4. The song lyric's Shakespearean roots.
Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" contained the phrase "by spangled star-light sheen".
From "Taming of the Shrew" come the words "what stars do spangle heaven with such beauty".
But, did the "Star-Spangled Banner" coin the phrase "In God We Trust." In its 4th verse, it says, "The conquer we must, when our cause is just. And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.'"
5. HOW EMBARRASSING: Francis Scott Key owned slaves and his descendants supported the Confederacy. (And, this was before the murders in Charleston in 2015.)
The North adopted "The Star-Spangled Banner" as its unofficial national anthem. The Confederacy adopted "Dixie" as its unofficial national anthem. It was written by northerner Daniel Emmett.
Just the Facts. --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, September 30, 2015
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Five Things to Know About "The Star-Spangled Banner"-- Part 1: Amateur Poet
From the September 10, 2014, Daily herald by Juliet Linderman.
1. What does it have to do with Baltimore? The Battle of Baltimore
2. Francis Scott Out-of-Key. Key was only an amateur poet and probably tone deaf and described by his family as non-musical.
3. 200th Anniversary. The city was commemorating the 200th anniversary of the September 11, 1814, attack.
--Brock-Perry
1. What does it have to do with Baltimore? The Battle of Baltimore
2. Francis Scott Out-of-Key. Key was only an amateur poet and probably tone deaf and described by his family as non-musical.
3. 200th Anniversary. The city was commemorating the 200th anniversary of the September 11, 1814, attack.
--Brock-Perry
Monday, September 28, 2015
Eleazor Wheelock Ripley-- Part 3: War of 1812
Eleazor Ripley was wounded at York and also participated in the battles of Sacketts Harbor and Crysler's Farm.
In April 1814, he was promoted to brigadier general and commanded the Second Brigade of Major general Jacob Brown's Left Division in the Niagara Campaign. At the Battle of Lundy's Lane, his brigade captured and held British cannons until the Americans could withdraw. However, Brown accused Ripley for losing those guns. Ripley demanded and got a court martial to clear his name.
He briefly commanded Brown's division during the Siege of Fort Erie after Brown had been wounded at Lundty's Lane, but he was replaced by Brigadier general Edmund Pendleton Gaines.
Ripley was conspicuous in the repulse of the British assault on Fort Erie on August 16 and the American sortie from the fort on September 17, 1814, where he was wounded again. he was awarded the Congressional Gold medal for his action at Fort Erie. This was the precursor of the Medal of Honor.
Ripley later moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1815 and left the Army in 1820.
--Brock-Perry
In April 1814, he was promoted to brigadier general and commanded the Second Brigade of Major general Jacob Brown's Left Division in the Niagara Campaign. At the Battle of Lundy's Lane, his brigade captured and held British cannons until the Americans could withdraw. However, Brown accused Ripley for losing those guns. Ripley demanded and got a court martial to clear his name.
He briefly commanded Brown's division during the Siege of Fort Erie after Brown had been wounded at Lundty's Lane, but he was replaced by Brigadier general Edmund Pendleton Gaines.
Ripley was conspicuous in the repulse of the British assault on Fort Erie on August 16 and the American sortie from the fort on September 17, 1814, where he was wounded again. he was awarded the Congressional Gold medal for his action at Fort Erie. This was the precursor of the Medal of Honor.
Ripley later moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1815 and left the Army in 1820.
--Brock-Perry
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Eleazor Wheelock Ripley-- Part 2: From Maine/Massachusetts
From Wikipedia.
Born 1782 and died March 2, 1839. American soldier and politician. Eventually rose to the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army and was a U.S. representative from Louisiana 1835-1839.
Born in New Hampshire, he was the grandson of Eleazor Wheelock, founder of Dartmouth College. He graduated from there in 1800 and practiced law in Maine (a part of Massachusetts at the time). he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives 1810-1811 and Senate in 1812. (He probably opposed the War of 1812 as most of New England did.)
After the outbreak of war, he organized the 21st U.S. Infantry Regiment and was given the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Promoted to colonel and commander of the regiment in March 1813, most of his soldiers were from Maine and Massachusetts.
--Brock-Perry
Born 1782 and died March 2, 1839. American soldier and politician. Eventually rose to the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army and was a U.S. representative from Louisiana 1835-1839.
Born in New Hampshire, he was the grandson of Eleazor Wheelock, founder of Dartmouth College. He graduated from there in 1800 and practiced law in Maine (a part of Massachusetts at the time). he was a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives 1810-1811 and Senate in 1812. (He probably opposed the War of 1812 as most of New England did.)
After the outbreak of war, he organized the 21st U.S. Infantry Regiment and was given the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Promoted to colonel and commander of the regiment in March 1813, most of his soldiers were from Maine and Massachusetts.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, September 25, 2015
Eleazor Wheelock Ripley-- Part 1: Hero at Fort Erie
From History of the 21st U.S. Infantry 1812-1813.
Like the last person I wrote about, William Goldsmith Belknap, who was another officer involved in the operations at Fort Erie, Upper Canada during the War of 1812.
Colonel of the 21st U.S. Infantry, Eleazor Wheelock Ripley led troops at the September 17th sortie from Fort Erie and cited for bravery and ability. He received a severe wound and had to go to Buffalo where he recuperated for three months. where he hovered between life and death.
Congress voted him its thanks and he received a Gold Medal.
--Brock-Perry
Like the last person I wrote about, William Goldsmith Belknap, who was another officer involved in the operations at Fort Erie, Upper Canada during the War of 1812.
Colonel of the 21st U.S. Infantry, Eleazor Wheelock Ripley led troops at the September 17th sortie from Fort Erie and cited for bravery and ability. He received a severe wound and had to go to Buffalo where he recuperated for three months. where he hovered between life and death.
Congress voted him its thanks and he received a Gold Medal.
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, September 24, 2015
William Goldsmith Belknap-- Part 3
William Belknap was involved in may battles during the Mexican War and brevetted to colonel for gallantry in Gen. Zachary Taylor's Rio Grande Campaign. He was inspector general at the Battle of Monterrey, became a lieutenant colonel September 26, 1847 and brevetted to brigadier general on February 23, 1847, for service at the Battle of Buena Vista.
After the war he commanded Fort Gibson in Oklahoma, then Indian Territory, from 1848 to 1850.
He died of dysentery on November 10, 1851 while searching for a location for a military post to protect California-bound settlers and Texas emigrants.
He was also the father of William W. Beknap who became a Union general during the Civil War and was later Secretary of War under President U.S. grant from 1869 to 1876.
--Brock-Perry
After the war he commanded Fort Gibson in Oklahoma, then Indian Territory, from 1848 to 1850.
He died of dysentery on November 10, 1851 while searching for a location for a military post to protect California-bound settlers and Texas emigrants.
He was also the father of William W. Beknap who became a Union general during the Civil War and was later Secretary of War under President U.S. grant from 1869 to 1876.
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
What Does Brevetted Mean?
In the last entry, I mentioned that William G. Belknap was brevetted three times during the course of his long military career. Some folks might not understand what this means.
When a person is brevetted in the U.S. military, this means that they attain a higher rank, but without the pay or most of the privileges that go with it.
This often happens at retirement. But often it also takes place as a reward for gallant service.
--Brock-Perry
When a person is brevetted in the U.S. military, this means that they attain a higher rank, but without the pay or most of the privileges that go with it.
This often happens at retirement. But often it also takes place as a reward for gallant service.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
William Goldsmith Belknap-- Part 2: Brevetted Three Times
From Wikipedia.
Born September 7, 1794 in New York. Died November 10, 1851. Career soldier, brevetted three times for service during three wars: War of 1812, Second Seminole War and Mexican War. Eventually rose to the rank of brigadier general and served as commandant of Forts Gibson, Washita and Smith.
He was a lieutenant in the War of 1812 and wounded in the sortie from Fort Erie on September 17, 1814.
Was made captain on February 1, 1822 and major on Jan. 31, 1842. Brevetted to lieutenant-colonel; March 15, 1842 for his service in the Second Seminole War in Florida.
In 1828, Captain Belknap assisted in the establishment of Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
--Brock-Perry
Born September 7, 1794 in New York. Died November 10, 1851. Career soldier, brevetted three times for service during three wars: War of 1812, Second Seminole War and Mexican War. Eventually rose to the rank of brigadier general and served as commandant of Forts Gibson, Washita and Smith.
He was a lieutenant in the War of 1812 and wounded in the sortie from Fort Erie on September 17, 1814.
Was made captain on February 1, 1822 and major on Jan. 31, 1842. Brevetted to lieutenant-colonel; March 15, 1842 for his service in the Second Seminole War in Florida.
In 1828, Captain Belknap assisted in the establishment of Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
--Brock-Perry
Monday, September 21, 2015
William Goldsmith Belknap-- Part 1: Wounded Twice at Fort Erie
From the Chronicles of Oklahoma.
Born 1794.
Appointed 3rd lieutenant in 23rd U.S. Infantry April 5, 1813. In October was promoted to 2nd lieutenant. While a 1st Lt. at Fort Erie, he was wounded August 15, 1814. He was wounded again on the September 17 sortie from Fort Erie.
Later, he commanded Fort Gibson, Fort Washita and Fort Smith.
--Brock-Perry
Born 1794.
Appointed 3rd lieutenant in 23rd U.S. Infantry April 5, 1813. In October was promoted to 2nd lieutenant. While a 1st Lt. at Fort Erie, he was wounded August 15, 1814. He was wounded again on the September 17 sortie from Fort Erie.
Later, he commanded Fort Gibson, Fort Washita and Fort Smith.
--Brock-Perry
Saturday, September 19, 2015
David Riddle
2nd. lieutenant 15th Infantry, April 9, 1812
Brevet captain July 25, 1814 for gallant conduct at the Battle of Niagara. Brevet major on September 17, 1814 for gallant conduct during sortie from Fort Erie.
--Brock-Perry
Brevet captain July 25, 1814 for gallant conduct at the Battle of Niagara. Brevet major on September 17, 1814 for gallant conduct during sortie from Fort Erie.
--Brock-Perry
Friday, September 18, 2015
A British Trophy From the 1813 Raid on Hampton-- Part 2
The Rutherford Rifle is stamped with the number of the 115th Virginia Militia Regiment which was made up of men from Elizabeth City, York and Warwick counties. There are also the initials ECC for "Elizabeth City County."
Captain Richard servant and his company were the first to respond to the alarm and had to fight 1,200 British who had landed at what is now Wythe and began advancing on the rear of the American battery at Cedar Point.Servant's men fired on the British from the woods and temporarily slowed them, but were forced to withdraw because of superior numbers.
A rifle from Servant's men was picked up as a war trophy by British Lt.Col. Charles Napier and remained in his family for 150 years before it was returned to the United States and acquired by the Hampton History Museum in 2004 through a fund-raising campaign.
--Brock-Perry
Captain Richard servant and his company were the first to respond to the alarm and had to fight 1,200 British who had landed at what is now Wythe and began advancing on the rear of the American battery at Cedar Point.Servant's men fired on the British from the woods and temporarily slowed them, but were forced to withdraw because of superior numbers.
A rifle from Servant's men was picked up as a war trophy by British Lt.Col. Charles Napier and remained in his family for 150 years before it was returned to the United States and acquired by the Hampton History Museum in 2004 through a fund-raising campaign.
--Brock-Perry
Thursday, September 17, 2015
A British Trophy from the 1813 Sack of Hampton, Va.-- Part 1
From the June 10, 2013, Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press by Mark Sty. John Erickson.
Photo of the rifle accompanies the article with the mark of the 115th Virginia Regiment of Hampton Volunteer Rifle Co. on its barrel.
It is a rare rifle which tells the story of Elizabeth City County militia who fought overwhelming odds on June 25, 1813 at the Battle of Hampton.
It was made by noted gunsmith Archibald Rutherford of Harrisonburg in 1811. His rifles were a lot more accurate than the smoothbore muskets of the time. It was carried into battle by a member of Captain Richard B. Servants company of 75 elite Hampton volunteer "Riflemen."
--Brock-Perry
Photo of the rifle accompanies the article with the mark of the 115th Virginia Regiment of Hampton Volunteer Rifle Co. on its barrel.
It is a rare rifle which tells the story of Elizabeth City County militia who fought overwhelming odds on June 25, 1813 at the Battle of Hampton.
It was made by noted gunsmith Archibald Rutherford of Harrisonburg in 1811. His rifles were a lot more accurate than the smoothbore muskets of the time. It was carried into battle by a member of Captain Richard B. Servants company of 75 elite Hampton volunteer "Riflemen."
--Brock-Perry
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Archaeologists Look for Fort Russell in Illinois-- Part 2
In 1812 Indians killed a settler near what is now the Village of Pochahontas and another near present-day Alton. This caused Territorial Governor Ninian Edwards to order the construction of several blockhouses (two-story windowless) where settlers could take refuge, at twenty mile intervals between the Mississippi and Kaskaskia rivers.
Troops were stationed at Fort Russell and cannons from Fort de Chartres, a former French outpost, were brought in for defense.
Kind of Sad When You Lose a Whole Fort. --Brock-Perry
Troops were stationed at Fort Russell and cannons from Fort de Chartres, a former French outpost, were brought in for defense.
Kind of Sad When You Lose a Whole Fort. --Brock-Perry
Archaeologists Look for Fort Russell-- Part 1
From the April 3, 2012, Edwardsville (Ill.) Intelligencer by Oliver Wiest.
They are still looking for the site of Fort Russell which was built 200 years ago to protect Edwardsville from Indian attack during the War of 1812. A government land office survey puts its site around Springfield Road northwest of Edwardsville.
A musket ball was found along Route 159, north of town. The fort might have been there, but then again it might not.
What they do know is that it was a 150-foot square fortification located along what was then called Edwards Trace, now Springfield Road. This path had been used by American Indians for a thousand years.
--Brock-Perry
They are still looking for the site of Fort Russell which was built 200 years ago to protect Edwardsville from Indian attack during the War of 1812. A government land office survey puts its site around Springfield Road northwest of Edwardsville.
A musket ball was found along Route 159, north of town. The fort might have been there, but then again it might not.
What they do know is that it was a 150-foot square fortification located along what was then called Edwards Trace, now Springfield Road. This path had been used by American Indians for a thousand years.
--Brock-Perry
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Newport, Rhode Island's Fort Adams
From Wikipedia.
While doing my Civil War Navy blog about the U.S. Naval Academy's move to Newport, Rhode Island, for safety during the war, I came across the name of Fort Adams, which protected the town. I found that it did have a War of 1812 connection so will write about it here.
The Fort Adams that was in place (there were two of them at the site) was built in 1799 and named after the incumbent president at the time, John Adams. It was a First System Fort and designed by Major Louis de Tousard and mounted 17 cannons.
Its first commander was Captain John Henry who the article mentioned was instrumental in starting the War of 1812. Looks like I have something to research for tomorrow's post.
During the War of 1812 it was manned by Wood's State Corps of the Rhode Island militia.
After the war, it was decided to replace the original Fort Adams with a larger and newer fort. It became what was called the most complex fortification in the Western Hemisphere.
--Brock-Perry
While doing my Civil War Navy blog about the U.S. Naval Academy's move to Newport, Rhode Island, for safety during the war, I came across the name of Fort Adams, which protected the town. I found that it did have a War of 1812 connection so will write about it here.
The Fort Adams that was in place (there were two of them at the site) was built in 1799 and named after the incumbent president at the time, John Adams. It was a First System Fort and designed by Major Louis de Tousard and mounted 17 cannons.
Its first commander was Captain John Henry who the article mentioned was instrumental in starting the War of 1812. Looks like I have something to research for tomorrow's post.
During the War of 1812 it was manned by Wood's State Corps of the Rhode Island militia.
After the war, it was decided to replace the original Fort Adams with a larger and newer fort. It became what was called the most complex fortification in the Western Hemisphere.
--Brock-Perry
Captain William Nichols-- Part 6: Captured Many Times
From the Marine Society of Newburyport.
Captain William Nichols joined the Marine Society in November 28, 1811. He was born in 1781 and died Feb. 12, 1863.
he was captured by the French twice (probably during the Quasi War) and in 1811, while commanding the brig Alert, ran the English blockade into the French port of Bordeaux with a cargo of brandy, wine and silk, but the next day, on his way out, was captured by the British frigate HMS Semiramis.
A prize crew was put aboard, but Nichols and four others were left on board and the same day retook their ship. They put the prize crew in a small boat and cast them off.
A week later, the Alert was again captured, this time by the HMS Vestal.. Nichols and his men were taken to Portsmouth and put aboard a prison ship. He was later sent ashore for an examination and he escaped again and went to London to secure passage back to the United States. (This was in 1811, before war had started between the two countries.) He was spotted by a former jailer but bribed his way out off recapture and returned to Boston.
After the War of 1812 began, he commanded a fast-sailing privateer. (I imagine the Decautur.)
--Brock-Perry
Captain William Nichols joined the Marine Society in November 28, 1811. He was born in 1781 and died Feb. 12, 1863.
he was captured by the French twice (probably during the Quasi War) and in 1811, while commanding the brig Alert, ran the English blockade into the French port of Bordeaux with a cargo of brandy, wine and silk, but the next day, on his way out, was captured by the British frigate HMS Semiramis.
A prize crew was put aboard, but Nichols and four others were left on board and the same day retook their ship. They put the prize crew in a small boat and cast them off.
A week later, the Alert was again captured, this time by the HMS Vestal.. Nichols and his men were taken to Portsmouth and put aboard a prison ship. He was later sent ashore for an examination and he escaped again and went to London to secure passage back to the United States. (This was in 1811, before war had started between the two countries.) He was spotted by a former jailer but bribed his way out off recapture and returned to Boston.
After the War of 1812 began, he commanded a fast-sailing privateer. (I imagine the Decautur.)
--Brock-Perry
Newburyport "Clipper City"
I also came across this name for Newburyport, Massachusetts. There is a whole explanation of it at "Why Newburyport is called 'Clipper City.'"
There is also a Clipper heritage trail.
Though the first of the fast clipper ships wasn't built there, they sure did build a lot of them afterwards and Newburyport clipper ships were a bit different in design.
--Brock-Perry
There is also a Clipper heritage trail.
Though the first of the fast clipper ships wasn't built there, they sure did build a lot of them afterwards and Newburyport clipper ships were a bit different in design.
--Brock-Perry
Monday, September 14, 2015
HMS Surprise: Captured Capt. Nichols
From Wikipedia. Frigate commissioned in September 1812 under the command of Sir Thomas John Cochrane. 150.4 feet long. Mounted 38 guns.
Captured the 12-gun privateer Decatur 16 Jan. 1813, which was under the command of Captain William Nichols.
Took part in the attack on Washington and the attack on Baltimore. Converted into a prison hulk in 1822 and sold in 1837.
There is a replica HMS Surprise built in 1970 in Nova Scotia, but it is based on the HMS Rose, a 20-gun 6th rate frigate.
--Brock-Perry
Captured the 12-gun privateer Decatur 16 Jan. 1813, which was under the command of Captain William Nichols.
Took part in the attack on Washington and the attack on Baltimore. Converted into a prison hulk in 1822 and sold in 1837.
There is a replica HMS Surprise built in 1970 in Nova Scotia, but it is based on the HMS Rose, a 20-gun 6th rate frigate.
--Brock-Perry
Captain William Nichols-- Part 5: A Book About Him
And there Iwas never having heard of the good captain until I did the blog entry about the boy in Newburyport, Massachusetts who was run over and killed by a gun carriage during the town's celebration of the Treaty of Ghent.
AND, there is a book written about him. It is called "Holy Terror: Captain William Nichols: A True Story" by Dr.G. Williams Freeman. The author is a sixth generation descendant.
--Brock-Perry
AND, there is a book written about him. It is called "Holy Terror: Captain William Nichols: A True Story" by Dr.G. Williams Freeman. The author is a sixth generation descendant.
--Brock-Perry
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Captain William Nichols-- Part 4: Captured Again
Sailing back to Newburyport, Captain Nichols encountered the British ship Commerce which was twice his size and mounted double the number of heavy cannons. It was a lopsided battle but even so, the Decatur won.
On his second cruise, Nichols captured even more prizes until he was captured by the British frigate HMS Surprise and taken to Barbados. When the Vestal showed up there, its captain took Nichols prisoner and put him in a 5 X 7-foot crate for 34 days and then placed in a British prison.
He was exchanged and returned home. In short order, he returned to his privateering business and put out in the brig Harpy.
--Brock-Perry
On his second cruise, Nichols captured even more prizes until he was captured by the British frigate HMS Surprise and taken to Barbados. When the Vestal showed up there, its captain took Nichols prisoner and put him in a 5 X 7-foot crate for 34 days and then placed in a British prison.
He was exchanged and returned home. In short order, he returned to his privateering business and put out in the brig Harpy.
--Brock-Perry
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