John Wyllys

John Palsgrave Wyllys[1] (1754-1790) was a United States Army officer from Connecticut. Wyllys was the son of George Wyllys and Mary Woodbridge,[2] and the youngest brother of Samuel Wyllys.[3] He graduated from Yale College with Nathan Hale.[4]

John Palsgrave Wyllys
Born1754 (1754)
Died1790 (aged 35–36)
Kekionga (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
AllegianceUnited States
ArmyContinental Army
United States Army
RankMajor
Commands held3rd Connecticut Regiment
Battles/warsAmerican Revolutionary War
Northwest Indian War
Spouse(s)Jerusha Talcott
RelationsGeorge Wyllys (father), Mary Woodbridge (mother), Samuel Wyllys (brother)

Wyllys began his American Revolutionary War service during the Siege of Boston.[5] Wyllys was captured by the British during the retreat from New York. He was released the following year, and promoted to captain in the 9th Connecticut Regiment.[2] He also participated in the Saratoga campaign of 1777.[5] He was promoted to major in 1780, while serving in Webb's Additional Continental Regiment.[6] During the Yorktown campaign, he commanded the 3rd Connecticut Regiment[7] under General Lafayette.[8]

Wyllys married Jerusha Talcott. They had one child, who died an infant in 1783. Jerusha died a week later.[2]

Wyllys joined the First American Regiment in 1785.[2] He took part in the Harmar campaign of 1790,[9] and was in command of the combined U.S. regular and militia force in the climactic Battle of Kekionga on 22 October 1790.[10] His plan to take the Native American town was foiled when Native American decoys drew away his militia support. After Wyllys and his 60 regulars crossed the St. Joseph River, they were ambushed in an open field. Wyllys died in battle. A non-commissioned officer of the regiment reported seeing a Native American flaunting Wyllys' large hat.[10]

A street in Fort Wayne, Indiana is named for him.[11]

References
  1. Sword, Wiley (1985). President Washington's Indian War: The Struggle for the Old Northwest, 1790-1795. Norman and London: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 110. ISBN 0-8061-1864-4.
  2. "John Palsgrave Wyllys". Allen County Indiana Cemetery Project. Retrieved 3 Dec 2021.
  3. Root, Mary Philotheta, ed. (1901). Chapter Sketches. Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution (PDF). New Haven: Edward P. Judd Co. p. 23.
  4. Ockerbloom, John Mark. "Captain Nathan Hale, 1755-1776: Yale college 1773 : Major John Palsgrave Wyllys, 1754-1790: Yale college 1773". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 3 Dec 2021.
  5. Root, Mary Philotheta, ed. (1901). Chapter Sketches. Connecticut Daughters of the American Revolution (PDF). New Haven: Edward P. Judd Co. pp. 23–5.
  6. Johnston, Henry P., ed. (1889). The Record of Connecticut Men in the Military and Naval Service During the War of the Revolution 1775-1783 (PDF). Hartford. p. 245. Retrieved 5 February 2021.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. "To George Washington from John Palsgrave Wyllys, 23 March 1781". Founders Online, National Archives. Retrieved 3 Dec 2021.
  8. Schenawolf, Harry (2019). "Lt. John Mansfield's Awe-Inspiring Command of the Forlorn Hope at the Battle of Yorktown". Revolutionary War Journal. Retrieved 3 Dec 2021.
  9. "First Regiment of Infantry". U.S. Army Center of Military History. p. 401. Retrieved 3 Dec 2021.
  10. Sword, Wiley (1985). President Washington's Indian War: The Struggle for the Old Northwest, 1790-1795. Norman and London: University of Oklahoma Press. pp. 112–4. ISBN 0-8061-1864-4.
  11. "Learn About the Dead Guys Our Streets Are Named After, Part 1: Harmar Street". Allen County History Center. 2010. Retrieved 3 Dec 2021.


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