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War Of 1812
March 09, 2011
In the War of 1812 all Delaware volunteer units saw service at Lewes, where they comprised the bulk of force that drove off a British naval squadron seeking control of the Delaware River.
On April 6th and 7th, 1813 the British bombarded Lewes, Delaware demanding goods and supplies. During the bombardment, Lewes notables Gilbert & Henry McCracken's circa 1765 home was struck by artillery fire, earning the nickname the "Cannonball House".
The McCracken's served in a volunteer militia composed primarily of Delaware Pilots that defended Lewes until the end of the war in 1815. The McCracken house, which still stands today located on Front Street in downtown Lewes. The house is directly across from one of the two forts that defended Lewes during the bombardment.