The skeleton of the 1st Infantry left Belle Fontaine, on April 23rd, for Pittsburgh. They sailed down the Mississippi river and cordelled up the Ohio in six keelboats. The 1st Infantry arrived at Pittsburgh near the end of June and remained until after the 4th of July, which was “duly celebrated there.”
At Pittsburgh, the regiment organized into three companies. John Cleeves Symmes, had been appointed from the Northwest Territory. The 34 year old New Jersey native, was the senior Captain and his company had been designated as the first company in line. Lt. Vasquez took command of the second company. Commanded by Captain Hamilton, the old Fort Madison garrison comprised the third company. Hamilton was the son-in-law of Captain John Whistler of the 1st Infantry, captured at Detroit.
Before the three companies had left Cantonment Belle Fontaine on the Missouri River, they had drawn new arms and accouterments. While at Pittsburgh, the regiment received clothing and some new equipment, including the new leather “tombstone” caps on July 3rd. Unfortunately, it would not be till October 28th that they would receive the plumes, cap plates, and cockade and eagles for the caps. The regiment had never been issued canteens, and only a third of the men had gun slings. Only the Sergeants had been issued gun worms, screwdrivers, and “brush and prickers.”
These men were unfortunately use to shortages in clothing and equipment. As of March 1st 1813, the Fort Osage garrison company were still wearing the 1810 coatee when they were finally issued the 1812 coatee. Then, this same company received the 1813 coatee on November 1st. Thus, this company actually wore three different coatees during the year of 1813.
While at Pittsburgh, the three companies, under the command of Lt. Col. Robert Carter Nicholas, began to drill as a battalion. For companies of the 1st Infantry Regiment, this was entirely novel to have more than two companies drilling together. It had been at least five years since more than two companies had the opportunity to drill together. Eventually, the 1st Infantry received their orders to “…join Gen. Brown on the Canada line.”
Lt. Bissell had been appointed to Regimental Quartermaster and collected the wagons and provisions to march across country. Sgt. Davenport wrote that they “…crossed the mountains on forced marches and arrived at Presque Isle (Erie).” The regiment crossed very rough country and after arriving at Erie, they were reviewed.
On July 21st, 220 men of the 1st Regiment embarked on the schooners Ohio and Tigress. The regiment landed at Fort Erie, where they crossed the river to Black Rock, and then marching north to Fort Schlosser, just above Niagara Falls, arrived on July 25th. General Jacob Brown wrote on the 25th that, “the reinforcements ordered from the West have not arrived.” General Brown was totally unaware that the 1st Regiment was at Fort Schlosser and would be crossing the Niagara River late in the afternoon.
Using large flat bottomed scows, Lt. Col. Nicholas began crossing the men in the first and second companies. Lt. Bissell recalled that they had just got over the river when he heard firing by Scott’s Brigade, who were just below the falls.
"On the Canada Line” The Story of the 1st United States Infantry at the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, July 25th 1814
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© Copyright 2005 by Rich Barbuto.
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