War of 1812:  Overview of the Fourteenth

The War of 1812 saw the 14th re-constituted, shouldering muskets, and burning powder in defense of the nation.  12 March 1812 serves as the earliest date of service for any of the officers.  On that date, Lt Col. Charles G. Boerstler would have been the senior officer present for duty.  Lt Col Boerstler would remain senior until Colonel William Henry Winder took command on 6 July, 1812.

Command of the 14th would change one more time.  Col Winder was promoted to Brigadier General on 12 March, 1813 and Lt. Col. Boerstler became Colonel and the 14th’s second Commander during the war on 20 June, 1813.  Other senior officers that served included:

Lt Col Ephraim Whitlock (Capt in Revolutionary Army)

Major Cary Nicholas

Major Samuel Lane

Major, then Lt Col Timothy Dix Jr.  Died in service from causes unrecorded.

Junior officers included Ensigns, 3 Lieutenants and 2nd Lieutenants.  These were well represented by: 

1. Ensign John Dix;

2. Ensign, 3rd Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant John Lynch (KIA)

3. 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant George Murdock

4. Ensign, 3rd Lieutenant Henry Parker (KIA)

5. 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Captain Thomas Randall

6. Ensign, 3rd Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant William Shade

7. 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant John Thompson.

Also included in these ranks are those enlisted men who went on to become officers in the 14th, like:

Sergeant, Ensign 3rd Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant William Thompson

Ensign, 3rd Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant Daniel McCrimmin, enlisted before coming to the 14th.

1st Lieutenants and Captains were represented by the likes of:

1st Lieutenant, Captain Thomas Karney (first known Irish born officer of 14th);

Captain William McIlvain

1st Lieutenant, Captain Joseph Nelson

1st Lieutenant, Captain Benjamin Nicholson (KIA).

Ensign John Adams Dix would serve in the Army until his resignation in 1828 and then would serve again from 1861-65 as a Major General of Volunteers during the Civil War.  2nd Lieutenant George Murdock would continue his service until 1824.  1st Lieutenant Joseph Nelson would serve in the Army until he died, still active duty, in 1843.

Surgeons and surgeons mates were present within the ranks of the 14th.  Surgeon John Young headed up the medical team.  The Surgeon’s Mates in assistance were: Samuel Magruder, George Nicolas and William Sloan.  Heitman’s indicates that around two officers died for every one that was killed.  Poor field sanitation was most probably the main culprit, although exposure and poor food undoubtedly contributed to the loss of officers and men alike.

The 14th is credited with going into action at Ft. Niagara, Frenchman's Creek, capture of Ft. George, Beaver Dams, Chrystler’s Field, De Coles Mill, Chippewa and Cooks Mill.  Not included in this list is the capture of York UC, but Capt Benjamin Nicholson died of wounds received at that battle and why it is not included is a mystery to the author.

Possible relatives were:

Ensign John Dix and Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Dix (father), both from NH

2nd Lieutenant John Thompson and Ens William Thompson from Md.

The only brevet given to an officer while in the 14th was to 1st Lieutenant Thomas Karney.

The 14th again furled its colors on 15 June 1815.  Those colors would gather dust for another 32 years.

Acknowledgements:
War of 1812:  Overview
Copyright © 2012  14th Infantry Regiment Association
Last modified: January 20, 2013