McAfees and Kin in the War of 1812
A post from
The pioneer McAfees have been well documented. The lives and exploits of James Jr., George, Robert, Samuel, and William are well known to us all, but after that very little is known of the clan outside of your own line.
Throughout our history, every generation has it's own defining moment. In my grandfather's day it was the First World War. For my dad and his brothers it was WWII and Korea, and as a child I can recall the thrill of watching the television as the Apollo missions blasted off for the moon.
It was no different for the children and grandchildren of the pioneer generation. As they came of age, so did America itself. The patriot generation had made a stand, and fairly won our independence, and set us on a course of creating an infant nation. Just like an infant child falls many times before it finally walks, the new country faced many stumbling blocks on it's path to prosperity. One of the first obstacles on this path was the War of 1812.
Thanks to George Rogers Clark's campaign to conquer the northwest territory of what is now Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. The end of the Revolution gave the United States ownership of this vast frontier. However, decades later, the British had failed to abandon their forts on the northern fringes of this territory. The powers that be, believed that the British still had some designs on reclaiming this area, and maybe even the whole country. Although careful not to openly engage in armed conflicts, the British maintained a presence among their former Indian allies, and constantly incited them to attack the isolated frontier settlements. On the east coast of America and on the high seas, American shipping was often preyed upon as American sailors were kidnapped and pressed into British service.
From all corners of the nation came the cry of outrage, and it was apparent the time was near to (excuse my terminology) pea or get off the pot. The final straw came in 1811, when General William Henry Harrison defeated a confederated Indian army at a place called Tippecanoe, and found dozens of brand new British made muskets among the fallen warriors, and in June 1812 in response to these outrages, President Madison petitioned Congress to declare war.
Of course a general history of this war can be found very easily, and every middle school history book gives the details of how Washington D.C. was captured and burned, How Francis Scott Key pinned the Star Spangled Banner as watched from a distance the bombing of Fort McHenry, and how Andrew Jackson pushed back an invading army at New Orleans, but little justice is given to the important role the state of Kentucky had during the war.
It should noted here that although the United States initiated the conflict, the British had anticipated it, and were more prepared to facilitate a war. Therefore, it is no surprise that the early days of the war had not gone well for the American. By August, Fort Mackinac had fallen, the garrison at Fort Dearborn was massacred by Indians, and the biggest blow of all, Fort Detroit was surrendered without so much as a cannon shot.
For those who might not understand the dire situation of these events, save the few garrison troops that manned a handful of scattered forts in the region, there was no army left. The 2500 man U.S. regular troops, along with the state militias of Ohio and the Indiana Territory became POW's when Detroit fell. The Indians waged an all out war on the settlements, and the heart of the country was open to invasion from Canada. The only military presence available to counter this threat was the Kentucky militia.
From this time forward until the British were soundly defeated at the Battle of the Thames, and the Indian alliance reduced to insignificance, every battle fought on this front, the Americans were almost entirely represented by the citizen soldiers of the Kentucky militia, or Regular U.S. Army units recruited from Kentucky.
It should further be noted, that while battles in the east were carried out by conventional armies and maintained some degree of civility as certain "rules of engagement" were adhered to, and prisoners of war were provided for as well as circumstances allowed, but on the frontier no such civility could be found. Most of the Indian tribes aligned themselves with the British. Over 40 years of conflict with Kentuckians had fueled a great fire of hatred between the two. These battles were highly contested on both sides and falling into enemy hands often meant a cruel death for the entertainment of the captors. It is no wonder that this hatred resulted in very high casualty rates, and in fact out of all the American battlefield deaths suffered during the war, 69% were from Kentucky.
Here are some company muster rolls that contain some names I'm sure you might recognize, accompanied by my own research of unit histories.
Captain Peter Jordan's company of Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Barbee's regiment Kentucky Militia.
Enlisted August 23, 1812 for a six month duration.
| Officers | Privates | |
| Peter Jordan Capt. John R. Cardwell Lt. Hugh Evens Ensign John Jordan Orderly Sergeant James Watson Sergeant John Moore " John Sharp " Benjamin Hawkins Corp. John Cardwell " Garrett Jordan " David Foreman " |
Armstrong, William Adams, Samuel Akins, Wells Adams, Andrew Agon, William Burton, John Buntain, Andrew Barnes, Richard Bright, William Bishop, Dan Davis, William Evans, Nathaniel Gilkerson, William J. Green, Thomas Higgins, Thomas Hughes, Rueben Jordan, Garrett Jr. Lewis, John Lyon, James Lillard, John Mann, Thomas McGarn, William McGatheridge, William McIntire, John Neal, Robert Noel, Joel Passmore, Elias Slaughter, William B. Slaughter, Francis T. Slaughter, Edmond Server, Christopher Sall, Benjamin Sennett, John Sale, Clayton Wicoff, John |
Captain James Ray's company Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia under regimental command of Colonel Samuel South. Enlisted September 18, 1812 - October 30, 1812 (No known service details)
| Officers | Privates | |
| James Ray Capt Samuel McCoun Capt George McAfee Lt. Samuel McAfee Ensign James McAfee sergeant Joseph Blackwell " Clark McAfee " John Kennedy " Francis Cunningham Corp. John Curry " John Armstrong " William Riley " |
Adams, John Adams, Samuel Allison, Samuel Allen, John Booker, Nicholas Meaux, Nathaniel B. Bingham, John Hybarger, Joseph Kennedy, James Kirkpatrick, James Kencer, John Lowery, Joseph McDonald, John A. McAfee, John McAfee, Robert McClary, Robert McKamey, Robert Nivens, James Rynerson, Isaac Rynerson, Barney Robinson, Israel Smock, John Slaughter, William H. Sniddy, Robert Thompson, George C. Wilson, John Wilson, Samuel |
Capt. Robert B. McAfee's Company of Colonel Richard M. Johnson's Regiment Kentucky Mounted Infantry. Enlisted May 20, 1813 - November 20, 1813.
In response to orders of Colonel Richard Johnson his regiment of mounted militia rendezvoused near Great Crossing in Scott County, and proceeded north to the theater of operations against the enemy. After reaching their post, Johnson's men were engaged in various duties , including scouting for enemy activity in the area, re-supply of outposts, and marched against enemy Indian towns which were found to be abandoned. In the late summer of 1813 Johnson's regiment passed over the battlefield of the River Raisin and while camped here recovered and buried the remains of a good number of Kentuckians massacred here nine months before. Over the next few days Johnson led his men through Detroit and into Canada in pursuit of General Proctor's army. In Early October, the mounted regiment was joined by General Harrison and Governor Shelby in command of over 3000 Kentuckians and on the 5 of that month met the British and their Indian allies in a decisive battle on the River Thames where over 600 British regulars were captured and the great war chief Tecumseh was killed, breaking the alliance and effectively ending all hostile activity in that sector. . In response to orders of Colonel Richard Johnson his regiment of mounted militia rendezvoused near Great Crossing in Scott County, and proceeded north to the theater of operations against the enemy. After reaching their post, Johnson's men were engaged in various duties , including scouting for enemy activity in the area, re-supply of outposts, and marched against enemy Indian towns which were found to be abandoned. In the late summer of 1813 Johnson's regiment passed over the battlefield of the River Raisin and while camped here recovered and buried the remains of a good number of Kentuckians massacred here nine months before. Over the next few days Johnson led his men through Detroit and into Canada in pursuit of General Proctor's army. In Early October, the mounted regiment was joined by General Harrison and Governor Shelby in command of over 3000 Kentuckians and on the 5th of that month met the British and their Indian allies in a decisive battle on the River Thames where over 600 British regulars were captured and the great war chief Tecumseh was killed, breaking the alliance and effectively ending all hostile activity in that sector. According to McAfee's account of the battle, Johnson's mounted men were divided to give support to two advancing columns. His company was attached to the wing opposing the British troops, and after breaking through the enemy lines gave pursuit of General Proctor, who made an escape from the battle. McAfee's company numbering over 100 men was the largest in the regiment, and was given the honor of guarding the captured British officers and men taken prisoners after the battle.
Muster Roll of Robt. B. McAfee's Company (from his Journal)
Capt. Thomas P. Moore's Company of Major Peter Dudley's regiment Kentucky mounted Volunteer Infantry. Enlisted Sept. 20, 1814- November 20, 1814.
Took part in MacArthur's Raid 250 miles behind enemy lines into Canada. This regiment was initially raised in response to threat that Indians around the Great Lakes were once more rumored to be rejoining the British war effort, but upon arriving at the lakes, found no such threat existed, and the British had conceded the Northwest and abandoned the area. However, the war in the east had not been as successful for the Americans. At present an American Army at Fort Erie had been under siege for sometime, and on the verge of falling. General McArthur crossed into Canada and engaged the enemy from the rear. Fought six small battles at Oxford, Burford, Grande River Bridge, Malcolm's Mill, Dover, and Savareen's Mill. Each of these battles were of little consequence, but the raid overall caused great distress among the enemy, captured every militia and garrison post that opposed them, captured countless food stores, and destroyed munitions of war of every sort. The British were forced to respond and immediately diverted troops from the Fort Erie operation to meet the threat. McArthur however had already accomplished what he had set out to do, and was on the way back to friendly territory. The Americans trapped in Fort Erie were able to escape. (Muster Rolls not complete, Only A thru L)
| Officers | Privates | |
| Thomas P. Moore Capt. John R. Cardwell Lt. John Sharp " Richard Powers Ensign John Jordan Sergeant John Singleton " Joseph Lowery " James Cardwell " Samuel Robertson Corp. Burris Adkins " Elijah Vorhis " Reuben Hawkins " |
Adams, John Adams, Samuel Barlow, Hastings Crawford, Hugh Coulter, Starling Davenport, Allen (Luther's ancester) Davis, Briant Elliott, John Evans, W.M. Frazier, Robert Frazier, James Guthrie, Robert Godbey, Robert Green, Martin Green, Thomas Green, Samuel Hughes, Stephen Hughes, Reuben Hawkins, Benjamin Hawkins, James Holeman, Robert Howard, Eppy Highbarger, Joseph Hungate, John Hale, Charles Jordan, Garrett James, Robert Lamb, James Laferty, Bales Lillard, John Lillard, Christopher Lewis, Thomas Lewis, William M. Lockhart, Levi |
Capt. George McAfee's Company of Lieutenant Colonel Gabriel Slaughter's regiment Kentucky Detached Militia. Enlisted November 10, 1814 for a 4 month period.
On October 14th, 1814, Governor Shelby issued a call for men for the New Orleans campaign, and in response, Col. Gabriel Slaughter began assembling men to form a regiment for duty, which was mustered into service Nov. 14, 1814. Along with the call for men, came a promise from the U.S. Quarter master of arms, munitions, and transportation down river, but these supplies were slow to materialize. Believing that the promised supplies would catch up, the Kentuckians departed with half rations, few blankets and tents, and no pay, on board boats that were mostly unfit to carry men across the river let alone fifteen hundred miles downstream. The supplies never came, and on January 4, 1815, the Kentucky troops arrived at New Orleans almost destitute of clothing, blankets, and munitions of war. The winter weather of 1814/15 was unusually severe with daily downpours of rain. They entered into camp without tents, blankets, or straw for bedding, on open, miry ground as the temperatures hovered near freezing. The Louisiana legislature and the citizens of New Orleans quickly answered the call and furnished what supplies that could be spared. Nonetheless, just over half the Kentuckians could be adequately armed, and as a result those without arms remained in a reserve position during the battle. About eleven hundred Kentucky boys secured arms and Slaughter's regiment took it's place among them on the firing line to await the British advance. The details of the battle of January 8, 1815 are well documented and will not be repeated here, but it should not be forgotten that these men from Kentucky who bore the brunt of the assault, were not professional soldiers. They were family men, farmers, and tradesmen whose pride in country had called them away from a plow to travel fifteen hundred miles from home and hearth to confront an enemy army covered in glory from European battlefields of the Napoleonic Wars. After the battle the troops remained at New Orleans until March 18, 1815. On this date the militias of Kentucky and Tennessee were released to return home. It was a long hard journey along the Natchez Trail, and the sufferings of disease and hardships claimed more men than the battle itself. They arrived back in Central Kentucky about May 1, 1815.
| Officers | Privates | |
| George McAfee Capt. William Bohon Lt. John M. Jordan Ensign John Lewis Orderly Sergeant Julius Rucker 1st Sergeant James Pierson Sergeant Samuel Trouer " John Cochran " Anderson Powers Corp. Daniel Bohon " Daniel Hay " Thomas Robards " |
Adams, Alexander Barnes, Zachariah Brim, Landy Brown, Thomas Buntain, Samuel Bradshaw, James L. Berns, Phillip Bryant, Daniel Bradley, Jacob Barclay, David Cummings, Alexander Curry, Thomas Combs, Joseph Cummings, Abraham Coovert, Simon Curry, James Cooney, James (note) Cooney, Daniel Davis, George Dean, William Dodson, George Duncan, William Ellis, Daniel Foreman, Jacob Goodnight, Alexander Green, William Gilmore, Joseph Gabbert, James Harlow, Thomas Haley, Edmund Hulton, John Horn, John Horn, Phillip Hall, Barnet Johnston, William Jones, William Jones, Thornton Kirkham, Joseph Knox, George C. Kirkpatrick, James Lytle, Lewis Lockhart, Lwvi Lewis, Elijah Lister, Cornelius Lister, Stephen McAfee, Samuel McDonald, Clement McCoy, Joseph Mcminney, William Mulikin, John Montfort, Jacob Mitchel, Jacob Napier, William Poulter, Joseph Pierson, Joseph Phillips, Aaron Preston, George Quigley, John Ray, William Rynerson, Jacob Rains, Allen Roberts, William Ruby, Jacob Robertson, Samuel Roberts, James Silyers, John Short, James Short, William Shields, William Sams, Russell Sample, James Short, Coleman Sallee, Rany Stone, Levi Thomas, Thompson Towner, Samuel Thompson, George Toomy, Isaac Thomas, Edmund G. Voris, John Violet, Sinclair Walker, John Wilson, John H. Wells, John sr. Wells, John Jr. Wilson, Anthony Whitberry, Jacob Weathers, Thomas Yeast, Jacob |
Note added 16 Aug 2020: James Cooney was omitted from the original transcription of the muster rolls, but Linda Brines provided documentation of James Coooney's inclusion in Capt. George McAfee's Company (document 1 and document 2).