West Point Graduates Killed in Action During the War of 1812-- Part 1

From For What They Gave.com

CLASS OF 1806

ELEAZOR WOOD--  Killed in sortie from Fort Erie, Upper Canada, on 17 September 1814.

Although not killed in action, WILLIAM PARTRIDGE was the only other member of the Class of 1806 to die while in service during the War of 1812 after his capture at Detroit.  He died 20 September 1812.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806, William Partridge-- Part 3: Broke His Sword Over His Knee and Threw the Pieces at Hull

William was born in 1788 in Vermont.  In July 1812, he became a captain and engineer in William Hull's army at Detroit.  Ill health prevented him from action in the campaigning that led to Detroit's surrender

Before he decided to surrender, Hull called a council of war with his officers to get their opinions.  Not a single one was in favor of surrender.  Hull then announced his intention to surrender anyway and ordered Captain Snelling of the 4th U.S. Infantry "to cross the river under flag."

Snelling replied, "I'll see you in hell first."  Then Hull ordered his aide-de-camp, Captain Hull to to it.  (I wonder if this Hull was related?)

Captain Partridge, one of those in attendance at the council, angrily broke his sword over his knee and threw the pieces at Hull's face.

Partridge became a prisoner and died a month later.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: William Partridge-- Part 2: Died Before Exchange

At the time of Detroit's surrender, William Partridge was too sick to attend to duty and died before he was exchanged on September 20, 1812, at age 24.

William Partridge was listed along with Alden Partridge as "the best Mathematicians in the Academy.'  they were double first cousins as their fathers, who were brothers, married sisters.  William was the son of Isaac Partridge (1761-1835).  Isaac was the steward of West Point until he was removed from that position 30 March 1815.

A steward at West Point was involved in boarding of the cadets.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: William Partridge-- Part 1: Corps of Engineers

Eighteenth graduate of USMA at West Point.

December 13, 1805- October 30, 1806.

There was another Partridge who graduated from the USMA in 1806, Alden Partridge.  I'm wondering if they were related?

Commissioned 2nd lieutenant in Corps of Engineers.  Served at West Point in 1807 and then as assistant engineer in construction of defenses at Charleston, S.C. 1808-1810.

Promoted to 1st Lt. Corps of Engineers Feb. 23, 1808.  Served at West Point 1810 to 1812.  Captain Corps of Engineers July 1, 1812.

He was chief engineer in the Campaign of 1812 in Michigan Territory in the army of Major General William Hull and, because of Hull's surrender of Detroit on August 16, 1812, became a POW.

--Brock-Perry

Ensigns We Will Be-- Part 2: Anchorman Means Last in Class

Louis Loramier was commissioned an ensign in the U.S. Army on graduation and did not make the rank of 2nd lieutenant until 20 January 1808.  He resigned 31 December 1809 to become a farmer in Missouri.

The last man of the next class, Samuel Noah, was also appointed an ensign in the 2nd U.S. Infantry.  he became a 2nd lieutenant 18 August 1808 and 1st lieutenant 6 November 1810, before resigning 13 March 1811.

He then volunteered in the Patriot Army in Mexico and took part in the capture of San Antonio.

In the War of 1812, Noah served as a volunteer in the defense of Brooklyn but his commission was not restored.

Next, Some Famous Anchormen.  --Brock-Perry

Ensigns We Will Be-- Part 1: What Is An Anchorman?

From the March 20, 2008, Gray Matter "Ensigns We Will Be" by J. Phoenix, Esq.

Now, USMA graduates are commissioned 2nd lieutenants on graduation day, but this was not always so.  Some early graduates were commissioned 1st lieutenants or even captain right away.  Still others became ensigns (even though they weren't in the Navy).  Evidently, this was not a good thing, probably meaning you graduated last in your class.

The first USMA graduate to be commissioned as an ensign was Louis Loramier, a classmate of Alden Partridge and anchorman of the Class of 1806.  Upon graduation 14 November 1806, he became an ensign in the 1st U.S. Infantry.

And, What Exactly Is An Anchorman?  --Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: Louis Loramier-- Part 3: A Political Appointment by Jefferson

From Thayer's Note on Louis Loramier.

He was appointed to the USMA by Thomas Jefferson "to be of usefulness of winning over key Creoles in the just acquired Louisiana Territory.."

So, his appointment was essentially a political one.  Have a son of a Creole serving in the U.S. Army would only approve relations and make the French Canadians feel more like a part of their new country.

Louis' father was born in Canada and is considered the first European settler in the Cape Girardeau area.  The father played a key role in the rapid switch of the area from Spain to France to the United States during the Louisiana Purchase.

Louis retired to be a farmer and died in Cape Girardeau.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: Louis Loramier-- Part 2: Commissioned an Ensign?

In the last post, I mentioned that Louis Loramier was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Army.  I had always believed that the rank of ensign was one more associated with the Navy.  He later did get a commission as a second lieutenant before resigning three years later in 1809 to become a farmer.

I'll have to find out more information about the ensign thing.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: Louis Loramier-- Part 1

Cadet July 17, 1804 to November 14, 1806.  Commissioned an ensign with 1st Infantry.

Became 2nd Lt. 1st Infantry Jan. 20, 1808.  Served on Western Frontier 1806-1809.  resigned December 31, 1809 and became a farmer near Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

Died December 31, 1831 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

--Brock-Perry

West Point Class of 1806: Robert Lucas-- Part 3

In late January 1814, Secretary of War John Armstrong ordered Wilkinson to detach a division of 2,000 men to Sackets Harbor and to fall back with his main body of troops to Plattsburgh, New York, on Lake Champlain.  The sick and wounded were to be moved to Burlington, Vermont.

Robert Lucas was one of those sick men, but he didn't make it to Burlington as he died February 4, 1814, at French Mills, New York, at the age of 26.

--Brock-Perry

West Point Class of 1806: Robert Lucas-- Part 2: Winter Quarters at French Mills, NY

Continued from March 3, 2016, post.

After the British victory at Crysler's Farm 11 November 1813, the defeated American army under Major general James Wilkinson went into winter quarters at French Mills, New York, by the Canadian border.

The Americans arrived at French Mills with few supplies and, because of the poor state of roads, lack of transport and draught animals and the inefficiency of the Quartermaster General's Department, it was impossible to supply his army.

Sickness increased until there were no less than 450 sick men in the hospital at Malone, New York and many more in French Mills.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: John D. Wyndham: Drunken or Disloyal?

Continuing with our look at this early class of West Point Cadets, and largest by far up until then.

Was a Cadet May 27, 1805 to November 14, 1806.  Second Lt. Regiment of Artillerists.  , 1st lt. Jan. 29, 1811.  Served in garrisons at Atlantic posts.  Dismissed March 14, 1812, for "Drunkenness of Duty."  Died 1813, at age 30.

Before becoming a cadet, he had been an officer in the British Army from which he had retired.  Another source says he was discharged for disloyalty, a likely reason  because he had been in the British Army and with war clouds on the horizon.

--Brock-Perry

French Mills, NY, in the War of 1812-- Part 1: Not That French Mills

From Wikipedia

In the last post I mentioned that Robert Lucas, a member of the USMA Class of 1806 died at French Mills, NY, in Feb. 1814.  I did some further research.

FRENCH MILLS, NY

Site of a sawmill which started making clothes in 1795 under owner Peter K. Broek.  This is not the French Mills to which the U.S. Army under General Wilkinson retired to after the Battle of Crysler's Farm.

FORT COVINGTON, NY

In 2010, the population was 1,671.  It was originally named French Mills.  In July 1813 a blockhouse was built here to shelter wounded soldiers and to provide winter headquarters.  It was named after Gen. Leonard Covington, a casualty of the War of 1812.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: Robert Lucas Died at French Mills, NY

This was another Robert Lucas, not the one I wrote about from Scioto County, Ohio, who went on to become a governor of Ohio and territorial governor of Iowa.  Whether he was related to that Robert Lucas is not known to me.

West Point graduate No. 23:  Robert Lucas.

Cadet from Dec. 29, 1804 to Nov. 14, 1806.  Appointed 2nd lieutenant, Regt. of Artillerists Nov. 14, 1806.  Served in garrisons along the Atlantic coast 1806-1810.  Resigned Oct. 31, 1810.

Reappointed to Army with rank of major in 22nd Infantry, March 3, 1813.  Served during the War of 1812 on the Northern Frontier, 1813-1814 and was engaged in the capture of Fort George, Upper Canada, on May 27, 1813 and was in General Wilkinson's Descent of the St. Lawrence River in 1813.

Died Feb. 4, 1814, at French Mills, New York, at age 26.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: Ethan Alphonso Allen-- Part 2

Cullum's Registry.

No. 22  Was a cadet Dec. 10, 1804, to November 14, 1806 when graduated and promoted to 2nd Lt. Regiment of Artillerists.  First Lt. Oct. 1, 1809.

During the War of 1812 at Norfolk and Craney Island, Va. 1812-1813.  At lake Champlain in 1814.

Transferred to Corps of Artillerists May 12, 1814.

Captain Corps of Artillerists July 25, 1814.

Craney Island 1815-1821.  Superintendent of Regimental Recruiting Services 1818-1828.

Resigned 1821.

Civilian History:  U.S. Inspector of Customs on Canada Frontier 1821-1823. Farmer in Norfolk County, Va. 1823-1833.  merchant Norfolk, Va. 1833-1834.

Died Jan. 6, 1855 in Norfolk County, age 66.

USMA Class of 1806: Ethan Alphonso Allen-- Part 1

Ethan Alphonso Allen was born the same year, 1789,  his father died, the famous Revolutionary War hero Ethan Allen of Green Mountain Boys fame..Allen's two youngest sons both graduated from the USMA and his grandson Ethan Allen Hitchcock was a Union general during the Civil War.

Ethan Alphonso Allen is buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.

Born October 24, 1789 in Vermont.  Died January 6, 1855 in Norfolk, Virginia.  His father, Ethan Allen died February 12, 1789.

--Brock-Perry

USMA Class of 1806: Thomas Bennett

From Cullum's Register.  Graduate #21.

No. 21Appointed from New Jersey.  Cadet USMA July 8, 1803, to Nov. 14, 1806. Graduated and appointed 2nd Lt. in Regiment of Artillerists (RoA).  Served in various garrisons along Atlantic coast 1806-1812.  1st Lt. RoA Aug. 1, 1809 and Captain RoA June 20, 1813.

Duty at Fort Independence, Massachusetts and Fort Constitution, New Hampshire during the War of 1812.

Garrison at New London, Ct. 1815-1816, Pittsfield, Mass. 1816, Castine, Maine 1816-1817 and Portsmouth, New Hampshire 1817-1818.

Died at Fort Constitution, N.H. on September 26, 1818, at age 30.  Fort Constitution guarded Portsmouth, N.H..

--Brock-Perry

Class of 1806: Joseph Proveaux-- Part 3: Passionate About Dueling

Joseph Proveaux was nominated for the USMA from South Carolina and was one of the first cadets at that institution.

From the "Memoirs of Gen. Joseph Swift"  He was USMA graduate #1 in 1802.  One of a class of two members and future superintendent of the academy.

He had this to say about Joseph Proveaux:  "Joseph Proveaux from Charleston, S.C., a youth of seventeen, of generous spirit but passionate, addicted to dueling and much opposed to study."

 Proveaux must have been quite a character and live wire.I can find little about his death, but several sources say he was killed on November 10, 1813, in a duel.

--Brock-Perry

Class of 1806: Joseph Proveaux-- Part 2: A Revolutionary Father

Joseph Proveaux was a West Point cadet of Artillerists and Engineers.

From Anthony Proveaux site.

There was a Captain Adrian Proveaux who fought in the American Revolution.  He was born in Hispaniola and came to the colonies to fight for independence.  He was at Charleston, S.C. and fought at the Battle of Fort Sullivan (later renamed Fort Moultrie).  Was a member of the Society of Cincinnati made up of former American officers.

Resided in Charleston afterwards and had three sons, one of whom was Joseph Proveaux.

--Brock-Perry

Class of 1806: Joseph Proveaux-- Part 1: One of the First Cadets

From Cullom's Register.

Cadet at USMA to November 14, 1806.  Graduated as the 20th USMA member and assigned to 2nd Light Artillery.

Served in garrisons at Atlantic posts 1806-1812  On duty in South 1812-1813 in the Regiment of Artillery.

Died Nov. 10, 1813 at ____, age 30.  From South Carolina.

One of nine cadets when West Point opened on July 4, 1802.

--Brock-Perry