Military Monday: More Information on Andrew Russell, Private in 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Militia, War of 1812

 My 5th-great-grandfather Andrew Russell was a private in Tunstall Quarles' Company of Infantry, 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Militia during the War of 1812. According to the book Soldiers of the War of 1812, the men in the company were enlisted from 1 September 1812 to 1 October 1812. I recently received Andrew Russell's compiled service record from the National Archives and Records Administration, and found out that he served with the company for a longer period of time. He was enlisted from 1 September 1812 to 30 March 1813.

The 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Militia Reenactment Group has a unit history on their Web site. By looking at the history and the compiled service record, I can see what Andrew was doing during the War of 1812.

The unit history states that the 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Militia was formed in Frankfort, Kentucky on 1 September 1812. The regiment marched to Lexington, Kentucky, and then went to Newport Barracks in Newport, Kentucky. The men received 2 months' advance pay at Newport.

The company pay roll dated 30 November 1812 states that Andrew Russell was advanced ten dollars at Newport.

Compiled service record, Andrew Russell, Pvt., Tunstall Quarles' Company of Infantry, 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Militia, War of 1812. Record Group 94. National Archives, Washington, DC.

By mid-September, the men had arrived at General William Henry Harrison's headquarters in St. Marys, Ohio. They then headed north and constructed Fort Jennings. It was completed in October 1812. They remained at Fort Jennings on garrison duty.

Several months later, the men headed further north, and got as far as Put-in-Bay, Ohio. They were then sent back to Cincinnati, and were discharged in 1813.

According to the company muster roll dated 9 March 1813, the company marched 164 miles to the rendezvous, and 164 miles back. They marched about fifteen miles per day.

Compiled service record, Andrew Russell, Pvt., Tunstall Quarles' Company of Infantry, 2nd Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Militia, War of 1812. Record Group 94. National Archives, Washington, DC.