US Military Operations - 1787 to 1865
As we go back in time, less information is available about US military actions.
Here is a sample of military operations since the federal government was created in 1787, up to the end of the Civil War in year 1865.
1
1865 -- Panama. March 9 and 10. US forces protected the lives and property of American residents during a revolution.
1864 -- Japan. - Naval forces of the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands compelled Japan and the Prince of Nagato in particular to permit the Straits of Shimonoseki to be used by foreign shipping.
1863 -- Japan. - The USS Wyoming retaliated against a firing on the American vessel.
1860 -- Colombia, Bay of Panama. - Naval forces landed to protect American civilians and business interests during a revolution.
1860 -- Angola, Portuguese West Africa.
1859 -- China. - A naval force landed to protect American civilians and business interests in Shanghai.
1859 -- Mexico.
1859 -- Paraguay. - Congress authorized a naval squadron to seek redress for an attack on a naval vessel in the Parana River during 1855
1858-59 -- Turkey. - The Secretary of State requested a display of naval force along the Levant after a massacre of Americans at Jaffa and mistreatment elsewhere "to remind the authorities (of Turkey) of the power of the United States."
1858 -- Fiji Islands. - A marine expedition chastised natives for the murder of two American citizens.
1858 -- Uruguay. - Forces from two United States warships landed to protect American property during a revolution in Montevideo.
1857 -- Nicaragua.
1856 -- China. - US forces landed to protect American civilians and business interests.
1856 -- Panama, Republic of New Grenada. - US forces landed to protect American civilians and business interests during an insurrection.
1855 -- Uruguay.
1855 -- Fiji Islands. - An American naval force landed to seek reparations for depredations on American residents and seamen.
1855 -- China. - US forces protected American civilians and business interests in Shanghai and, from August 3 to 5 fought pirates near Hong Kong.
1854 -- Nicaragua. - Naval forces bombarded and burned San Juan del Norte (Greytown) to avenge an insult to the American Minister to Nicaragua. The number of men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1854 -- China. - American and English ships landed forces to protect American civilians and business interests in and near Shanghai during Chinese civil strife.
1853-54 -- Ryukyu and Bonin Islands.
1853-54 -- Japan. - Commodore Perry and his expedition forced the "opening of Japan."
1853 -- Nicaragua. - March 11 to 13. US forces landed to protect American civilians and business interests during political disturbances.
1852-53 -- Argentina. - Marines were landed and maintained in Buenos Aires to protect American civilians and business interests during a revolution.
1851 -- Johanns Island (east of Africa).
1851 -- Turkey.
1849 -- Smyrna. - In July a naval force gained release of an American seized by Austrian officials.
1846-48 -- Mexican War.
1844 -- Mexico.
1843 -- Africa. Four United States vessels demonstrated and landed various parties (one of 200 marines and sailors) to punish attacks by Muslim natives on American seamen sailing through Muslim waters.
1843 -- China. Sailors and marines from the St. Louis were landed after a clash between Americans and Chinese at the trading post in Canton.
1842 -- Mexico.
1841 -- Samoa. A naval party landed and burned towns after the killing of an American seaman on Upolu Island.
1841 -- Drummond Island, Kingsmill Group.
1840 -- Fiji Islands. Naval forces landed to punish natives for attacking American exploring and surveying parties.
1838-39 -- Sumatra. A naval force landed to punish natives of the towns of Quallah Battoo and Muckie (Mukki) for depredations on American shipping.
1836 -- Mexico.
1835-36 -- Peru. Marines protected American civilians and business interests in Callao and Lima during an attempted revolution.
1833 -- Argentina.
1832 -- Sumatra. A naval force landed and stormed a fort to punish natives of the town of Quallah Battoo for plundering the American ship Friendship.
1831-32 -- Falkland Islands. Captain Duncan of the USS Lexington investigated the capture of three American sealing vessels and sought to protect American civilians and business interests.
1827 -- Greece. Landing parties hunted pirates on the islands of Argenteire, Miconi, and Androse.
1825 -- Cuba. American and British forces landed at Sagua La Grande to capture pirates.
1824 -- Puerto Rico (Spanish territory).
1824 -- Cuba.
1823 -- Cuba. - Brief landings in pursuit of pirates.
1822 -- Cuba. - United States naval forces suppressing piracy.
1820-23 -- Africa. - Naval units raided the slave traffic pursuant to the 1819 act of Congress.
1817 -- Amelia Island. - Under orders of President Monroe, United States forces landed and expelled a group of smugglers.
1816-18 -- Spanish Florida - First Seminole War. The number of Indian men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces is unknown.
1815 - Algiers.- The second Barbary War.. The number of Muslim men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1814-25 -- Caribbean. - Engagements between pirates and American ships.
1812-15 -- War of 1812.
1806 - Mexico.
1801-05 -- Tripoli. The First Barbary War. The number of Muslim men, women and children killed and wounded by US forces, and the property destroyed, is unknown.
1798-1800 -- War with France. This conflict included land and naval actions, such as that in the Dominican Republic, city of Puerto Plata, where marines captured a French privateer.
Copyright © 2006 by Richard Maybury
1 Extracted from records prepared by Foreign Affairs Division, Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, US Government Printing Office, Washington DC, 1975, revision of 1969 version.
