Home


HISTORY OF THE 23rd INFANTRY REGIMENT

Campaign of 1812

Earliest records of the 23rd Infantry Regiment U.S. Army saw the unit forming in June of 1812, part of Congress's expansion of the Regular army just prior to the War of 1812. Up until that time the U.S. Army numbered only 6,212 personnel spread over hundreds of small outposts. Few regiments existed in a single spot on the map. And few officers had any experience with commanding a regiment sized unit or larger. The 23rd Infantry Regiment was placed under the command of Colonel Daniel Brown in June of 1812. Colonel Brown would remain in command until July 1813.

65 men of the 23rd were involved in Queenston Heights under the command of Major James R. Mullany. This size would represent a single company. No data is available in regards to casualties, although if the company crossed the river it was most likely captured with the rest of the US force at the end of the battle.

Elements of the regiment were reported to have fought at the Block Rock Crossing on November 28, 1812. The total numbers involved are unknown, but casualties were 6 dead and 22 wounded.