“In 1814 we took a little trip
Along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip.
We took a little bacon and we took a little beans
And we caught the bloody British in the town of New Orleans.”
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The Battle of New Orleans ended with an American victory on January 8, 1815. The last major battle of the War of 1812, it made former congressman and future president Andrew Jackson a national hero.
The United States had declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812. Of the five occasions when the United States issued a declaration of war (the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, & World War II), it was the closest vote in Congress to declare war.
The only thing that most Americans know about the War of 1812 is that the British burned the White House and Capitol building in August of 1814. I shudder to think how few Americans know that “The Star-Spangled Banner” was written by Francis Scott Key during the British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
The Battle of New Orleans will no doubt be commemorated on this its 200th anniversary. But there is just one problem with the Battle of New Orleans: the War of 1812 was already over.
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DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
When I was a kid my mother bought that record for me.I played it until it the needle wore the record out,but not once did the above info ever occur to me.
ReplyDeleteBet that most don't know that there was a battle on the Eastern Shore after the Battle of New Orleans. Visit the Battle of the Ice Mound War of 1812 Taylors Island Facebook page for details about the bicentennial celebration and battle reenactment taking place on February 7.
ReplyDelete5:45-Who won that battle?
ReplyDeleteThe local's beat the Brits - took a ship a cannon and prisoners as prizes.
ReplyDeletea poem recalling the battle:
As winter's dusk settled on virgin pine forests of old Tobacco Stick, the villagers, aroused by the foraging crew of the British tender, commanded by Lieutenant Phipps, watched the rampant firing of their vessels and the looting of their neighbors farms of salt and pork; took up their muskets and drove the British out of range, as did their fathers before them in Revolution frame.
The wintry blasts of 1814 allied itself with those who would protect their homes and families, forcing the British to find a sheltered haven on the leeward side of St. James Island. By morning's light the word had passed from village to village, from farm to farm that during the long cold night, the moving drifts of ice had piled and captured the British tender fast.
Captain Joseph Stewart, commander of the new nation's home militia, and his quickly gathered crew of volunteers -
From Tobacco Stick, Taylors Island and St. James, farmers, ship builders, storekeepers, and waterman, they came
To show the English Admiralty under Cockburn, berthed at Pautuxent, their courage and their ardor.
Lieutenant Phipps watched the approach of this small band of untrained citizenry
Undismayed for his safety nestled in a cannon and ball pointed at his foe.
Confident that a boarding of this ship would be impossible, he gave the order to test the Americans' skill
A British seaman's cap was thrust upon a musket and raised above the deck;
Fear filled the young Lieutenant's heart when the cap fell riddled and shredded from the blast
This untrained band of brave volunteers was filled with native marksman's skill.
A flag was raised, a flag of white; there in the morning bright fluttered a flag of truce;
Captain Stewart and his boarding party were quick to claim their prize.
Lieutenant Phipps inquired of them his status, "A prisoner of war or private citizen arrest?"
Impetuous William Geoghegan, a newly settled American with Irish brogue so thick,
Was quick to give the final answer, "Why, Prisoner of War, Sire," he said.
A crew of seventeen; Becky the colored cook; Lieutenant Phipps; their stalwart ship; and cannon be came the spoils of war that day.
This cannon, affectionately named the "Becky Phipps" now stands enshrined in place,
Proclaiming to Americans the heroic deed of relatives long since dead,
And reminding others that courage and bravery fill the lowly man when house and family are placed in dread.
Hail Becky Phipps! Hail American Spirit! Hail Freedom! Burn brightly this day and forevermore!