“With lively emotions of satisfaction” — Alabama State Quarter Coin

Today, the Alabama State Quarter Coin remembers the attack on Fort Bowyer at the point of Mobile 202 years ago.

In their October 22, 1814 periodical, the Niles Weekly Register included details about the British and Indian attack  from the land and the sea:

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Enemy Repulsed at Mobile.

Copy of a letter from major-general Jackson, to the secretary of war, dated H. Q. 7th military district, Mobile, September 17.

Sir — With lively emotions of satisfaction, I communicate that success has crowned the gallant efforts of our brave soldiers, in resisting and repulsing a combined British naval and land force, which on the 15th inst. attacked Fort Bowyer, on the point of Mobile.

I enclose a copy of the official report of major Wm. Lawrence, of the 2d infantry, who commanded. In addition to the particulars communicated in his letter, I have learnt that the ship which was destroyed, was the Hermes, of from 24 to 28 guns, captain the hon. Wm. H. Percy, senior officer in the Gulf of Mexico; and the brig so considerably damaged is the Sophie, 18 guns, captain Wm. Lockyer. The other ship was the Carron, of from 24 to 28 guns, captain Spencer, son of earl Spencer; the other brig’s name unknown.

On board the Carron, 85 men were killed and wounded; among whom was col. Nicoll, of the royal marines, who lost an eye by a splinter. The land force consisted of 110 marines, and 200 Creek Indians, under the command of captain Woodbine, of the marines, and about 20 artillerists, with one four and an half inch howitzer, from which they discharged shells and nine pound shot. They re-embarked the piece, and retreated by land towards Pensacola, whence they came.

By the morning report of the 16th, there were present in the fort, fit for duty, officers and men, 158.

The result of this engagement has stamped a character on the war in this quarter highly favorable to the American arms; it is an event from which may be drawn the most favorable augury.

An achievement so glorious in its consequences, should be appreciated by the government; and those concerned are entitled to, and will, doubtless, receive the most gratifying evidence of the approbation of their countrymen.

In the words of major Lawrence “where all behaved so well, it is unnecessary to discriminate.” But all being meritorious, I beg leave to annex the names of the officers who were engaged and present; and hope they will, individually, be deemed worthy of distinction.

Major Wm. Lawrence, 2d inf. commanding; captain Walsh of the artillery, captains Chamberlain, Brownlow and Bradley of the 2d inf., captain Sands, deputy commissary of ordnance, lieutenants Villerd, Sturges, Conway, H. Sanders, T. R. Sanders, Brooks, Davis, and C. Sanders all of the 2nd infantry.

I am confident that your own feelings will lead you to participate in my wishes on the subject.

Permit me to suggest the propriety and justice of allowing to this gallant little band the value of the vessel destroyed by them.

I remain, with great respect, your obedient servant, A. JACKSON, maj. gen. com.

Copy of a letter from major Lawrence to major general Jackson, dated Fort Bowyer, Sept. 15 — 12 o’clock at night.

Sir — After writing the enclosed, I was prevented by the approach of the enemy from sending it by express. At meridian they were under full sail, with an easy and favorable breeze standing directly for the fort, and at 4, P. M we opened our battery, which was returned from two ships and two brigs, as they approached.

The action became general at about 20 minutes past 4, and was continued without intermission on either side until 7, when 1 ship and 2 brigs were compelled to retire.

The leading ship, supposed to be the commodore’s, mounting 22 thirty-two pound carronades, having anchored nearest our battery, was so much disabled, her cable being cut by our shot, that she drifted on shore, within 600 yards of the battery, and the other vessels having got out of our reach, we kept such a tremendous fire upon her that she was set on fire and abandoned by the few of the crew who survived.

At 10 P. M. we had the pleasure of witnessing the explosion of her magazine. The loss of lives on board must have been immense, as we are certain no boats left her except three, which had previously gone to her assistance, and one of these I believe was sunk; in fact, one of her boats was burned along side of her.

The brig that followed her I am certain was much damaged both in hull and rigging. The other two did not approach near enough to be so much injured, but I am confident they did not escape, as a well directed fire was kept on them during the whole time.

During the action a battery of a twelve pounder and a howitzer was opened on our rear without doing any execution, and was silenced by a few shot. Our loss is four privates killed and live wounded.

Towards the close of the action the flagstaff was shot away; but the flag was immediately hoisted on a sponge-staff over the parapet. While the flag was down the enemy kept up their most incessant and tremendous fire; the men were withdrawn from the curtains and N. E. bastion, as the enemy’s own shot completely protected our rear, except the position they had chosen for their battery.

Where all behaved well it is unnecessary to discriminate. Suffice it to say, every officer and man did his duty: the whole behaved with that coolness and intrepidity which is characteristic of the true American, and which could scarcely have been expected from men most whom had never seen an enemy, and were now for the first time exposed for nearly three hours to a force of nearly or quite four guns to one.

We fired during the action between 4 and 500 guns, most of them double shotted, and after the first half hour but few missed an effect.

September 16th, 11 o’clock, A.M.

Upon an examination of our battery this morning, we find upwards of 300 shot and shot holes in the inside of the north and east curtains, and N. E. bastion, of all calibers, from musket ball to 32 pound shot.

In the N. E. bastion there were three guns dismounted; one of which, a four pounder, was broken off near the trunnions by a 32 pound shot and another much battered.

I regret to say that both the 24 pounders are cracked in such a manner as to render them unfit for service.

I am informed by two deserters from the land force, who have just arrived here, and whom I send for your disposal, that a reinforcement is expected, when they will doubtless endeavor to wipe off the stain of yesterday.

If you will send the Amelia down, we may probably save most or all of the ship’s guns, as her wreck is lying in 6 or 7 feet water and some of them are just covered. They will not, however, answer for the fort, as they are too short.

By the deserters, we learn that the ship we have destroyed was the Hermes, but her commander’s name they did not recollect.

It was the commodore, and doubtless fell on his quarter deck, as we had a raking fire upon it at about two hundred yards distance for some time.

To capt. Sands, who will have the honor of handing you this dispatch, I refer you for a more particular account of the movements of the enemy than may be contained in my letters; his services both before and during the action were of great importance, and I consider fully justify me in having detained him.

Capt. Walsh and several men were much burned by the accidental explosion of two or three cartridges. They are not included in the list of wounded heretofore given.

The enemy’s fleet this morning at daybreak were at anchor in the channel about four miles from the fort; shortly after it got under way and stood to sea; after passing the bar they hove too, and boats have been constantly passing between the disabled brig and the others.

I presume the former is so much injured as to render it necessary to lighten her.

15 minutes after 1 P. M.— The whole fleet have this moment made sail and are standing to sea.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant, WM. LAWRENCE.

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The Alabama State Quarter Coin shows with a map of the battle at Fort Bowyer on September 15, 1814.

Alabama State Quarter Coin