1st Battalion, 1st Infantry
On June 3, 1784, Congress recommended to the states of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, that 700 men be furnished by these states "for securing and protecting the northwestern frontiers of the United States and for garrisoning the posts soon to be evacuated by the troops of his Britannic Majesty. The term of service was to be one year, with the organization comprised of eight companies of infantry and two of artillery. The officers were selected from the several states represented, with Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Harmar of Pennsylvania as commandant. This was the beginning not only of the First Infantry, but of the Regular United States Army. These companies were stationed on the very out skirts of civilization, entirely bereft of all comforts of life, and constantly engaged in protecting the growing settlements from the attacks of Indians. During the succeeding five years, this frontier force was maintained by an annual resolution of Congress; not until 1789 was it legally declared to be "troops in the service, of the United States: given the designation "The Regiment of Infantry."
In the Fall of 1790, under the Command of Josiah Harmar, the small force of soldiers were defeated by the Miami Indians in the Ohio Territory.
On 3 March 1791, Congress changed the regimental designation to the "First Regiment of Infantry" and added to the Army "The Second Regiment of Infantry" of which today's First Infantry draws its heritage. In September of that year, both regiments of infantry with some militia, all under command of General Arthur St. Clair, were again sent against the Miami Indians. St. Clair served as a Major General in the Revolutionary Army and was now appointed "General in Chief," superseding the first commander of the Regiment, Josiah Hamar. Fighting against the Miamis, St. Clair's Soldiers were untrained, ill equipped, underfed, and sickly. This resulted in a disastrous defeat, suffering a loss in killed and wounded of nearly 900 out of a total strength of 1400.
In 1792, Congress created the "Legion of the United States" which was a combined Arms Force of Infantry, Cavalry, and Artillery under the Command of Major General Anthony Wayne. MG Wayne had become a hero of the Revolutionary War when he led a small force against a larger British Force to regain control of Stony Point, a crucial point on the Hudson River just south of West Point, New York. This Legion in which the Second Infantry became the "Infantry of the Second Sub-Legion," crushed the Miami Nation during 1792 to 1795, and finally defeated the Indians in a decisive manner at Fallen Timbers in the Old Northwest (Ohio) on August 20, 1794.
The 2d Infantry was Consolidated May-October 1815 with the 3d and 7th Infantry (both constituted 12 April 1808), and 44th Infantry (constituted 29 January 1813) to form the 1st Infantry Regiment. Consolidated in April 1869 with the 43d Infantry, Veteran Reserve Corps (constituted 21 September 1885) and consolidated unit designated as the 1st Infantry.
Assigned 11 September 1918 to the 13th Division. (13th Division demobilized 8 March 1919 at Fort Lewis, Washington). Relieved 8 March 1919 from assignment to the 13th Division. Assigned 27 July 1921 to the 2d Division. Relieved 16 October 1939 from assignment to the 2d Division and assigned to the 6th Division (later redesignated as the 6th Infantry Division). Inactivated 10 January 1949 in Korea. Activated 4 October 1950 at Fort Ord, California. Relieved 3 April 1956 from assignment to the 6th Infantry Division.
Assigned 15 May 1956 to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Relieved, reorganized, and redesignated 15 May 1958 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battle Group, 1st Infantry, under the Combat Arms Regimental System (CARS). Redesignated 31 December 1964 as the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry. Withdrawn from CARS and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System 16 March 1986.
In 1960, the 1st Battle Group, 1st Infantry was reorganized under a concept that provided sufficient tactics instructors in the permanent party for continuity, but called for outside augmentation for the summer training program. This left the Battle Group with a Headquarters, Headquarters and Training Company, Service Company, Airborne Detachment, the 2d Aviation Detachment, the USMA Band, Detachment 1 and 2 United States Army Hospital, and saw the attachment of the 50th Engineer (Construction) and the 57th Military Police Company. The old Military Police Detachment personnel formed the nucleus of the newly attached 57th Military Police Company.
On 16 May 1961, the mission of providing tactical instruction for the Corps of Cadets along with the personnel involved, was transferred to a newly created Office of Military Instruction in the Department of Tactics. All enlisted personnel remained assigned to the Battle Group. On 1 February 1962, Service Company was eliminated and its personnel absorbed into Headquarters Company.
On 1 January 1965, the 1st Battle Group, 1st Infantry was redesigned as the 1st Battalion, 1st Infantry." With the exception of transferring tactical instruction to the Office of Military Instruction (now DMI) in 1961, the First's mission in 1991 has basically remained the same as that of the past thirty-five years: To support the United States Military Academy and to furnish the enlisted garrison for West Point and Stewart Army Subpost.
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