September 24, 1811

All the reports had been given, the burials attended to, and healing begun.  The foggy days that followed the raid seemed to be indicative of the general atmosphere around the fort.  They knew they would probably lose some dragons and men, but seeing one of their comrades literally blow up in front of them was more devastating then they could imagine.

While Captain Amanda Pierros was healing, Gray Talon had "chosen" to stay outside the healing hut so he could watch over Amanda.  The doctors at Ft. Duluth found out early that Gray Talon would not let them bleed her and when they treated her, they found Gray Talon's eyes and breath boring into their backs.  By the end of the 2nd day, White Dove had convinced Gray Talon to crawl into the rookery and talk to them about his adventures and bravery.  White Dove also gave the healers a salve that would help keep Gray Talon's flexibility while his wing healed.

Things were moving along nicely when James McDaniels went to see Lt. Southerland.

"Ma'am, I'd like to report that we have 4 small kegs of medicinal liquid for which I have made arrangements with the trading post to help with the general welfare of our troops and allies in the surrounding area.  If you could see your way to volunteer the Feinstein's to deliver it, it would solve both our immediate needs."

"Rebecca stared at McDaniels for the longest time and finally asked.  "The details with these medicinal supplies follow our standard procedures." (note:  40% cut for McDaniels, 20% for Waukashannasey, 20% officers, 20% remaining crew)

"Absolutely Ma'am.  When it comes to our medicine, standards and procedures are important."

"Proceed then and collect your volunteers."

McDaniels saluted one more time and cheerfully went to gather the Feinstein's.  The Feinstein's were easy to find since they seemed to have taken a shine to the Hummers and spent their free time trying to convince them to go with them when they had to leave.  They all had fantasies of glory and wealth upon the back of a Hummer.  So far though, the Hummers had been more intelligent than the Feinstein's persuasiveness.

McDaniel approached and assumed an air of command.  "Feinstein's... front and center.  We have medicines to take down to the trading post.  Lt. Southerland appreciates you volunteering for this assignment." The Feinstein's groaned but knew better then to argue and soon they and 4 small kegs of medicinal liquid was on its way to the trading post.

Meanwhile, during the last four days, the dragoneers had been expecting Ft. William to retaliate and had beefed up their patrols as well as the forts pickets.  Damages and equipment shortages were also taken care of.

September 28, 1811

The dawn of Day Four was colder then normal which resulted in a low bank of fog rolling in from the warmer Lake Superior.  Little did they know that the fog had also managed to hide British ships coming in from the North who had hugged the coastline the previous days.  This British fleet was comprised of a captured six gun sloop (Ursa) that the British had acquired the previous year and represented the only true warship of either side currently on Lake Superior, as well as 4 gunboats (Nottingham, Edinburgh, Cornwall, Wallace) each of which sported two six pounders.

While the boats were coming from the North, four dragons had circled around to the West.  Once they arrived opposite the Western wall, they were spotted by Ft. Duluth sentries.  The alarm went up and everybody scurried to their positions to fend off the four dragons.   They would be facing an Elephant size dragon (Pyro), 2 draft horse sized dragons (Clyde and Dale) and one hippo sized one (Aero) who was flying behind the others.  Aero had arrived late since he had helped the sloop make it down to the fort quicker by using his Wind breath and had not quite caught up yet.

Ft. Duluth was expecting the dragons but they were not expecting the 150 British regulars comprised of soldiers, sailors, and marines that were rapidly being brought ashore by the four gunboats from the East.  The gunboats were beached with their bow gun facing the forts East gate/wall while their stern gun was trained on the numerous trading vessels (canoes, flatboats, etc.) daring them to either escape or interfere.

The battle was soon joined and the western wall canons opened up on the rapidly closing British dragons while the American crews took of into the cold morning air.  Waukashannasey, having to lift without the Feinstein's who had not yet returned from the trading post, began to rise and head south to gain initial altitude and speed.  Western Howl and Broadsides, since they had breath weapons, chose to head directly into combat as soon as they could.  The cannons on the Western wall, discharged but missed and the call went up to stand by for repel on the Western wall.  This left a skeleton crew defending the East who spent their time peering into the thick blanket of fog.

The British dragons decided not to engage the closing American dragons that were rising to challenge them but instead concentrated on the Western wall to hold the garrisons attention and stall for time so their compatriots could land and seize the Eastern gate. Clyde and Dale, the two draft horse dragons, did a fly by and their crew discharged muskets at the growing number of American soldiers who had started to crowd the Western ramparts.  Two American soldiers were hit and many ducked.  As the two smaller British dragons had split at the Western wall, Pyro (the larger British dragon) breathed and killed two people on the wall and two more were injured in the confusion.  Aero took advantage of the confusion and breathed four soldiers off the wall, one of whom landed awkwardly on the flagstones below, breaking his neck.

By now, eight hummers (Anhinga, Mist, Tatonka, Whisp, Loon, Citrus, Lace, Owl Wing) were lifting off to engage Clyde and Dale.  The three hummers who had recently returned from the penetration raid were delegated to guard the dragon nursery.

It was suspected and now confirmed that some of the local Indians were British sympathizers since during the dark and foggy night, they had crept close to the Western lake gate and placed large bundles of very dry wood in front of it.  With the alarm being sounded, a brave Indian warrior placed flint and steel together and set it ablaze before quickly retreating back to the safety of the woods and the company of his cohorts who were supposed to stop escapees from the fort.  The fire, although not large, acted as an aiming point for the cannon aboard the British ships that, in the darkness, had problems making out their target.

Pyro had finished his turn around and was coming in for a second pass.  As he flew by, his aim was off and he hit lower on the palisades causing it to start on fire.  The thick pine smoke joined in with the morning fog to create an even more obscured battle field.  Aero targeted the cannon on the northwestern corner to stop or delay them from loading and firing.  He struck true and managed to hit the crew just as they were loading a new bag of powder into the cannon.  The gunner lost his footing and fell outside the fort, breaking his back while his fellow battery crews were slammed into the tower ramparts leaving them dazed and unable to immediately reload their weapon.

Clyde and Dale turned only to find themselves each surrounded by four Hummers who seemed to have just "appeared".  Pulling up short, Clyde and Dale tried to sweep the closest Hummer with their tails while their two airmen discharged their muskets.  Startled by the sudden appearance of so many battle ready Hummers, both British dragons missed with their hurried tail sweep.  The crew on Clyde fired their muskets first and when all finished, Anhinga's captain was seen slumped over.  Anhinga screamed in dismay and quickly descended into the fort's courtyard.  Dale's crew fired shortly afterwards but the Hummers still seemed to be battle capable.

Pyro noticed the affect that Aero's attack had and quickly swooped in to breathe on the unmanned cannon.  Three remaining gun crew as well as the dropped gun charge exploded.  The subsequent conflagration rendered that part of the fort permanently destroyed and unusable.  Aero, now out of breath weapons, arrowed over the fort and his bombardiers mate dropped a bomb into the milling fort.  It landed on the flagstones of the courtyard causing people to be blown off their feet by the blast.

By now the ships could see the set bonfire at the gate and with a shout of command all five ships fired on the east side gate of Ft. Duluth.  The sound of six cannons going off heralded the second phase of the British attack.  The first two cannons from the gunboats seemed to set up the sights for the others since they missed.  Both of the sloops cannons hit the gate as well as one of the gunboats.  The fort's wooden gates were no match in the face of such English might and they quickly blew open the gates to allow the British troops to advance.  Now the Americans knew they had a fight on their hands.  The order was given to defend the Eastern wall and those who ran to do so noticed the first wave of determined British troops advancing.

To be Continued.

The bit in italics is a cover from Bonni, the GM of these games. Following that is the actual speech.

-clash

I know...I know...I owe you guys more posting from what has happened.
So much happens in that last dragon fight that I'm still sorting it out
to type it up. In the meantime, go ahead and read the address to
Congress from Henry Clay after his received the letter from his
nephew.

Unfortunately I'm not good at putting in superscripts for the footnotes
so you will find a number pop up after words sometimes. Scroll down
for the foodnote notation. Mr. Clay's address was written by a friend
of mine, Liam Devlin, who has co-authored some Traveller things for
Avenger Press (Operation Dominoes Books 1-4; Gilded Lily books 2 and 3).

Enjoy - Bonni

PS: I'll still fill in the blanks after the mess gets sorted out from
the battle.


------

04 November 1811 War Congress Meets....The Speaker of the House of
Representatives, the Honorable Mr. Henry Clay (D-R) of Kentucky after
the House Chaplain's prayer, led by Methodist Minister Nicholas
Sneathen (who was elected prior to the opening the of this 12th
Congress), begins with the following speech:

"Honorable Gentleman of the 12th Congress, visiting White House Cabinet
members, and honored members of the United States Free Press, allow me
to begin our fall session with the thanks unto almighty God to see you
all seated here this day, and we hope and pray for thy continued good
health in the days and weeks ahead of us. I have much to say on the
weightier things before us and this great Nation, so I shall speak
clearly and slowly that our newly elected House Clerk1, the honorable
Mr. Patrick MacGruder of the great state of Maryland down in the well
there, may keep up with the minutes." (He paused while mild laughter
ensues) "There have been many words spoken and a few scurrilous ones
written about my accent, so I shall take great care not to be
misunderstood today.

"Allow me to add to Reverend Sneathen's homily in my own humble and
unlearned way to say, "A warm welcome back," to those of you who have
won re-election, or are replacements for those five who did honorably
resign their office since our last session earlier this year. To the
newly elected representative, and member of my Party from our newest
State in the Union, the great state of Louisiana2, I extend my personal
welcomes, and charge the members of House such time to greet and meet
our newest freshman, the honorable Mr. John B. Robertson3."

(The Speaker allows fifteen minutes in brief recess for this to occur)

"I see that our new Sergeant at Arms, the stout Mr. Thomas Dunn, also
from the great state of Maryland and our Doorkeeper, the worthy Mr.
Thomas Claxton have secured the doors already, and this bodes well! For
gentlemen, I have been here in Washington, the capital now for two
months, in close conference with the President, the Honorable James
Madison, our Secretaries of State, War, and the Navy: the right and
Honorable Mssrs. James Monroe, William Eustis, and Paul Hamilton,
together with the Attorney General Caesar A. Rodney on the matter
before us—namely the call to War."

(He pauses, and sips from a glass and water pitcher on the Speaker's
podium, composes his notes, and stares around the House well and at the
135 seated, & standing representatives)

"For those who have opposed this most calamitous point of view, I shall
refrain from naming aloud old arguments on the case, but shall instead
bring forth new evidence that places this most fell and challenging
proposition and responsibility to our fellow citizens once more before
us...we, the Nation's Representatives. Thereafter the Minority Speaker
for the Federalist Party, the Honorable Mr. Elijah Brigham of the great
state of Massachusetts may have equal time to rebut should you so
choose. I thereby reserve the following hour or so for my speech, and
allow myself and others of my Party such time as needed to refute the
Minority view, and extend my remarks."

(He allowed a nod from Mr. Brigham before continuing, and waited
briefly on Mr MacGruder copying the minutes in crabbed swift shorthand
below him to catch up.)

"Let it be said, though I stand before you today a Christian, God-
fearing man, the events that have kept me and others here while our
Federal troops' Dragon borne couriers and messengers have stirred up
the public's anger and sentiment, will by give cause to expletive and
raw hot anger within me. Therefore I ask in advance, your forgiveness
and understanding that none of this is directed at anyone gathered
here, nor of the President, or his Cabinet members; be you for or
against this matter."

(He sipped again, and held aloft a handwritten letter he removed from
his breast coat pocket, and unfolds it gently before him.)

"I received this letter, by word of the President's personal coach to
my apartments here in nearby Alexandria, Virginia on the evening of
October 3rd, from my nephew, Federal Army First Lieutenant Gerald
Ashton Clay. He is a young officer, a gentleman of some twenty three
years, and my sister's eldest son. Bear in mind this was not the first
report of the heinous attack by the armed and uniformed forces of
Britain upon our military, that honor deservedly goes to my nephew's
surviving commanding officer, Aero Dragoon Captain Wm. Morris, which
paralleled his missive to the doorstep of the White House, and was the
cause of my summons to the Oval office late that day."

(Henry Clay reads the letter aloud, word for word)

"I have in my possession as well, Captain Morris' report to the
President of these United States, and his Secretary of War—(he looks to
the gallery where Mr. William Eustis is seated, and exchanged a nod)
while it lacks the passion of my brave nephew, it corroborates our
enemies', and our own casualties, the time of the attack, and its'
outcome precisely."

(He hears no calls for it, but allows the Clerk such time as to pass
the letter to the Minority Speaker, Mr. Brigham to read its contents
where the gathered representatives of Massachusetts are sitting.)

"Not since the bloody events of the `Boston Massacre', has there been
such an unprovoked and bloody attack by another sovereign nation on the
sacred soil of our revered forebears, who wrested our Freedom from the
Empire of Britain by the very act of War, and thanks to their
sacrifices, and victories secured our way of life. Gentlemen—this news,
coupled with the intelligence that one of the very vessels harnessed in
the deadly assault was also seized by the forces of Britain sailing in
the Great Lakes. Beyond all that I hold to as reason this too compounds
their perfidious and dastardly attack on our nation's soil with piracy—
Yes, by Damnation, PIRACY! For the seizure of vessels both military and
commercial in war time is covered under the Laws of War (nods to the US
Atty Gen. Mr. Rodney)—a state of which I remark today is up for debate,
but not yet in fact."

"Thirdly, we have no reports as to the Captain and his crew of said
merchant vessel, the SS (Sailing Sloop) Nancy, and our diplomatic
envoys to York, Ontario have been stonewalled with the excuse, "they
are being held as spies". Gentlemen of the House, honored guests, the
penalty for spying in wartime is hanging, and as our envoys have
discovered, the Captain, one Philip Donald Macpherson of the Great
state of New York, and himself a native of the city of Buffalo, is an
employee of the Great Lakes Beaver & Fur Company of New York. He and
his crew have suffered a similar fate that of the USS Chesapeake4, some
of you who have served with me since that time in the House will recall
this nearly led to war—but cooler heads prevailed and the crew, our
fellow citizens, were released and returned to this country."

(He paused while angry murmurs arose, and waited till they abated)

"War, bloody constraint, is what our once tyrannous rulers of Britain
seem to be foisting upon us yet again—and with the arming of a civilian
vessel, in disguise of her rue nature bespeaks volumes that even Mr.
Lionel Whitworthy, the British Ambassador here in Washington cannot
answer with reason or honesty! The underhanded nature of these attacks,
and these designs upon our sovereignty cannot be passed over or waved
aside as mere "adventurism" by miscreant characters within the British
Empire! No, by God's Holy Name and Hell's damnation I say they are a
determined effort to cow our nation, the United States into submission
and subservience to the same arrogant spawn we won our liberty from 25
years ago!"

"Fourth, from Mr. Alexander de Chantres, our Indian Affairs Officer,
and agent of the War Department, we have confirmed intelligence that
Chief Tecumseh has openly boasted—verily claimed, he has Britain's
protection, and favors and moved warriors under his command in the
attack aiding the nefarious and treacherous British to sack Fort
Duluth! That he dares sayeth so, and is openly in league is in his own
tribal ways, a declaration of war against these United states, and our
settler citizens in the Michigan and Indiana territories! "

(More angry murmurs)

"I for one, will not sit quietly by and allow these machinations to go
unchallenged, and by the very fibre of my being, and sacred honor as I
stand here before all of you, I make the motion to call to answer in
the arena this demands—I make the first plea that we go and declare War
upon Britain, and Tecumseh's Indian Alliance!"

1 Historical fact: The House Clerk, Chaplain, Doorkeeper, and the
Sergeant at Arms, were all elected 04 November, prior to this speech in
the opening first hour of business.

2 Historical fact: Louisiana was made a state in the spring session of
1811 by the 11th Congress.

3 Historical fact: Mr. Robertson was the first elected (by general
assembly) representative to the House for Louisiana, vote held in June
1811, coinciding with the creation of the State June 4th, 1811.

4 Historical Fact: The USS Chesapeake was seized in the Atlantic and
several crewmen shanghaied off / "pressed into service" into the
British Navy in 1807, causing an international incident, and nearly led
the nation into war with Britain at that time.