THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY
People often ask why Sackets Harbor, NY, was chosen as Caroline Abbott’s home town. When I was invited to create an 1812 character for American Girl, I explored several possibilities. In the end, though, I recommended that we locate the new character on the shore of Lake Ontario. Once my editors had agreed, I considered options and decided to focus on the village of Sackets Harbor.
First, it seemed that few people outside the region knew how important the Great Lakes were during the War of 1812. I certainly hadn’t understood that.
Second, a number of 1812-era buildings are still standing in Sackets Harbor. New York has also preserved important ground in the village as an historic site. I knew that readers would be able to visit Sackets Harbor and easily imagine Caroline there.
Although no single house was used as the basis for the Abbott home in the Caroline books, a number of period homes—like this one—provided inspiration.
Finally, a lot of exciting things happened there during the war, giving me fantastic plot possibilities. American military leaders chose Sackets Harbor as its base for the Great Lakes, and established a navy shipyard there. The British, just 30 miles away, wanted badly to take the town and seize or destroy supplies and ships.
The hardest part was picking and choosing from all the wonderful plot possibilities. I couldn’t fit everything into six books!
The British sailed across Lake Ontario soon after the war began in 1812, and a brief bombardment took place.
That bombardment became part of the first book in the series, Meet Caroline.
The Second Battle of Sackets Harbor took place on May 29th, 1813. This time a British force landed and tried to capture the town.
This map shows the protected harbor, where the shipyards were located. The ship shown at the mouth of the harbor, General Pike, had not yet been launched. The British wanted to destroy the Pike. (Lossing’s Pictorial Field Book of the War of 1812)
The 1813 attack forms the heart of Caroline’s Battle.
Farmers and craftsmen hurried from their homes to help defend Sackets Harbor.
American naval officers decided that they would burn their shipyard if the British broke through the ring of defenses.
Caroline and Mama, left alone to defend Abbott’s Shipyard, get the same order. Caroline isn’t sure it’s an order she can obey.
When the battle begins, the shipyard workers are ordered to join the defensive lines. This fellow reminded me of Mr. Tate.
I always try to incorporate real historical events into my fiction. In this case, I couldn’t have made up anything more dramatic or poignant than what really happened in Sackets Harbor that day.
When I first visited Sackets Harbor to explore and do research, I timed my visit to coincide with a reenactment. Watching, and talking with the participants, helped me imagine the chaos Caroline faced.
Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site is a wonderful place to explore. The reenactment takes place every year, and during summer months interpreters can help visitors imagine what happened on that very ground in 1813.
I hope that Caroline’s Battle is an exciting and satisfying read. I also hope it helps remind us all that war affects not just soldiers and sailors, but civilians too.
Sites and Stories 
July 14, 2013 at 11:11 am |
Dan and I would love to win this book, we would save it for our granddaughter to read when she is older.
July 16, 2013 at 10:33 am |
You’re entered!
July 14, 2013 at 1:22 pm |
I would love to read his one.
July 16, 2013 at 10:33 am |
Your name is in the hat!
July 14, 2013 at 7:06 pm |
My granddaughters would love to read and own this book! My daughter lives in New York State and maybe sometime we could go visit Sackets Harbor.
July 14, 2013 at 7:35 pm |
We loved this book! Please enter us. Thanks for the opportunity.
July 16, 2013 at 10:33 am |
So glad you enjoyed the book! You’re entered.
July 15, 2013 at 6:44 pm |
ooo- This looks like a good one! I am keen to read it, since I live across the River, just a little ways… Have you or will you be going to Sackett’s Harbour area for a reading or signing in the near future?
July 16, 2013 at 10:32 am |
Brenda, I’m afraid we just missed each other! I was in Sackets Harbor 10 days ago for three programs at the battlefield. I also had the chance to visit Upper Canada Village on the trip, a site I’d long wanted to see, and enjoyed it very much. I hope to be back again some time, so perhaps we can connect in person then.
July 20, 2013 at 4:38 am
Yes, that would be wonderful! I am glad you were able to go to Upper Canada Village- it is a fun place to visit. In the winter they have “Alight at Night” when all the buildings are silhouetted in Christmas lights… not necessarily historical, but definitely pretty! 🙂 And yes, let me know about your next trip out here.
July 17, 2013 at 11:37 am |
I’ve really enjoyed your American Girl books that I’ve read. This one sounds exciting as well.
We went to a War of 1812 re-enactment at Fort Meigs near Toledo. I can’t remember if it was on the same day as a real battle or just timed to take advantage of Memorial Day tourists. It was quite interesting, though! As someone who didn’t grow up in the Great Lakes region but lives here now, it is fascinating to learn about the events of that time.
July 17, 2013 at 10:48 pm |
I haven’t had the opportunity for visit Fort Meigs, but I’ll have to put it on my list. I also grew up elsewhere–Baltimore, for me, so growing up most of what I knew about the War of 1812 had to do with Fort McHenry and Washington DC. It was a revelation to learn about the role the Great Lakes region played.
July 17, 2013 at 5:42 pm |
These series of books sound like a great learning experience and the historical facts should enlighten me as well.