Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Battle Of Hampden


The Battle of Hampden took place in present-day Maine on September 3, 1814.  Gen. John Blake (a Cleveland descendant as am I) participated in the battle.

The Canadian perspective of the battle from The Canadian war of 1812, by Sir Charles Prestwood Lucas:

At daybreak on the 3rd the artillery was landed... .  It was a foggy morning, and the American position could not be reconnoitred until the skirmishers were actually engaged.

It was then found that the Americans were drawn up in line in front of and covering Hampden, their left resting on a high hill the guns which commanded both the road and the river; their right also on high ground outflanking the British line with guns posted so as to command a bridge over which the attack force would be obliged to advance.

Notwithstanding the strength of the position there was little fighting. The American right furthest removed from the river was first carried and soon the Americans fell back at all points before the regulars charging on land and the gunboats firing on the river.

The British forces followed on land and water, and at Bangor there was an unconditional surrender, the militia becoming civilians again and the officer in command taking his parole.

Note:  The battle did not go well for General Blake.  Can you say "court martial?"  He was acquitted, though.

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