United States Rangers were originally raised for Tecumseh's War, but they continued to serve against hostile Indians after the United States declaration of war against Great Britain. A total of 17 independent companies were authorized from Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. The Rangers were not militia, but formed part of the war establishment of the United States Army.
Formation
In readiness for possible Indian depredations after the Battle of Tippecanoe, the United States Congress established the United States Rangers, January 2, 1812. The act was renewed in 1813, and the number of ranger companies increased several times during the War of 1812. The President of the United States selected which state or territory should have the benefit of raising ranger companies. The Rangers were not militia, but formed part of the war establishment of the United States Army.
Organization
The 1812 Act authorized the President to raise up to six companies of rangers, either volunteers or men enlisted for a one-year period. Two companies from Ohio, the rest from Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. In June, the secretary of war, William Eustis, reported that he had deployed the six companies at the frontiers of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Louisiana. In July an additional company was authorized, and in February 1813 ten additional companies. Four of the new companies to be raised in Indiana, three in Illinois, and three in Missouri. Each company would consist of 1 captain, 1 first lieutenant, 1 second lieutenant, 1 ensign, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, and 60 privates; the officers to be paid the same as the same grade in the army, the men $ 1 a day if furnishing a horse, otherwise $ 0.75. No field officers were authorized or appointed. In 1813, the Congress decided that each of the ten companies organized under the 1813 Act would consist of 1 captain, 1 first lieutenant, 1 second lieutenant, 1 third lieutenant, 1 ensign, 5 sergeants, 8 corporals, and 90 privates.
Operations
The rangers were established with the expressed mission of protecting the frontier from the Indians. They should be organized, armed and equipped in such a manner as the nature of the service required. The rangers scouted the frontier, and should disperse any hostile Indian war parties encountered. Rangers operated in Ohio, Illinois Territory, Indiana Territory, and Missouri Territory. The Ohio, Illinois and Indiana Rangers came under the operational control of Colonel William Russell of the 7th U.S. Infantry, while governor Benjamin Howard controlled the operations of the Missouri Rangers.
