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The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Chrysler's Farm (11/11/1812) - Oct 26th, 2003
http://members.tripod.com/~war1812/batcrys.html ^

Posted on 10/26/2003 12:00:43 AM PDT by SAMWolf



Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.


...................................................................................... ...........................................

U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues

Where Duty, Honor and Country
are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.

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.

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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 Battle of Chrysler's Farm


Major-General Wade Hampton planned to attack Lower Canada by following the Lake Champlain route, while Major-General James Wilkinson planned to move on Montreal from Lake Ontario. The American chances to succeed looked very good. Hampton had 5,000 men, while Wilkinson had 8,000 men stationed at Sackett's Harbor. But, the two general's were bitter enemies and Hampton resented that he was to serve under Wilkinson. This was to be a well coordinated plan of attack, but ended up being one party ignoring the other to the detriment of the project.

The planning of the campaign was disrupted by the arrival to Sackett's Harbor of John Armstrong , the secretary of war. Armstrong insisted that the attack be against Kingston, while Wilkinson perferred a direct assault on Montreal. When Armstrong finally agreed Wilkinson changed his mind and opted for Kingston and so it went. Montreal was finally agreed on as the primary objective.



On 17 October, Wilkinson left Sackett's Harbor in a flotilla of bateaux and headed down the St. Lawrence River. At once bad luck came to the Americans in the way of a early snow storm, they became snowbound on Grenadier Island with a number of their boats being damaged beyond repair. While on the island Jarvis Hanks of the 11th U.S. Infantry remembered a farmer that still had potatoes in the ground. The men who as a rule do not care how they appropriate food offered the farmer fifty cents a bushel for the potatoes. The farmer said he could get a dollar a bushel for them from the British in Kingston. Well talk spread around the American camp that the farmer was suppling the enemy with potatoes so the men just took them, without paying any money at all. The farmer complained to the American officers but they did nothing to help him. He left thinking how unwise his decision was not to sell the potatoes for fifty cents a bushel.

Wilkinson pressed on despite the cold weather. Part of his army was forced to march down the American side while the rest used the boats.


Major General James Wilkinson


News of the continued American movement reached Kingston, Sir George Prevost directed that, if the American force moved down river, the 49th and 89th Regiments should be sent in pursuit, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Morrison of the 89th Regiment. His force consisted of 630 rank and file: nine companies of the 89th totalled about 450 men, but the battalion companies of the 49th Foot had been reduced by casualties to a total of about 160 men and there were less than 20 artillerymen with two 6 pounder field guns. On November 6th this force embarked on two schooners the "Lord Beresford" and the "Sir Sydney Smith" and seven gunboats and a number of bateaux . Naval command was entrusted by Sir James Yeo to his subordinate Commander William Mulcaster R.N., who was serving as a captain on Lake Ontario.

General Wilkinson was now approaching Prescot. Since the guns of Fort Wellington commanded the St. Lawrence at Prescot, Wilkinson landed his army above Ogdensburg and floated the empty boats down river in the dark, the boats slipped quietly by the British guns at Fort Wellington. Wilkinson then re-embarked his troops. Whenever the Americans came to a narrowing in the river they were being shot at by Canadian farmers who were turning out as militia. Wilkinson ordered 1,200 troops to land on the Canadian shore at Iroquoois, below Prescot, as an advance guard to drive them off. This they succeeded in doing.


Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison


The Americans reached Long Sault Rapids on 8 November. They deployed a force under Winfield Scott on the Canadian shore to oppose any attempt to interfere with the movement of the bateaux through the rapids. On 10 November Scott's troops along with Jacob Brown's brigade began to march on Cornwall leaving John Boyd's brigade to deal with Morrison's small force.

Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison's pursuing force landed at Prescot on the morning of November 9th. His "corps of observation" was increased by a detachment of 240 troops commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Pearson. These consisted of two flank companies of the 49th Foot, a detachment of Canadian Fencibles, three companies of Canadian Voltigeurs, a handful of miltia artillerymen with a 6-pr gun and a half dozen Provincial Dragoons to serve a couriers. Captain Morrison now had about 900 officers and men.

Commander William Mulcaster R.N. had to leave his armed schooners at Prescot but his gunboats pressed on to harass the American boats, as the American bateaux began to move through the rapids Mulcaster's gunboats opened fire and the small British force attacked.

Meanwhile Colonel Morrison, had established his headquarters in John Crysler's farmhouse, he decided that he had a good defensive position should the Americans choose to turn on him. From the farmhouse a dirt road ran on right angles to the river as far as a swamp that was impassable a half mile inland. There were log fences that provided protection for the troops and in front of them was a large field of winter wheat.


Canadian Voltigeurs and Mohawk warrior, two of the Canadian units that stood with British regulars under Morrison's command and turned back Wilkinson's army on November 11, 1813.


November 11th at 8 o'clock in the morning an alarm is sounded. An Indian had fired on an American reconnaissance patrol causing each side to believe that the other was about to attack.

General Wilkinson ordered General Boyd to advance in three columns, Boyd had 2,000 U.S. troops. He was to outflank the British and capture their field guns.

A force this large had no difficulties driving back skirmishers earlier, however the advancing American troops were stopped by the volley firing of companies of the 49th and 89th Regiments. The Americans tried to turn the British left flank but the 89th companies were swung around almost 90 degrees to counter this move successfully.

The Americans became flustered when they realized that the men wearing the grey greatcoats were not militia, but were the 49th Regiment of Foot. The order came to advance and Major Charles Plenderleath of the 49th Regiment led his troops against the American guns 120 yards in front of them. All of a sudden to the right of him a troop of American Dragoons were seen galloping down the King's Highway toward their position. If they could get behind them they could charge their rear turning the tide of the battle against them. Captain Ellis's orders to his company on the right flank were, "Halt ... front... pivot...cover... left wheel into line... fire by platoons from the center to the flanks." Ellis had wheeled his company backward to the left to face the cavalry. Ellis waited as the cavalry charged down on his men, then smoke and fire erupted from the British line shattering the American charge and eliminated the threat. Captain Ellis held his fire to that last moment to maximize the effect. His company wheeled back to the advance and the 49th captured the American guns.


Major General Wade Hampton


The Americans were forced to withdraw from the field and that night crossed back across the river to the American side. The army pushed on to make their junction with Hampton's army beyond the Long Sault, but Hampton, having been defeated at Chateauguay, refused to meet Wilkinson at St. Regis. Wilkinson, ill and discouraged, abandoned the campaign.

Lieutenant Colonel Morrison's troops had defeated the Americans that day against overwelming odds, however there was one American unit that caught his eye. He was so impressed with the U.S. 25th infantry's steadiness in battle that he sent a note to their commander, Colonel Edmund Gaines, hoping that they might meet after the war as friends.

Morrison reported his own casualties for the Battle of Crysler's Farm as being 22 killed, 148 wounded and 9 missing. General Boyd reported 102 killed, 237 wounded and more than 100 missing.

On the Niagara Frontier the humiliating defeats of Stoney Creek and Beaverdams forced the Americans to withdaw into Fort George. The victory at the Battle of the Thames did little to lift morale of those American troops on the Niagara Peninsula. Foraging parties were ambushed and Merritt's Dragoons harassed pickets and patrols alike. The pickets were especially vulnerable to Indain attacks that kept them constantly in a state of agitation.



The scene was now set for one of the most callous acts of the war, the burning of Newark. An act that would have far reaching effects for Americans living on the east bank of the Niagara.



TOPICS: VetsCoR
KEYWORDS: canada; chryslersfarm; freeperfoxhole; genjameswilkinson; ltcolmorrison; veterans; warof1812
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On October 17, 1813, American Major General James Wilkinson left Sacket’s Harbour with an army of over 7000 in a flotilla of bateaux. His plan was to sail down the St. Lawrence River and attack Montreal. Progress downriver was slow due the combination of bad weather and British sharpshooters along the shore.

By November 10, British Captain William Howe Mulcaster was hot on Wilkinson’s heels with a flotilla of gunboats carrying two regiments of British soldiers. The Americans had now reached the dreaded Long Sault rapids. To lighten the boats, and to clear the bank of enemies, Wilkinson landed his army near a farm owned by a man named John Chrysler.


While the Chrysler family hid in their farmhouse cellar, a massive battle between British and American troops occurred outside in their fields. Though the British were outnumbered almost 10 to 1, the American force lacked the formal training of their opponents. The British lines held fast in the face of numerous American assaults, each time wheeling about and firing in textbook formation. After suffering significant losses, the Americans retreated to their boats awaiting them on the St. Lawrence hoping to save face by taking Montreal. They never achieved their goal.


This was exactly what the British had hoped he would do. They landed and deployed their two regiments at Chrysler's farm under Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison with the express intention of engaging the Americans. Wilkinson simply could not leave this small enemy force of 800 intact to dog him all the way to Montreal. Too sick to command himself, he ordered his subordinate, Brigadier General Boyd, to destroy it before marching on.

In the early afternoon, an American regiment advanced towards the British left. Suddenly, a unit of concealed Voltigeurs and First Nations warriors rose and fired. They traded shots with the enemy briefly before the sheer number of U.S. troops forced them to run for their lives, with the Americans in hot pursuit. This was a critical point - if the Americans had managed to force their way between the British 89th Regiment and the swamp beside them, they could have turned and attacked the British rear. But Morrison had the 49th execute a parade-ground maneuver, making it swing backwards one quarter turn as a single unit so as to face the charging Americans with a solid volley. The Americans broke up and ran.



The American commander then launched his three brigades across the plowed fields at the British right. Morrison responded with another text-book maneuver, forming his soldiers in staggered platoons that each fired and then reloaded in turn, hitting the Americans with a continuous rolling volley. The effect was devastating.

Boyd next sent a cavalry unit galloping down a road that ran between the river and the British right. If they had got past the British, they could have turned and charged from behind, but Morrison had yet another parade-ground maneuver to deal with such a threat. The 49th Regiment wheeled backwards to the left to face the cavalry and fired, and all but destroyed the entire American cavalry unit with a single shattering volley.

By this time the entire American army was being moved back, by the relentadvancing British. The Americans were only saved from a rout by the proximity of their boats into which they piled up and rowed off to the safety of their own side of the river.


After the Battle of Chrysler's Farm, the British posted this placard in the vicinity of the American camp. History does not record how many of the demoralised American soldiers were actually seduced away from their dismal winter camp.


The next day, Wilkinson called a council of war which decided to abandon the attack on Montreal.

An American army had once again suffered defeat at the hands of a much smaller foe. And once more the defeat was due to poor leadership. By attacking first one side, and then another, rather than attacking all at once, Boyd had played into the hands of Morrison’s small but experienced force.

1 posted on 10/26/2003 12:00:43 AM PDT by SAMWolf
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To: snippy_about_it; PhilDragoo; Johnny Gage; Victoria Delsoul; Darksheare; Valin; bentfeather; radu; ..
The Battle that Saved Canada


The Battle of Crysler's Farm, fought on muddy ploughed fields beside the St. Lawrence River on November 11, 1813, was a crucial moment in the history of Upper Canada and marked the end of the most serious attempt to that time to invade Canada.

The campaign of 1813 focused on the St. Lawrence frontier with two powerful American armies poised to meet at Montreal and cut British lines of communications on this lifeline into the heart of the continent.


Sedentary Militiaman of Lower Canada by G.A. Embleton


An army commanded by Wade Hampton stood ready to move from the south, up the traditional invasion route of the Champlain Valley, and the other readied itself under the command of James Wilkinson at Sackets Harbor on Lake Ontario, ready to descend the river. The two were to meet at Montreal and choke all British settlements and garrisons west of the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers.

Outnumbered but not out-fought


Hampton's army numbered just under 4,000; Wilkinson's close to 8,000, as they prepared to catch Montreal in a pincer movement.

Fortunately for the British and both Upper and Lower Canada, they were opposed by small but highly trained - and motivated - armies under the commands of brilliant officers, Colonel Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry in Lower Canada and Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Wanton Morrison in Upper Canada.



de Salaberry met and defeated Hampton's much larger force at the Battle of Chateauguay on October 26, forcing the southern invaders back on their base in the U.S., from which they eventually retired in disarray.

The invasion down the St. Lawrence was to be a much more serious affair.

Morrison commanded a 1200-man-strong 'corps of observation' nipping at the heels of Wilkinson's army as it traveled down the St. Lawrence from Sackets Harbor. Aided by William Howe Mulcaster's detachment of gunboats, they harried the invaders as their flotilla of batteaux and smaller gunboats made their way to Montreal.

Swatting away


Wilkinson, who detested Hampton with a fervour that was reciprocated, was unaware of the check that had been dealt to U.S. invasion hopes at Chateauguay until well after the fact and he disembarked his army on the Canadian shore east of the Galop Rapids in readiness to shoot the Rapids du Plat and Long Sault Rapids, between Morrisburg and Cornwall.


Canadian Voltigeur soldier, 1813 by G.A. Embleton


His army fought a brief and confused rearguard action against Morrison at Hoople Creek on November 10 and the following day it turned to swat away the Anglo-Canadian army as its vanguard continued on to occupy Cornwall.

Morrison's command, consisting of companies of the 49th and 89th Regiments of Foot, three guns and crews of the Royal Artillery, the Canadian Fencibles, Canadien Voltigeurs and 30 Mohawk warriors from Tyendinaga, near Belleville, as well as the Dundas County Militia, took their positions on ground chosen by the commander and waited for the Americans to come on.



Poorly led and poorly trained, suffering from cold and hunger and their numbers depleted by disease, close to 4,000 American troops attacked Morrison's corps of 1200. The American troops were committed piecemeal to the battle and their officers proved no match for their battle-hardened counterparts. The result was an uneven match-up despite the Americans' overwhelming numerical superiority and after close to three hours of hard fighting, they withdrew from the field leaving 400 casualties - killed, wounded and captured - and beat a hasty retreat to the U.S. side of the river.

Victory paid for in blood


Morrison's victory was paid for in blood. His 'corps of observation' suffered 200 casualties, or about one-sixth of his total force. The greatest percentage of casualties was taken by the Canadian Fencibles, a regiment raised in Quebec and whose ranks were about 50 per cent francophone. They suffered a casualty rate of nearly 33 per cent. Of note is the fact that of the 270 Canadian regulars under Morrions' command that day two-thirds were French-speaking soldiers from Quebec.


Wounded Canadian Voltigeur by Eugene Leliepvre


Stunned by the ferocity of the Anglo-Canadian army and their Mohawk allies, Wilkinson's broken and dispirited army went into winter quarters at French Mills (present day Fort Covington), ending the threat to Canada.

The three founding peoples


While not of a European scale, the battle fought on the ploughed fields of John Crysler's Farm was an epic event in Canadian history, ending as it did the American campaign of 1813 with the British firmly in control of both sides of the St. Lawrence and dashing the hopes of those in Washington who had boasted that the conquest of Canada would be a 'mere matter of marching'.


Monument to the Battle of Chrysler's Farm


The Battle of Crysler's Farm was perhaps as important to posterity for those who fought as it was for its result.

British regulars stood with Canadians of both English and French heritage and with them were the Mohawk warriors of Tyendinaga as our three founding peoples stood shoulder to shoulder in defence of this new country.

Additional Sources:

www.galafilm.com/1812
library.thinkquest.org
www.law.umkc.edu
members.attcanada.ca/~htfergus
www.warof1812.ca
www.americaslibrary.gov
www.cryslersfarm.com

2 posted on 10/26/2003 12:01:21 AM PDT by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: All
'The Battle of Chrysler's Farm is the story of General James Wilkinson's ill-fated attempt at invasion and the taking of Montreal, which was an abject failure. While the troops employed by the Americans were Regulars, they were both ill-trained and badly led, these rookies having a generally hard time campaigning in the rugged Canadian wilderness, and being roughly handled by a smaller number of experienced British Regulars and Canadians.

Wilkinson himself was a political hack, a "confidence man in uniform," who, as second in command to Anthony Wayne with the Legion of the United States in 1794, had tried to backstab that very competent general in his campaign to defeat the tribes in the Old Northwest. More interested in his own comfort, and happy to cheat his men out of their rations to fill his own wallet, Wilkinson set the stage for disaster in this abortive offensive, that former President Thomas Jefferson remarked would "only be a matter of marching."'

Donald E. Graves


3 posted on 10/26/2003 12:01:41 AM PDT by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: All

4 posted on 10/26/2003 12:02:20 AM PDT by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: All
Veterans Day 2003
PDN News Desk ^ comwatch

Veterans Day is right around the corner.

It only takes a few minutes to write a letter to the kids and share a story of why you served.

If you aren't a Veteran then share your thoughts on why it is important to remember our Veterans on Veterans Day.
 

It's an opportunity for us to support our troops, our country and show appreciations for our local veterans. It's another way to counter the Anti-Iraq campaign propaganda.  Would you like to help?  Are there any VetsCoR folks on the Left Coast?  We have a school project that everyone can help with too, no matter where you live.  See the end of this post for details.


Three Northern California events have been scheduled and we need help with each:
 
Friday evening - November 7th Veterans in School (An Evening of Living History, A Veterans Day Ice Cream Social)
http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003c.htm
 
Saturday - 11 a.m. November 8th: Veterans Day Parade (PDN & Friends parade entry)
http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003b.htm
 
Sunday November 9, 2003 Noon to 3:00 PM Support our Troops & Veterans Rally prior to Youth Symphony Concert
http://www.patriotwatch.com/V-Day2003d.htm
 
Each of the WebPages above have a link to e-mail a confirmation of your interest and desire to volunteer.  These are family events and everyone is welcome to pitch in.  We'd really appreciate hearing from you directly via each these specific links.  This way, we can keep you posted on only those projects you want to participate in.

Veterans in School - How you can help if you're not close enough to participate directly. If you are a veteran, share a story of your own with the children.  If you have family serving in the military, tell them why it's important that we all support them. Everyone can thank them for having this special event.  Keep in mind that there are elementary school kids. 

Help us by passing this message around to other Veteran's groups.  I have introduced VetsCoR and FreeperFoxhole to a number of school teachers.  These living history lessons go a long way to inspire patriotism in our youth.  Lets see if we can rally America and give these youngsters enough to read for may weeks and months ahead.  If we can, we'll help spread it to other schools as well.

  Click this link to send an email to the students.

5 posted on 10/26/2003 12:02:38 AM PDT by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: Matthew Paul; mark502inf; Skylight; The Mayor; Prof Engineer; PsyOp; Samwise; comitatus; ...
.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

.......Good Sunday Morning Everyone!


If you would like added to our ping list let us know.
6 posted on 10/26/2003 12:03:29 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Good Morning Snippy.
7 posted on 10/26/2003 12:04:13 AM PDT by SAMWolf (Let's head over to the Foxhole and quaff a few root beers. (Phil Dragoo))
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To: SAMWolf
Good night SAM.
8 posted on 10/26/2003 12:08:42 AM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it; JulieRNR21; Vets_Husband_and_Wife; Cinnamon Girl; Alamo-Girl; Bigg Red; ...
Dear Lord, watch over our Brothers and Sisters who remain in harms way, where ever they are around the globe. Grant them Thy blessing, that they be protected from harm, and may they be safely, and swiftly, returned to their loved ones. AMEN

G'morning people!!!! :)
±

"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty."
Toward FREEDOM

9 posted on 10/26/2003 1:08:08 AM PDT by Neil E. Wright (An oath is FOREVER)
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To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; bentfeather; Darksheare; All
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE AT THE FOXHOLE!

THANK YOU service men and women, past and present, for your service to our country!


10 posted on 10/26/2003 1:07:01 AM PST by radu (May God watch over our troops and keep them safe)
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To: SAMWolf
I had no idea we ever tried to take Canada.
11 posted on 10/26/2003 2:19:08 AM PST by Samwise (There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.)
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To: snippy_about_it
Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.
12 posted on 10/26/2003 3:07:05 AM PST by E.G.C.
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To: Neil E. Wright; All
A hardy 'Howdy' to all in the trenches this morning!
13 posted on 10/26/2003 3:48:23 AM PST by Eastbound
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To: SAMWolf
ht

Today's classic warship, USS Rhode Island (BB-17)

Virginia class battleship
Displacement, 14,948 t.
Lenght. 441' 8"
Beam. 76' 3"Draft. 23' 9"
Speed. 19 k.
Complement. 812
Armament. 4 12", 8 8", 12 6", 12 3", 12 3-pdr., 4 21" tt.

The USS Rhode Island was launched 17 May 1904 by Fore River Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, Mass.; sponsored by Mrs. F. C. Dumaine; and commissioned 19 February 1906, Capt. Perry Garst in command.

Rhode Island underwent extensive shakedown and acceptance trials on the U.S. east coast between Hampton Roads and Boston before being assigned to Division 2, Squadron 1, Atlantic. Fleet 1 January 1907. The battleship departed Hampton Roads 9 March 1907 for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to participate in gunnery practice and squadron operations evolutions. She then returned north to cruise between Hampton Roads and Cape Cod Bay.

Arriving in Hampton Roads 8 December 1907, Rhode Island joined 15 other battleships, a torpedo boat squadron, and transports, for the great fleet review which began the cruise of the Atlantic Fleet to the west coast and around the world. President Theodore Roosevelt reviewed the "Great White Fleet " 16 December and sent it on the first leg of the long voyage. Rhode Island called at Trinidad, British West Indies, Rio de Janeiro, Punta Arenas, Callao, and Magdalena Bay before arriving at San Diego, Calif., 14 April 1908.

The fleet remained on the west coast into July, Rhode Island steaming north to visit the Puget Sound area during June. The entire fleet departed San Francisco 7 July 1908 for Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney, Melbourne, and Manila, arriving in the Philippines 2 October. From Manila Rhode Island made for Yokohama, Japan, returning to Olongapo, Philippine Islands, at the end of October. Departing Cavite 1 December, Rhode Island visited Colombo, Suez, Marseilles, and Gibraltar before returning to Hampton Roads 22 February 1909.

Modernized after this historic voyage, Rhode Island received "cage" masts and numerous other alterations before again taking up her duties with the Atlantic Fleet. Rhode Island was assigned 8 March 1909 to Division 3, Squadron 1. She continued to serve with the Atlantic Fleet into 1910, participating in exercises including deployment southward to the Caribbean during February 1910. Assigned 20 October 1910 to Division 4, Squadron 1, Rhode Island and other fleet units were reviewed 2 November at Boston by President Taft prior to their departure for European waters. In an elaborate battle and scouting problem, the fleet continued its training, Rhode Island subsequently visiting Gravesend, England, before returning to Guantanamo Bay 13 January 1911.

Rhode Island continued her duties attached to the Atlantic Fleet up to the outbreak of war in Europe in 1914. She cruised southward to Key West, Havana, and Guantanamo Bay during June and July 1912 but otherwise remained on the east coast operating between Hampton Roads and Rockland, Maine. Reassigned to Division 3, Squadron 1, Atlantic Fleet, Rhode Island became division flagship 17 July 1912. She transferred the division flag to New Jersey 1 August in the periodic rotation of additional flag duties among units of her division.

The Commander, Division 3, Squadron 1, transferred his flag from Virginia to Rhode Island 28 June 1913 and remained on board until 18 January 1914. At the end of 1913, Rhode Island cruised off the Mexican coast to protect citizens and property threatened by deteriorating political developments ashore. Arriving off Vera Cruz 4 November 1913, Rhode Island operated off Tampico and Tuxpan into February 1914. After 2 weeks at Guantanamo Bay the battleship returned northward to Virginia waters.

Rhode Island kept up her continuous schedule of annual docking and overhaul gunnery practice, and squadron maneuvers well into 1916. She remained off the U.S. eastern seaboard but occasionally steamed into more southerly waters; she called at Carib bean ports during October 1914 to March 1915 and January to February 1916. Rhode Island undertook additional duty as flagship, Division 4, Squadron 1, from 19 December 1914 until 20 January 1915.

Placed in reduced commission in reserve 15 May 1916 at Boston Navy Yard, Rhode Island was detached from the Atlantic Fleet the following day. The battleship flew the flag of the Commander-in-Chief, Reserve Force, Atlantic Fleet, from 24 June 1916 t o 28 September.

Returned to full commission 27 March 1917 at Hampton Roads, Rhode Island broke the flag of the Commander, Battleship Division 3, Atlantic Fleet, 3 May 1917 shortly after the United States entered World War I. Undertaking vigorous gunnery practice and emergency drills to reach combat readiness, Rhode Island was assigned antisubmarine patrol duty off Tangier Island, Md. Based at Hampton Roads into 1918, Rhode Island was transferred to Battleship Division 2 during April. Remaining ready for overseas deployment, Rhode Island undertook special torpedo proving trials during June 1918.

Upon the war's end in November 1918, Rhode Island was ordered to assist returning U.S. troops from France. Fitted with hundreds of extra bunks, the battleship made five round-trip voyages across the Atlantic between 18 December 1918 and 4 July 1919 . In all she transported over 5,000 men from Brest, France, to Hampton Roads and Boston.

Designated flagship of Battleship Squadron 1, Pacific Fleet, 17 July 1919 at Boston, Rhode Island departed Boston Navy Yard 24 July for Balboa, C.Z., and Mare Island Navy Yard to undertake her new assignment. After remaining at Mare Island into 1920, Rhode Island decommissioned 30 June and was placed in reserve.

Rendered incapable of any further warlike service 4 October 1923 in accordance with the Washington Treaty limiting naval armaments, Rhode Island was sold 1 November 1923 for scrapping.

14 posted on 10/26/2003 4:31:08 AM PST by aomagrat (IYAOYAS)
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To: Samwise; SAMWolf
Good morning Samwise. SAM of course knows much more than I do about our battles against Canadians but here is my attempt at a response. I'm sure he can correct me and set us straight about our attempts to move on Canadian territory. :)

From 1775 when the Continental Congress authorized an invasion of Canada to the invasion attempts during the War of 1812;

A lot of the battles we already know about involve Canada. I think we often think of it as the battles for the Northwest Territory, the Great Lakes and battles against the Brits, french and Indians without connecting them with Canada per se.

These links will provide an idea of how we really know about them but don't put a "Canadian" face on them neccessarily, imo.

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Lake Erie (9/10/1813)- April 21st, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Moraviantown (Thames)(10/5/1813) - June 26th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the Battle of Plattsburg (9/11/1814) - July 20th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Tippecanoe (11/7/1811 ) - July, 27th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Fort Dearborn Massacre (Aug, 1812) - Aug. 10th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Burning of Washington (8/24/1814) - Aug. 24th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The Battle of Lundy's Lane (7/25/1814) - Sep. 7th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Ann Story, Ethan Allen & The Green Mountain Boys - July 16th, 2003

The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Benedict Arnold - Oct. 4th, 2003
15 posted on 10/26/2003 5:53:09 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: Neil E. Wright
Good morning Neil.
16 posted on 10/26/2003 5:53:34 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: radu
Good morning radu.
17 posted on 10/26/2003 5:54:00 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: Eastbound
Your chipper for a Sunday morning! Howdy back atcha from the Foxhole!
18 posted on 10/26/2003 5:54:48 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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To: snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; All

Good Morning Everyone!

19 posted on 10/26/2003 5:56:20 AM PST by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Rock the Boat~Good Night Troops~)
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To: bentfeather
Godd morning feather. Coffee is in hand and work in front of me. I'm ready to attack the day!
20 posted on 10/26/2003 6:23:49 AM PST by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
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