Guns Across the Lakes: Series 2

Program Description:The War of 1812 is often treated as a minor skirmish in world history; however, it was a pivotal event for almost every nation involved. For early Americans it was a chance to solidify their independence and power as a new nation. Canadians view the conflict between the United States and Britain as a battle for their identity as Canadians. Indigenous peoples who fought in the War of 1812 on either side viewed it for a chance at protecting and preserving their ancestral lands, an endeavor that ultimately led to heartache and broken promises. Guns Across the Lakes series brings together historic sites and battlefields from two countries and three states to narrate the various aspects of the war waged on the Great Lakes from 1812 to 1815.Guns Across the Lakes series will be a compilation of videos created by interpreters and educators from multiple historic sites based on a common theme. These videos will be compiled in a common page that can be linked and shared on the webpages and social media of all contributing sites. The participants anticipate that this series will result in a long-term collaboration between the sites resulting in multiple iterations of this program. The theme for the first iteration of this series will be “Telling Our Story.” Along the lines of this theme each site will produce a video highlighting the history of their location and its connection to the narrative of the War of 1812.

Mission:Our overall mission is to provide quality content connecting viewers to the various historic sites and battlefields associated with the War of 1812 and provokes our audience to reflect on the effects of the war as important to the formation of their national identity. We aim to develop a holistic and connected narrative of these important battles fought on the Great Lakes by connecting sites and battlefields across three states and two countries through close communication and collaboration.
To view Series 1 Videos click here.

 

Series 2:

The War of 1812 has its heroes the big names that still stand out to us through the ages, the real pillars of policy and action that make for great stories. Individuals like Tecumseh, Laura Secord, Isaac Brock or Francis Scott Key, Oliver Perry. Well these names attract a lot of literature and biographical study yes but for the historian it's often the smaller participants in a conflict that can contribute the most insight into what actually happened and color that experience with a real human touch bringing us closer to these landmark events.
These are absolutely invaluable accounts for adding detail to the larger achievement of others and that is what this season of Guns Across the Lakes is all about. Each site in our 1812 family has selected an individual, a lesser-known or under-recognized character that contributed in a great way to the knowledge and understanding of what their site was like and what it endured during the war years. We've looked at their diaries, journals, their letters, and other writings and we'll be telling the events of the war as they saw it with a little biography along the way, So join us to enrich your understanding of history for season two of Guns Across the Lakes

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

During the War of 1812 Black Canadians served in the defense of British North America as sailors, soldiers, and militiamen a number even came into battle as members of indigenous nations. They fought alongside their white and indigenous comrades endured the hardships of war and some paid the ultimate price and never returned home. As part of the Toronto History Museum's network Fort York National Historic Site has embarked on a journey to expand the stories we tell here at the site. We aim to enhance the experiences of our guests by providing a deeper understanding of the rich histories of Toronto's diverse communities and neighborhoods. With this in mind this video will introduce you to some of the black residents of early Toronto, then known as the town of York, whose service in the War of 1812 have up until recently gone largely unrecognized. Historians have estimated that as many as 700 enslaved persons of African descent were brought into what is now Ontario in the decades following the American War of Independence. And unlike other Euro-American settlers to this land who numbered about 10 000 at this time these enslaved men, women, and children were brought here against their will and toiled not for their own comfort but for the purpose of increasing the personal wealth of their enslavers. Around the time of York's founding in 1793 at least 13 of the town's first black residents were enslaved. People like Peggy and her children Amy, Milly, and Jupiter, Moses and his wife Phoebe, John and his brother Simon were considered the property of some of the colony's wealthiest elites. Men such as the provincial administrator Peter Russell provincial secretary and registrar William Jarvis and solicitor general Robert Gray. Colonial legislation passed in 1793 gradually eliminated slavery in Upper Canada by banning the further importation of enslaved persons and establishing a path to freedom for children who were born after the legislation was passed. While it was the first piece of legislation to abolish slavery anywhere in the British Empire the act did not free any enslaved adults or their existing children already in bondage interestingly this legal protection of slavery within Upper Canada resulted in some fugitives from slavery actually escaping Upper Canada and heading to the United States particularly after the Michigan Territory abolished slavery in 1805. In the end it would not be until the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 that all slavery was ended in the British Empire by which points estimated there were less than 50 enslaved people in British North America. These enslaved persons were not the only displaced Africans living in early Upper Canada there was also a very small minority of free blacks, less than 50, who had fought for or sought protection of the British Crown during the American War of Independence. There is also a small growing number of free blacks who moved to the British territory to escape racialized violence and inequality in the United States. Although these groups did not enjoy the same places in the colony as their white counterparts, often having unequal access to land and being barred from certain occupations, they did generally enjoy greater freedoms in British Canada than if they had remained in the United States. During the War of 1812 the prospect of American invasion and the possible annexation of Upper Canada roused this small free black community to take up arms and defend the colony they believed that if America won the coming war it would bring about a degradation of their already precarious position in colonial society and potential enslavement. In short the legal and social dynamics within early Upper Canada meant that there were people of African descent with conflicting statuses within the colony. Although the 1793 act to limit slavery showed a growing shift in imperial attitudes towards slavery it also reinforced the enslavement of those who were in bondage prior to its passage.

As historian Philip D. Morgan wrote there was no single black experience in the British Empire. Ambiguity flux and varied levels of openness to blacks characterized racialized relations in Upper Canada at this time racial barriers shifted gave way and stood firm without consistency predictability or even credibility wrote historian Robin Winks. This nebulous position in colonial society also carried over into the military. There has been a long history of persons of African descent serving the British Armed Forces. The Royal Navy and the Provincial Marine here in Canada both employed black sailors. Other black semen worked aboard privateers during wartime. James long a black resident of York was captured by the US Navy on November 11, 1812 while serving aboard the Provincial Marine schooner Elizabeth. He was later paroled without exchange at York in April of 1813. His father Peter had served as a gunner aboard the British Nova Scotia during the American War of Independence but more on him later. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was also common for British army regiments to recruit black men and boys to serve as enlisted military musicians. The fashion for Turkish music at the time resulted in most British residents employing black musicians to play percussion instruments such as symbols tambourines and bass drums. The Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry which saw service in Upper Canada during the War of 1812 and was stationed at Fort York following the close of hostilities was no exception. It boasted at least one black bandsman Charles Faulkner who had exchanged from 104th New Brunswick Regiment served with Canadian Regiment throughout the war and was among the black veterans to receive a land grant in Oro Township, Upper Canada. As a reward for his service. Black soldiers were also often employed as military laborers. The pioneer section of the 104th Regiment which also fought in Upper Canada during the war was composed entirely of black men. These men would have been the 19th century's equivalent of modern combat engineers. One of them John Baker was a former enslaved resident of York who'd originally been brought to the town by Robert Gray, Upper Canada's first Solicitor General. Whatever their role these black soldiers and sailors enjoyed most the same rights and privileges as white soldiers and sailors. Both wore similar uniforms drew the same rations and received the same pay and punishments. Consequently these men held a unique status in colonial society along with the regular forces. The results of the local militia Upper Canada was divided into counties and the militia regiments bearing the county's name included every able-bodied male from 16 to 60 years of age. This was however a paper army and except for a couple annual training days these units received very limited military instruction. The formation of a segregated militia company of all black Upper Canadians was first proposed by Richard Pearpoint a black loyalist veteran of the American War of Independence. Although the colonial government did not accept his offer a nucleus of an all-black militia company had formed in Niagara during the Summer of 1812 attached to the 1st Lincoln Militia Regiment and under the command of a white tavern keeper named Robert Raunchy. This small unit was reinforced by the transfer of 14 men from the 3rd York Militia in the Fall of 1812. During the first year of the War of 1812 militia companies were often kept on duty for many weeks often without proper equipment and uniforms. Captain Raunchy's color company for example was embodied from the 24th of October to the 24th of December 1812. Such a situation however was unsustainable these militiamen were ultimately armed civilians and they would have to go home eventually. Therefore in the Spring of 1813 the army raised distinct incorporated units of militiamen who would serve full-time like British regular troops. The re-designated colored corps was one of the units incorporated for permanent service. Originally attached to the Quartermaster General's Department in 1814 the unit was turned over to the Engineer Department and was heavily engaged in the construction of Fort Mississauga located at the mouth of the Niagara River for the remainder of the war. It's not known for certain whether the manner which sees black militiamen were used by the Engineer Department was influenced by contemporary attitudes towards race though as we saw in the case the 104th regiment's pioneer section it was common to employ black soldiers as military laborers in segregated units. Despite its honorable service soldiers of the colored corps experience years of hardships following the war due to bureaucratic mismanagement and racial discrimination. For example these black veterans were given land grants of half the acreage of land allocate each of their white counterparts for their service. Nevertheless as historian Gareth Newfield wrote the color corps set the precedent for the broader acceptance of military service of black Canadians. In all approximately 55 black men served in the colored corps during the war. Of these we know the names of six who were known to be from York: John Call, Daniel Coughley, Samuel Edmonds, Prince Henry, William Jones, and Robert Scott. Let us now take closer look at some of these men. Daniel Coughley was born in Vermont around 1786. He was probably born free. Coming to Upper Canada around 1805. He established himself in York and worked for the prominent Bolton family. Coughley married Elizabeth Austin a free black woman in early 1811. Throughout his adult life Coughley made many connections with both free and enslaved African Canadians. In early March 1811 the provincial secretary William Jarvis took two of his slaves to court for stealing gold and silver out of his desk at home. The accused culprits were an unnamed enslaved woman and a male slave named Henry commonly known as Prince. Jarvis also charged Coughly with aiding and abetting the accused. Prince Henry was sentenced to a period of incarceration in the town jail while the enslaved woman was ordered back to Jarvis's custody. Coughly on the other hand was cleared of all charges. Coughlin served in Captain Raunchy's company in the latter half of 1812 and likely fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights. Since his name does not appear on later muster roles it is assumed that he did not re-enlist in the colored corps upon its embodiment to full-time service. Prince Henry also joined the colored corps and likely fought the Battle of Fort George. It is not known currently whether he was still enslaved at time of his enlistment but the two pounds four shilling and eight pence he was played for his 91 days of service between April 25th and July 24th 1813 was likely more than he was ever paid by William Jarvis. In 1825 now with a family of seven children Coughley petitioned for a land grant in Oro township near Lake Simcoe and received a location ticket for lot 22 concession 2. In 1834 Elizabeth had died and Coughley married Mary Oliver. As his eldest son grew he petitioned for more land in Oro and acquired lot 14 in concession 2 and later purchased part of lot 12 in concession 5. In 1837 when the Upper Canadian Rebellion broke out his sons Daniel Jr and Nathaniel signed up with Captain Alexander Lang's company of the Medonte Volunteer Militia. Sadly Daniel Jr died in Toronto while on militia duty in 1838. Of the remaining Coughley children several married some staying in Oro and others moving to Syracuse, New York. Coughley married his third wife Jane Williams in 1844, however as there is no record of either of them in the 1861 census it is thought that they have both passed away before that time and are buried in the African cemetery in Oro township. Robert Scott was a free black man living in York on what is now Richmond street by 1810. We know nothing about his life before moving to York but his intentions to serve in Raunchy's company are unambiguous. He carefully drew up his last will and testament before leaving York understanding full well that he might not return. He wrote quote "I Robert Scott of the town of York in the home district of the province Upper Canada a free black man taking into consideration the uncertainty of life the more especially as I am now about to embark for Niagara as a volunteer to defend my King and Gracious Sovereign King George the Prince of the good and the enemy of all slavery Do make and publish this my last will and testament." As one scholar has observed this interesting document has opened up a window on the thoughts and mindset of a free black man in Upper Canada on the precipice of war with the United States in 1812. Scott would have been fully aware that if the Americans were successful in conquering Upper Canada his own freedom could have been in jeopardy. Scott was living with Sarah Long and her children when he left to join the war. In his will Robert Scott left his house, lot horses, cart, two cows, his hay, and oats, and all of his other goods chattel to Sarah and after her death to their son David. Sarah Long was married at that time to Peter Long who had served as a gunner aboard the British schooner Nova Scotia during the American War of Independence. He had brought his family to York in 1793 and along with 19 other free black men petitioned unsuccessfully to allow free blacks to settle together in a small community. By 1806 he had moved away from York and later served in the King's Works in Prescott during the war. Sadly both Robert Scott and Peter Long died in 1813. Scott while serving along the Niagara River on January 15, 1813 and Long later that year in Prescott. Sarah lived another 43 years dying in Toronto on June 16th 1856 at the reputed age of 119. As we have seen there was no universal black experience in early Toronto yet despite enslavement, prejudice, and segregation black soldiers, sailors and militiamen made significant contributions to the defense of Canada during the War of 1812. Annual observances like Black History month in February provide all Canadians with an opportunity to pause and reflect upon how Canadian Sovereignty, security, and peace have been achieved and maintained by black Canadians.

Duration:

14 minutes, 20 seconds

During the War of 1812, Black Canadians served in the defence of British North America as sailors, soldiers, and militiamen. A number even came to battle as members of Indigenous Nations. They fought alongside their white and Indigenous comrades, endured the hardships of war, and some never returned home, but paid the ultimate sacrifice. As part of the Toronto History Museums network, Fort York National Historic Site has embarked on a journey to expand the narratives and stories it tells. Drawing upon prima

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

Welcome in and back to Guns Across the Lakes a series exploring the War of 1812 on and around the Great Lakes. Perhaps the theater for military operations in this tremendous conflict.

As you are no doubt or hopefully already aware in the second season we will be exploring some of the lesser-known characters or unsung heroes from this great chapter of history.

And here at Fort Meigs Historic Site in Northwest Ohio that trend continues as we examine the Ohio Militia and one of their noteworthy commanders.

I'm standing outside mighty block house number six on the south wall of Fort Meigs with the soldiers in 1813 referred to as the rear line of their position on the Maumee River. This black house was under the command of one Alexander Bourne of the Ohio Militia. Bourne was a man who never intended to be a soldier. Yet seemed to be the type that excelled at whatever life delivered him. He even said in his own words quote "it appeared to me that I was the sport of anomaly and irregularities and that military government is necessarily despotic." This twisted fate will be a theme that we return to again and again in his story. Bourne was drafted into the Ohio Militia and forced into the war effort. It's actually one of the very few first-person accounts we have at Fort Meigs of a draftee. We each state was required to fill a certain quota of soldiers for the war effort and if the state couldn't produce those numbers through volunteerism it fell to a draft. And a new brigade of Ohio militia was called out in February of 1813 for a six-month term and Bourne was selected. Those around him really objected claiming they could get him a commission as an officer in the regular army or that he should simply hire a substitute, but Bourne accepted his lot and simply soldiered on. Having ancestors who had fought in the American Revolution he had a certain sense of duty about what had been cast. But this twisted fate again visits him on the day of mustering in in Chillicothe the first sergeant was drunk and did not appear for duty and Bourne was simply picked out of the ranks and thrust into that role. And three days later on February 16th he was suddenly appointed adjutant for the entire regiment of infantry. This necessary despotism these irregularities well this was certainly the case for the newly appointed adjutant as he was often sent on detached duties in command of troops despite the unusualness of these assignments being given to staff officers. He was even in command of Fort Findlay in Ohio for several days when that post was found abandoned later that winter. It was in this role as adjutant that Bourne was assigned duties as officer of the day on the night of April 30th 1813. The same night that the opening shots were fired for the invasion of Ohio and Fort Meigs for the first time was in an active state of combat. And it was Bourne who received the very first orders from General Harrison in the midst of battle to douse the garrison lights kill the campfires and get the men up and to their posts.

Bourne's block house six was designed to rake this ravine on the south east side of the fort in case of an infantry assault from this direction. As such the block house was loaded exclusively with canister shot for close-range anti-personnel fire and Borne drilled his men to his own boasts that they could fire four shots a minute from their lone iron six pounder. That infantry assault never materialized. But the neighboring blockhouse, blockhouse five managed to raise their gun to the upper story in order to target these British batteries, newly established in the east woods.

Before they could get the range the British in these trenches had done such damage to Blockhouse 5 as to unlimber that raised cannon. It was Bourne who suddenly took command of Five quickly remounted that gun and opened fire. The first shot bounced harmlessly in the mud behind me. The second whizzed into the woods behind you. But the third silenced this battery for the rest of the afternoon. And it's interesting to note the British and Canadian soldiers serving in these woods remarked those same deadly shots. Bourne was involved in other adventures during the first siege his men were ordered to dig this traverse just outside of their block house. But the firing here was so intense that they refused to work. He was given an unlimited order of whiskey from the quartermaster in order to make his men insensible to the danger. The digging was completed in short order without the loss of a single man.

On June 1st 1813 Bourne reported himself on the sick list during a time when the fort saw its highest numbers of sick wounded and dying in the exhaustive aftermath of the first siege. And he was still very very ill in July when Tecumseh and the British returned for the second siege. Yet he refused to shirk his duty demanding a posting and he was given command of this, Blockhouse number Seven in the southwest portion of the fort, now converted to museum space. And he was upgraded to a 12-pound gun for this operation. Thereafter the medical department ordered him on a leave of absence stating that he would not survive without intense rest. And he accompanied General Duncan McArthur's wife and debutant daughter to the healing springs at Blue Lick in Kentucky. And he was still there in August when his brigade mustered out and he rushed back to Ohio for that final meeting. But missed it and the pay master by several days. And so after all that Alexander Bourne never even got paid.

The maps of Fort Meigs Bourne had produced during his service here drew the attention of his superiors and his newfound military buddies now in high places rewarded his surveying abilities by making him a kind of czar for the canal projects that were undertaken in Ohio in the aftermath of the war. In 1816 the national government asked him to establish a new port on the Maumee River and Alexander Bourne founded the city of Perrysburg, Ohio where we stand now.

And so this city, this fortress, and this nation is happy to have known Colonel Alexander Bourne.

Duration:

8 minutes, 56 seconds

The episode is in regards to Alexander Bourne, an adjutant in the Ohio Militia, who was seemingly everywhere during the first siege and then later did the survey work for the founding of Perrysburg, Ohio.

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

Welcome back to Guns Across the Lakes I am Ranger Rob and I'm at Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island Put-in-Bay, OH. When you think of the Battle of Lake Erie what comes to mind? Ships, guns, muskets, boarding axes, pikes, shot, Perry, Barclay? Would you think of these tools? Tools like these serve a very specific purpose and were used by one man. Dr. Usher Parsons aboard the US Brig Lawrence. On this episode of Guns Across the Lake will follow the fascinating life and times of Dr. Parsons.

Parson's story begins in Alford, Massachusetts now present-day Maine. Born in August of 1788 Parsons was the youngest of nine kids. Although Parsons attended school and worked for some time as a store clerk, he decided to follow a different career path and became a medical apprentice in May of 1807. In addition to apprenticing Parsons would begin attending anatomy classes at a local school. While this would have likely been considered sufficient training for a career in medicine at this time Parsons moved to Boston in 1811 to study under Dr John Warren brother to Dr Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill fame. By 1812 Parsons obtained his license to practice medicine and attempted to start his own practice. Parsons was unsuccessful at establishing a practice and given that the US was on the brink of war with Great Britain he decided to apply to be a surgeon in the army. This endeavor was unsuccessful because Parsons could not find support. With debt looming over his head Parsons attempted to apply for a job for the US Navy. Finally, on July 6, 1812 Parsons was commissioned as Surgeons Mate with the help of Congressman Dr. Bartlett. Parsons exclaimed "no one could imagine my joy. It was ecstatic frantic."

In early August Parsons reported to the US Corvette John Adams stationed in New York City. Parsons is not in New York for long before his commander Isaac Chauncey was ordered the great lakes. Before Chauncey left his post there he asked his men if there were any volunteers that would want to make the move to the great lakes with him. Many of the officers and crew followed including Usher Parson. Many of these men would be destined for Sacketts Harbor. Parsons kept a diary and many of his entries during this time can be almost viewed as if he's on a travel log some sort of adventure. Parsons often discussed the people he met the homes he saw the vessels that he passed. He also recorded medical information he deemed relevant. As Parsons progresses through his medical career his entries related to practicing medicine become even more detailed. This helps us better understand medicine in the early 19th century. Parsons details certainly helps us at Perry's Victory better interpret the Battle of Lake Erie. On Monday September 28, 1812 Parsons arrived at his stop in Albany, New York and stated "arrived insight of Albany about 10 o'clock in the evening. Crew was very healthy there being only three names on the sick book. We this day discovered among the crew the female clad and sailors apparel." Unfortunately Parsons does not provide detail as to who this woman was or why she decided to attempt to join the navy or what happens to her after that after leaving Albany. Parsons continued on to Black Rock while others traveled to Lake Ontario to serve with Chauncey at Sacketts Harbor. Parsons arrived at Black Rock in time to see the gruesome aftermath of the battle of Queenston Heights, Elliott's expedition across the Niagara river to capture the Caledonia as well as other attacks along the Niagara River. There Parsons would take care of his first battlefield casualties. As the fighting slowed during the winter months Parsons continued to care for the sick and wounded, went hunting, often rowed on the Niagara River. The war began to pick up pace again in the spring and news circulated that Fort George in Upper Canada, now Ontario, had been captured by the US.

With the fall of Fort George, Parsons and a group of men crossed the Niagara River the next day. traveled to Fort Erie upon arriving they find two men who that will then surrender themselves and the fort. Was this the only time in US History where a Surgeon's Mate accepted the surrender of an enemy fortification? Parsons does that stay long at Fort Erie, however orders reach Parson that Oliver Hazard Perry would be arriving at Black Rock to take all US naval vessels and men to Erie, Pennsylvania to join the vessels under construction there. During his time in Erie Parsons would write in his diary about the sick men under his care, dinners in town, the people of Erie, adventures in the countryside. On August 12, 1813 Parsons wrote the US squadron was finally heading west. By the 17th they arrived at Sandusky Bay and began preparations for a meeting between General Harrison and his officers and American Indians to view the US naval vessels that had been amassing there. On the 21st Parsons wrote "generals took their departure having stripped us of all our provisions" although more supplies were being requisitioned from Erie Parsons would be forced to confront more pressing issues at hand. Taking care of the squadron's health while fighting with the British was likely intimate. A few examples from Parsons' diary are as follows. "Friday the 27th commodore sick. Saturday the 28th I've been unwell eight days. Sunday August 29th soldier on board the Trippe died. People becoming very sickly. September the second, 26 men unfit for duty besides four officers. Sunday the fifth visited and prescribed for 57 patients. Tuesday the 7th about 20 men sick called out to see Dr. Barton of Niagara. Wednesday eighth, called on board Niagara twice. Rained all day." September 10th as you may know the battle occurred out here on Lake Erie and this is what Usher Parsons wrote. "Friday September 10th Quarter before meridian the enemy commenced the action at one mile distance in half an hour, we came within musket shot of the enemy's new ship Detroit. This time they opened a most destructive fire on the Lawrence from their whole squadron. At half past one entirely disabled. We could work the brig no longer. 2 pm most of the guns were dismounted, breechings gone, carriages knocked to pieces. At half past two when not another gun could be worked or fired from the Lawrence Captain Perry hauled down the fighting flag which bore this motto Dont Give Up the Ship. Repaired on board the Niagara and there raised it again. Ten minutes after we struck to the enemy. Captain Perry made all sail with the Niagara which hitherto had kept out of the action and in 15 minutes passed in among the B. squadron, having Detroit, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Prevost on the starboard side & the Hunter on the larboard side and silenced them all ten minutes before 3 they hauled down their colours. Two small vessels attempted to escape but being overhauled struck a few minutes after three. Slept but little & dressed about one-third and secured with tourniquets such as bled copiously. During the action I cut off 6 legs in the cockpit, which were nearly divided by cannonballs, most of these are numbered among the dead." In the days following the Battle of Lake Erie Parsons was busy taking care of the sick and wounded for the US. The Lawrence will be designated a hospital ship and will begin to travel back to Erie, Pennsylvania with Parsons on board. After the battle of the Thames word came that Perry was headed back to the east coast however Parsons along with several officers will have to stay in Erie for the winter. On April 15, 1814 Parsons is promoted to "full" Surgeon. This is a very important milestone in this practitioner's medical career. It could be suggested that this promotion was partially due to Perry's letter to the Secretary of Navy which stated “of Dr. Usher Parsons, surgeon's mate I cannot say too much." "In consequence of the disability of both the other surgeons doctors Hoarsely and" "Barton the whole duty of operating dressing and attending nearly 100 wounded and as many sick" "devolved entirely upon him and it must be pleasing to you, sir, to reflect that" "of the whole number only three died." Parsons witnessed the failed operation at Fort Mackinac.

Upon his arrival in Erie, Parsons will have new orders these orders will transfer him to Baltimore as the Surgeon of Perry's new 44-gun frigate being built there. The war would end however before being able to take the Jave to Sea. Parsons would not be able to use the knowledge and skills he undoubtedly gained caring for the casualties from the Battle of Lake Erie and Fort Mackinac. Parsons naval career will continue for several more years after the War of 1812. He sailed the Mediterranean with Perry and 1817 earned his MD from Harvard. During a subsequent deployment with the navy Parsons took leave and traveled Europe. To study the hospitals and medical colleges there. Parsons returned to the US in 1820 and was stationed at the marine barracks at the Charleston Navy Yard. Parsons married in 1822 and was soon offered the chair of Dartmouth College's Department of Anatomy and Surgery. Brown University Medical School will offer him the same position. Parsons will resign as commissioned the navy in 1823 thus ending his 11-year naval career. Parsons became one of the most published medical authorities of his time. He will also attend many reunions and monument dedications and events connected to anniversaries of the Battle of Lake Erie. Parsons will pass away on December 19, 1868 at the age of 80. Parsons life can be viewed as a story of perseverance while initially failing and establishing a medical practice or even receiving a commission. Parsons kept pursuing his goals and would become highly distinguished professional. As we conclude it is only fitting to hear from one of Parsons strongest supporters. "I can only say that in the event of my having another command I should consider myself particularly fortunate in having him with me as surgeon." So, until next time on Guns Across the Lakes. Huzzah.

Duration:

11 minutes, 49 seconds

From failing to a leader in his field. Along with being the US Navy's only Surgeon's Mate to accept the surrender of an enemies fortifications. Follow Usher Parson on his journey.

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

The war of 1812 has its heroes the big names that still stand out to us through the ages, the real pillars of policy and action that make for great stories. Individuals like Tecumseh, Laura Secord, Isaac Brock or Francis Scott Key, Oliver Perry. Well these names attract a lot of literature and biographical study yes but for the historian it's often the smaller participants in a conflict that can contribute the most insight into what actually happened and color that experience with a real human touch bringing us closer to these landmark events. These are absolutely invaluable accounts for adding detail to the larger achievement of others and that is what this season of Guns Across the Lakes is all about. Each site in our 1812 family has selected an individual, a lesser-known or under-recognized character that contributed in a great way to the knowledge and understanding of what their site was like and what it endured during the war years. We've looked at their diaries, journals, their letters, and other writings and we'll be telling the events of the war as they saw it with a little biography along the way, So join us to enrich your understanding of history for season two of Guns Across the Lakes

Duration:

2 minutes, 42 seconds

The war of 1812 has its heroes the big names that still stand out to us through the ages, the real pillars of policy and action that make for great stories. Individuals like Tecumseh, Laura Secord, Brock, or O.H. Perry. Well these names attract a lot of attention but for the historian it's often the smaller participants in a conflict that can contribute the most insight into what actually happened. Each site has selected an individual, a lesser-known that character that is important to their site's story.

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

Fort York stands in the heart of downtown Toronto and is the birthplace of the city. The National Historic Site's rich history dates back more than 225 years.

The Toronto area has been inhabited by indigenous peoples for thousands of years the Mohawk people called this place tkaronto meaning where there are trees standing in the water. However in the aftermath of the American War of Independence tens of thousands of displaced British loyalists and allied Haudenosaunee peoples had to migrate north into what is now Canada. In September of 1787 the British signed the Toronto purchase with the local Mississauga of the Credit where they purportedly purchased the land. However the legality of this initial treaty was called into question and a new agreement was signed in 1805 now known as Treaty 13. By 1791 the new province of Upper Canada was created, now the province of Ontario. The province's first lieutenant governor John Grave Simcoe recognized the initial provincial capital of Newark, now Niagara on the Lake, was exposed and vulnerable to an American attack from just across the Niagara River. So in the summer of 1793 Simcoe arrived on this site and founded the new capital of York which would have its name changed to Toronto a mere 40 years later. By this time war seemed likely as the United States was rapidly expanding westward and the American army is waging wars against the indigenous nations along the frontier in the old northwest. Therefore when York was founded Simcoe and his men began constructing a military garrison and harbor defenses which became the first Fort York. York's harbor became a British naval base and the single harbor entrance on the western side could be defended from the guns at Fort York and Gibraltar point. The fort sat on high ground surrounded by water on all but one side however as the war scare passed. Simcoe's initial defenses fell into disrepair and his superiors concentrated military efforts on defending Kingston instead of York. The original log barrack Simcoe built rotted quickly after 1796 the army replaced them with new buildings just east the original garrison. At the same time the army built a home for the lieutenant governor called Government House on the Simcoe site now the fort's parade ground. In 1811 war with the United States again seemed likely the British therefore improved York's defenses. The existing west wall, dry moat, and circular battery still survived from that time. The United States declared war in June of 1812. That after America's defeats in the opening months of the war the United States needed a victory and so on April 27, 1813 the US Army and Navy attacked in what is now known as the Battle of York. The Americans stormed ashore a few kilometers west of the fort under the protection of their ship's guns. The outnumbered British, indigenous, and Canadian defenders fought bravely for six hours but the overwhelming fire from the American Army and warships forced them back to Fort York. Defeated the British abandoned the fort and blew up the gunpowder magazine. The explosion was devastating 250 Americans fell dead or wounded from its blast. The confusion stopped the Americans long enough for the British to escape capture and retreat east towards Kingston. The local Canadian militia unit surrendered to the Americans and the US forces occupied York for six days. They robbed homes took and destroyed supplies and burned the parliament buildings in government house. The Americans returned to a defenseless York in July of 1813 for two days to burn military buildings they had missed in April. A year later in retaliation British forces captured Washington and burned the capitol and White House. The British returned to reconstruct Fort York shortly after it was destroyed. The fort here today was constructed throughout the remainder of the war between late 1813 and 1815. Seven of the fort's buildings today still survived from this period. In 1814 American ships returned to York but this time the fort's guns chased them away. In February of 1815 the people of York heard the war of 1812 had ended. By this point there was enough barrack space constructed within Fort York to accommodate as many as 650 officers and soldiers. After the war the British maintained Fort York as a peacetime garrison. Greatly reduced the number of soldiers stationed here but the army also strengthened its defenses in times of danger such as the rebellion crisis of 1837 to 1841 and during the 1860s. When Canadians feared another American invasion during the American Civil War. Three years after Canadian Confederation in 1867 the British troops left Toronto and Canadian soldiers took over control of Fort York. The fort continued to serve as a harbor defense until the 1880s. By this point a new Fort Stanley barracks had been constructed to the west, within what is now the exhibition grounds. The Canadian Army still used the old fort well into the 20th century including for recruitment and training during the First World War.

Beginning in the 1880s people had realized that Fort York was an important landmark in the country's history therefore they worked to preserve it as a heritage site. Major restoration however did not occur until the 1930s. And in 1934 as part of Toronto's 100th birthday celebrations Fort York opened as a National Historic Site. Although Fort York has not changed much since the early 19th century the city that now surrounds it is completely different. In 1854 the railway arrived in Toronto, tracks were laid over the Garrison Creek valley behind the fort. Work also began to dredge the harbor and fill in the lake in front of the fort. Between the 1850s and the 1920s The shoreline moved south as Toronto expanded industrial port and recreational facilities. Sometimes Toronto's growth threatened the fort. On one occasion in 1958 plans were made to tear down and move the fort for the Gardner Expressway however conservative citizens won the battle to save Fort York from demolition. Today Fort York survives on the site where Simcoe founded Toronto in 1793 and where the British rebuilt York's defenses between 1813 and 1815. Fort York is the birthplace of modern Toronto, a battlefield from the War of 1812, a military burial ground, an archaeological resource, and is the home to the largest collection of original War of 1812 military buildings in Canada. The City of Toronto Museums preserves the fort as a public historic site and every year tens of thousands of visitors from around the world visit the site and enjoy the fort's wide array of public educational and commemorative programming. We hope you too will visit Fort York and explore its important place in Canadian history.

Duration:

7 minutes, 36 seconds

The history of Fort York from when first built by John Graves Simcoe through modern day preservation.

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

The Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site is where history and living culture meet. The Sackets Harbor Battlefield is a beautiful sight to come explore with family and friends  .

The Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site is still a place where history happens .

Sackets Harbor's strategic location on the eastern end of Lake Ontario made it the only possible site for the American military command during the war of 1812. This natural harbor located in Haudenosaunee territory became a hub of activity for shipbuilding drawing thousands of personnel and a place to amass war material. So in northern New York Sackets Harbor became the site of both offensive and defensive actions during the war of 1812. Two engagements took place at Sackets Harbor 19th of July 1812 and May 29, 1813. It is the second battle that caused the National Park Service to rank the community as one of the top battle sites of the war. Over time New York state acquired additional battlegrounds including the Hall Farmstead and with assistance from the American Battlefield Trust the most recent land acquisition of Horse Island. When the War of 1812 ended the unfinished ship of the line the New Orleans was sheltered under a ship house, but the vessel would never set sail. A navy presence though remained and a series of navy commandants and their families called the navy yard home until 1878. The commandant's assistant lived in the lieutenant's house next door. By 1906 Mrs. Francis Metcalf became caretaker after her husband's death until the naval militia assumed the property as a seasonal training center. The US Navy abandoned the yard in the 1950s and eventually it transitioned into a New York State Parks Historic Site. The site centerpiece the Centennial Grove emerged from the community's traditional gathering place where they came together to celebrate patriotic events. In 1913 Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Franklin Delano Roosevelt dedicated a granite monument in the newly established tree grove where 100 maples are formerly planted in parallel rows. A rededication took place on the 100th anniversary in 2013.

The Sackets Harbor State Historic Site is where the past comes to life. Sackets Harbor State Historic Site is my favorite summer job and also one of my favorite spots to relax.

Duration:

4 minutes, 32 seconds

The Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site is where history and living culture meet. The Sackets Harbor Battlefield is a beautiful sight to come explore with family and friends  . The Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site is still a place where history happens 

 

Open Transcript 

Transcript

[Drum beating and cannon fire.]

Hello ladies and gentlemen. My name is John a staff member and a Programs Manager here at Fort Meig's Historic Site, a War of 1812 battlefield and restored fort and I'm here to welcome you to a new and second series of episodes for Guns Across the Lakes. A channel which is exploring this, the Great Lakes region of North America and the crucial impact it had as a war zone in this tremendous clash of arms between the years 1812 and 1815. In our first series we allowed each site in our family to showcase their grounds and contribute their story in the overall narrative of this theater of combat on the front lines between the United States here and Canada and as staff members at these various institutions we gained an incredible sense of camaraderie and accomplishment from this undertaking and it inspired us to continue with new themes in the face of growing support from viewership in the online community this popularity and camaraderie has attracted new historical sites to Guns Across  the Lakes

And we are more than happy to embrace them and have these new sites enrich our storytelling ability and add color and detail to our little historic record. So before we proceed with the focus of our second season it would be only fair to feature these new sites in their own episodes allowing them to introduce the significance of their ideas and properties to you. And it's our hope that you not only eagerly view this visual education but that it inspires you to visit all of our sites and gain for yourself a sense of the respect due to this tremendous story. It will work just as before each Friday throughout the fall we will launch a new episode and when this fresh round of introductions is complete I will return to push us into new territory and new themes for the second chapter of Guns Across the Lakes. We'll see you there huzzah!

[Instrumental music]

Duration:

5 minutes, 11 seconds

Welcome you to a new and second series of episodes for Guns Across the Lakes. A channel which is exploring the Great Lakes region during the War of 1812. In our first series we allowed each site showcase their grounds and contribute their story in the overall narrative of this theater of combat. This has attracted new historical sites to our group. We are more than happy to add them. But first it would be only fair to feature these new sites in their own episodes allowing them to introduce themselves.