James Madison celebrated his 61st birthday on March 16, 1812. That is an age at which most men are thinking of retirement. But not a president of the United States who has served only one term. The Henry letters might cause a tempest, trouble might be brewing in Florida, war was obviously on the way, a large and important section of the country hated his administration, the treasury was short of funds - chaos seemed to be just around the corner. None of these considerations discouraged Mr. Madison. He was a victim of that strange fascination for the job that grips all presidents and his hat with the big cockade was in the ring.

Before the order "Boarders away!" could be given the Constitution's sails filled, she freed herself and shot forward just as the Guerriere's mainmast and foremast fell, leaving the once proud British frigate a helpless, drifting hulk, her guns forever silenced. But the Union Jack still waved from the stump of her mizzen. Having ordered his own guns to cease fire, Hull lowered a boat and dispatched an officer to the Guerriere to inquire if she had struck her colors. The officers found Captain Dacres on deck, dazed by the misfortune that had so swiftly overtaken him. The question was a hard one for a British commander to answer, and one that was seldom put to him. Dacres stood puzzled for a moment. "Well," he replied reluctantly, "I don't know. Our mizzenmast is gone, our mainmast is gone; and, upon the whole, you may say we have struck our flag."

Earlier in the summer Harrison appealed to Governor Isaac Shelby to send him 1,500 men. Not only that but he invited the Governor, a veteran of the Revolution and known affectionately throughout Kentucky as "Old King's Mountain" for the distinguished part he had played in that battle to join the expedition. "Scipio," he reminded the Governor, "did not disdain to act as the lieutenant of his younger and less experienced brother, Lucius." The classical allusion had the desired effect. Shelby, in spite of his 66 years, responded cordially to the invitation, and his example inspired his countrymen and stimulated recruiting. The Kentuckians flocked to his banner and, in the end, he brought with him, not 1,500, but 4,000 men.