Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Drummer Jarvis Hanks
11th U.S. Infantry, Battle of Lundy’s Lane
— Served: July 25, 1814 —
Promised by a sergeant that he would only play a drum during recruiting duty. Jarvis Hanks of the 11th U.S. Infantry, who at 14 years of age, would beat his drum at one of the most formative moments of Army history. Combining communication and inspiration, the drum served as the regiment’s heartbeat sending signal that regulated a regiment in camp, on the march and in battle. Drummer Hanks was with his regiment as it was molded into a professional fighting force under Brigadier General Winfield Scott in upstate New York during the spring of 1814 and fought with the regiment during the bloody Niagara campaign. Posted behind the colors during engagements, he beat out his officers’ commands at famous battles such as Chryslers Farm, Chippawa, and Lundy’s Lane where the regulars matched themselves against the best of British infantry.
“There was no stopping or escape, into battle we must go.”
Jarvis Hanks, Drummer 11th U.S. Infantry
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • War of 1812.
Location. 40° 12.25′ N, 77° 9.548′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker can be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Medal of Honor at Bear Paw Mountain (here, next to this marker); The Carlisle Forge (within shouting distance of this marker); Obstacle Course (within shouting distance of this marker); Training Centers (within shouting distance of this marker); A Soldier Story (within shouting distance of this marker); A Century of Protection (within shouting distance of this marker); General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion (within shouting distance of this marker); Smallpox (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
Also see . . .
1. Battle of Lundy's Lane. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 14, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. 11th Infantry Regiment (United States). Wikipedia Regimental History. (Submitted on April 14, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 25, 2023
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 1, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 2. submitted on March 2, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 14, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.