United States Rangers in the War of 1812 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids United States Rangers |
|
|---|---|
| Founded | 1812 |
| Country |  United States |
| Allegiance |  United States Army |
| Branch | Cavalry |
| Type | Light cavalry |
| Role | Reconnaissance |
| Size | 17 companies authorized |
| Disbanded | 1815 |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Captain Nathan Boone |
The United States Rangers were a special group of soldiers. They were first formed to fight in Tecumseh's War. This was a conflict against Native American tribes. After the United States declared war on Great Britain, the Rangers kept serving. They helped protect the frontier from hostile Native American groups.
Seventeen separate companies of Rangers were approved. These companies came from areas like Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. The Rangers were not like the regular army or local militias. Instead, they were volunteers who became part of the U.S. war effort.
Contents
How the Rangers Started
After the Battle of Tippecanoe, there was a worry about more Native American attacks. To prepare for this, the United States Congress created the United States Rangers. This happened on January 2, 1812.
The law to create them was renewed in 1813. More Ranger companies were added during the War of 1812. The President of the United States decided which states or territories could raise these companies. The Rangers were not a militia. They were a part of the official United States Army during the war.
How the Rangers Were Organized
The 1812 law allowed the President to create up to six Ranger companies. These could be volunteers or men who signed up for one year. Two companies were from Ohio, and the rest from Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois.
By June, the Secretary of War, William Eustis, said that these six companies were placed along the borders of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Louisiana. In July, one more company was approved. Then, in February 1813, ten more companies were added. Four of these new companies were from Indiana, three from Illinois, and three from Missouri.
Each Ranger company had specific leaders:
- 1 Captain
- 1 First Lieutenant
- 1 Second Lieutenant
- 1 Ensign (a junior officer)
- 4 Sergeants
- 4 Corporals
- 60 Privates (regular soldiers)
The officers were paid the same as officers in the regular army. The soldiers earned $1 a day if they brought a horse. If they didn't have a horse, they earned $0.75 a day. There were no higher-ranking officers like majors or generals in these companies.
| Rangers from Indiana, Illinois and Missouri | ||||
| Date | Officers | Non-commissioned officers | Soldiers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 1, 1813 | 4 | 8 | 61 | |
| Jan. 13, 1814 | 4 | 11 | 91 | |
| July 23, 1813 | 4 | 11 | 104 | |
| May 15, 1815 | 13 | 28 | 271 | |
| Oct. 20, 1815 | 5 | 11 | 81 | |
| Source: | ||||
In 1813, Congress changed the rules for the ten new companies. Each of these companies would have:
- 1 Captain
- 1 First Lieutenant
- 1 Second Lieutenant
- 1 Third Lieutenant
- 1 Ensign
- 5 Sergeants
- 8 Corporals
- 90 Privates
| Rangers Officers 1813 | ||||
| Captains | First Lieutenants | Second Lieutenants | Third Lieutenants | Ensigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 11 | 11 | 8 | 10 |
| Source: | ||||
What the Rangers Did
The main job of the Rangers was to protect the frontier from Native American attacks. They were trained and equipped for this specific type of service. The Rangers would patrol the frontier areas. If they found any hostile Native American war parties, their mission was to stop them.
Rangers operated in several territories. These included Ohio, Illinois Territory, Indiana Territory, and Missouri Territory. The Ranger companies from Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana Rangers were led by Colonel William Russell. He was from the 7th U.S. Infantry. The Missouri Rangers were controlled by Governor Benjamin Howard.
When the Rangers Ended
The United States Rangers continued to serve until June 15, 1815. On that date, the units were officially disbanded.
