History of the War

John Gholson in the War of 1812

John & family moved to Maury County Tennessee as did his father Francis about 1807. John served in the Tennessee Militia. He served in the War of 1812, enlisting as a private in Captain Benjamin Reynold's Company of Mounted Rangers, which had been ordered out for the protection of the frontier 22 June 1812, and was engaged until 20 August 1812. He reenlisted as a Private in Captain Benjamin Reynold's Company of Infantry, Benton's Second Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, 10 Dec. 1812, for one year. John apparently reenlisted a third time, 4 October 1813, before his second tour of duty was completed. He was a Private in Captain William Dooley's Company of West Tennessee Militia Infantry, in Colonel Thomas McCrory's Regiment of Militia. The Company Muster Roll for 4 October 1813 to 4 January 1814 shows that John was transferred to Captain John Gordon's Spies 15 October 1813. The Muster Roll contained the following: "Note: Non-commissioned officers, musicians and privates traveled 212 miles in marching to place of muster-in, and in returning from Fort Strother to residence, Columbia, Maury county." The Company Muster Roll for Captain Gordon's Company of Mounted Spies, Tennessee Militia, for September 1813 to May 10, 1814, shows John's date of appointment or enlistment as 24 September 1813 and that he was engaged until 4 April 1814. This Muster Roll contained the following: "Note: Each non-commissioned officer, musician and private traveled 150 miles to Fayetteville where mustered into service and returning from Fayetteville to Hickman Court House in Hickman County, after being discharged. Remarks and alterations since last muster: Discharged 4 April, 1814. John's Discharge shows he served under Major General Andrew Jackson on an expedition Against the Creek Indians from 30 September to the first day of April 1814. To view Discharge (click here) To view Company Pay Roll and Company Muster Roll (click here).

John's brothers William, Benjamin and Nathaniel also served in the following Tennessee Militias at times with John. Nathaniel had served in Capt. William Dooley's Company of Col. Thomas McCory's 2nd Regiment of the Tennessee Militia and received a bounty land Warrant of 40 acres for his service.

Capt. Benjamin Reynolds Company Benton's 2nd Regiment Tennessee Volunteers - Benjamin Gholson - Private John Gholson - Private, William Gholson - Sgt.

Second Regiment West Tennessee Militia Col. Lowry, Lt. Col. Hammons, - Benjamin Golson

Capt. Benj. Reynolds Company, Mounted Rangers, Tennessee Militia. - John Gholson - Nathaniel Gholson

Capt. William Dooley's Company, Col. Thomas McCrory's 2nd Reg. West Tenn. Militia. - Nathaniel Golston-Sgt.

McCrory's Regiment West Tenn. Militia. Benjamin Golston - Corp.) John Golston - Pvt.

(Documents to the above information was found at the National Archives Washington DC by William Harrell Melton, a researcher, compiler and descendant of Nathaniel Gholson.)

There seemed to be the spirit to volunteer for any war or other battles fought to preserve rights and values and the safety of their families in a sometimes hostile frontier. Many stories can be found of renegade indians killing people. Not all Indians were hostile but no doubt they too were caught in the middle when a search went after the bad ones & the government used the Militia to eliminate the problem.

No doubt men went after Renegade Indians & when the problem was taken care of they returned to their homes. When Major General Jackson had his volunteers War 1812 times became difficult for his command and the Volunteers. Jackson needed to keep his militia ready but they had families at home to look after, a crop to put in or harvest and families at home to provide for. Much time spent drilling or sitting around in the military seemed a waste of time when there were needs at home to be met. Some of the men fashioned checker boards and played checkers to pass the time. Some had others to teach them to read or write a letter home with so much spare time. Food was not too good or not enough of it. Many became sick and died. The government failed to give the money to pay the men for what they signed on for. Many left the military to go home and check on families or gather in a crop. One of Cocke's regiments was to be discharged December 1, 1813, another January 1, 1814, and another January 14, 1814. There was little use to start the much needed campaign with this army nearly ready for discharge. Jackson was loosing his men and and he was out of supplies. Governor Blount of Tennessee told Jackson to pack it up or at least go to Fort Deposit. Jackson had worked hard to be in command of the troops. He didn't want to abandon his Fort Strother and risk losing the command. Jackson fired off a letter to the Tennessee Legislature and his letter was read on the floor and the report shamed the Governor into acting. Supplies came in and 5,000 fresh troups showed up and among them was Davy Crockett and Sam Houston. Soon Jackson had an army of Volunteers and supplies to carry his fight to the finish. For battles fought (click here http://tennessee.gov/tsla/history/military/tn1812.htmBrief history of Tennessee in the War of 1812) Major General Andrew Jackon went on to become the president of the United States.