
Rank-and-File: Baltimore Yagers and Maryland Militia laws march to the Supply Tent: Uniforms Muskets or Rifles? von Steuben Manual, Smyth's for Maryland Militia Light Infantry Companies in the Militia Laws Muskets or rifles ? There are no known State records indicating the Baltimore Yager company was ever assigned to, or served with, any Maryland Militia Rifle Battalion at any time. The records of some of its soldiers (who later filed for Federal pensions based on their service) in the National Archives use a pre-printed form showing "Sadtler's Rifle Company". But this is still under investigation and is in conflict with the surviving contemporary Company records found in the Maryland Historical Society. There is a possibility that after the British invasion was repulsed in September, 1814 that the Yager Company was reassigned yet again, and/or redesignated a Rifle company. But of the surviving records or historical accounts of their tactical deployment researched so far, none indicate the company changed its name, arms, or its training and tactics. Incidentally, many companies remained in active duty status until well into November, until it was certain the threat was past. Certainly, the historical newspaper accounts of the time show that the Third Division, which included the Third Brigade, was placed into Federal service in August, 1814. But there is no indication that State militia forces had to rename their units after being called into Federal service. Unless new documents are discovered, the preponderance of data favors the original source documents of the era (i.e. those in Maryland Historical Society and Maryland Archives), rather than the later name used by the National Archives or War Department. The extant company records in the Maryland Historical Society reveal the Yagers were organized with the Thirty-Ninth Regiment prior to May 1813. By August, 1814 the Baltimore Yagers Company was assigned to the "dandy" Fifth Regiment. One of their number is known to have been wounded at Bladensburg. Both Major Pinkney's Rifle Battalion and several rifle companies of District of Columbia rifle companies were in General Stansbury's first battle line at that battle. But there are no known records or descriptions of that battle that indicate that the Baltimore Yagers company was employed in any way other than a line infantry company. If they were actually detailed to function as light infantry or skirmishers further forward of their parent Fifth Regiment, no record of it is known at this time. At North Point, we have some records which are more detailed. General Stricker's report on the Battle of North Point (see link elsewhere) mentions how he deployed Captain Sadtler's company some 40-50 yards forward of the main line before the battle. They occupied a log house and were to use it for cover until forced back. They had orders to torch the small log building before withdrawing back to the main lines, thus depriving the British of its cover. General Stricker later reported that the Yagers were not ordered back into the main line, after returning from the log house. Stricker also did not order the infantry companies of Levering and Howard, who had just returned from a separate advance party with Major Heath, back into the line. Considering that Stricker's forces were seriously outnumbered, even though in a good defensive position, this suggests the service already performed by these three companies was exacting enough to warrant a rest -- even in the face of a superior foe who were already advancing in attack columns and lines. 1) The manner in which this company was employed; 2) the similarity of the style of their uniform to that worn by other Maryland militia infantry (unlike the known rifle battalion uniforms); and 3) their reported black crossbelts (as often worn by light infantry of the period) -- taken together suggests appearance and training similar to US Infantry battalion companies which could also deploy as flank companies and act as light infantry. Back to Top von Steuben Manual Exercise for Maryland Militia The following printing order by the legislature in 1808 documents the intent for Maryland militia to use Baron von Steuben's Regulations for the Infantry of the US. Note: See the Company Clerk/Drill Manuals document for von Steuben's manual exercise. RESOLVED, That the printer to the state print twenty-five hundred copies of the militia law of this state, stitched in form of octavo, to which the militia law of congress shall be annexed, and Steuben's directions for the manual exercise; and it shall be the duty of the executive of Maryland to forward, as soon as possible, to each major-general ten copies, to each brigadier-general sixteen copies, to each commanding officer of a regi- ment forty copies, to the commander of each extra battalion twenty copies, to be distributed to the commission- ed officers of their respective regiments, or extra battalions, as the case may be; and the treasurer of the west- ern shore is hereby authorised to pay the expense of the same out of any unappropriated money in the trea- sury. Back to Top Light Infantry Companies in each Regiment Excerpt from Maryland Session laws of 1811. The Fifth Regiment had a attached rifle battalion. Stricker's Brigade also had several companies of artillery attached to it, at the battle of North Point on September 12, 1814. One of the Fifth Regiment's companies was the independent uniformed First Baltimore Light Infantry Company, which traced roots back to the Revolutionary War. One of the Baltimore County militia infantry regiments was also organized with at least one rifle company. So we see that the organization within the 3rd ("City") Brigade followed the 1811 law in actual practice in the crisis of the Summer of 1814. "51. AND BE IT ENACTED, That out of the mi- litia enroled as is in this act directed, there shall be form- ed for each battalion, at least one company of grenadiers, riflemen or light infantry; and that to each brigade there shall be at least one company of artillery, " Back to Top Document Last Updated: 12/26/2006
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Rank-and-File: Baltimore Yagers and Maryland Militia laws

march to the Supply Tent: Uniforms

Muskets or Rifles?

von Steuben Manual, Smyth's for Maryland Militia

Light Infantry Companies in the Militia Laws

There are no known State records indicating the Baltimore Yager company was ever assigned to, or served with, any Maryland Militia Rifle Battalion at any time. The records of some of its soldiers (who later filed for Federal pensions based on their service) in the National Archives use a pre-printed form showing "Sadtler's Rifle Company". But this is still under investigation and is in conflict with the surviving contemporary Company records found in the Maryland Historical Society.

There is a possibility that after the British invasion was repulsed in September, 1814 that the Yager Company was reassigned yet again, and/or redesignated a Rifle company. But of the surviving records or historical accounts of their tactical deployment researched so far, none indicate the company changed its name, arms, or its training and tactics.

Incidentally, many companies remained in active duty status until well into November, until it was certain the threat was past. Certainly, the historical newspaper accounts of the time show that the Third Division, which included the Third Brigade, was placed into Federal service in August, 1814. But there is no indication that State militia forces had to rename their units after being called into Federal service. Unless new documents are discovered, the preponderance of data favors the original source documents of the era (i.e. those in Maryland Historical Society and Maryland Archives), rather than the later name used by the National Archives or War Department.

The extant company records in the Maryland Historical Society reveal the Yagers were organized with the Thirty-Ninth Regiment prior to May 1813. By August, 1814 the Baltimore Yagers Company was assigned to the "dandy" Fifth Regiment. One of their number is known to have been wounded at Bladensburg. Both Major Pinkney's Rifle Battalion and several rifle companies of District of Columbia rifle companies were in General Stansbury's first battle line at that battle. But there are no known records or descriptions of that battle that indicate that the Baltimore Yagers company was employed in any way other than a line infantry company. If they were actually detailed to function as light infantry or skirmishers further forward of their parent Fifth Regiment, no record of it is known at this time.

At North Point, we have some records which are more detailed. General Stricker's report on the Battle of North Point (see link elsewhere) mentions how he deployed Captain Sadtler's company some 40-50 yards forward of the main line before the battle. They occupied a log house and were to use it for cover until forced back. They had orders to torch the small log building before withdrawing back to the main lines, thus depriving the British of its cover. General Stricker later reported that the Yagers were not ordered back into the main line, after returning from the log house. Stricker also did not order the infantry companies of Levering and Howard, who had just returned from a separate advance party with Major Heath, back into the line. Considering that Stricker's forces were seriously outnumbered, even though in a good defensive position, this suggests the service already performed by these three companies was exacting enough to warrant a rest -- even in the face of a superior foe who were already advancing in attack columns and lines.

1) The manner in which this company was employed; 2) the similarity of the style of their uniform to that worn by other Maryland militia infantry (unlike the known rifle battalion uniforms); and 3) their reported black crossbelts (as often worn by light infantry of the period) -- taken together suggests appearance and training similar to US Infantry battalion companies which could also deploy as flank companies and act as light infantry.

von Steuben Manual Exercise for Maryland Militia

The following printing order by the legislature in 1808 documents the intent for Maryland militia to use Baron von Steuben's Regulations for the Infantry of the US.

Note: See the Company Clerk/Drill Manuals document for von Steuben's manual exercise.

RESOLVED, That the printer to the state print twenty-five hundred copies of the militia law of this state, stitched in form of octavo, to which the militia law of congress shall be annexed, and Steuben's directions for the manual exercise; and it shall be the duty of the executive of Maryland to forward, as soon as possible, to each major-general ten copies, to each brigadier-general sixteen copies, to each commanding officer of a regi-
ment forty copies, to the commander of each extra battalion twenty copies, to be distributed to the commission-
ed officers of their respective regiments, or extra battalions, as the case may be; and the treasurer of the west-
ern shore is hereby authorised to pay the expense of the same out of any unappropriated money in the trea-
sury.

Light Infantry Companies in each Regiment

Excerpt from Maryland Session laws of 1811. The Fifth Regiment had a attached rifle battalion. Stricker's Brigade also had several companies of artillery attached to it, at the battle of North Point on September 12, 1814. One of the Fifth Regiment's companies was the independent uniformed First Baltimore Light Infantry Company, which traced roots back to the Revolutionary War. One of the Baltimore County militia infantry regiments was also organized with at least one rifle company. So we see that the organization within the 3rd ("City") Brigade followed the 1811 law in actual practice in the crisis of the Summer of 1814.

"51. AND BE IT ENACTED, That out of the mi-
litia enroled as is in this act directed, there shall be form-
ed for each battalion, at least one company of grenadiers, riflemen or light infantry; and that to each brigade there shall be at least one company of artillery, "

Document Last Updated: 12/26/2006

Web Published: 03 September 2005