3,188 Posts and Nine Years Later

As of this post, this blog is now nine years old and this is my 3,188th post.

I started three new blogs in 2012, this being one of them.  The other two are my Running the Blockade: Civil War Navy and Tattooed On Your Soul:  World War II blog.  2012 was a significant anniversary year for the wars:  200th for the War of 1812, 70th of World War II and 150th of the Civil War.

Even though I was supposed to teach the War of 1812 to my 7th grade students, I usually didn't get there.  I also knew that I didn't know a whole lot about the War of 1812 so this looked like a perfect way to gain some knowledge.  And, I have learned a lot about it.

The very first thing was the difference between Upper and Lower Canada.  Here in the United States, we would regard Lower as being southward and Upper northward.  But, in Canada, this is based on the St. Lawrence River which flows south to north, so Upper Canada is the part by the United States.  I didn't know that.

The sign off, by the way, Brock-Perry stands for a hero on each side during the War of 1812.  Brock is Sir Isaac Brock and Perry is Oliver Hazard Perry.

Learning All the Time.  --Brock-Perry

The Rank of U.S. Army Ensign

In the last four posts about George Ronan I have mentioned his rank as an ensign.  Now, before I started this blog I knew of the Navy rank of Ensign, which is the lowest of the officer grades, but I'd never heard of an ensign.  I know that the lowest Army officer rank is 2nd lieutenant.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has three meanings for ensign:

1.  A flag that is flown (as if by a ship) as a symbol of its nationality.

2.  An infantry officer  of what formerly was the lowest commissioned rank.

3.  A commissioned officer in the Navy or Coast Guard ranking above a chief warrant officer and below a lieutenant junior grade.

Wikipedia says the ranks of ensign and cornet were abolished by the United States Army in the Army Organization Act of 1815.

So, George Ronan would be the second definition.  Today, he would have been a 2nd lieutenant.

In Case You're Wondering.  --Brock-Perry

Army Ensigns in the War of 1812

Last week, I mentioned Ezra Dean being appointed an ensign in the 11th U.S. Infantry during the War of 1812.  I always thought an ensign was a Navy rank.

Using Wikipedia, I found that an ensign is a junior officer.  In olden times, this officer carried the flag, hence the name ensign.

The Army replaced ensigns with second lieutenant in the Army Organization Act of 1815.

In the Navy, the rank of ensign replaced Passed Midshipman in 1862.

So, Now I Know.  --Brock-Perry

Whitehall, New York: Birthplaceof the U.S. Navy

From Wikipedia. //// In the last post, I mentioned that after its capture, the HMS Linnert was taken to Whitehall, New York, repaired and taken into the U,S, Navy. Later, it was placed inordinary there before being sold. I have, on occasion, come across the name of this place in the War of 1812. //// It is located just south of the point where the Vermont border connects to the south end of Lake Champlain and founded in 1759. //// In 1776, American General Philip Schuyler built a small fleet of ships here which were used by General Benedict Arnold at the Battle of Valcour Island in October. Ever since then, Whitehall has claimed the title of Birthplace of the U.S. Navy. //// The vessels that survived the battle were destroyed here to prevent capture. Later, British General John Burgoyne led his forces through the area during his Saratoga Campaign. //// During the War of 1812, the American ships which fought at the famous Battle of Lake Champlain were built here. //// --Brock-Perry

The North America and West Indies Station-- Part 1

Wikipedia.

The HMS Atalante made captures while on, what the source called, the British North America and West Indies Station, something I'd never heard of.

It is a formation of command for England's Royal Navy in the Western Hemisphere. much like during the Civil War when the Union had such naval groups at the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron or the West Gulf Blockading Squadron or the U.S. Navy had the African Squadron before the Civil War to stop slavers and the Neutrality Patrol before the country entered World War II.

I have written about these in my Civil War blogs and World War I blog.

More to Come. --Brock-Perry

--Brock-Perry

War Hero Commodore Joshua Barney Honored at Alleghenny Cemetery

From the August 4, 2012, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by Len Barcousky.

Commodore Joshua Barney of Maryland died and is buried in Pittsburgh in 1818 while en route to his home in Kentucky. In 1848, his remains were moved to the newly opened Allegheny Cemetery in Lawrenceville.

The commemoration was sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution and the U.S. Daughters of 1812.

Four of Barney's descendants also took part when a 10 X24-inch marker was dedicated.

Brock-Perry

The State of the War February 19, 1813-- Part 1

From the Andrew Jackson War of 1812 Blog.

From the Feb. 19, 1913, Raleigh (NC) Register "Notes from Washington City, February 13, 1812.

There was a bill for the exclusion of foreign seamen from serving on Navy vessels and merchant service which had passed a third reading in the House of Representatives,  "Many gentlemen from the federal side of the House voted for the bill and some against it."

Federalists would be primarily from New England.  North Carolina would be more of a Democrat-Republican state.  I'm not sure exactly why there would be a split in Federalist voting.

Brock-Perry

A Naval Pictoral of the War

From the Nov. 5, 2012, Niagara This Week "A Visual History of Naval Engagement"

A pictoral history of War of 1812 naval engagements consisting of more than 40 prints will be on display at the Grimsby Museum.  Most are by renowned marine artist Peter Rindlisbacher.

They cover actions in the Great Lakes Basin: Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and were on display until November 25th. 

The museum is located at 6 Murray Street in Grimsby, Canada.

Oops, missed It.  Maybe the artist has a website?

Always Very Interested in the Naval Actions of Any War.  --Brock-Perry

And the Observance Starts in the U.S. at New Orleans

From the April 15th Examiner.

Nine ships are set to arrive in New Orleans April 17th to kick off the bicentennial observation of the War of 1812 in the United States. Three are US Navy, three from foreign navies and three are tall ships.

They will be docked at Woldenberg Riverfront Park and open for free tours from April 18th to 22nd.

They are:

USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship
USS Mitscher, destroyer
USS De Wert, frigate

FS Germinal from France
HMS Montrose from Britain
HMCS St. Johns from Canada

One of the three Tall Ships is the Coast Guard's Eagle.

And, So It Starts. --Brock-Perry