MS and LA in the War of 1812
I have 3 brothers that were in the same unit at the same time during the War of 1812. I have their compiled service records. None of them lived long enough to apply for a pension. Two lived long enough to get bounty land. They were in the 10 and 20 Consolidated Louisiana Militia. They enlisted in Feliciana Parish on 25 Dec 1814. So far so good. So here is the problem. They were Mississippi boys.
At first I thought maybe they had enlisted in a MS Militia unit that later merged with a LA Militia unit because according to Casey, Powell A. Louisiana in the War of 1812. Baton Rouge: privately published, 1963. there are examples of MS units merging into LA units but the 10 and 20 isn’t listed as one that had been recipients of MS soldiers. But now I am not so sure. I dug out the bounty land application I have that I haven't looked at in eons and he specifically said he enlisted in Feliciana Parish so there goes that theory right out the window. What I need more than anything is a detailed history of the 10 and 20 Consolidated LA Militia just to make double sure.
Here is why it matters… The first record I have for these three guys (other than the service records) is in Greene County, MS in 1816. Their daddy shows up in the 1816 tax roll, territorial census, and he bought land that year (May, June, and July of 1816 so it looks like he just got there). His land was in what would become Perry County. Both Greene and Perry are burned counties and Perry is a VERY burned county so, I am very happy to have what little I do have.
Two of the boys appear to be living with daddy in 1816 based on the ages in the 1816 territorial census. The 3rd boy was probably out on his own because he shows up for the first time in the tax records in 1817 (next son shows up in 1818, and last son shows up in 1820). All of them are right where they should be, nice and tidy. Two of the boys were born in SC (per the 1850 census). The 3rd falls off the planet after 1819. SC to the MS territory is perfectly normal. SC to LA to the MS Territory is not. They would have significantly backtracked. I just don’t buy it.
I can’t find daddy anywhere in MS (or LA for that matter) prior to 1816 (weird because he had 2 slaves and someone would want the tax money for that). So two questions…
1) Does anyone know if a history of the 10 and 20 Consolidated Louisiana Militia? Specifically, the 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade, 10 Regiment. (Capt. Vincent Chance's company and then later Capt. Thomas Neasom's company?) I have looked everywhere I can think of. I sent an email to the LA Archives but no answer yet.
2) Where the heck was daddy in 1814 and 1815? Any thoughts? Two of the boys were only 20 and 17 when they enlisted in 1814, and the third boy (probably the oldest since he showed up on the tax records first) was probably in his very early 20s. It is POSSIBLE (but not probable) that the boys came to MS (LA) first and daddy followed after. Not buying that either. And no, none of them have passports, that would have been too easy.
Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
Michele
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These boys enlisted rather late inn the war, the peace treaty was signed in Ghent on Christmas eve and they enlisted on Christmas Day. It is possible that the MS militia units were already gone from the region and the only choice thay had was to cross over into LA to join up.
Can you share the names of the three brothers and their father? Without this information it will be impossible to help you find them. Thanks.
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One possible scenario for the boys joining the LA militia is the timing. The British Fleet (dozens of ships) along with at least five brigades of infantry sailed up the Chesapeake to assault Baltimore in September 1814, they had orders to only attack the city if victory was certain. The infantry was landed at North Point and the fleet attempted to sail into gun range of Baltimore. The forces at Fort McHenry prevented the British ships from sailing close enough to the city to provide support (cannons, rockets, aerial bombs) for the land forces. As a result the entire force had to withdraw because they had orders to sail to New Orleans for arrival on a specific date in January.
It was no secret that New Orleans was to be attacked in early January so Jackson's forces were moved into New Orleans. Consider that the three boys were "chomping at the bit" to enter the war, and the family was heading to Mississippi anyway, why not go ahead of their father and enlist to fight at New Orleans? The Mississippi militia was elswhere and obviously not heading for New Orleans, whereas the Louisiana militia was most certainly going there. Several Louisiana militia groups were engaged in Jackson's Line and at other locations surrounding New Orleans when the British attacked on January 8. (Unfortunately, the exact units and where they were during the battle is unknown.)
Enlisting in Louisiana on Christmas Day 1814 was just about the right time to get to New Orleans in time for the battle two weeks later.
They may have met up with their father in Mississippi sometime after the battle. They would have needed to wait until they were released from the militia to go back to Mississippi. Some of the militia forces remained in New Orleans (for protection and to clean up the mess) until the war officially ended on February 18.
It is equally possible that the boys went back to SC and moved to MS with their father in 1816. You indicate that you have their CMSR, do they give a discharge date?
Have you considered contacting the National Park at Chalmette? One of the park historians may be able to shed some light on which units might have been there. They have a big encampment every January and a lot of the participants are historians of the War of 1812.
Do you know if the father sold land in SC before heading to MS? That could narrow the time frame of your search.
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