History of Croghan's Company / 17th U.S. Infantry
The 17th U.S. Infantry was raised in Kentucky in 1808 in response to rising tensions between the US and Great Britain. The first action seen was assignment to Ft. Deviance on the Maumee River. The men suffered from a short supply of rations because of poor roads, and winter clothing vailed to arrive until late in the year, and soon a supply depot was set up in late 1812 at what is now Ft. Meigs.
On January 16th 1813, a council of war advanced to the River Raisin. Col. Wells and the 17th were ordered to stay. Ammunition was short, only about 10 rounds per man were available. In the aftermath of the battle, the American Prisoners and wounded were left behind in Frenchtown as the British crossed the frozen lake to Ft. Malden. Without restraint, the Indians began to kill the wounded and the prisoners. The River Raisin Massacre, as it was known, led to the later battle cry of Remember the Raisin.
The American Army spent the next several months fortifying its position on the Maumee, anticipating further British attacks began preparations for the upcoming campaign season with the buildup of supplies and a reorganization of the Northwest Army.
The anticipated British attack begun in late April.1813 as advanced forces began to arrive on the North bank of the Maumee. Captains Croghan, Bradford and Holt’s companies of the 17th were cited for distinguished valor by Gen. Harrison for their assault on the British batteries firing on the American right flank. The British withdrew, but returned again in July to make another siege attempt with even less success.
The 17th under command by now Major Croghan and Lt. Shipp, were assigned to defend Ft. Stephenson, which was lightly defended and only had one 6 pound gun. By judicious use of grapeshot and a lack of spirit among the British assault party, Croghan was able to defend his post. This, despite disobedience to orders to abandon the fort, made Croghan a hero and he was breveted to Lt. Colonel.
Following Admiral Perry’s victory on Lake Erie, the 17th was sent back to occupy Detroit with the bulk of the Northwest Army. With a reduced need for men, the unit was detached with the 19th infantry for operations on the Niagara frontier. Arriving in Buffalo, they were to prepare for the invasion of Canada. Enroute to Niagara, they were diverted to a raid on Dover, Canada on May 14. Their orders were to burn food stores and public property.
The main invasion began on July 2nd with the attack and capture of Ft. Erie from the British. Assigned to Gen. Ripley's brigade, the unit was attached to the 21st infantry along with the 19th infantry. Together they were participants in the battle of Lundy's Lane on July 25th, attacking the British center. Withdrawing to Ft. Erie, they remained for the siege of the fort by the British. Following the abandonment of Ft. Erie by the Americans in the fall of 1814, the 17th regiment was taken into winter quarters in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The 17th was disbanded when the war ended in December.
The 17th U.S. Infantry was raised in Kentucky in 1808 in response to rising tensions between the US and Great Britain. The first action seen was assignment to Ft. Deviance on the Maumee River. The men suffered from a short supply of rations because of poor roads, and winter clothing vailed to arrive until late in the year, and soon a supply depot was set up in late 1812 at what is now Ft. Meigs.
On January 16th 1813, a council of war advanced to the River Raisin. Col. Wells and the 17th were ordered to stay. Ammunition was short, only about 10 rounds per man were available. In the aftermath of the battle, the American Prisoners and wounded were left behind in Frenchtown as the British crossed the frozen lake to Ft. Malden. Without restraint, the Indians began to kill the wounded and the prisoners. The River Raisin Massacre, as it was known, led to the later battle cry of Remember the Raisin.
The American Army spent the next several months fortifying its position on the Maumee, anticipating further British attacks began preparations for the upcoming campaign season with the buildup of supplies and a reorganization of the Northwest Army.
The anticipated British attack begun in late April.1813 as advanced forces began to arrive on the North bank of the Maumee. Captains Croghan, Bradford and Holt’s companies of the 17th were cited for distinguished valor by Gen. Harrison for their assault on the British batteries firing on the American right flank. The British withdrew, but returned again in July to make another siege attempt with even less success.
The 17th under command by now Major Croghan and Lt. Shipp, were assigned to defend Ft. Stephenson, which was lightly defended and only had one 6 pound gun. By judicious use of grapeshot and a lack of spirit among the British assault party, Croghan was able to defend his post. This, despite disobedience to orders to abandon the fort, made Croghan a hero and he was breveted to Lt. Colonel.
Following Admiral Perry’s victory on Lake Erie, the 17th was sent back to occupy Detroit with the bulk of the Northwest Army. With a reduced need for men, the unit was detached with the 19th infantry for operations on the Niagara frontier. Arriving in Buffalo, they were to prepare for the invasion of Canada. Enroute to Niagara, they were diverted to a raid on Dover, Canada on May 14. Their orders were to burn food stores and public property.
The main invasion began on July 2nd with the attack and capture of Ft. Erie from the British. Assigned to Gen. Ripley's brigade, the unit was attached to the 21st infantry along with the 19th infantry. Together they were participants in the battle of Lundy's Lane on July 25th, attacking the British center. Withdrawing to Ft. Erie, they remained for the siege of the fort by the British. Following the abandonment of Ft. Erie by the Americans in the fall of 1814, the 17th regiment was taken into winter quarters in Erie, Pennsylvania.
The 17th was disbanded when the war ended in December.