A Wounded Knee

Our patient in this video is Robert Evans, who came all the way from England to participate in the 200th of the Battle of New Orleans In January of 2015. Evans has a special connection to that particular battle, his 6x great grandfather, William Paterson, served and was wounded at New Orleans. Evans decided that he wanted to participate in the British Hospital and recreate one of the particular injuries that his ancestor Patterson received.

Colonel William Paterson joined the British Army in 1786 as an Ensign in the 57th Foot – shortly after transferring to the 21st Fusiliers and serving with them for the rest of his military career. He saw a great deal of action, including the capture of Martinique in 1794; the Irish Rebellion in 1802; and the capture of various French-held possessions in the Mediterranean from 1810 to 1813. 

From 1813 until 1815 he served with the British Army in America, commanding a Brigade during the Chesapeake campaign (which involved significant command at both the battles of Bladensburg and Baltimore) and leading his old regiment, the 21st, during the assault on Line Jackson at New Orleans. During this battle he was wounded twice: in the shoulder by grape shot and in the knee by a rifle ball.

Happily he survived, and went on to be knighted in 1831 and made a Lieutenant-General in 1837. He died in 1849, at the age of 82.   

Special thanks to Mr. Evans who let us participate in this very special recreation!

"Give 'em wot for Lt. Evans!"

A Letter for the Commodore

A letter was recently laid in my hands to foward to Commodore Hurlbut.

To:  Commodore Hulburt                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

St Mary's    
30 Jan'y 1815

Sir,
   
    Please accept my kindest thanks for the frequent missiles you have sent me. I now write you Rowland for an Oliver and I hasten to reply.

    I start this missile with the joyous news of New Orleans.  General Jackson's campaign seems to be well appreciated, both in this country and in Europe. It will occupy an honorable place in history.
   
    The chances for peace should, if fighting a reasonable people, be good, for they the gentlemen of Parliament are certainly a whipped people, but are too proud to acknowledge it. Pride, "The never failing vice of fools" can only prolong this war.  I hope sincerely the days of peace are near, when we can beat our swords into pruning hooks, and return to the benign pursuits of peace, and nuture our families.

    My sense of propriety dictates, that He, who rules the universe knows what is best for us all, that is dictated by infinite wisdom, not some king with no mandate from the people, and I am consequently constrained to say, Our Father, "Thy Will be done".

    In my youth, before my disability I was like a tiger robbed of his whelps in battle, I was like a destroying angel, no height to bold, no sea to deep, no fastness too stormy, that I did not solicit to be permitted to storm. Permission was granted, and with the assistance of bold hearts and willing hands, I was the instrument of my country against the foul French.  Under such impulses I did storm, what was considered untakeable.  the Le Bon Pierre was my first prize as Master. While in Command during that little war with the French I maintained a full crew with not a casualty.  I feel that I have performed my duty.  I suppose that my period has about expired in the Navy of my great country and I daily hope to hear that it is successfully finished with a peace we can all enjoy.  I love my country so that I am still willing to honor "Ole Glory", our starry banner as long as I possess the power to do so, and will assist to place it, and lead the way, to the top mast.

      You should call on me here after the war. The climate is very pleasant, that having been no snow yet and very little weather which can be called cold.  The dampness of the atmosphere, however, renders warm fires nessecary half the time. Oysters are abundant on the coast and are now beginning to come in plentifully. Shad and other fish are beginning to make their appearance.  They Are delicious.

I have the Honor to be with great Respect,

Sir your Obedt. Servant.

Hugh G. Campbell

P.S. Remember me kindly to Captain Lee whom I meet in Malta before the Current episode.

A Tooth Drawing

Our Final Song @ New Orleans

The crew of HMS Acasta ran the British Field Hospital at the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans in Jan. 2015 located in the town of Chalmette in St. Bernard Parish, LA. The Hospital was open after every battle that took place that weekend and was intended to serve as a tribute to the men on both sides of the line that fought and died in that final battle of the War of 1812. 

On Sunday, for the final battle of the weekend, the crew dressed down to fetch wounded officers off the field. Afterword we relaxed and sang one last emotional song of the period before packing up to go home.

Saving Private Miller

Reenactor Mark Miller volunteered to act as wounded after every battle and his fantastic performances always drew large crowds of public to the British hospital tent. I'd like to publicly thank him for his assistance, his help contributed greatly to the success of the British Hospital demonstration at New Orleans.

Trepanning at New Orleans

The crew of HMS Acasta ran the British Field Hospital at the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans in Jan. 2015 located in the town of Chalmette in St. Bernard Parish, LA. The Hospital was open after every battle that took place that weekend and was intended to serve as a tribute to the men on both sides of the line that fought and died in that final battle of the War of 1812.

Events of 2015

As 2015 draws to a close, let's have a look back at some of the events attended this year by the crew of the Acasta! Be sure to join us again in January when we start posting daily again, Monday through Friday at 8am cst. We hope you have a happy and prosperous 2016!

200th Anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans,

British Field Hospital, Chalmette LA. January 2015

Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous,

Vincennes, Indiana, May 2015

Aboard L'Hermione

Alexandria, Virginia, June 2015

Shore Party, Historic London Town & Gardens

Edgewter, Maryland, June 2015

Going Home Dinner, Locust Grove

200th Anniversary of the Acasta being called home for the last time

Louisville, KY. July 2015

The Fair at New Boston, Press Gang, Springfield, Ohio, Sept 2015

Jane Austen Society of North America, Annual General Meeting
The Captain and the Doctor give lectures to attendees at the Galt House Hotel
Louisville, KY. Oct 9-11, 2015

2015 Schedule

Where are the Acastas planning on being?

2015

Jan 6-11, 2015 200th Anniv. Battle of New Orleans
Chalmette Battlefield, New Orleans, Louisiana 

May 23-24, 2015, Spirit of Vincennes Rendezvous,
Vincennes, IN.

June 13-14, 2015, Shore Party at London Town & Gardens, Edgewater, Maryland

July 18, 2015, Acasta Dinner at Locust Grove 

Louisville, KY. 

Sept 5-6, 2015, The Fair at New Boston (Press Gang)

at Springfield, Ohio 

Oct 9-11, 2015, Jane Austen Society of North America, Annual General Meeting

Louisville, KY.

Images from the Hospital

The following are images taken by Tony Gerard and Jim Apple in the British Hospital run by members of HMS Acasta at the 200th anniversary or the Battle of New Orleans.

British perspective on the Battle of New Orleans

The following report from the 200th of the Battle of New Orleans was made by DEEPAK SAINI of local ABC affiliate WGNO who came out and interviewed members of the British camp on Friday, Jan 9th. In the video, you'll see some sailors that you know...

You can view the full video from his report on theior website HERE:

From Chalmette (WGNO)– This week, we’re looking back 200 years to the Battle of New Orleans. As usual, there are always two sides to every story. WGNO reporter Deepak Saini takes you to the British camp near the Chalmette Battlefield.