William Caldwell-- Part 2: Northwest Indian War and War of 1812

During the Northwest Indian War, Caldwell led a company  of 80-150 Canadian militia alongside Northwestern Confederacy Natives against advancing American troops at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, the final engagement of that war.

With the outbreak of the War of 1812, Caldwell was commissioned a lieutenant colonel and given command of a group of between 40 and 50 volunteers from the Canadian militia and they became known as Caldwell's Rangers(also sometimes referred to as the Western Rangers).

He fought at the Battle of   the Thames and the Battle of  Longwoods, among many actions.

He gained commissions for all his sons in the regular army.

--Brock-Perry

Okay, So Who Was This Butler Who Had the Barracks

The last several posts I have been writing about Butler's Barracks, located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.  I mentioned that Butler's Barracks were named after a Loyalist officer by the name of John Butler (1728-1796).

Well, who was he?

Essentially, an enemy of the new country the Patriots were trying to establish.

He was an American-born military officer, merchant, landowner and colonial official in the British Indian Deparment.  During the American Revolution he was a prominent Loyalist who led the provincial regiment Butler's Rangers on the frontiers of New York and Pennsylvania.

Born in Connecticut, he moved to New York.  To say he was a thorn in the side of Americans would be an understatement.  In thanks for his services, Britain was given a land grant in the Niagara region.  This eventually became Butler's Barracks.

I'll write about him in my Cooter's History Thing blog later.

--Brock-Perry

Butler's Barracks-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

Was the home of Loyalist military officer John Butler (1728-1795), in what was then Newark, Upper Canada which is present-day Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.  Butler is most famous for leading an irregular military unit known as Butler's Rangers on thye northern frontier during the American revolution.  He fought against the Americans.

The original barracks were constructed in 1778 on the banks of the Niagara River, but were torn down during the construction of Fort George.  

The building currently called Butler's Barracks was constructed in 1818 and the site at one time was quite extensive, being first used by the Indian Department and later by thye British military.

--Brock-Perry

Historic Fort George-- Part 8: British Recapture It and Then Capture American Fort Niagara

The Americans had intended to use Fort George as a bridgehead in Canadian territory to launch further attacks.  However, that did not come to pass.  Disease,  increased desertion rates,  risks of ambushes and a general British advance toward the fort following their victories at  Stoney Creek and Beaver Dams kept it from doing that.

American forces began a slow withdrawal from the fort until in December 1813, there were but 60 soldiers there.  Upon receiving intelligence that a force of 1,500 British and 500 First Nations Indians were advancing the Americans withdrew and razed the fort and nearby settlement.

The American garrison left the fort on December 11 after spiking the cannons and destroying the town.  However, the fort itself was left intact.

British forces arrived shortly after the Americans left.  Nine days later, they conucted an attack across the Niagara River that led to the capture of the American Fort Niagara and the razing of American communities in retaliation for what had happened to Niagara (the name of Niagara-on-the-Lake as it is called today).

--Brock-Perry

Historic Fort George-- Part 6: The Battle of Fort George

The Battle of Fort George began on 26 May 1813, when Fort George was subjected to an artillery barrage and heated shots from Fort Niagara across the river. Joining also from the Americans were new batteries along the shore of the Niagara River.  The result was the destruction of log buildings inside the fort.

Two days later, an American landing force of 2,500 crossed the river in  four waves about 1.9 miles from Fort George under cover of cannonade fire.  By the time the third wave attacked, Fort George's commander, Brigadier General  John Vincent, realized that his force of 560 men could not hold the place and were in risk of being outflanked and trapped in the fort.

He ordered the fort evacuated after the ammunition was destroyed and cannons spiked.  First Nations warriors under John Norton covered the British retreat although the Americans made no real effort to pursue them.

The Americans approached the fort carefully wanting to avoid possible casualties from the explosion of the fort's magazine, like had happened at the conclusion of the Battle of York.  Even so, they arrived in time to prevent the destruction of a substantial part of the fort.  They were able to extinguish one of the fuses that was going to blowup the magazine.

--Brock-Perry

Anniversary of the River Raisin Massacre: 'Remember the Raisin'

From The Press (Toledo, Ohio)

JANUARY 22, 1813

The River Raisin Massacre takes place near Frenchtown Township in Michigan (Near Monroe).

Hundreds of American troops under the command of General Winchester are killed by the British and Indians.  The attack is led by Chief Tecumseh and the it became a rallying cry for American troops for the rest of the war.

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

I'm not so sure that hundreds of American soldiers were massacred.  After Winchester's surrender to the British, Americans were taken by them and some sixty of the worst wounded were left behind.  When the Indians came on the 22nd, those that could travel were taken and those that couldn't were put to the tomahawk.

The cry "Remember the Raisin" was heard after this.

--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

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

Horrors of the River Raisin-- Part 10: A National Calamity Turned Into a Rallying Cry

When the British departed, they left the Americans who were too wounded to walk in the homes of the French inhabitants under a small guard of British troops.  On January 23, in retaliation for past brutalities, Native warriors returned to the River Raisin to plunder, burn homes, killing and scalping many of the remaining Americans and taking others captive.

Official U.S. estimates of the aftermath include a dozen named individuals killed and up to 60 more who were probably killed in this manner.

The event became known as the "River Raisin Massacre" and was not a sudden burst of collective violence.  Rather, it began as a somewhat incredulous confirmation that no U.S. forces had arrived, then progressed to a deliberate taking of valuables and able-bodied captives that was later punctuated by the killing of the most severely wounded survivors.

--Brock-Perry

Horrors of the River Raisin-- Part 8: Things Going Better for the Kentuckians

Over the course of two hours, the British regrouped and made two more frontal assaults, but the Kentuckians position was too strong --  British losses were perhaps four times greater than those suffered by the entrenched Kentuckians --  you know, being that puncheon fence they were behind.

As the British pulled back and evaluated their seemingly weakening situation, they received word about what was going on elsewhere on the battlefield.

American General James Winchester, now a prisoner of war and unable to give orders to those still engaged, arrived in the area.  When told that his men would otherwise be burned out of their position and attacked by a much larger force of Indians, he agreed to send a message encouraging the Kentuckians to surrender.

When they received this message, the Kentuckians balked, feeling that they could still carry the day.  As Private Elias Darnell later recalled, "Some plead[ed]  with officers not to surrender, saying they would rather die on the field."

--Brock-Perry

How the Horrors of the River Raisin Became a Rallying Cry-- Part 5: The Second Battle at the River Raisin

Arriving before dawn on January 22, 1813, and unnoticed by the American sentries, a force of 600 British Canadians and 800 Native warriors gathered into battle positions along the Mason Run Creek, about 250-350 yards to the north of the settlement.  

British regulars and artillery were positioned in the center, a dispersed clustering of Native warriors made up mostly of Anishinaabeg (Odawa, Ojibwe and Potawatomi) and Miami, accompanied by some Canadian militia were to the west, and to the east was a large number of Native warriors, mostly Wyandot and Shawnee, in the forward position, supported by Canadian militia and artillery to their rear.

Reveille sounded, and an American sentry spotted the British in the pre-dawn light. He fired a shot into the forward line that killed the lead grenardier, and the report of his musket sent 1,000 just awakened soldiers scrambling for their battle positions.

Almost immediately, the British opened with their artillery and the infantry pushed forward from its center position.  As they drew within range of the settlement, the British infantrymen fired a powerful volley at what, in the still dark distance, had seemed to be a line of soldiers.

Well, It Wasn't a Line of Soldiers.  --Brock-Perry

How the Horrors at the River Raisin Became a Rallying Call-- Part 1

From the Summer 2022 American Battlefield Trust Hallowed Ground "A National Calamity." 

In 1812, as war between the United States and Great Britain was on its way, the Michigan Territory emerged as a critical theater of operations with its location north of the state of Ohio (admitted in 1803) and its border with the British Upper Canada.  It was an obvious avenue of nvasion, both ways.

American militias were called into service building preparatory roads  even before Congress declared war on June 18, 1812.

While the ongoing war in Europe between Britain and Napoleon kept most British troops occupied, few could be spared for operations against the United States, much to our benefit.  The British commander in North America, Major General Isaac Brock had to rely more on Canadian militia and the cooperation of the Native American Confederation under the Shawnee war chief Tecumseh.

--Brock-Perry

Three 'Dirty Tricks' The British Pulled at Detroit-- Part 3: What About the Indians?

3.  BROCK PLAYED ON THE AMERICAN FEAR OF INDIANS

The British-Canadian  force opposing the Americans at Fort Detroit had an additional 600 native warriers under their leader Tecumseh.  Captured dispatches from the fort showed  that the Americans were alarmed by that large number of natives.  

Furthermore, Brock sent a message that he allowed to be intercepted saying that his food reserves were running low because he had 5,000 Indians with him.  The Americans then believed that he had 5,000 Indians in addition to his force.

So, when Brock sent a surrender demand to William Hull, he played up the Indian strength and further frightened the Americans saying:  "It is far from my intention to join in a war of extermination, but you must be aware, that the numerous Indians who have attached themselves to my troops, will be beyond ontrol the moment the contest commences."

From my readings on the Detroit surrender, it would seem that the main person worried about the Indians was William Hull, but he was the one with thea authority to fight or surrender, and we know what he did.

--Brock-Perry

This Month in the War of 1812: Brownstown, USS Constitution, Battle of Fallen Timbers, Bladensburg and D.C.

From the American Battlefield Trust 2022 calendar.

AUGUST 5, 1812

**  Skirmish near Brownstown, Michigan

AUGUST19, 1812

**  The USS Constitution defeats the HMS Guerriere

AUGUST 20, 1794

General Anthony Wayne defeats a Native American confederation at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, paving the way for the settlement of Ohio.

AUGUST 24, 1814

**  Battle of Bladensburg, Maryland

AUGUST 24, 1814

**  Burning of Washington, D.C.

--Brock-Perry

Anne-Louis de Toussard-- Part 1

I've seen his last name spelled both Toussard and Tousard.  This source spells it with one "s."

Encyclopedia.com

French and U.S. officer. In America he was a captain attached to the Marquis de Lafayette's staff.  Took part in the Battles of Germantown and Brandywine and spent the winter of 1777-1778 at Valley Forge.  In March 1778, he was appointed military advisor to the allied Oneida Indians and was present with them when they covered Lafayette's retreat at the Battle of Barren Hill in 21 May 1778.

Then transferred to the staff of  General John Sullivan in his unsuccessful French-American  campaign against Newport, Rhode Island.  Lost his right arm at the Battle of  Quaker Hill on 28  August 1778.

Because of this service, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Continental Army on 29 October 1778.

After this, he returned to France.

I probably should have put these entries about hinm in my Cooter's History Thing blog as they pertain more to the American Revolution.  But, I came across his name first in relation to his description of the Hurricane of 1812.  And that, of course, would be the War of 1812.

Had Quite a Bit to Do with the American Effort to Achieve Independence.  --Brock-Perry

War Ends 207 Years Ago, Christmas Eve December 24, 1814

From the December 24, 2021, We Are the Mighty "Today in military history:  War of 1812 ends."

On December 24, 1814, the War of 1812 came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of  Peace and Amity in Ghent, Belgium, between the United Kingdom and the United States.

The conflict began in 1812.  The United States declared war of the United Kingdom because of three main issues.

First, the British had declared an economic blockade of France during the Napoleonic Wars.  Second, Britain also began forcing American sailors to serve on British ships in the Royal Navy  (impressment).  Thirdly, the British supported Native American tribes that were hostile against American expansion into their lands.

For their part, Americans hoped Britain would be too occupied with fighting Napoleon and that the Canadians would be happy to kick the British out of their country.

--Brock-Perry

What's in a Name? 'The Anglo-American War' Is There a New Name for the War of 1812?

From the November 12,2021, CVBJ.biz site  "Veterans Day:  These are the main wars the US has participated in."

This site is calling the War of 1812 the Anglo-American War (1812-1815).

Here is what it says:

"Also known as the 'Anglo-American War' or 'War of 1812'.  It was a war that pitted the United States against the United Kingdom and its Canadian colonies.

"Among other causes of the war are the restrictions placed on trade imposed by the United Kingdom because of the war  in Europe against France, the forced recruitment of US merchant sailors to serve in the British Royal Navy and British support of the indigenous peoples of North America who opposed the expansion of the US.

"The confrontations took place by land and sea.  286,730 Americans served, among these were 2,260 deaths and 4,505 wounded."

Well, Which is It?  --Brock-Perry

Victory and Valour Service Will Honour Indigenous Veterans

From the November 3, 2021, Niagara Falls Review (Canada).

Niagara Parks will host a ceremony to honour Indigenous veterans at the Landscape of Nations  Memorial in Queenston Heights Park, Saturday.

It will be held on sacred grounds where Six Nations and Native allies  fought alongside their British and Canadian compatriots throughout the War of 1812.

The program will include guest speakers, the laying of wreaths, a traditional tobacco ceremony and sacred fire.

Six Nations and Native allies helped to secure victory at pivotal events  at Queenston Heights and throughout the War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

Gen. Hull's Proclamation-- Part 3: A British Proclamation

William Hull also believed that his invasion would frighten the native tribes.  In a letter to the Secretary of War, he wrote,  "It is likewise  probable that when the Indians see the American standard erected on both sides of the river it will have a favorable effect."

Like many Americans who lived on the  frontier, Hull was wary of native warriors.  In his proclamation, he wrote that their method of warfare "respects no rights  & knows no wrong."

To persuade locals from joining with indigenous warriors to resist  the American invasion, Hull informed them that any white man fighting alongside the warriors would receive no quarter.  Instead, "Instant destruction will be his Lot."

Hull intended his proclamation to coerce its inhabitants of Upper Canada into accepting the authority of the United States.   

The British commander (Isaac Brock), in turn, issued his own proclamation promising to defend Upper Canada -- and, in later  engagements, took advantage of Hull's fear of indigenous warriors to force his surrender.

--Brock-Perry

'I Come to Find Enemies Not to Make Them': Gen. Hull's Proclamation to the People of Canada-- Part 1

From the National Park Service.

As I said in the last post, I need to find out about General William Hull's Proclamation that his son, Captain and Aide de Camp Abraham Fuller Hull (who I have been writing about) witnessed in official capacity.

The whole quote from the headline:  "I come to find enemies not to make them, I come to protect not to injure you."

When American General William Hull made an early invasion of Upper Canada he was convinced that the inhabitants there desire freedom from the tyranny of the British.  He also feared attack by native warriors.  In one sweeping proclamation, Hull tried to impress  and threaten the entire region into compliance.

On July 11, 1812, American Brigadier General William Hull led his army across the Detroit River into Upper Canada, capturing  the town of Sandwich.  Hull's invasion was the first major offensive since Congress declared war on Britain in June 1812.

--Brock-Perry