2nd Infantry Regiment (United States) - Origins

Origins

Although the present regiment was formed 12 April 1808, on 3 March 1791 Congress added to the Army a "Second Regiment of Infantry" to aid in combating Indian attacks in the Northwest Territory. On 4 March 1791 John Doughty was appointed Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the regiment but he resigned from the Army on 12 March 1791 in protest of the reduction of enlisted pay. Before resigning he appointed John Toomy as the first sergeant major of the regiment. Sergeant Major Toomy and Sergeant Pollesey, who was appointed regiment quartermaster, were charged with establishing the regiment’s headquarters at Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania. On 22 October 1791 Lieutenant Colonel James Wilkinson was then appointed Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the regiment but he did not take command until January 1792. The regiment was to be made up as follows, a lieutenant colonel commandant, two majors, eight captains, eight lieutenants, eight ensigns, one surgeon, two surgeon's mates, and eight companies of about 100 men each.

Recruiting began almost immediately in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The companies were known by their commanding officer's name and the first one formed was under the command of Captain Robert Kirkwood. Between March 1791 and May 1792 all recruits passed through New Brunswick Recruit Barracks in New Jersey for outfitting and then on to Fort Pitt.

From Fort Pitt the regiment moved down the Ohio River by barge to Fort Washington (Cincinnati) in the Northwest Territory, where Governor Arthur St. Clair had established his headquarters. On 4 October 1791, the Army under the command of St. Clair commenced a campaign against the Miami Indians. On 4 November 1791 about 60 miles from Fort Washington the Indians, numbering not more than one thousand, surprised the Army and put it to flight with great slaughter. The American Army numbered 1483, of these 38 officers and 593 men were killed or missing and 31 officers and 252 men were wounded, many of whom later died. Of the 2nd Infantry it is estimated that 101 enlisted were killed, 54 wounded and 50 missing, presumed dead. Seven officers, including Major Jonathan Heart who was in command of the regiment and Captain Robert Kirkwood, were killed and one wounded. On the day of the battle St. Clair’s army consisted of the following: US Battalion of the 5th Artillery, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1st and 2nd Regiment of Levies, a company of Pennsylvania militia, and a Kentucky militia regiment. The 1st Infantry Regiment was not present at the battle.