Tennessee Regulars in the War of 1812

Tennessee is known as the ‘Volunteer State” because of its militia contributions during the War of 1812. The state fielded many militia regiments, which fought during the Creek War in present day Alabama, and at the great American victory at New Orleans. The Tennessean Militia was the backbone of Major General Andrew Jackson’s army throughout the war.

History has forgotten Tennessee’s contribution to the U.S. Army during this conflict. Two infantry regiments, one artillery company, and a ranger company were raised by this state for the war effort. Plus, the state was tasked to supply men for two rifle regiments, another infantry regiment, and other army units being raised in what was then the western area of the United States.

The crown jewel of Tennessee was the 24th Regiment of U.S. Infantry. This thousand-man regiment fought the British and the Indians on the lower Missouri River and the upper Mississippi River in what is now Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa. Its men fought in northern Ohio, in Michigan, and in Ontario, Canada. Tennesseans also fought as marines on board the ships of the U.S. Navy during the Battle of Lake Erie.

This book has identified 3,453 men who served from Tennessee or who had enlisted in regiments formed in Tennessee. There is also a list of 251 known Tennesseans who died while serving in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. The purpose of this book is to identify Tennessee residents who served in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812, and not to create a detailed service record for each individual man.

Mr. Johnson is a lineal descendant of seven veterans of the War of 1812, and he is the past president of the Society of the War of 1812 in the State of Ohio (2008–2011). He is currently serving as the Registrar General for the General Society of the War of 1812, and has served as the Historian General (2011–2014) and the Archivist General (2014–2017) for this society.

2022, 8½x11, paper, alphabetical, 182 pp.

101-J2567