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Thomas Hinds
American soldier and politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Thomas Hinds (January 9, 1780 – August 23, 1840) was an American soldier, and politician from the state of Mississippi, who served in the United States Congress from 1828 to 1831.[1]
A hero of the War of 1812, Hinds is best known today as the namesake of Hinds County, Mississippi.
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Biography
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Early years
Thomas Hinds was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, (now part of West Virginia), on January 9, 1780. He would later move to (Old) Greenville in Jefferson County, Mississippi, where he was appointed justice and assessor of the county in 1805.[2]
Hinds was made a member of the Mississippi Territorial Council in 1806, remaining in that position until 1808.[2]
Military career
Hinds was commissioned as a cavalry lieutenant in October 1805, gaining promotion to major in September 1813, during the War of 1812.[2] His forces participated with distinction in the Battle of Pensacola (1814) and the Battle of New Orleans (1814–1815), under the command of General Andrew Jackson.[2]
Battle of New Orleans
During the Battle of New Orleans, Major Thomas Hinds commanded a force of mounted Mississippi militia dragoons. Hinds' militia dragoons conducted hit-and-run paramilitary operations against the British.[3] His unit had a strength of 150 men, the largest cavalry formation. Also present were i) 50 troopers of Captain Ogden's company of cavalry and a detachment of the Attakapas dragoons, along with ii) 30 troopers of Captain Chaveau's company of horse volunteers.[4]
On December 23, Jackson ordered Hinds to probe enemy lines. Hinds and 100 dragoons drove in enemy pickets, halting outside of musket range of the British line. After viewing the British position, they returned to American lines.[5]
On December 26, 1814 Hinds' militia dragoons were ordered to burn a field of cane stubble that was providing cover to some British units. The dragoons rode into the field, set fire to the cane at several places, and safely withdrew to the American lines.[6][7]
Harassing British outposts
As time was passing by, Thomas Hinds' dragoons grew more bold and started making hit-and-run cavalry attacks on British lines. Towards the evening of December 27, 1814. A British rocket was set up. Thomas Hinds and his militia dragoons dashed up to the British outposts in parade exercise, fire volleys into the British lines and then gallop back again hurraying and shouting in savage glee and derision.[8]
Further guerrilla actions
The British did not want to advance until dawn of December 28, 1814. Hinds and his Mississippi militia dragoons came near the British positions unseen. The American militia dragoons slept besides their saddled horses, their weapons always in reach, with no fires against the cold to avoid exposing their positions. Occasionally one or more militiamen crept close enough to the British outposts to fire at them, scattering all men in all directions and occasionally getting closer to kill specific targets. It kept the British off guard, but early sunlight revealed the full British columns in the distance. Hinds' men who were concealed in the uncut cane heard the British setting up congreve rockets. The British fired rockets into the cane. Hinds and his Mississippi militia dragoons withdrew back to Andrew Jackson’s lines avoiding the British rockets.[9]
Further raids on British positions
It was December 30, 1814. Thomas Hinds' dragoons continued to mount cavalry hit-and-run raids on the British positions. In one raid, there was a group of British soldiers in a ditch. Major Thomas Hinds and his dragoons conducted a raid to attack this position. Hinds' dragoons rode some distance towards the British position. Then the American militia dragoons charged the position and leaped over the British soldiers in the ditch. The dragoons wheeled back and fired their pistols at the British soldiers in the ditch. Then the Dragoons galloped away and withdrew. However, the stunned British soldiers were in a few seconds able to regain their composure and fire a volley at the dragoons. The dragoons suffered 3 wounded men and two horses also wounded. In other occasions, when British soldiers set up redoubt batteries. Andrew Jackson would send Hinds' dragoons to raid the British positions to gather intelligence and the report back to headquarters.[10][11]
Attempt to lure the British into the open
Andrew Jackson’s line was holding. Jackson wanted to lure the British out into the open to be bombarded by his artillery. He sent Hinds' dragoons to taunt the British and draw them out. Thomas Hinds and his cavalrymen conducted drill conducts two hundred yards within the British positions fore 90 minutes taunting the British. The British did not take the bait. So the Hinds and his mounted men withdrew back to the American entrenched lines. Many Americans manning their entrenchment cheered Hinds' horsemen for their conduct.[12]
Thomas Hinds' final paramilitary operation
After the major battle of New Orleans where American infantry and artillery in entrenched positions decimated the British army. The British forces started withdrawing. Andrew Jackson sent Thomas Hinds and his dragoons to harass the British while they were retreating. Colonel Laronade with Colonel Kemper accompanied by Hinds' dragoons pursued the enemy through the prairie. Hinds' dragoons captured 4 British prisoners. Hinds, his mounted men, and the other American forces tried to erect a cannon to start harassing the British forces. But heavy British cannon and musket fire killed one militia dragoon and wounded 2 other mounted militiamen. With so much British artillery and musket fire. The American colonels along with Hinds' dragoon’s decided to head back to headquarters. Thomas Hinds, his mounted militiamen, and the two American colonels withdrew back to American lines with their 4 prisoners.[13][failed verification]
Promotion and retirement
Late in 1815, following the death of General Ferdinand Claiborne, Hinds was promoted by President James Madison as Brigadier General of the Mississippi territorial militia.[2] He was continued as the highest officer of the Mississippi militia in the rank of Major general following statehood (late 1817), resigning this position in December 1819.[2]
Later life
In the August 1819 general election, Hinds ran for Governor of Mississippi against George Poindexter but was soundly defeated, garnering only 38% of the vote behind Poindexter's 62%. (Mrs. Hinds had died in late June of the same year, at age 28.)[citation needed]
In 1820 Hinds served as Indian agent of the United States with Andrew Jackson for the negotiations with the Choctaw of what became the Treaty of Doak's Stand.[14]
Hinds was elected to the Mississippi Legislature in 1823.[2]
Following the resignation of William Haile on September 12, 1828, he was elected to the 20th Congress to complete his term. He later won re-election and held that position until March 3, 1831.[2]
Thomas was married to Lemenda Green, daughter of Congressman Thomas M. Green.
Death and legacy
Hinds died on August 23, 1840, in Jefferson County, Mississippi. He was sixty years old at the time of his death.
During his lifetime Hinds was regarded as the leading military hero of Mississippi.[2] He was remembered by Congressman J.F.H. Claiborne as having been "beloved by his troops, and one of the most intrepid men that ever lived."[2]
Hinds County, Mississippi, home of the state capital, was named in his honor.
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