John Armstrong (frontiersman)
Encyclopedia
John Armstrong was an American soldier and jurist. He was born in New Jersey. During the American Revolutionary War
he served as an officer in the Continental Army
with the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment
and the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment
. His service record is sometimes confused with the more famous John Armstrong, Jr.
, a Pennsylvania soldier who became U.S. Secretary of War.
Armstrong served in the United States Army
during the Northwest Indian War
. In 1790, General Josiah Harmar
sent him on an exploration mission in the Northwest Territory
. Later that year he led a detachment of regular soldiers that accompanied Kentucky militia under Colonel John Hardin
in an expedition to attack a Native American village on the Eel River. The Americans were ambushed in the battle; the militia fled and Armstrong barely escaped with his life.
After the war, he served as treasurer of the Northwest Territory, a judge in Hamilton County, Ohio
, and as magistrate in Columbia, Ohio. He spent his final years in Clark County, Indiana
, where he died.
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
he served as an officer in the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
with the 12th Pennsylvania Regiment
12th Pennsylvania Regiment
The 12th Pennsylvania Regiment also known as Northumberland Defense Battalion was raised August 23, 1776 at Sunbury, Pennsylvania as a state militia regiment and later for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown and the...
and the 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment
3rd Pennsylvania Regiment
The 3rd Pennsylvania Regiment was raised, on December 9, 1775, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action during the Battle of Valcour Island, Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth and the Battle of Springfield...
. His service record is sometimes confused with the more famous John Armstrong, Jr.
John Armstrong, Jr.
John Armstrong, Jr. was an American soldier and statesman who was a delegate to the Continental Congress, U.S. Senator from New York, and Secretary of War.-Early life and Revolutionary War:...
, a Pennsylvania soldier who became U.S. Secretary of War.
Armstrong served in the United States Army
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 Northwest Indian War
Northwest Indian War
The Northwest Indian War , also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names, was a war fought between the United States and a confederation of numerous American Indian tribes for control of the Northwest Territory...
. In 1790, General Josiah Harmar
Josiah Harmar
Josiah Harmar was an officer in the United States Army during the American Revolution and the Northwest Indian War. He was the senior officer in the Army for seven years....
sent him on an exploration mission in the Northwest Territory
Northwest Territory
The Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, more commonly known as the Northwest Territory, was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 13, 1787, until March 1, 1803, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Ohio...
. Later that year he led a detachment of regular soldiers that accompanied Kentucky militia under Colonel John Hardin
John Hardin
John J. Hardin was a soldier, farmer, rancher, noted marksman and hunter. He was wounded fighting in Lord Dunmore's War; served as a Continental Army officer in the American Revolutionary War and as a Kentucky Co., Virginia militia commander in the Northwest Indian War...
in an expedition to attack a Native American village on the Eel River. The Americans were ambushed in the battle; the militia fled and Armstrong barely escaped with his life.
After the war, he served as treasurer of the Northwest Territory, a judge in Hamilton County, Ohio
Hamilton County, Ohio
As of 2000, there were 845,303 people, 346,790 households, and 212,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,075 people per square mile . There were 373,393 housing units at an average density of 917 per square mile...
, and as magistrate in Columbia, Ohio. He spent his final years in Clark County, Indiana
Clark County, Indiana
Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, located directly across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. At the 2010 Census, the population was 110,232. The county seat is Jeffersonville. Clarksville is also a major city in the county...
, where he died.