2nd Infantry Regiment (United States) - War of 1812

War of 1812

In the War of 1812 units of the 2nd Infantry fought several engagements with the British. The regiment was made famous by the gallant defense of Fort Bowyer, in Alabama, on 15 September 1814 when 120 2nd infantrymen held off four British vessels and a motley force of 130 Royal Marines, 100 Spanish infantrymen, and some 600 Indians. The 2nd Infantry losses in the battle were 4 killed and 4 wounded while the British suffered 32 killed and 40 wounded and the loss of one ship. Major William Lawrence, who was in command of the fort, was brevetted for gallantry in this action, together with Captains Chamberlain, Brownlow and Bradley. Lieutenants Villard, Sturgis, Conway, H. Saunders, T. R. Saunders, Brooks, Davis and C. Saunders, were all mentioned by General Jackson in dispatches.

Captain John M. Davis of the regiment was made a brevet major for gallantry at the siege of New Orleans in December 1814 and several companies of the 2nd Infantry were in New Orleans at the time of the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

On 11–12 February 1815 the British attacked Fort Bowyer again. Major William Lawrence of the 2nd Infantry was still in command there. Jackson had reinforced Lawrence, who now commanded some 370 troops from the regiment, and had three long 32-pounders, eight 24s, six 12s, five 9s, a mortar and a howitzer. After a five day siege the British forced Major Lawrence, who had been wounded, to surrender Fort Bowyer. Their victory was short lived because several days later they learned that the war had already ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on 24 December 1814. Still, the British had captured the regiment's colors, which are on display at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, England. Several requests have been made for their return to the regiment, which the British have declined. This battle is considered the last battle of the War of 1812.

In the spring of 1815 the 2nd Infantry Regiment was consolidated with the 3rd, 7th and 44th Infantry Regiments, all located in Military District #7, to form a new 1st Infantry Regiment and a new 2nd Infantry Regiment was formed. Thus the chronicles of the original Second Infantry came to an end.