In 1814, American Rifleman Heritage took a little trip

[funfaler]

RWVA is in the business of reviving and passing on the American Rifleman Heritage, which first became "American" on April 19th, 1775 (prior to this, it could be said to be Colonial British).   

Most of the Riflemen of the Revolutionary War were frontiersmen from the frontier of the colonies, many from over the Appalachian Mountains.    In fact, Issac Shelby, of Kentucky (Virginia at the time), John Sevier of Tennessee (North Carolina at the time), and William Campbell of Southwestern Virginia, gathered frontiersmen to combat Major Ferguson at King's mountain, these frontiersmen were referred to as the Overmountain Men.

After the end of fighting in the Revolutionary War and the the peace treaty with England, many of these frontiersmen returned to their homes on the frontier, to settle in and enjoy the peace.   However, fate would not allow them to.   

Most of these men, and their families, did not realize the peace those in the Eastern states did.   The English, still desiring to contain the new American nation, and perhaps even reclaim some of the losses from the treaty, were supporting and encouraging the Indians on the frontier to attack and harass the frontier settlements.

One frontier leader wrote that he could gage the relations between England and the US, by the level of aggression of the Indians.   

While there were increasing aggression on the Eastern states, mostly in the form of shipping restrictions (by both England and France), ships being sunk, and sailors being impressed into English Navy service, those on the frontier have made the assertion that for them, the Revolutionary War never ended.

So while many refer to the War of 1812 as the "second war for independence", those on the frontier would likely argue that the first never ended.   While the history books have these wars separated by nearly 30 years, for many Americans, there was little distinction between the two.   

Many of the Riflemen who served in the Revolutionary War, again, stepped up and served in the War of 1812.   Issac Shelby, of Kentucky is a great example of such a man.   He served in several battles of the Revolutionary war, most notably the battle at Kings Mountain.   He returned to Kentucky to become the first Governor.   Later, in 1812, he was re-elected as Kentucky's 5th Governor, because the people of Kentucky wanted him to lead their militias in this conflict.   

Shelby continued the Rifleman Heritage, in rallying volunteers from Kentucky to fight in this war, and at the age of 62, lead over 3500 volunteers into Canada to fight the battle of the Thames.

If it was not the actual Rifleman of the Revolutionary War, again engaged in the War of 1812, often it was their sons who continued the Rifleman Heritage.    A great example is Private John Austin.    Austin was friends with Col. Daniel Morgan, from their time in the French and Indian War.    They fought side by side throughout the Revolutionary War.   At the end of the Revolutionary War, the 48 year old John Austin made his way to Kentucky, to settle down.   

By the start of the War of 1812, Austin would have been 78, and likely not a prime candidate for the militia actions, especially considering that there were no battles of the War of 1812 fought in Kentucky.   These battles, which Kentukians participated in, in larger numbers than any other state, ranged from Canada, down to New Orleans.   

However, too old to serve himself, the roll call of Kentucky militia volunteers lists 4 of Mr. Austin's sons.    Obviously Mr. Austin was successful in passing on the heritage of love of country, but considering at least one of his sons is listed in a "Rifle Regiment", it is obvious that he also passed on the Rifleman Heritage.   

Mr. John Austin passed away in 1848 (at age 109), and though there is no information to prove it, one can not but imagine that he passed on the Rifleman Heritage to grandsons, and perhaps great grandsons, who would serve in the Civil War.

The role of the American Rifleman was instrumental in the War of 1812, much like it was in the Revolutionary War.    There are many stories of Riflemen putting their skills to good use, during the conflict.   Many of these stories sound much like those we are accustomed to from those of the Revolutionary War.    The same persistence, determination, focus and skills which served the Riflemen of the first war for Independence, served the Riflemen for the second war for Independence.

There is a rich Rifleman Heritage which was passed on from the Revolutionary War generation, to their next generation, those who faced the War of 1812.   The lineage of Riflemen is often direct and easy to follow, sons following in their father's foot steps.   

These two American conflicts offer many opportunities for us to illustrate the effects of continuing the American Rifleman Heritage.   We can illustrate how they were successful in preserving the heritage, and passing it on to the next generation.

[Camljr]

Thanks FF,

Educational, and on point as always...

Never stop teaching, and never stop passing on the heritage to fellow americans!

That means ALL OF YOU!    I KNOW FUNFALER WILL......