Anne-Louis Toussard-- Part 4

After being named  inspector of U.S. artillery in 1800, Toussard became commander of the  Second Artillery Regiment in January 1801.

Incredibly, when West Point was finished on  1802, President Thomas Jefferson passed over Toussard for its first superintendent because he was French.

Toussard resigned his commission in  March 1802, and returned to France and rejoining the French Army as a battalion commander in GeneralVictor Leclerc's failed attempt to conquer Haiti.

He served as French consul in the United States from 1805-1816.

In 1816, he returned to France where he died in Paris 10 April 1817.

--Brock-Perry

Anne Louis Toussard-- Part 3: Impact on American Artillery, Forts, West Point and DuPont Gunpowder

Again, I have seen Toussard's name spelled with just one "s" and also with two of them.  I am using the double "s" spelling.

In April 1795, President Washington appointed Toussard  a major in the Corps of Artillerists and Engineers, beginning a period during which he had  enormous influence on the American military.  After supervising the construction of several significant fortifications, he restructured the U.S. artillery service on the French model, bringing uniformity to its use of cannons.

In 1798, he laid out the plans for what would become the  Military Academy at West Point.

Also, his "American Artillerists Companion" (1809) became the standard text for artillery instruction.  Along the way,  he aided Eleuthere Irenee du Pont in establishing gunpowder  mills in Delaware, which would prove vital to American interests.

Again, I don't know how I never came across his name before his letter about the Hurricane of 1812.  

An Important Person in American History.  Sadly, One Who Is Not Known. --Brock-Perry

Lt. Col. Anne-Louis de Toussard-- Part 3: A Major Force in Creation of the USMA

In 1798 he proposed the idea of a national military school, with a comprehensive curriculum, to  Secretary of War James McHenry.  He helped convert the West Point garrison into that academy in 1800.  He then began instruction to the first twelve cadets in the first Class at the academy on 1800.

His regiment was disbanded in 1802 and he returned to France via Santo Domingo in 1802.  French Vice-Consul in Philadelphia in 1805.  Served as the French Consul ad interim in New Orleans  1811-1816 (when he wrote the letter about the Hurricane of 1812).  Supported the work of General Jackson during the War of 1812.

Returned to Paris in 1816.  Made a Knight of the Royal Military Order of St. Louis in 1799  Wrote "American Artillerists Companion" in 1809.  Married  Maria Francisca Joubert in 1788 and then Anna Maria Geddes in 1795.

A grandson of his, Lt. -Col.  Anthony Eugene Stocker MD (1819-1897), a grandson, succeeded him in the Society of the Cincinnati, being admitted as a Heriditary Member in 1888.  He was a medical doctor during the Civil War, most of the time in a position of leadership in the medical corps.

--Brock-Perry

Old Fort Niagara to Host a War of 1812 Encampment-- Part 1

From the August 24, 202, Niagara Frontier  Publications.

The encampment is scheduled for  Labor Day weekend September 4-5.  This year's event will focus on U.S. troops who garrisoned the fort from June  1812 through December 1813, when the British captured the fort.

Activities include a Saturday afternoon presentation by acclaimed  historian  Richard V. Barbuto who will speak about "Seven Days in September 1814:  Turning Point of the War of 1812."  Her is author of  numerous books about the War of 1812, including "New York's War of 1812," recently published by  the University of Oklahoma Press.

He is also emeritus professor of history and has served as  deputy director of the Department of Military History at the U.S. Army Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.  A 1971 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he served for 23 years as armor officer with tours of duty in Germany, Korea and Canada.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Worth, Texas, Named for War of 1812 Hero-- Part 2: The USMA, Second Seminole War and Mexican War

Despite the injury, William Jenkins Worth was determined to continue serving in the U.S. Army.  He was appointed to Commandant of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1816 while he was a major.  

As commandant, Worth instilled the lessons of duty and honor into the aspiring young officers.  He taught the importance of never excusing a dishonorable act in another officer and the necessity of integrity in all matters, to keep one's word bio matter what.    His essays in honor are still required reading  for West Point cadets.

In 1838, he was promoted to colonel and given command of an infantry regiment.  he fought in the Second Seminole War in Florida as tribes and settlers clashed.  He was promoted to brigadier general afterward.

After Texas was admitted to the United States in 1845, Mexico threatened war over its former possession.  Worth was assigned to patrol the border between the two countries along with  General Zachary Taylor, and war erupted in 1846.

--Brock-Perry

There Are Paintings of Captain Gwinn and His Wife and Were at Auction in 2020

A few posts ago, I wrote that there were no known paintings of Captain John Gwinn of the USS Constitution.  While looking up more information on him, I came across a source that said paintings of him and his wife Caroline had been up for auction on November 21, 2020.

They had an estimated price of between $20,000 and $30,000 and auctioneers were Wooten & Wooten.  The one of Capt. Gwinn was made in 1839 and his wife's a few years later.

Thomas Sully painted them.  He was a famous artist living in Philadelphia who painted such subjects as Thomas Jefferson, John Quincy Adams and Marquis  de Lafayette.  Born in England in 1783 and emigrated with his family to Charleston, S.C.,  in 1792.  

Another of his subjects was Britain's Queen Victoria.    His Adams portrait hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.  Two of his Jefferson portraits are at the University of Virginia and at West Point.    

--Brock-Perry

William J. Worth-- Part 2: Glad I Didn't Have to Memorize This

Also, while a major,  Worth uttered his most famous words which are now inscribed in West Point's "Bugle Notes", a book of knowledge that all cadets must know by heart.

They are as follows:

"But an officer on duty knows no one -- to be partial  is to dishonor himself and  the object of his ill-advised favor.  What will be thought of him who exacts of his friends that which disgraces him?  Look at him who winks at  and overlooks offences in one, which he causes to be punished in another, and contrast him with the inflexible soldier who does his duty faithfully, not withstanding it occasionally  wars with his private feelings.  The conduct of one will be venerated and emulated, the other detested as a satire upon soldiership and honor."

Brevet Major William Jenkins Worth

I am sure glad I didn't have to memorize this as the wording is particularly hard to comprehend.

After the War of 1812, he was Commandant of  Cadets at West Point and rose to the rank of colonel in 1838 when he was put in command of the newly formed 8th U.S. Infantry Regiment.

So, was this the end of Gen. Worth's career?  Stay tuned.

Personally, I Think This Could Have Been Significantly Shortened.  --Brock-Perry

William Jenkins Worth-- Part 2: Second Seminole War and Mexican War

After the War of 1812, he became commandant of the military academy at West Point and was promoted to colonel.  After that, he was put in command of the newly-formed Eighth Infantry regiment stationed in Florida.  He gained victory there and was promoted to brigadier general in 1842.

Worth convinced Secretary of War John C. Spencer to allow  to allow the remaining Indians to stay in southwest Florida.  He also argued for an official end to the war in 1842.

Worth served under Zachary Taylor in Texas during the Mexican War.  Next, he commanded  the 2nd Regular Division Army of Occupation at the Battle of Monterrey in September 1846.  In 1847, he was transferred to  his old friend Winfield Scott army and placed in command of the First Division.

Worth died of cholera in 1849 in San Antonio, Texas.

The cities of Fort Worth and Lake Worth in Texas are named after him, as is Lake Worth in Florida.

--Brock-Perry

The Patriot War of 1838-- Part 2: The "Hunter's Lodge" Gets Organized

Participants in the war were  a secret organization known as the "Hunter's Lodge" formed in the United States in sympathy to the 1837 rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada.It arose in Vermont among Lower Canada refugees and spread westward under the direction of of Dr. Charles Duncombe, William  Lyon Mackenzie and Donald McLeod.

They formed the Republic of Canada and headquartered at Navy Island, but were bombarded by the British and retreated to Buffalo, New York, where they were seized by U.S. forces and sentenced to 18 months for violating the neutrality between Britain and the U.S..

On December 7, 1837, the initial rebellion in Upper Canada ended at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern at which time many of the rebels fled to the U.S..  Two days before the battle, a group of 13 had organized in Buffalo to support the rebels.

Rensselaer van Rensselaer, a West Point graduate and who had fought alongside Bolivar in South America, became the head of the Patriot military forces.  (I am not sure this is a correct name.)  They occupied Navy Island, in Canadian waters.  During the month of December much work was done getting supporters and soon they had 500 men.

--Brock-Perry

Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, NY-- Part 1: President Millard Fillmore

I have been doing a lot of writing about War of 1812 soldier and West Point graduate Alexander John Williams who is buried here.  Whenever I have a place of burial, I like to go to the cemetery and look at the names of other people buried there.

And, Forest Lawn cemetery has a lot of interesting burials.

From Wikipedia.

Red Jacket--  Seneca Indian Chief who sided with U.S, during the War of 1812.

Millard Fillmore--  13th President of the United States

Willis Carrier--  inventor of modern air conditioning

Shirley Chisholm--  politician and first black woman elected to U.S. Congress

Frederick Cook--  American explorer.  Said he reached North Pole first.

More To Come.  --Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 4: Father Was First Army Chief of Engineers, Jonathan Williams

Captain Alexander Williams was the oldest son of Colonel Johnathan Williams, the first Chief of Engineers on the U.S. Army.  He was born October 10, 1790, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.   Entered the Military Academy as a Cadet, July 9, 1806, and was graduated from that institution, and promoted March 1, 1811, to 2nd Lieut. of Engineers.

He continued at duty at West Point until 1812, when he was ordered to superintend the construction of Fort Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and was promoted to 1st Lieut. July 1, 1812.

Believing that he would see more active service and be more rapidly advanced in rank in the Artillery during the now-declared war with Great Britain, he  asked for a transfer to that Corps, in which he was commissioned a Captain, March 17, 1813.

--Brock-Perry

Alexander J. Williams-- Part 2: First In Class of 1811

From For What They Gave On Saturday Afternoon.

Captain, 2nd Artillery, killed while being engaged in the Defense of Fort Erie, Upper Canada, where, in hand-to-hand encounter, while repulsing the enemy's fourth desperate attack upon the bastion of the work.

Born in Pennsylvania.  Appointed to USMA from Pennsylvania.

Alexander John Williams:  Born October 10, 1790, Philadelphia, PA.

Cadet of Military Academy May 5, 1805, to March 1, 1811, when he graduated First in his Class, and was promoted in the Army to Second Lieut., Corps of Engineers, March 1, 1811.

--Brock-Perry

Henry A. Hobart, USMA Class 1811, Killed At Capture of Fort George in 1813

From For What They Gave On Saturday Afternoon.

Born Maine.  Appointed from Maine.

Cadet of the Military Academy, Jan. 20, 1808, to March 1, 1811, when he was graduated and promoted to Second Lieut. , Light Artillery, March 1, 1811.

Served:    In garrison at Atlantic ports, 1811-1812; and in War (First Lieut., Light Artillery, Aug. 15, 1811) of 1812-1815 with Great Britain, being engaged in the capture of York (now Toronto), Upper Canada, April 23, 1813, and capture of Fort George, Upper Canada May 27, 1813, where he was killed while valiantly leading his company to attack.

Age 22.

I am unable to find out anything else on him.

--Brock-Perry

Henry A Burchstead, Class of 1811, Killed in Creek Campaign

From "For What They Gave On Saturday Afternoon."

HENRY A. BURCHSTEAD

Born New York.  Appointed USMA from New York.

Cadet of Military Academy, Feb. 16, 1809, to Mar. 1, 1811, when he graduated and was promoted to the Army as Ensign, 2nd Infantry, Mar. 1, 1811.

Served:  on the Northwestern Frontier, 1811; in General Harrison's (2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Infantry, March 13, 1811) Campaign of 1811 in Indiana Territory, being engaged in the Battle of Tippecanoe, Nov. 7, 1811, where he was wounded; on frontier duty in the Gulf States, 1811-1812;  and in the War of 1812-1815 with Great Britain, (First Lieutenant, 2nd Infantry, May 5, 1813) being engaged in the Campaign of 1813 against the Creek Indians, in which he was killed, November 30, 1813, on the Alabama River.

--Brock-Perry

1st Lt. Vincent Marie Boisaubin-- Part 1: Graduated West Point Class of 1811

From Find-A-Grave.

Born 1791 in Guadalupe.  Died 10 August 1813 Niagara-On-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada.

Burial Old Fort Niagara Cemetery, Niagara Falls, New York.

From Heitman's Register and Dictionary of the U.S. Army:

Boisaubin, Marie V.  Mo. NJ, Cadet Military Academy  14 April 1809, two years.  .  1st Lt. Light Artillery 1 March 1811.

Died 10 August  1813.

From U.S. School Catalogs 1811:

Marie V. Boisaubin.  Died August 10, 1813, at Fort George, Upper Canada.

--Brock-Perry

West Point Class of 1811 Members Who Served in the Civil War

From the Civil War in the East site.

Hard to believe, but two members of George Ronan's West Point Class of 1811 were still serving in the U.S. Army at the time of the Civil War.

They were John James Abert who headed the Corps of Topographical Engineers for 32 years and Gustavus Loomis who is considered the oldest soldier to serve in the Civil War.

I will definitely be writing about these two men in my Saw the Elephant:  Civil War blog.

--Brock-Perry

George Ronan-- Part 11: Died A Hero, First West Pointer Killed in the War

The massacre happened on August 12, 1812,  and a very interesting fact is coming out about that bloody day and that is the connection between West Point and Chicago.

"Ensign George Ronan, a West Point graduate of 1811, was killed here in 1812 according to West Point records.  he's the first West Pointer killed in action," says Victorio Giustino.

And survivors of the battle say he died a hero.  He was fatally wounded but fought on trying to protect the others.

There is a small patch of land set aside to honor George Ronan.

--Brock-Perry

George Ronan-- Part 8: Did He Insult Captain Heald?

From the Together We Served Site.

From the book "Checagou:  From Indian Wigwam to Modern City 1673-1835.

In March 1811, George Ronan, a young cadet direct from West Point, was given the rank of ensign and ordered to repair at once to Fort Dearborn.  Practically our only estimate of him  is one recorded by Mr. Kinzie.

At the height of the panic over the murders at the Lee farm, Ronan volunteered to lead a squad of soldiers to the rescue of the Burns family, which was believed to be in imminent danger of slaughter.

On the fateful day of the evacuation [from Fort Dearborn] four months later, Ronan is pictured as uttering an impudent taunt to Captain Heald.  If he actually committed this fault, he offered the best possible atonement a little later, when "mortally wounded and nearly down"  he continued to fight desperately to the end.

--Brock-Perry

George Ronan-- Part 7: His Legacy

George Ronan is usually considered the first West Point-educated officer to die in the War of 1812.  He was an ensign, which made him the lowest rank of officer in the U.S. Army at the time.  That rank has been abolished and today would be a second lieutenant.

Sculptor Henry Hering, in his 1928 "Defense" bas relief mounted on the Michigan Avenue Bridge, adjacent to the site of Fort Dearborn, centered it on an unnamed junior officer depicted as protecting women and children civilians.  That was probably Ronan.

Ronan Park, a 3-acre unit of the Chicago Park District is located at 3000 West Argyle Street on the Chicago River and named in his honor.

--Brock-Perry

George Ronan-- Part 3: Killed a Year After Commissioning

From Wikipedia.

Ensign George Ronan was a commissioned officer in the United States Army.  Educated at West Point, he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Regiment in 1811, and assigned to duty at Fort Dearborn, a frontier post at the mouth of the Chicago River.  Just over a year later, he was killed in combat there and as such was the first member of the West Point Corps of Cadets to die in battle.

He attended the Military Academy for almost three years from June 1808 to March 1811.  At the time eh graduated, the  Academy was just six years old and he was commissioned in its ninth year.  And, there weren't a lot of cadets attending at the time.

--Brock-Perry