Thursday, August 29, 2019

Thomas Lawson




"Thomas Lawson was born in Virginia...and upon the completion of his medical studies in 1809 sought an appointment as surgeon's mate in the navy...".

"Two years at sea however caused him to turn his eyes to land service, and he resigned from the navy January 12th, 1811, and on the 8th of the following month was appointed garrison surgeon's mate in the Army and was promoted to be surgeon of the 6th infantry May 21, 1813, in which position he rendered most distinguished service during the War of 1812...".

Source



Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Fort Warburton Destroyed


MARYLAND IN THE WAR OF 1812 has a timeline for Maryland.  One item on the timeline:

Aug. 27. To keep it out of British control, Fort Warburton, Prince George's County, destroyed by U.S. Army.
Name changed from Fort Warburton to Fort Washington. 


Source



Wednesday, August 21, 2019

First Lieutenant On The Constitution


The Charles Morris Papers are held at the University of Michigan's Clements Library:

"By the outbreak of the War of 1812, Morris was first lieutenant under Captain Isaac Hull on the Constitution. Morris famously aided in evading a British squadron by suggesting kedging and towing the Constitution; later he was badly wounded during the ship's battle with the HMS Guerriere, and received a promotion to captain for his efforts. After his recovery, he commanded the Adams in raiding expeditions against British merchant ships."


Gun From The Constitution On Display In Lexington, Missouri


For anyone with a penchant for early United States history, particularly that aspect which pertains to the Navy, the *autobiography of Commodore Charles Morris (1784-1856), a Connecticut native, cannot fail to be of engrossing interest. Only three of the prominent American naval commanders of the War of 1812 wrote memoirs: Morris, David Porter, and Thomas MacDonough. *Source

The "Prescription book of the U.S. Frigate Constitution ," within the Amos A. Evans collection, includes a description of Evans' treatment of Charles Morris' severe stomach wound. (Also at the Clements Library)

Friday, August 16, 2019

Hull's Surrender


Source

"This demand was received by Hull about 10 o clock in the morning. At this time a court of inquiry was sitting to examine into the surrender at Mackinaw. Upon seeing the white flag, Colonel Miller adjourned the court and Captains Fuller and Snelling were sent to receive the flag, which was borne by Lieutenant McDonald and Captain Glegg."  Source and Source



Thursday, August 15, 2019

British Guns Opened On Detroit


Source

The same day that Major Denny evacuated Sandwich the ground he left was occupied by a British detachment, and the erection of batteries was commenced under the direction of Capt. [M.C.] Dixon of the Royal Engineers. The work was prosecuted with such diligence that on the 15th, five guns were in position all of which commanded the fort at Detroit. At noon that day, Lieut. Col. Macdonell and Captain Glegg were sent by General Brock to Hull under a flag of truce to demand the immediate surrender of Detroit. Hull returned a bold answer stating that he was ready to meet any force the British might send against him, and refusing to comply with the demand. The same afternoon the British guns...opened on Detroit with shot and shell and were replied to...from the other side of the river which, however, failed to do the British batteries the slightest injury, although the cannonade continued for several hours. During the night Tecumseh with Colonel Elliot, Capt. McKee and 600 Indians landed on the American shore two miles below Spring Wells, and five from Detroit. There they remained in concealment until the following morning, when General Brock and his white troops crossed over at Spring Wells.



Saturday, August 10, 2019

Ryan's Court Martial


From the Archives online at Indiana University:
1812 Aug. 10 Hall, Amos, fl. 1813
Autographed letter signed. 3 p. 25 cm.
Head Quarters, Niagara Frontier. To William Wadsworth. Deals with the court martial trial of John Ryan a British spy.

Specification #1 At Ryan's Court Martial:


Thursday, August 8, 2019

Memorial To Honor Sailors Lost In War Of 1812



Oak Hill Cemetery, Prattville, Alabama (Either Section I or J)

Excerpt from the Prattville [Alabama] Progress, published April 11, 1989:

They lay on the bottom of Lake Ontario.  Two American warships sunk in a ravaging storm during the War of 1812 on the Canadian side.

But Prattville military historial Warren McEachern is convinced the ships and the 220 men that went down with them won't be forgotten -- at least not in Prattville.

McEachern has received city approval to erect a bronze plaque to the U.S.S. Scourge and Hamilton in Prattsville in an effort to pay tribute to the sailors.

Without the 28-by-14 inch plaque, McEachen said there are few American ties to the two ships.  Even the ships themselves, although American, were turned over to the Canadian government because they were lying in Canadian waters.

The warships sunk on August 8, 1813