Artifacts In New Orleans

The Historic New Orleans Collection includes the William C. Cook collection, described as:

This extensive collection of manuscript documents, rare prints and publications, artifacts, and ephemera was gathered over a period of forty years by private collector William C. Cook of Nashville; it was the largest collection of such materials in private hands... . Preferred Citation: "The William C. Cook Collection: The War of 1812 in the South, The Williams Research Center, The Historic New Orleans Collection."

There are 5 phases to the collection.  An example is:

PHASE II--Defense of the Lower Country
These materials relate principally to the abortive Natchez expedition of the Tennessee Militia under command of Maj. Andrew Jackson.
Materials include general orders, requisitions, provision returns, Col. John Coffee's orderly book, and other related documents.

Court Of Enquiry

According to The Weekly Register, Volume 3, a court of enquiry was requested by Captain Henry Brush in order to clear his name. The enquiry was held and Brush was absolved of any wrongdoing. 

REPORT
The court of enquiry called at the request of captain Brush, after hearing the testimony addressed, are of opinion, and report upon same, that during said campaign captain Brush behaved, in all things, as became a prudent and brave officer--that reports derogatory to his character as an officer and soldier could have arisen only from the want of a knowledge of his situation, and that no imputation whatever ought to rest upon captain Brush. 

JAMES DENNY, PresidentR. DOUGLASS, J. Adv. _ Rec'r
The court of Enquiry, of which major Denny is president, is hereby dissolved. 

JOHN FERGUSON, Col. Commanding 2d Brigade, 2d division, Ohio militia

Victories At Sea

Source of Image:  Lectures on the growth and development of the United States ..., Volume 5

The University of Michigan's Clements Library blog, the Clements Library Chronicles, had a post about the U.S. Navy's victories over the British, including the following quote:

"October 25 is the bicentennial of the fight between USS United States and HMS Macedonian, one of the most celebrated of the naval victories of 1812."

Perry And Chauncey And Then Erie

Short version:  A distracted Chauncey didn't supply Perry with enough quality men.  Perry submitted a transfer request which wasn't acted upon until after his (Perry's) victory on Lake Erie.  Perry's bold moves carried the day; all forgiven.

Read a more detailed description taken from The Fight For A Free Sea: A Chronicle of the War of 1812 below (for even more detail, go to the link):

Of these a hundred were soldiers sent him only nine days before he sailed, and most of them trod a deck for the first time. Chauncey was so absorbed in his own affairs and hazards on Lake Ontario that he was not likely to give Perry any more men than could be spared. This reluctance caused Perry to send a spirited protest... .  As the superior officer, Chauncey resented the criticism... .

The quick temper of Perry flared at this.   ...and he had rightly looked to Chauncey to supply the deficiency. Impulsively he asked to be relieved of his command and gave expression to his sense of grievance in a letter to the Secretary of the Navy in which he said, among other things: "I cannot serve under an officer who has been so totally regardless of my feelings. . . . 

Most fortunately Perry's request for transfer could not be granted until after the battle of Lake Erie had been fought and won. 

Perry's indignation seems excusable. Perry had not enough sailors to defend his ships, and the regiment of Pennsylvania militia stationed at Erie to guard the naval base refused to do duty on shipboard after dark. "I told the boys to go, Captain Perry," explained their worthless colonel, "but the boys won't go."

On Lake Ontario, Chauncey dragged his naval campaign through two seasons and then left the enemy in control. Perry, by opening the way for Harrison, re-won the Northwest for the United States because he sagaciously upheld the doctrine of Napoleon that "war cannot be waged without running risks." Behind his daring, however, lay tireless, painstaking preparation and a thorough knowledge of his trade.

Compilation of British Officers

From Officers of the British forces in Canada during the war of 1812-15  By Canadian Military Institute, and an example of what is included:

On my In Deeds blog information from the above source was used to look for veterans' land grants.

Lucy Crews Rejected

Congressional edition, listed some rejected pensions, many, if not all were widows, and most were for the Revolutionary War.  Lucy Crews' husband (below) was said to have served in the War of 1812.

Statement showing the names residence and rank of persons whose claims under the act of the 4th of July 1836 have been rejected and the reasons for rejecting the same prepared in conformity with a resolution of Congress of the 29th of May, 1830. 

No Mac Attack

A view of Mackinac Island from the Lower Peninsula

From Historic Mackinac:...:

Lieutenant [Porter] Hanks' report was not made until August 4, and is dated from Detroit.  He says that the reports of an interpreter and the coolness of the Indians in the neighbourhood first led him to think something was wrong, whereupon he sent Captain Dousman to watch them.  In part, the report which was made to General Hull reads: "On the 16th, I was informed by the Indian interpreter that he had discovered from an Indian that the several nations of Indians then at St. Joseph (a British garrison, distant about forty miles) intended to make an immediate attack on Michilimackinac.