Peter Turney

War of 1812

Submitted by Mary Turney Miller

Peter Turney born 1795 TN, died 1842 Van Buren Co Arkansas. Peter and wife Hannah along with their children arrived in Van Buren Co AR 1835 moving from Smith Co Tennessee. (later Dekalb co)

From Peter's military records, and Hannah's widow's pension the following comes:

Hannah's widow's pension filed 1853 Van Buren County Arkansas:
She states she married Peter Turney about 13 Feb 1812 in Smith County Tennessee. She also states he died first day of August 1842 at his home in Van Buren Co Arkansas.
She says he was in company commanded by Captain Overall or Robinson, in the Regiment commanded by Col Stump, in the War of 1812 against the Creek Indians. That Peter Turney volunteered in Smith County Tennessee on or about December 1813 for the term, of sixty days and was discharged because of a wound received in the Battle of Emuchfaugh.

Peter Turney's military records show on his muster sheet for Feb 8 1814 that he was absent due to wound received Jan 22, 1814. This means he missed the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

Surgeons report in papers of Widow' pension state he was wounded in left shoulder and was released from service Feb 22, 1814.
(he was paid 44 dollars and 30 cents by the way)

now it was not unusual for a man to volunteer more than once for different campaigns - we were fighting the Indians, the Spanish and the English. So there were several campaigns from 1812 - Jan 1815.

Peter Turney again volunteered as a private in Col Wm Higgins, Capt A Dale Mounted Gunmen.

the following from Peter's military papers prove he was at New Orleans 1814-1815.

There is a paper where he reguested 80 dollars for the lose of a horse in LA.

then also this:
quote
"I certify on honor that Peter Turney of my Company in Genl. John Coffees Brigade of Tennessee Volunteer Mounted Gunmen in the military service of the United States lost a horse worth Eighty dollars in time of battle on the 23d of December 1814 below New Orleans by being detached from said horse and acting on foot. Given under my hand this 15th day of April 1815
Bethel Allen Cap.
State of Tennessee
Bedford County
Sworn to before me this 1st day of January 1818
Jas. Dickson a Justice of the peach"
unquote.

Reading about what was called the Night Battle of 23 Dec 1814, it seems Bethel Allen's company got seperated from the main body and had to seek shelter in some kind of warehouse - fierce fighting with the British before they could rejoin the American line. Peter's records say nothing about him being in the Battle of New Orleans in Jan 1815, but he must have been since he was there late Dec 1814.