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Edward Preble’s Enduring Influence: The Barbary Wars and the Shaping of U.S. Naval Culture

Introduction The United States Navy was barely an experiment in the early 1800s.  The country had no institutional structure for cultivating naval leadership, no permanent fleet, and no great maritime legacy.  Often self-taught or informally trained, naval officers improvised doctrine instead of codifying it; ships were built erratically and run under limited funds. Yet within a generation, American vessels were patrolling distant shores, projecting power in the Mediterranean, and defeating seasoned British frigates in direct combat. This transformation did not occur in isolation, it emerged from a crucible of small wars, hard leadership, and contested waters.  At the center of this formative era stood a small group of officers who had cut their teeth during the Barbary Wars (1801–1815). Among them, Commodore Edward Preble (1761–1807) stands apart, not simply for his tactical victories, but for the disciplined, professional culture he imposed under combat conditions. His Mediterranean…

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Started by Kyle Iorio
4 Replies · Reply by Benjamin J. Swenson Apr 30
Views: 300

War of 1812 In The West Symposium March 22, 2025, Arrow Rock, Missouri

The War of 1812 In The West is always a great program.  This year's is March 22 In Arrow Rock, Missouri The 34TH Annual War of 1812 in the West Symposium                   Featuring Acclaimed Regional & National Historians.ARROW ROCK STATE HISTORIC SITE,39521 Visitor Center Drive, Arrow Rock, MO 65320Hosted by Missouri State Parks & Sponsored by the 1st U. States Infantry Regiment – Clemson’s Company.Open to the Public, no registration or fee required, featuring exhibits on the War of 1812.  March 22, 2025                                                  Saturday, March 22 2025:Ø   9am “RECONSTRUCTING FORT MIEGS: REBUILDING A WAR OF 1812 POST IN THE 21ST CENTURY” By Larry Nelson.Ø  10am “1st US INFANTRY AT LUNDY’S LANE: GIVE IT TO THEM MY BOYS!” by David Bennett Ø  11am “THE SIEGE OF FORT ERIE” by Richard BarbutoØ  12pm Break for Lunch.Ø  1pm “IN SEARCH OF: FORT LOOKOUT/DESHA’S BLOCKHOUSE & FORT INDEPENDENCE” by Michael HarrisØ  2pm “US RECRUITING IN SAINT GENEVIEVE – MISSOURI…

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Started by Jim Gallen
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Views: 153

"Why War in 1812?" by Jim Gallen, JD

Why did the United States go to War in 1812?  What compelled this nation, less than thirty years from its War of Independence with a vast wilderness awaiting development and hostile Indians beyond its frontiers, choose to take on its former colonial Mother Country?  This was a war sought by the United States, not Great Britain.  Engaged in a series of Coalitions against existential threats posed by Revolutionary and Napoleonic France, Britain had no appetite for a third war in North America in sixty years.  In an age in which news traveled no more rapidly than the fastest ship or horse, British offers to placate American demands were insufficient to keep swords sheathed.  So, what were the issues that drove these eighteen loosely United States to prod the Imperial Lion while it was striking in another direction?  The United States contained sections with diverse interests.  Several issues have been advanced as sufficient casus belli.  America was a trading nation whose economy had…

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Started by Jim Gallen
1 Reply · Reply by Benjamin J. Swenson Apr 2, 2024
Views: 107

"Road to Revolution: The French and Indian War Ends, 10 February 1763" by Scott Lyons

The French and Indian War, fought from 28 May 1754 to 10 February 1763, was a pivotal moment in American history. The war was given its name by the colonists "after the people they were fighting in North America." (Lepore 2018, 77) Although it is often viewed as a mere theatre of the larger Seven Years' War, it was an important driver of the revolutionary fervour that would eventually lead to the American War of Independence. From the struggle to control the early-American frontier to the influence of colonial militias, the French and Indian War provided the backdrop against which America emerged as a nascent nation. RIGHT: The Capture of the 'Alcide' and 'Lys', 8 June 1755. In the foreground of this contemporary painting, the ‘Defiance’, commanded by Captain Thomas Andrews is firing into the French warship the ‘Lys’, which is not replying. Between the two ships in the background can be seen the ‘Dunkirk’ commanded by Captain the Hon. Richard Howe and the ‘Alcide’ commanded by Captain…

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Started by Scott Lyons
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Views: 63

The War of 1812: a few of the best titles still available

The War of 1812 is a fascinating period in American history, and there are many great books that explore this conflict in detail. Here are some of the best books on the War of 1812: The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict by Donald R. Hickey - This book is considered one of the most comprehensive and authoritative accounts of the War of 1812. It covers the political and military aspects of the war, as well as the social and cultural changes that took place during this time. Hickey's work is available for Kindle and by select sellers on Amazon. Purchase here for Kindle       1812: The War That Forged a Nation by Walter R. Borneman - This book provides a gripping narrative of the war, with a focus on the personalities and actions of the key players involved. It also explores the impact of the war on American society and culture. By Harper Perennial, this work is still in print today in softcover, or paperback. Purchase your new copy here on Amazon       The Civil War of 1812:…

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Started by Scott Lyons
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Views: 97

27 April - 13 May 1805: To the Shores of Tripoli: The Battle of Derna (North Africa)

 27 April - 13 May 1805: To the Shores of Tripoli: The Battle of Derna The Battle of Derna, fought on April 27, 1805, was a significant turning point in the First Barbary War, also referred to as the Tripolitan War or the Barbary Coast War. The conflict marked one of the earliest military engagements in U.S. history and stemmed from trade disputes between the United States and Tripolitania, a state within the Barbary Coast — a region notorious for state-sponsored piracy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. RIGHT: First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon, USMC (with raised rifle) at Derna. Source: Colonel Charles Waterhouse, U.S. Marines (Marine Corps Art Collection). Public Domain. At the time, merchant ships traveling through the Mediterranean Sea faced constant threats from Tripolitanian pirates, who would capture crews and cargo, then demand ransom or tribute for their release. European powers, seeking to avoid conflict, opted to pay annual tributes in exchange for safe passage for…

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Started by Scott Lyons
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Views: 118

One of the classic works on the War of 1812

The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict, Bicentennial Edition by Donald R Hickey (Author) 2012 by University of Illinois Press. 454 pages, softcover. Buy here on Amazon From the publisher: "This comprehensive and authoritative history of the War of 1812, thoroughly revised for the 200th anniversary of the historic conflict, is a myth-shattering study that will inform and entertain students, historians, and general readers alike. Donald R. Hickey explores the military, diplomatic, and domestic history of our second war with Great Britain, bringing the study up to date with recent scholarship on all aspects of the war, from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada. The newly expanded The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict, Bicentennial Edition includes additional information on the British forces, American Indians, and military operations such as the importance of logistics and the use and capabilities of weaponry. Hickey explains how the war promoted American nationalism and manifest destiny,…

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Started by Scott Lyons
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Views: 33

"Why Is Your Hat Sideways?" 6 minute video

"Some people are fond of saying that the "tricorne" (actually a cocked hat) which I wear is supposed to be worn with the point facing straight ahead, rather than off to the side. They could not be more wrong. Let's talk about the reason why."Amaze your friends with this bit of trivia the next time you watch, "The Patriot", or other 18th Century based movies. I can confirm from my own reenacting experiences that muskets can and will bump against any broad brimmed hat, and even knock it off. Video Link

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Started by Randy Gann
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Views: 42

3 September 1783: The American Revolutionary War Ends

The conclusion of the American Revolutionary War on 3 September 1783, resonates profoundly in the annals of global history. The signing of the Treaty of Paris on this date marked the formal cessation of hostilities between Great Britain and the United States, inaugurating a new era for both nations. This moment underscored the triumph of the American colonies in breaking free from imperial rule and laid the foundation for the United States' development as an independent nation. Just as importantly, it reshaped the geopolitical dynamics of the late 18th century, influencing power structures and diplomatic engagements on a worldwide scale. RIGHT: Painting titled "Washington Rallying the Troops at Monmouth;" depicts George Washington at the 1778 Battle of Monmouth. Image in the Public Domain. Click to enlarge. The Treaty of Paris was not merely a legal instrument but a watershed moment in history. Its legacy endures in the shape of the modern United States and in the evolving narrative…

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Started by Scott Lyons
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Views: 60
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American Revolutionary War Battles

1775

  • April 19 - Battles of Lexington & Concord, MA
  • April 19, 1775-March 17, 1776 - Siege of Boston, MA
  • May 10 - Capture of Fort Ticonderoga, NY
  • June 11-12 - Battle of Machias, MA/ME
  • June 17 - Battle of Bunker Hill, MA
  • September 17-November 3 - Siege of Fort St. Jean, CA
  • September 19-November 9 - Arnold Expedition, ME/CA
  • December 9 - Battle of Great Bridge, VA
  • December 31 - Battle of Quebec, CA

1776

  • February 27 - Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge, NC
  • March 3-4 - Battle of Nassau, Bahamas
  • June 28 - Battle of Sullivan's Island (Charleston), SC
  • August 27-30 - Battle of Long Island, NY
  • September 16 - Battle of Harlem Heights, NY
  • October 11 - Battle of Valcour Island, NY
  • October 28 - Battle of White Plains, NY
  • November 16 - Battle of Fort Washington, NY
  • December 26 - Battle of Trenton, NJ

1777

  • January 2 - Battle of the Assunpink Creek, NJ
  • January 3 - Battle of Princeton, NJ
  • April 27 - Battle of Ridgefield, CT
  • June 26 - Battle of Short Hills, NJ
  • July 2-6 - Siege of Fort Ticonderoga, NY
  • July 7 - Battle of Hubbardton, VT
  • August 2-22 - Siege of Fort Stanwix, NY
  • August 6 - Battle of Oriskany, NY
  • August 16 - Battle of Bennington, NY
  • September 3 - Battle of Cooch's Bridge, DE
  • September 11 - Battle of Brandywine, PA
  • September 19 & October 7 - Battle of Saratoga, NY
  • September 21 - Paoli Massacre, PA
  • September 26-November 16 - Siege of Fort Mifflin, PA
  • October 4 - Battle of Germantown, PA
  • October 6 - Battle of Forts Clinton & Montgomery, NY
  • October 22 - Battle of Red Bank - NJ
  • December 19-June 19, 1778 - Winter at Valley Forge, PA

1778

  • June 28 - Battle of Monmouth, NJ
  • July 3 - Battle of Wyoming, PA
  • August 29 - Battle of Rhode Island, RI

1779

  • February 14 - Battle of Kettle Creek, GA
  • July 16 - Battle of Stony Point, NY
  • July 24-August 12 - Penobscot Expedition, ME
  • August 19 - Battle of Paulus Hook, NJ
  • September 16-October 18 - Siege of Savannah, GA
  • September 23 - Battle of Flamborough Head

1780

  • March 29-May 12 - Siege of Charleston, SC
  • May 29 - Battle of Waxhaws, SC
  • June 23 - Battle of Springfield, NJ
  • August 16 - Battle of Camden, SC
  • October 7 - Battle of Kings Mountain, SC

1781

  • January 5 - Battle of Jersey, Channel Islands
  • January 17 - Battle of Cowpens, SC
  • March 15 - Battle of Guilford Court House, NC
  • April 25 - Battle of Hobkirk's Hill, SC
  • September 5 - Battle of the Chesapeake, VA
  • September 6 - Battle of Groton Heights, CT
  • September 8 - Battle of Eutaw Springs, SC
  • September 28-October 19 - Battle of Yorktown, VA

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