Providence Blessed Our Efforts

Thus the United States were forced into a war which they had not provoked;---America took up arms in support of her rights, and for the preservation of her national honour, with a firm determination not lay them down until the object should be attained. Providence blessed our efforts, and our arms were crowned with the most brilliant triumphs over those of our enemy. The army and navy exhibited a noble rivalship of zeal, devotion, and glory. In the one Lawrence, Bainbridge, Decatur, Perry, McDonough, Porter; — in the other *Pike, Scott, Brown, Jackson, and many more, proved to the enemy, and to the world that we possessed resolution to defend our rights, and power to avenge our injuries. [Source]

*Portrait Of Zebulon Pike (Seen At Fort Pike, Louisiana)

Jackson And Horseshoe Bend (Alabama)

Lydia Bacon's Travel

Biography of Mrs. Lydia B. Bacon:

"...an account of her travels, and of the scenes through which she passed during the well-remembered war of 1812. This account, as she states, was made up from letters written at the time to her friends, and extracts from her journal, and commences with the date of her embarkation with the troops for Philadelphia en route for Pittsburgh, whither her husband, as Commissary, had preceded his regiment to prepare for its arrival."

On The 21st Of October

An account of the Battle of Châteauguay: being a lecture delivered at ...,  By William Douw Lighthall:

From The Writings Of James Madison

Source

Two Gunboats Lost In The Weeds

Swamp Near New Orleans, Louisiana

Source

Major Daniel Carmick's memorial at FindAGrave.

Secretary Of War Armstrong

Source

President James Madison named John Armstrong to his cabinet as Secretary of War on June 14, 1813. Armstrong had served as minister to France but the appointment was really an attempt by Madison to build political alliances. Armstrong was a force in New York politics, and with so much military action taking place along the border with Canada, Madison needed the state firmly in his camp. Unfortunately, Armstrong proved to be a disastrous choice due to his political and personal shortcomings.

Armstrong’s chief qualities were described by at least one acquaintance as “obstinancy and self-conceit.”

Armstrong was the author of a book published in 1814 entitled “Hints to Young Generals.” Although he had no real military experience, this popular book established Armstrong as an expert at a time when the United States were desperate for military officers.

Captain John Whistler In The Van Buren Papers

Calendar of the papers of Martin Van Buren ...,  By Library of Congress. Manuscript Division, Elizabeth Howard West:

Garrison Surgeons' Mates

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Colonel Carr

The home journal., January 27, 1859, Image 2, (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?:

Col. Robert Carr of Philadelphia, was Benjamin Franklin's errand boy and a colonel in the War of 1812.  

Source

Military Store-Keepers

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Old Point Comfort Lighthouse

Old Point Comfort Lighthouse (Chesapeake Bay In Virginia)

"[In the Revolutionary War] the transports with the land forces were sent up the James to circumvent the British and help to make possible the surrender of Yorktown. The British ships found this a rendezvous in the trying war of 1812, and here took place, just off Old Point Comfort, the famous Merrimac and Monitor engagement... ." [Source]

"A party of Royal Marines landed at Old Point Comfort... ." [Signage at Museum at Fortress Monroe]

Determined To Surrender

Depiction Of Frenchtown - River Raisin Battlefield National Park

Source

February 1813 British Flotilla

Displayed At Fortress Monroe

Wood Splinter From Hull's Road

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]

War-Swept Valley Of The Maumee

Fort Meigs, Perrysburg, Ohio

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:

Jacob Brown's And Electus Backus's Collaboration

Jacob Brown

"[Jacob Brown]...was residing at his home in Brownsville on the Black River a few miles from Sackett's Harbor had been requested by General Dearborn and urged by Colonel Macomb to assume chief command in that region. He was unwilling to interfere with his esteemed friend, Colonel Backus, and agreed to take command only in the event of actual invasion. He went to headquarters frequently to advise with Backus concerning preparations for defense, and it was understood between them that if the enemy should threaten the post, Brown was to call the neighboring militia to the Harbor and take chief command." [Source]

Still Smoking At Sackets Harbor

"Colonel Macomb received orders to return with four companies of his Regiment, with all despatch, to Sackett's Harbour."

Source of 1849 Map...Sacket's Harbor, New York, and Kingston, Ontario, Canada was LOC

Map exhibiting the rail road, canal, lake, and river routes from New York and Boston to the west : via Ocdensburgh [sic] and Sacket's [sic] Harbor, N.Y.

"The magazine of stores, fired by our own officers to prevent its falling into the enemy's hands, was still smoking. But the precautions taken, and the instructions given, by Colonel Macomb, prior to his departure for Fort George, had produced their desired effect, and the enemy was defeated."

"Colonel Macomb relieved General Brown, then Brigadier General of the Militia. Colonel Backus he found in his quarters, who was suffering from a wound in the action, and died a few days after."

Source Of Text: Memoirs Of Alexander Macomb...

Accidental Hero

The Genesee country:

"One of my father's brothers became accidentally a hero at Black Rock.  The Americans were keeping a sharp watch day and night against surprose.  One evening my uncle was in a squad that was reconnoitering with lanterns near the edge of the cliff.  The officer decided to send some of the men down to the water's edge.  My uncle, in moving forward, lost his footing and tumbled down to the bottom.  He almost fell upon three British soldiers.  Taking in the situation at once, he shouted, 'Here they are, men, come on.'  The poor Britishers begged permission to surrender; and he took the three of them back to camp.  When they asked him how he captured them, he said, 'O, I surrounded them.'"