He raised and equipped a company at his own expense, and joined the 2nd Virginia Regiment as a lieutenant.

At the Battle of Brandywine, Colonel Thomas Marshall, the commander of the Second Regiment, was seriously injured.

During the War of 1812, Calmes was promoted to Brigadier General and given command of a brigade of Kentucky riflemen.

Following the War of 1812, Calmes returned again to his estate near Versailles, Kentucky.

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