Kentucky Militia at The Battle of New Orleans

Background to the Kentucky Militia Volunteers at new Orleans. 

Contrary to popular myth the Kentucky volunteers who volunteered to fight at New Orleans were not all equipped with the 'long rifle.' The minority (approximately a third) who were armed had muskets. As the result of a request of Major-General Jackson to the Kentucky Governor, a large contingent of poorly equipped and uniformed volunteers left Louisville on 21st November, 1814 under the command of militia Major-General John Thomas and his second Brigadier-General Adair. As they approached New Orleans Thomas became ill and Adair took command. Poorly provisioned this rag tag group floated down the Cumberland and Mississippi rivers in overcrowded flat bottomed boats with twenty-five of them dying along the way.

The Kentuckians arrived in a gaggle spread over several days from the 2nd to 4th January, 1815 now led by Adair.  Adair is described as looking like Reuben Kemper (a frontier backs woodman in the ilk of Daniel Boone and Davey  crocket)  "with his simple dress and rough and tumble look." Jackson appealed to Governor Claiborne to provide arm for the Kentuckians. Claiborne managed to secure 250 to 300 guns from the "Corps of Exempts" and the rest of the guns were a 'multiplicity of every description, caliber and antiquity' from local citizens.

Kentucky Volunteer Militia Uniforms.

This plate illustrates the Kentucky volunteers that participated in Harrison's 1813 campaigns leading to the The Battle of the Thames (Moravian town). Some of the New Orleans Kentucky volunteers would be dressed as above but most were not.

These Kentucky militiamen are equipped with rifles and the semi-official uniform of red trimmed frock coat in various shades of black and some faded as on the right.

This depiction of Kentucky Volunteers at the battle of River Raisin in January 1813 is getting closer to the rag tag appearance they wore at New Orleans.

This is the most realistic portrayal of the rag tag appearance of the Kentucky militia at New Orleans. The caption in the excellent Osprey booklet is worth quoting in its entirety.

"Many had no weapons, were shoeless, and dressed in rags. The citizens of New Orleans collected old clothing and fabric to clothe them against the bitter cold. The wealthier officer at far right wears the less expensive officer's uniform allowed by special regulations, a blue hunting shirt and trousers trimmed in red. His only rank badge is a red waist sash. The ragged infantryman at left wears 'frontier boots' simple moccasins and leggings of old cloth tied on with strings. The private at center wears a cloth skirt, coat cut from an old blanket, and is armed only with a knife and cudgel. These militia formations were armed with an assortment of scavenged firearms, and even farm implements collected from around New Orleans. Jackson used the Kentucky militia primarily as a reserve."

Clearly the the New Orleans Volunteers were not in the same class as the their brethren who fought under Shelby and Johnson on the Northwest Frontier. By way of a British football analogy, they were definitely fourth division gents.

My depiction of the Kentucky Militia Volunteers at the Battle of New Orleans.

The figures are mostly Boot Hill, some North Star and a few Knuckleduster. This is the 13th Kentucky Militia Regiment commanded by Colonel Slaughter.

A close up of the 13th. The Kentucky stated flag is specially commissioned by Maverick Models. It is a bit too big but it will do. These Boot Hill figures are full of character and with a few rips and patches give a rag tag appearance. Note the variety of weapons from muskets to rifles and even shotguns.

The 14th Kentucky Volunteer Regiment with LtCol S. Parker commanding. Note the gents in the cloth coats. Most are wearing their civilian frontier garb with some wearing the traditional hunting shirt coat trimmed in red. 

A close up of the the 14th Kentucky Volunteers

References:

The Greatest Fury, by William C. Davis (IMHO the best and most detailed account of the battle)

Frontier Militiaman In The war of 1812: Southwestern Frontier, Osprey Warrior # 129.

Armies of the War of 1812, by Gabriel Esposito.

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

Next: Louisiana militia artillery and Baratarian pirate gunners. 

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Unrelated to the subject is my recently completed depiction of a LCol. battalion commander of the 79th Cameron Highlanders. I am not a good tartan painter but I am pleased with this result using a combination of paint and micro pens. This mounted Front Rank figure along with the rebasing of figures, completes the battalion of highlanders figures that were painted by Mike. I am honored to have them.

6th Louisiana Militia Regiment

The Sixth Louisiana Militia Regiment 

23 December 1814

The 6th Louisiana led by Colonel Declouets was located at English Turn, which was in the rear area of the British advance brigade.  However, the Louisianans were commanded by the dithering Brigadier-General Morgan who took no action despite orders from Jackson and urging of Col. Declouets.  Only when the U.S.S. Louisiana opened fire and the 6th officers clamored to march to the sound of the guns did Morgan finally relent, and they slowly moved towards the British. After running to a British picket, the advance of the 6^th L.A. panicked and ran for the main battalion. The 6^th remained in line formation until about 2am and then withdrew back to English Turn. The Greatest Fury, p. 117.

Scenario Option; roll D6 for arrival of the 6trh LA Militia a need a D5 or 6 for arrival. 

Mostly Boot Hill figures and some Brigade Games and a few North Star. Colonel Declouets is at the center next to the flag bearer.

The flag bearer was modified to remove a pistol in favor of hand to grasp the pole.

I had the Louisiana flag made specially by Maverick Models.

All the officer and the flag bearer sergeant figures had epaulettes made of putty and formed to their shoulders

 

Captain Jugeant's Choctaw Company

 Captain Jugeant's (also spelled Jugeat) Company of Choctaw Volunteers

Plate from the Chalmette Battlefield Visitor Centre.

Jugeat's Choctaws are credited with the continual harassments of the British pickets during the battle. Here is my rendition of the Choctaw company.  

The 28mm figures are from North Star's Musket and Tomahawks Series.

The four figures are mounted on 20mm MDF circles that have a small magnet inserted in the center bottom of each circle.

Each MDF stand has space for five 20mm removeable circles and has magnetized thin metal bottom. The stand is spaced for horde formation, the equivalent of an open order structure. At some point I might replace the removeable stump with a Captain Jugeat figure.

So, just two more units to complete the order of battle for the First battle of New Orleans, the 6th Louisiana Militia Regiment and the schooner USS Carolina.

Beale's New Orleans Rifle Company

 Major Thomas Beale's Rifle company was composed of well to do "the leading men of the City, and formed of the most respectable material"  merchants, bankers, craftsmen, and a judge. Most of them were excellent marksmen. The majority were Americans and originally from the northeast United States. Ref. The Greatest Fury, pp.69-70.

Uniform Plates

This is R. Marion's portrayal of Beale's Rifle Company uniform contained in Stuart Asquith's The War of 1812: A Campaign Guide to the War with America 1812-1815. Note that the the uniform title is incorrectly titled 'Tennessee Militiaman of Beale's Rifles', which should read New Orleans instead of Tennessee.

This print of Beale's Rifles is taken from The Chalmette Battlefield Visitor Centre.

There were sixty-six men in Beal's company and at 20:1 rounded up to a four man company. Here are the photos of my representation of Beale's New Orleans Rifle Company.

The figures are from Brigade games.

The figures are mounted on 20mm x 20mm magnetized and removable squares.

The company is open order formation as they were not trained to fight in close order.

 Mississippi Boatmen

There were two ad hoc companies of Mississippi Boatmen in action at the Battle of New Orleans.  General Jackson embargoed all boats from leaving New Orleans, consequently there was a surplus of boatmen who volunteered in two companies under captains Robert Spriggs and David Wallace. Ref. The Greatest Fury, p. 71 & 129.

All the figures are from Boot Hill Miniatures. These figures are matt but you would not know it by these photos.

I really like the peg legged chap on the left who is priming his musket.

These gents were a compilation of sailors and flatboat men caught isolated in New Orleans because no ships or boats were using the Mississippi south of the city. Many were raft boatmen who brought goods and militiamen down the Mississippi to New Orleans.

 

The Battalion d’Orleans or Plauche’s Battalion

 

The researching and painting of the companies of this colorful unit whose uniforms were based upon the French army and Imperial Guard, was a pleasant change of pace from my normal War of 1812 units. From 1804 this volunteer company then battalion operated as the de facto New Orleans city guard, frequently operating to assist the civil authorities. . The battalion was also deployed under federal authority to assist the infamous Brigadier-General Wilkinson during Burr uprising scandal. During the night battle of 23^rd December 1814, Major Plauche’s battalion received great credit from Jackson for their steadfastness. The battalion had a distinct French flavor being composed of French Creoles form the French Caribbean islands and ex soldiers of French Imperial army.

 Various sources give the numbers in this battalion from 200 to over 600. I decided to settle on 600 and at 20:1 ratio gives five companies at six figures. I also added a command group of six figures that will not count in the battalion total for gaming purposes. However, the battalion also had its own band and section of pioneers. So, perhaps the latter’s numbers could substantiate a command group company, particularly as it includes a sapper and drummer.

 One would think that there would be plenty of documentation on this unique unit but surprisingly there is not, at least in English. So the following is what I have culled from various sources.

 

Unit Background from Text Extracts.

 

From: The Miniatures Page (TMP) Blog:

For those interested-- here is a bit of information on this unit (sorry I did not note from where I got it - my apologies)

The Battalion d'Orleans or Plauche's Battalion was one of the most colorful units in the American army of the War of 1812. The Battalion participated in the defeat of the British forces at the Battle of New Orleans. The Battalion was a continuation of units which had existed under the French and Spanish regimes and were reorganized by the territorial act of January, 1805. Napoleon had raised and equipped three companies of French Creoles in New Orleans in 1803 after losing Santo Domingo. It is probable that these companies became the core of the Battalion d'Orleans. New Orleans remained very pro-Bonapartist during this period. They felt a special connection to him because the Empress Josephine was a French Creole. Also, many high-ranking Napoleonic exiles fled to New Orleans after the Bourbon regime was restored in France.

After "the Battle" as New Orleanians called it, the Battalion changed its name to the Louisiana Legion and remained in service until after the Civil War. Throughout its history, the Battalion was known for its resplendent, colorful uniforms of French design. The Battalion was modeled on the Imperial French army of the Emperor Napoleon I. They used the same drill manual and closely approximated the French uniform. Indeed, many members of the Battalion were veteran soldats and officers who had served with Napoleon before moving to New Orleans.

The Battalion consisted of two centre companies (Francs and Blues, an
Irish company), two flank companies (Carabiners and Chasseurs) and a
company of Dragoons. The flank companies had uniforms based on those of the French Imperial Guard. The centre companies were dressed as the line. The Battalion also had its own flag, adjutant, surgeons, fouriers, and band. A description of the unit's flag in the 1820's describes it as having the words 'Honneur, Patrie, Discipline, Valor' embroidered on it.

Today, the Battalion is a group of 1812 re-enactors who recreate one of
the most unusual units in the American Army of the War of 1812. They currently have a Carabiner company and a centre company (les Francs). The recreated Carabiners are based in New Orleans and take part in events in the Southern theatre. Their uniforms are based upon the Grenadiers a Pied of Napoleon's Imperial Guard. The Francs are mostly members of the 21eme de Ligne, 3e compagnie.

Posted by Doug H at 2:05 AM on TMP under Napoleonics, Uniforms, War of 1812

 

From: Blaze of Glory: The Fight For New Orleans 1814-1815 by Samuel carter III

‘Plauche Battalion’

“The original unit was…called The Carbiniers of d’Orleans, an elite group of young men from the city’s finest families, commanded by Major Jean Plauche.” “When Plauche became battalion Comander the Carbiniers were Captained by Pierre Roche. Original numbers were around 550 to 600.” Note; Captain Pierre Roche, a New Orleans printer and bookseller was former officer in Napoleon’s army. Ref. The Greatest Fury, p. 68.

 “Four more companies were organized, many of whose officers were veterans of napoleons armies.”

Dragoons; (foot dragoon) under Captain Henri St Geme five foot tall with a foot high plume extending from his hat. Note: He previously served with the British in Jamaica. Ref. The Greatest Fury, p. 68.

 The Francs; Captain Jean Hudri.  Note: Captain jean-Claude Hudry spent $9,705 of his own money to arm and equip sixty French veterans and native Louisans, to form the “Compagnie des Francs”. The Greatest Fury, p. 34.

Chasseurs; Captain Auguste Guibert

Louisiana Blues, a company of Irish Americans under Captain Maunsel White pg 56-57. See also The Greatest Fury, p. 68.

 

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From: “An Examination of the Volunteer battalions on Line Jackson”, University of New Orleans MA Dissertation by Donald K. Midkiff, 5-22-2020.

Battalion d’Orleans; Four of the five ‘battalions’ sic (likely meant companies) were white creoles from Sante-Domingue. The officers were upper class, and the rank and file were middle class white creoles. p2.

The original battalion of Free Men of color was composed of black Creoles and was led by Major Pierre Lacoste and dated from the Spanish period.

The Second Battalion of Free Men of Color was raised on 19 December 1814 and led by Major Daquin and seconded by Major Savary a black creole who was a former Colonel in French service on Sainte-Domingue.

In order to cement the loyalty of Louisiana militia to the state and country Governor Claiborne in a public ceremony presented the flags of the U.S. Fourth Infantry Regiment to the First and Second Battalions of the Louisiana militia on 30 April, 1804. He also presented an ensign (no description) made in New Orleans to the Battalion of Free Men of Color in a separate ceremony. p.6.

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From: Mr. Jefferson’s Creoles: The Battalion d’Orleans and

The Americanization of Creole Louisiana, 1803-1815.

By Paul D. Gelpi Jr. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4234285 Published by: The Louisiana Historical Association

The unit is variously referred to as the Battalion d’Orleans, the Uniformed Battalion of Orleans Volunteers, and the Orleans Volunteers. P.301 note 17.

In July 1804, Governor Claiborne paraded several volunteer militia companies in New Orleans “at which Claiborne presented the city militia with its standard.” P.302. However, the reference does not describe the standard. Also, the battalion had its own twenty-piece band. Ref: IAW The Band of Music of the First Battalion of Free men of Color and the Siege of New Orleans, 1814-1815 by Charles E. Kinzer, Louisiana State University https://www.jstor.org/stable/3051599, p. 3.

 

After the incorporation of the Battalion d’Orleans into the Territorial Militia as per the Louisiana Militia act of 1805, it was frequently called upon to deal with various crises such as the Burr conspiracy the influence of the Spanish by the Marques de Casso Calvo and eventually the British invasion of Louisiana. The creole battalion was placed temporarily under General Wilkinson’s command in 1806-1807. From 1807 until the Battle of New Orleans, the battalion became the ‘guard’ for New Orleans. In fact, this volunteer unit of the full spectrum of socio-economic creoles was considered the elite of the Louisiana militia.  p.311-316.

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According to J. Fred Roush, CHALMETTE (National Park Service
Historical Handbook Series No. 29, Washington, D.C., 1954), the Orleans Battalion (aka Batallon Orleans), commanded by Plauche, had five companies:
Carabiniers
Dragons a Pied
Francs
Chasseurs
Louisiana Blues

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Note: The battalion also had a band and a detachment of sappers, Ref., A Most Warlike Appearance, Chartrand, p. 86.

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The Battalion d'Orleans in 28mm figures.

The figures are mainly from Front Rank (my favorite miniature company) with the exception of the foot dragons, which are Brigade Games sculpted by the talented Paul Hicks.

The battalion d' Orleans in line formation with the Carbiniers company on the left and the Chasseurs on the photo right.

In the center of the battalion is the command group with Major Plauche (mounted) fanion guard and flag bearer.

This is my conjectured flag representation for the Battalion d 'Orleans, which was produced  by Stuart Wilson of Maverick Models upon my design instructions.  There is a crumb of evidence to support a small part of the flag design. Specifically, in the text references there is the report that the flag bore the motto "Honeur, Patrie, Discipline and Valeur". So, the motto forms the flag obverse while the opposite has the regiments name as per the French Imperial army usage (my speculation).

A close up of the Carbiniers Company that was commanded by Captain Pierre Roche. The uniforms are modelled on the Old Guard Grenadiers.

The 'New Orleans Blues', were Irish Americans commanded by Captain Maunsell White. The uniforms are based on French line infantry. The blue pom poms are my speculation based upon their company title.

A close up of the command group with Major Plauche (mounted) fanion guard and flag bearer (left to right) and the rear rank a pioneer and fanion guard all uniformed as the Old Guard.

Formal portrait of General Jean Baptiste Plauche in military uniform. Plauche was the Brigadier General of the Louisiana Legion and commandant of the Batallion d'Orleans at the Battle of New Orleans.

Louisiana Digital Library.

This portrait was completed well after the Battle of New Orleans. Note that Plauche was  a major at the time of the battle and General Villier commanded the New Orleans Volunteer units (that included the two colored battalions and Beales Rifles) that would subsequently become the Louisiana Legion. The portrait in French uniform is evidence that French speaking New Orleans volunteers tended to adopt French styled uniforms.

The Foot Dragoons commanded by Captain Henri St Geme. These superb Brigade Games figures sculpted by Paul Hicks were a joy to paint.

The 'Francs' or  “Compagnie des Francs" were mainly formed by French creoles and ex members of the the third company 21st French Line Regiment and commanded by Captain Jean Hudri also spelled Hudry  (Hudry was a 40 yearn old native of Savoy and prosperous cotton Broker). So, this company has orange (aurore) colored pom poms to reflect their attachment to the '21eme de Ligne, 3e compagnie'.

Lastly, the Chasseurs who are uniformed as the Chasseurs of the Old Guard and commanded by Captain Auguste Guibert.

The Cannoniers Bombardiers

These figures and gun are from Front Rank as well. The 'Cannoniers Bombardiers' were a French speaking New Orleans volunteer artillery unit. This brass twelve-pounder crew (battery six) was commanded Lieutenant Etienne Bertel. 

About 190 yards away from Bertel's twelve-pounder were an eighteen pounder and six pounder crews (battery seven) commanded by General Antoine Garrigues Flaujac, who normally commanded a Louisiana militia brigade. I need to conduct more research on this artillery group. There was another volunteer artillery unit called the 'Washington Volunteers' that was composed of Americans, however I have little information about them, Perhaps they were the crews who were commanded by General Flaujac. More to follow.

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]

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[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.