Caldwell’s Rangers

Lieutenant Zig Misiak shown as a Caldwell’s Ranger officer. This new branch of Caldwell’s Rangers is formed out of Brantford Ontario. Lieutenant Paterson and Sergeant Leigh Moore along with a dozen more re-enactors are poised to support the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. The Brantford based unit will work closely with a senior contemporary Caldwell’s Rangers based out of Fort Malden, Amherstburg, under Captain John McLeod.

The original Caldwell’s Rangers were formed by William Caldwell who had been a captain in Butler’s Rangers and settled in Essex County after the American Revolution. He then commanded the Western Rangers sometimes called Caldwell’s Rangers. Caldwell fought along side the First Nations as did the Butlers Rangers. Caldwell’s Rangers were with Tecumseh when he died at the Battle of the Thames during Gen. Proctor’s retreat in 1813. Caldwell’s Rangers saw action in the Niagara Frontier thereafter until the end of the war.

There is little authenticated documentation as to the clothing and equipment carried by the rangers. It is known that the rangers were issued a “bucket cap” (probably a cut down infantry shako without the brass plate or feather hackle), grey woolen trousers and a green woolen tunic, and a black leather bayonet belt and cartridge box. This equipment was issued only once; after that, they were told to re-supply themselves from the enemy.

Tyler, Ryan, Daryl Misiak Caldwell’s Rangers 2010