United States War of 1812 Navy and Marine Units

United States U.S. Military  U.S. War of 1812  United States War of 1812 Navy Units

Sea Fencibles
Sea Fencibles Officers, p. 46.

"Sometimes known more formally as the Corps of Sea Fencibles of the United States, these servicemen were special volunteer naval artillery militia that served on both land and floating batteries to protect ports, harbors, and other vital coastal areas (since most Fencibles came from some type of maritime background, they already knew these areas intimately, making them very effective in a defensive capacity). Patterned after contemporary British units in the Napoleanic wars, the Sea Fencibles were established by an act of Congress on July 26, 1813 and served until disbanded on June 15, 1815. Eventually 10 companies of Fencibles fought during the war." "Because the Sea Fencibles were considered U.S. Volunteers, they fell under the immediate authority of the War Department despite the unique seaborne aspect of their duties. Therefore, their service information is located in Record Group 94, Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780′s-1917. Information about compiled service records are included in the series “Carded Records, Volunteer Organizations: War of 1812″ (ARC ID 300392). Related muster and payrolls are located in the series “Muster Rolls of Volunteer Organizations: War of 1812″ (ARC ID 654644). "

Privateers
About 500-600 privateers were sanctioned by the U.S. government to harrass and detain British merchant ships during the War of 1812.

Records and Resources

 * Gordon, William A, A Compilation of Registers of the Army of the United States, from 1815 to 1837..., (Washington: James C. Dunn, 1837), Digital version: Internet Archive with Sea Fencibles officers, states in each Military District, and list of General Staff.