acting Governor, and under his administration the capital was removed to Corydon in December of 1812. The actual declaration of war with Great Britain had made a nation of warriors. A protest against the militia being the only ones to serve was sent to the Governor under date of August 21, 1812. It begins: "We the undersigned wish to shew your Excellency that we are willing to obey any of your calls and to defend our country at any time when called upon in time for us to make ready for to turn out and leave home." During the war Indiana furnished one general officer, five staff officers, eighteen field officers, five noncommissioned staff officers, sixty-seven captains, 132 subaltern officers, and 410 noncommissioned officers, with fourteen musicians and 2,592 privates. Many more volunteered for service than the government could accept, and it was out of the question to equip those who presented themselves. This was soon known, and the later volunteers appeared fully armed and equipped at their own expense. This caused a tremendous revival of military spirit and the militia profited by it. The extraordinary increase in the population of the Territory made it a difficult matter to enable the militia to keep pace with the growing population, but it was successfully done and the organization was preserved. It was in 1815 that the great increase commenced. In 1814, at the close of the war with Great Britain, a report of the militia of the Territory was made which showed an aggregate strength of 5,010. In the commissioned and noncommissioned staffs there was one adjutant-general, eight adjutants, seven quartermasters, five paymasters, four sur geons, three surgeons' mates, six sergeant-majors, four quartermaster-sergeants and six drum-majors. The infantry report showed seven lieutenant-colonels, eighteen majors, eighty-seven captains, 179 lieutenants and ensigns, 325 sergeants, seventy musicians and 4,281 rank and file. It was in the same year and at Corydon on January 3 that the act of general reorganization of the militia was passed. The age limit of those subject to duty, under this act, was from eighteen to 45, and it was also required that on muster and parade days the major and brigadier-generals should "wear a French military hat, blue cloth coat, turned up, with buff or scarlet, with gold epaulettes, white small clothes or buff, also boots and spurs." The commander-in-chief was authorized to appoint two aides-de-camp, to have the rank of colonel. It was also provided that the adjutant-general and the quartermaster-general should have the rank of colonel, and the pay of the adjutant-general was fixed at $25 per annum in time of peace and $50 per annum in time of war. It was provided that sixty men should constitute a company, or, in case of necessity, from forty to eighty, rank and file; two to seven companies should form a battalion; two battalions should constitute a regiment; two to eight regiments a brigade, and two to four brigades a division. Officers were required to serve five years. Ferrymen on post roads, ministers who were licensed to preach, and those who had conscientious scruples against military duty were exempted from serving. Musters were appointed for Saturdays in April and September. The First Brigade was assigned to Knox, Sullivan and Daviess counties; the Second to Gibson, Posey, Warrick, Perry and Pike counties, and these two brigades formed the First Division. The regimental divisions for the First Brigade were made at Vincennes and for the Second at the Gibson County courthouse in February, 1817. The Third Brigade was made up of Harrison and Clark counties, and the Fourth of Orange, Washington and Jackson counties. These two brigades formed the Second Division, and the regimental divisions were made at Anthony Liver's house for the Third Brigade, and at Salem for the Fourth. The Fifth Brigade was formed of Jefferson, Jennings, Switzerland and Dearborn counties, and the Sixth Brigade of Franklin and Wayne counties. These brigades formed the Third Division, and the regimental division for the Fifth Brigade was made at Switzerland, and at Connersville for the Sixth. During this period from 1810 to the beginning of the State government, there were changes among the general officers in consequence of the change of governors and commandersin-chief. The calling of the militia into service caused many appointments in 1812. On July 12 of that year William Jones was appointed assistant quartermaster for the militia in service and Daniel Sullivan was commissioned adjutant-general and brigade major to the militia in service. General W. Johnson was appointed judge advocate to the troops in Indiana and Captain Benjamin Park and John D. Hay were appointed aides-de-camp, on September 6. To the latter was given the rank of captain. The following day Dr. Robert Allison was appointed surgeon's mate to the militia in service, and four days later Ensign Davis Floyd was made deputy quartermaster-general for the troops in Indiana. Toussaint Dubois was commissioned as major on September 26, and to him was assigned the command of spies. General W. Johnson was appointed an aide-de-camp to the commander-in-chief on October 3, and he was given the rank of captain, while eighteen days later Charles Smith was commissioned lieutenant and adjutant-general pro tem and brigade major. William Prince was made captain on November 16, but his rank dated from October 16. Earl in 1813, on January 14, Lieutenant Daniel Sullivan was commissioned a colonel and appointed adjutant-general. His letter of application was dated at Vincennes, December 26, 1812, and reads: "Dear Sir-I have been informed that the office of Adjutant-General has been vacated by Colonel Smalls resignation. It is, Sir, with the utmost diffidence that I offer myself as a candidate for that important office, being well assured that there are many better qualified then myself. I have but little hopes of success but should you think proper to confer the appointment on me, rest assured, Sir, that I would endeavor to deserve the preference that you would give. I am, Sir. with respect and esteem, "Your Humble Servant, "D. SULLIVAN." He served only until September 10 following, when General W. Johnson was appointed to the office with the rank of colonel. Colonel Johnson's term was short, for on February 24, 1814, Waller Taylor was appointed to the office and given the rank of colonel. He served until September 17 following, when Allen B. Thorn was appointed and served until Indiana passed into statehood. Nathaniel Claypoole was appointed an aide-de-camp on February 15, 1813, and June 17, 1815, Benjamin Park was appointed first aide-de-camp and Robert A. New second. Both were given the rank of colonel. The cavalry received much attention in this period, as it was of great use in following the Indians. Joseph Hamilton Daviess was commissioned as major or dragoons on September 20, 1811, and subsequently rendered important service. Daviess County was named after him. On the same day commissions were issued to George Hunt as lieutenantcolonel, Smith Hunt as major and to Benson Miner as captain, John Plummer as lieutenant and Baltzer Sybrook as ensign of a rifle company. It is not given to what regiment they were assigned and none of the officers named appear in the records other than this one time. After Major Bartholomew's death, Captain Benjamin Park was promoted and his commission as major of dragoons was issued November 6, 1813. On May 14 of the following year William Prince was appointed a captain in the cavalry. Ten days later William M. Owens was commissioned as second lieutenant and John Weathers as cornet. Special companies were organized for active service, but all do not appear in the official records. In 1813, on March 27, Pierre Andre's company of rangers was accepted, and two days later William Dunn's company was accepted. April 5 following, William Hargrove's company was accepted. Pierre Andre was appointed captain of mounted volunteers on July 21, 1815, to serve six months. His other officers were Lieutenant Francis Mallet and Ensign Robert Ash. The commissions of all were dated June 10. The same day a company commanded by Captain Hyacinth Lassell was accepted for six months' service. It was a company of mounted volunteers and the remaining officers were Lieutenant Pierre Laplante and Ensign John Myers. The commissions of the officers dated from June 30. The First Regiment appears for the first time under that designation on September 22, 1810, when commissions were issued to Captain Benjamin Park, First Lieutenant Thomas Emerson, Second Lieutenant John McCandless and Cornet John Balthus as officers of a troop of horse assigned to the regiment. The regiment grew from the Knox County regiment and Colonel Ephraim Jordan, of the First Regiment of Knox County, was the first colonel of the First Regiment of Indiana. His election as colonel was unanimous. Under date of April 25, 1812, the officers of the First Battalion sent a written request to the Governor that Ephraim Jordan should be appointed colonel, Thomas Scott lieutenant-colonel, and Wilson Lagore major of their battalion. The officers of the Second Battalion concurred in the request as to Colonel Jordan on May 13, and the commissions of the officers named were issued June 1. Colonel Jordan served until July 7, 1814, when Lieutenant-Colonel Scott succeeded him. Dr. Edmund Scull was appointed surgeon of the regiment June 4, 1812, and the first major of the First Battalion was Wilson Lagore, commissioned June 1, 1812, who was formerly a captain in the regiment. He served until October 6, 1814, when Captain Benjamin V. Beckes succeeded him. The first major of the Second Battalion was Joseph Ledgerwood, who served until September 25, 1812. On that date Captain William Bruce was appointed major of the battalion, and he served until October 24, 1814, when Andrew Wilkins was commissioned. Daniel Connor was commissioned a major on August 11, 1815, but the records do not state to which battalion he was assigned. The Vincennes Light Infantry, a noted organization of the early days, was attached to the First Regiment. The line officers and dates of commissions were: CAPTAINS. 1810 October 10-Wilson Lagore, to rank from May 6. 1811 July 22-Francis Boyer. 1812 May 7-Henry McGee. August 14-Pierre Andre. 1814 February 3-Francis Mallet. April 24-Ambroise Mallet. September 13-Samuel Hogg and Robert Hay. October 6-James Jenkins. October 24-Ashbury Alexander. 1815 January 21-Charles Polk. August 11-Thomas Shepard, Thomas Black, William Perry, William Purcell, General W. Johnston, infantry; Benjamin Park, cavalry. October 21-Ovid Hunt, Jesse Hadden, Barnet Hollingsworth and Abraham Roadarmell. 1816 August 7-Samuel Coleman. LIEUTENANTS. 1810 October 10-Robert Buntin, Jr., and Jonathan Purcell, Jr. 1811 July 22-Ambrose Mallet. 1812 May 16-George R. C. Sullivan. August 18-Hyacinth Laselle. September 25-William Wallice. 1814 February 3-Laurient Bruellet and Jesse Hadden. April 24-Lewis Denoyen. September 13-William Gamble, Abraham Roadarmell and John Stringer. October 24-Robert Brenton. |