Clemson's Company began in October of 1987, during the first Fall Muster held at Historic Fort Osage, Missouri, near Kansas City.  Fort Osage is a reconstructed Factory Fort built on top of the original foundations.  Dave Bennett founded the unit to support the fort, which in 1987 was only used as a "a Mountain Man resort."  Thus the term "This is a fort not a mountain man resort" was first began. Bennett was also instrumental, in influencing Jackson County to establish their daily interpretation at the site as circa 1812. Since then, the unit has traveled from Canada to New Orleans. The unit portrays 1st Infantry soldiers & Nathan Boone's Missouri Rangers.

The living history unit has built a reputation of first class authenticity in the war of 1812 community plus made a commitment to research by establishing The War of 1812 in the West Symposium in 1990. The Symposium rotates among historic sites including: General Daniel Bissell Home, St. Louis County Parks, Belle Fontaine Neighbors, Missouri; Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock, Missouri;  Frontier Army Museum, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Historic Fort Osage, Sibley, Missouri; Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis county Parks, St. Louis, Missouri.  Over the years, many great presenters have spoken at the Symposium, donating their time and efforts to the cause of historical enlightenment and bringing the cutting edge of historical research to the public. Speakers who have given much of their time to support the Symposium over the years have included: David Bennett, Mike Harris, Richard Barbuto, Mike Dickey, Glenn Williams, Sally Bennett, Jeff Patrick, Hal Youmans, Dick Edell, Dick Steward, Marc Kolbaum, Donald Hickey, and many others. 

    The 1st Infantry - Clemson's company (Living history or portrayals of Regular Infantry, US Rangers, Militia, and dependents) has set the standard over the years regarding Garrison events including:  pay calls, Funerals, court martial, Blockhouse defense demonstrations, ladies taking tea, garrison gardening, Knapsack inspection, open fire cooking demonstrations, Washer Women at work, mail call, church call, light infantry and artillery drill among the many other scheduled activities. Research by David Bennett in 1989 illustrated the use of the "Priority of Enlistment" number by regular infantry during the War of 1812 era. The unit began to mark their equipment with the priority of enlistment number plus took roll call with the priority of Enlistment numbers as well.  For many years, most Regular 1812 living history units did not "Pile Arms" as this important military task was not properly documented in any manuals. Bennett found "Pile Arms" in Hoyt's 1811 printing of Practical Instructions for Military Officers & C. and "Pile Arms" has now been utilized by many other units.

At Fort Osage on July 4th, 1992, a large Garrison flag was constructed by members of the 1st and also our sister unit the 7th Infantry.  For many years, this large garrison flag was flown at events across the country, including New Orleans, Mississinewa, Fort Gibson, Fort Madison, Fort Miegs, Fort Belle Fontaine, Fort Massac, and a host of other locations. This Garrison Flag was retired in 2007.  A new 10 x 15 Garrison flag. hand sewed out of wool bunting was made by "The Federalist Ladies" and dedicated at the 200th anniversary of Fort Osage, September 2008. This Garrison flag is the only current replica of a Garrison flag, circa 1812, constructed of wool bunting. The 1st Infantry also carries a Steve Hill replica of the 1st Infantry Regimental, pattern of 1808, made of silk, and copied off of the original 1st Infantry color at West Point. We maintain a quarterly newsletter, The Despatch, edited by MIke Harris. The newsletter is only $10 a year or $100 for a life time subscription. There are no elections, appointments are made by the Unit commander. Everyone has the opportunity to allow their abilities, time, and skill to help the unit.The 1st Infantry has prided itself on moving historical accuracy forward within the American War of 1812 Living history community in which it has succeeded.

For further information or if you wish to join, please contact me at ebclemson@aol.com or use the link below.
David Bennett

Life Time Members of the 1st Infantry & Missouri Rangers:  TOM LAWRENCE 2000; GEORGE LOTTES 2001; ERIK HANSEN 2001; EARLEY SMITH; JAMES LUNDGREN 2001; DAVE BENNETT 2002; PAUL ROSEWITZ 2002; ORVAL HENDERSON 2002; BUTCH BAKER 2004; MIKE SMITH 2006; GREG CARTER 2007; JEFF PATRICK 2008; JEFF BENDER 2009; DENNIS NICHOLS 2009; DONALD FERRICKS 2010, MARC MILLER 2011, RANDALL GUENTHER 2011.

CONTACT US:   See below the Slide Show.

Updated 13 November, 2011.
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