Greenbush in the War of 1812: The Cantonment-- Part 1

From Town of North Greenbush Notes:  Greenbush in the War of 1812" by Jim Greenfield.

No battles occurred in the old town of Greenbush, New York (Rensselaer,  East and North Greenbush) during the war, the area does have claim to fame because the U.S. Army constructed a large military post called the Greenbush Cantonment there.

The several hundred  acre cantonment was located near the present-day Red Mill School in East Greenbush.  During the war, over 5,000 troops trained there.

The Greenbush location was well located because it was near the action occurring at both the Niagara Frontier and Lake Champlain.

The commanding general of the cantonment was  Henry Dearborn, a veteran of the American Revolution.  One suspects he might have been well past his prime abilities.  Rather than a "fighting general" he was more of an administrative general" far from the battlefield.  Think General Halftrack from the "Beetle Bailey" comic strip.

--Brock-Perry

Greenbush Cantonment-- Part 1

Private Samuel Helms was executed here.  (See last three posts.)

From Fort Wiki.

Greenbush Cantonment (1812-1819)--  A U.S. Army  post established in 1812 during the War of 1812 in Renssalear County, New York.  Abandoned in 1819.

HISTORY

First established in May 1812 on 400 acres purchased by the government for training of troops.    Built on this site were accomodaqtions for  some 4,000 troops and included a 100-bed hospital.

A central core of  buildings, eight large enlisted barracks (252 feet by 22 feet) and three large officers barracks (90 feet long), housed the garrison.

--Brock-Perry

 

Training at Buffalo-- Part 2

Many have described this American camp as a basic training camp, but, in fact Scott was training the largesly experienced and battle hardened troops under his command to be able to meet the high standards of their opponents, the British Army. //// The accomplishments of Winfield Scott's soldiers at the battles of Chippawa and Lundy's Lane showed he was right to enforce this. //// --Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Timeline: Training At Buffalo-- Part 1

APRIL 22, 1814: A camp of instruction was established at Flint Hill near Buffalo, New York. //// For ten weeks during the spring of 1814, the Left Division of the U.S. Army trained under Brigadier General Winfield Scott at this camp. Under his direction, the soldiers trained for up to ten hours a day and strict discipline was enforced. //// Officers and nmen were both punished for infractions and four executed for desertion. //// Scott paid much attention to cleanliness and sanitation, virtually eliminating the sicknesses that had so decimated the Americans. //// --Brock-Perry