2nd Regiment of Riflemen explained

Unit Name:2nd Regiment of Riflemen
Dates:1814 — 1815
Type:Riflemen
Role:Light infantry
Size:Regiment
Equipment:U.S. Model 1814
scalping knife
tomahawk,
Equipment Label:Weapons
Battle Honours:War of 1812
Battle Honours Label:Campaigns
Disbanded:March 3, 1815
Commander1:Anthony Butler
Commander1 Label:Sole Commander

The 2nd Regiment of Riflemen was a unit of the U.S. Army in the early nineteenth century. It was first activated in 1814 during the War of 1812 when the War Department created three additional rifle regiments based on the success of the Regiment of Riflemen. The regiment was deactivated in May 1815.

Organization

The regiment was activated on February 10, 1814. It was consolidated with the other regiments of riflemen on May 17, 1815.[1]

Service

The regiment spent virtually its entire life on garrison duty in Detroit, Michigan Territory and Fort Malden, Upper Canada after Detroit had been abandoned by the British following the Battle of Lake Erie. Regimental depots were placed in Chillicothe, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee, and Lexington, Kentucky. The riflemen never gained full strength, in part because recruiters for other commands misrepresented themselves as being recruiters for the riflemen. The regiment suffered continuing shortages of uniforms and equipment. The riflemen did ensure that trade with Native Americans was fair and that civil order was maintained.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Heitman. Francis B.. Historical register and dictionary of the United States Army. War Department. August 20, 2014. 1903.
  2. Web site: Brenner. James T.. The Green Against the British Red: U.S. Rifle Regiments in the Northwestern Army. October 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141020110911/http://warof1812.ohio.gov/_assets/docs/Rifles.pdf. October 20, 2014. dead. mdy-all.
  3. Book: Fredriksen. John C.. Green Coats and Glory: The United States Regiment of Riflemen, 1808-1821. November 2000. Old Fort Niagara Association, Inc.. Youngstown, New York. 0-941967-22-0. 1st.