War of 1812 Veteran Fought at Battle of Gettysburg-- Part 5: John Burns' Statue

John Burns became a national hero after the battle.  When President Abraham Lincoln stopped in Pennsylvania to deliver his Gettysburg Address he asked to speak with Burns and met him at his home.  Burns was also photographed and even a poem written about him (see last post).

A statue of John Burns was erected on the Gettysburg Battlefield and still stands today.

Am inscription of the base of the statue reads:  "My thanks are specially due to a citizen of Gettysburg named John Burns who although over seventy years of age shouldered his musket and offered his services to Colonel Wister One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteers. 

"Colonel Wister advised him to fight in the woods as there was more shelter there but he preferred to join our line of skirmishers in the open fields when the troops retired he fought with the Iron Brigade.  He was wounded in three places."

These words were from the official report of Union General Doubleday.

Quite the Character.  --Brock-Perry

Decatur (Illinois) Named After War of 1812 Hero Stephen Decatur-- Part 2

 Today a statue stands at the southwest corner of the Decatur Civic Center property overlooking downtown and a mural is on the side  of the building at 145 South Water Street.

The statue was erected in 1952 at West Main and Pine Street on the Millikin  Homestead grounds, overlooking  the home of  its main donors, the Scovill  family.  It was moved to its current location in 1991.

The mural, painted by Jerry Johnson, depicts Decatur leading the 1804 raid to burn the USS Philadelphia.

On its time, the City of Decatur has shared the triumphs and struggles of its nation and emerged with its eyes on the horizon.  Navigating  by a shining star whose name recalls unfailing courage, the City of Decatur proudly bears his name.

--Brock-Decatur

William Miller, 15th (18th) Governor of N.C.-- Part 3

From NC Home site.

Born in 1783 and by 1805 was practicing law and was a large landowner.

In 1810, the governor appointed him attorney general.  Served in six consecutive General Assemblies, the last three as Speaker of the House as well.

On November 29, 1814, the North Carolina General Assembly appointed him as the 15th governor of the state.  He served three terms before leaving office.  (One source I've read says he was the 18th governor.  Wikipedia has a complete list of North Carolina governors and he is the 18th.  The 15th governor was David Stone.)

The War of 1812 was ending as he took office as governor, but he fully supported it and President Madison's policies.  Once the war was over, he was pressed by the general Assembly to buy a full length statue of George Washington.   Antonio Canova was  hired to make it in 1815 and it arrived at the statehouse in 1821.

That statue was unfortunately destroyed by a fire in 1831.

--Brock-Perry

Jackson County, Mo., Votes to Keep Jackson Statues

From the November 6, 2020, Kansas City Examiner "Jackson statues to get explanatory signs" by Mike Genet.

A majority of the Jackson County voters voted this week to keep the two Andrew Jackson statues in front of its two courthouses.  The statues are in Kansas City and Independence.

But, the statues will be getting explanatory plaques.

You have to be careful about those contextual plaques as often they are giving more in the line of certain opinions existing today.

But, at least the people have spoken.

You Know, Those Culture-Erase Folk.  --Brock-Perry

Will Voters Remove Andrew Jackson Statues in Missouri?

 From the October 2, 2020, Examiner (Jackson County, Missouri) by Mike Genet.

Voters will decide on November 3 what to do with a pair of Andrew Jackson statues located at Jackson County Courthouse in downtown Kansas City and the Truman Courthouse in Independence.  The county is also named for Andrew Jackson.

If voters vote to take them down, the statues will be moved to other buildings in the county, possibly with historical context because of Jackson's complicated legacy.  He was a military hero of the War of 1812 and prevented the Southern states from seceding during his presidency.

But he was also a slave owner and responsible for the Indian Removal Act that forced Indians off of their land in what became known as the Trail of Tears.

The downtown statue was damaged in the post George Floyd riots.

This is what should be done for all statue removals.  Let the people vote on what is t be done.

--Brock-Perry

Tuscarora Heroes Monument, Lewiston, New York

From Wikipedia.

Stands as testament of thanksgiving from the people of Lewiston to the Tuscarora Nation for saving the lives of dozens of local residents during the War of 1812 from British attack on December 19, 1813.  It consists of three 110% lifesize bronze statues that present a tableau of two Tuscarora men rescuing a local woman and her baby from the attack.

Thousands of spectators witnessed the unveiling ceremony of December 19, 2013, the bicentennial of the event.

The monument site has several symbolic aspects.    They are mounted on concrete in the shape of a turtle's back.    The Iroquois believe the earth was formed on a large turtle's back.  The turtle's head points toward an American flag representing the U.S.-Tuscarora alliance since the American Revolution.

Six northern white pines surrounding he monument represent the six nations of the Iroquois Confederacy.  The Iroquois flag also flies at the site.

--Brock-Perry

Andrew Jackson Statues in Missouri at Issue

The current Confederate Hatred groups ire has spread over to War of 1812 hero and former president Andrew Jackson who has two statues in Jackson County (Kansas City and Independence, Missouri) which are having plaques added to them with further context on the fact that he was a slave owner and the things he did to Indians.

To read more about it, go to my Civil War II:  The Confederacy Under Attack blog from today located in the My Blog List to the right of this.

At least they haven't defaced or torn down the statues.

--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

Two West Point Graduates Killed at Fort Erie Sortie in 1814

I have been writing about West Point graduate Col. James Gibson who died at the Sortie from Fort Erie in 1814.   Fort Gibson in New York Harbor was named after him.

Also killed at Fort Erie was West Point graduate Eleazor Wood.  Fort Wood (today the base of the Statue of Liberty) was named after him.

--Brock-Perry

Forts Wood and Gibson, New York Harbor

From National Park Service.

These are forts that are located on Liberty (formerly Bedloe's Island) and Ellis Island.  Fort Wood still exists as the base of the Statue of Liberty, upon which the pedestal sits.  Fort Gibson protected Ellis Island which served for many years as the entry to the United States for hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

Bedloe's Island was a strategic spot in New York Harbor and a massive stone fort was constructed in 1807 and named for American Army engineer who died in the siege of Fort Erie in the War of 1812.  The remnants of the eleven-pointed star fort  are still visible today at the base of the Statue of Liberty.  The whole interior has been filled in though.

It was built to defend against a British attack which never came.

Fort Gibson was built on nearby Ellis Island in 1795, but renamed in honor of Colonel James Gibson who also died in the Siege of Fort Erie.

Only a portion of the foundation of the fort remains today.

--Brock-Perry

New York City's Fort Wood-- Part 1: Now At the Base of the Statue of Liberty

Today I wrote about the removal of the torch of the Statue of Liberty to a museum on Liberty Island in New York Harbor.  The base of the statue is the old Fort Wood which gives the base the pedestal sits on the many pointed star shape.

This is a fort dating to the War of 1812.

You can read about the torches removal in my Cooter's History Thing blog.  Just click on that site on the My Blogs area to the right of this.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 7: His Statue 3

At the top of the monument is a copper statue of Samuel Smith (1874-1951) standing eight feet high.  It is one a seven high granite base with the inscriptions.

The sculpture cost $10,000 and was funded from money raised by the National Star-Spangled Banner Centennial Commission.

Samuel Smith is buried at Westminster Hall and Burying Ground in Baltimore along with many other Baltimore and War of 1812 notables.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 6: His Statue 2

Another inscription on the monument:

"Hero of both wars for American Independence

Long Island
White Plains
Brandywine
Defender of Fort Miflin
Valley Forge
Monmouth
Baltimore"

A list of his battles.  The first six are from the American Revolution.

--Brock-Perry

Samuel Smith-- Part 5: His Statue

Samuel Smith's statue is at Federal Hill.  The monument was dedicated on July, 4, 1918. and was created by sculptor Hans Shuler.  From 1918 to 1953, it was located in Wyman Park at Charles and 29th Street.  In 1953 it was moved to Pratt and Light Street and finally moved top its present location in 1970.

From HMDB

Inscription:    "1752-1839   Under his command the attack by the British upon Baltimore  by land and sea Sept., 12-14, 1814 was repulsed.

 "Member of Congress forty successive years, president U.S. Senate, Secretary of the Navy, Mayor of Baltimore."

Quite a Busy Man.  --Brock-Perry

Other Baltimore War of 1812 Monuments-- Part 3: The "Star-Spangled Banner" House and Wells-McComas Monument

**  The "Star-Spangled Banner" flag was designed and primarily sewn at Baltimore's Flag House.  The historic house was once occupied by Mary Young Pickersgill and her successful flag making business.

**  The Daniel Wells / Henry McComas Monument.  These two men were members of Captain Edward Alsquith's Militia Rifle Compnay and are credited with killing British General Robert Ross, who had led the sacking and burning of the Washington, D.C..

The monument was completed in 1873 and is made of Baltimore County marble.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore's George Armistead Statue: Fort McHenry

From Wikipedia.

The Armistead Monument at Baltimore's Fort McHenry, is a bronze statue of Col. George Armistead done by Edward Berge and dedicated September 12, 1914.

Its inscriptions read:

"Erected September 12, 1914 by the City of Baltimore Soc. of War of 1812 contributing in commemoration of the gallant defense of Fort McHenry under the command of Col. George Armistead which was the inspiration of the National Anthem The Star Spangled Banner.

To George Armistead April 10 1779 April 25 1818.  Commander of this fort during the bombardment by the British fleet Sept. 13-14 War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore's Battle Monument-- Part 1

Another reason for Baltimore being called "The Monumental City."

From Wikipedia.

Located on Calvert Street between  Fayette and Lexington streets.  On one acre.  Built in 1815.

Commemorates the Battle of Baltimore which included the bombardment of Fort McHenry and the Battle of North Point. in September 1814.  It honors those who died.  It sits on the site of the first Baltimore County court house.  The site was originally picked for the city's Washington Monument, but it was feared that would be too tall, so its construction was moved to another site.

The monument was designed by Baltimore architect J. Maximilian M. Godefroy and built between 1815 and 1825 and stands 39 feet high.

--Brock-Perry

Baltimore's Defenders' Day-- Part 3: "The Monumental City"

Over the yeaars there were additional fatalities due to the firing of actual musket balls in the re-enactments.  In the years leading up to the Civil War, Baltimore newspapers would have a lot of advertisements for "now available --  blank ammunition."

  In 1857, statues to the two privates credited with killing British General Robert Ross were dedicated.  Many monument, in fact, to the War of 1812 caused Baltimore to get the nickname "The Monumental City."

The designation "The Monumental City" is attributed to the U.S. 6th president John Quincy Adams in 1827 during a civic toast at a banquet.

Of course, now Baltimore must hand its head in shame as it has removed some of its monuments due to political correctness and the current Confederate-hatred thing.

Shame On baltimore.  --Brock-Perry

The Rocks at Fort Christiana Park

From the cardcow site.

The Rocks of Fort Christina Park, Wilmington, Delaware.

Postcard with inscription  "The Rocks believed to be the exact spot where Swedish colonists landed in 1638 and formed New Sweden.  The 25-foot monument  executed by Carl Milles, world famous sculptor, was paid for by subscription by the Swedish people, was presented to the American people by Royal Emissary at the tercentenary celebration in 1938."

You can see "The Rocks" in front of the statue.

I have seen the fort spelled both Christina and Christiana.  Christina would be the correct spelling.

--Brock-Perry

The Battle of New Orleans' Ephraim Brank-- Part 3

After the battle, Ephraim Brank returned to Greenville, the county seat of Muhlenberg, Kentucky.  His comrades from the battle told of him standing atop the battlements of Chalmette plantation, southeast of New Orleans and gunning down the British as calmly as if he were bagging squirrels in western Kentucky.

Two soldiers kept loading and reloading rifles and handing them to the 24-year-old soldier.  He never missed, or so it is told.

Branl later became a lawyer, land surveyor and a farmer.

There is a Brank Street in Greenville and a live-sized bronze statue at the veterans Mall at the court.  His rifle reportedly used that day outside of New Orleans is also there.

His statue is the only War of 1812 one in Kentucky.

--Brock-Perry