James R. Hinds Organization of the U.S. Infantry in 1845

The local military miniature group is the Military Historical Society of St. Louis. I hope to join them soon, provided they are not appalled by foreigners seeking admission.

The organization of the U.S. Infantry in 1845 was:

Regiment: One battalion of ten companies, two of them flank. The regimental staff included Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, Adjutant, Quartermaster, Paymaster, Sergeant Major, and (at times) a band. Each company had One Captain, one each First and Second Lieutenant, a First Sergeant, two Sergeants, four Corporals, and 42 privates. Battalion strength was about 547 officers and men.

In 1846 the company strength was raised (according to the Calhoon expansible army plan) to 100 man officially, but I doubt if the regular ranks were ever so completely filled. I would guess that the average war strength was somewhere around 65 to 75 men.

In 1845 there were two regiments of dragoons, four regiments of artillery, and eight of infantry.

Taylor's forces in the Texas Border area (excluding Wool's Second Division and the militia) included the 3rd, 5th, 6th, and 8th Infantry Regiments, the 1st Artillery Regiment, and three companies of the 3rd Artillery Regiment including the famous "B."

The Mexican infantry organization seems to have had a regiment of two battalions, each of eight companies, including one of grenadiers and one of light infantry. (in the line battalions, of course.) The regimental staff had a colonel, lieutenant colonel, two lieutenants, two sub- lieutenants, two surgeons, two chaplains, a drum major, a bugle corporal, two pioneer corporals, 16 pioneers and two armorers. Each company had a captain, a lieutenant, a sublieutenant, first sergeant, four sergeants, nine corporals, and 80 privates. However, it is just as likely that the Mexicans were under-strength as the Americans, in fact, even more so. Someone once estimated that up to half of the paper strength of the Mexican Army was just that. So my guess is that both armies' infantry companies were about the same strength on the average.

Mark S. Joy

Enclosed find $3.50 for a one-year subscription. I have just about worn out the sample copy.

We have started a small wargame club, tentatively called the Central War Game Society, comprising all of three members, all in high school, at the present time. We have been playing some modem an Civil War games, but are looking forward to medieval and Napoleonic games in the near future.

Many thanks for presenting the war gaming fraternity with an authorative magazine. Keep up the good work.

Ed Derocher

I'd like to comment on your article on painting of flats, mainly because for me the thing was perfectly timed. It may have gotten me started on the road to becoming "hooked on the things."

Arnold J. Hendrick

I like very much your magazine. I only wish it were larger. Good luck in the future with it. If you are in the need of writers, my specialty is WWII. I do a lot in naval affairs as well as land battles. I could provide battle reports and rules; I'll be glad to he any way I can, although my first alligience is to the Courier for obvious reasons.

ED: Great - we can use any articles.