Upton S. Fraser
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United StatesUpton S. Fraser | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c. 1794 New York City, United States |
| Died | December 28, 1835 (aged 41) Sumter County, Florida, United States |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1814–1835 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 3rd Artillery Regiment |
| Commands | Fort Brooke |
| Conflicts | |
Upton Sinclair Fraser (c. 1794 – December 28, 1835) was an American military officer in the United States Army who served in multiple early 19th-century conflicts and was killed during the Second Seminole War. He was part of the advance guard of the Army column commanded by Major Francis L. Dade and was among the first officers killed in the Dade Battle.[1]
Fraser was born in New York City around 1794. Little is documented about his early life beyond his place and approximate year of birth, though records show he entered military service at a young age. According to archival military sources, Fraser began his Army career during the late stages of the War of 1812.[1]
Military career
In May 1814, during the War of 1812, Fraser joined the United States Army as an ensign with the 15th Infantry Regiment. Shortly after the war, he was transferred to the Artillery Corps in 1815 and later assigned to the newly formed 3rd Artillery Regiment.[1]
Fraser rose through the ranks over the next decade and was promoted to captain in 1828. In 1832, he and his unit were deployed to Illinois during the Black Hawk War, a conflict between the United States and Native American tribes led by Black Hawk.[1]
By 1834, Fraser’s artillery company was posted to Florida in anticipation of rising tensions with Seminole groups. He was appointed commander of Fort Brooke near present-day Tampa Bay, where he helped fortify the post in preparation for hostilities that became known as the Second Seminole War.[1]