From Wikipedia.
This is the man who took a particular interest in Fort Hampton.
William Hawkins, governor of North Carolina during the War of 1812.
Born 1777, died May 17, 1819. 17th governor, serving from 1811 to 1814.Born on the Pleasant Hill Plantation in Vance County, N.C.. Studied law at Princeton and worked two years in Georgia as the Creek Indian agent.
Returned to N.C. to practice law in 1801. Elected governor by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1811 He served terms that ran concurrent with the War of 1812.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
Showing posts with label Fort Hampton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Hampton. Show all posts
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
Back to North Carolina's Fort Hampton-- Part 1: Recruiting for the Army in the State
From N.C. War of 1812.
It's been awhile since I've been writing about this fort as I have been covering Michigan's Fort Gratiot, which was designed by Charles Gratiot, the same man who engineered Fort Hampton. Then, of course, I wrote some about the Salt Battery at Youngstown, New York, along what was called the Niagara Frontier during the war.
Many of the soldiers serving at Fort Hampton were from North Carolina.
U.S. Army Major William S. Hamilton was appointed to the rank of colonel and placed in charge of recruiting for the state of North Carolina.
Col.Hamilton considered it an opportunity for those with "a pure spirit and sacred impulse." He promised he would equip volunteers into the U.S. Army in "Rifle dress and give you your favorite weapon, and you will cover yourselves with glory."
Pay for the enlistees ran from $8 to $12 a month, plus they would get a $124 bounty for enlisting and 160 acres of land when the war was over.
This land, of course, was in the west and went a long way toward getting new settlers to the frontier areas.
--Brock-Perry
It's been awhile since I've been writing about this fort as I have been covering Michigan's Fort Gratiot, which was designed by Charles Gratiot, the same man who engineered Fort Hampton. Then, of course, I wrote some about the Salt Battery at Youngstown, New York, along what was called the Niagara Frontier during the war.
Many of the soldiers serving at Fort Hampton were from North Carolina.
U.S. Army Major William S. Hamilton was appointed to the rank of colonel and placed in charge of recruiting for the state of North Carolina.
Col.Hamilton considered it an opportunity for those with "a pure spirit and sacred impulse." He promised he would equip volunteers into the U.S. Army in "Rifle dress and give you your favorite weapon, and you will cover yourselves with glory."
Pay for the enlistees ran from $8 to $12 a month, plus they would get a $124 bounty for enlisting and 160 acres of land when the war was over.
This land, of course, was in the west and went a long way toward getting new settlers to the frontier areas.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Charles Chocteau Gratiot-- Part 1: Rapid Rise in the Army
From Wikipedia.
CHARLES CHOCTEAU GRATIOT ( 1786-1855)
Back on June 15th, I mentioned that Fort Hampton was engineered and built by Captain Charles Gratiot so decided to do some research on him. Interesting fellow.
He was born in St. Louis to a rich fur-trading father and President Thomas Jefferson personally appointed him to the United States Military Academy at West Point in July 1804. Gratoit was a member of the Class of 1806, the 4th graduating class. (Back then cadets attended for varying numbers of years before graduation.)
Commissioned into the Corps of Engineers (which usually received the top graduates), he made captain by 1808, which was a remarkable rise in the peacetime army back then. One of his first assignments was to assist Alexander Macomb in the construction of the Charleston, S.C. defenses. It was during this time that he oversaw the construction of Fort Hampton.
Chales Gratiot returned to the USMA in 1810 and became commander of the Army garrison, a post he held from 1810-1811.
A Rising Young Officer. --Brock-Perry
CHARLES CHOCTEAU GRATIOT ( 1786-1855)
Back on June 15th, I mentioned that Fort Hampton was engineered and built by Captain Charles Gratiot so decided to do some research on him. Interesting fellow.
He was born in St. Louis to a rich fur-trading father and President Thomas Jefferson personally appointed him to the United States Military Academy at West Point in July 1804. Gratoit was a member of the Class of 1806, the 4th graduating class. (Back then cadets attended for varying numbers of years before graduation.)
Commissioned into the Corps of Engineers (which usually received the top graduates), he made captain by 1808, which was a remarkable rise in the peacetime army back then. One of his first assignments was to assist Alexander Macomb in the construction of the Charleston, S.C. defenses. It was during this time that he oversaw the construction of Fort Hampton.
Chales Gratiot returned to the USMA in 1810 and became commander of the Army garrison, a post he held from 1810-1811.
A Rising Young Officer. --Brock-Perry
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
N.C.'s Fort Hampton-- Part 10: Swept Into the Sea
The erosion continued and eventually Fort Hampton was swept into the sea. There is no exact record record of when it met its end. Local tradition has it disappearing virtually overnight during a summer storm. Regardless, it was definitely an early season hurricane on June 2-3, 1825, which finally did it in.
By February 1826, it was found that high tide had reaehed some 200 feet behind the fort's former location.
By 1834, the fort's site was entirely in the inlet.
The site of Fort Macon is roughly 1340 feet southwest of the site of the former Fort Hampton. Fort Macon itself was saved by the construction of brick and stone sea jetties.
A couple of iron objects have been found on the beach by Fort Macon which had typical hardware which would have been used at Fort Hampton.
--Brock-Perry
By February 1826, it was found that high tide had reaehed some 200 feet behind the fort's former location.
By 1834, the fort's site was entirely in the inlet.
The site of Fort Macon is roughly 1340 feet southwest of the site of the former Fort Hampton. Fort Macon itself was saved by the construction of brick and stone sea jetties.
A couple of iron objects have been found on the beach by Fort Macon which had typical hardware which would have been used at Fort Hampton.
--Brock-Perry
Monday, June 22, 2015
N.C.'s Fort Hampton-- Part 9: Facing a New Threat
By 1820, Fort Hampton had been completely abandoned by the federal government and now faced an even greater threat, the advance of the ocean. The sea was eroding Bogue Point.
By 1820-1821 engineers found that the hide tide mark was at the base of the parapet. But, Fort Hampton was ignored as the government was in the process of building its more permanent forts of the Third System. One was scheduled to be built at Bogue Point to replace Fort Hampton. That would be Fort Macon which still stands.
--Brock-Perry
By 1820-1821 engineers found that the hide tide mark was at the base of the parapet. But, Fort Hampton was ignored as the government was in the process of building its more permanent forts of the Third System. One was scheduled to be built at Bogue Point to replace Fort Hampton. That would be Fort Macon which still stands.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, June 19, 2015
N.C.'s Fort Hampton-- Part 7: Militia Replaced
The militia remained at the fort for the remainder of 1813. Meanwhile, the fort's armament was increased by two 6-pdrs. and a 4-pdr..
In 1814, the enlistments of the N.C. militia was expiring and other militia from the state replaced them.
The State of North Carolina protested the federal government's lack of protection and the militia was replaced by elements of the 43rd U.S. Infantry who remained at the fort until the end of the war.
--Brock-Perry
In 1814, the enlistments of the N.C. militia was expiring and other militia from the state replaced them.
The State of North Carolina protested the federal government's lack of protection and the militia was replaced by elements of the 43rd U.S. Infantry who remained at the fort until the end of the war.
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, June 18, 2015
10th U.S. Infantry Regiment: Some Stationed at Fort Hampton
In the last entry, I mentioned troops from the 10th U.S. Infantry being stationed for a time at Fort Hampton in North Carolina.
From the N.C. War of 1812: The Known Military Units From North Carolina.
Most North Carolinians were folded into the U.S. Army's 10th Regiment under the command of Col. James Welborn of Wilkes County, who resigned his commission as general in the N.C. militia in order to join the regular army..
Although North Carolinians served in rifle companies and in the 12th, 13th, 15th and 43rd Infantry Regiments of the U.S. Army, the majority were in the 10th.
In the winter of 1813-1814, the 10th was moved to the war;s Northern Frontier.
The 10th was destined for the Canadian Front under Col. Welborn but never took part in the fighting as the war ended while they were enroute.
--Brock-Perry
From the N.C. War of 1812: The Known Military Units From North Carolina.
Most North Carolinians were folded into the U.S. Army's 10th Regiment under the command of Col. James Welborn of Wilkes County, who resigned his commission as general in the N.C. militia in order to join the regular army..
Although North Carolinians served in rifle companies and in the 12th, 13th, 15th and 43rd Infantry Regiments of the U.S. Army, the majority were in the 10th.
In the winter of 1813-1814, the 10th was moved to the war;s Northern Frontier.
The 10th was destined for the Canadian Front under Col. Welborn but never took part in the fighting as the war ended while they were enroute.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
N.C.'s Fort Hampton-- Part 6: British Never Attacked
The British never attacked Fort Hampton during the War of 1812. However, a landing at nearby Ocracoke Island did cause some serious consternation.
And, this was a good things as there were definite problems with the fort.
One was the difficulty of keeping it garrisoned. In July 1812, the Army withdrew its regulars posted there. North Carolina Governor William Hawkins rushed militia in to take their place. There was no attacks and they were withdrawn in November and replaced by a company of regulars from the 10th U.S. Infantry Regiment who stayed there nine months.
In July 1813, the British raided Ocracoke Inlet which set off a near-panic in the state, but even then the regulars were withdrawn and again militia was rushed in. and stayed there for the remainder of 1813. The British later withdrew from Ocracoke of their own accord.
--Brock-Perry
And, this was a good things as there were definite problems with the fort.
One was the difficulty of keeping it garrisoned. In July 1812, the Army withdrew its regulars posted there. North Carolina Governor William Hawkins rushed militia in to take their place. There was no attacks and they were withdrawn in November and replaced by a company of regulars from the 10th U.S. Infantry Regiment who stayed there nine months.
In July 1813, the British raided Ocracoke Inlet which set off a near-panic in the state, but even then the regulars were withdrawn and again militia was rushed in. and stayed there for the remainder of 1813. The British later withdrew from Ocracoke of their own accord.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
North Carolina's Fort Hampton-- Part 5: A Description of the Fort
At the rear of the fort, the walls of the two prongs of the horseshoe were 18-inches thick at the top and loop-holed for rifle fire. Connecting the two prongs was a two-story barracks about 82-feet long by 30-feet wide. Each story had five 13-by-16-foot rooms, 3 for enlisted men and two for officers. These barracks could accommodate one company of 50 men.
Beside the right hand prong was a 15-by-16-foot magazine.
From the rear wall (barracks) to the front of the fort was 90 feet. The fort was 123-feet wide and had a perimeter of about 440 feet.
During the next several years Fort Hampton was garrisoned by small detachments.
--Brock-Perry
Beside the right hand prong was a 15-by-16-foot magazine.
From the rear wall (barracks) to the front of the fort was 90 feet. The fort was 123-feet wide and had a perimeter of about 440 feet.
During the next several years Fort Hampton was garrisoned by small detachments.
--Brock-Perry
Monday, June 15, 2015
North Carolina's Fort Hampton-- Part 4: A Tabby Fort
In November 1807, North Carolina's General Assembly took steps to encourage the federal government to protect Beaufort. A tract of land at the point was purchased by the state and ceded to the U.S. government for this fort.
In early 1808, the Army's Engineer Department authorized a small fort and work began the following year. Captain Charles Gratiot supervised construction at a cost of $8,863.62 and it was named for N.C. Revolutionary War hero Col. Andrew Hampton ((1713-1805).
It was the smallest Second System fort built at the time, but typical of their design, consisting of a horse-shaped parapet seven feet high and made of an oyster shell cement called tabby, or tapia.
The walls were 14-feet thick at the base and tapered to 8-feet at the top.. The gun platform was 23-feet wide on which there were to be mounted five 18-pdr. cannons capable of throwing an 18 pound cannon ball a mile.
--Brock-Perry
In early 1808, the Army's Engineer Department authorized a small fort and work began the following year. Captain Charles Gratiot supervised construction at a cost of $8,863.62 and it was named for N.C. Revolutionary War hero Col. Andrew Hampton ((1713-1805).
It was the smallest Second System fort built at the time, but typical of their design, consisting of a horse-shaped parapet seven feet high and made of an oyster shell cement called tabby, or tapia.
The walls were 14-feet thick at the base and tapered to 8-feet at the top.. The gun platform was 23-feet wide on which there were to be mounted five 18-pdr. cannons capable of throwing an 18 pound cannon ball a mile.
--Brock-Perry
Saturday, June 13, 2015
North Carolina's Fort Hampton-- Part 3: Protecting Beaufort, N.C.
From the NC1812 site "A History of Fort Hampton" by Paul Branch. A lot of research went into this piece as there is not a lot of information about the fort available over the internet. It was not a major player in the war or its history and has been completely erased by nature.
People know about Fort Macon, N.C., but not its predecessor, Fort Hampton which once stood near it. Like Fort Macon, it was built to defend Beaufort harbor. Beaufort, N.C., was captured twice before Fort Hampton and the residents of the state put pressure on the U.S. government to defend it.
The first capture took place in 1756, after which the colonists got the construction of a battery named Fort Dobbs, but it was never completed. Beaufort remained defenseless during the American Revolution. (I am not sure about what happened in 1756 or the second capture of Beaufort.)
The second attempt to defend the town began in 1807 with possible war with Britain looming. A chain of coastal forts were built to protect the nation's shore. These forts are referred to as the Second System.
--Brock-Perry
People know about Fort Macon, N.C., but not its predecessor, Fort Hampton which once stood near it. Like Fort Macon, it was built to defend Beaufort harbor. Beaufort, N.C., was captured twice before Fort Hampton and the residents of the state put pressure on the U.S. government to defend it.
The first capture took place in 1756, after which the colonists got the construction of a battery named Fort Dobbs, but it was never completed. Beaufort remained defenseless during the American Revolution. (I am not sure about what happened in 1756 or the second capture of Beaufort.)
The second attempt to defend the town began in 1807 with possible war with Britain looming. A chain of coastal forts were built to protect the nation's shore. These forts are referred to as the Second System.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, June 12, 2015
North Carolina's Fort Hampton-- Part 2: Replaced By Fort Macon
Fort Hampton was built between 1808 and 1809 and guarded Beaufort Inlet during the War of 1812. There was no action that took place as the British elected not to attack Beaufort, the port which the fort protected. It was garrisoned off and on until 1821.
Shore erosion and the Hurricane of 1825 swept the fort into Beaufort Inlet by 1826.
Today's Fort Macon replaced Fort Hampton. Work on it began near Fort Hampton's site in 1821 and it was garrisoned by 1834. Fort Macon and Hampton both protected the port of Beaufort, N.C., the state's only deep water port.
Robert E. Lee engineered a system of erosion control for Fort Macon in the 1840s.
The More You Know. --Brock-Perry
Shore erosion and the Hurricane of 1825 swept the fort into Beaufort Inlet by 1826.
Today's Fort Macon replaced Fort Hampton. Work on it began near Fort Hampton's site in 1821 and it was garrisoned by 1834. Fort Macon and Hampton both protected the port of Beaufort, N.C., the state's only deep water port.
Robert E. Lee engineered a system of erosion control for Fort Macon in the 1840s.
The More You Know. --Brock-Perry
North Carolina's Fort Hampton-- Part 1: Washed Away By a Hurricane
Fort Hampton guarded Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina during the War of 1812. It was a little masonry fort that was washed into the inlet by a hurricane within a dozen years of construction.
I came across this mention of the fort, which I had never heard of before. Probably because it was gone by the Civil War and because until the bicentennial of the War of 1812, I didn't know a whole lot about that war.
As such, i have done some research on Fort Hampton.
--Brock-Perry
I came across this mention of the fort, which I had never heard of before. Probably because it was gone by the Civil War and because until the bicentennial of the War of 1812, I didn't know a whole lot about that war.
As such, i have done some research on Fort Hampton.
--Brock-Perry
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