AMERICAN SEA FENCIBLES IN THE WAR OF 1812: United States Sea Fencibles, State Sea Fencibles

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One of the least understood military organizations in the history of the United States were the sea fencibles companies which were created during the War of 1812 by both the federal government and by some of the states. The US Corps of Sea Fencibles was a unique branch of the US Army.

The US Corps of Sea Fencibles consisted of US Army officers and seamen in the enlisted ranks. They were a very unique corps which not only operated heavy canons but they could also man harbor gunboats and serve as infantry when needed. Various states also created their own sea fencibles companies which protected their ports and harbors. With most of the nation's merchant ships tired up in the ports along our eastern seaboard due to the British blockade during the war, there were plenty of unemployed sailors who needed jobs.

This book lists all of the companies, both federal and state, along with a short history for each company. Plus, the book lists the 979 known men who served in the US Corps of Sea Fencibles and the 1,916 known men who served in the various state sea fencibles companies.