This all started with a article about the Battle of Caulk's Field in Maryland. Then, it led to his ship, the HMS Menelaus and then on his various raids and expeditions in Maryland. Then to the ship's commander, Captain Peter Parker.
I found more information about his pre-Menelaus life as well as his family which consisted of several Royal Navy officers. Then, at one point, I found that he had sent two men to walk around American Annapolis and they evidently walked right through Fort Madison there.
This fort will be the subject of the next several entries.
One Thing Leads to Another. --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.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Sir Captain Peter Parker-- Part 2
Lt. Henry Crease reported that Captain Parker had been wounded while leading his men and carried off the field where he died in a few minutes. Back at the Menelaus, the body was placed in a coffin filled with whiskey. The next morning, his right show was found with a great deal of blood inside it. (So, was he placed in a coffin or a barrel?)
On September 3rd, the Menelaus carried off another raid, this time at the home of Thomas Mitchell, Commissary of Supplies for the Kent County Militia.
On September 7th, the HMS Menelaus sailed down the Chesapeake Bay with its pennant at half-mast in honor of its fallen commander.
It anchored with other British ships in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore. (Wonder if this is the ship where Francis Scott Key was held?)
Parker's remains were transferred to the frigate HMS Hebrus and taken to Bermuda and buried at St. George's Church. In the spring of 1815, the body was exhumed and taken to St. Margaret Church at Westminster, London, and buried again.
Quite the Hero. --Brock-Perry
On September 3rd, the Menelaus carried off another raid, this time at the home of Thomas Mitchell, Commissary of Supplies for the Kent County Militia.
On September 7th, the HMS Menelaus sailed down the Chesapeake Bay with its pennant at half-mast in honor of its fallen commander.
It anchored with other British ships in Baltimore Harbor during the Battle of Baltimore. (Wonder if this is the ship where Francis Scott Key was held?)
Parker's remains were transferred to the frigate HMS Hebrus and taken to Bermuda and buried at St. George's Church. In the spring of 1815, the body was exhumed and taken to St. Margaret Church at Westminster, London, and buried again.
Quite the Hero. --Brock-Perry
Sir Captain Peter Parker-- Part 1
From the Maryland In the War of 1812 Blog.
This all started out as a newspaper article about the Battle of Caulk's Field, but has expanded a bit.
Sir Captain Peter Parker (1785-1814) was the descendant of several Royal Navy flag officers and received the command of the HMS Menelaus when it was launched in 1810.
The story is often told that when Parker was mortally wounded that he was carried to the Thomas Mitchell home (on the Maryland Parkway, off Route 21) and that he died in the kitchen and his men "got a blanket and sheet to wrap Sir Peter in."
Today, the house is a popular Bed and Breakfast, but Parker was never there, but taken directly back to the Menelaus, which was laying off today's Parker Point (named after him?).
Lt. Henry Crease assumed command of the ship after Parker died.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
This all started out as a newspaper article about the Battle of Caulk's Field, but has expanded a bit.
Sir Captain Peter Parker (1785-1814) was the descendant of several Royal Navy flag officers and received the command of the HMS Menelaus when it was launched in 1810.
The story is often told that when Parker was mortally wounded that he was carried to the Thomas Mitchell home (on the Maryland Parkway, off Route 21) and that he died in the kitchen and his men "got a blanket and sheet to wrap Sir Peter in."
Today, the house is a popular Bed and Breakfast, but Parker was never there, but taken directly back to the Menelaus, which was laying off today's Parker Point (named after him?).
Lt. Henry Crease assumed command of the ship after Parker died.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Monday, February 11, 2013
War of 1812 Veteran Gets Headstone in Illinois
From the June 10, 2012, Pekin (Ill) Daily Times, AP.
Mike Rowley, great-great-great grandson of War of 1812 veteran Ashbel Rowley, had a headstone installed at the Sugar Grove Township Cemetery in Sugar Grove, Illinois, the only-known 1812 veteran buried in the cemetery in west suburban Chicago.
This was done in time for the bicentennial of the beginning of the war, June 18, 1812. The granite marker lists Ashbel Rowlwy's name and company.
The war veteran had a homestead near what is now Kaneville and lived there until he died in 1864.
Always a Great Thing to memorialize Those of the Past. --Brock-Perry
Mike Rowley, great-great-great grandson of War of 1812 veteran Ashbel Rowley, had a headstone installed at the Sugar Grove Township Cemetery in Sugar Grove, Illinois, the only-known 1812 veteran buried in the cemetery in west suburban Chicago.
This was done in time for the bicentennial of the beginning of the war, June 18, 1812. The granite marker lists Ashbel Rowlwy's name and company.
The war veteran had a homestead near what is now Kaneville and lived there until he died in 1864.
Always a Great Thing to memorialize Those of the Past. --Brock-Perry
Saturday, February 9, 2013
A Congreve Rocket Burns Henry Waller's Farmhouse
From the Maryland in the War of 1812 Blog.
This took place August 28, 1814, two days before the Battle of Caulk's Field.
On this date, Royal Marines and sailors from the HMS Menelaus, under Captain Peter Parker, landed at Fairlee Creek, in Kent County, Maryland. At 10:30 AM, they encountered militia cavalry near the bayside home of Henry Waller's 308 acre farm.
The British officer, Lt. Henry Crease, aboard the Menelaus, ordered Congreve rockets and an 18-pdr carronade fired at them. One rocket failed to launch and burned furiously on the deck before they were able to throw it overboard.
Later that afternoon, there was a second British landing made. The farmhouse was set afire as were the corn fields and musket volleys exchanged with the American militia It is a bit confusing as to whether the British set fire to the house on land or whether a Concreve rocket hit it, causing the flames.
In 1829, Henry Waller made a claim to the federal government and retained a Georgetown attorney by the name of Francis Scott Key (wonder where we've heard that name before?) He received his compensation.
One of the Congreve rockets that set fire to his house is at the Fort McHenry National Monument. (I would think it would have burned up had it hit Waller's house.) If Crease was on the Menelaus and I believe he was second in command, was Peter Parker leading the landing party?
Just Some More Raiding. --Brock-Perry
This took place August 28, 1814, two days before the Battle of Caulk's Field.
On this date, Royal Marines and sailors from the HMS Menelaus, under Captain Peter Parker, landed at Fairlee Creek, in Kent County, Maryland. At 10:30 AM, they encountered militia cavalry near the bayside home of Henry Waller's 308 acre farm.
The British officer, Lt. Henry Crease, aboard the Menelaus, ordered Congreve rockets and an 18-pdr carronade fired at them. One rocket failed to launch and burned furiously on the deck before they were able to throw it overboard.
Later that afternoon, there was a second British landing made. The farmhouse was set afire as were the corn fields and musket volleys exchanged with the American militia It is a bit confusing as to whether the British set fire to the house on land or whether a Concreve rocket hit it, causing the flames.
In 1829, Henry Waller made a claim to the federal government and retained a Georgetown attorney by the name of Francis Scott Key (wonder where we've heard that name before?) He received his compensation.
One of the Congreve rockets that set fire to his house is at the Fort McHenry National Monument. (I would think it would have burned up had it hit Waller's house.) If Crease was on the Menelaus and I believe he was second in command, was Peter Parker leading the landing party?
Just Some More Raiding. --Brock-Perry
Digging for Answers at the Battle of Caulk's Field-- Part 5
Sure is a lot about a battle I'd never heard of before.
Three cadaver dogs zeroed in on three sites that most likely were used to bury the British dead, except for Parker whose body was returned to England. Those sites will not be touched.
Julie Schablitsky's next step is to put together the story of the battle. They will continue to work with the property owners, Tulip Forest Farming Corporation, to insure that the battlefield will continue to be an untouched resource.
And, there are not too many War of 1812 battlefields preserved as well as this.
Brock-Perry
Three cadaver dogs zeroed in on three sites that most likely were used to bury the British dead, except for Parker whose body was returned to England. Those sites will not be touched.
Julie Schablitsky's next step is to put together the story of the battle. They will continue to work with the property owners, Tulip Forest Farming Corporation, to insure that the battlefield will continue to be an untouched resource.
And, there are not too many War of 1812 battlefields preserved as well as this.
Brock-Perry
Friday, February 8, 2013
British Spies in Annapolis
From the Maryland in the War of 1812 Blog.
Before the Battle of Caulk's Field, Captain Parker had anchored his HMS Menelaus undetected near Annapolis, Maryland. Two of his officers rowed a boat six miles to the city and reconnoitered it.
They even walked around the American Fort Madison without even a challenge.
This led Captain Peter Parker to report to his superiors that Annapolis could easily be taken by even a token force.
This Peter Parker kind of reminds me of William Cushing of the US Navy during the Civil War. Obviously, he was afraid to take chances and led by example and without fear for his life. Also reminds me of British General Isaac Brock.
A Hero. --Brock-Perry
Before the Battle of Caulk's Field, Captain Parker had anchored his HMS Menelaus undetected near Annapolis, Maryland. Two of his officers rowed a boat six miles to the city and reconnoitered it.
They even walked around the American Fort Madison without even a challenge.
This led Captain Peter Parker to report to his superiors that Annapolis could easily be taken by even a token force.
This Peter Parker kind of reminds me of William Cushing of the US Navy during the Civil War. Obviously, he was afraid to take chances and led by example and without fear for his life. Also reminds me of British General Isaac Brock.
A Hero. --Brock-Perry
Digging for Answers at the Battle of Caulk's Field-- Part 4
Archaeologists are hoping to determine the opponents' battle lines by surveying dropped artifacts. According to Julie Schablitsky, during the height of battle, soldiers were "shedding metal." The pattern of these brass buttons, spent munitions and coins will show where they stood.
Also knowing that American musket shot was smaller than the British helped draw the battle lines. There is also unfired ammunition that was dropped in the heat of battle as soldiers hurried to reload.
And, Schablitsky says she sees definite patterns emerging. A sweep of 40 acres last fall shows clearly that the fighting occurred over a larger area than originally thought.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Also knowing that American musket shot was smaller than the British helped draw the battle lines. There is also unfired ammunition that was dropped in the heat of battle as soldiers hurried to reload.
And, Schablitsky says she sees definite patterns emerging. A sweep of 40 acres last fall shows clearly that the fighting occurred over a larger area than originally thought.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Digging for Answers at Caulk's Field-- Part 3
The Americans ambushed the British and in an hour-long battle, 14 British soldiers (actually Marines and sailors), died, including Captain Peter Parker, the expedition leader and captain of the HMS Menelaus. He bled to death from a gunshot wound. You would not generally expect a ship's commander to lead an onshore expedition like this. Normally that job would fall to junior officers. Three Americans were wounded.
With their commander dead and the Americans holding the high ground, the Brits retreated back to the ship.
The ship then participated in the Battle of Baltimore (Fort McHenry) and left the Chesapeake after that failed. Fort McHenry, of course, is what inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Archaeologists are looking for where the forces actually stood and where camp was made. According to Julie Schablitsky, "It's really like a crime scene. You have to let the artifacts-- the evidence-- tell you what was going on."
Two sets of post-battle reports exist, one British, one American. She enlisted the help of the New Jersey-based Battlefield Restoration and Archaeological Volunteer Organization to scour the field and mark each artifact with a flag.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
With their commander dead and the Americans holding the high ground, the Brits retreated back to the ship.
The ship then participated in the Battle of Baltimore (Fort McHenry) and left the Chesapeake after that failed. Fort McHenry, of course, is what inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Archaeologists are looking for where the forces actually stood and where camp was made. According to Julie Schablitsky, "It's really like a crime scene. You have to let the artifacts-- the evidence-- tell you what was going on."
Two sets of post-battle reports exist, one British, one American. She enlisted the help of the New Jersey-based Battlefield Restoration and Archaeological Volunteer Organization to scour the field and mark each artifact with a flag.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
HMS Menelaus: Peter Parker's Ship
From Wikipedia.
The HMS Menelaus was a 38-gun fifth-rate frigate of 1,071 tons, 154 feet long, 39.5 foot beam with 285 crew carrying twenty-eight 18-pdr, four 9-pdr and fourteen 32-pdr carronade guns.
It was built at Plymouth Dockyard and launched in 1810, entering service under Captain Peter Parker who commanded it until his death in battle at Caulk's Field on August 30, 1814. With the article, I was under the impression that Parker was the commander of the Marines on the ship, not the whole ship.
Within a week of being commissioned, it was involved in the suppression of a mutiny on the HMS Africaine, then later in 1810 was stationed in the Indian Ocean. In 1812, it was blockading the French port of Toulon in the Mediterranean during the Napoleonic Wars. It cruised the south France coast keeping an eye out for privateers.
In 1813, it started escorting convoys across the Atlantic to Canada during the War of 1812. Later that year, it raided positions along the Maryland coast and destroyed an American convoy.
In 1814, it was ordered to operate against French ships in the Atlantic. After the French surrender, it returned to the U.S., where the captain was killed in Maryland and just after that, the ship took part in the Battle of Baltimore (Fort McHenry).
Edward Dix took command of the Menelaus and continued in that position until the ship was laid up in 1818. In 1832, it became a hospital ship and later a quarantine ship. It was finally scrapped in 1897, 87 years after its launch.
The Story of a Ship and a Busy One at That. --Brock-Perry
The HMS Menelaus was a 38-gun fifth-rate frigate of 1,071 tons, 154 feet long, 39.5 foot beam with 285 crew carrying twenty-eight 18-pdr, four 9-pdr and fourteen 32-pdr carronade guns.
It was built at Plymouth Dockyard and launched in 1810, entering service under Captain Peter Parker who commanded it until his death in battle at Caulk's Field on August 30, 1814. With the article, I was under the impression that Parker was the commander of the Marines on the ship, not the whole ship.
Within a week of being commissioned, it was involved in the suppression of a mutiny on the HMS Africaine, then later in 1810 was stationed in the Indian Ocean. In 1812, it was blockading the French port of Toulon in the Mediterranean during the Napoleonic Wars. It cruised the south France coast keeping an eye out for privateers.
In 1813, it started escorting convoys across the Atlantic to Canada during the War of 1812. Later that year, it raided positions along the Maryland coast and destroyed an American convoy.
In 1814, it was ordered to operate against French ships in the Atlantic. After the French surrender, it returned to the U.S., where the captain was killed in Maryland and just after that, the ship took part in the Battle of Baltimore (Fort McHenry).
Edward Dix took command of the Menelaus and continued in that position until the ship was laid up in 1818. In 1832, it became a hospital ship and later a quarantine ship. It was finally scrapped in 1897, 87 years after its launch.
The Story of a Ship and a Busy One at That. --Brock-Perry
Some More Information On the Battle of Caulk's Field
I'd never heard of it the engagement, small as it was, before so did some Wiki-ing and found out these items:
** Caulk's house still stands on the battlefield.
** A monument was erected to the battle in 1902.
** Captain Parker's body was preserved in a barrel of whiskey and sent back to England. (Talk about your pickling.)
** The British suffered 14 Marines killed and 27 wounded.
** One of the Kent County American militia men was Ezekial Foreman Chambers who was later a judge and a U.S. senator.
Brock-Perry
** Caulk's house still stands on the battlefield.
** A monument was erected to the battle in 1902.
** Captain Parker's body was preserved in a barrel of whiskey and sent back to England. (Talk about your pickling.)
** The British suffered 14 Marines killed and 27 wounded.
** One of the Kent County American militia men was Ezekial Foreman Chambers who was later a judge and a U.S. senator.
Brock-Perry
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Digging for Answers At Caulk's Field-- Part 2
The dig is a project of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, which secured a $40,000 federal grant to do it. Julie Schablitsky, 43, has been involved in other digs related to the war, but is most famous for her work the Donner Party campsite in the Sierra Nevada and John Paul Jones' birthplace in Scotland.
Caulk's Field is close to the town of Fairlee, on Maryland's east shore Chesapeake Bay. Executive director of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Bill Pencek says, "This is easily the best-preserved 1812 battlefield in the Mid-Atlantic, thanks to the excellent stewardship of the owners, Tulip Forest Farming Corp., who understood its importance and protected it."
THE BATTLE
Late on August 30, 1814, Parker's troops came ashore from the HMS Menelaus with plans to get information about Baltimore's defenses. Washington had already been burned and they were preparing to lay siege to Baltimore..
But, the Americans knew the British were coming and ambushed them in an hour-long battle.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Caulk's Field is close to the town of Fairlee, on Maryland's east shore Chesapeake Bay. Executive director of the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Bill Pencek says, "This is easily the best-preserved 1812 battlefield in the Mid-Atlantic, thanks to the excellent stewardship of the owners, Tulip Forest Farming Corp., who understood its importance and protected it."
THE BATTLE
Late on August 30, 1814, Parker's troops came ashore from the HMS Menelaus with plans to get information about Baltimore's defenses. Washington had already been burned and they were preparing to lay siege to Baltimore..
But, the Americans knew the British were coming and ambushed them in an hour-long battle.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Digging for Answers at Caulk's Field-- Part 1
From the Jan. 23, 2013, Chicago Tribune "Digging for answers from 1814 battle" by Candy Thomson.
They're looking for the DNA of a battle that helped turn the tide of the war and lay just 6 inches below a Maryland corn field. For nearly two centuries musket balls, cannister and other artifacts waited to tell the story of that August night when a British raiding party battle American militia.
Cadaver sniffing dogs and history buffs with metal detectors are sweeping the field to discover what happened.
According to archaeologist Julie Schablitsky: "This battlefield is frozen in time. It was a pasture 200 years ago, and its a pasture now. If Capt. Parker or Col. Reed came by today, they'd know exactly where they were."
Sir Peter Parker, a British Marine captain led around 170 troops who fought a group of American militia of about the same number led by Col. Philip Reed.
From mid-August to mid-September, Maryland was a war zone. People lived in terror, houses were burned, people taken away, Washington burned and Fort McHenry attacked..
I'd Never heard of This Battle Before the Article. --Brock-Perry
They're looking for the DNA of a battle that helped turn the tide of the war and lay just 6 inches below a Maryland corn field. For nearly two centuries musket balls, cannister and other artifacts waited to tell the story of that August night when a British raiding party battle American militia.
Cadaver sniffing dogs and history buffs with metal detectors are sweeping the field to discover what happened.
According to archaeologist Julie Schablitsky: "This battlefield is frozen in time. It was a pasture 200 years ago, and its a pasture now. If Capt. Parker or Col. Reed came by today, they'd know exactly where they were."
Sir Peter Parker, a British Marine captain led around 170 troops who fought a group of American militia of about the same number led by Col. Philip Reed.
From mid-August to mid-September, Maryland was a war zone. People lived in terror, houses were burned, people taken away, Washington burned and Fort McHenry attacked..
I'd Never heard of This Battle Before the Article. --Brock-Perry
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Some War of 1812 Facts-- Part 2
** Women often traveled with their husbands' military units and sometimes acted as spies. Canadian Laura Secord walked 20 miles in the winter to warn British troops of an American attack in the Niagara Falls area. Many Canadians now recognize her name in connection with a chain of candy stores named in her honor.
I wonder if any women served in the capacity of soldiers or sailors?
** The Treaty of Ghent, named after the Belgian city it was signed in, ended the war. This treaty essentially ended the war about where it started. The British still took American sailors off ships and Canada was still a British colony.
** The final fight, the Battle of New Orleans, took pace January 8, 1815, after the Treaty of Ghent was signed Dec. 24, 1814. Hey, news traveled much, much slower back then.
Brock-Perry
I wonder if any women served in the capacity of soldiers or sailors?
** The Treaty of Ghent, named after the Belgian city it was signed in, ended the war. This treaty essentially ended the war about where it started. The British still took American sailors off ships and Canada was still a British colony.
** The final fight, the Battle of New Orleans, took pace January 8, 1815, after the Treaty of Ghent was signed Dec. 24, 1814. Hey, news traveled much, much slower back then.
Brock-Perry
Some War of 1812 Facts
From the June 8, 2012, Washington Post for Kids "War of 1812 Fun Facts." Well, if you can have fun facts about a war. But, bet some of you didn't know some of this stuff. I sure didn't.
** It lasted long after 1812. The final battle was fought in 1815. You know, "Took a little trip."
** The British Navy at the time was the largest and most powerful in the world with 600 ships. The US Navy had just 18. It was a real NIU vs, FSU thing.
** The expression "Don't Give Up the Ship" came from 1812. These were the dying words of Captain James Lawrence of the USS Chesapeake as his ship was captured by the HMS Shannon. It is now the US Navy motto.
** Francis Scott Key's song was originally called "Defence of Fort McHenry" and the tune comes from an old British drinking song. It did not become the official national anthem until 1931. Wonder what they sang before games before that time? OK, let's all rise, remove those hats and sing "The Defence of Fort McHenry.
"Jose Can You Sing?" --Brock-Perry
** It lasted long after 1812. The final battle was fought in 1815. You know, "Took a little trip."
** The British Navy at the time was the largest and most powerful in the world with 600 ships. The US Navy had just 18. It was a real NIU vs, FSU thing.
** The expression "Don't Give Up the Ship" came from 1812. These were the dying words of Captain James Lawrence of the USS Chesapeake as his ship was captured by the HMS Shannon. It is now the US Navy motto.
** Francis Scott Key's song was originally called "Defence of Fort McHenry" and the tune comes from an old British drinking song. It did not become the official national anthem until 1931. Wonder what they sang before games before that time? OK, let's all rise, remove those hats and sing "The Defence of Fort McHenry.
"Jose Can You Sing?" --Brock-Perry
A Barn's War of 1812 Tales-- Part 2
Horse Landing got its name in 1812 when the British came to the Patuxent and Potomac rivers. They raided waterfront properties such as Sotterly, Chaptico, Cedar Point and Leonardtown. They brought their horses in at Horse Landing where the river was shallow.
On August 19, 1814, they landed at Benedict. Someone took a potshot at British Admiral George Cockburn's barge from St. Clement's Island and he ordered Royal Marines to land and sweep it bare, burning all farmhouses they encountered.
Gettin' Ya Back. --Brock-Perry
On August 19, 1814, they landed at Benedict. Someone took a potshot at British Admiral George Cockburn's barge from St. Clement's Island and he ordered Royal Marines to land and sweep it bare, burning all farmhouses they encountered.
Gettin' Ya Back. --Brock-Perry
Monday, February 4, 2013
A Barn's War of 1812 Tales-- Part 1
From the March 21, 2012, SoMd News.com "19th century barn shelters tales of War of 1812" by Jason Babcock.
On top of a hill overlooking the Patuxent River, there is a barn that long-told tales say was used as cover while American militia were firing at British soldiers. Leonard Copsey, 91, remembers stories and wants the barn to be preserved. His house if just down the hill from it.
A storm blew its roof off and Copsey replaced it, but its cedar logs are original.
However, the Maryland Trust dates the barn to around 1840 as "Murray's Log Tobacco Barn. That makes it one of the few-surviving examples of the 19th century single-crib tobacco barns which were common from the 1860s to 1870s.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
On top of a hill overlooking the Patuxent River, there is a barn that long-told tales say was used as cover while American militia were firing at British soldiers. Leonard Copsey, 91, remembers stories and wants the barn to be preserved. His house if just down the hill from it.
A storm blew its roof off and Copsey replaced it, but its cedar logs are original.
However, the Maryland Trust dates the barn to around 1840 as "Murray's Log Tobacco Barn. That makes it one of the few-surviving examples of the 19th century single-crib tobacco barns which were common from the 1860s to 1870s.
More to Come. --Brock-Perry
Saturday, February 2, 2013
1812 Mill Stone Rededicated-- Part 2
The Christian Zavitz Mill was built in 1790 on the northeast side of the Eagle Marsh Drain and shut down operations sometime in 1834. All evidence of its existence is long gone as the mill was torn down in the 1880s. That is, except for the mill stone.
The mill housed British and Canadian forces in the Sugarloaf settlement (now Port Colborne).
On October 28, 1814, American soldier John Dixon, retreating back to Buffalo after a skirmish in Norfolk where British and Canadian soldiers were killed, was shot by militia guard while trying to raid a store for guns near Zavitz Mill.
It was the last shot fired in the peninsula during the war...and the last death. Dixon did make it back to Buffalo before dying from his wound.
Just a Little Aspect of the War. --Brock-Perry
The mill housed British and Canadian forces in the Sugarloaf settlement (now Port Colborne).
On October 28, 1814, American soldier John Dixon, retreating back to Buffalo after a skirmish in Norfolk where British and Canadian soldiers were killed, was shot by militia guard while trying to raid a store for guns near Zavitz Mill.
It was the last shot fired in the peninsula during the war...and the last death. Dixon did make it back to Buffalo before dying from his wound.
Just a Little Aspect of the War. --Brock-Perry
1812 Mill Stone Rededicated-- Part 1
From the June 5, 2012, St. Catherines Review by Dave Johnson.
Members of the Port Colbourne-Wainfleet War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee will meet at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park to rededicate a grist stone from the Christian Zavitz Mill on June 17th.
The stone stood for years in front of Newport Centre, near the site of Christian Zavitz's grist mill which was captured three times during 1812, but was the only mill on the Niagara Peninsula not torched by American forces.
Three times, forces led by Captain Cyrenias Chapin captured it, but did not burn it because the grain inside was not tied to British government stores.
Don't Burn My Mill!! --Brock-Perry
Members of the Port Colbourne-Wainfleet War of 1812 Bicentennial Committee will meet at H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park to rededicate a grist stone from the Christian Zavitz Mill on June 17th.
The stone stood for years in front of Newport Centre, near the site of Christian Zavitz's grist mill which was captured three times during 1812, but was the only mill on the Niagara Peninsula not torched by American forces.
Three times, forces led by Captain Cyrenias Chapin captured it, but did not burn it because the grain inside was not tied to British government stores.
Don't Burn My Mill!! --Brock-Perry
Friday, February 1, 2013
War of 1812 Timeline: February 1813
From various sources.
5th-- John Armstrong becomes U.S. Secretary of War.
6th-7th-- American raid on Elizabethtown (Brocksville) on the St. Lawrence River.
16th-- 104th Regiment begins march to Upper Canada.
22nd-- Battle of Ogdensburg, NY. Ends American attempt to endanger British supply lines. British captured Ogdensburg as retaliation for Elizabethtown Raid.
24th-- USS Hornet sinks HMS Peacock.
That's the Month. --Brock-Perry
5th-- John Armstrong becomes U.S. Secretary of War.
6th-7th-- American raid on Elizabethtown (Brocksville) on the St. Lawrence River.
16th-- 104th Regiment begins march to Upper Canada.
22nd-- Battle of Ogdensburg, NY. Ends American attempt to endanger British supply lines. British captured Ogdensburg as retaliation for Elizabethtown Raid.
24th-- USS Hornet sinks HMS Peacock.
That's the Month. --Brock-Perry
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