IMPORTANT DATES
1740
Gooch’s Marines
Like the British Royal Marines after whom they were modeled, Colonial Marines served in 1740 in England’s war with Spain. Led by Colonel William Gooch, these Approx 3,000 men were known as “Gooch’s Marines.”
November 10, 1775
Marine Corps Birthday
Continental Congress passed a resolution that established two battalions of Marines. This resolution, signed by John Hancock, Instituted the American Marines.
1775 –
Recruiting
Peg Mullins Beef-Steak House better known as Tun’s Tavern was the site of Naval Committee Meetings. The committee was created to oversee the development and employment of American Sea Power. Tun’s Tavern Became an important recruiting center for the Marines. It is reputed that Robert Mullin’s success as a recruiter Led to his commissioning in 1776 as a USMC Captain.
1775 – 1783
Revolutionary War
Within 3 weeks of it’s birthday, Samuel Nicholas was commissioned as the first officer of the Marines and it’s first commandant. Marines made their first amphibious landing in the Bahamas fought throughout the war on ships and at sea. They also fought with John Paul Jones aboard the USS Ranger.
1798
Re-establishment
In 1794, congress authorized the enlistment of sailors and Marines, and on July 11, 1798 they enacted legislation that established the Marine Corps. The bill was signed by Pres John Adams. William Ward Burrows was given the title of LtCol Commandant. Burrows improved Discipline of the Corps by emphasizing drill for both Officers and enlisted men. He created the Marine Corps Band.
1801-1805
The Barbary Wars
The 4 Barbary States (Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli) had plundered sea borne commerce for centuries. In 1799, the U.S. agreed to pay 18,000 a year in blackmail. In 1801, the U.S. refused to succumb to the increasing demands of the Pasha of Tripoli. As part of a plan to replace the Pasha with his brother, in 1805 Marines, led by 1st Lt Presley O’Bannon, stormed the habor Fortress of Derna. In the end, the Pasha came to terms with the State Dept and continued in power.
1812
War of 1812
The U.S. declared War on Great Britain on June 12, 1812 because of simmering disputes with them (impressments of American Soldiers, disputes over Northwest Territories and the border with Canada, the attempt of GB to impose a blockade on France during the Napoleonic Wars). At sea, Marines used their Excellent marksmanship to decimate the English and when close enough, boarded ships. On Land, the Marines under the command of Samuel Miller, fought the battle of Bladensburg outside Washington D.C. and repelled three assaults before Being forced to withdrawal.
1815
Battle for New Orleans
Under the command of Major Daniel Carmack, who was wounded and unable to participate, the Marines defended the fortifications so well that congress cited them for “valor and good conduct.” The irony was that the victory came after a peace treaty with British had been signed a month before. Future president, Andrew Jackson, also fought in this battle.
1804-1818
Improvements
LtCol Franklin Wharton, commandant from 1804-1818, focused on improving the disciplinary system, and improving health and living conditions in Marine quarters. He established Marine Corps Barracks (8th and I) where drilling and training could take place.
1825-1842
The Indian Wars
During the period of 1825-1842, Marines periodically served in the field (on land). When President Andrew Jackson called for support, Archibald Henderson, 5th CMC, volunteered Marines and led them to fight Seminole Indians in the Southeast. In fact, Henderson nailed a note to his door “Gone to Florida to fight Indians, will return when the war is over.” Marines also engaged Creek Indians in battles in Georgia and Alabama. This war provided the Marine Corps with their first opportunity to engage the enemy as an expeditionary force.
1846-1847
The Mexican War
After a dispute over the independence of Texas, the U.S. finally Annexed Texas. Texas had set the Rio Grande as it’s border to The south and west. The boundary now became the basis for the Dispute between the United States and Mexico. After massing of troops On the Rio Grande, and an ambush of 63 Americans, Pres James K. Polk Asked congress to declare war. President Polk believed in Manifest Destiny. In 1846, present day California and New Mexico were Considered part of Mexico. President Polk assigned 1stLt Archibald Gillespie to carry dispatches to the American Consulate in California. He was also expected to travel through Mexico to see if a war was Imminent. Gillespie discovered that the Mexicans were unhappy with their government, but were not too fond of Americans either. At the time He arrived, the war began. He fought in several battles under a number of different commanders.
The Marines were involved in the largest amphibious landing for the American Military before WW II at Vera Cruz. A provisional battalion of 200 Marines joined with the Army to defeat the Mexicans in a number of battles in 1847.
As General Winfield Scott’s Army began to dwindle in size, Commandant Henderson volunteered six companies of Marines who marched 200 miles Through Mexico to join Scott’s force in August of 1847.
The decisive battle of the Mexican War is the attack on Chapultepec, a Castle that protected the road to Mexico City. On September 13, the Americans bombarded the castle for two hours. The fighting lasted all day But in the end, the U.S. forces captured the castle and the gates to the City. By the next morning, U.S. Forces raised the American Flag in the Mexican capital. The Marines had been to the Halls of Montezuma.
