More than 800 Royal Marines, British regulars and French prisoners, who volunteered to serve with the British, landed on the mainland, west of Craney Island, and moved east along the beach.

At this time, the future seventh president was serving in the U.S. Army. Born in 1767, he was a British-hating orphan who came of age during the American Revolution.

Enslaved by George Washington, This Man Escaped to Freedom—and Joined the British Army. ... And they were exiles who could go home again, thanks to [post-War of 1812] reconciliation, ...