Daniel Appling
Encyclopedia
Daniel Appling was an officer in the United States Army
during the War of 1812
.
Appling was born in Columbia County, Georgia
, to John and Rebecca (Carter) Appling. In 1805, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army with a lieutenancy under General Thomas A. Smith, of Franklin, Missouri. Appling was a recruiting officer for some time, but was then stationed at Fort Hawkins, near Macon, Georgia
. He was also stationed at Point Peter on St. Mary’s River in Georgia, where Fort Pickering
would be built during the War of 1812, and a command on Amelia Island
in Florida
. On July 1, 1809, Appling was promoted to 1st lieutenant, and on April 1, 1812 he was promoted to captain.
During the late war, Appling was ordered to Sackets Harbor in New York. On the rainy evening of May 28, 1814, Major Appling and 150 of his riflemen set out from Oswego
under the command of Melancthon Taylor Woolsey
on 19 boats headed for Sackets Harbor. Loaded onto the boats were cables and cannons needed to outfit two brigs, the Jones
and the Jefferson
, and a frigate, the Superior.
The secret mission was detected, and the Americans withdrew up the Big Sandy Creek to fortify their position. On the morning of May 30, a large British force, disobeying an order to pursue American forces inland from the Lake, engaged the Americans. Major Appling had hidden his forces in the brush and trees along the banks of the Creek, and surprised the British. The Battle of Big Sandy Creek
lasted less than 15 minutes and resulted in an overwhelming American victory. The Americans captured 143 prisoners (133 men and 10 officers), 20 wounded (28 men and 2 officers), 14 killed (13 men and one officer), three gun-boats, one with a 24-pounder and a 63-pounder, two cutters, and one gig. The supplies loaded on Woolsey’s boats were safely carried over land by oxen to Sackets Harbor. One of the cables, reported to be 600 feet long, 6 inches thick, and 9,600 pounds, had to be carried by hand, an event known as the Great Cable Carry.
On May 30, 1814, Appling was brevetted lieutenant colonel for gallant conduct in capturing a superior force of the enemy at the Battle of Big Sandy Creek Creek.
After the Battle of Big Sandy Creek, Major Appling was stationed at Plattsburgh, New York and successfully led his riflemen against General (Sir George) Prevost’s
attack. For his distinguished service there, he was promoted to colonel on September 11, 1814.
On June 1, 1816, he resigned from the military. After resigning, he moved to Montgomery County, Alabama
. The Georgia Legislature awarded Appling a sword in recognition of the efforts during the War of 1812. Unfortunately, before the sword could be delivered, Appling died on March 5, 1817, at the age of 30. The sword now hangs in the Executive Room in Milledgeville, Georgia
.
was named for Daniel Appling on December 15, 1818.
The USS Appling
, an attack transport
named for Appling County, Georgia, was launched on April 9, 1944 and decommissioned on December 20, 1946. The Appling earned two battle stars for her World War II
service.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
.
Appling was born in Columbia County, Georgia
Columbia County, Georgia
Columbia County is a county located in the US state of Georgia along the Savannah River. As of 2010 the population was 124,054 a growth of 39% from the 2000 census figure of 89,288. The de jure county seat is Appling. Appling is an unincorporated area, making Columbia one of only three counties...
, to John and Rebecca (Carter) Appling. In 1805, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army with a lieutenancy under General Thomas A. Smith, of Franklin, Missouri. Appling was a recruiting officer for some time, but was then stationed at Fort Hawkins, near Macon, Georgia
Macon, Georgia
Macon is a city located in central Georgia, US. Founded at the fall line of the Ocmulgee River, it is part of the Macon metropolitan area, and the county seat of Bibb County. A small portion of the city extends into Jones County. Macon is the biggest city in central Georgia...
. He was also stationed at Point Peter on St. Mary’s River in Georgia, where Fort Pickering
Fort Pickering
Fort Pickering is a historic fort site on Winter Island in Salem, Massachusetts.The fort was first established in 1644 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973....
would be built during the War of 1812, and a command on Amelia Island
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is one of the southernmost of the Sea Islands, a chain of barrier islands that stretches along the east coast of the United States from South Carolina to Florida. It is long and approximately 4 miles wide at its widest point. Amelia Island is situated off the coast in Nassau County,...
in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. On July 1, 1809, Appling was promoted to 1st lieutenant, and on April 1, 1812 he was promoted to captain.
During the late war, Appling was ordered to Sackets Harbor in New York. On the rainy evening of May 28, 1814, Major Appling and 150 of his riflemen set out from Oswego
Oswego, New York
Oswego is a city in Oswego County, New York, United States. The population was 18,142 at the 2010 census. Oswego is located on Lake Ontario in north-central New York and promotes itself as "The Port City of Central New York"...
under the command of Melancthon Taylor Woolsey
Melancthon Taylor Woolsey
Commodore Melancthon Taylor Woolsey was an officer in the United States Navy during the War of 1812 and battles on the Great Lakes. He supervised warship construction at Navy Point in Sackets Harbor, New York, and later had a full career in the Navy.-Biography:Woolsey was born near Plattsburgh,...
on 19 boats headed for Sackets Harbor. Loaded onto the boats were cables and cannons needed to outfit two brigs, the Jones
USS Jones (1814)
USS Jones was a brig in the United States Navy during the War of 1812.Jones was built at Sacketts Harbor, New York, for service in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's fleet on Lake Ontario and was launched on 10 April 1814....
and the Jefferson
USS Jefferson (1814)
The second USS Jefferson was a brig in the United States Navy during the War of 1812. She was named for Thomas Jefferson.Jefferson was built at Sackett's Harbor, New York, for service in Commodore Isaac Chauncey's fleet on Lake Ontario and launched 7 April 1814...
, and a frigate, the Superior.
The secret mission was detected, and the Americans withdrew up the Big Sandy Creek to fortify their position. On the morning of May 30, a large British force, disobeying an order to pursue American forces inland from the Lake, engaged the Americans. Major Appling had hidden his forces in the brush and trees along the banks of the Creek, and surprised the British. The Battle of Big Sandy Creek
Battle of Big Sandy Creek
The Battle of Big Sandy Creek was fought in northwestern New York on May 29–30, 1814, during the War of 1812. The battle was an American victory in which American militia and Oneida Indians launched a surprise attack on British soldiers who were chasing them inland from Lake...
lasted less than 15 minutes and resulted in an overwhelming American victory. The Americans captured 143 prisoners (133 men and 10 officers), 20 wounded (28 men and 2 officers), 14 killed (13 men and one officer), three gun-boats, one with a 24-pounder and a 63-pounder, two cutters, and one gig. The supplies loaded on Woolsey’s boats were safely carried over land by oxen to Sackets Harbor. One of the cables, reported to be 600 feet long, 6 inches thick, and 9,600 pounds, had to be carried by hand, an event known as the Great Cable Carry.
On May 30, 1814, Appling was brevetted lieutenant colonel for gallant conduct in capturing a superior force of the enemy at the Battle of Big Sandy Creek Creek.
After the Battle of Big Sandy Creek, Major Appling was stationed at Plattsburgh, New York and successfully led his riflemen against General (Sir George) Prevost’s
George Prevost
Sir George Prévost, 1st Baronet was a British soldier and colonial administrator. Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, the eldest son of Swiss French Augustine Prévost, he joined the British Army as a youth and became a captain in 1784. Prévost served in the West Indies during the French Revolutionary...
attack. For his distinguished service there, he was promoted to colonel on September 11, 1814.
On June 1, 1816, he resigned from the military. After resigning, he moved to Montgomery County, Alabama
Montgomery County, Alabama
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the most populous county in the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area; its population in 2010 was 229,363 .- History :...
. The Georgia Legislature awarded Appling a sword in recognition of the efforts during the War of 1812. Unfortunately, before the sword could be delivered, Appling died on March 5, 1817, at the age of 30. The sword now hangs in the Executive Room in Milledgeville, Georgia
Milledgeville, Georgia
Milledgeville is a city in and the county seat of Baldwin County in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is northeast of Macon, located just before Eatonton on the way to Athens along U.S. Highway 441, and it is located on the Oconee River. The relatively rapid current of the Oconee here made this an...
.
Namesake and honors
Appling County, GeorgiaAppling County, Georgia
Appling County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of 2000, the population is 17,419. The 2007 Census Estimate placed the population at 17,946...
was named for Daniel Appling on December 15, 1818.
The USS Appling
USS Appling (APA-58)
USS Appling was a Gilliam-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.Appling was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract at Wilmington, California, by the Consolidated Steel Corporation; launched on 9 April 1944; sponsored by famed moving picture actress,...
, an attack transport
Gilliam class attack transport
The Gilliam-class attack transport was a class of attack transport built for service with the US Navy in World War II.Like all attack transports, the purpose of the Gilliams was to transport troops and their equipment to foreign shores in order to execute amphibious invasions using an array of...
named for Appling County, Georgia, was launched on April 9, 1944 and decommissioned on December 20, 1946. The Appling earned two battle stars for her World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
service.