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Posted on 08/23/2003 11:59:55 PM PDT by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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The Washington Campaign In the autumn of 1812, hundreds of miles of wilderness and recently cleared farmland stood between the East Coast heartland of the United States and the bloodshed of the northern battlefields. But this buffer zone couldn’t protect the coastal communities of the East from the power of the Royal Navy. Raiding parties attacked villages in Chesapeake Bay, while British warships effectively blocked U.S. maritime trade. When the British landed thousands of experienced troops on the shores of Chesapeake Bay in August of 1814, not even the president’s wife was spared the destruction of her home. For the inhabitants of Washington it was a humiliating introduction to the horrors of war. The democratic idealism of the American militia proved no match for the harsh discipline of the British regular army. Although the subsequent defense of Baltimore was hailed as a great American victory, the smoldering ruins of the House of Representatives were a stark reminder of the sack of the young republic’s capital. on Washington and Baltimore In August 1814, the British launched a series of raids in the Chesapeake Bay area. According to Governor General George Prevost, the plan was to avenge the destructive American attacks on York and Port Dover by, “inflicting that measure of retaliation which shall deter the enemy from the repetition of similar outrages.” More importantly, British leaders wanted to create a diversion in the East. They hoped the Chesapeake Bay campaign would send American troops scurrying back to defend the Eastern Seaboard and thereby weaken U.S. forces elsewhere.  General Winder Emboldened by earlier successes, British Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane developed a plan for a quick dash on Washington. US Secretary of War John Armstrong, meanwhile, refused to believe the British would attack the strategically insignificant capital. Armstrong instead concentrated his efforts on the defense of nearby Baltimore. The American cabinet’s response to the landing of British troops in Chesapeake Bay was one of utter confusion. The poorly trained militia forces, hastily mustered under Baltimore lawyer William Winder, were easily routed by the seasoned British troops. Washington was quickly sacked and its public buildings burned. When the British tried to take Baltimore, they found it closely defended and retreated after a short siege. It was a humiliating time for the Americans: their Capitol had been burned to the ground, their cherished citizen soldiers beaten by disciplined British regulars, and their government officials driven out of Washington and scattered throughout the surrounding countryside. They could salvage some pride, however, from the repulsion of the British at Baltimore. For the British, the results of the campaign were also mixed: they had avenged the destructive American raids on Canada, but had failed to take the strategically important centre of Baltimore. This failure, along with the later defeat at Plattsburg, played a role in the British decision to reduce their territorial demands at the Ghent negotiating table. In the summer of 1814, Washington is no more than a dusty village with a few recently-erected federal buildings. Baltimore, on the other hand, is a wealthy seaport and unofficial naval base with several warships under construction. The port also happens to be home to several American privateers, such as Commodore Joshua Barney, who have been systematically harassing British shipping in the Atlantic.  James Madison U.S. Secretary of War, John Armstrong, is responsible for the defense of both cities. He thinks the British will be tempted to attack Baltimore and that they will leave Washington alone. “They certainly will not come here (Washington),” Armstrong says. “What the devil will they do here? No! No! Baltimore is the place... that is of so much more consequence.” Consequently, Armstrong concentrates his resources in the Baltimore area. To coordinate the defense preparations, Armstrong proposes veteran artillery officer Brigadier General Moses Porter. But President Madison overrules the secretary of war and gives the command to the militia’s Brigadier General William Winder. In peacetime, Winder is a Baltimore lawyer. His appointment has less to do with his military acumen than with the fact that his cousin is the governor of Maryland. In the weeks preceding the British landing at Benedict, Winder asks to call up at least 4,000 militia troops. But he is rebuffed by the cabinet, which insists that they troops only need to be mustered “once there is evidence of clear and present danger.” Once the British land at Benedict on the Patuxent River, even Armstrong has to admit that Washington is in danger. What follows is a series of blunders that belong more in the realm of buffoonery, than that of serious military strategy. Secretary of State James Monroe rides towards Benedict with an escort of cavalrymen. His mission is to count the British ships and men. Monroe however, is afraid to get within three miles of town. He has also forgotten to bring his telescope. After sneaking around the periphery of Benedict for three days, he concludes that there are 6,000 British troops (there are actually only about 4,500). Meanwhile, none of the other US leaders think to obstruct the roads and bridges which lead to the capital. Winder is now finally allowed to muster the militia. By August 20, he has 9,000 men under arms. But he’s not certain of the British strategy - it appears that they intend to attack Washington, but they may also bypass the capital and march on to Baltimore. Consequently, Winder divides his force. He deploys 5,000 soldiers in the Baltimore area and splits the remaining men into two separate detachments under Tobias Stansbury and Samuel Smith.  Leaving Smith’s brigade in Washington, Winder and Monroe, march off towards Benedict at the head of Stansbury’s men. The Americans bump into the advancing British troops and Winder promptly orders a retreat to Battalion Old Fields, about five miles south of Washington. It finally dawns on Winder that Bladensburg is the strategic key to Washington. He orders Stansbury to deploy his troops to the east of the village in the best possible defensive position. Winder consults President Madison and the cabinet at every opportunity; the politicians in turn hover over his every move. At first, Stansbury does exactly as ordered. On August 23, however, he sends Winder a message saying he’s just received a report (which will prove false) that the British are a mere six miles away and heading straight for Bladensburg. Stansbury decides to retreat at once. On the following morning, Stansbury sends another message: fearing that the British might cut him off, he continues his retreat back towards Washington. Winder orders Stansbury to stop the withdrawal and sends Smith’s force to join him at Bladensburg. Winder himself will meet them at the village. Secretary of State James Monroe arrives at Bladensburg first though, and orders one regiment to fall back a quarter mile from the front line. This leaves the forward guns and rifles without support. By the time Winder gets there, it’s too late to make any changes. and Move Onto Washington The British have no desire to capture and occupy Baltimore and Washington. What they really want is to create a diversion. After all, the British leaders reason, if the capital of the United States is threatened, aren’t American politicians likely to move a substantial number of troops away from other regions to counter the threat?  There are other reasons for the attack on Chesapeake Bay. The Americans have burned and pillaged Canadian property during their raids on York and Port Dover, and the intensity of the war has been rising. The British want to retaliate by striking at the heart of the United States. Baltimore is also an important shipping and commercial center; if it can be sacked there, will be a considerable amount of prize money to go around. Close to 4,500 British soldiers land at Benedict, Maryland on August 19, 1814, and march towards Washington, about 60 miles away. In the August heat, General Robert Ross doesn’t push his men. They take five days to cover the roughly fifty miles to Bladensburg. On August 23, Ross receives a message from the overall leader of the British campaign, Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane, advising him to turn back. But Rear Admiral George Cockburn thinks they should continue. After much discussion, Ross agrees. The Americans, after all, don’t appear inclined to defend their capital. The villages they have passed through along the way have largely been abandoned. Even the bridges are still intact, and the only force they have encountered has run away. The road to Washington appears wide open. It is noon on August 24, before the British enter Bladensburg. In the distance, they see clouds of dust and realize the Americans are marching out to meet them. Bladensburg itself is empty of American soldiers. This is good news for Ross’ soldiers who would rather not have to engage in street fighting. On the heights across the east branch of the Potomac River, they can see the enemy waiting. For some reason the Americans haven’t bothered to destroy the bridge. Colonel William Thornton and the 85th Regiment lead the charge across the river. Without waiting for the rest of the British force, Thornton impetuously orders his regiment forward. The 85th quickly drives off the American riflemen, but then finds itself facing the main body of Maryland militia. When the Americans counterattack, the 85th is pushed back towards the river and most of the regiment’s officers are killed or wounded.  By now the main body of the British force is across the bridge. General Ross orders the use of Congreve rockets. The rockets are extremely inaccurate, but they make a terrifying noise as they whistle over the heads of the terrified American militia who have never heard or seen anything like it. The militiamen drop their weapons and run. Now there is nothing blocking the path to the capital; the British reach Washington that night.
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I have to admit the thought crossed my mind.
That's closer to the truth.
The Congreve 32-pounder war rocket was the most widely used of the gunpowder-propelled war rockets of the early 19th century devised by the Englishman William Congreve (1772-1828). The 32-pounder could be fitted with either explosive warheads for use against fortresses or incendiary warheads for use against wooden sailing ships of the period. Those with incendiary warheads were called "carcass" rockets. Those with explosive warheads had round or ogival warheads. Those with incendiary warheads had conical heads, which was also used to stick into the targets and then burn.
The rockets did not have fins as in today's rockets, for stabilizing them in flight. They had very long stabilizing sticks, or guidesticks as they were called, which balanced them during their slow flight. The guidesticks were originally mounted to the side of the rocket and was therefore called the side-mounted guidestick.
Congreve rockets were widely used during the Napoleonic wars as well as against the Americans during the War of 1812. In that campaign some 32-prs. were fired against Ft. McHenry in 1814 and therefore appear in the U.S. National Anthem, in the line, "And the rocket's red glare, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."
Rumor has it that Hillary does the same thing with "her" whitehouse silverware whenever Republicans are around.
Truely one of the low points of American fortunes in the War. But better days are coming (Sept. 11th "The Battle of Plattsburg" and Sept. 12th "Battle at Fort McHenry") . . . right?
Have a very blessed day and may the Lord continue to protect those who so dearly love our country and fight for her liberty.
Excellent 'strike - out' work to set the record straight.
(Sept. 11th "The Battle of Plattsburg" and Sept. 12th "Battle at Fort McHenry")
:-) Been there, done that. Snippy has the actual dates of those threads..
Indeed I do.
Good job w/w. Here are links to the events you mentioned!
The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the Battle of Plattsburg (9/11/1814) - July 20th, 2003
The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Baltimore - 1814 - Mar. 3rd, 2003
Somehow I knew someone would provide that graphic of hILLARY. :)
Somehow I knew someone would provide that graphic of hILLARY. :)
It was just too good an opportunity to pass up.
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