Description:

War of 1812 1812 - 1815 War of 1812 Orderly Book of the 1st Regiment Brigade, 2nd Division of Massachusetts Militia, with content regarding preparedness for the war "in case that place should be attacked by the Enemy"



War of 1812 Orderly book. Re-cased book with speckled paper boards with older replaced leather spine. 6.5" x 7.5". Original end papers present with an inscription in ink "Adjutant Book for the first Regiment Second Brigade & Second Division of Massachusetts Militia" Expected wear to the very edges to the boards. Spine is rubbed but intact. The book is firmly bound. Scattered light foxing and handling marks throughout. Dates from July 18, 1802-January 19, 1815. The first 2/3 of the book is filled with orders in different hands, the balance of the book is blank. One page missing between entries for May 29, 1804 and August 6, 1804.


The United States declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812. During the War of 1812 British forces invaded the United States, which included the burning down of the capitol and the White House in Washington, DC in 1814. Apparently, there was the possibility that the British would attack Portsmouth, New Hampshire that same year.

This unique book provides a glimpse of the regular activities of militia companies in the United States during the early 19th century and follows the activities in which orders and instructions were received and recorded, specifically from the "first Regiment Second Brigade & Second Division of Massachusetts Militia" Most all the entries start with "Agreeable to regimental Orders", followed by "You are hearby notified..." or " You are hearby ordered...", or "You are hearby required to meet...". Many entries are in a different hand, however numerous entries in the later years are signed by Moses Emery Adjt. Several entries of noted interest are:

Regarding preparedness in the face of a possible attack on Portsmouth:

"Agreeable to Brigade

And Regimental Orders, Newbury, 5 May 1814

Sir-you are hereby notified to hold yourself in readiness to march at a moment's warning with the Company under your Command completely equipped for the relief of Portsmouth in case that place should be attacked by the Enemy. Should the alarm be given that Portsmouth is attacked you must repair with the Company under your command to the alarm Post which is the South end of Essex Merrimack Bridge and there await further orders."

On September 12, 1814, a copy of a circular was copied into the book, which alerted commanders of militia companies to be prepared to march when ordered: "Agreeable to Regimental Orders... You are hereby notified to hold the company under your command in constant readiness to march at a moment's warning Completely armed and equipped as the law directs, and, every man will furnish himself with a good knapsack and blanket before inspection. You will also order your company out for inspection on Tuesday the thirteenth Inst. at two o'clock P.M. and all deficiencies must be immediately supplied..."

With several other examples of earlier entries as:

"Sir-Agreeable to Regimental Orders-

You will appear with the Company under your command on the parade near the Rev. Elijah Parish's Meeting-house in Byfield on Thursday the fourth day of July next precisely at one o'clock afternoon for Military duty-twenty cartridges without Balls is required of each soldier. Newbury June 19th, 1805"

"Agreeable to Regimental Orders--

You are hereby required to meet with the Legal voters of the Company under your command at some convenient place with the limits of said Company on Friday the third day of October next at four o'clock P.M., for the purpose of electing an Ensign for said Company in room of Ensign Enoch Plummer Promoted. Newbury Sept 18th, 1806, Captain Silas Moody"

The Massachusetts Volunteer Militia units date back to 1636 when the Massachusetts Bay Colony militia was organized. Subsequently local town militia were formed and organized under laws mandated by the General Court of Massachusetts. From the time the first militia was organized, Massachusetts militia regiments participated in a number of major conflicts, including the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. This rare order book provides insight to the day to day activities of this militia unit leading up to the War of 1812.

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