Fort Worth Named for War of 1812 Hero-- Part 3: The Mexican War

General William Worth negotiated the surrender of the Mexican City of Matamoros in September and pushed his forces steadily southward toward the capital, Mexico City.

After another year of heavy fighting, Worth and his men swept aside the last defenses of Mexico City with the victory at Chapultepec.  Worth himself was commended for  his bravery in that battle.  When Mexico City was captured, Worth personally  replaced the Mexican flag with the American flag at the Capitol building.

After the end of the war, Worth was given command of the Army's  Department of Texas in 1848  He realized that fighting between the settlers and  frontier tribes would continue and devised a system for protecting the Texas frontier.

This plan materialized in a series of forts acting as a barrier between tribal lands and the farms and towns settlers of Central and North Texas.

--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

Fort Worth, Texas, Named for War of 1812 Hero, William Jenkins Worth-- Part 1

From the May 16, 2021, Amarillo (Texas) Globe News "Bridges:  Fort Worth  namesake was a distinguished  war hero" by Ken Bridges.

The City of Fort Worth is sometimes known as  "Cowtown" or "Where the West Begins."  However, the name behind the city has a story all its own. 

General William Jenkins Worth was a legend in his own right, a distinguished officer and war hero who fought for Texas and his nation.

He was born in Hudson, New York in 1794, to Quaker parents.  His father made a comfortable living as a merchant ship captain.  Despite being a Quaker, young William enlisted in the U.S. Army when the War of 1812 came.

Worth received a commission as 1st lieutenant  in March 1813 and was assigned as an aide to General Winfield Scott.  Scott became a mentor and close friend.  Worth fought in numerous battles against the British, Canadians and Indians.

At the Battle of Lundy's Lane in July 1814, he and Scott were both wounded in what was the bloodiest battle of the whole war.  Worth's leg wound proved almost fatal, but he survived and never regained use of the leg the rest of his life.

--Brock-Perry-Worth

John Gwinn Also Commanded the Frigate USS Potomac

Last month I spent a lot of time writing about this naval officer's career.  He was a War of 1812 veteran and was commanding the frigate USS Constitution at the time of his death in 1849.

He also commanded the frigate USS Potomac from 1844 to 1845.

The frigate USS Potomac was constructed at the Washington Navy Yard between 1819 and 1822 and entered active service in 1831.  During the 1830s and early 1840s, the Potomac sailed to Asia where it participated in the shelling of  Qualla Battoo, Sumatra.

After its return to Boston in 1844. the ship traveled twice to Brazil

Captain John Gwinn of Maryland commanded the ship  between October 1844 and December 1845 as the Potomac sailed along the U.S. Atlantic coast and to ports om the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

During the Mexican War, the Potomac landed troops at Port Isabel, Texas, and in the Siege of Vera Cruz.

From 1855 to 1856, it was the flagship of the Home Squadron and was part of the Union blockade of the Gulf Coast during the Civil War.

It remained in the service of the U.S. Navy until 1877 when it was sold.

--Brock-Perry

USS Constitution Reopens-- Part 2: How It Got Its Nickname

This is the Constitution's first underway in more than a year because of the CORONA-199 pandemic.

The USS Constitution is the world's oldest  commissioned warship afloat and played a role in both the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812.  It actively defended sea lanes between  1797 and 1855.

The sailors aboard the ship are active duty U.S. Navy personnel and provide free tours  and offer public visitation as they  support the ship's mission of  promoting the Navy's history and maritime heritage and raising public awareness of the importance of  sustained naval presence.

The ship got its distinctive nickname during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs were seen bouncing off the ship's wooden hull.

The USS Constitution Museum reopened on April 8 and is currently open  Thursday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..

--Brock-Perry

The USS Constitution to Reopen to the Public-- Part 1

From the May 11, 2021, WCVB ABC News.

The USS Constitution is scheduled to go underway from Charlestown Navy Yard on May 21 to celebrate its reopening to the public after the you-know-what.   

Commander John Benda, the 76th  commanding officer of the ship, said:  "So excited to share this beautiful and historic ship with visitors again.    We could not think of a better way to sound the reopening bell than with a 21-gun salute while underway  aboard Old Ironsides."

I wrote about one of the ship's commanders, John Gwinn quite a lot back in April min this blog.

The ship will reopen for public tours at 3 pm to 6 pm after the underway.  The underway itself, will be broadcast live on the U.S. Navy's Facebook page at 10 am on May 21 and will feature demonstrations on climbing, firing a 18th century 24-pound long gun and using shipboard weaponry.

It will conclude with a 21-gun salute viewable from Fort Independence on Castle Island  at 11:30 pm.

--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

Decatur (Illinois) Named After War of 1812 Hero-- Part 1

From the May 10, 2021, Decatur (Illinois) Herald and Review "City bears name of a hero, Decatur" by John Reidy.

When Stephen Decatur lead a successful raiding party into Tripoli Harbor to burn the captured U.S. frigate Philadelphia, it was called "the most daring act of the age" by none other than Britain's Admiral Horatio Nelson.

On that night in February 1804, the United States had a new hero as well, 21-year-old Lieutenant Stephen Decatur.

In 1829, nine years after his death in a duel at the hands of another rival in the Navy, a new city was founded in Central Illinois which bore his name.

Decatur was our country's first post-Revolutionary War  national hero, leading by example in the Quasi-War vs. France, the Barbary  Wars of North Africa before reaching legendary status when his frigate USS United States defeated the British frigate HMS Macedonian in the War of 1812.

He was swiftly promoted to captain then commodore.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Ontario in New York Opens for the Season

From the May 6, 2021, Spectrum News "Fort Ontario commemorates War of 1812; Battle of Oswego" by Brad Vivaqua.

Fort Ontario State Park (Oswego, New York) officially opened this past week.  This week also commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Oswego in the War of 1812.

The two-day attack by British troops on Americans in the fort resulted in a no decision essentially.

Park officials are now welcoming visitors for free, self-guided  tours to commemorate the event.

The Battle of Oswego took place May 6 and 7, 1814, and there are U.S. and British flags flying as well as 15 stations along the walking tour which give more information.

The walking tour was designed by Friends of Fort Ontario AmeriCorps members  Corey King and Marilyn Hunter.

Come On Out.  --Brock-Perry

The State Department Honors Oliver Hazard Perry

From the Department of State.

The State Department has honored 71people who died while in the service of American diplomacy.  One of them was the War of 1812's Oliver Hazard Perry.

There is a memorial plaque at the  Harry S. Truman Building, the State Department's headquarters, now listing 323 people.

Yes, that Perry of Battle of Lake Erie fame.

But most people, including myself, know the circumstances of his much-too-young death.

COMMODORE OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, who, after serving heroically in the War of 1812, went on a special mission to Venezuela to negotiate an anti-piracy agreement with President  Simon Bolivar.

Perry contracted yellow fever and died  August 23, 1819, less than six years after the Battle of Lake Erie.

He is the Perry in this blog's sign off.

--Brock-Perry

So, Who Are the Sailing Masters of 1812?

From same source as last post.

"The Burning of the Ships" commemoration planned for tomorrow in Essex, Connecticut sounds like it is primarily an effort by a group who call themselves Sailing Masters of 1812.

So, who are they?

The purpose of the Sailing Masters of 1812 is to perpetuate the art and performance of  ancient fifing  and drumming and to commemorate the role of Essex in the War of 1812.  It is a nonprofit organization for historical and educational purposes.

The corps has adopted the uniform of a U.S. Navy Sailing Master, a warrant officer ranked between a midshipman and lieutenant.

The Corps performs on wooden fifes and rope tension snare and bass drums., and its repertoire includes period tunes and music from the fife and drum tradition.  These include  nautical and military tunes as well as historic songs.

--Brock-Perry

Historical 'Burning of the Ships' To Be Celebrated in Essex, Connecticut Saturday

From the Essex Patch by Karena Garrity.

On Saturday, May 8, a 2 pm, the annual Burning of the Ships in downtown Essex will be commemorated with a special ceremony  and a parade.

Pandemic precautions canceled last year's commemoration, but they are on again this year, though in a smaller format.

The Sailing Masters of 1812 hold the event to mark a British raid on April 8, 1814.  It was the largest loss for the U.S. Navy in a single event until Pearl Harbor in 1941.  In the end, the British destroyed 27 American ships.

This 2021 event is still under virus precautions so will be smaller with just a single drum and fife corps instead of multiple ones in the past.

The Sailing Masters of 1812 will parade  from the town landing onto the Connecticut River Museum grounds where there will be an hour-long ceremony.

--Brock-Perry

April and May Dates in the American Revolution and the War of 1812

From the American Battlefield Trust 2021 Calendar.

APRIL 19, 1775

Battles of Lexington and Concord (American Revolution)

MAY 1, 1813

Siege of Fort Meigs, Ohio.

MAY 3, 1813

Burning of Havre de Grace, Maryland.

MAY 28, 1780

Battle of Waxhaws, South Carolina  (American Revolution)

MAY 28, 1813

Battle of Sackets Harbor, New York.  Hey, that's Caroline Abbott's home.

--Brock-Perry

American Girl's Caroline Abbott and the War of 1812-- Part 4: Post War and Expansion West

**  The growth of American manufacturing after the war.

**  American victories against the British in the War of 1812 were proof of America's military and naval strength.  (Well, I have to disagree with this one.  We got lucky.  Thank you Napoleon.)

**  Britain and Canada eventually allying with America following the war.

**  American expansion into the West instead of the North.

**  Settlement of Ohio and further west into the territories of Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.

**  Initial farm work as a rough endeavor involving the entire family, including young children, and relying on neighbors and family members.

**  Continues westward expansion of the frontier, resulting in  the admission of Indiana, Mississippi, Illinois and Alabama into the Union four years after the War of 1812.

**  America as a country today.

Again, any girl reading this book series will have a great knowledge of U.S. history from this era.  Why, I wouldn't even have to do this blog.

--Brock-Perry

Caroline Abbott and War of 1812-- Part 3: The War Is Over

There are six books in the Caroline Abbott series.  The last two have a whole lot to do with the War of 1812, which, of course is of interest to us.

The "Caroline's Battle" book which I covered in the last two posts was the fifth in the series.  The sixth also has a lot to do with the war, "Changes for Caroline."

Here is a summary of events covered in this book:

** How the Americans and British  sought to end the war, culminating in the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814.

**  The Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815,  between American and British forces unaware that the war was over, resulted in a crashing American victory.

**  Celebration of the war's end as news spread across the United States.

**  The War of 1812 resulted in status quo ante bellum, with heavy military and civilian losses and neither the British or American sides gaining or losing territory.

--Brock-Perry

Caroline Abbott and the War of 1812-- Part 2: Burning of Washington, D.C. and Battle of Baltimore

**  The completion of the USS General  Pike following the Second Battle of Sackets Harbor.

**  President Madison receiving the news of the British invasion of Washington, D.C. after the Battle of Bladensburg.

**  First Lady Dolley Madison, who saved several important papers as well as the Lansdowne portrait of George Washington before fleeing the White House.

**  The burning of Washington, D.C., and its impact on American citizens.

**  Mary Pinkersgill who was commissioned by George Armistead to create a flag "so large the British will have no difficulty seeing it from a distance", resulting in the "Star-Spangles Banner" flying over Fort McHenry.

**  The Battle of Baltimore at Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814,  witnessed by Francis Scott Key, and the presence of the flag following the battle, signaling that Fort McHenry had not been captured.

**  "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem Francis Scott Key wrote following the Battle of Baltimore and later set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven",  a popular drinking song of the time.

**  The formal adoption of "The Star-Spangled Banner"  as the national anthem of the United States  on March 3, 1931.

These Girls Will have a Good Understanding of the War of 1812 After Reading This Book.  --Brock-Perry

'Caroline's Battle' and the War of 1812-- Part 1

Five books were written about the life of American Girl's Caroline Abbott War of 1812 doll.  Two of them was specific to the War of 1812, "Caroline's Battle" and "Changes for Caroline."

"Caroline's Battle" discusses several War of 1812 battles.  Topics covered:

**  Sackets Harbor today

**  The second Battle of Sackets Harbor on May 28, 1813, with the British sending a fleet to take the town and destroy the USS General Pike.

**  Lack of soldiers to defend the town.

**  Lack of wind causing the British fleet to stall, allowing the people of Sackets Harbor to arm and prepare for battle.

**  Lack of any battle or combat experience among the American militiamen against British forces, with haphazard results.

**  Accidental destruction of  supply storehouses in Navy Point at the time of the British defeat.

Well, it would appear that someone has done some research on the topic.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

American Girl Doll Caroline Abbott Trivia

Trivia about a doll?

1.  Caroline's release coincided with the beginning of the War of 1812's bicentennial in 2012.

2.  Caroline is the first and currently only character in the BeForever  line to be retired.

3.  With the archival of her collection in 2015, Caroline's availability was among the shortest of any Historical character at approximately three years; the only other characters with such availability were Cecile Rey and Marie-Grace Gardner.

--Caroline-Perry

Caroline's Personality and Facts-- Part 2: Good and Bad Faults

Her father considers her flighty.    Caroline struggles with changes and also struggles to make her own decisions.  Later in the series, she learns how to use her heart and mind to make decisions.

Caroline is jealous when her cousin Lydia becomes friends with Rhonda, a girl staying with the Abbotts, and seems to believe that  they're leaving her out  with whatever they do.  When she has a worker at Abbott's shipyard make Rhonda ice skates, she believes Rhonda will love ice skating as much as she does, but is disappointed and frustrated when she finds  Rhonda doesn't.

Caroline is younger than both Rhonda and Lydia, but wants to be included in everything they do.

Her least favorite chore is cooking which she is not very good at.

She has a way of reading the expressions of others without them saying  anything or telling her how they're feeling.

She is proud of her father and will go  to great lengths to please him and often boasts about him.

Caroline loves her home town of Sackets Harbor and doesn't like leaving.

American Girl describes her as daring and self-reliant.

Kind of interesting that these dolls have such a background story to them and evidently regular books written about them.

--Brock-Caroline

Caroline Abbott's Personality and Facts-- Part 1: Likes the Outdoors and Embroidery

From American Girl Dolls Wiki.

Caroline was born in a log cabin and is the only child of her family.  She has lived in Sackets Harbor (New York) her whole life, and her family runs a shipyard on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Sackets Harbor, of course, played a huge role in the War of 1812 as an American base and where many warships were built.

Caroline enjoys outside activities, especially sailing on Lake Ontario and ice skating in the winter.  She dreams of being captain of her own ship one day.  She also likes fishing.  Caroline likes embroidery and likes to sew.  When she is upset, she keeps busy by embroidering.

She also likes the cows on her cousin's farm.

Caroline is described as sweet and clever.  Her friends call her  a true hero because she is not afraid to put her courage to the test.

Considered adventurous, tomboyish, brave, heroic and independent, Caroline is prone to making rash decisions, sometimes bordering between brave and foolish.  Caroline is very stubborn, sensitive and easily offended.

--Brock-Perry