James Rhea (

fl. ''Floruit'' (; abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for "they flourished") denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indicatin ...

1791–1812) was a native of New Jersey, and was lieutenant and adjutant of "Rhea’s levies" in 1791. He was ensign and second lieutenant of infantry in 1799, and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1800. He was commissioned a captain in July 1807, and resigned at

Fort Wayne Fort Wayne is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Indiana, United States. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 as of the 2020 Censu ...

as a result of his actions during the Siege of Fort Wayne. He had previously served under General Anthony Wayne and held command at Fort Industry.

Fort Wayne

On May 15, 1810, Rhea arrived at Fort Wayne and assumed command of the fort. This would be, at a minimum, Rhea's second time commanding a river-fort in the

Northwest Territory The Northwest Territory, also known as the Old Northwest and formally known as the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, was formed from unorganized western territory of the United States after the American Revolutionary War. Established in 1 ...

having previously commanded Fort Industry on the

Maumee River The Maumee River (pronounced ) ( sjw, Hotaawathiipi; mia, Taawaawa siipiiwi) is a river running in the United States Midwest from northeastern Indiana into northwestern Ohio and Lake Erie. It is formed at the confluence of the St. Joseph and ...

. Initially described as a strong commander, Rhea ensured the completion of much needed repairs to the fort, the passage of a sanitation program, and good progress on land clearance. However, Rhea's arrival at the fort coincided with an onset of

rheumatism Rheumatism or rheumatic disorders are conditions causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue. Rheumatism does not designate any specific disorder, but covers at least 200 different conditions, including art ...

pains that would go on to linger and affect Rhea's ability to sleep. It was speculated that these painful, reoccurring episodes in tandem with the resulting sleep deprivation, was the impetus behind Rhea's eventual 'fondness for whiskey' and later demise as a commander.

References

*Gardner, Charles K. ''Dictionary of the Army of the United States''. New York: 1853. Page 377. 18th-century births 19th-century deaths United States Army officers United States Army personnel of the War of 1812 {{US-army-bio-stub