Tennessee Infantry at Battle of New Orleans under Major General William Carrol

 

References: Tennessee regiments at the Battle of New Orleans:https://www.sos.tn.gov/products/tsla/regimental-histories-tennessee-units-during-war-1812

Tennesseans At War 1812-1815 by Tom Kannon.

The Greatest Fury: The Battle of New Orleans and the Rebirth of America by William C. Davis.

Tennessee Second Division commanded by Major General Carroll.

At the outbreak of the War of 1812, Carroll was appointed captain of the Nashville Uniform Volunteers, and joined Andrew Jackson's Creek Campaign. Within a few months, he had been promoted to major, and took part in the Battle of Talladega in November 1813. For his actions in this battle, he was promoted to colonel. He fought at the Battles of Emuckfaw and Enotachopo Creek in January 1814 and was wounded at the battle of Horseshoe Bend in March 1814.
In 1813, Carroll became involved in a quarrel with another Jackson subordinate, Jesse Benton, that culminated in a duel on June 14 of that year. Jackson initially tried to defuse the quarrel, but, unsuccessful, he agreed to be Carroll's second. In the duel, Carroll lost part of his thumb, and Benton was shot through the hip, but both survived. Benton's older brother, Thomas Bart Benton, was enraged after hearing Jackson had supported Carroll, and would later injure Jackson in a brawl in Nashville over the incident.
After the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, Carroll returned to Nashville to recruit troops for the defense of New Orleans. After Jackson resigned from the militia to accept a commission in the federal army, Carroll was elected major-general of the Tennessee militia. Traveling via the Cumberland, Ohio and Mississippi rivers, his new troops arrived in New Orleans just prior to the British invasion. At the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, Carroll's troops fought near the center of Jackson's line, where some of the most intense fighting occurred. Ref: Wiki.

Tom Kannon in his Tennesseans At War 1812-1815, p. 142, states that Carroll’s troops numbered 2,000, who journeyed down the Cumberland and then the Mississippi rivers in 45 log boats (keel boats) and arrived at New Orleans in the afternoon of Dec 20^th; (p. 142). So, 2,000 divided by three regiments equals 666 per regiment. So, my First, Second and Third West Tennessee regiments (battalions) at approximately 20:1 ratio are 32 figures each.

Tennessee Militia - 28mm Units

These are predominantly Knuckleduster figures and nice sculpts they are. Using my old SLR camera and the photos are not much better than my cell phone camera. 

The flag is made to order by Stuart of Maverick Models. The source for the flag is "The Flags of Tennessee" from which the flag was scanned. Many thanks to the library archivist Veronica Sales, of the  Tennessee Sate Library and Archives for finding this rare book and for scanning the relevant flag images for me.

Background to Origins of Tennessee State Militia Flag

Not willing to wait for the Tennessee state government to authorize a state flag, General R.W. Cantrell, adjutant general of the Tennessee Militia ordered one for militia units. In his order to a New York to produce the flag he described it as:

“The Tennessee State Flag is of heavy double blue silk, (6 by 6 ½ feet) gold cord and tassels & heavy gold fringe & with the Coat of Arms of [the] State on either side ---circled with [an] oak wreath. Staff 10 feet & mounted with [a] gold eagle.”

The flag described by General Cantrell in 1866 is essentially same as militia flags used prior to 1861.[1]

“Prior to 1861, no effort was made to adopt a flag for the state of Tennessee. A common tradition among state militias of the nineteenth century was to carry as the state colors a blue flag decorated with a state seal, and such a flag may have been used by Tennessee troops; but otherwise, the state government was happy to operate solely under the flag of the United States.”[2]

---

[1] Flags of Tennessee, by Devereaux D. Cannon, Jr. Illustrated by Debra Lee Tullier, Pelican Publishing Company, Gretna, Louisiana, 1990, p. 25.

[2] Ibid, p. 23.

 

1st Regiment West Tennessee Militia - Nov. 1814 - May 1815

Tennessee Counties recruited from: Davidson, Bedford, Franklin, Lincoln, Maury, Warren, and Giles.
Commanding Officer: Colonel William Metcalf.
Captains: John Barnhart, Daniel M. Bradford, Barbe Collins, John Cunningham, Lewis Dillahunty, Alexander Hill, Bird S. Hurt, John Jackson, Thomas Marks, William Mullen, Andrew Patterson, William Sitton, Obidiah Waller.
Brief History:  Part of the division under Major General William Carroll's at New Orleans, this regiment comprised the right section of Carroll's line at the breastworks at Chalmette. Muster rolls show casualties in the engagements of December 1814 and January 1815. Lieutenant Colonel James Henderson was killed in the skirmish of 28 December 1814. Captain Daniel Bradford led the elite corps known as "Carroll's Life Guard." The division reached New Orleans in mid-December 1814 after an excursion down the Mississippi River.

The drummer, sergeant (behind the drummer)  and flag bearer are KDs. 

The officer behind the flag bearer is a superbly sculpted Boot Hill miniature as is the gent with floppy hat and red feather and the rough tumble guy with a coon skin hat.

Most of the other figures to the left are KDs. I really like these frontier militia figures that have good detail and character. These are certainly one of Forrest's better sculpted series. I am one company short on the First regiment. So, the missing company is in the production line of the Third Regiment.

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2nd Regiment of West Tennessee Militia - Nov. 1814 - May 1815

Tennessee Counties recruited from: Montgomery, Williamson, Dickson, Hickman, Robertson, Rutherford, and Stewart Counties.

Commanding Officer: Colonel John Cocke.

Captains: George Barnes, Samuel Carothers, Richard Crunk, John Dalton, Francis Ellis, James Gault, James Gray, Bird Nance, Joseph Price, John Weakley

Brief History: This regiment was one of three West Tennessee militia units at New Orleans under the command of Major General William Carroll. They were part of the flotilla that went down to New Orleans via the Cumberland, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers. The Nashville Clarion of 21 February 1815 mentions that Captain John Weakly, of Montgomery County, was at the breastworks of Jackson's line at New Orleans during the battle of 8 January. Muster rolls of the regiment show no battle casualties, but do reveal many deaths due to sickness -- a common occurrence for troops stationed at New Orleans in the months of February/March 1815.

Colonel Cocke was sheriff of Montgomery County at the time of war. He is not to be confused with Major General John Cocke of East Tennessee who commanded the 1st Division and was counterpart to Andrew Jackson -- Jackson commanding the 2nd Division.

The figures of the Second Tennessee Regiment are mostly Knuckleduster with several Boot Hill and North Star miniatures from there recent War of 1812 series within the Muskets and Tomahawks range.

Note the officer third file in from the right in the blue coat. It is a North Star figure as is the figure on the far right with a round hat. NS figures a larger than 28mm. The officer is nearer 30mm foot to eye and the gent in the round hat is about 29mm.

3rd Regiment West Tennessee Militia Infantry - Nov 1814 May 1815

Tennessee Counties recruited from: Jackson, Sumner, Wilson, Overton, Smith, and White.

Commanding Officer: Colonel James Raulston.

Captains: James A. Black, Matthew Cowen, Henry Hamilton, Elijah Haynie, Wiley Huddleston, Matthew Neal, Daniel Newman, Edward Robinson, Charles Wade, Henry West.

Brief History: Part of Major General William Carroll's division at the battles for New Orleans, this regiment suffered casualties during the skirmish of 28th December 1814 and had two of the handful of fatalities on the famous 8 January 1815 battle. General Carroll's report of the battle tells that Captains Elijah Haynie and Matthew Neal "had the honor of receiving and repelling the attacks of the British forces." After the war, James Raulston became a prominent member of the state legislature of Alabama.

The Third Tennessee regiment figures unlike the first regiment are mostly Boot Hill figures with a sprinkling of North Star and a few Knuckleduster.

As you can see, I am about to prime these fine fellows. More to follow.

Here are photos of the recently finished Third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Contary to my previous statement these gents are mostly Old Glory with some Knuckle Duster and North Star figures.

The command group are Knuckledusters. The companies on each side of the command group are Old Glory with one North Star figure

A view of most of the 32 figure battalion.

An oblique view of the command group.

A close up view of two companies whose figures are from all three manufacturers. The right company has two OGs in the front rank and the right hand chap in the rear rank ramming home his musket. The other Tennessean in the round hat is NS. The left company has two figures (right) that are NS and the sergeant (left) is a superb KD frontier figure.

The left company has two OG in the front rank and one (left) in the second rank. The other figure is NS. The right company is composed entirely of KDs.

An oblique view of the center left of the battalion.

The center right of the battalion that feature mostly OG. For an older range these figures have variety and character and fit in well with the NS and KD figures.

  
This completes Major-General Carrol's Tennessee Division of Volunteer Militia. Now on to Brigadier-General Coffee's brigade of 'Mounted Gunmen' or more correctly mounted infantry.

Uniform References

My main uniform references are:

A. A Most War Like Appearance: Uniforms, Flags and Equipment of the United States in the War of 1812, Rene Chartrand.

B. Military Uniforms in America: Vol II Years of Growth, 1796-1851, The Company of Military Historians.

C. Osprey Warrior 129. Frontier Militiamen of the War of 1812: Southwestern Frontier, Ed Gilbert and illustrated by Adam Hook.

D. Armies of the War of 1812 by Gabriel Espostio published by Pike and Powder Publishing Group.

Uniform Plates

This plate is based on a print by the venerable Company of Military Historians and depicts Tennessee members of Brigadier General Coffee's 'mounted gun men' (really mounted infantry) and Major General Carroll's Tennessee infantry. The figure on the left belongs to Coffee's mounted infantry; note the riding boots and spurs. The center left figure has government issued musket, white belt and bayonet in a scabbard, plus the typical drab fringed frock coat. Also, note his canteen, which was typically painted red and with a yellow star or blue with a red star. The two center figures have scavenged sets of gaiters to protect their footwear and lower legs. The center right figure is likely an sergeant or an officer only denoted by his red sash. The right figure is an officer as denoted by his epaulette, sash and sword, and a quasi official blue tunic.  Otherwise, he has nonstandard boots, and hat. Ref C, p. 28.

All of these Tennessee militiamen of Carrol's brigade have government issued musket, white belts and bayonet in a scabbard, cartridge box plus the typical drab fringed frock coat. The figure with the red sash is likely a sergeant. Also note the blue canteen with the red star and the metal canteen typical of a Tennessean. Ref C, p. 52-53

The Tennessee militiaman on the left is a more affluent member note his well made rifle his better quality fringe frocked coat and above average accoutrements. The middle figure is your average dressed militiaman equipped with a government issue musket, cartridge box bayonet and scabbard plus white belt. The right figure depicts a Tennessee Militia gunner dressed in a blue fringed frock coat. Ref C, p. 12-13.

Not all Tennesseans were dressed in fringed frock coats.  Depending on the length of enlistment and the urgency of operations the militiamen in urban settings might have to fight with his civilian garb augmented by issued musket, bayonet, cartridge box and white belts. The newly recruited militiaman at left  and their sitting captain exemplify this civilian dress. Ref C. p. 16-16.

Ref: D.

Tennessee Mounted Gunmen Brigade - Brigadier - General John Coffee

These troops were essentially mounted infantry not cavalry as they did not carry swords excepting some officers. They trained and operated by moving quickly to the battlefield and then dismounted to fight as frontier infantry. Most of these mounted infantry gained significant experience throughout the 'Red Stick' campaign under the leadership of the charismatic General John Coffee. Coffee's Brigade consisted of the First and Second regiments of West Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Gunmen. Coffee's regiments mainly fought on foot throughout the battles of New Orleans.

Under Jackson's command, Coffee led his brigade at the Battles of Tallushatchee, Talladega, Emuckfaw, Enotachopo, where he was seriously wounded, and the Battle of Horseshoe bend. (ref: Tennessee digital library)

1st Regiment of West Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Gunmen - September 1814 - March 1815

Tennessee Counties recruited from: Davidson, Dickson, Williamson, Bedford, Maury, Montgomery, Rutherford, Smith, and Stewart Counties.
Commanding Officer: Colonel Robert Dyer.
Captains: Bethel Allen, Ephraim D. Dickson, Robert Edmonston, Robert Evans, Cuthbert Hudson, Thomas Jones, James McMahon, Glen Owen, Thomas White, Joseph Williams, James Wyatt.
Brief History: This regiment was part of General John Coffee's cavalry brigade throughout most of the Creek War. The unit participated in most of the battles of the war, including Talladega (9 November 1813), where they formed the reserves, and Horseshoe Bend (27 March 1814). There were several companies of "spies" in the regiment: companies of cavalry that were sent on reconnaissance patrols and usually took the lead in the line of march for Jackson's army.
Part of Coffee's brigade at New Orleans, most of this regiment took part in the night battle of 23 December 1814. Most of the company muster rolls show casualties from this engagement. Portions of this regiment also participated in the capture of Pensacola from the Spanish in West Florida (7 November 1814). The initial rendezvous point for this unit was Fayetteville, Tennessee. From there they passed through Fort Hampton, to Baton Rouge, and finally to New Orleans.

1st Regiment of West Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Gunmen in 28mm.

Most of these figures are from Boot Hill Miniatures. I really enjoyed painting these sculpts that were full of character.

There are so many figures that I could declare as favorites. During this period many Tennessean officers were only identifiable by a sash or sword, a few may have been lucky enough to have epaulettes. I really like the flag bearer and the officer in the command group (center).

Again the whole regiment (battalion really) showing the variety of poses fitting a volunteer unit.

In the second rank of the command group are a Knuckleduster frontier infantry drummer and sergeant.

These photos do not do full justice to the facial expression on these warriors. I like the eclectic nature of their hats and equipment from slouch hats to round hats muskets to rifles and everything between.

Note the officer on the right with sash and sword, I added an epaulette shaped from putty. Also note the gent behind the officer, you can just make out his wooden peg leg.

2nd Regiment West Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Gunmen - September 1814 - April 1815.

Tennessee Counties recruited from: Bedford, Davidson, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson, Wilson, Giles, and Smith Counties.
Commanding Officer: Colonel Thomas Williamson.
Captains: Giles Burdett, James Cook, John Crane, John Doak, John Dobbins, John Hutchings, William Martin, Anthony Metcalf, Robert Moore, James Nealy, James Pace, Thomas Porter, Thomas Scurry, Robert Steele, Richard Tate, Beverly Williams
Brief History: Along with Colonel Robert Dyer's unit, this regiment was part of General John Coffee's brigade that fought at Pensacola and New Orleans. Marching from Fayetteville to Camp Gaines (30 miles from Fort Montgomery), they helped Jackson take the port of Pensacola from the Spanish on 7 November 1814. Williamson's men then participated in all of the engagements at New Orleans, where they were part of the left line of Jackson's breastworks. In March 1815 they returned to Tennessee via the Natchez Trace. 

The Second Regiment are all Boot Hill 28mm figures.

The flag bearer of the command group was originally waving a round hat in his right hand. I cut away the round hat while preserving the hand and then drilled the hand for the flag pole.
The officer, to the left of the flag bearer, is identified by his sash and an added epaulette. The officer and flag bearer are armed with shot guns. Barely visible behind the officer is an armed preacher reciting his bible.

In the center of this photo is an officer with sash and sword firing a pistol while smoking a 'cee gar'. On the extreme left is a sergeant with a coon skin hat, a blue coat with white fringed epaulettes. The figures in the second rank are just as superb and varied as the front rank.

Here are some eclectically dressed frontier men. It was a real joy to paint and base these uniquely dressed Tennesseans. They will make a worthy addition to the New Orleans table top.

Refs:https://www.sos.tn.gov/products/tsla/regimental-histories-tennessee-units-during-war-1812

Tennesseans At War 1812-1815: Andrew Jackson, The Creek War, and The Battle of New Orleans, by Tom Kanon.