Some More About Patrick Gass-- Part 3: Met George Washington and James Buchanan

While stationed at Wheeling Creek, young Patrick Gass made the acquaintance of famed frontier scout Lewis Wetzel, whose accomplishments rivaled those of Daniel Boone, but who also had a deep hatred of Indians and rarely missed a chance to kill one.

With peace restored, Gass  became a carpenter, having bound himself in 1794 for  two years or more.  he built at least one house (which still stood in Wellsburg in 1859, and also worked on a house for Mr. James Buchanan, father of a boy who went on to become President of the United States.    Gass referred to the son as "Little Jimmy."

About this time , in 1794, Patrick also met  General Washington, when the latter led troops out to defeat the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794.  Patrick remained neutral in the fight, though.

Gass apparently stuck to his carpenter trade until at least until May 1799.  At that time, relations between France and the United States worsened and Gass enlisted in the 19th Regiment under General Alexander Hamilton.

He was sent to Harpers Ferry in June, 1800, but was soon discharged at Little York, Pennsylvania.  However, Gass found that he really enjoyed the military life, he immediately reenlisted under Major Jonathan Cass, the father of General Lewis Cass.

--Brock-Perry

Patrick Gass, Member Lewis & Clark Expedition and War of 1812 Veteran-- Part 1

I'd never heard of him before.  Looks like another trip to good ol' Wikipedia.

PATRCK GASS

(June 12, 1771 to April 2, 1870)

Served as a sergeant in the Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804-1806).  He was important to the expedition because  of his service as a carpenter and he published the first  journal of the expedition in 1807, seven years before the first publication based on Lewis and Clark's journals.

He was born in Pennsylvania and began his military career in  1792 in a Virginia militia or ranger company stationed in Wheeling (now West Virginia) fighting Indians.  In 1794, he helped build the house of James Buchanan, Sr., near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, and became acquainted with  the young future president of the United States, James Buchanan.

He joined the U.S. Army  in 1803 and served in Kaskaskia, Illinois, near St. Louis.

And, then he entered the history books.

--Brock-Perry

U.S. Presidents Who Served in the War of 1812-- Part 2: Andrew Jackson and Others

As mentioned in the previous post, James Buchanan served in the War of 1812 as a private in Henry Shippen's Company, 1st Brigade, 4th Division of the Pennsylvania Militia and participated in the defense of Baltimore.

As stated before, only two of the Founding Fathers served in the American Revolution, but a total of five were in the War of 1812.  Starting with Andrew Jackson (1829-1837) and then William Henry Harrison (1841), John Tyler (1841-1845), Zachary Taylor (1849-1850) and James Buchanan (1857-1861).

But, the War of 1812 is forever linked to Andrew Jackson who led American forces to victory at the Battle of New Orleans.  It was a battle where a ragtag American Army defeated a larger trained professional British Army in a battle that saved the Mississippi River from British control and was actually fought after the war was over, but due to slow communication no one knew it was over.

It should also be noted that Jackson's military career began when he was just thirteen.  as a teenager, he served as messenger for an American unit during the American Revolution.  But he was definitely not one of the Founding Fathers at that age.

Moreover, during his quite colorful life, Jackson took part in 103 duels -- however killing just one man.

--Brock-Perry

U.S. Presidents Who Served During the War of 1812-- Part 1

From the Feb. 14, 2021, National Interest  "Question;  Which presidents served in the U.S. military?" by Peter Siciu.

In honor of yesterday's Presidents Day, here is a look at some of the past presidents.  A total of 29 have served in the military.

The first president, of course, George Washington, was the leader of American forces in the Revolutionary War.  He was one of only two of our Founding Fathers to serve in the military, though.  

The other one was James Monroe, the fifth U.S. president who was an officer in the Continental Army, reaching the rank of major.  He was severely wounded at the Battle of Trenton.

Nearly all of the 29 military presidents were officers with the exception of James Buchanan, the 15th president.  He served as a private in the War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry