What if the U.S. Army's Legion Model had been in place in 1812?

Between 1794 and 1796 the fledgling U.S. Army embarked on a new plan of organization: The Legion. Since the Founding Fathers had for the most part a classical education which emphasized Ancient Greek and Roman Law and history, it is not surprising that the new American Experiment, a Federal Republic, should look to Rome for inspiration. With a government newly created with the adoption of the Constitution after the failure of the Articles of Confederation, combined with rising tension with England, Revolutionary France, and the tribes of the newly acquired Northwest showed the need, however distasteful, for a regular army. Reliance on small regular forces and large state militias, had led to some disaterous outcomes, specifically Governor Harmar's defeat at the Battle of the Maumee (1790), and the following year when MG St. Clair's force was almost completely annihilated at the Battle of the Wabash (1791). Now, following President Washington's recomendation,and Congress' approval, a new regular army was formed, The Legion. Major General "Mad" Anthony Wayne despite some misgivings on Washington's part, assumed command. Such a model was not really new to American forces. Several, albeit smaller "Legions" had appeared at various times during the War for Independence. A bold, even reckless commander, he was a strong proponent of Von Steuben's method of discipline to the point of having the famous Blue Book reprinted for the new force. It's organization was remarkably modern in its use of combined arms. The Legion consisted of four Sub-Legions, each with their own uniform distinctions Similar to a brigade, each had two line infantry battalions, a rifle battalion, artillery battery (usually light howitzers), and a squadron of light dragoons. More importantly however was the rigorous training and discipline Wayne imposed, mixing both line and skirmisher tactics, artillery support, and rapid exploitation. In short, an army more like that of the American Civil War, rather than the European models that were quickly showing their limitations to Revolutionary France. It was this training and discipline that would lead to the American victory at the Battle of Fallen timbers in 1794. While many of the other tactics Wayne employed would be looked on today as brutal, even genocidal, it broke the Northwestern Confederacy and lead to the Treaty of Greenville in 1795. The opening of Ohio to American settlement soon followed as the first stirrings of Manifest Destiny made their appearance. Now, as it was so often in American military history, with the war "won", it was time to disband. Wayne, having died in 1796 (some say assasinated by BG Wilkinson, perhaps the greatest scoundrel in American military history after Benedict Arnold) was unable to ensure its legacy. Had he lived, perhaps this model would have continued. For me, it will continue with my 1812 forces in both 28mm and 54mm. Here are a few photos of the 1st Sub-Legion. Soon, we'll test it against a British-Canadian Brigade. Until next time...