District of Columbia Uniforms and Organization in the War of 1812

 District of Columbia Uniforms and Organization in the War of 1812

The District of Columbia was established in 1800 so had a small population. The militia was formed into the 1st Militia Legion of Washington and a squadron of cavalry, and the 2nd Alexandria Legion with a regiment of cavalry. These were then reformed into two brigades with two regiments of each, and a regiment of cavalry. Alexandria later became part of Virginia.

DC infantry were to have hats turned up on the left side and bear fur crest from front to back. Both Dragoons above are based on conjecture. The Alexandria Dragoons had the uniform shown below. The blue dragoon could be accurate for late war. 

District of Columbia Militia Involvement in the War of 1812;

Second Battle of Leonard's Creek; Georgetown Light Artillery six 6 pounders, Georgetown Riflemen, Georgetown Hussars, Columbia Dragoons, Washington Dragoons. 280men

Bladensburg; 

1st Columbian Brigade; 2 regiments of foot, Georgetown Light Artillery six 6 pounders, Washington Artillery six 6 pounders.

2nd Columbian Brigade; 1 regiment of foot, 

Columbian District Cavalry; Alexandria Dragoons 

Note that Osprey's "The Chesapeake Campaigns" lists DC cavalry instead of Virginian. The author lists; Columbian Dragoons, Washington Light Hrose, Georgetown Hussars, Fairfax Light Dragoons, Columbian Hussars and an "unknown" Washtington troop. This is the only source I have seen state this. I can't verify either way, but I would assume that the majority of sources which state the 100 man unit was Virginian are correct. It's also possible that since Alexandria later became part of Virginia, that the "Virginian" cavalry present was actually the DC cavalry. 

The rifle units may have had the left side of their hats turned up as the regular infantry. Pants colours are unknown, but may have been green.

District of Columbia Cavalry 

Almost nothing is known about the uniforms of the District of Columbia Cavalry. The only unit known is the Alexandria dragoons. Up until 1813, these had all black uniforms with hussar style yellow trim and a round hat. The Alexandria dragoons, about 25 to 40 strong, charged a British detachment in one of the first actions of the Chesapeake Campaign, and were present at Bladensburg. They were attached to the Maryland Cavalry District at the battle. Sources stated that at the battle they may have all been used as messengers. 

Some DC Rifles had all black uniforms, and the Alexandria Dragoons did as well. Its possible that black may have been the common / regulation cavalry uniform colour. 

At left, Alexandria Dragoons 1810-1813 by the Company or Military Historians. They may have still been wearing this uniform in 1814. The DC militia regulations changed in 1814 to have uniforms be more like the regular army uniforms. It's possible none of these changes had taken place by Bladensburg.

Middle, the city of Alexandria commissioned art based on the possible uniform of 1814. 

At right, a Maryland Light Dragoon uniform from the battle of Bladensburg. This is a similar uniform to what is shown in the painting in the middle. As militia were told to make their uniforms more similar to regulars, unit / state distinctions remained (such as the red facings on this tunic).

Virginian Uniforms and Organization in the War of 1812

 Virginia in the War of 1812

Virginia had one of the better organized and equipped militia. On paper, this was 65,000 infantry organized into 100 regiments, 8,800 cavalry, 7,600 artillery, and 10,000 in miscellaneous troops for a total of 91,000 men.  These numbers would never have been possible on any battlefield because of geography, reluctance to fight etc. The largest formation of militia in the war was at Hampstead Hill, and this was possibly 20,000 men from Maryland, DC, and Virginia. 

I am currently organizing for the Chesapeake campaign (and have started for Battles in the Western theatre, and New Orleans). To do this with any sort of accuracy, I am going into more detail into several of the states that fought at these battles. This is difficult, as uniform regulations were changing often year by year. Definitely, it would have taken time for militia units to become equipped with new uniforms. 

  The best examples of what militia units looked like in the field are the two paintings created by Thomas Ruckle of the 5th Maryland Volunteers at the Battle of North Point and Hampstead Hill. He shows in detail how the militia at North Point and Hampstead Hill were uniformed. Infantry mostly had blue tailed jackets (mostly civilian clothes). They had a mix of round hats, and some units had stove pipe style shakos. The 5 units of cavalry he painted all had their own uniforms (but were all blue). Why this is relevant, is that Maryland was also to adopt government uniforms in 1814, none are visible in the paintings, just the previous versions of uniforms. Virginia. infantry and artillery were told to change to government uniforms in 1813 however, so I would assume at least some of the infantry and artillery would have had new uniforms (possibly with round hats). Regular citizens would have struggled to afford this cost, so pervious versions would have been dominant in my opinion.

Volunteers in government equipment. All volunteers that crossed into Canada would have been uniformed in some version of the above. These would have had blue, white, or grey pantaloons. Often they would have bands on their hats, or plumes to differentiate their units. The federal government had ordered all militia to become more similar to the official uniforms of the regulars. On the field the huge variety of small companies each with their own uniform would have not looked uniform.

Virginian Militia in the War of 1812

Virginian Troops took part in the following battles and Campaigns;

Fort Meigs in 1813; The Petersburg Volunteers (75 men) These were Light Infantry and wore the Light Infantry uniform shown above. 

Invasion Force for Montreal; A unit of "Virginian Volunteers" were formed as a unit with the 20th Regiment 200 men total. This army was routed at Crysler's Farm and crossed back to the American side of the St. Lawrence. They probably wore the uniform at right but with white or blue pantaloons (possibly with red facings). 

Raids on Norfolk and Hampton Roads 1813; Various Units

Bladensburg; The 60th Regiment (500 to 700 men) arrived just after the battle. The James City Light Infantry (100 men) were in the first line with the Baltimore Rifles. A Cavalry unit of 100 men were attached to the 2nd Regular Light Dragoons. *Note that the Osprey Chesapeake Campaign book lists these cavalry as being from DC. I have read in perhaps 10 sources that these were Virginian cavalry, not from DC (no details on which units were given in these sources). I am inclined to believe the main bulk of sources which list these as Virginian. 

Defence of Baltimore on Hampstead Hill; Brigadier General Singleton (1777 men), Brigadier General Douglas (864 men).

Cavalry Uniforms

In 1812 Virginian cavalry were instructed to replace their green uniforms with the middle uniform. This would have taken time to change (if it was changed at all). Then in 1814, they were told to copy the uniforms of the regular cavalry. I presume they would have been more likely to be in the middle or possibly the green uniform at Bladensburg. It is doubtful that any Virginian Militia cavalry had the new uniforms by the Chesapeake campaign, though it is possible.

Virginian Uniforms

Virginian Militia uniform 1812-1813, Virginian Rifles, 20th Regiment of Foot (Virginian regulars)

Virginian Reenactors portraying regular Virginian militiamen. 

Virginian Rifle regiments had these uniforms. These would have been in company sized units. Captain Johnson's Company of Riflemen had flesh coloured hunting shirts, and scarlet gaiters. 

Artillery would have had the uniform at the top of the post. In the fall of 1813 they were told to have the same uniforms as the regulars. It is impossible to know how quickly any of these formations switched to the new government uniforms (though I'm sure some may have).

Light Infantry tended to have the uniform on the plate at the top of this post. The Petersburg Volunteers fought at Fort Meigs in the Light Infantry uniform. Units of volunteers often had their own variations of headgear. 

 Military Strength in North America in the War of 1812

American Military at the Onset of the War; 

Regulars 7000 to 10,000 men

1. 17 Regiments of Foot *Increased to 25 regiments in June
2. Rifles Regiment
3. Marines Detachments
4. Light Artillery Regiment *sometimes fought as infantry
5. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Artillery *sometimes fought as infantry
6. 1st and 2nd Light Dragoons *These were large units which were divided around the United States

*450,000 to 500,000 militia, of which 10,000 or so were volunteers which supplied their own equipment. Units would join the regular army in operations. There were also 5,000 naval forces and marines available for land duties, and 3,000 rangers (6 Companies).

British and Canadian Troops June 1812; Onset of the War; 

Total 6034 Men in the Canadas, and 3747 in the Maritimes (14 Battalions)

Upper Canada; 1500 Men

1. 41st Foot

2. 10th Royal Veteran Battalion

3. Royal Newfoundland Fencibles Detachments as Marines on Ships

4. Holcroft’s Company of Artillery

*10,000 to 12,000 militia, one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Lower Canada

1. 8th Foot1st Battalion

2. 49th Foot

3. 100th Foot

4. 10th Royal Veteran Battalion Detachments

5. Royal Newfoundland Fencibles Detachments as Marines on Ships

6. Canadian Fencibles Regiment

7. Three Companies Royal Artillery

*50,000 to 60,000 Militia one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Maritimes

1. 8th Foot 2nd Battalion
2. 98th Foot (partially in Bermuda)
3. 99th Foot
4. 104th Foot
5. Nova Scotia Fencibles 
6. Five Companies of Royal Artillery

*15,000 Militia one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Units Arrived or Raised in Canada by December 1812

Total 8,136 in the Canadas, and 4519 in the Maritimes

1. 1st Foot
2. 89th Foot
3. 103rd Foot
4. Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles Light Infantry; Formed in Upper Canada from Scottish Canadians

American Military 1813; 

Regulars 7000 to 10,000 men

1. 46 Regiments of Foot *21 New Regiments Formed in January
2. Rifles Regiment
3. Marines Detachments
4. Light Artillery Regiment *sometimes fought as infantry
5. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Artillery *sometimes fought as infantry
6. 1st and 2nd Light Dragoons
7. *450,000 to 500,000 militia
8. 10,000 volunteers 
9. 5,000 naval forces and marines available for land duties
10. 16 Companies of rangers (raised January)

British and Canadian Troops 1813; 

Total 6034 Men in the Canadas, and 3747 in the Maritimes (14 Battalions)

Upper Canada; 1500 Men

1. 41st Foot

2. 10th Royal Veteran Battalion

3. Royal Newfoundland Fencibles Detachments as Marines on Ships

4. Holcroft’s Company of Artillery

*10,000 to 12,000 militia, one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Lower Canada

1. 8th Foot1st Battalion

2. 49th Foot

3. 100th Foot

4. 10th Royal Veteran Battalion Detachments

5. Royal Newfoundland Fencibles Detachments as Marines on Ships

6. Canadian Fencibles Regiment

7. Three Companies Royal Artillery

*50,000 to 60,000 Militia one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Maritimes

1. 8th Foot 2nd Battalion
2. 98th Foot (partially in Bermuda)
3. 99th Foot
4. 104th Foot
5. Nova Scotia Fencibles 
6. Five Companies of Royal Artillery

*15,000 Militia one-third of which were “flank companies” which would receive better equipment and would be the units that typically saw action

Units Arrived or Raised in Canada by December 1812

Total 8,136 in the Canadas, and 4519 in the Maritimes

1. 1st Foot
2. 89th Foot
3. 103rd Foot
4. Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles Light Infantry; Formed in Upper Canada from Scottish Canadians

 Information, charts, and text from the excellent "The Napoleon Series"

Royal Marine Battalions in the War of 1812

Royal Marine Battalions in the War of 1812

Three Royal Marine Battalions fought in the War of 1812. Battalions fought at actions near Lake Ontario, and Southern Lower Canada (Quebec) and the attached artillery fought throughout Niagara. In 1814, these were heavily involved in the US counter invasion. Each battalion had attached artillery. The attached artillery fought in the blue and grey fatigues shown above. They would have been wearing a fatigue hat as shown. 

The plates above, and the information below were published by British artillery expert Carl Franklin. The complete article PDF is easily found online for more information. Though these are for the Royal Marine Artillery, I have included the text which explains that the  artillery had identical uniforms as the Marines. These are the best, and most comprehensive plates for these temporary formations. Unfortunately, no one makes these with regular back packs and pantaloons. Perry miniatures makes them, but with blanket rolls, they would be suitable for Egypt and the early Napoleonic Wars. Brigade Games sells heads and command packs. I am making my first unit a mix of Perry metals with a backpack swap, and the Brigade Games heads and command. I am not sure about the second unit yet. Alternatively, light infantry formations often left their packs behind so the the Brigade Games packs would do.

Two battalions were formed to defend Canada, and a third battalion of regular companies mixed with the Colonial Marines was formed in 1814 of freed slaves. The third battalion had 3 companies of regular marines, and 3 of Colonial Marines. The third battalion had 1 company of each fight at Bladensburg, and North Point. Afterwards, the 3 companies of freed slaves resettled in the Caribbean. All three battalions were divided again after the war. 

The 3 battalions would have had red jackets, and either "fast blue" or white pantaloons. The high gaiters shown in so many illustrations is not correct for in the field since these were full dress. Technically, white pantaloons were worn in warm weather, and fast blue in cooler climates. I will make one of each colour of pantaloons. Presumably marines serving in Canada would have had fast blue pantaloons. In the invasion of the US they could have worn either. It was summer when the Chesapeake happened so I would assume either colour could have been worn. All three units were present in the Chesapeake.

These units had standards, but I believe these were kept at headquarters, as these were ad hoc formations that filled somewhat of a light infantry role. I'm not certain of this, but it makes sense.

Each battalion had attached artillery these consisted of; 4 six pounders, 2 5.5 inch howitzers, 2 eight inch howitzers, 2 ten inch mortars, and a rocket section (equivalent of 2 cannons). The rocket sections would presumably have had all three types of rockets (small, mid, and heavy) the launchers varied for each (see my earlier article). Elements of these fought at many engagements, but seemed to mostly be divided up for different purposes.

Our wargaming group will be continuing to game the rest of the War of 1812 campaigns. The Chesapeake Campaign, New Orleans Campaign, The Western Theatre, and even Queenston Heights. After a long hiatus, The War of 1812 returns.