William Whistler-- Part 1: Over 60 Years in U.S. Army

From Wikipedia.

John Whistler's son, who accompanied him to Fort Dearborn, was born in 1780 and died in 1863.

He was commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Infantry in June 1801 and promoted to 1st lieutenant in 1807 and captain in December 1812.

When the Army reorganized after the War of 1812, the 1st Infantry was redesignated the 3rd Infantry.

Brevetted to major in 1822 and served ten years at that rank.  In April 1826 he was assigned to the 2nd U.S. Infantry and became lieutenant colonel of the 7th Infantry in July 1834.

Colonel of the 4th U.S. Infantry July 1845.  Retired April 1861 and died December 4, 1863.

--Brock-Perry

Josiah Bacon Gets Gravestone-- Part 2

While in Indiana with the 4th U.S. Infantry, he served as quartermaster and became a friend of William Henry Harrison.

Six months after the Battle of Tippecanoe, the 4th U.S. was at Detroit during the War of 1812 and Josiah Bacon and his wife were taken prisoner by the British when General Hull surrendered.  Later he was freed and returned to Boston

He served a few terms as representative from Sandwich in the state assembly.  In 1841, he was appointed by President William Henry Harrison to the Marine Hospital in Chelsea and led that hospital for eleven years.

In 1852, he took $1,000 of his money and helped create Sailors' Snug Harbor of Boston to help old and infirm sailors.

Quite a Life.  --Brock-Perry

Josiah Bacon Gets Gravestone-- Part 1

From the Oct. 17, 2015, Boston Herald "War of 1812 vet with storied history gets Everett gravestone" by O'Ryan Johnson and Matt Ingersoll.

A Boston man who fought at the Battle of Tippecanoe, befriended a governor who became president, was taken prisoner by the British and founded Sailors' Snug Harbor has been honored.

A gravestone was unveiled by a grandson at Woodland Cemetery in Everett for Lt. Josiah Bacon, a veteran of the War of 1812.

He was a soldier, a leader of the Whig party in Massachusetts, state representative from Sandwich and a philanthropist.

In 1808, he joined the 4th U.S. Infantry and was called to help Indiana Governor William Henry Harrison quell an Indian uprising.

--Brock-Perry

West Florida's Col. William King-- Part 1: Fort King Named for Him

I have been writing about Florida's Fort King in the last two posts.  It was named for William King.

From Wikipedia.

Born in Delaware in the late 18th century.  Died in January 1826.

U.S. Army officer and military governor of West Florida from May 26, 1818, to Feb. 4, 1819.  He was appointed by Andrew Jackson who led the U.S. occupation of Spanish West Florida during the First Seminole War.

King was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1808 and served in the War of 1812.  In 1813, he was promoted to colonel and led the 4th U.S. Infantry regiment.  After the war, he served with Jackson in the First Seminole War and was with him during Jackson's controversial 1818 invasion of the Spanish colony of West Florida.

--Brock-Perry