeat at  Chalmette on January 8.

A monument marking his grave will be unveiled at a ceremony  on May 7 at 10 a.m. at Collins Cemetery in Ponchatoula.

An honor guard from American Legion Post  47 in Ponchatoula as well as re-enactors in War of 1812 uniforms will also be there.  The public is invited to attend.

Antoine Lavigne has many ancestors in the area bearing names like Lavigne,   Hoover, Mitchell,  Perrin, Wells, Poche, Radford,  Raiford and Tucker.

Antoine Lavigne married Marie  Rousseau Lavigne and later settled on the east bank of the Tangipahoa River.  After the death of his wife, he remarried  Mary Elizabeth Hoover (Ouvre) Denelle,  widow of  Jean Baptiste  Denelle.

--Brock-Perry

Pivotal War of 1812 Battles

From the May 3, 2022, 24/7 Wallst. site "The most pivotal battles that made America what it is today" by Angelo Young.

BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE, Ohio, September 10, 1813.

BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA, Ontario, July 5, 1814

BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE, Ontario, July 25, 1814

BATTLE OF LAKE CHAMPLAIN, New York, September 11, 1814

BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH, New York, September 11, 1814

BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana, January8, 1815

Just of Interest.  --Brock-Perry

Old Fort Madison Opens Season with a Bang

From the May 2, 2022, Hawkeye (Fort Madison, Iowa) by John Gaines.

The firing of Old Fort Madison's ceremonial cannon from the fort's museum courtyard added an exclamation point to the  opening event Sunday, May 1.

The original fort  operated as a trading post between the U.S. Army and Indians from 1808 to 1813.  It survived a four-day siege during a War of 1812 battle and operated for another year.  Then, soldiers burned the fort as they withdrew to St. Louis due to a food shortage. and the brutal onset of the winter of 1813-1814.

The site was listed  on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 after Iowa archaeologists excavated the original fort's location site.  In 1983, volunteer inmates from the nearby Iowa State  built the current replica fort a few blocks away from the original site at  Riverview Park.

Like the original fort, the replica museum is near the river.

The cannon fired Sunday is a 6-pound iron field piece on a 9-pound  siege carriage.

Back in the early 1800s, the cannon would be used against infantry and would use 2 1/2  to 3 pounds of powder to fire a six-pound ball capable of traveling 800-900 yards and wiping out  about 25 soldiers.

--Brock-Perry

Living History at River Raisin National Battlefield Saturday

From the May 20, 2022, Monroe News.

The Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield Living History Encampment and  Demonstrations were held Saturday from 11 am to 4 pm on the grounds of the Visitor Center, 333 N. Dixie Highway.

Admission was free.

This year is the 210th anniversary of Captain  Herbert Lacroix's  Company of Michigan Volunteers.

"At the start of the War of 1812, Michigan was defended by small garrisons of U.S. troops, backed up by the  1st & 2nd  Michigan Militia Regiments and the Legionary Corps of Michigan Volunteers.  These forces were soon joined by General Hull's army of U.S. Regulars and Ohio militia volunteers.

At the River Raisin, Hubert Lacroix was elected captain of an 80-man company.  Mustered into service on May 18, 1812, Lacroix's company became a part of the Legionary Corps and were assigned to guard the settlement, escort the mails and help build Hull's Road to Detroit.

Lacroix's  men participated in Hull's opening campaign of the War of 1912, guiding the  army and participating in the  Battles of  Brownstown and Monguagon.  The surrender of General Hull at Detroit on August 16, 1812, ended Lacroix's Company's official term of service, although members continued to serve in an ad hoc manner through the  Battles of  the River Raisin in January of the following year.

--Brock-Perry

Talking About Old Fort Jackson-- Part 2: Getting a First-Hand Experience with the Past

Old Fort Jackson is considered to be the oldest standing brick fortification.  It even dates back to when it was earthen works in 1808.  President Thomas Jefferson developed his second line of defense, which was really needed during the War of 1812.

The fort has not one, but three on-site educators:  Ethan Baker,  Walter Reeves and Aaron Bradford.  Bradford is the head site interpreter.  Each was dressed in miserably  hot wool and homespun Union Army uniforms from the Republican Blues.  (When I visited the fort several years ago, I had a good talk with the interpreter at ten time who was portraying a USCT soldier.)

They were very knowledgeable about the fort's history when it had been occupied by both Confederate and Union forces during the "Great Unpleasantness" of the 1860s.  Today, they were busy leading a group of school children, maybe 6th or 7th graders,  through an interactive program called "Life  as a Member of the Militia.'  Among the things they were learning  was how to assemble for a charge with the  shortest people in the front line, how to fire a musket and how to march in unison.

--Brock-Perry

Talking About Old Fort Jackson, Savannah-- Part 1: Was It Named After Andrew or Stonewall?

 From the May 18, 2022, Bluffton, Today (S.C.) "Harrell:  Sit on the Shore and watch the boats go by" by Annelore Harrell.

She lives on the north side of the Savannah River, her friend lives on the south side of it.  They wanted to get together so settled on this old fort located in the middle between them.

This fort was not named after Stonewall Jackson or even Andrew Jackson .  The fort in question was named after  James Jackson.  Who?

James Jackson came from Devonshire, England, in 1722 and studied law and became an avid Patriot for independence and involved in the American Revolution.  He had quite the temper and was an expert with the sword.  He also got involved in the political world and had more "than one brouhaha, most notably the Yazoo land deal."

James Jackson was governor of Georgia, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate as well as quite a war hero.  Admiring citizens  of Georgia gifted him a house near Reynolds Square in Savannah.

I Always Thought It Was Named for Andrew Jackson.  --Brock-Perry

Book on Thomas Macdonough Is Delaware's Book of the Week

From Delaware News. "DE Heritage Commission Book of the Week:  Captain Thomas Macdonough" by Virginia Mason Burdick.

The son of an American Revolution veteran, Thomas Macdonough would serve with distinction in the War of 1812.    After the climatic Battle of Lake Champlain, Macdonough would go down in history as one of Delaware's  greatest military heroes.

In her biography, Virginia Burdick discusses the life and times of the good captain and tells the story of a lesser-known hero of America's Second War of Independence.

You can view or download a PDF version of the book at this site.

He also had the USS Montgomery at his famous battle which I have written about before.

--Brock-Perry

About That D.C. Tornado-- Part 3: More Than One?

British soldiers out on the streets of Washington, D.C., on patrol when this hit were forced to  lie prostrate in the mud.

Based on the first-hand accounts, weather historians generally agree that the storm that struck the city on August 25, 1814, sparked one or more tornadoes.  It does seem hard to believe that none of the soldiers or residents would have remarked about a funnel cloud.

There can't be much doubt that the tornado(es) that struck that day saved Washington, D.C., by putting out the fires and giving the British cause to leave the city (although I don't think it was their intention to permanently occupy it).

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

From the Vintage News, "War of 1812: The burning of Washington and how a freak storm saved the day" by Ian Harvey.

Two British cannons were  lifted up and moved by the storm.

According to the Smithsonian, there have only been seven other tornadoes reported in Washington, D.C. since then.

The storm and tornado also caused damage to the General Post Office and Patent Office which had their roofs torn off by it.

--Brock-Perry

About That D.C. Tornado-- Part 2: And Then It Hit

Along with the Executive Mansion (White House), the War Department, the State Department, the Treasury and many government offices were burned.  And, of course, the Capitol , along with the original Library of Congress, was also destroyed.

The British policy was to leave private property alone.  However, the fires threatened to spread out of control.  The city was in jeopardy.

The next day, August 25,  as fires still raged, a massive storm hit Washington,.  The driving rain put out most of the fires threatening the city.  Perhaps, more importantly, the invading British were so battered and demoralized by the storm (tornado included),it caused them to cut short their occupation of the city.

The storm (tornado) was so severe that it tore buildings apart, literally lifting them off their foundations.  The winds uprooted trees and knocked men to the ground.  A number of houses collapsed, killing British soldiers taking cover in them.

One British officer reported seeing cannons lifted off the ground and thrown through the air.  British soldiers out in the streets to maintain order, were forced to lie prostrate in the mud.

This Was a Tornado.  --Brock-Perry

About That D.C. Tornado-- Part 1: Background of the Event

From the March 26, 2012, Historical Digression blog "A tornado saves Washington during the War of 1812" by Patrick Browne.

One of the first targets of the British reinforcement in America in 1814, was the capital of the United States, Washington, D.C., partly as a form of payback for American transgressions to the capital of Upper Canada, York (now Toronto), earlier in the war.  Also, the destruction of such an important city would also be a major blow to American morale.

Another factor was that these new British soldiers were veterans, having fought Napoleon all those years.

Some 5,000 British landed in Benedict, Maryland, and made short work of a larger American force at the Battle of Bladensburg, Maryland on August 24, 1814.    The road to Washington was now open.

Once in D.C., they burned  what is now known as the White House (after sitting down to eat a large feast that Dolley Madison  and her staff had prepared for  cabinet members before they were all forced to flee).

--Brock-Perry

Did a Tornado Save D.C.?-- Part 4: How the President's Home Became White

There was a debate as to whether the tornado saved Washington, D.C. from the British or if it actually helped them to ruin the city.  Whichever it was, President Madison went back to the city on August 27 and peace between the two countries was achieved by the end of the year.

Congress thought about abandoning the city and constructing a capital elsewhere, but they eventually rebuilt the city.  The granite stone of the  President's residence was burned black with soot and it was decided to repair the structure and paint it white.  This is how the White House got nits name.  So, whenever you hear the White House being mentioned, that goes back to the War of 1812.

Peace negotiations started in the City of Ghent, Belgium in August 1814, as both sides wanted peace since the trade embargo largely impacted the British economy (not to mention the even bigger expenses of fighting Napoleon).

Hundreds of American privateers had put to sea and were wreaking havoc on the British merchant fleet all over the world.  Public support  in the U.S. was also waning, especially in New England where the federalists assembled in Hartford, Connecticut to discuss their grievances (and some even went so far as to desire secession).

Peace terms called the Treaty of Ghent were agreed upon and signed in December 1814, but the conflict did not officially end until Congress ratified it on February 17, 1815.

--Brock-Perry

Did a Tornado Save D.C.?-- Part 3: The Admiral and the Lady's 'Interposition of Providence'

Obviously shocked and surprised by the violent weather, the British decided it was time to leave.

A local D.C. weatherman wrote:

"As the British troops  were preparing to leave,  a conversation was noted between the British admiral (Sir George Cockburne and a Washington lady regarding the storm.  The admiral explained, 'Great God, madam!  Is this the kind of storm to which you are accustomed in this  infernal country?'  

The lady answered, 'No sir, this is special  interposition of Providence to drive our enemies from our city.'  

The admiral replied, 'Not so, madam.  It is rather to aid your enemies in the destruction of your city.' "

Saved by a Tornado?   --Brock-Perry

washing

Did a Tornado Save Washington, D.C.?-- Part 2: And a Huge Rainstorm Put Out the Fires

The clouds began to form and the winds kicked up.  What happened next has been called a tornado which formed  in the center of the city and made its way through the British forces on Capitol Hill, ripping buildings and uprooting trees as it went along.

The British cannons weren't spared either and were tossed around like leaves.  The British who didn't take cover were killed by falling debris and structures.

Even when the tornado was gone, heavy rains continued to pour for the next two hours and most of the fires which the British had set were extinguished.

From the Heavens.  --Brock-Perry

Did a Tornado Save Washington, D.C. in the War of 1812?-- Part 1

From the May 7, 2022, SOFREP.com "Did a tornado save Washington, D.C. from being razed to the ground?"

On the night of August  24, 1814, British troops entered the nation's capital with the intent of destruction.  They set fire to the U.S. Capitol and what is now known as the White House.

The U.S. Capitol survived, though the Senate wing was badly damaged since it was the oldest part of the structure with wooden floors and the books and manuscripts of the Library of Congress.

Washingtonians were used to scorching summer heat and damaging storms.  The day of the invasion, the temperature was at 100 degrees, excellent conditions for the burning of the city.  Much of the city was aflame as the British continued their destruction.

But, the skies began to darken and there was sharp  lightning accompanied with loud claps of thunder.  The people of D.C. knew what was coming and that was a big storm.  They took shelter but the British didn't.  England gets plenty of rain, but usually without the storm.  And, a big one, as it turns out, was on the way.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Alert-- Part 2: Surrender to the USS Essex

The Royal Navy bought the collier Oxford in May 1804, for 6805 pounds and renamed her the HMS Alert and was fitted out for naval service at an additional cost of 3730 pounds.  She went through a succession of commanders until Commander Thomas Lamb Poldue Langharne assumed command in January 1812.  On April 5, she sailed to Newfoundland.

Langhorne and the Alert were sailing off Newfoundland searching for the American sloop USS Hornet when they sighted a vessel.  They sailed toward the unknown ship and prepared to engage and as they got closer the stranger raised the American flag.

Shortly thereafter, it was discovered that this American ship was a frigate, the USS Essex, and an attempt was made to disengage, but they were unable to escape.  Outgunned and outnumbered, Langharne was forced to strike.  Casualties on the Alert were three wounded.

The Alert was the first British ship to surrender to the Americans in the War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

HMS Alert: A Former Collier

From Wikipedia.

The HMS Alert was captured by the frigate USS Essex.

The HMS Alert was the collier  Oxford launched in 1803, that the Royal Navy bought in 1804.  (In case you're wondering, a collier is a bulk cargo ship designed to carry coal.  Well, I had to look it up as well.)

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Length:  105 feet  (keel 86 feet)

Beam:  29.4 feet

Complement:

Royal Navy:  80

U.S. Navy:  100

Armament:

Royal Navy:  two 9-pinder long guns, Sixteen 18-pdr. carronades

U.S. Navy:  Two 12 pounder long guns, Eighteen 32-pdr. carronades

--Brock-Perry

USS Essex: General Characteristics

From Wikipedia.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Cost:  $139,362

Commissioned:  17 December 1799

Length:  138.7 feet

Beam:  37.3 feet

Armament (as an American warship, it was captured by the British)

Forty 32-pounder carronades

Six 12-pounder long guns

Captured by British:  28 March 1814

--Brock-Perry

Francis B. Gamble: How He Ended Up on the Captured HMS Alert and was Captured

I was more than a little bit confused in the last post when the source said that Francis B. Gamble was captured on the British ship Alert, a prize of the USS Essex and that he was made prisoner and eventually exchanged.  

So, I looked up further information on it.

From Wikipedia.

USS Essex

The ship was a 32 or 36 gun U.S. frigate that was in the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War and the War of 1812.  The British captured her in  1814 and she then became the HMS Essex and served the British Navy until sold at public auction in 1837.

When  the War of 1812 broke out, the Essex was commanded by Captain David Porter (the father of later Civil War Admirals David Dixon Porter, and adoptive son David G. Farragut) made a successful cruise southward.  On 11 July, she attacked a British convoy and captured one of them.  On 13 August she engaged and captured the HMS Alert.  

(This would be when Francis Gamble ended up on the Alert which evidently was recaptured by the British when he was aboard it.)

By the time the Essex returned to Boston, it had taken, she had captured ten prizes.

--Brock-Perry

Francis B. Gamble

From records of officers and men on New Jersey in wars 1791-1815" by New Jersey Adjutant General's Office.

Another one of the Gamble Boys.

GAMBLE, FRANCIS B.

Midshipman, May 18, 1809

Ordered to Frigate "Essex,"  Captain David Porter, North Atlantic Squadron February 5, 1812.

Captured with British ship "Alert," a prize of the "Essex," and sent to Halifax, N.S., August 1812

Exchanged and returned to duty, October 17, 1813

Ordered to sloop-of-war at Navy Yard Boston, Mass., December 21, 1813;

Ordered to duty  on Lake Champlain, 1814.

Ordered to New York, N.Y., for duty with Captain David Porter, November 17, 1814;

Lieutenant December 19, 1814, and remained on station until the close of the war, 1815.

(For subsequent and continued record, see War with Algiers."

--Brock-Perry

Arthur Sinclair (Father of Arthur Sinclair Jr. CSN): Through the Ranks

I came across the name Arthur Sinclair while doing my Running the Blockade: Civil War blog as being the commander of the CSS Mississippi who ordered his ship destroyed when New Orleans fell to Union forces during the Civil War.  Later, he drowned when the blockade runner Lelia sank.

I found out he had a father who was in the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812.  Here is his father's advancement through the ranks of the U.S. Navy.

ARTHUR SINCLAIR

Lieutenant:  10 June 1807

Master Commandment:  2 July 1812

Captain:  24 July 1813

Died: 7 February 1831

Looks like I will have to do further research on this man.

--Brock-Perry

May Events in the War of 1812: Fort Meigs, York, Havre de Grace, USS President and Sackets Harbor

From the May 2022 American Battlefield Trust calendar.

MAY 1, 1813

**  Siege of Fort Meigs, Ohio.

MAY 1, 1813

**  American forces evacuate York, Upper Canada (now Toronto).

MAY 3, 1813

**  Burning of Havre de Grace, Maryland.

MAY 16, 1811

**  American frigate  USS President fires on  the British sloop HMS Little Belt.

MAY 24, 1815

**  Battle of the Sink Hole.

MAY 27, 1813

**  Engagement at Fort George.

MAY 29, 1813

**  Battle of Sackets Harbor, New York.

--Brock-Perry