Commodore David Conner, USN

I listed some naval officers who were in the War of 1812 in my last post.  David Conner is one of them.  I'd never heard of him before.

From the Naval History and Heritage Command.

DAVID CONNER (1792-1856)

He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1792 and became a midshipman early in 1809 and served on the frigate USS President for the next several years.  In 1811, he joined the sloop USS Hornet, serving in her during the War of 812 except for a time as a prisoner of war early in the conflict.

He participated in  the Hornet's two most significant combat actions, that with the HMS Peacock in February 1813 and the March 1815 capture of the HMS Penguin.

He received a promotion to lieutenant in July 1813.

--Brock-Peerry

Road Trippin' Through History: Notable War of 1812 Persons Buried at Laurel Hull Cemetery

Laurel Hill is a cemetery in Philadelphia.  This is a continuation of a Road Trip that started in my Running the Blockade blog with Richard Binder, USMC, who received a Medal of Honor for action at the Second Battle of Fort Fisher during the Civil War.  He is buried at West Laurel Hill Cemetery which is a part of Laurel Hill Cemetery.

There are several War of 1812 notables buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.

DAVID CONNER (1792-1856)--  Naval officer in War of 1812 and Mexican War.  Served on the USS Hornet.

ISAAC HULL  (1773-1843)--  Commanded USS Constitution in its battle with the HMS Guerriere.

ELIE AUGUSTUS F. LA VALLETTE  (1790-1862)--  War of 1812 American officer at Battle of Lake Champlain.  Also served in Mexican War.

--Brock-Perry

John M. Gamble-- Part 5

While in command of the Greenwich, he captured the British armed whaler Seringapatam after a sharp engagement on or about  13 July 1813.  This engagement earned him much publicity in American newspapers of the time as the British ship was considered the biggest threat to American whalers in the Pacific at the time.

Porter later ordered the Greenwich burned to deprive Britain of valuable whale oil.  Later, during the Nuku Hiva Campaign, David Porter again ordered Gamble to take command of the prize ship Sir Andrew Hammond.

After the Seringpatam Mutiny, Gamble set out to the Leeward Islands in the Sir Andrew Hammond, but was intercepted on the way by the HMS Cherub.

--Brock-Perry

John M. Gamble, USMC-- Part 4: The Only Marine Officer to ....

Lt. Colonel John M. Gamble is chiefly remembered in history as the only Marine to ever command a U.S. Naval vessel, and he did this not once, but twice.  He commanded two separate prizes captured by the USS Essex while operating in the Pacific Ocean.  

The Essex was commanded by David Porter, father of eventual Union Admiral David Dixon Porter. and raised another Union Admiral who achieved fame also in the Civil War, David Glasgow Farragut.  As a matter of fact, Farragut accompanied David Porter in this Pacific cruise.

The two ships that Gamble commanded were the aforementioned Sir Andrew Hammond and Greenwich.  For want of Navy officers, Gamble was placed in charge.

--Brock-Perry

John M. Gamble, USMC-- Part 3: His Brother Peter Also in War of 1812 Where He Lost His Life

It should be mentioned that John M. Gamble had a brother by the name of Peter Gamble who was an officer in the U.S. Navy during the War of 1812.

Peter Gamble was born on 5 November 1793 in Bordentown, New Jersey.  He was appointed midshipman on 16 January 1809, and served on Thomas Macdonough's flagship USS Saratoga at the Battle of Lake Champlain.

There, he was killed in action while sighting his gun on 11 September 1814.

Macdonough his deplored the loss and commended his bravery in action.

A destroyer was named for both Peter and John M. Gamble, the USS Gamble DD123/DM-15).  This ship was at Pearl Harbor when the attack came.

--Brock-Perry

John M. Gamble, USMC-- Part 2

From Wikipedia.

JOHN MARSHALL GAMBLE

(1791 - 11 September 1836)

He remains the first and only-known U.S. Marine to command a U.S. Naval vessel for commanding the prize ships Greenwich and Andrew Hammond.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and commissioned a second lieutenant in the USMC on 16 January 1809, at the age of 17.

During the War of 1812, he was stationed in the Pacific Ocean on the frigate US Essex where he rose to be a captain by June 1814.  Among his accomplishments during that time was sailing the whaling ship Albert Hammond, a prize taken by the Essex, with a 4-man crew and without benefit of a chart to the Hawaiian Islands in 17 days.

--Brock-Perry

John M. Gamble, USMC

From "Records of officers and men of New Jersey in wars 1791-1815."

GAMBLE, JOHN M.

Midshipman, January 16, 1809

Ordered to duty at New York, N.Y.:

Transferred to merchant service, July 5, 1809.

He remains the only known US Marine ever to command a Navy ship, which he did twice during the War of 1812.

(For subsequent and continued record, see Officers of the United States Marine Corps, War with Great Britain.)

--Brock-Perry

Back on Line Agin'... Well, Sorta

It has been a long journey for me since last May in the ever-fun world of new technology and the internet. You may have noticed there have been few posts. 

I ended up having to buy a new pc and somehow got it hooked up by myself.  However, I am unable to get all of my e-mail sites and blogging sites back, but am working on it.

Hopefully, when I get the other four back on, I won't lose this one, but who knows.

Anyway, regardless, there will be a major difference in posting,  Before I was shooting for 20 posts a month minimum in all eight blogs.  Now, several of them will be posts every so often, maybe five a month, including this one.

Anyway, it is good to be back, even if just part way

Lovin' It.  --Brock-Perry

Mammoth Caves Black History

From the February 2, 2023, Wave, (Louisville, Ky) "Slaves explored, discovered cave paths at Mammoth Cave National Park" by Kelly Dean.

According to Molly Schroer, Public Affairs Officer at the park, "They were some of the first people to take our early visitors into the cave.  But they also served as early explorers.

Over 200 years ago, black slaves  worked in the cave to create gunpowder used during the War of 1812.

"What's ironic about the whole thing is they were working hard for us to keep our freedom while they didn't have theirs," said Schroer.

In the mid-1800s,  slaves were used  to not only act as tour guides, but also to go deep down into the caves to discover new paths.

Stephen Bishop was one of the first black tour guides who discovered miles and miles of trails that visitors today walk.

Helping the Cause Even Back Then.  --Brock-Perry