Wood Splinter From Hull's Road

Pay Department

Source

Visiting Family While Fort Was Captured

Source (December, 1813, Entries)

"Capt. Leonard, the commanding officer of the fort, was [visiting] with his family. He came very early to the garrison in the morning, but was much surprised to be challenged by a British sentinel, who made prisoner of him." 

Bayonets Are Trumps

Source

Wikipedia account of the December 19, 1813, capture.

Skirmish At McRae's

The Old Northwest Notebook blog contained the following information (and much more):

"The situation of the place where we were encamped at McRea's as aforesaid was on the banks of the River Thames about fifty-five miles above Detroit. The soldiers' quarters was a frame house near the river immediately in front and about 45 feet distant was the house set apart for the guard adjoining the last house and distant from the soldiers quarters about 61 feet...".

Historical Marker - Skirmish At McRae's House 

McRae's House - War Of 1812 Skirmish Location (Google)

McRae's on the banks of the River Thames (in what is now Ontario, Canada):

Curiously, the most important pioneer settlements on the Thames were, not at Chatham, but above and below Simcoe’s townsite. In 1792, Jan Van Dolzen, an elderly loyalist of Dutch descent, settled on the Thames about four miles below Chatham. A son, Isaac Dolsen—as the name was speedily Anglicized—located on the Raleigh side, and another, Matthew, in Dover. About Matthew’s homestead, there grew up, in the course of years, a considerable trading community, with a tavern, store, blacksmith shop, distillery and other small pioneer industries. Another trading center grew up around the Thomas McCrae homestead on the Raleigh side; and both McCrae’s and Dolsen’s were thriving communities when Chatham was merely a name. [Kentiana]

Grooms Served Under Colonel Butler

[Stephen F.] Austin to Samuel M. Williams, Mexico, April 29, 1835. *Butler's machinations to injure him. Butler's unpopularity in Mexico. Does not understand Mexican politics. Nobody does; just waiting.

Joseph Ficklin to Austin, Lexington, June 2, 1836. Commending his brother-in-law, Major [Horatio] Grooms. Served in War of 1812, under Colonel Anthony Butler. Selected by Texas committee for detachment from Lexington. (Omitted.) 363 [Austin Papers] 

Horatio Grooms Mentioned Among Those Who Volunteered For Texas

*Colonel Anthony Butler, United States Minister to Mexico, 1829-1835. For Austin's relations with him, see Barker, The Life of Stephen F. Austin, 286-287.

Destruction Of The Houses

Source

William Hinds And The Pension Statute

An explanation of Military Pensions from the University of Delaware Library blog, including:

Report from the Secretary of War, in Obedience to Resolutions of the Senate of the 5th and 30th of June, 1834, and the 3d of March, 1835...Alternate Title: Pension Roll of 1835.

William Hinds was found on the list on the blog post 755 Heirs of 11 States-War of 1812.  I believe his widow and children relinquished the right to bounty land for the five years of half pay (though I have yet to find an application for claiming those benefits).

The Act of April 16, 1816 (3 Stat. 285) is entitled "An Act making further provision for military services during the late war, and for other purposes."

"SEC. 2. ...That when any non-commissioned officer, musician or private soldier of the regular army of the United States shall have been killed in battle, or have died of wounds or disease, while in the service of the United States...and have left a child or children under sixteen years of age, it shall be lawful for the guardian of such child or children, within one year from the passing of this act, to relinquish the bounty land...and, in lieu thereof, to receive half the monthly pay to which such deceased person was entitled, at the time of his death, for and during the term of five years...".  Army and Navy Pension Laws, and Bounty Land Laws of the United States (See Page 125).

Officers At The Battle Of Autosee Creek

Major Freeman, at the head of Irwin's troop of cavalry, and part of Steele's, made a furious and successful charge upon a body of Indians, sabred several and completely defeated them: captain Thomas and his company, captain Adams and lieutenant Hendon's rifle companies killed a great many Indians, and deserve particular praise. Captain Barton's company was in the hottest of the battle, and fought like soldiers. Captain Myrick, captain Little, captain King, captain Broadnax, captain Cleveland, captain Joseph T. Cunningham, and captain Lee, with their companies, distinguished themselves. [Source]

Adjutant general Newman rendered important services during the action, by his cool and deliberate courage. My aid, major Crawford, discharged with promptitude the duties of a brave and meritorious officer. Major Pace, who acted as field aid, also distinguished himself; both these gentlemen had their horses shot under them, and the latter lost his. Doctor Williamson, hospital surgeon, and doctor Clopton, were prompt and attentive in the discharge of their duty towards the wounded during the action. [Ibid]

Brigadier general Shackleford was of great service in bringing the troops into action; and adjutant Broadnax, and major Montgomery, who acted as assistant adjutant, showed great activity and courage. Major Booth used his best endeavors in bringing his battalion to action, and major Watson's battalion acted with considerable spirit. Irwin's, Patterson's, and Steele's troops of cavalry, whenever an opportunity presented, charged with success. 'Lieutenant Strong had his" horse shot and narrowly escaped, and quarter master Fennell displayed the greatest heroism, and miraculously escaped, though badly wounded, after having his horse shot from under him. The topographical engineer was vigilant in his endeavours to render service. [Ibid]