The U.S. Military Academy in the War of 1812

From Wikipedia.

Yesterday, I mentioned that there was the possibility that Thomas Adam Smith was appointed to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, but I wasn't sure when that institution came into being.

The USMA was established by President Thomas Jefferson in 1810 who authorized its establishment.  It officially began operations on 4 July 1802.  The first person, Joseph Gardner Swift, graduated in October of that year.

In the early years, however, there were few standards.  Cadets ranged in age from 10 to 37 and attended anywhere from six months to six years.

The impending War of 1812 caused the U.S. Congress to authorize a more formal; system of education and the size of the Corps of cadets was raised to 250.

So, Thomas Smith would have been among the first to graduate from the USMA.

--Brock-Perry

Thomas A. Smith, U.S. Army in Patriot War-- Part 2

At the close of the War of 1812, he was assigned to command the Ninth Military District at St. Louis and served until he resigned in 1818.  After his military career, he settled in Saline County, Missouri where he died June 25, 1844.

Fort Smith, Arkansas, founded 1817,  is named after him.  It served as a major U.S. fort during the 1800s and was quite involved with Indian dealings and in the Civil War was occupied by both Confederates and later Union forces.

The town that grew up around it, Fort Smith, is the second largest city in the state of Arkansas.

--Brock-Perry

Thomas A. Smith, U.S. Army in Patriot War-- Part 1

From the FortMose.com site.

On Wednesday, I blogged about the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen being commanded by Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith in the attack on Fort Mose outside St. Augustine, Florida.

Thomas Smith was born in Essex County, Virginia in 1781 and his family later moved to Wilkes County, Georgia (also an area tied up with the George Matthews, governor of Georgia and commander of the Patriots).

He was appointed from Georgia (no mention of appointed to what, but here I imagine he was appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point) and promoted to 2nd lieutenant in 1803.  Smith advanced through the ranks to Lt. Colonel by 1810 and was appointed to the rank of colonel while doing duty in Florida.

After Florida, he joined General Harrison's army and served in the Armies of the North, rising to the rank of brigadier general in January 1814.

--Brock-Perry

The Patriot War and Fort Mose-- Part 2

In March, these forces seized Fernadina on Amelia Island, right on the Georgia border.  Next order of business was to capture St. Augustine, further south.

On April 12, 1812, the First Regiment of U.S. Riflemen under the command of Lt. Col. Thomas A. Smith, occupied Fort Moosa (Fort Mose) near St. Augustine.  The Spanish attacked and drove Smith back to an encampment further from St. Augustine.

On May 11, 1812, the Spanish set fire to the fort to prevent it being reoccupied by the Americans in another attempt at taking St. Augustine.

--Brock-Perry