Hints To Young Generals By Secretary Armstrong

Hints to young generals. by Secretary John Armstrong, written July 1, 1812:

Secretary Of War Armstrong

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President James Madison named John Armstrong to his cabinet as Secretary of War on June 14, 1813. Armstrong had served as minister to France but the appointment was really an attempt by Madison to build political alliances. Armstrong was a force in New York politics, and with so much military action taking place along the border with Canada, Madison needed the state firmly in his camp. Unfortunately, Armstrong proved to be a disastrous choice due to his political and personal shortcomings.

Armstrong’s chief qualities were described by at least one acquaintance as “obstinancy and self-conceit.”

Armstrong was the author of a book published in 1814 entitled “Hints to Young Generals.” Although he had no real military experience, this popular book established Armstrong as an expert at a time when the United States were desperate for military officers.

Organizing The New Army

 The Secretary of War Eustis, desiring Lieut. Col. Macomb, to assist him in organizing the new Army, called him from his duties as Chief Engineer for the Southern States, and appointed him, on the 28th April, 1812, Adjutant General at the seat of Government. In this momentous exigency, he was charged with the most important trusts. Every thing was to be remoulded and cast into a warlike frame." [Source]

Reply By Kosciusko Armstrong

Reply to Kosciusko Armstrong's Assault Upon Col. McKenney's Narrative of the ..., by Thomas Loraine McKenney:

...Narative of the Causes which, in 1814, led to General Armstrong's resignation of the War Office.

Kosciuszko Armstrong Defends His Father

Some background on the controversy regarding John Armstrong found here.


"...[Armstrong's] attention has lately been called to a work published by Thomas L. McKenney...contains dove-tailed among its chapters one of political reminiscence evidently intended as an attack on the late General Armstrong." 

"He [Colonel McKenney] was the leading member of the famous, or infamous, Georgetown mob Committee who waited on the President in 1814 to demand General Armstrong's removal from office."

Map Of Georgetown (Library Of Congress)

"He stands therefore before the public in a doubtful position denying the existence of a plot of which he was himself one of the most active and unscrupulous agents... ."

From Review of T. L. McKenney's narrative of the causes which, in 1814, led to General Armstrong's resignation of the war office  By Kosciuszko Armstrong [son of General Armstrong].

A Craney Island Report

From the Report of the Select committee... [previous blog post here]:

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General Robert B. Taylor's Official Report to the Secretary of War:

'The courage and constancy with which this inferior force, in the face of a formidable naval armament, not only sustained a position in which nothing was complete, but repelled the enemy with considerable loss, cannot fail to inspire the APPROBATION of their GOVERNMENT and the APPLAUSE of their COUNTRY.'

Degredation Inflicted By Armstrong

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The Life of Major-General William H. Harrison... ...:

General Armstrong's plan of the campaign submitted to the President on the 30th of April, 1814, left no doubt that General Harrison would not be assigned a command in the active operations of the year.

But the Secretary of War [Armstrong] was not content with the degredation he had inflicted upon the brave Harrison in withdrawing him from his command and withholding him from active service during the approaching campaign. 

He still persisted in interfering with his prerogatives as the commander of the district. His next unworthy act was to dispatch to Major Holmes, a subordinate officer at Detroit, an order to take two hundred men from that port and proceed on board of Commodore Sinclair's fleet destined for Mackinac. This proceeding on the part of the Secretary of War was a gross invasion of military propriety as well as a direct insult to General Harrison, whatever may have been the design.

Pre-War Deaths At Fort Adams

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From the American state papers: ...(investigation as to why so many soldiers were dying at Fort Adams):

Previous to the embarkation, 3 companies, of the 6th infantry, under the command of Major Pike, were ordered to the garrison of Orleans, and between the 1st and 12th of September, the army embarked, and, making some delay nearly opposite the city, owing, I think, very probably, to a defect in one of the artillery boats, proceeded, on the 23d, up the river, under the command of Major Backus, of the light dragoons.  I had been taken sick...followed the army...the General being ill in Orleans.

...two hospitals were established, one at Point Coupee, and one at Fort Adams, where the weakest of the men were left.... .

A description of Fort Adams and the Natchez, Mississippi, area, from Cuming's Tour To The Western Country (1807-1809):

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By Order Of The President?

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Taken from Opinions of attorneys general..., the Opinion of 25 January 1821:

After the opinion I had the honor to express to you in the case of General Armstrong on the 25th January last, there can remain no question of law in the case; the only question which can remain is one of fact, to wit: "Was the General's excursion to Canada by the direction or order of the President?"

Near Peoria

Below is a letter about Russel's Indian Expedition.

Camp Russel, October 31st, 1812.

Sir,
This will inform you, that I arrived at this place, from Vincennes, after general Hopkins had marched his mounted riflemen up to fort Harrison. I took with me, a part of three companies of United States' rangers, where I was joined by governor Edwards, with his mounted riflemen; the whole of our strength amounted to 360 privates. We penetrated very far into the Indian country, with an expectation of co-operating with general Hopkins, who, by appointment, was to meet us at the Peoria, on the Illinois river. In this, we were sadly disappointed, as we could get no intelligence of his army. This prevented us from tiding as much damage to the Indians, as otherwise we could have done. As our numbers were too weak to make any delay in that quarter; as this was farther than any troops had hitherto penetrated, we stole a march upon the celebrated Pimartam's town, situated about 21 miles above Peoria, and immediately at the head of Peoria lake. This was a well built town, and contained a number of Indians; between the town and river, was a
dismal swamp, in which they immediately flew for shelter, returning a few scattering shots. Our men nobly pursued them through the swamp; and also others, as they were crossing the Illinois river. 

Riverbank Near Peoria

The men also pursued them to the opposite bank, and brought back some of their canoes, and several dead bodies — the governor states, to be upwards of 20 killed, of the enemy. This was a flourishing town, with an immense deal of Indian plunder in it, together with a great deal of corn; all of which was committed to the flames. I believe not less than 80 horses fell into our hands belonging to the enemy. Several white persons' scalps were also found among their plunder. I had the immediate command of the battalion, and the superior command was retained by his excellency the governor. On this expedition we were fortunate; we had but 4 men wounded, none of which is mortal. This tour was performed from camp, and back to the same place, in 13 days.

I have the honour to be yours, &c.

W. RUSSEL,
Colonel 7th Dist. Comdg.

[To] The Secretary of War.

Who's Who (Including Isaac Hull)

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Figuring out who is who from the website 1812 And All That:

Isaac Hull (1773-1843), the naval officer, must be distinguished from his uncle William Hull (1753-1825), the incompetent general. The John Armstrong (1755-1816) who fought the Miamis at Eel River on 18 October 1790 where the Kentucky militia panicked and he lost his sergeant and 21 of his 30 regulars, and hid under a log until the Indians were gone, is not the same as the John Armstrong (1758-1843) of New York who married a Livingston, was minister to France, and became Secretary of War in 1813.

Unrecognized Heroics

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From A Sketch Of The Life Of General Towson...

Colonel Scott, to whom Captain Towson naturally looked for a report of his participation in the affair, was made prisoner at Queenstown, immediately after, and before he had an opportunity of mentioning the gallant achievement of the Captain.

The only report of the capture of the brigs therefore was made by the naval commander to whom the credit is due of originating the scheme. Lieut. Elliott received the thanks of Congress, while no notice was taken of Captain Towson; although the latter boarded and carried the Caledonia and afterwards by his persevering intrepidity saved her under circumstances of difficulty and danger, not less than those that caused the destruction of the other brig.

On the return of Lieut. Colonel Scott from captivity, some months afterwards, we are told he obtained a promise from Mr. Armstrong, then Secretary of War, to brevet Captain Towson for his highly distinguished part in that affair, but for reasons with which we are unacquainted, that promise was never fulfilled.

General Harrison's Army Crosses Lake Erie

He had plans to cross on September 23, 1813 (see letter excerpted below).

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From Indiana History's images:

A letter from General Harrison to Secretary of War Armstrong dated September 22, 1813, from Bass Island [in Lake Erie] indicated that:

"The greater part of the troops are here with me and the whole will I believe be up by twelve oclock.  I shall proceed as far as the middle sister up the course of tonight & tomorrow& in the following night get or near the enemies coast as to land two or three miles below Malden by eight o'clock in the morning... ."

See a map of General Harrison's troop movements.

Jacob Barker, Financier In The War

Jacob Barker (1778-1871), a wealthy man with power and influence, was fast friends with John Armstrong (among other famous persons) who was a Secretary of War during the War of 1812.  This information was confirmed per his biography, the Incidents in the life of Jacob Barker, of New Orleans, Louisiana: with historical facts, his financial transactions with the government and his course on important political questions, from 1800 to 1855.  One chapter was even entitled Defence of General John Armstrong.

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Jacob Barker's background:

"Doctor Benjamin Franklin and Jacob Barker both descended from John Folger and Meribah Gibbs; Peter, their only child,...married Mary Morrell...".  Their daughter, Abiah, was Franklin's mother and John Folger (Abiah's brother) was the ancestor of Jacob Barker.  Nantucket and early speculation in trade were part of Mr. Barker's early years.  On August 27, 1801, he married Elizabeth Hazard."

Financing the War of 1812:

"At the commencement of hostilities in June, 1812, I [Barker] had an immense amount of property at sea and could not form a correct opinion how my affairs would wind up. Although I sustained extensive losses, I still obtained a large amount safe back, which placed my affairs in a favorable train, so that in the March following, when Mr. Gallatin advertised for the sixteen million loan, I was enabled to lend him twenty-five thousand dollars and prevailed on many of my friends also to furnish him with considerable sums."

Apparently loaning money to the Government was not without political intrigue and personal ruin, as described in the book.

Source

Secretary Of War Armstrong's Bio

From An Earlier Blog Post

A history of the War Department of the United States: With biographical sketches of the secretaries provided a brief sketch of General Armstrong's service in the Revolutionary War:

"...appointed Secretary of War in January 1813 Mr Eustis having resigned. This office General Armstrong conducted with exceptional energy and good sense, effecting not a few salutary changes in the organization of the army. The sack of Washington, however, and ill fortune in the Canada campaign, produced a popular clamor against him and like Eustis he escaped to the wilderness of private life, carrying the sins of others on his shoulders." [ibid]

From earlier blog posts:

Was Armstrong a disastrous choice?  One of Secretary of War Armstrong's actions was to create nine districts.

John Armstrong, Secretary Of War

Source Of Portrait And Text:  The Military Heroes Of The War of 1812

Armstrong was not present in any battle during the war of 1812 [he was Secretary of War and "projector of the campaign of 1813"]... .  It can scarcely be said that he was a very able or a very fortunate leader.  None of his projects were crowned with success. Though he removed his department from Washington to the northern frontier in order to be nearer the scene of operations, he gained nothing from the step but the envy of his Generals.

Yet it would be improper to speak of Armstrong in a tone of unqualified censure.  He experienced many things to exasperate him... . The failure of the campaign of 1813 was far from being entirely his fault. In fact the very errors which led to that failure, he had early warned the commanding Generals against and the removal of the department to the northern frontier was projected in hopes to prevent by his presence unnecessary delays.

Captain Thornton Posey

From the Upper Mississippi Brigade website, The 7th U. States Infantry in the Midwest A Sketch of the Detachments of Captains Thornton Posey and Zachary Taylor, by David M. Grabitske:

"Thornton Posey was an immigrant from Virginia who was one of the first company commanders to be appointed on May 3. Recruitment proceeded very well during that first summer for Posey's nascent command. In early 1809 Posey received orders to move his men from the recruiting rendezvous to New Orleans and James Wilkinson's disease-ridden camp. On June 3, his men were formally transferred to George Rogers Clark Floyd's company. In the fall of that year the Sixth Infantry was broken up and also added to the Seventh."  [Links added to original article]

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Major Thornton Posey was a member of the Posey Family of Va. He enlisted in the regular army from Ky., in May 1808 and served till the end of the war of 1812. He arrived at Vincennes, July 5, 1810. [Alexander Posey was Thornton Posey's brother.]

Jim's Photo From Fort Knox II Near Vincennes, Indiana

Captain Thornton Posey killed Lieutenant Jesse Jennings during an altercation:

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The Niles' Weekly Register, Volume 1, told of the Thornton Posey/Jesse Jennings incident.

In a letter to Secretary of War Eustis, General Harrison related the following detail:

I am told also that Mr. Jennings told two different persons some time before that he would kill the Captain if he could. 

Secretary Of War Armstrong's 9 Districts

From Collections of the Nova Scotia Historical Society, Volume 11, an explanation of Secretary of War John Armstrong's 9 military districts:

 Dr. Eustis, the Secretary of War, was forced to resign to appease the popular wrath and was succeeded by John Armstrong, who had been Minister to France under President Jefferson, and was appointed a brigadier general at the beginning of the war.  Armstrong divided the country into nine military districts to each of which a general officer of the United States army was assigned whose duty it was to superintend all the means of defence within his district. This was done to prevent any difficulty arising from the interference of governors of states opposed to the war.

The districts were composed as follows: 1 Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 2 Rhode Island and Connecticut. 3 New York from the sea to the Highlands and the State of New Jersey. 4 Pennsylvania from its eastern limit to the Alleghany Mountains and Delaware. 5 Maryland and Virginia. 6 The two Carolinas. 7 The States of Tennessee Louisiana and the Mississippi Territory. 8 Kentucky Ohio and the Territorial governments of Michigan Indiana Illinois and Missouri. 9 Pennsylvania from the Allegheny Mountains westward New York north of the Highlands and Vermont. [Source]

Secretary Of War William Eustis

A biography of William Eustis, Secretary of War, from A history of the War Department of the United States: With biographical sketches of the secretaries .

He became Secretary of War in March 1809 and resigned because of Hull's Surrender of Detroit.

William Eustis was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on July 10, 1753, and graduated from Harvard in 1777. He served in the Revolutionary War as a surgeon.  In 1800 he was elected as a member of Congress.  In 1814 he was appointed as Minister to the Netherlands.  He was again elected to Congress and Governor of Massachusetts after that.  He died February 6, 1825.

John Armstrong - A Disastrous Choice?

From Rediscover 1812:

"President James Madison named John Armstrong to his cabinet as Secretary of War on June 14, 1813. Armstrong had served as minister to France but the appointment was really an attempt by Madison to build political alliances. Armstrong was a force in New York politics, and with so much military action taking place along the border with Canada, Madison needed the state firmly in his camp. Unfortunately, Armstrong proved to be a disastrous choice due to his political and personal shortcomings."
Armstrong’s chief qualities were described by at least one acquaintance as “obstinancy and self-conceit.”

Armstrong was the author of a book published in 1814 entitled “Hints to Young Generals.” Although he had no real military experience, this popular book established Armstrong as an expert at a time when the United States were desperate for military officers.

From History of the United States of America under the Constitution, Volume 2 :

See a portrait of John Armstrong here.