When the War of 1812 started the U.S. Army was very small, consisting of only 6744 men. America was still under the "militia system" established by the act of 1791 and 489,173 state militia men responded to the call for federal service. This created a huge army, but one that had not been trained and were ill-prepared to fight a war against the well-disciplined and trained British army. Many of these men had no tactical or battle-field training and during the war of 1812 often often ran away in field engagements. The picture above is a picture by William Charles of an unprofessional militia traveling with women and children on a March to Buffalo.
In 1810, James Madison was aware of this situation and urged Congress to consider "instituting a system which shall in the first instance call into the field at the public expense and for a given time certain portions of the commissioned and non-commissioned officers". Madison knew of the great number of militia men, and described them as a "great mass of physical and moral force", but he also understood that they were not instructed in the rules of engagement. Madison suggested that by training the officers the instruction and discipline would "gradually diffuse through the entire body of the militia". Here are the words written by James Madison in his second annual address to Congress on the subject.
"These preparations for arming the militia having thus far provided for 1 of the objects contemplated by the power vested in Congress with respect to that great bulwark of the public safety, it is for their consideration whether further provisions are not requisite for the other contemplated objects of organization and discipline. To give to this great mass of physical and moral force the efficiency which it merits, and is capable of receiving, it is indispensable that they should be instructed and practiced in the rules by which they are to be governed. Toward an accomplishment of this important work I recommend for the consideration of Congress the expediency of instituting a system which shall in the first instance call into the field at the public expense and for a given time certain portions of the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The instruction and discipline thus acquired would gradually diffuse through the entire body of the militia that practical knowledge and promptitude for active service which are the great ends to be pursued. Experience has left no doubt either of the necessity or of the efficacy of competent military skill in those portions of an army in fitting it for the final duties which it may have to perform."
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=29452
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/militia-1812.htm
https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/imh/article/view/9999/13709
http://collections.libraries.indiana.edu/warof1812/exhibits/show/warof1812/before/readiness
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