Lt.Col. William Sutherland Hamilton-- Part 1: Service

In the last post I mentioned this man as being responsible for recruiting troops for the U.S. Army from the state of North Carolina.

From Find-a-Grave

Lt. Col. in 3rd U.S. Rifle Regiment

First Lt. in 3rd U.S. Infantry.  resigned Nov. 1, 1812

Major 10th U.S. Infantry March 3, 1812

Lt.Col 3rd U.S. Infantry Feb. 21, 1814.

--Brock-Perry

Getting North Carolina Troops to Enlist: $8-12 a Month and 160 Acres

From NC1812 site.

U.S. Army Major William S. Hamilton was appointed to the rank of colonel and placed in charge of recruiting troops for the U.S. Army from North Carolina.  Pay was between $8 and $12 a month, plus a $124 bounty for enlisting and 160 acres of free land after the war.

Most North Carolinians served in the 10th U.S. Infantry Regiment under Col. James Wellborn of Wilkes County, North Carolina.  He resigned his commission in the N.C. militia to join the regular army.

Detached militia in North Carolina was 7,000 men.

--Brock-Perry

Back to N.C.'s Fort Hampton-- Part 2: General James Welborn

Back on June 18th, I mentioned that most North Carolinian soldiers during the War of 1812 were folded into the U.S. Army's 10th Regiment under Col. James Welborn of Wilkes County who had resigned his commission as general in the N.C. militia in order to join the regular army.

From Find-a-Grave.

General James Welborn.  Born Nov. 29, 1767 in Randolph County, N.C. and died Dec. 4, 1854 in Wilkesboro, N.C..  He is buried in the Welborn Cemetery.

There is a N.C. highway marker for him which reads:

"Served 27 years as state senator; Colonel in the War of 1812; delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1835.  Grave is 1/5 mile N."

--Brock-Perry

10th U.S. Infantry Regiment: Some Stationed at Fort Hampton

In the last entry, I mentioned troops from the 10th U.S. Infantry being stationed for a time at Fort Hampton in North Carolina.

From the N.C. War of 1812: The Known Military Units From North Carolina.

Most North Carolinians were folded into the U.S. Army's 10th Regiment under the command of Col. James Welborn of Wilkes County, who resigned his commission as general in the N.C. militia in order to join the regular army..

Although North Carolinians served in rifle companies and in the 12th, 13th, 15th and 43rd Infantry Regiments of the U.S. Army, the majority were in the 10th.

In the winter of 1813-1814, the 10th was moved to the war;s Northern Frontier.

The 10th was destined for the Canadian Front under Col. Welborn but never took part in the fighting as the war ended while they were enroute.

--Brock-Perry

N.C.'s Fort Hampton-- Part 6: British Never Attacked

The British never attacked Fort Hampton during the War of 1812.  However, a landing at nearby Ocracoke Island did cause some serious consternation.

And, this was a good things as there were definite problems with the fort.

One was the difficulty of keeping it garrisoned.  In July 1812, the Army withdrew its regulars posted there.  North Carolina Governor William Hawkins rushed militia in to take their place.  There was no attacks and they were withdrawn in November and replaced by a company of regulars from the 10th U.S. Infantry Regiment who stayed there nine months.

In July 1813, the British raided Ocracoke Inlet which set off a near-panic in the state, but even then the regulars were withdrawn and again militia was rushed in. and stayed there for the remainder of 1813.  The British later withdrew from Ocracoke of their own accord.

--Brock-Perry