War of 1812 Vet Fought at Battle of Gettysburg-- Part 2: John Burns

Many 69-year-olds would be content to spend their golden years taking it easy, but not John Burns.

John Burns fought in the War of 1812 and the Mexican War and even tried to work as a supply driver for the Union Army in the Civil War, but was sent back to his home in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  That's when the war came calling on him.

Burns was considered "eccentric" by the rest of his town.  When soldiers of Confederate General Jubal Early captured Gettysburg, Burns was the constable and jailed for interfering with Confederate military operations. When the Confederates were pushed out of town, Burns began arresting stragglers for treason.

In the morning of July 1, 1863, as the battle began unfolding, he picked up his flintlock musket and offered his services to the beleagured Union soldiers.  He borrowed a more modern musket from a wounded Union soldier then walked over to the commander of the 150th Pennsylvania Infantry and asked to join the regiment.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Vet Fought at the Battle of Gettysburg-- Part 1

From the Military.com site "This War of 1812 veteran saw the Battle of Gettysburg from his front porch -- then joined it" by Blake Stilwell, We Are the Mighty.

There have been veterans who have served  from WW II, the Korean War and then Vietnam.  But that was just the space of 24 years separating the beginning of World War II and Vietnam.  But what about a veteran who fought in the War of 1812, Mexican War and then the Civil War?  

That is a span of 50 years.

There was one man who did just  that.

His name was John Burns.

--Brock-Perry

Thirteen Gun Salute for Guernsey Military Hero Isaac Brock

From the October 13, 2022, BBC News.

A thirteen gun salute was fired from Castle Cornet in Guernsey for General Isaac Brock who died in 1812 while leading a Britishh, Cabadian and  First Nation army to victory over an invading American army.

The Guernsey-born British Army general became known as "The Saviour of Upper Canada."

The commemorations mark the 210th anniversary of his death.

Oliver Brock, a first cousin six times removed of General Brock, said his family had been looking forward to the event.  He said:  "The commemorations today are a part of what we can do to show our respect the man that a lot of people of Canada feel started their nationhood."

The Brock in my signoff refers to Gen. Isaac Brock.

--Brock-Perry

Mount Diablo Beacon Relit for Veterans Day-- Part 2

Continued from my Tattooed on Your Soul:  WW II blog.

The original lighting of the beacon dates back to 1928 and Charles Lindbergh.  Lindbergh lit the beacon to assist planes in the early days of commercial flight.  At  the time, the beacon was lit nightly, until December 8, 1941,  the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Following that fateful day, it wasn't relit until 1964, when Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz,  Commander in Chief of Pacific Forces  during World War II, attended the ceremony on Mount Diablo's summit in commemoration of the survivors of Pearl Harbor.

He suggested that the Beacon be lit every December 7th to honor those who served and  sacrificed.

--Brock-Perry

What Is Going to Happen to D.C.'s Capitol Rocks?-- Part 2: And, the Corinthian Columns

Along with the Capitol's old Corinthian columns, the stones spent a short stint at the Capitol Power Plant where they remained until as late as 1972.

In the 1980s, the Corinthian columns were removed to the  the National Arboretum where they are still a popular, and officually sancioned tourist attraction.

The stones, on the othernhand were just dumped at Rock Creek Park.

Since then, they have become a beloved landmark for those who know.  Located beside the park offices, they are stacked haphazardly.  Last summer, fencing was put up around them.

Let's hope they can continue to stay where they are as long as they don't pose a danger to anyone.

--Brock-Perry

What Is Going to Happen to Washington, D.C.'s Capitol Stones?

From the August 16, 2022, Smithsonian Magazine "Is this the end of D.C.'s most-beloved hidden landmark?" by Ellen Wexler.

In the hills of D.C.'s Rock Creek Park, hundreds of stones are piled two stories high and have sat there for quite awhile with very few folks knowing about them.  And, they are not just regular stones.  They were once part of one of the most famous structures in the United States.

What makes these stones remarkable is that they were once a part of the United States Capitol, located about eight miles south of the park.

But soon, these stones' time at the park are going to come to an end.  Officials from the National Park Service have ordered them removed for safety, realignment and preservation purposes.

The stones date back to the early 1800s when thye Capitol underwent extensive restoration after Britrish troops set fire to the building during the War of 1812, causing devastating damage.  More than a century later, in the 1950s,  renovations led to the stones' replacement.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Madison, Iowa, Battlefield-- Part 2

In 2017, the Iowa Historical  Preservation Board approved the NLCHS' application for the War of 1812 Battlefield Park, which was then sent to the National Register of Historical Places through the National Park Service.

The designation that followed opened the door for more grant opportunities.

A monument marking the battlefield where 23 soldiers are buried was installed in 2019.  The granite monument includes a history of the military post on one side and the soldiers' names on another side.

A flag pole was also installed nearby and benches, sponsored with donations from families and individuals, were installed last year.

Next on the lkist of improvements will be walkways and landscaping.  They figure that will cost between $10,000 and $20,000.

Donations can be sent to the North Lee County Historical Society.

--Brock-Perry

New Sign in Fort Madison, Iowa, Announces War of 1812 Battlefield

From the November 2, 2022, Fort Madison (Iowa) Democrat by Robin Delaney.

The War of 1812 Battlefield Park between Fourt and Fifth Street on Avenue G in Fort Madison now has a new sign announcing its place in history for both residents and tourists.

A donation from the Fort Madison Lions Club along with contributions from individuals paid for the $2,000 sign.

The park and all is due in large part to the efforts of  Carol Foss.

Development of the battlefield park began several years ago with the purchase of the property for $50,000 by the North Lee County Historical Society  after a fundraising campaign.

The original Fort Madison battlefield site is located on the eastern half of the Sheaffer Pen property.  RSBR Investments LLC purchased the Sheaffer Pen property in 2014 to construct the east-end Dollar General, but the property was split in half, so that then historic battlefield land could be turned into into an educational tourism site.

--Brock-Perry

John Downes Had Another Son Who Died in the Civil War

Last month, I wrote a lot about War of 1812 naval officer John Downes.  He had two sons who were in the Civil War.  One was a naval officer, John A. Downes and the other was in the Union Army.

Henry Hill Downes was a private who enlisted on  August 11, 1862, in the 124th Illinois Infaqntry Regiment.

He died in Vicksburg, Mississippi,  26 September 1864,  of malaria.

--Brock-Perry

This Month in the War of 1812

From the American Battlefielld Trust 2022 calendar.

NOVEMBER 11, 1807

**  Great Britain passes the 1807 Orders of Council restricting international trade with France.

NOVEMBER 11, 1811

**  The Battle of Tippecanoe.

NOVEMBER 11, 1813

**  Battle of Crysler's Farm

NOVEMBER 21, 1806

**  Napoleon issues his Berlin Decrees.

NOVEMBER 27, 1812

**  Skirmish at Fort Erie

NOVEMBER 29, 1813

**  Battle of Autossee

--Brock-Perry

Siege of Fort Harrison-- Part 2: 'The Fort of the Two Presidents'

The Native American Confederacy continued their siege for eight days and were not able to capture the fort, despite their glaring numerical advantage.  In the end, their casualties were heavy, especially when compared with just three U.S.  fatalities.

The victory for the Americans promoted increased settlement in the area and the municipality that  that grew up in the immediate vicinity of Fort Harrison would latter be named Terre Haute.

Indeed, our city's foundation is a painful, though crucial  reminder that this land we call home has not always belonged to us.  It was annexed through military conquest toward the pursuit of statehood.  The first step to healing injustice is awareness.

If you would like to know more, a display at the Vigo County Histotry Center shows a detailed  model recreation of Fort Harrison as it would have looked in 1812 and was built by Boy Scout Troop 31 in 1966.

Visitors can view everything  from the barracks and store houses to even an original log used in the fort's construction.  

Fort Harrison is aptly called the "Fort of the Two Presidents."

--Brock-Perry