The War of 1812 and Connecticut: Asymmetrical Warfare Comes to Long Island Sound In Southeastern Connecticut, the War of 1812 was up-close and personal. Most people know that the British attacked both Essex and Stonington. However, few people know about the other local events in that war. In Niantic, the British burned the bridge at Rope Ferry crossing. In Waterford, there was a three hour naval engagement off the shore of the present Harkness State Park. In New London, they repeatedly attacked with cannons Roger’s Farm, near the present site of Ocean Beach. In Groton Bank, Mother Bailey became such a symbol of patriotism that subsequently, three Presidents paid her visits. In Ledyard, the patriots protected and provisioned the ships of Commodore Stephen Decatur as they sought to elude the British. Finally, in 1815, at the end of the war, the Court House in New London, at the head of State Street, was the location for the Peace Ball, attended by both British and American officers. All these events and more can be found in the writings of Glenn Gordinier, in The Rockets’ Red Glare. Professor Gordinier is the Robert G. Albion Historian at Mystic Seaport. Focusing on American maritime history, he teaches for the Williams College/Mystic Seaport Program in Maritime Studies and the University of Connecticut at Avery Point. He is also the primary author of the book, The Rockets’ Red Glare, which was published in 2012, to commemorate the bicentennial of The War of 1812. This publication and the accompanying exhibit at the Lyman Allyn were the co-operative effort of the Stonington Historical Society, Mystic Seaport Museum, the New London County Historical Society, the New London Maritime Society, and the Lyman Allyn museum. In 2004, he co-authored the book Fishing out of Stonington: Voices of the Fishing Families of Stonington, Ct., and in 2008, he edited Gender, Race, Ethnicity and Power in Maritime America. His Surfing Cold Water was recently published by Mystic’s Flat Hammock Press. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation has praised his work by saying, “No one makes history come alive like Glenn Gordinier of the United States of America.” His presentation will deal with the impact of the conflict on the nation, the state, and our very shores. The Friends of Fort Trumbull will welcome him on June 27, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Fort Conference Center, behind the Visitors Center. The lecture is open to the public and new members are always welcome. Seating is limited. For more information go to www.fortfriends.org
