The Legion of the United States was a reorganization and extension of the United States Army in 1791 under the command of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne. US Army Seal HHC, US Army Distinctive Unit Insignia The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces that has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Anthony Wayne (January 1, 1745 - December 15, 1796), was a United States Army general and statesman. ...

Origins

The impetus for the legion came from General Arthur St. Clair's disastrous defeat at the hand of Blue Jacket and Michikinikwa's tribal confederacy in the Northwest Indian War. Arthur St. ... Blue Jacket or Weyapiersenwah (c. ... Statue of Little Turtle at Headwaters Park in Fort Wayne, by local sculptor Hector Garcia. ... The Northwest Indian War (1785-1795), often known as Little Turtles War in older reference works, was a war fought between the United States and a large confederation of Native Americans (Indians) for control of the Old Northwest, which ended with a decisive U.S. victory at the Battle...

Many of the Founding Fathers had been suspicious of standing armies, believing that the militia would be suited to all the nation's defense needs. However, the defeat of St. Clair and his predecessor, Josiah Harmar, whose forces were drawn principally from state militias, caused a shift in thinking. President Washington picked his old lieutenant, Wayne, to lead a new professional army. At the recommendation of Secretary of War Henry Knox, it was decided to recruit and train a "Legion" — i.e., a force that would combine all land combat arms of the day (cavalry, heavy and light infantry, artillery) into one efficient brigade-sized force divisible into stand-alone combined arms teams. Congress agreed with this proposal and agreed to augment the small standing army until "the United States shall be at peace with the Indian tribes." The Founding Fathers are persons instrumental in the establishment of an institution, usually a political institution, especially those connected to the origination of its ideals. ... A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ... Josiah Harmar (November 10, 1753 - August 20, 1813) was an officer in the United States Army. ... George Washington (February 22, 1732 – December 14, 1799) was the successful Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), and later became the first President of the United States, an office to which he was elected twice (1789-1797). ... The Secretary of War was a member of the Presidents Cabinet, beginning with George Washingtons administration. ... Henry Knox Henry Knox (July 25, 1750 – October 25, 1806) was an American bookseller from Boston who became the chief Artillery officer of the Continental Army and later the nations first United States Secretary of War. ... Brigade is a term from military science which refers to a group of several battalions (typically two to four), and directly attached supporting units (normally including at least an artillery battery and additional logistic support). ...

Structure

The Legion was composed of four "sublegions," each commanded by a brigadier general. These sublegions were self-contained units with two battalions of infantry (musketeers), a rifle battalion (light infantry skirmishers armed with longrifles to screen the infantry), a troop of dragoons and a company of artillery. A Brigadier General, or one-star general, is the lowest rank of general officer in the United States and some other countries, ranking just above Colonel and just below Major General. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO code In military terminology, a battalion consists of two to six companies typically commanded by a lieutenant colonel. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme, First World War. ... Muskets and bayonets aboard the frigate Grand Turk The word musket also means a male sparrowhawk. ... A rifle is a firearm that uses a spiral groove cut into the barrel to spin a projectile (usually a bullet), thus improving accuracy and range of the projectile. ... Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ... A troop is a military unit, which can have different meanings depending on the country in which it is used. ... A light dragoon from the American Revolution A dragoon is a soldier trained to fight on foot, but transport himself on horseback. ... Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ...

The legion received training at Legionville, a frontier fort created by General Wayne in western Pennsylvania. Wayne also established various forts along his line of march to ensure adequate resupply, and garrisoned these forts with freshly trained legionnaires. Legionville was the first formal United States military basic training facility, established by General Mad Anthony Wayne in 1792 near present-day Ambridge, Pennsylvania to train the soldiers of the Legion of the United States. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Official languages None Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell (D) Senators Arlen Specter (R) Rick Santorum (R) Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 33rd 119,283 km² 2. ...

Battles

The most notable engagement in which the Legion participated was the Battle of Fallen Timbers near present-day Toledo, Ohio. While the troops did not perform perfectly, and in some cases fled the attacking tribesmen, they were able to hold together in the end and avoid the fate of St. Clair's expedition. The British garrison at Fort Miamis refused the confederation warriors sanctuary after the battle. While Natives did not suffer catastrophic casualties, they soon realized that they would not receive substantial British support, and faced a determined and capable foe in General Wayne. The battle was in the end a strategic loss for the native tribes, although they had acquitted themselves well tactically. Consequently, the signing of the Treaty of Greenville in 1795 can in some part be attributed to the performance of the Legion. The Battle of Fallen Timbers (August 20, 1794) was the final battle of the Northwest Indian War, a struggle between American Indians and the United States for control of the Northwest Territory. ... Nickname: The Glass City Motto: {{{motto}}} Official website: www. ... Fort Miami was the name of several forts in what is now the United States. ... The Treaty of Greenville was signed on August 3, 1795 between a coalition of Native Americans (Indians) and the United States following the Native American loss at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. ...

Legacy

The Legion was disbanded in 1797, and the Army returned to a more traditional regimental system. A regiment is a military unit, larger than a company and smaller than a division. ...

See also

• combined arms