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Joshua
Barney and the Chesapeake Bay Flotilla
A Documentary History
Documents &
Essays
This page will contain
an essay entitled “Overview of the War of 1812” and a table
of contents listing thematic essays and associated documents. For now,
refer to the site map for a listing of topics. For purposes of brevity,
I have included here only the first thematic essay, “Joshua Barney
and the Defense of the Chesapeake” and one of the documents associated
with it. In the future, the essay and documents will be linked to a succeeding
page. I will add hot links once other pages such as “Biographies”
and “Maps & Images” have been fleshed out.
Joshua
Barney and the Defense of the Chesapeake
The Baltimore flotilla commanded by Captain Charles Gordon and composed
of a gunboat and four leased schooners was considered by Secretary of
the Navy William Jones to be “a cheap prompt and efficient temporary
force.”[1] The navy knew that the owners of these vessels would
want their ships back once privateering activity started again, but the
return of these ships would leave the Chesapeake vulnerable. When Joshua
Barney in July 1813 proposed a defense force of twenty barges or row-galleys,
a “flying Squadron,” Secretary Jones jumped at the chance
to fill the vacuum caused by the loss of the leased schooners and appointed
Barney to the special command of the Chesapeake flotilla. Barney spent
the summer and fall of 1813 superintending the construction of eight barges
and manning and outfitting vessels from the former Potomac flotilla that
he also inherited.
1. Jones to James
Madison, 17 Apr. 1813, DLC, James Madison Papers, Ser. I, Vol. 51, No.
97.
Secretary of the Navy Jones to Joshua Barney
Joshua
Barney Navy Department
Baltimore August 20th
1813.
Sir,
The nature of the force, necessary for the defence of the extensive Bays
and rivers of the United States, and the means of manning and employing
that force, requiring an organization, in some degree, different from
that in the general Naval Establishment, The President of the U. States,
in order more effectually to accomplish the objects of the Legislature,
as contemplated in the late law, providing for the building or procuring,
and employing, such number of Barges, as he may deem necessary, has determined
to select, for the special command of the Flotilla, on the upper part
of the Chesapeake, a Citizen, in whose fidelity, skill, local knowledge,
and commanding influence with the Mariners of the district, reliance may
be placed, in cases of great emergency.
I have, therefore,
the pleasure to offer to you that Special Command, subject only to the
orders of this Department; and for the economy, and efficient employment
of the force committed to your charge, you will be held responsible, and
subject to the Rules and regulations for the government of the Navy of
the United States.
It is not intended,
because it would be incompatible with the rights of others, to appoint
you, by Commission, to any regular and permanent rank in the Navy of the
U. States; but, for the purpose and direction of your command, you will
be considered as an Acting Master Commandant, in the Navy of the U. States,
respected, and obeyed as such, within your special command, and be entitled
to the pay, rations, and emoluments of a Master Commandant, exclusive
of such reasonable allowances, for the extra expenses you may necessarily
incur, in consequence of the peculiar nature of the service, and your
superintendence of the Barges, now building by contract at Baltimore for
this Department, such of the City Barges, as may be purchased, or taken
into the service of the U. States, and such other Barges, Gun Boats, or
vessels, as may, from time to time, be attached thereto, by order of this
Department.
The Officers immediately
subordinate to you, as commanders, will be Sailing Masters in the Navy
of the U. States, and such other subordinate and petty officers as this
Department shall direct.
The Petty Officers
and crews, will be regularly shipped, as in the Navy of the U. States,
subject to the rules and regulations for the government thereof, and entitled
to all the rights, privileges, and advantages of the Navy Pension fund,
and Hospital, distribution of prize Money, pay, rations, &c. as in
any other branch of the service.
They will moreover
be shipped for twelve months, for the special service of the Flotilla,
and not liable to be draughted for any other service.
You will, herewith,
receive a special letter of appointment, with copy of the rules and regulations
of the Navy, and blank oath of Office. Your acceptance will be signified
by letter, and by taking and subscribing the oath, which you will transmit
to this Department; from which time your pay, &c. will commence. I
am, very respectfully, Your Obedt Servant,
W. Jones
LB, DNA, RG45, SNL,
Vol. 11, pp. 56-58 (M149), Roll No. 11).
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