Class 
Book. 



Copyright }1° 



■^opy'^ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



/ 

COMMEMORATIVE EXERCISES 

AT 

UNVEILING AND DEDICATION,-^ 

OF THE 

FT. MEIGS MONUMENT 

September 1 , 1 908 



Presentation Address of Chairman J. B. Wilson of the Fort 

Meigs Commission and Response of Acceptance 

by Gov. A. L. Harris 



Addresses by Lieutenant Gov. Robert S. Murphy of Pennsylvania, Gen. 
Bennett H. Young of Kentucky, Major Robert W. Hunter of 
Virginia, and Senator J. B. Foraker of Ohio 



To Which Is Appended an Interesting Diary of Capt. Daniel Lewis 
Gushing, Commander of the Grand Battery 



Compiled and Prepared by F. J. Oblinger, 
Toledo, Ohio 



2 51002 




FORT MEIGS MONUMENT 

DIMENSIONS— Base, 34 feet square. Height to Shaft, 15 feet 8 inches. Die, 8 
feet 8 inches square. Shaft at base, 6 feet square. Shaft at top, 4 feet square. From 
base to top, 81 feet 8 inches. 

P.ATRIOTIC SYMBOL-— The monument, a modest, well proportioned, plain, 
granite shaft 82 feet high, is symbolic of the patriotic spirit of the people of today and 
their deep and lasting love and gratitude for the hardy men of 1812-13. 



Members of Ft. Meigs Commission 



JOHN B. WILSON, Chairman 
CHAS. W. SHOEMAKER 
J. L. PRAY 
WM. CORLETT, Secretary 



Fort Meigs Dedicatory Services 



Tuesday, September 1, 1908. 

1. Call to order by J. B. Wilson, Chairman of the 

Fort Meigs Commission, at 2:00 p. m. 

2. Sino-ino- ''America" Audience 

Led by Waterville Choir, 75 voices. 

3. Invocation Rev. J. V. .Michaelis of Maumee 

4. Introd\ution of Gov. A. L. Harris as President 

of the Day, and i)resentation to him of com- 
pleted Monument by Chairman Wilson, and 
acceptance of same by Gov. Harris. 

5. Singing Waterville Choir 

6. Address Col. Bennett H. Young, Kentucky 

7. Singing Waterville Chorus Choir 

8. Address 

Lieut.-Gov. Robt. vS. Murphy, of Johnstown, Pa. 

9. Address 

Major Robt. W. Hunter, of Richmond, Va. 

10. Address Senator J. B. Foraker of Ohio 

11. Singing, "Star Spangled" Banner" 

Waterville Chorus Choir 

12. Benediction Rev. R. D. Hollington 




GEN. WM. H. HARRISON 



COMPLETE RECORD 



Of the Dedicatory Services of Fort Meigs Monu- 
ment, September 1, 1908 



There is no douht ili;ii the cjirtliwoi-ks of l-'oiM Meigs 
in 1S18, niaiiiu'd l»_v :is Iti-jivc n l»;nul of lieroic oflicci's nii'l 
men ;is evei' l)attl(Ml foi- Imiiian liiilits, saved tli<' continent 
from the invasion of Ivraiinx. It was indeed ilie hardy 
band of pioneer soldierv nndei- (Jen. Win. II. Harrison, 
that turned back the IJritish mercenaries and theii- savage 
Indian allies under (Jen. Procior. It was iinh'cd a mem- 
orable event not only in the history of tlie .Maumee \'alley, 
but it was one of national siiiniticance as well. It i>rove<l 
a triumyth in our national histoiy when the British horde.-! 
were driven back broken and discomfited, and this glori- 
ous heritage, now dotted with thrivinii' towns and cities 
and peaceful homes, was saved from foreii;n thraldom and 
spoliation. 

The Ovation of 1S40. 

Twenty-seven years afterwards, dnriiiu the famous 
campaign of General Harrison for the presidency, in 1840, 
the people cann^ in great crowds nundiei'ed by thousands, 
to do honor to the heroic defender of I'ort Meigs, and to 
visit the scene of his struggles with the savage hordes of 
British intolei'ance and oj)])i'ession. The brave old scddier 
then delivered an address on the same s]H)t where novv 
stands the beantifiil monnmeiit erected i(» the memory of 
those brave soldiers. 

It was indeed a memorable occasion. No man ever 
received a warnuM' oxatioii from the many thousands as- 
sembled. There were no railroads at that time, and the 
people gatherecl there from all ]>oints of the com])ass. by 
lake, by wagon, and many on foot, well ]>repared to have 
an enjoyable tinu' and testifv their appreciation of the 
grand old soldier, so familiarlv known at that time as 



10 

"Old Tippecanoe." Fortj thousand is given as the low- 
est estimate of the great throngs at that time assembled. 

The Event of 1908. 

Years passed bj, and once more the attention of the 
residents not only of the Maumee Valley, but of those of 
our nearby states, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and 
Michigan, was called to this sacred spot on the occasion 
of the dedication of the Fort Meigs monument on Sep- 
tember 1, 1908. 

This was the culmination of the prolonged efforts on 
the part of the Maumee Valley Pioneer and Historical 
Association. For years that association through patient 
and industrial effort, secured the aid of the Legislature of 
Ohio, to obtain possession of these grounds, and were thus 
enabled to dedicate them forever to the memory of the 
brave men of nearly a century ago. 

It is our purpose now to give as a(Y-urate an account 
as possible of the dedicatory services on that occasion in 
the presence of the many thousands who were assembled 
on that day. 

Battery B.' 

Battery B of Toledo, with an equipment costing 
12.50,000, under command of Taptain Taylor, camped on 
the ground Monday afternoon, with 45 men and 55 horses, 
and did not break camp till Wednesday morning. 

At sunrise Tuesday morning the battery fired a salute 
whose echoes could be heard for miles around, and for the 
first time the magnificent flag presented by the Toledo 
National Union, was flung to the breeze from the top of n 
stately steel flag staff. 

Pioneer Reunion. 

The forenoon was given over to the annual reunion 
and picnic of the Maumee Valley Pioneer Association in 
which it is estimated that fully 3,000 participated. 

The Board of Trustees of the Maumee Valley Pioneer 
and Historical Association who had charge of the celebra- 
tion, anticipating the large attendance, had provided com- 



11 

modious rest tents equipped with cots and chairs, and 
many other conveniences. Barrels of ice water were 
placed here and there over the grounds, and along the 
south side of the river were many refreshment stands. 

The pioneers were called to order at 10 o'clock, Presi- 
dent Foster Pratt presiding. Tlie old officers were re- 
elected, as follows: 

President, by virtue of being the oldest member of 
the Maumee Valley, Foster Pratt. 

Vice Presidents — Justice ^McDonald, ^Mauinec; W. 0. 
Harris and J. L. Pray, Fast Toledo, and A. I{. (^mipl)ell. 
Bowling Green. 

Secretary — J. M. Wolcott, Maumee. 

Executive rommittee— Bev. J. P. Michaelis, .Maumee; 
Jane Draiier, Toledo; G. 11. P.laker, Maumee; G. N. Bal- 
lon and Jacol) Fiii:lehart, Toledo. 

Gen. Young Speaks. 

The first speaker aftci- tlie election of officers was Dr. 
:\rorgau of :\laumee, who spoke l)riefiy of early pioneer 
history and the struggles 1o frt-e the great Noi-thwest of 
the domination of the British forces and their savage 
allies, the Indians. 

The feature of the forenoon exei'<'ises liowevei-. was 
the magnificent address of Golon(>l r>(Minett Young of 
Kentucky, who since he addressed the Maumee \'all<'y Pio- 
neers three years ago, has been an honorary member of 
the association. Colonel Young spoke in part as follows: 

"What a marvelous thing it is to be able to stand in 
this distant state and say, 'our country.' T canu' from 
the state of Kentucky to thank the people of the :\raume^ 
Valley for this magnificent monument to our dead. There 
were only 1,S00 men killed in the war of 1S12, and of that 
number fate put it up to Kentucky to sacrifice 1,000 of 
her sons. My kinsmen were in this fort on that day of 
May 5, 1S13, and fondit in the battle which saved this 
valley from conquest. 

"It makes a heap of difference how you come to 
Ohio. I came to Ohio once and you all took me and 
put me in the penitentiary. I am here now as a happy 



12 

guest. I thought it a hardship tliat God should 
decide that our cause should fail, but I have since 
come to the conclusion that God knew better than I did, 
for this is the greatest, grandest and most progressive 
nation in the world. I may say now that I thank God 
for the result, although it was a bittei* pill at the time. 

"I have come to bear to you the grateful thanks of 
Kentucky. You men who have for forty years persevered 
with zeal the work of commemorating this ground, de- 
serve the gratitude not only of Kentucky, but the grati- 
tude of the whole country. 

''It was the spirit generated by tlic men who fell here 
in defense of the Ohio settlements that made the armies 
of the north and soutli the greatest voluntec-r armies that 
ever rallied around a ilag and cause, l)raving death witli 
a courage which only freemen can feel and that has made 
this the great nation of history." 



DEDICATORY EXERCISES 



They Opened In the Presence of a Large 
Assemblage 



The dedicatory exercises, beginning at 2 o'clock, were 
conducted on a platform erected near the monument, 
John B. Wilson, Ghairman of the Fort Meigs Gommission, 
presiding. 

The exercises opened by the Waterville Ghorus of 75 
trained voices leading in the singing of ''America." Rev. 
J. P. Michaelis of ]Maumee, offered the following 

Invocation. 

O Lord, God of hosts, Ave beseech Thee look with favor 
upon Thy people assembled lu^'e in Thy name. 

Inspire us today Ayith the same lofty ideals of unsel- 
fish love of country and of steadfast devotion to principle 
with which many years ago Thou didst move the men 
from Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Ohio to 



13 

mingle their life-blood in eousecraling lliese grounds a 
shrine of our heaven-born xVmerican liberty. 

And as Thy servant Jacob, awakening from his sleep 
in the field of Bethel, said trend)ling: "IJow terrible is 
this place," so we now feel Thy awful presence that has 
hovered over this place, and wc will pour the oil of glad- 
ness on the stone that is lo be a monument of our grati- 
tude. 

Grant, O Lord, that this shaft may always remind us 
and our children of Thy sitecial gift to us, of freedom, and 
that we may always have that true appi'eciatiou of the 
brotherhood of nmn, for which those whose dust lies yon- 
der fought so bravely, that thus we may always i-ejoice in 
being able to turn to Thee and to call Thee, Our Father! 
Amen. 

JOHN P.. WILSON'S ADDRESS 

In Presenting the Monument to the State of Ohio. 

Following the iuvocati(»n. Chairman Wilson, on be- 
half of the Commission, presented to Governor Harris, on 
behalf of the State of Ohio, the monument, speaking as 
follows : 

Ladies and Gentlemen : A little more than ninety- 
live years ago, the battle of Fort Meigs was fought here. 
The results of that battle are a nuitter of history. Those 
familiar with the great results of that battle are truly 
grateful to the soldiers of that day, and honor them for 
the heroic deeds they accomplished. Yet, these grounds 
have remained all these years unnuirked, save by the silent 
earth-works you see placcMl here by those brave men, for 
their own defense. Beyond the ravine to the east, there 
lie burifH^l the Kentucky soldiers, and across the highway 
to the south is the consecrated grassy mounds of the Pitts- 
burg Blues, and at the extreme west end of the fort, on 
the sloi>ing banks of the Maumee, is the garrison burying- 
ground; all unmarked, yet never disturbed by the owners 
of these grounds. 

Ohio Legislature. 

Ohio, two years ago, by her Legislature, appropriated 



14 

$25,000 for the purchase of this fort, and the erection of a 
suitable memorial to commemorate the achievements of 
Grenerals Harrison, Dudley, Clay and their brave men. 

We are glad upon this occasion that we have with us 
our distinguished Governor, Andrew L, Harris, whose 
loyal interest in the proper commemoration of our heroic 
dead merits our highest appreciation. We are likewise 
gratified with the presence of our fearless and faithful 
United States Senator, Joseph B. Foraker. This eventful 
occasion is also honored with the presence of Lieutenant 
Governor Kobert S. Murphy, authorized by Governor 
Edwin S. Stuart of Pennsylvania, to represent that state ; 
also Hon. Robert W. Hunter, authorized by Governor 
Swanson, to represent Virginia, and last but not least. 
Governor Willson has designated Col. Bennett H. Young, 
our mutual friend and loyal supporter, as Kentucky's 
representative. 

Ohio will gladly set apart to Pennsylvania and Vir- 
ginia sufficient ground on which to erect a suitable memo- 
rial. And, as tlie Maumee Valley Pioneer and Historical 
Association owns the grounds where the Kentucky sol- 
diers are buried, that Association will gladly deed to 
Kentucky sufficient ground on which to erect a monument 
to her soldiers; all of whom have hallowed these grounds 
and made us so largely their debtors. 

Although it is nearly a century since the great drama 
that fixed their fame as patriots and heroes, and as our 
benefactors, we have the happy privilege of proving that 
we are not forgetful or ungrateful, and that their fame 
preserved in history and tradition, did not die with their 
generation, but has lived to inspire this generation with 
the liveliest emotions of love and gratitude, and we are 
glad today to dedicate this beautiful shaft of enduring 
granite, erected by the State of Ohio, to the heroic and 
patriotic services of the men of 1813, who consecrated 
these grounds. 

It would be quite impossible for me to give due praise 
to those outside of the Legislature, who have performed 
special services in forwarding this work, but I desire to 
say, with all participating, it has been a work of love, and 



15 

in their work they have been encouraged and rewarded by 
the generous sympatliv (tf the people generally. 

Labors of the Association. 

I can not forego making special iiicution of the untir- 
ing efforts of the members of the Maumee Valley Pioneer 
and Historical Association, without whose help this work 
would not have been begun or accomplished. 

1 am pleased to say that the efforts of the committee 
have been encouraged on all occasions by Governor Harris 
and members of the Legislature from this district. The 
committee in charge of the erection of this monument has 
held many meetings, and their actions have been harmoni- 
ous aud pleasant. They liave formed a friendship which 
will always exist, and they have given to the State of Ohio 
their best possible service. 

And now to you, Governor Harris, as representative 
of the State of Ohio, 1 deliver this hallowed property and 
commit tliis sacred trust, with tlie satisfying confidence 
that the property will be faithfully preserved and the 
trust faithfully discharged. 

Besides this. Governor Harris, it is my pleasure to ask 
you to kindly take charge as chairman, of the further ex- 
ercises of the day. 

Monument Unveiled. 

At the conclusion of the address, David Robison, Jr., 
of Toledo, whose father was one of the soldiers at Fort 
Meigs, unveiled tlie monument, the battery fired twenty- 
one guns, aud the band phiyed '"The Star Spangled Ban 
ner." 

GOV. HARRIS RESPONDS 
In Accepting the Monument on Behalf of Ohio. 

Gov. Harris accepted the monument on behalf of the 
state in the following response: 

Mr. Chairman, Members of Fort Meigs Commission, 
Ladies and Gentlemen: 

The dedication of a monument is always a beautiful 



16 

and impressive ceremony. This is especially so if the 
monument be one to commemorate some unselfish act, 
some sacrifice made for humanity, or some noble and 
heroic service rendered to the nation. This towering 
shaft which we dedicate today commemorates all these 
things, and more. It at once serves to perpetuate the 
memory of those who struggled so bravely to save this 
territory to the United States, and is an inspiration of 
patriotism to the generations of the future. 

The Maumee Valley had long been the home of the 
Indians, it was a popular thoroughfare for the movements 
of the settlers and Indians, and its possession was much 
desired by both the British and Americans. It had been 
the scene of Wayne's victory over the Indians in 171)4, and 
of important operations in the war of 1812. 

In June, 1812, the armj^ of General Hull marched 
from Urbana, through the present counties of Hardin, 
Hancock and Wood, into Michigan, crossing the Maumee 
near where Fort Meigs was later built. On the 16th of 
August the discouraging news went abroad of Hull's sur- 
render at Detroit. 

During the same months, General Edward W. Tup- 
per of (Jallia County, recruited about one thousand men 
in Gallia, Lawrence and Jackson counties for six months' 
service, and under orders of General Winchester, proceed- 
ed by HulFs rout« from Urbana to the foot of the Maumee 
Ilapids. He endeavored to cross the river in the night but 
the rapidity of the current was so great that with the 
weakened and almost starving condition of men and 
horses the task was unsuccessful. The enemy soon after 
assembled in superior numbers and attacked Tupper in 
camp, but were repulsed with great loss. After this en- 
gagement the command was taken back to Fort McArthur. 

On January 10, 1813, General Winchester marched 
vith his troops from Fort Wayne and Defiance to the 
rapids, where he camped until the 17th of the month, 
when the march northward was resumed. On January 
22d, at the River Raisin, General Winchester was dis- 
astrously defeated, his army being almost completely 
wiped out. 



17 

The surrender of iiull, Llie retreat of T upper, aud the 
defeat of Winchester had been very discouraging to the 
American cause. General Harrison proceeded with great 
energy to gather a new force of soldiers. The reputation 
and ability of General Harrison gave new hope to the 
people, and the confidence he inspired at this time was 
similar to that held by General Wayne when he took com- 
mand after the defeats of Generals Harmar and St. Clair. 
The first thought of General Harrison was to with- 
draw all troops from northwestern Ohio and retreat to 
the interior of the tState, but he finally decided to build a 
strong fort upon the southern bank of the Maumee at the 
foot of the rapids. This was to be a supply station and a 
base of operations against Canada and Detroit. The site 
of the fort was selected b^- General Harrison, with Cap- 
tains Wood and Gratiot, and construction was begun on 
February 2, 1813. As the IJritish were in possession of 
Lake Erie, this was a strategic point of great importance, 
lying directly on the route to Canada. The position was 
most favorable for offense and defense, and as a point for 
the concentration of troops and supplies of the states. Ii 
offered obstruction to invasions by the British and Indians 
from the north. The fort was named Fort Meigs, in 
honor of Return Jonathan Meigs, the Governor of Ohio. 

In reading the history of the selection of the site for 
and the construction and sturdy defense of Fort Meigs 
we are impressed with the peculiar ability of General 
Harrison as a sagacious, resourceful and far-seeing com- 
mander. 

Some of the details of this fort showed the greatest 
ingenuitv and originalitv. (Jne only need be mentioned. 
On the edge of the embankment in front of tlie river side 
of the fort was a row of large hollow sycamore logs, sev- 
eral feet in diameter and ten or twelve feet long, lying 
lengthwise. They were filled with heavy boulders, and 
each cut held in place on the edge of the embankment by a 
rope passed into the wall of the fort. In case of an attack 
up this bank by the enemy, the ropes were to be cut and 
the heavy logs sent crashing down upon them. 

That the British early saw the strategic value of 




GOVERNOR ANDREW L. HARRIS 



19 

Fort Meigs and its menace lo the success of Llieii- plans is 
evidenced by the fact tliat (reneral Proctor and his Indian 
allies laid siege to il on i\\(» dilferent occasions. 

The first siege began Ajuil I'T, 1818, and was con- 
tinned for fourteen days, and ihc second siege began July 
iM), isi:*,, and lasted eight days. 'IMie liritish planted 
four batteries, known as "King's I Gallery," "(Queen's Bat- 
tery," "Sailor's l>allery,"' and the "Mortar llattery," upon 
the opposite bank ol the v'wrw in spite of the incessant 
fire from the guns of thi' fort, iiealizing that his force 
was inadequate, having an avaiiabh' force of less than 
eight hundred men, Geneial Harrison dispatched a brave 
officer. Captain William Oliver, to hasten the advance of 
General (Jreeu Clay, whom he knew to be on the way with 
a force of his Kentuckians. 

On the third night of the siege some lUitish and In- 
dians crossed the river below Fort Meigs and sheltered by 
a ravine planted on its margin, southeastward from the 
fort and within two hundred and fifty yards, two batter- 
ies. From these batteries, and from the Indians in the 
trees of the vicinity, the garrison was subjected to a dam- 
aging fire. The next morning (ieneral Proctor sent to 
General Harrison a recpiest to surrender, and to the of- 
ficer who bore the re(iuest Harrison replied, "Tell your 
general that if he obtains jxisse^sion of tliis fort it will bo 
under circumstances that will dc him far more honor than 
would my surrender." 

General Harrison, on the night of May 4th, sent 
word to General Clay, wh(» with his army was descending 
the river in 18 large barges, to come down the river, land 
eight hundred men on th^ north bank to seize and spike 
the British guns and then to at once cross over to Fort 
Meigs. Colonel Dudley, being second in command under 
General Clay, led the landing party. They landed about 
a mile above the batteries, formed his men in three lines 
and marched silently down upon the British in the dark- 
ness. They charged upon the guns with the bayonet, the 
artillerymen and Indians, completely surprised, fleeing 
for their lives. Instead of obeying the orders of General 
Harrison and retreating across the river to the fort, Dud- 



20 

ley's men, elated by their success in capturing the bat- 
teries, went in pursuit of the fleeing Indians, into the for- 
est. Away from the fort in the forest, a multitude of In- 
dians rose up about them, and from behind trees toma- 
hawks were hurled at them and shots came thick from am- 
bush. Eealizing their mistake, the men began a hasty 
retreat toward the river, but in the meantime a force oi 
British had come from Fort Miami and thrown themselves 
between the Americans and the river. About one hun- 
dred and fifty cut their way through and made their escape 
to the fort, at least two hundred were cut to pieces by the 
Indians and about four hundred fell captives. Many of 
the captives on the way to Port Miami were butchered 
by the savages. 

The battle on the other side of the river had a more 
happy termination. The four hundred of General Olay^s 
men who landed on the south bank, succeeded in reaching 
the fort in safety. Later the garrison made a brilliant 
and successful sortie from the south gate and captured 
and spiked all the guns of the batteries on the ravine, be- 
sides capturing about fifty prisoners, two of them British 
oflacers. 

An armistice was now declared, for the purpose of 
effecting exchange of prisoners and burying the dead, 
which was taken advantage of by General Harrison to get 
into the fort the ammunition and supplies that had come 
in the boats. The batteries again resumed their fire, but 
the Indians had become weary of the siege, sickness broke 
out among the British, and the Canadian militiamen be- 
gan to desert. The siege was soon abandoned, and the 
enemy withdrew, except Tecumseh, who determined to re- 
main upon the ground with about four hundred of his 
Shawanese braves. 

The bravery of the Americans during the siege of 
Fort Meigs was the same dashing sort which has charac- 
terized the American soldier in all our wars. It was 
really the fearless spirit of Colonel Dudley's men, after 
they had captured the British batteries, which led them 
into the ambush. The feat of Col. Miller and his 19th 
Regulars in capturing the two batteries on the edge of the 



21 

ravine at the left of tlie fort was a brilliant one. In this 
Captain (afterwards Colonel) Croa^han, who later dis- 
tinsiuisluMl liJTiisolf at Foi't Siophoiisoii, liad a fonspimons 
part. 

During the siege of Fort Meigs from ^Fay 1st to the 
5th, the garrison, in the sorties and witliin the fort, had 
eighty-one killed and one Imndred and eighty-nine wonnd- 
ed, aside from the nnmher of Colonel Dudley's troops 
which were massacred. The British force engaged was in 
all 3,200, while the American force nnmbered 1.200, in all. 

The second siege of the fort was laid on .Tnlv 20th, 
1813, General Proctor, at the solicitation of Tecnmseh, 
having returned with a force of abont 5,000, while General 
Harrison was at Lower Sandusky, and General Green 
Clay was in charge of tlie fort. The fort at this time was 
defended by only a few hundred men. General Clay dis- 
patched Captain IMcCnue to apprise General Harrison of 
the situation. General Harrison returned word to Clay 
to be particularlv cautious against surprises, and that 
efforts would be made to send relief. Captain McCune 
and his escort had a narrow escape in returning to the 
fort, but finally succeeded, and delivered the message 
from General Harrison. 

Tecumseh had worked up a plot io deceive the garri- 
son. In the afternoon of the dav Captain :McCune re- 
turned the British infantry were hidden in the ravine be- 
low the fort, and the cavalry in the woods above, while the 
Indians stationed themselves in the forest, on the road 
near the fort. Near dark they beiran a sham battle with 
each other, in the effort to lead the Americans to believe 
that a battle was going on between a re-enforcing party 
and the enemy, and to entice them from the fort to the 
relief. jMany of the garrison Avere deceived and flew to 
arms, and some of the officers insisted upon marching out, 
but General Clay dissuaded them. A shoAver of rain end- 
ed the mock engagement soon afterward. The enemy re- 
mained about the fort but a short time afier this, and on 
the 28th of July they gathered up their stores and pro- 
ceeded down the Lake and to Fort Stephenson. In their 
attack on Fort Stephenson, which was commanded by 



22 

Colonel Croghan, the British and Indians met with a ter- 
rible repulse. 

After these two sieges, Fort Meigs continued to be an 
important base of operations against the enemy. It was 
from here that Harrison's army went in pursuit of Proc- 
tor and Tecumseh when they fled from iNfalden, overtaking 
them at the Thames, where Tecumseh was slain and the 
British signally defeated. 

A recent writer, closing an interestin<i sketch of 
Fort Meigs, says: 

"The important part whicli Fort INIeigs play- 
ed in the war can mnx be seen. It was the rally- 
ing point foi' troops, and the great storehouse of 
supplies for the western army. It was the Gib- 
raltar of the Maumee Valley and rolled back the 
tide of British invasion while Perry was cutting 
his green ship timbers from the forest around 
Erie, and it was to Harrison at Fort Meigs that 
Perry's world-famed dispatcli came wlien the 
British fleet had struck their colors off Put-in- 
Bay: 'We have met the enemy, and they are 
ours.' " 

In conclusion, gentlemen of the Fort Meigs Tommis- 
sion, in the name of the State of Oliio, I accept from your 
hands this monument, dedicated to American patriotism. 
I wish to commend you gentlemen of the Commission for 
the satisfactory, business like and efficient manner in 
which you have completed the work assigned you. I also 
desire to congratulate the members of the Maumee Valley 
Pioneer Association upon the fact tliat their efforts to 
secure a memorial to Fort Meigs have been so fittingly re- 
warded. Let us hope that this monument may stand here 
for ages, an object of pride and veneration to the people 
of our State, and an inspiration to the keenest apprecia- 
tion of our ci^ic duties and the highest sense of patriotism. 



HON. ROBERT S. MURPHY. 

Address of the T.ieuteiinnt Governor of Pennsylvania. 

At the coiu'lusiuii of his response Governor Harris introduced 
Liemeiiaiit (iovenior Murphy of Pennsylvania, who, on the part 
of Ills slaU', expressed its thanks and profound interest in Fort 
Meigs and (his eonuueuim-at ion in an a(hlress that elicited the 
closest allcnlion and was clothed will) oratorical power seldom 
eciualled. (iov. Murphy said: 

Conditions of Couniry in 1812. 

This s])leiidid mmiorial in honor of our country's dead points 
to a ciiicial period in the national life. 

The tluinder of the cnns at Yorktown liad ended the Revolu- 
tionary contest t'oi- lilierly. The young Nation staggering to its 
feet had talxcn its lir>i full Im-ath of in(h'pcndence. The long 
wished for |)eaee had come with honor, and just hopes were enter- 
laiiiiMl for till' enjoyment of those sovereign privileges for which 
so niueh had btM:'n given in sacrifice. Tn every walk of life the 
freshening spirit of lil)ert,y infused new energy. Labor lifted up 
its arms, and trade was (ilh'd with joy. Our commercial interests 
were aroused to a high state of activity, and this strikingly 
appeared in our mercantile marine, wliich, through the fortunes 
of wai'. had been almost totally destroyed. The skill of our sail- 
ors, the speed of our ships, were only matched by the enterprising 
spirit of our merchants. Oui' sails were whitening every sea, 
and so rapid was our pi'ogress upon the water in gathering the 
tra<le of the worhl that (ireat Britain became justly fearful of her 
hitherto unchallenged supremacy. 

Throughout the English Emiure the "American peril," as it 
was teruu'd, awakened the spirits of eomiuercial envy and avarice 
to the liighcst degrei-. Their' manifestations appeared in policies 
so oppressive to .\niei'ican interests upon the high seas and our 
ports of eidrv. that relief was only possible by resort to force. 
The prolonged conflict of France under N'apoleon with England, 
our chief opponent, produced a condition of affairs in which this 
country, although neutral in every sense, was destined to be 
ground between the upper and nether stone. The outrage- 
ous taking of American seamen from American ships and sub- 
jecting them to service in the English Navy, coupled with the 
restrictions to our expanding conmierce, continued for a long 
period and brought about the predestined result. 



24 

The numberless acts of this character at the hands of Eng- 
land justified the exercise of warlike force. But every measure 
known to peaceful diplomacy was resorted to before proceeding to 
that extremity, chief among which may be mentioned the famous 
retaliatory measures adopted under the Administration of Mr. 
Jefferson and known as the "Embargo and Non-Intercourse 
Acts." The importation of goods from England was prohibited, 
{^nd likewise our merchants were prohibited from exporting our 
products abroad. All of these things worked their natural result; 
trade suffocated, and the rights of our citizens continued to be in 
jeopardy. From this state of affairs there was but one recourse 
against the mighty power of England. A realizing sense of this 
fact finally took possession of the country ; the men whose hearts 
and memories were yet alive to the glories of the struggle for inde- 
pendence united in violent and patriotic protest against the 
further infraction of tlieir rights as citizens and impositions upon 
their trade. 

Singularly and unfortunatelv the condition of the public 
mind at this period was marked by the most lamentable discord. 
TTnanimity of opinion in support of the rights of the countr\^ at 
large did not exist. The timid and vacillating foreign policv — 
peaceable coercion as it was called — which distinguished Mr. Jef- 
ferson's two administrations and found its most marked expres- 
sion in the "Embarsro and TvTon-Tntercourse Acts" had many satti- 
pathizers. The spirit of selfishness was abroad, and the courage 
of the people was correspondingly affected. The National spirit 
seemed at its lowest ebb and belief in the power of Great Britain 
to crush us at will existed almost without limit. To this condi- 
tion and belief the defenseless state of the country from a naval 
and military standpoint gave added strength and conviction. 

Delayed Struggle Comes at Last. 
Mr. Madison's Administration as the successor of Mr. Jeffer- 
. son's came into power when the commercial interests of the coun- 
try as the result of a long series of aggressions were prostrate in 
the dust; when patriotism seemed to have been supplanted by self- 
ishness; when the spirit of the people presented but a faint re- 
semblance of that of '76 ; when the hopes of a glorious future for 
the infant Nation so fondly entertained had fled except from 
hearts unusually brave. The intensity of the struggle with its 
accompanying misfortunes from within and from without com- 
pelled the Nation to defend its life. The result came despite an 
acrimonious division in the legislative halls of Congress that 
boded ill for the common welfare. It came out of a situation 



25 

pregnant with doubt and uncertainty, and as tlic result of the 
final appeal of intolerable conditions to the sleeping patriotism of 
the country. Tt came as the result of the indignities and insults 
of England, and as the just resentment and reply of an injured 
self-respect, whnsi^ riglits could only be preserved by force. The 
ablest and most ]iatnotic minds of the day, led by the great Clay, 
of Kentucky, and the great Calhoun, of South Carolina, forced the 
issue with the Administration, and Mr. Madison, in the spirit of 
our noblest traditions, set his hand and seal to a proclamation 
which declared a state of existing war betAveen England and 
America. The sword of Wasliiiiglon was again dra^vn from its 
scabbard. 

Out of circumstances of the most discouraging nature we 
started upon the long struggle, and surelv without much hope of 
success. Tt mav be said in all honesty that no Nation ever com- 
menced hostilities with another Power with less force at its com- 
mand. TTnder the great .Tetferson our Navv had almost ceased 
to exist and our Armv was hardlv equal to the police force of one 
of our great cities. Yet if we did not possess the men and ships, 
we did have in the crreed of Enafland the richest provocation. Indi- 
vidual and national risrhts smarted under grievous injury. The 
future liberty of the country was at stake, and the accumulated 
wrongs pricked the temper of the people with quickening power. 
Into full life arose the characteristic qualities of American man- 
hood which had wrung from the crown at the point of the sword 
the priceless boon of self-government. The "NTation commenced to 
realize that Franklin was riirbt wh(Mi he declared that the war 
ending with the surrender of Cornwallis was simplv the war of 
the Revolution, and that the war of independence was vet to he 
fought. Everv one began to understand that upon the outcome 
of the War of 1812 depended the security and the continuance of 
national life. TTpon the highway of peace and progress the career 
and destiny of a great people was halted to await the result. To 
the credit of our country be it said the conflict which followed 
placed in high relief ihe strongest qualities of our race. The 
people of the various States became united in a common purpose 
under the rallying crv of "freedom oP trad^ and sailors' rights." 
The unprovoked causes of war filled them with the necessity and 
the desire to bo foreyer free from oppression at the hands of a for- 
eign Power. The crisis tausrht the lesson of self-reliance and ban- 
ished for all time fears of conquest on land or sea. 

Brilliant Triumphs on Land and Sea. 
The war as it proceeded produced men and ships. The 



26 

record made by our countrymen excites the noblest admiration. 
No more brilliant chapter of bravery and heroism distinguishes 
the history of any land. . True, we triumphed in a marked degree 
upon the sea, yet the valor exhibited by our soldiers as attested in 
and about this historic spot contributed no less than did our sail- 
M-s to the liumiliation of England and the glory of America. 
Xothing in our national life stirs our hearts with greater fervor 
than the victories that hunil)led the great sea power of Britain. 
Our pulse beats high when we think of how our young but vigorous 
Xavy destroyed the boasted invincibility of the British sailor. 
Our patriotism is exalted when we thinlc of the victories of the 
brave Hull, and the equally brave Bainbridge in "Old Ironsides ;" 
of the gallant Decatur in the "United States;" of the triumphs 
of McDonough aud Perry on the waters of Champlain and Brie; 
and in sadness and thankfulness we remember the dying message 
of the lamented Lawrence on the decks of the ill-fated Chesa- 
peake, spoken not only to his sailors, but to all his countrymen: 
"Don't give up the ship." Upon the land our flag waved in vic- 
tory and defeat. Commanding leadership and coherency of action 
was absent, yet out of disaster which shook the stoutest heart came 
the blessing of victory. The undisciplined troops, frontiersmen 
and farmers, with l)ut few regulars, faced the veterans of Welling- 
ton fresh from tlieir triumphs over the soldiers of Napoleon in 
Spain, and as courageously met the "purchased savage," whose 
shameless atrocities upon men, women and children form a sick- 
ening episode in our history and brand the British Government of 
that day with the indelible stain of inhumanity. 

The bravery and devotion of a people fighting for home and 
country are the most potential forces in war. In strong colors 
these qualities of our countrymen appeared in this prolonged 
strife. Despite the lack of men and equipment of the country 
for war, the great boundary of the Noi-thwest — the open door 
through which the enemy rushed — was successfully defended. 
The unfortunate surrender of territory and men at Detroit was 
redeemed by the bravery of the American arms in many actions. 
At Lundy's Lane, at Chippewa, at Queenstown, at the Thames, 
and ending with the triumph of Jackson at New Orleans, the 
record of our soldiers was written high upon the roll of fame. 
Soldiers Who Died at Fort Meigs. 

Where we stand today by the waters of the Maumee the con- 
flict was waged with a fierceness and cruelty unsurpassed. Here 
were enacted scenes and incidents of blood and slaughter whose 
memory yet chills the blood. Here was witnessed the gathering 




HON. ROBERT S. MURPHY 



28 

of many men filled with the courage of patriotism. Here came 
as a Captain of men the great Harrison, destined for brighter 
distinction than the laurels of Tippecanoe. With him rode the 
distinguished Shelby, of Kentucky, who had fought with Sevier at 
King's Mountain, where the right arm of Cornwallis was broken. 
A host of others were marshalled under their leadership, among 
whom were the gallant Clay, of Kentucky, and the brave Crooks, 
of Pennsylvania. 

Today we commemorate in appropriate stone the self-sacrifice 
of those who, summoned from peaceful homes, cheerfully surren- 
dered life upon the altar of their countrv. Within these hallowed 
precincts lie the men of Ohio, of Indiana, of Virginia, of Ken- 
tuckv, and, of Pennsylvania's contribution, the valiant soldiers of 
the Pittsburg Blues. The record of their deeds and sacrifices 
will ever animate their countrvmen. Through those who follow- 
ed the colors the remorseless hand of England was staved, and the 
arm of ih^ savage paralvzed. Tbe great northwestern countrv 
reaching into the Vallev of thp Mississippi remained undespoiled. 
To thoso who died here was given the privileore of contributinsr in 
the hiJTbest degree to the preservation of iho Eepublic. This 
splendid memorial testifips to the appreciation wbich we feel today 
for those who gave the fullest measure of service to the country. 
May it remain for all time as a livina: example to s'enerations vet 
to come of the constancv and devotion that made us a N'ation 
among the nations of the earth. 

Peace With Honor. 

Peace with honor came at last, and with it an independence 
that has never been challenged by a foreign foe. The lesson 
taught by the heroic dead whose bones sanctify this ground, must 
never be forgotten. Tt matters not how smooth may be the course 
of government, experience tells us that the time will surely arise 
when in order to preserve what we love and revere, the example set 
by the heroes of the past must be followed : when the call of the 
country will demand the highest price; when unforseen difficulties 
abroad, and possibly at home, will require us to put in bondage 
our liberties and possessions; when justice and self-respect will 
command us to place in the balance the future happine^ of our- 
selves and institutions. Let us ever be ready to meet the responsi- 
bilities of self-government. Let not the fear of enemies at home 
or abroad permit us to yield those sacred rights and privileges 
which were obtained at the sacrifice of blood and treasure. 
Period of National Development. 

The successful termination of the War of 1812 marked the 



29 

commencement of a remarkable period of activity. This great 
territory of the Northwest, freed from the danger of the savage 
and invasion from tlie Xortli, became tlie point toward which 
moved an emigration from all parts of the country that was 
extraordinary to behold. Then was lirsL seen the emigrant with 
his family, his goods, and chatties loaded upon the white-covered 
canvas wagon so famous in our history. The historian of that day 
records tliat the niuvenieni of population to the West was truly 
v/onderful. Every road leading westward from the East was cov- 
ered with lines of moving wagons wending their weary way across 
streams and valleys and over hills and mountains. 

The emigration that peopled this vast area was of the very 
flower of the East and South. They came in the spirit of the 
pioneer, armed in truth and virtue, and seeking only at first the 
humblest home for shelter. Then was seen the clearing in the 
wilderness; then came the famous log cabin, with its doors swung 
on leather hinges and the broad open fireplace that furnished heat 
and light and bade a welcome to every guest. It was in such 
homes that the princes and kings of the people were born. No 
man today in this great free country can boast of a higher patent 
of nobility than that his ancestor was born in the wilderness of the 
West under the roof of the log cabin dedicated to freedom, virtue, 
and independence. 

Spirit of Nationalism. 
Out of the struggles and misfortunes of that time came the 
spirit of nationalism. It magnetically drew together the people 
of the various sections of the country, it pointed the pathway 
toward our national destiny. It proclaimed to every intelligent 
mind the necessity of a common unity and a common purpose. 
Under its inspirations the great march of the years commenced. 
Freedom from danger abroad and from dissension at home 
spurred the genius of the people to the highest degree. In the 
great movement toward a higher life, that came as sunshine and 
rain to the thirsty soil, resentments were forgotten, peace was pro- 
claimed, and the burdens of the days and years were borne with 
the cheerfulness of patriotism. 

In the birth of nationalism which signalized the second war 
for independence with England is found the overshadowing power 
which preserved this country one and indivisible. It was a matter 
of slow growth and slower realization, but in time it became an 
animating thought and impulse; and in the rising tide of its 
power it carried the country through trials and difficulties which 
threatened the national life. Today the strength and power of 



30 

this patriotic spirit is the subject of the united loyalty and devo- 
tion of all our countrymen. It is typified in the highest form of 
government known to man, a great central authority justly guard- 
ing the life of the various states, and in which the rights of one 
are as sacred as the rights of all. 

Step by step we have advanced to a place in the front rank 
among the nations. We are witnessing the greatest triumphs in 
science and trade; in a growth of population and commercial pro- 
gress unparalleled by the achievements of any time; in a prosperity 
exceeding the fondest anticipation of the statesman and giving to 
the millions of our country a greater degree of comfort and hap- 
piness than ever experienced by a people. The record surpasses 
description, and places upon us the responsibility of its perpetua- 
tion. The situation requires the most wise and resolute good 
faith at home and abroad. Wc have grown in opulence and 
wealth, for the last few years have given birth to a gigantic 
commerce. In wisdom it must be protected and extended. Our 
great waterways must be improved and our mercantile marine re- 
stored to its former prestige and power. Our people must remain 
contented and loyal, and our Government must maintain its integ- 
rity among the nations of the earth. We must ever remember 
"the lesson of unpreparedness" taught by the war whose heroic 
dead sleep about us the sleep that knows no waking. 
Our Responsibility. 

Today a responsibility imposed upon every nation of the earth 
rests upon us. We must see to it that through no failure of ours 
are the interests of citizens neglected. Having wealth and power 
at our command, all things must be done to conserve the country 
in time of peace and protect it in time of war. 

Today our flag is honored on every sea and respected in every 
port. Our citizens abroad are safe from intrusion and interfer- 
ence. The statesmanship of the country in response to the ad- 
vancing genius of the age has made this condition possible and at 
the same time has created the highest guarantee of peace with the 
nations of the earth. The lessons of the past have been observed. 
Today*' our shores are safe from attack without, and under the 
waving banner which we all love floats one of the most splendid 
naval armaments of the world to police the Atlantic and Pacific 
in the peaceful interests of American commerce. Let us in this 
presence renew our devotion to country. Let us gather increased 
inspiration from the memory of those whose bravery we today re- 
call. Let us consecrate ourselves anew to the spirit of liberty, to 
the spirit of honesty, to the spirit of Divine justice, upon which 



31 

the glory and greatness of this splendid country must ever and 
always depend. 

FLAG PRESENTATION. 

Following llic juhlivss of ( Jovci-ihh- M ur|»liy. ;i large flag w:is 
presented by Aiionux (rcorge V. Kiiliv. i.f Toledo, in a few well 
chosen words, on behalf of the Toledo Xaiioiial Union. This flag 
flies from a high mast erected near ilir inonument. In a well 
worded accepUince ihc same was received by Governor Harris, 
after which the Waterville Chorus Choir sang "See Our Banner 
Floating O'er Us." 

GEN. BEXNETT 11. YOUNG. 

Address of Kentucky's Favorite Son on Behalf of That State. 

Xext came the introduction by (iovernor Harris of the silver- 
hain'd southerner and silviT-tongued orator, of Confederate fame, 
Gen. Bennett H. Young, of Louisville who gave the following 
eloquent address, which was frecjuently iulerinipted by storms of 
applause : 

It is, I know, a great disap])()intinent to this vast assemblage 
to learn tliat Gov. Willson cannot he present today to speak for the 
State of Kentucky and her three millions of grateful people. 
Only the hand of disease could haw prevented his coming. He 
appreciates this splendid oft'ering of this great State of Kentucky's 
heroic dead, and he would have charmed and delighted you with 
his burning eloqueiiee in recount iiig the sntTci'ings and sacrifices 
and courage and stdf denial of the Kciiiiicky men who here laid 
down their gallant lives for the glory and honor of the Republic, 
and the Commonwealth which sent them here to uphold the Na- 
tion's honor and the Nation's flag. He has commissioned me to 
take his place and speak in his nan^e. Y^ou will doubtless feel 
that you demanded oratorical bread and he has given you in re- 
sponse a stone, but 1 come moved with the same great love for 
Kentucky, and the achievements of her sons, that would thrill his 
heart and quicken his tongue, ajid I crave at your hands a patient 
and kindly hearing, even if an humble Confederate soldier stands 
in the ])lace of a distinguished Republican Governor. 
The War of 1812. 

The war of 1813 was one of tremendous importance to the 
future development of the United States. Although thirty years 
had elapsed since the declaration of peace after the war of the 
Revolution, the relations between England and the United States 



32 

had never been harmonious or complacent. There had grown up 
in England, among many of its leading men, the idea that in some 
way the United States would return to their allegiance to Great 
Britain. 

The English 5;eople were never satisfied with the result of the 
War of Independence; they never believed that they were fairly 
vanquished in that struggle, and there was a strong undercurrent 
in the English nation, which if it did not suggest, at least desired 
another test of arms. 

England, then the greatest nation on eartli, felt her power. 
She was insolent, domineering and rnde to the United States. 
The English felt that they had nothing to lose by war with the 
United States, but had much to gain, therefore, American rights 
were ignored and American protests given no consideration what- 
ever. 

Through a long line of mean, petty aggressions, England 
placed the United States in a position where war became necessary. 

Many of the American people thought the conduct of the 
administration of Washington was pusillanimous; especially in 
the Southern and Southwestern States public spirit had long be- 
fore demanded an appeal to arms as the only vindication of Ameri- 
can nationality. These outrages continued until James Madison, 
then President of the. United States, on June 1, 1812, in a mes- 
tage to Congress stated: 

"We behold in fine on the side of Great Britain, a state of 
war against the United States, and on the side of the United 
States a state of peace to Great Britain." 

Every humiliation that could be suggested was heaped upon 
the United States, and on the 18th of June, 1812, war was de- 
clared, and on the 19th of June, President Madison issued a 
proclamation of war. 

What Vote Showed. 
The vote in Congress demonstrated that England was right 
and that there was an existing sentiment of dissatisfaction 
rmongst some of the people and a willingness for the return of 
their allegiance to Great Britain. Ehode Island, Connecticut and 
Delaware voted solidly against the war. New York voted three 
for the war and eleven against it, while Pennsylvania voted sixteen 
for war and two against it, and South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky 
and Tennessee recorded their solid vote for the commencement of 
hostilities. The young republic, with only 17,000,000 people, with 
no ships, with no arsenals of any consequence, still hugging the 
Atlantic with its vast sea line, was in no condition to enter into 



^^^^^^^^^^^ 




^^m^.^ 


■"^""^^^^ : w^^^^^^^^^^^^^l 




^^9^ f^.'^^H 


^^^^^^^^^■L '"^ 


Z;^' ^^H 




||4'J|^^^H 




'^^^^vB^HM^^H 


^ 


'^^'S^^^^^^^^^^^l 


^HHiHe;-" 


^^H 


^^^B^^.'"' 


s3^^^^^^B 


^^^^^^■^^^^^^^ 


'.,V.'Q^^^^| 




t^^^^t^ 




34 

a death struggle with the greatest maritime nation in the world, 
and the willingness of Mr. ]\ladison and nis associates to force 
war, with such a slight majority, six in the Senate and thirty-six 
in the House, exhibited the highest patriotism and undaunted 
courage. This difference of sentiment hampered American effort 
and affected American enthusiasm. It made the soldiers less 
brave and the Generals less responsible. With foes in front and 
foes behind, few men can lead an army to great victory. The 
States that were to suffer most evidenced the greatest zeal in the 
conflict. Tennessee, Kentuck}', Georgia and Ohio, with savages 
on one side and the British soldiers on the other, were insistent 
for hostilities and were pleased when the time came for the great 
struggle. The anti-war spirit was especially strong in New Eng- 
land and the representatives of Massachusetts, Connecticut and 
New Jersey pr6tested against the war, and the shipping interests 
of Boston hung their flags at half mast as an expression of their 
disapproval of the coming war. 

While this was to bring immeasurable suffering and sorrow to 
the people of many portions of the United States, yet it was to 
produce results which in the future of the republic would more 
than compensate for all that was lost in men and money in the 
two and a half years of conflict. 

As we gather about this monument, built ninety-five years 
after the siege, the gallantry of the volunteers which it is to com- 
memorate, we can only regret that so long a period has elapsed 
without a recognition of the suff'ering, the courage and the sacri- 
fices of the men who lield this part of Ohio and its contiguous 
territory against the incursion of the English and their Indian 
allies, supplied with guns and ammunition bought by English 
money and in a large part officered by British soldiers. 

England with all her greatness and all her glory has some 
hideous and hateful spots uj)on her escutcheon. Wyoming, Kaisin, 
Meigs, Euddles Station, and hundreds of other horrible massacres 
of helpless women and children, all crimes against their own kins- 
men and descendants, stood out with appalling horror in the eyes 
of the civilized world and became an offense against the justice of 
the merciful Euler of the universe. 

There was never a period from the commencement of the 
Revolutionary War down to 1815, the close of the War of 1812, 
that England was not indirectly and most of the time advising 
and urging upon the Indians to commit trespasses upon helpless 
women and children, in order that the power of England might 



35 

be enlarged and in order that their commercial advantages might 
be increased. 

"Kest oil. iiiilcilmed and sainted dead, 

Dear as the blood we gave; 
No impious footsteps here shall tread 

The herbage' of your grave ; 
Nor shall your glory be forgot 

While fame her record keeps, 
Or honor point the hallowed spot 

Where valor proudly sleeps. 

"Yon marble minstrel voieeful stone 

In deathless song shall tell 
When many a vanquished age hatli llown 

The story how you fell; 
Nor wreck, nor change, nor winter's blight, 

N^or time's remorseless doom 
Can dim one ray of holy light 

That gilds your glorious tomb." 

Following Gen. ^'oung's addn-ss, the W^aterville Chorns gave 
"My Old Kentucky Home'* in which the General heartily joined, 
singing with a vim that brought out prolonged applause. 

MAJOR ROBERT W. HUNTER. 

Stirring and Forcible Address of Virginia's Representative. 
Next on the program was the introduction of Major Robert 
W. Hunter, representing \'irginia, also a Confederate veteran. 
During his address i>xtoUing the superiority and valor of the na- 
tive sons of Virginia a good natured exchange of wit and re- 
partee with General Young, in contrasting the merits of the sons 
of Kentucky and Virginia, provoked much laughter and applause 
[[•(Jill the attentive and interested hearers. The complete address 
of .Major Hunter follows: 

Governor Harris, Gentlemen of the Ft. Meigs Monument Com- 
mission, Ladies and Gentlemen: 

Govi'rnor Swanson has requested me to express his regret 
that he could not be present to participate in person in the dedi- 
catory exercises of this monument, which the State of Ohio has 
erected in memory of the brave men who fought and fell in the 
battle and during the siege of Fort Meigs — that he might speak for 
himself and the people of Virginia, and exchange cordial greet- 
ings with his countrymen of Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, 



36 

whose representatives have gathered here today, in honor of the 
men of their respective States — whose valor and whose blood com- 
mingled here, well nigh a century ago, to rescue this fair region 
from alien and savage domination — a patriotic service and sacri- 
fice which will, forever, throw a halo around this memorial shaft. 

Eising as it does in purity and stillness above the din and 
smoke of our modern materialistic life it will exalt men's minds 
to noble thoughts and inspire men's hearts to noble deeds by re- 
calling the strenuous pioncn'r days, and the heroic men and heroic 
deeds which nuirkcd the "Winning of the West!" 

In this expanding and formative period of our country's his- 
tory, Virginians were ever at the front, and on the firing lines; 
and we cannot help -feeling proud on this interesting commemora- 
tive occasion, as we recall briefly the epoch-making men and 
achievements which have crowned the career of the Mother-Com- 
monwealth with unfading lustre and enduring fame, as "Westward 
the Star of Empire took its way !" Sober statement with regard 
to them seems like exaggeration, and plain langnage like rhetoric. 

"But let another praise thee, and not tbiue own lips," said 

the Psalmist; so 1 call no less a witness than President Eoosevelt, 

who, despite the fact that he was born in New York, has achieved 

greatness; and wbose testimony no Ananias will dare to question. 

Virginia's Brave Sons. 

In res^Donse to an address welcoming him to IJielimond the 
President said: ''On the bonor-roll of those American worthies 
whose greatness is not only for the age, but for all time; not only 
lor the nation, but for all the world — on this honor-roll Virginia 
stands above all others." Daniel Webster in one of his grand 
orations said: "If she had done nothing else but furnish to the 
world the character of Washington, this alone would have entitled 
her to the respect and admiration of mankind." 

As early as 1777, under her royal grant, the George-Kogers- 
Clarke Expedition, which was organized by Patrick Henry, then 
Governor of Virginia, and advised by Washington and Jefferson, 
explored and rescued, after fierce and bloody warfare, the region 
west of the Ohio, and beyond tlie limits of Illinois and the 
Wabash, and confirmed Virginia's title to the great Northwest 
territory. When later on, objection was made by other states that 
Virginia's vast territorial area would give her undue preponder- 
ance in the new government — with a free, self-abnegating and 
princely hand, she conveyed to the United States, her Territory 
Northwest of the Ohio River "for the common benefit of the 
Union," to be segregated into distinct states, and admitted "as 




MAJOR ROBT. W. HUNTER 



38 

members of the Foederal Union, having the same rights of sov- 
ereignty, freedom and independence as the other States." This 
cession, as you are aware, embraced the region now covered by 
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan and part of Min- 
nesota. 

The Lewis and Clarke exploration of the country between the 
Mississippi and Pacific Ocean, which was the conception of Presi- 
dent Jefferson — followed by his purchase of the Louisiana Terri- 
tory from Napoleon Bonaparte, added to our National Domain an 
area larger than that of the Original States, out of which 14 rich 
and populous states were created— the recent Centennial Celebra- 
tion of which brilliant diplomatic achievements many of you here 
present, doubtless, attended. 

And, again, the armies which acquired the larger part of 
Alexico and expanded our possessions on the Pacific Ocean into 
imperial proportions, were commanded by Virginian Generals; so 
that I am within safe bounds in claiming that no State has done 
so much as Virginia in the creation and enlargement and enrich- 
ment of these United States, and none can point to so many stars, 
as she has set in the blue field of our National Flag. 

But I have not come to laud or magnify the Old Dominion. 
I am here as the representative of her Governor and her people to 
express their gratification at the erection of this monument, and to 
pav their loving tribute to her brave and patriotic sons — the 
■"Petersburg Volunteers" — who came from, their far-ofE homes to 
share with their fellow-countrymen of Ohio, Kentucky and Penn- 
sylvania in the dangers, the deaths and glorious deeds, which are 
here commemorated. 

My first salutation is to William Henry Harrison, of distin- 
guished Virginia lineage, "Old Tippecanoe," whose conspicuous 
services as the Commander of the Northwestern Army of the 
United States in the War of 1812, including the battle and defense 
of Fort Meigs and the decisive victory of the Thames, were recog- 
nised by his elevation to the highest office in the gift of an appre- 
ciative people, and will be held in grateful remembrance by the 
coming generation. 

Petersburg Volunteers. 
An extract from Howe's History of Virginia is here appro- 
priate : 

On the 21st of October, 1812, 117 young men from Peters- 
burg and vicinity embarked in the sendee of their countrv, and 
consecrated their valor at the battle of Fort Meigs, on the 5th of 
May, 1813. They were extensively known as the "Petersburg 



39 

Vohmteers." They remained in service one year, and on their dis- 
charge received the following highly commendatory testimonial of 
their gallant and soldier-like conduct: 

"GENERAL ORDERS 

Headquarters, Detroit, 
17th October, 1813. 

The term of service for which the Petersburg Volunteers were 
('imaged having ex])ired. they are permitted to commence their 
inanli to Virginia as soon a? they can h(> transported to the south 
>i(li" (^f the lake. 

Ill granting a discharge to this ])atriotic and gallant corps, 
the Gfeneral feels at a loss for words adequate to convey his sense 
of their exalted merits: almost exclusively composed of individuals 
who had been nursed in the lap of ease, they have, for twelve 
months, borne the hardships and privations of military life in the 
midst of an inhospitalilc wilderness, with a cheerfulness and 
alacrity which has never boon sui'i>ass'd. Their conduct in the 
field has been excelled by no other corps, and while in camp, they 
have set an example of subordination and respect for military 
iuithorily to the whole army. 

The General re(|ursts Capt. McRae. his subalterns, non-com- 
missioned officers, and i)rivates, to accept his warmest thanks, and 
bids them an affectionate farewell. 

By Command of GEN. 7TARRTS0N. 
ROBERT BUTLER, 
Acting Asst. Adjutant General." 
Two Memorable Events. 

Among the many memorable and highly creditable minor 
events, in the earlier war histon- of Virginia, there are two that 
stand out in bold relief, the recollection of which will always touch 
a rcs]ionsive chord in patriotic hearts. 

One was the "Famous Bee-line to Boston" of Morgan's rifle- 
m(>n from AVinchester and the adjoining counties, the first volun- 
teers outside of Massachusetts, to reach General Washington, 
when he assumed command of the American Army at the outbreak 
of the Revolution. And the other was the long, weary march 
through wilderness, swamp and jungle, of the Petersburg Volun- 
teers to the scene of hostilities on the Ohio frontier in the subse- 
quent War of 1812. 

T need not stop to observe that, in those old days, when rail- 
roads and automobiles were unknown, that it was a longer and 
more fatiguing mareh from Petersburg to Ohio, than it was from 
Ohio to Petersburg during the Civil War. 



40 

A thrilling narrative of this march is to be found in the 
"Life Narrative'" of the Reverend Alfred M. Lorrain, entitled 
"The Helm, the Sword and the Cross," who was one of the Volun- 
teers and afterwards a Methodist preacher of the Cincinnati Con- 
ference, a volume of which, I suppose the Maumee Valley Asso- 
ciation has among its archives. I have time for only this extract: 
"When the news of Hull's surrender reached the patriotic 
town of Petersburg in Virginia, it overwhelmed the whole popu- 
Jation with indignation and sorrow. Some of the most popular 
young men, with martial music, and the American ensign, paraded 
the streets and with impassioned appeals called on their youthful 
associates to march to the rescue, the scene that followed was soul- 
thrilling to the patriot. Promising young men sprung their 
counters and fell into the ranks, students of medicine and law 
shoved aside their volumes, sufficiently uninteresting before, but 
now made absolutely irksome by the ceaseless din of war and rushed 
to the standard. The mechanic threw the uplifted hammer from 
his hand to swell the train. The placid farmer rode to town to 
behold the madness of the people, but took the epidemic and fell 
in. And in a few days a company of one hundred and four, 
richly uniformed, offered themselves to the Government to serve 
twelve months under the banner of the brave Harrison, etc." 
Five of the Volunteers were killed, seventeen wounded and twelve 
died of disease contracted from exposure in the "Black Swamp." 
Blackford Cemetery Monument. 
A monument of fine marble and noble proportions stands in 
Old Blackford Cemetery, erected many years ago, by the people of 
Petersburg, in honor of these brave and patriotic men. 

It is surmounted by a bronze eagle with outspread wings, and 
bears liberal inscriptions, embracing the complete roster of the 
company, the complimentary General Order of General Harrison, 
at the expiration of their term of service, which I have read ; and 
also this glowing tribute: 

"Behold, the generous Patriot band, 
Brave guardians of their native land. 
By no ignoble view inspired, 
By love of country only fired, 
Marched forth to combat, side by side; 
No mercenary thoughts excite 
For freedom and for fame they fight; 
Virginia's flower, her ornament and pride." 
"In Memory of 
CAPT. EICHARD McRAE, 



41 

liate Commandant of the Potorsburg Canada Volunteers, in the 
war with Croat Britain in the year 1813. A corps, who under the 
iin|uilsi' of holy pat riot ism. in tln' hour of their country's need, 
hapcd from their downy IkmIs. and foregoing domestic comfort 
and ease, instantiv organi/rd and took up the line of march for 
Ihc Canadian fi-oiil icr. wliciv nmlcr ihc snprenie command <>f 
(icnci-al Harrison. tlir\ nid the disc-iplined armies of their conn- 
trvV (Mi.Miiv <m ihc -Mh dav of May, 1813, a.nd after a bloody 
conflict defeated I linn, giving peace to a hitherto distracted dis- 
trict, and won for I heir home the exalted and imperishable 
Appellation of tlie 

Cockade City 
of The Nation." 
One thought in conclusion. Tliis monument commemorates 
a period in our ronntry'? liistorv wlicn the people of the sections 
were strongly limind logcthiT 1)\ the ties of friendship and sym- 
pathy ; sharing each other's dangers, rejoicing in each other's 
triumphs and deploring each otlier's disasters. 

As a Soiitliern soldier, wlio liad the honor to ride by the side 
of Cen. Jno. B. Cordon, as liis cliief of staff, and who was of the 
remnant of Lee's army, which yielded to oyerwhelming numbers 
and resources at Ap])omat(i\, 1 am snrc T represent my old com- 
rades, when T sincerely exprss tlie hope that the relations l)etween 
the sections will become more and more cordial as the years roll 
on. TTaving fonght foi- oni- convictions of right and dutv we are 
content to abide 1)V the impartial verdict of History and to say 
with one of onr Virginia po"ts at the Vorktown celebration 
"Give us back the ties of York town. 

Perish all the modern hates, 
Let us stand together, brothers, 

Tn defense of the Fates, 
For the safety of the Fnion 

Is the safety of the States." 

HOX. JOSEPTT B. FOKAKER. 

His Ters(> and Vigorons Address on Behalf of Ohio. 
The last speaker and orator of the day was the distingnished 
United States Senator, Jose])h B. Foraker, representing Ohio. 
His strong, clear and vigorous words, noted for their terse and 
forcible expression, reached' the most remote confines of the vast 
assemblage. Before lieginning his address he poured the oil of 
consolation upon the friendlv rivalry of the two Confederate 
veterans by remarking that "1 don't believe any one can claim 



42 

that Virginia did more than its own duty to one side at a time, 
while Kentucky can be proud of having furnished its full quota 
of men to both sides." 

Senator Foraker spoke as follows: 
Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens: 

It would be difficult to exaggerate tlie greatness of our countrv 
or the happiness of our people. Our territory belts the continent 
and invades the seas. Our ])0]nilation represents the -blood of 
all the races, yet is the most homogeneous of any country in 
the world. Our resources are practically exhaustless and our 
industries are as countless and as varied as the tastes and wants 
and genius of man. Our civilization, intelligence and morals 
mark the highest standards ever attained. From ocean to ocean 
there is an endless succession of visible monuments to lofty 
achievements. The farms, the cities, the mines, the mills, the 
factories, the railroads, the churches and school houses com- 
bine to record the greatest march in human progress that has 
ever been made. The picture we today ]iresent is so complete 
and ])errect in all its features and proportions that it is hard to 
recall and realize the sufferings, hardships, denials, labors, efforts, 
struggles, battles, patriotism, heroism, blood and death that are 
involved and represented. It is only by some such occasion as 
this that the past is again brought vividly before us and we are 
reminded of the trials and tribulations that went before our 
triumphs. 

Picture of the Past. 
To intelligently appreciate this spot and what we are seeking 
to commemorate we must blot out the beautiful picture of today 
and paint another. We must eliminate the railroads, the trolleys, 
the telephone, the ti^legraph, and shut out of view entirely all 
kinds of electrical and steam motive power on both land and 
water. We must wipe off the canvas all our l)eautiful farms 
with their fields of waving grain and grassy meadows. We 
must blot out the turnpikes and public highways. We must 
stop the busy hum of industry in all its forms. We must sub- 
stitute for all this scene of beauty, cultivation, improvement 
and human endeavor and activity, well nigh impenetrable forests 
and practically impassable swamps. Instead of cattle on a thou- 
sand hills and domestic animals that render us service and are 
agreeable companions, we must fill the woods with savage beasts 
and savage men, with only a few, Avhite settlements scattered 
here and there in small, newly made clearings, the very out- 
posts of civilization, with only foot and wagon trails incom- 



44 

pletely connecting them. Behind this frontier was an encroach- 
ing population, that in slowly widening and advancing growth 
had been gradually fighting its way from the river to the in- 
terior, but which had scarcely made its appearance nearer this 
point than Columbus. 

They were hardy, brave and self-reliant, but sparse, poor and 
unable to spare to the army from their scanty stocks of pro- 
\isions and supplies. 

It was to such a spot, so situated and surrounded, and to the 
defense of such a people, that General Harrison came in 1813. 
Today it is an agreeable ride of l)ut a few hours from this point 
to the most far distant liomes of those who accompanied him, 
hut then tliose homes could be reached only by weeks of weari- 
some travel. His soldier hoys were fartlier from their loved 
ones than arc our soldier boys of today on duty in the Philip- 
pines. 

Others have described the hitter cold that was encountered, 
iiiul tlic numerous hardships and dojirivations that they endured, 
and in thrilling sentences their brave and heroic defense of 
this place has been told over and over again.' All this is familiar 
history and- need not be repeated here today. Suffice it to say 
ihat the gallant sons of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and 
Ohio, who composed that little army, were worthy of the great 
trust committed to them. Together they stood and fought, and 
together many of them died : and here for almost a century they 
have slept side by side in the rude trenches to which their com- 
rades tenderly consigned them. 

Almost a liundred years have passed and we come now to 
honor Ihcni. Our n'spective states have sent us to join in the 
unveiling and dedication of this beautiful monument. 
Other Battle Fields. 

We are liere not alone because a battle was fought here, and 
because men died here bravely fighting under our country's 
flag. There are hundreds of battle-fields that arc unmarked, and 
jerhaps always will remain unmarked; Ave are here because to 
this jiarticular spot attaches a special historic interest. 

Plvmouth Eock and Jamestown excite a special interest be- 
cause they were the beginnings of two conflicting ideas, from 
which started the conflicting contentions of free and slave in- 
stitutions. 

Quebec is of special interest to every student of history, be- 
cause there, on the plains of Abraham, in the death grapple of 



45 

Montcalm :in<l \\'<>||V. ii was dccidcil llial on this fontiiifiit llioro 
.-liould be not Fnaicli Iml I'.i'itisli ilnmiiiation. 

Vallev Forge and ^■()l■lsl(l\\ i) arc csiJt'cially dear to evory 
Anicricaii heart, hccansc iIkv ivsprctivcly mark the lowest el)b 
;iii(l llic lliial Ii-iiini|ili i>\' ihc iu'sohiliuii. 

'I'Imtc wciv ;i llimiMiml ilrM> iiinde lilnndy (liiriii,^- oiii- lale 
Civil War. Km A iil i<'l;iin. llial iimimmI Aiuahiiiii Liiirulii to |iro- 
claiiii i'iiiaiiri|i:il ion. ami ( in ly>lairii-. where was readied the high- 
v.alei- mark of llial si rii,u;ule. and A|iiioniato\. wlieiv was achieved 
tlie linal \ielory (d' llie I'ninn aiaiis. will l'o!'e\er have a hisloric 
interest far lieyoml llial wliicli allaelie.- Id Sliiloli. \'ieksl)urg, 
C'liit'amaiiua. Missinii Jiidi:v. Allanla. llie W'ildeiaiess, or any of 
llie ollu'i- noted lields of that heroic strife. 

'Idle sjidts llial ai'i-esl the alltailion and liohl fixed places in 
the minds of men are those wliicdi are identilied with great turn- 
ing:' points in national destinies and human alt'airs. 
f"oil Meigs of Six'cial importance. 

Fort Meigs has a special importance of this cdiaracter, beyond 
that which al laches io Fort iiccovery, or Fort Defiance, or Fort 
Wayne, oi- any of the neighboring fortifications of that pioneer 
lime, hecanse it was tlie base of 0|)(\rations in a campaign of 
national iniponaiiee. |ila!iiied (nv ihc recapture of Detroit and 
the invasion of Canada. 'Jdie hallle fought here was no greater, 
ami. ineasnred by conditions and cireiimstances then existing, no 
nioiv w(ii-lli\ of special commemoration than that which was 
fought in this vicinity, at Fallen 'i'iiubers, by General Wayne; 
hut Wa\iie"s hallle had i-efereiice. and was confined in its effects 
and inlluences, to our relations with the Indian Tribes. The 
great blessing of peace and protection to the frontiersmen of 
thai day was tlie result of his victory, but its effect and bene- 
fits were local, while the successful resistance to the siege of 
Fort IMeigs was national and even international. It was a de- 
cisive event in a war between two nations; a war that affected 
our national life and greatly concerned the whole world. It 
inspired General Harrison and his army with confidence at a 
critical time and ])repared them for tlie successful campaign that 
followed, in whicli the disgrace of ilulFs surrender was effaced, 
Canada was in\a(led, the battle of the Thames was fought, 
Tecumsoh fell, and the tide that had been against us was turned 
in our favor and led us on to an honorable peace with Great 
Britain that has continued unbroken for almost a centnry, and 
v.hich now promises to continue for centuries to come. 

It is well to mark such spots. They are the mile stones of 



46 

human history. The noble dead merit the tribute involved, but 
the good that is wrought is for the living. All who look upon 
such memorials must be stimulated to a deeper study of our in- 
stitutions, their origin, their character, their singular adapta- 
tion to our wants and aspirations, to the treasure and blood we 
have expended to establish and maintain them, and to the mani- 
fold rich blessings they have brought us. In this way they will 
reach a clearer conception of the liigh duty resting upon us to 
perpetuate them unimpaired. 

The Country's Progress. 

When General Harrison fought here there v/ere but 18 states 
in our Union; now there are 46. Then we had less than 10 mil- 
lions of population; now we have 85 millions. Then we fronted 
on only the Atlantic; now we face both oceans. Then our in- 
dustries were few in number and restricted in character; now 
they are multiplied and expanded. Then we had only simple 
and primitive conditions; now the most highly developed and 
complicated known to modern civilization. The government our 
fathers had given us was then still regarded by all European 
countries as a mere experiment, fairly well adapted perhaps to 
the situation then existing, but unfit for any large expansion 
of territory or increase of population, with increased and con- 
flicting interests, and as doomed to failure and dissolution when- 
ever put to any serious test. Many Americans were equally in- 
credulous. 

Each acquisition of territory that we have made excited ser- 
ious apprehensions that found expression in the debates in Con- 
gress and elsewhere as to whether our institutions would stand the 
strain. It was gravely and seriously contended by some of the 
ablest statesmen of that time and later, that we should not at- 
tempt to advance our territorial boundary beyond the crest of 
the Eocky Mountains; that that was the natural terminus for 
us on the west, and that we were defying fate and inviting dis- 
memberment and disaster to disregard what God had so plainly 
indicated. 

Apparently there are still among us some doubting Thomases, 
for there was especial apprehension when the Spanish War 
acquisitions were made, but it has been found in every instance 
that our Constitution fits its requirements as perfectly as though 
it had been made with special reference thereto. 

But greater than the expanse of our domain, greater than the 
multiplication of our wealth, greater than any power that has 
come to us, greater than any glory we have achieved, greater than 



47 

any of our physical accuiiiplishniciils, has been the improvement 
of our people iuteUcetually, morally, and in all that makes for 
good citizenship. 

America's Influence, 

There never was a time wlu'ii ihcy stood in less need of 
st<itutory strait-jackets, or when they less deserved to be dis- 
credited in their own estimaiiuii and l>id'(ii-c the world by official 
censure and public criticism. 

There never was a time wlu'ii uur high degree of success was 
so universally recognized. All the nations are striving to follow 
our example. All this hemisphere and nearly all the peoples 
of the earth are now living under written constitutions, modeled 
after ours. Not only Kussia and Turkey, but now finally Persia 
has also demanded an organic law in which the powers of govern- 
ment and the rights of the people shall be clearly defined; and 
ihe Shah must yield, as the Sulum has yielded, or his throne 
will totter to its fall. The day for absolute monarchies and all 
kinds of autocratic governments has forever passed. Soon, every- 
where, and for all time, it will be established that the people 
have capacity and a right to govern themselves. 

It is not alone our material advancement, our imperial domain, 
our loyal, patriotic citizens, our untold and incalculable wealth, 
our gallant army or our battleships, that has brought about this 
changing of the forms of thdr governments by other peoples, 
but rather the peace, the freedom, the contentment and the 
general happiness we enjoy, coupletl with the intellectual and 
moral advancement we have made. 

A government under which a people can accomplish such 
V onderful success at home and exert such influences abroad, can 
nor be too thoroughly studied or too carefully guarded. Practic- 
ally all the greatest publicists agree that the most vital feature 
of fhe general plan of our government is found in the distribu- 
tion of its powers among \\nw si'parate, independent and co- 
ordinate departments. 

Distribution of Power. 

It is fundamental that neither shall encroach upon the other. 
The legislative shall not, without constitutional warrant, take 
from or add to the powers of the judiciary; nor shall the judici- 
aiy annul or embarrass the lawfully enacted will of the legisla- 
tive. Working in harmony as their official duties require the 
re?ult is as near perfection as human imperfection will allow. 

We can only speculate as to the disappointing consequences 
tliat would ensue if they should work at cross-purposes, for, to 



48 

the credit of these two departments, neither has ever willfully 
infringed upon or denied the powers of the other. Through all 
the years tliat have passed ihey have been so true to the pur- 
})oses of their creation that they have carefully respected and 
jealously guarded, each, the rights of the other. 

But worse than legislative and judicial discord would be an 
inAasion of either of the other departments by the executive. 

All the powers of that department are consolidated in a single 
in Hvidual. He is the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and 
the Navy. He has in his own hands all the tremendous power 
of public patronage. He not only has under his control and 
.-ubject to his will, so far as their tenure is concerned, thousands 
of otfice holders, but he has even more immediately under his 
command a constantly increasing army of more, at the present 
time, than three thousand special agents, inspectors and secret 
service men, whose highest law is his bidding. 

Under a bold, aggressive, unscrupulous and d '.-igning Execu- 
tive this power of appointment and these armies of appointees 
could be so exercised and directed as to destroy the independence 
and impair the usefulness and eificiency of both the other de- 
partments. 

•Such an uibuse of power would be a violation of the Consti- 
tution, which if long acquiesced in might eventually work its 
overthrow. 

Such practices are of such serious character that they are 
not likely often to occur, but nevertheless we should be ever watch- 
ful to rebuke them wlien they do occur, lest in them we find our 
undoing. Open and avowed enemies are not always the most 
dangerous. Too frequently subtle influences undermine and 
thwart human endeavor before they are recognized. This is 
particularly true in governmental experience. 

All the teachings of history proclaim that there is no safety 
except where there is eternal vigilance. If there should come 
necessity for changes in our organic law let us make them in ac- 
cordance with its provisions, having the requisite patience and 
patriotism therefor, and ever remembering and believing that 
what Washington and his associates framed, and Lincoln and 
his associates, with the help of that grand old Union army, per- 
fected, is good enough for you and me and for all who are com- 
ing after us. 

CLOSE OF THE EXERCISES. 

The commemorative exercises were closed with the singing 
of "Star Spangled Banner" by the Waterville Chorus Choir, and 



4^ 

the boiK'diciioii [irdiinimci'd liy Kov. TJ. I). Ifollington, of St. 
PiiulV M. !•;. cliiii-cli nf 'I'oKmIo, as follows: 

BENEDICTION. 

'"Anil now ina\ llir (iixl. who iiis|iirci| ihcsc men of old to 
deeds of ilai-iiii;' u])oii this hallowed spot, inspire our hearts to 
^eecls of daring to preserxf their heritage to us forever untarnish 
dd, Amen." 



CAPT. CUSHING'S DIARY 



He Built and Commanded the Grand Battery at 
tlie Sieges of Fort Meigs, 1813. 



.Mr. Danirl H. Cushiiig of S|triugtu'kl, Oliio, grauilson of Cap- 
tain Daniel Lewis Cusiiing, kindly lurnished a copy of the diary 
kept by his grandt'atlier, with tiie following additional informa- 
lion and comments on the lil'e and decease of Captiiin Daniel 
l^ewis Gushing: 

Daniel Lewis Cashing was a deseejidant of Matthew Cushing, 
who came from England in the year 1G38, and settled in Kingham, 
Massachusetts. 

lie was born Uc-tober 22, 17 G4. In 1801 he went to New 
York, where he spent several years 'as a merchant. Subsequently 
he took up a tract of land near Sackett's Harbor and platted a 
town lo which he ga\c tlie name of Huron. 

In IbUT lie remo\ed to Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, where 
he became prominent. May 25, 1811, he was commissioned 
Brigadier General of Ohio Militia, -'uly 2, 1812, he was com- 
missioned Captain in the Second l'. S. Artillery. He served with 
distinction in the war with England. 

He built and commanded tlu> "(Trand Battery"' in Fort ^leigs, 
consisting of four eighh^en pounder guns. While traveling across 
the country on horseback on sonu' duty that was taking him back 
to Fort Meigs, in attempting to ford the Auglaize river he 
was drowned, March 24, 1815. His body was recovered by his 
tia\ cling companion, aided by some Indians and by them buried. 
Some time later some of his fellow citizens of Lebanon attempted 
to return the body of Captain Cushing to his liome by way of 
tlie ]-iver, but the water being very high and the current very 
strong they were compelled to desist, and iioatcd back to Fort 
Deiiance, where they buried him in what is now an unknown 
grave. Peace to his ashes. 

His diary of the campaign to and in Fort Meigs, showing 
daily transactions, so very interesting to us, establishes the 
fact that he was an extraordinary man and well qualified to accom- 
plish the very arduous duty offered to him. The newspaper of his 
home city of those days paid him fine tribute as a citizen. 

He was twice married, his second wife being a daughter of 



52 

Rev. William Van Horn, of Scotch Plains, IST. J., who had been 
a chaplain in the Continental Army. 

The Diary. 
The following diary describing the struggles of the march 
through Ohio and during the two sieges of Fort Meigs, will be 
found most interesting, as it gives the daily routine, and striking 
incidents of army life in that memorable year. This is the first 
time the Diary has ever been published. 

October 10, 1812.— I, Daniel Cushing, Capt of Artillery, 3nd 
Eegt. marched from Lebanon — camped that night nine miles 
from that place — marched the 11th to Dayton — camped there 
until the 13th — marched from there to lower Piqua — camped 
there until the 25th. 

We then marched to Urbana — arrived there the 27th, camped 
there until the 39th — marched from that place to Franklinton, 
arrived there 31st, camped near the church, stayed there three 
days, moved up the river a short distance, camped there until the 
flood drove us off. On the 8th of November, moved near the 
town on high land and campt'd there. Nothing new from day to 
day until the 24th. 

At Franklinton. 

Tlie 25th one man died ; buried nim with the honors of war. 
On that day Col. Campbell left here with a detachment of 750 
men, 600 cavalry, 150 light infantry, for an expedition on the 
Wabash, to pass through Dayton. On the 26th the command 
devolved on me at this place, some artillery, some dragoons, some 
infantry. This day commenced with sn(jw, but concluded with 
rain. 

27th. — By the general orders moved the sick from the hos- 
pital tent into the court house. This day is windy but clear. 
Frederick Swaney went to the hospital this day from my company 
sick. Three men put into the river for getting drunk and fight- 
ing in their tents, took a bathing and returned to duty. 

38th. — Lieut. Meek returned from visit to Cincinnati — 
fetched letters from Mrs. Cushing and Capt. Ross, also from 
Major Van Horn. 

Monday, 30th. — This day made arrangements with Mr.. Sul- 
livan for timber to build artificer yard, called out five men for 
chopping wood and arranged teams to haul timber for the yard 
tomorrow. Put two men in the river for getting drunk. 

December 8. — From the 1st to this day we have been engaged 
in fixing tlie building for the artificers and putting down mill 
dams, and sending a boat up the Scioto, and repairing a flat to cross 



53 . 

iho rivor wilh pulilic stores. General TTarrison left this camp for 
tile upper Sandusky on the 9th with all his suite, and gave me full 
connnand of all the troops at this place. All iliings went on well 
until th(» ?r)fli, Christmas day. when tlic dcNJI got into the sol- 
diers, l-'rom the SIh to the "i-^lli wf wrvr >t<'adily employed in 
liuil(h'ng artificer sho]is ami chopping wood and making eoke. 

v'Tth. — This day wc arc making out jtay i-olls; shall receive 
our pay the 28th. 

'2!>th. — (ieneral Harrison arrived here from ["^pj^'r Sandusky. 
;?<Mh he went on to Chillieothe. 

On to C^jtitci' Sanilusky. 

January 1, 1813. — I left Franklinton with my company for 
Upper Sandusky hy the way of Worthington and Delaware — 
marched with 34 non-commission<M| nHicci-s and privates, myself 
and three limitenants. Tt commeiu'ed raining early in the morn- 
ing — continued all day. We moved ofl' the old camp ground at 12 
o'clock, niarclied four miles, our two wagons, one ammunition, the 
other baggage: both got stuck in the mud and coidd not move any 
farther that night. Rained very hai'd. became very dark, no tent 
pitclwul, no fire, nothing to mak(> fire with, hemmed in with a very 
steep hill on one side and a verv w<d and muddy bottom on the 
other. I sent all 1h(> oflicers and u)en to two houses in the neigh- 
borhood, exce])t two wagoners, my black l)oy Ferguson, and four 
soldiers that stayed with me. Tt continued raining until about 
two o'clock that nighl. then l)egau to snow very fast. We made 
us a floor with rails fi'om a fence, also bunteil i-ails foi- fire wood. 
In the morning the snow was about foui- inches ilee|i ■<]}]>] very 
cold; still snowing: got something to eal. called all hands, pried 
up the wagons, doubled the teams and with much ditViculty got 
luie-fourth of a mile that day. 

•ind. — Stayed all niglit at Mr. r>ears: ihe men all stayed in 
the house and barn: Lieut.. Lai-will and mys<'l f slept in the niark(H'. 
Unloaded a part of our loading, siaHed for Woilhington and 
arrived there about dark. 

3d. — ()i)tained the academy for the men. Myself and the 
rest of the ollicers put up at Col. Kilhurn's. Continueil snowing 
until sonu' time in the night of the :]\'A. Cleared olT very ]ileas- 
ani this morning. 

The 4th I made a coniraci wiih Mr. Griswold to furnish the 
soldiers with ]u-ovisioiis while wailing here. Left at Franklinton 
Corporal l-'inl.'y sick, .Nicholas Teal, Frederick Swaney, David 
Hart lame. 1 left with the gnjods live miles from Worthington, 
Sergeant Moigan and live men. Sent back to Franklinton for a 



54 

wagou and team to help us on to A\'ortliington, which was fur- 
nished by Mr. Craig, Wagon Master General. The sergeant with 
the wagon and the goods arrived here on the 4th late in the even- 
ing but all safe. .The soldiers were indulged this day, having 
been very much fatigued the last three days. They took great 
liberties, visited the towns, got drunk, quarreled and fought. 
Two or three got whipped and complaint came to me at my 
quarters. 

I immediately visited them, quashed the quarrel and left 
them for the night. The next morning, the 5th, issued an order 
that no soldier should leave the barracks without leave of the 
oflficer of the day, and if any soldier became drunk on duty he 
should be punished without reserve; and if any non-commissioned 
officer was found drunk he should be reduced to the ranks. My- 
self and lieutenant moved this day from Col. Kilbum's to the 
Academy. All things are well this evening, the snow about fif- 
teen inches deep. 

6th. — The Virginia troops commanded by Capt. McCrea 
came into town this evening and put up at the taverns. David 
Hart came to camp this evening from Franklinton; he was left 
lame there when we marched. 

7th. — The weather very cold and windy. My men hauling 
wood. Lieut. Meek not well. "We had the pleasure of Mr. Kobe's 
company last evening, a man of very small stature, weight only 70 
pounds and 30 years of age, and one of the teachers of this acad- 
emy. 

8th. — The Virginia troops left this place. I went to Frank- 
linton in order to get sleds to take our ammunition and baggage, 
but find that the sleds will not answer. Returned back to this 
place tonight; find all things well. General Harrison came with 
me and all his suite, bound for TTpper Sandusky. 

11th. — Marched for Upper Sandusky; marched one and a 
half miles past Delaware, camped without pitching tents, drew 
rations and forage to last to Upper Sandusky. 

12th. — Marched to Norton and camped there. 

14th. — Arrived at Upper Sandusky about sunset; the men 
took shelter with the Pennsylvania troops for the night. On the 
15th we took our stations in the center and camped. 

17th. — General Harrison left here for the Eapids. 

18th. — Received notice that we must march on the 20th for 
the Rapids. '^^'^ 

19th. — Making preparations, and received notice that six 



55 

companies wore to in.inli with us besides the Petersburg volun- 
teers. 

20th. — Waiting ail day for I he onliianeo to got ready. At 3 
o'cloclv received informal ion tliat we could not march that day, 
but would march next morning al 8 o'clock wiihout fail. 

Thursday, 21st. — At 10 o'clock ilic wliolo detachment parad- 
ed near the magazine, my company taking [he right. The word 
march was sounded from right to left and all stopped off. We 
marched Ihal day nine miles and bailed for Ibe nigbl on a small 
branch of a creek. Major TJob<M-t Orr commanded the detach- 
ment from the Pennsylvania lines. All very Avell situated on a 
littb' stream of very good water. 

Scene of Crawford's Torture. 

22nd. — This morning tine weather, cb-ar and jiloasanl. T.eft 
the Sandusky plains last evening, crossed small prairie and left 
that in our rear. One thing T have omitted in our march voster- 
day — that is. crossing the ground where Col. Crawford had the bat- 
tle with the Indians and was defeated, lost a large part of his 
men, fled before the Indians, was pursued, overtaken, himself 
taken prisoner, brought back and massacred. The place of his ex- 
ecution we passed by this morning on a small rise of ground, just 
before we entered a very largo prairie, leaving an old Indian town 
on our right hand. The place, said to be the place of Crawford's 
execution, had four posts set up about ten feet high, two sticks of 
timber crossing at angles from one post to the other on the top. 
In the center where those sticks crossed there was another post 
that extended from the ground up through them with places to 
confine the hands and feet. We took a view of this and marched 
on through tho prairie, whore wo saw several Indian horses and 
passed on through a large flat piece of land rather low. Soon 
came to creek, passed that on the ice, approached another prairie, 
traveled on through that and approached a fine country of good 
land with very fine timber for three or four miles, then began the 
barrens. Marched this day eight miles with a great deal of difficul- 
ty — sleds broke, hames broke, chains broke. Crossed the upper end 
of a large prairie, myself in front, tho Major and Quarter Master 
in the rear. Night coming on I called a halt, laid out the ground 
to camp on and fixed our tents. The Petersburg volunteers were 
late coming up as they fetched up the rear. 

News From T?ivor Raisin. 

Saturday, ?3rd. — This morning the Major was desi-rous that 
1 should give tho right to Capt. McCrea's company. I refused; 
took tho line of march, marched on about one mi'le and met a 



56 

white man and one Indian who had a letter from General Harri- 
son to the Major, informing him of the first battle that Greneral 
Winchester had with the Indians and British, and ordering him 
to send on two twelve pounders and three sixes with all possible 
speed to the Rapids. This letter was dated the 22nd. Major Orr 
opened the letter and read it. His orders were to have me pro- 
ceed with my company with the cannon. 

We held a coimcil, and conehided it was useless to alter our 
line of march, as we had no cartridges with us for the guns. 
Marched on three or four miles ; met another express with another 
letter of the same date, commanding the Major to march on with 
all possible speed to the Rapids with all the troops that he had 
with him, except one company to be left with the baggage and the 
artillery, the express stating at the same time that Gen. Win- 
chester had another battle, was defeated, was killed himself, lost 
almost all his men, killed and taken, and that General Harrison 
expected to be attacked in his catop at the Rapids every hour. 
This battle was fought at the River Raisin. We camped early this 
evening in consequence of that, in order to make preparations to 
march early in the morning. A council was called of the oflficers 
at dark and all agreed to march at two o'clock. 

This evening came on to our camping ground four hundred 
and fifty pack horses laden with flour and salt for the Rapids. 
This night came on a very heavy rain. At 2 o'clock all the men 
out, but not ready to march : the ])ack horses took the front ; it was 
agreed that we should take witli us one six pounder that was 
mounted, and 36 rounds of fixed am.munition. At 4 o'clock I 
was ordered to march where the road was filled with pack horses, 
so that the men could not pass them any other way but to take the 
woods. The rain had softened the snow and mud to that rate 
that the pack horses made the road a complete bed of mortar 
about one foot deep. I found it impossible for the men to march 
in that way. The intent of this day's march was to reach the 
Rapids to relieve General Harrison. To march in the rear of all 
those pack horses I found we should not get half way this day, 
therefore I led off through the woods with my company and 
passed all the horses in about four miles. Capt. Dunn, with a 
part of his company, followed me at daylight. We were about 
six miles from camp and passed Capt. A-^ance before day five miles 
from camp with his train of hogs about four thousand in number. 
At 8 o'clock in the morning we fetched into Hull's old track over 
the road that he traveled to the Rapids last summer, starched 
on to a small creek by the name of Carrying Creek; called a halt 



57 

to (nkr somo little refreshment. While \\r wrro there a man 
ani\t'(l from General Harrison who inrdnncil us that he had re- 
treated from the Rapids seventeen miles on tiiis side of the same 
Creek that we wei-o on. hnt nine mih'f; l)elow whore we were. We 
refreshed and nio\i'(l (in ilii-(>ni;ii ihi' wurst |iiccc of i-i>ad I rvor 
traveled, up to our knees in niiid and water ahnost every step. T 
arrived at hoadrpiarters ahout I o"( huk this afternoon. 
Troubles of the March. 

Sunday, 24th. — From this time until dark the troops keep 
coming into camp, but not more than oni'-half arrived this day. 
The Virginia volunteers and the I'cnnsyKania militia wrrc order- 
ed to encamp out of the linos about forty rods up the Crook, noth- 
ing to shelter them but the heavens and some scattering trees. 
Thov liavo neither tents nor oampini:- (Miuipage of any sort, it being 
all left behind with the ordnance and the traveling becoming so 
very bad it could not possibly come on. ^fy company -was ordered 
on the right of the whole army but in no bettor fix than the above 
troop, but they were invited into tents with the troops that lay 
there. Myself and lieutenants w<'re vei-y politolv invited by 
TNIajw Harden and Doctor Logan, to take part of their faro as 
lodging and victualing. This night it began to snow. 

35th. — I call<Ml on Conoi-al Harrison. He ordered mo back 
to the baggage in ord(>r to fetch it on as soon as possible. I ap- 
plied to the Quartoi-master for a horse to ride, obtained one, left 
camp ahout ton o'clock, tlio road worse than the day before, as the 
waters had risen in every little crook to a gi-eat height. When T 
arrived at the crossing of Carrying Creek. T found abftut twenty 
pack-horse men witli all their lioisos: could not cross, as they 
thought these horses had hoi-n on h\ the army and left them load- 
ing. I met on the road from camp lo this i)laco about one hun- 
dred men that had not yet got to eanip: among the number was 
(apt. AFcCrea, two of his subalterns and ahout fifty of liis men; 
this was about four miles from camp. I asked tlioso paek-horsc 
men tliat were stopped above, whether they did not intend lo cross: 
they said not. I told them if they would assist me I would fix a 
bridge from the shore to the ice in the hod of the river that we 
could all cross in safety. Thiy would not lu'lp, therefore T went 
at it mvself, made a bridge and ei'ossed over Siife. After 1 had 
got over they were ready enough to follow me. We came on about 
three miles when night came on; we stopped and l)uilt up a fire. 
Just as we had got our fire in good order Col. Wells and ^[r. 
Ordonn came u]i from the army on llioir way. They stopped 
with us all night. 1 was without l)[ankets or provisions in con- 



58 

sequence of expecting to reach camp that night, or to meet the six 
pounder that was behind, where there Avere blankets and provis- 
ions, but in consequence of being detained at the river I could not 
fetch either. 

26th. — Col. Wells, Mr. Orderm and myself started about day- 
light and were informed of a very bad creek to cross in about two 
miles. When we arrived there T found the pack horses there that 
had our tents. They crossed on Sunday evening, but hearing 
that they could not cross Carrying Creek without difficulty they 
stayed there. I gave the Captain of tlie pack-horse company a 
severe scolding for staying tliere all that time when he knew that 
the men were without tents ; he promised me to start immediately. 
There was with him at that place about two hundred pack horses, 
that could not cross the creek. 

As they thought they were traveling the same way that I was 
they had been there two days. Col. Wells and myself thought the 
water looked very bad. It was forty rods to the bend of the creek, 
covered with water and felled timber and appeared to be very 
deep. The colonel thought that we could ride up the creek a 
short distance and find some place to cross. We rode about four 
miles, were satisfied it would not do, returned back and found the 
|)ack horses where we had left them with the tents. They had 
concluded not to start until next morning. The colonel said to 
me, "Captain, what shall we do?" I told him I would cross the 
river at all events. "Well, if you do I will also." I moimted my 
horse, plunged into the water, found it very deep, but got safe to 
the creek and found a large tree fallen across the main stream. I 
dismounted my horse, took off my pistols and holsters, took them 
in my hand, walked over on the log, had to wade from the creek 
about twenty rods in Avater two feet deep, but got to shore. 
Found there Sergeant Mead and three soldiers with my six pound 
piece; got them to assist us to fell trees from that side to a creek, 
swam over my horse safe and Col. Wells and Mr. Orderm's also. 
That broke the way — the pack horses followed, but drowned one 
horse through carelessness. This evening, the 26th, I stayed here 
all night with the cannon and ammunition. 

January 27th. — Ate breakfast and started for our old camp, 
the road very bad. About 12 o'clock I arrived at Captain Vance's 
camp, who bad charge of four thousand hogs. Brought a letter 
to him from General Harrison, ordering him to return to Upper 
Sandusky with the hogs, to have them butchered there. I arrived 
at camp about 3 o'clock, but found the camp moved aboiit one 
mile in advance and were just pitching their tents. Brought an 



59 

order (o CapUiin Wadsworth from General Harrison to send all 
the teams and horses to Mr. Cruther's hlock house for forage, but 
kno^viIl^• that the Auglaize Kiver was not passahle in eonseqnence 
of the high waters we eoncluded to ehange the eourse and send to 
rapper Sandusky. 

A Wordy War. 

28ih. — This morning was occujmimI in li.xiiig the teams and 
sleds with tlie hoi'ses for the purpose of going after forage. After 
the teams and horses had started T eoncluded to follow after in 
order to meet General Leftraeh, as lie was on his march with his 
brigade somewhere between my camp ami the river. T met him in 
about seven miles, did the business with liim that T wantnl and 
turned back again. They cam])ed with two rcgimeiits within four 
miles of my camp, but Col. Connell marched to our old camp, one 
mile from our present camp, halted about dark, struck up fires 
and was very jovial, when ]\Iajor Scott cam(> up and asked for Col. 
Connell. 

The Colonel answered. "T am here." 

"Colonel, you have used us damned ill : you hnvc ma relied us 
too late. You are no gentleman." "T am sir: you are not in 
earnest." 

'1 am sir. you are no soldier, no officer and no gentleman." 

"You lie sir. if you say so." "You are a damned liar," said 
the Major, and makes at the Colonel, saying. "I can do as T 
please with you any way you please." 

"You cannot," says the Colonel, and draws his sword. 

The officers interfered and parted them. The INfajnr left 
the company and went to his quarters. T stayed a few minutes 
and rode over to camp. At this place is a small creek, the name 
is not known; T call it "Duck Creek" in consequence of my get- 
ting ducked in it the morning we marched from that camp. 

29th. — This morning is fine and clear. Coneral Leftraeh 
with his brigade, passed our camp about D o'clock in the morning, 
men all in high spirits. Our men are employed this dav in build- 
ing a block house. About 2 o'clock the iudsre advocate went along 
on his wav to headquarters. T sent word bv him to General Tjcft- 
rach to take along with him the six pounder that lav at the creek 
called Trouble, about twelve miles from this place. .About sunset 
the captain of the pack horses arrived here with a note to General 
Leftraeh from (reneral Harrison to leave with us at this place 
what men he thought necessnrv to facilitate the movements of the 
artillerv from this place. The note met General Tjeftrach. He 
wrote to me on the same, wishing me to send immediafelv to his 



60 

camp for what men I wanted. I sent immediately back, request- 
ing him to send me fifty or sixty men with their officers, and all 
the axes and shovels that they could possibly spare. Nicholas 
Teal arrived here from the hospital in Franklinton, one of my 
company left behind sick. 

This place is in no wise a fit place for defense or deposit for 
two reasons — one in particular is for want of water, we have no 
water here but what stands in puddles or what the Yankees call 
"slows." The other is the situation of the ground — it is a very 
fiat country for a considerable distance around. No commanding 
spot. Our blockhouse is on a vei'v flat piece of groundi, we are at 
this time about fifty miles in oui- enemy's country in a complete 
wilderness without proper means for defense. We have with us 
a very valuable property — four eighteen pounders, four twelve, 
three six, all on sleds, and a large quantity of ammunition and 
])iil)lie stores. I don't state tliis circumstance as a censure on 
anyone. Our hcmg in this situation is in consequence of the late 
soft weather Avhich has broken up the roads so that we could not 
possibly travel with our effects. The weather appears to be at 
this time favorable, has frozen very hard for three days and 
nights, and still .freezing. If our teams return from Upper San- 
dusky we shall leave here on the first of February. 

January 30th. — Froze hard last night, fine weather this 
morning. Our men still at work on the blockhouse; mounted 
one six pounder on a platfonn of logs ; in case of an attack can 
move it with hand-spikes from right to left. The men arrived 
from Gen. Leftrach this afternoon aliout sixty in number. This 
evening regulating our guard lines around the camp making pre- 
parations for defense. Late this evening Lieutenaut Tisdell of 
the Petersburg volunteers, arrived here from headquarters and 
brings the pleasant news, of the fate of our army that was with 
Gen. Winchester at the Eiver Eaisin. I say pleasant fate for this 
reason — the first report came from headquarters w;as tliat Gen. 
Winchester had fallen and seven liundred of our l^rave men out of 
one thousand were killed and taken — but to the reverse of that, 
one man that was taken broke from them and arrived at Lower 
Sandusky, and states for a fact that Gen. Winchester was not 
killed, l)ut taken and six hundriMl men with liim. Mr. McCul- 
louch, an express from Gen. Harrison, on liis way to Franklinton, 
l)rings the same intelligence, and as a. fact, also states that Gen. 
Harrison will move his army from Carrying Creek to the Eapids 
tliis day or tomorrow. 

31st. — This morning snowing, not very cold, nor yet very 



61 

warm; sent a lieulouaiiL ai)d c'iLsi,uii wiili a |iai-t\ of men to open 
the road wider from this to lluirs old iimd. 'I'lic ox teams started 
from here to fetch foragf from Saiidiisky relurned back this morn- 
ing, being ordered l)a(k by ('apt. Wadswortli, as he found they 
could not go to tbat |ilaci' ;nid back in lime for Uk- liorsc Iraiiis 
and would detain us in our moxcnirnis tlnvc days at least. At 
sundown all our jiack hoi-scs and iim^' l(aiii> arrived from Upper 
Sandusky witb Hour and forage (ii'ii. Lcfli-acb and baggage 
went past hero oji pack horses ibis day, and (ien. Harrison's on 
pack horses and sleds. 

On to the Rapids. 

February 1st. — This morning i)i-eparing our artillery and 
baggage for marching to headquarters at foot of the Kapids. We 
marched precisely at 12 o'clock wiib 11 pieces of artillery, the 
heavy pieces on sleds, the six pounder on wheels. We have 33 
teams in this detachment, most all sleds. 1 took the line of 
march, passed on about six miles, when one of the pintels of the 
six pounder broke. 1 stopped to place it in a situation to move 
on, which flung me some ways Ixdiind t.lie carriage. 'J'lu' front 
guard and pioneers kept on four miles; 1 pursued after them, 
came up with them, called a halt, waited until some of the sleds 
came up, and ventured down a vei-y sleep hill; one sled knocked 
to pieces in the attempt. I waited some lime for the teams to 
appear; they did not; I got on to one of the wagon-master's 
horses and rode back, met several of the teams, continued on four 
miles back to the place where I left them or near that; found my 
baggage wagon, one caisson and one sled stuck fast in the mud. 
This being after dark and a number of men and wagons present, 
I ordered a fire built as quick as possible thai the men might dry 
themselves and cook something to eat. Lieut. Tisdell of the 
Petersburg volunteers was at this place; we got some bread and 
meat to eat, lay down on the snow, no tents pitched this night; 
all slept well, the howling of wolves very great. 

Tuesday, 2nd. — Rose early and mustered all hands; the 
wagons froze into the mud very much : cut them loose with axes, 
pried them out of the mud, ate breakfast and moved on, but with 
great difficulty; wagons sticking in the mud; sleds getting fast in 
the stumps in Hull's road; overtook the detachment at Trouble 
Creek, they not marching but one mile this day. 

Wednesday, 3rd. — This morning made an early start; crossed 
the creek Trouble on a very sidling bridge made by my men and 
some others while they lay there with the six pounder gun. 
Marched on very well this day, crossed Carrying Creek late in the 



62 

afternoon on the ice, but made a safe crossing ; marciied two miles, 
camped a little before sunset on a very good spot for that purpose. 

Thm-sday, 4th. — This niprning marched about 4 o'clock; 
marched three miles to a black swamp; found the water about 8 
inches deep on tiie ice for one mile, the men loth to venture on, 
the pioneers did not like to wade. I told them to hand me an 
axe and I would be the first man in tlic water and cliop the first 
tree. This moved some of them, four or five followed me, we 
cleared the road, the teams came on, several got almost over when 
the heavy artillery began to bn-ak through the ice both in front 
and in rear; wagons and sleds of every description shared the 
same fate, the water, mud and ice being from two to four feet 
deep. From the time 1 first entered the swamp until sundown I 
did not leave the water, but was from knee deep to waist deep all 
day wading in mud, water and ice, prying out sleds and wagons, 
but got to Portage camp about dark with all our sleds and all our 
wagons but three. No time to pitch tents; sleep out doors this 
night. 

Friday, 5th. — This morning marched from this place, crossed 
Portage Creek safe, marched eigiit miles and camped on the same 
ground tliat Gen. Harrison encamped on the night he left the' 
camp at Portage. 

The Rapids lieached. 

Saturday, 6th. — This morning made an early start; arrived 
at the head of tlie Rapids about I'i o'clock, found it very difficult 
ascending the hills to get on the ice, but accomplished it in about 
one hour with all our eifects; found the ice sound so that we 
arrived at the foot of the Rapids and at headquarters about 4 
o'clock. All our ordnance and ammunition in good order. My 
company is ({uartered near the park on a very dry spot of ground. 

Sunday, Uli. — This day nothing new; troops are employed in 
building blockhouses and the fortifications and stockading the 
camp. Lieut. Meek, my second lieutenant, has the superintend- 
ing of one small redoubt for the purpose of j^l^^Htiiig one six 
pounder. 

Monday, 8th. — This day employed in mounting one eighteen 
pounder and three twelve pounders. This evening we fired the 
eighteen pounder for the evening gun, with a ball at an old house 
across the river on an elevated spot, 857 yards — fired a point blank 
shot; owing to the bad state the cannon was in and not having a 
full charge of powder for that distance, the ball fell short, striking 
the side of the hill, bounded, pitched into the house and stopped. 
Lieut. Larwill crossed the river and found the ball in the house. 



63 

This day Col. Sutton was arrested by Gen. Tupper on a complaint 
made by Major Galloway. 

Tuesday, Uth. — Our spies lliat visited up and down this river 
to iind out the situation of the Indians and iiritish brought intel- 
ligence that they and some l''i-cn(li |);'n|)|c had discuNcrcd a partv 
of Indians on eacli side of ihu i-i\,T; I be iimnber Ihey could not 
ascertain but lliuugiii ibcrc were aboui -j M). The French i-anK- 
into L-anip with l\\v spies and reperied aeeurdiiigly. (ieii. Ilai-ri- 
son lliis e\eiiiiig slarled oil' anolbei- i-eiiipan}' o[ spies uilli llie 
same Frenchmen iji urder to ascertain if the stateniejit was true. 

W't'chiesda,}-, lUth. — Tins nioi'ning I be s[)ies I'clunied and 
slated they saw tlie Indians above ]nenli(jned and (be\ were in a 
War dance. The Gcnei-al ordered the inmnianding olbeer of each 
Brigade to luive a cerlain [trojjoriion i)\' their men to be in readi- 
ness to the number of (iou in all. to maicb ai retreat beatingr this 
evening, and 500 more to mareh in a sliori linie after as a reserve, 
if they should be wanted. They descended tlie river to the place; 
arrived there about 4 o'clock in the morniii"-, but to their great 
disappointment the Indians had b ft tb<'ii' canqis and driven olf a 
nund)er of cattle. The (ieneral called a halt, examined their 
camps and the neighborhood, discovered the route they took, 
followed after them about 1 or 8 miles, but finind they could not 
come up with them, i am mistaken in llie day that the spies and 
the. French came in with the news ol' the Indians being at the 
^liami Bay. It was on Monday, and on Tuesday evening our 
troops marched dowji to I'out them, and on Wednesday about 4 
o'clock they returned. Tluy nuiiclieil ilie distance of 50 miles in 
aiiout 21 hours. 

Thursday, 11th. — Gen. Crook came into camp this day with 
about .■)(>() iiien of the Fennsylvania line from Upper Sandusky. 
I.ieul. Fai'will very sick last night, but beilei- this morning. 

h'riday, 15th. — This day laying out llic eueam|)ment in a 
smaller coin])ass. Col. Sutton arresied by (ien. 4'uj)|iei' on a com- 
|.lainl laid in by Major Galloway. 

Saturday, 13th. — This day Lieui. Meek is a[)poinied Adjutant 
pro tem of the artillery. The mililia of this state are decamping 
by companies of 2, 3, 4 and 6, as tbeii- times expire. 
Sending Out Spies. 

Sunday, 14th. — This day Gen. Harrison sent off two com- 
panies of spies — Capt. Woods and Hiidvston with a number of In- 
dians — to reconnoitre this river as low down as the bay and to 
fetch in prisoners if possible. They have with them about sixty- 
five men and thirty Indians. 



64 

Monday, 15th. — This da}' the Kentucky militia cleared out 
for home as their times are out — Major Gano's battalion and 
Major Hardin's. A new order this day to build a battery on the 
front of the hill sixty or eighty feet long to plant our eighteen 
pounders. 

Tuesday, IGth. — We mounlcd three eighteen pound cannon 
this day — placed one twelve pound cannon in the lower blockhouse. 
Gen. Harrison gave notice this evening that he expected to be 
attacked every night, ordered the artillery to have everything in 
preparation for 'the battle. 1 saw tluit. all the twelves and sixes 
were supplied with ammunition. Four men were taken, two last 
night, two this evening, supposed to be British spies. They were 
about our camp, taken by the sentinels. 

Wednesday, 17th.— This day very cold— j\Iajor Ball arrived 
here this evening with his squadron of cavalry from Lebanon. 

Thursday, 18th. — This morning Major Ball with his squad- 
ron moved from this place, ordered to Lower Sandusky. Made a 
short stay of one night. Col. Campbell arrived here this day with 
his regiment, Capt. Butler's and Aiexander's voltigeurs. We have 
at this time four eighteen pounders, four iron twelve pounders, 
one brass twelve and four sixes, mounted lit for battle. 

Friday, 19th. — Teams arriving constantly with ammunition 
and clothing. 

Saturday, 20th. — This day two howitzers arrived here mount- 
ed and plenty of bomb shells. 

Sunday, 21st. — Some snow fell last night. The troops are 
very busy building block houses, store houses and stockading. 
Two hundred and fifty men sent down the river to escort some 
teams from Lower Sandusky. 

Monday, 32nd.— This day very cold, all things going on very 
well; some more men sent to reenforce the escort, expecting to see 
some Indians. 

Tuesday, 23rd. — This morning Col. Poge's regiment of Ken- 
tucky militia camp left for home, their times having expired, and 
Col. Jenning's also. The spies and escort came in this day, did not 
see any Indians or British, the teams had reiurned back to Lower 
Sandusky. 

To Burn a British Ship. 

Thursday, 25th. — Cold. Preparing materials to fire the 
British ship Queen Charlotte. 

Friday, 26tJi. — This day marched from this camp, Capt. 
Langham with 140 men under his command, for the purpose of 
crossing the Lake on the ice by the way of Lower Sandusky to 



65 

Maiden or within n v{>ry short disianco of that place, to take pos- 
session oi' the (^Mii'cii Charlotte and hiini her down. Lieut. Meeds 
with ;}0 men is wilh the detiiehni<'nl, his Ixisiness will be to board 
the vessel and set her on fire. 

Saturday, 21th. — This (hiy ihc trams arc employed in hauling 
somt' boats up the rivei- on the ire which hiy not far below. 

Sunday, '-iSih. — I am silling in a court martial; it commenc- 
ed on the 2{ith. W'c had a A'rmon })rcachc<l this evening by Mr. 
Baggin; he had a great deal to say about the river Jordan — a story 
that will not do for soldiers. 

Monday, March 1st. — Pointing the blockhouses and complet- 
ing tile stockading as fast as possible. 

Tuesday, 2nd. — This day came in two brigades of pack horses 
laden with flour and ii-on. W'c have at this time GOO,UOO weight 
of pork salted, and will liavi' as much more by the time they are 
done salting, and as much beef. 

Wednesday, 3rd. — This day i. began to get out the stuff for 
hn ing the floor to the grand battery; am still on court martial. 
The weather rainy and warm; the mud about 8 inches deep all 
over camp. Lieut. Meek obtained h'ave to go home today, as 
pleased as a child with a rattle. 

Thursday, 4th. — This day (len. Harrison started for Cincin- 
nati by the way of Lower Sandusky; took with him all of his 
retinue. Major Alexander with his battalion, a company of spies 
and some Indians, marched down to the mouth of the bay to cover 
the retreat of Capt. Langham if wanted. Gen. Harrison returned 
this evening to camp; could noi pass thai way in consequence of 
the lake being broke up. 

Friday, 5th. — Tiiis morning the Ceneral started again wilh 
all liis suite by way of the blockhouse at Portage and to Upper 
Sandusky. The troojjs all arrived this day, both Capt. Langham 
and Alajor Alexandi'r's. They came back without success — the 
ice was too weak for their expedition. 

Saturday, 6th. — This day Lieut. Meek started for home. 
Corporal Warnutn died tliis morning about 11 o'clock. I have 
stated the return of the troops — one day too soon. They arrived 
on Saturdav. and (len. Harrison left here on the same day at the 
same time. 

Sunday, 7th. — Tliis day very cold. All hands to work at the 
battery. The Second Virginia llegimeut moved within the lines. 

Monday, 8th. — Mounted one eighteen pounder yesterday. 

Tuesday, 9tli. — This day three of our men were fired upon by 
the Indians on the opposite side of the river while they were after 



66 

grass for beds; one of them received a ball in his pocket, but 
lodged in his Psalm book; they made their escape in haste. On 
the 6th I had twenty-seven men transferred to my company from 
Capt. Bradford's company. 

Shot and Scalped. 

Wednesday, 10th. — Lieut. Walker of the Pennsylvania line, 
was missing last night; he was known by some of the company to 
have gone after ducks down the river yesterday. They went in 
search of him this morning, proceeded down the river about three 
miles, found him shot, tomahawked and scalped. Also he was 
poked under the ice. He was brought into camp about 9 o'clock 
this morning and buried this afternoon. 

Friday, 13th. — A very hard stoiin of rain, hail and snow last 
night and continues to snow almost all day. Clears off towards 
evening, cold, hard times for wood, the water rising very fast in 
the river, the ice coming down the Eapids in great abundance. 

Saturday, 13th.- — This day clear, the snow all disappeared. 
At work at the batteries with all hands. 

Sunday, 14th. — Weather good. Water very high in this 
river; four feet higher than it ever has been since this country 
was settled. A number of hogs, liorses and cattle have been over- 
whelmed with the water and ice where the farmers' houses used to 
stand. 

Monday, 15th. — Lieut. Larwill left for home. I salt my beef 
this day. 

Tuesday, IGtli. — One of my soldiers died last night by the 
name of Farecloth. 1 had him buried this day with the usual 
ceremonies. Lieut. Larwill returned this day; got defeated by the 
water that covers the whole face of the earth after leaving this 
camp one mile. 

Wednesday, 17th. — This being Saint Patrick's day some of 
our young waggish soldiers made a St. Patrick and placed it up 
against our quartermaster's chimney with the motto, "The Devil 
has come from Britain to see old Capt. Wheaton," meaning our 
old quartermaster. Eained and hailed last night and mud very 
deep all over the camp— not a dry foot in camp unless they stay 
close in their tents. Lieut. Meeds left here yesterday with a party 
of men to proceed on to the Auglaize river, about 100 miles, after 
forage which will be brought dawn in boats to this place, as the 
Auglaize empties into this river. 

Country Inundated. 

Thursday, 18th. — This day is cloudy and somewhat rainy, 
with heavy wind. Capt. Wood, one of our engineers arrived 



67 

here with five other persons from Lower Sandusky. These are 
the first people that have arrived at this place from east, west, 
north or south for seven days, and it has taken them four days to 
eonie 'Sd miles. The whole; country is inundated with water and 
broken ice. Our camp is overwlichiicd with mud and water; my 
eyes never saw such a place for nuinkind to live in — not a markee 
or lent in the whole encampment but what has more or less mud 
and water in it, and what makes it much worse is for the want of 
wood. The timber is all cut oif for a long distance from camp 
and there are no teams to haul any foi- the men; not. a bushel of 
forage in this place; what teams we have cannot work, for they 
have nothing to eat. Our men are very sickly; no wonder, lying 
in mud and. water and without fire; not less than two or three men 
die every day, and I expect the deaths to increase unless the 
weather changes very soon. The men this day have begun to 
catch fish. 1 bought one this evening for 75 cents; it weighed 5 
pounds. 

Friday, 19th. — This day a party of men about 40, went over 
the river expecting to see some Indians, but returned without. 
They saw several signs such as moccasin Tracks and found some 
bunches of hair tied up that they had left. One man of the party 
that went over did not return this day, he was missing when they 
came to the boat, waited some time for him and crossed over. 
This day 1 have finished the grand battery, placed four eighteen 
pounders in it ready for battle. 

Enchanting Scenery. 

Saturday, 20th. — A party of men went over the river this day 
in pursuit of the man that was lost yesterday ; returned this even- 
ing without finding him. No doubt but that he has fallen a victim 
to savage and British fury. At this time this is the most roman- 
tic looking place that ever my eyes saw; to look from the battery 
on to the river and meadows is the greatest charm of any place 
that ever was in any country that ever I traveled in ; the water is 
gliding tlirough the meadows swiftly and covered with all kinds of 
water fowl, and the ice which was left by the high water on the 
meadows is without bounds from three to fifteen feet deep, and 
that over more than half of the bottoms. 

Sunday, 21st. — This day pleasant, not very warm, but clear. 
A party of men, sixteen in number, went over the river this after- 
noon in order to lie in ambush for Indians in the night. They 
went down as low as the Old Fort and stayed until after night 
and concluded to march back. On their way back the officer 
commanding tlie party being in front, ordered the men to fire in 



68 

the bushes, saying "There are Indians, There are Indians," and 
pointing to the phice. The men obeyed, this being about 9 o'clock 
in the evening. The flash of the guns was seen and the reports 
heard in our camp, which caused alarm. Immediately the drums 
beat "To arms"" and every man who could lift his musket was on 
parade in ten minutes, although a greater part were in bunlv, but 
it soon proved to be a false alarm and all returned to bed. 

Monday, 22nd. — This day warmer and windy. Col. Sutton 
was at this time attending to his trial; has put up with me since 
he arrived from Urbana with Capt. Black. Lieut. Meeds arrived 
here from Port Winchester with several boats. Lieut Larwill 
returned this day, it being tli(; second time he .has left here and 
returned. This day tlie mail arrived for the first time in two 
weeks. A small party of our men went up tlie river with a boat, 
in order to save a man that had got flung out of one of tlie boats 
that Lieut. Me?eds came down with. He got onto a rock but the 
current was so very rapid that they could not take him otf and a 
boat was sent after him with six men. They got up the river 
three or four miles, discovered a party of Indians, about 50 in 
number, then returned and reported what they had seen. 

Tuesday, 23rd. — This morning a party of 250 under the com- 
mand of Major Todd crossi^'d the river in pursuit of those fugi- 
tives; also another party in tlie boat pursued up the river after the 
man on the rock about four miles. Under cover of the advance 
guard, commajided by Capt. Croghan, they got off the man, 
brought him safe to camp this evening; the front guard fell back 
toward the main body and they all encamped about four miles up 
tlie river on Gen. Winchester's old camping ground. 

Wednesday, 24tli. — This morning the detachment all return- 
ed and saw no Indians, but came upon their tracks, but they had 
a long ways the start and swamp very bad, so that the command- 
ing officer thought it best not to pursue any farther. 

Thursday, 25th. — This morning Lieut. Larwill left for home 
the third time. We have a flue parcel of fish caught last night, 
for the ffrst time this spring. An express arrived here tliis even- 
ing from Franldinton, fetching news of GOO militia being on their 
way to this place and they will be liere in five days. 

Friday, 2Gth. — Robert Persons died last night, one of my 
soldiers. Col. Sutton left here this morning for home after being 
lionoraljly acquitted by the court martial of the charges made 
against him by Major James Galloway. 

Court Martial. 

Saturdav, 2Tth. — This day a general court martial convened. 



69 

Major Stoddard president, for the trial of several soldiers. Nine 
meml)ers and the Judge Advocate constitute the court — Capt. 
Langhani, Capt. Croghan, Capt. Elliott, Capt. Gushing, Lieut. 
Gwynnc, Lieut. Frederick and Ensign Ship are the members. 
There were three sentinels found sleeping on their post last night 
hv the field otTieer of the day. Col. Evans: two of them were from 
the Pennsylvana line and one of the Virginia line. Fine sentries 
to watch a camp against British and Indians — but it is as much 
as we could expect of militia. This evening a party arrived from 
do^^^l the river that had been from this camp imder the command 
of Capt. Bradford after some boats that were left there by the 
Canadian French when they retreated from the mouth of the 
river. This party came up as far as the Old British garrison, then 
landed, built tires, refreshed themselves and came on to camp. 

Sunday. 38th. — Snowing this morning after a very rainy 
night. One company of Virginia militia leaves camp this morn- 
ing for home. We arc sitting on a court martial this day, tried 
Xatlianiel Ewing for mutinous conduct to his captain. 

Monday, 29th. — Letters arrived from Gen. Harrison to Gens. 
Leftrach and Crook wishing their brigades to stay a few days 
longer. These calls and invitations will not do; the government 
has not b(H'n punctual enough in paying their troops for them to 
stav longer. Major Todd sent his young man after his horse a 
short disf<in CO down th(^ rivor this evening in company with some 
others: they all returned but his waiter, who is missing. 

Tuesday, 30th. — Major Todd sent an ensign and a partv of 
men this morning aftoi- his waiii'r: they returned, reported they 
eonld not find him: ncilluT could tlicy see any signs of him or 
Indians. 

Severe Sentence. 

Wednesday, 31st. — This day a general court martial sentenc- 
ed John T. Mosby, a ])nvai(' in Capt. Bradford's company, for 
threatening to blow up ilir iiinga/.iiH' and then to desert to the 
British, to l)e confined, tied to a jjost or log in a tent by himself 
one month, to have a handcuff on iiis right hand, to ride a wooden 
hotse 30 minutes once a w(X'k for one month with a six pound ball 
fastened to each foot, to wear a ball and chain the whole time, to 
have one eye brow and one side of his head shaved and to be fed on 
bread and water only. After the time of confinement expires he is 
to be drummed out of camp and taken over the line of the Indian 
lioundary on the way to Kentucky. This evening two or three 
Frenchmen went down tiie river to iisli, returned very soon, report- 
ed thev saw some Indians crossing the river, but on seeing them 



70 

they returned back to the other side and the ' Frenchmen fled to 
camp. 

Thursday, April 1st. — This day fine weather. Mr. Smith 
arrived from Lower Sandusky, states that Lieut. Larwill left 
that place for Cleveland on the 27th or 28th ulto. Went on 8 
miles that day, having a young Frenchman with him for a pilot. 
They encamped for the night, made a fire, but soon after they had 
lain down the lieutenant heard something which he took to be 
Indians, spoke to the young man. told him he heard Indians and 
told him to listen, which he did. The Frenchman heard the noise, 
told the lieutenant that it was an owl and he would go and 
shoot it, which he did, but 0, the report of the gun ver\^ much 
alarmed the warrior, he starts, he stops, he pants for breath, he 
hears the near approach of death, he does not stop to know the fate 
of his companion, nor to wait to know if it was the Frenchman's 
gun or Indian rifle that had won : but left his sword, his coat, his 
script, and through the swamp he nimblv skipped, until he arrived 
at Sandusky ba.nk, the river wide, the current swift, and he himself 
without a skift. He looked about and saw his fate, that there 
was no other escape but for him to tr\' his active limbs and sf>e if 
he the gulf could svrim. he plunsres in and struffsrles hard, but 
could not reach the other shore : hp turns about and with his eves. 
he sees the Frenchman to his srrfat surprise. The lieutenant sup- 
posed that an Indian shot th^ Frenchman, not him who shot the 
owl. 

F^idaA^ 2nd. — This dav all the Virginia troops but two small 
companies left camn. their tim^s boino" out: also the Pennsylvania 
brigade except what volunteered to stay 15 davs — about 200. The 
command this dav devolves unon Manor Stoddard : the guards 
were moved within pickets last niffht for the first time. 

News of the British Force. 

Saturday, 3rd. — This day four men arrived in camp from 
Detroit, giving a very correct statement. Thev say that the British 
have in Maiden and in Detroit about fiOO rearulars, 700 militia and 
about 500 Indians. They further say that thev contemplate an 
attack on this place as soon as the ice breaks in the lake, so that 
they can come with their vessels to fetch their a^tille^\^ 

Sunday. 4th. — We are often alarmed bv the discharge of mus- 
kets. Night before last one of mv men, a sentinel on the grand 
battery discovered something part of the way down the hill; he 
hailed him three times, no reply ; he then discharged his piece on 
him; the man cleared himself, took the course down the river; it 
is supposed it was a.n Indian as they came this morning about 9 



71 

o'clock, killed, |(>in;ili;i\vkcil and scalpiMl one of our men within 250 
yards of one of our blockhouses. The sentry saw the flash, heard 
the report and saw (lie man fall. A party immediately under the 
command (if Cajit. Langliam went in pursuit of them, followed 
them al)(nit eight miles, but coidd iiol come up with them; it is 
thought tlu'v have killed ono iiinrc or t-;iken him prisoner, as one 
is missing. Oapt. Croghan w itii ;>0 men, was sent after Capt. 
Langham about 3 o'clock in order to cover his retreat if wanted. 
They all returned about dark this evening. 

Capt. Langham reports that he heard two guns on his march; 
also reports they saw the Indians, hut they got in the hoats some 
distance l)elow them, and were crossing the river. He could plain- 
ly hear them shout as tliey cross(>d and heard several guns on the 
other side. 

Tuesday, Gth. — This mnrning fine and clear, all hands to 
work. I am with my cmnpany n^pairing the little battery, about 
150 repairing th(> pickets, clearing off brush and small trees about 
the camp and prc[);iring to build two small magazines to contain 
the powder. Capt. Wheatton, the quarlemiaster, left here this 
morning for home with al)out 50 or GO militia whose time of 
service was out; also five or six men from Detroit that had lately 
come into camp. This day one of Capt. Bradford's corporals was 
accidentally shot by one of his men through the leg. The doctors 
were obliged to cut olf his leg just above the knee. 

Wednesday, 7 th. — This morning about 1 o'clock, T went the 
guard rounds with th(> officer of the day, Major Todd, found the 
soldiers very vigilant that were on duty. This day Major Hull 
arrived here from Cincinnati with ten of IMajor Ball's squadron 
of horse. He says Cen. Harrison will be here in three days with 
the remainder of ^lajor Ball's sqmidron; also states that we shall 
have a re-enforcement of infantry here in two days. The artific- 
ers are putting up watch towers around the camp within the 
gates. 

Surprised by Indians. 

Thursday, Sth. — This day has proved to be a very unfortunate 
one to some of my men. Sergeant Kelly with six of my men went 
into the w'oods about half a mile from camp after timber. A 
partv of Indians canic tijion thcni while they were unloading; 
thev got between the teams before they showed themselves. As 
soon as the men discoveivd them they started; three of them had 
their guns with them, the rest had set their guns up by a tree to 
help load. Felix Hudes, who drove one team, was shot dead, 
tomahawked and scalped in a most barbarous manner. Joseph 



72 

Patterson and John Kelly were both taken prisoners, the rest 
made their escape unhurt. A part}^ immediately pursued after 
the savages as soon as the news came to camp. This scene took 
place up the river from camp. Another party went down the 
river in order to int£>rcept them when they came to their boats. 
Another party went down the river in boats. The first 
boat had twelve Frenchmen in it under the command of 
Mr. Peters : they got off first. The party that went by land got 
separated, a part of them returned to camp, finding themselves lost 
from the others, and only five in number. The remainder pur- 
sued on about five miles and returned also. The Frenchmen that 
were in the first boat soon came upon the Indians about half a 
mile below where Lieut. Gwynne and his party returned back. The 
Indians, twelve in number, took two boats, five in each, ran out 
into the river in order to stop them. Five Indians stayed on land, 
which made fifteen Indians against twelve Frenchmen and they 
in three parties. The Frencbmon allowed they killed five and 
wounded three that were in the lioat. The Indians ran ashore, 
took in the Indians that were on the land and cleared out down 
the river. Seven of the Frenchmen were wounded, two very bad, 
five slightly, two must die. Capt. Langham with his party passed 
the Frenchmen soon after the battle, put on after them with all 
speed. 

There has been firing heard this evening down the river — it is 
expected that he has come up with them and given them battle. 
The party that first went after the Indians soon returned, came 
upon the tracks of the savages, found where they passed along the 
prisoners, found one of their guns, but found they could not over- 
take them and gave up the chase. 

Friday, 9th. — Major Ball arrived with his squadron, about 
220 in number; they encamped on the bottom exactly in front of 
the grand battery. Cxcn Harrison has not arrived here with the 
squadron as Avas expected. One thing I have neglected to state — 
Col. Stevens of Hoss County, Ohio, arrived here on the 8th with 
80 or 90 men — some little help. Capt. Langham returned here 
this afternoon from down the river; he reports he went down as 
far as the lake and that the ice was all out of sight, nothing but 
the lake water to be seen; he also reports that he went 
ashore with a party at Swan Creek, which is about eight miles 
below this camp; ho found in the creek fourteen Indian canoes; 
two of them were the two that the Frenchmen had the conflict 
with a little before. They were peppered full of holes with balls, 
■aiid a largo quantity of blood in both canoes. They also found 



73 

four (»i- five horses that they had h'ft and shot ilicni. It is siip- 
pos(^d thai I hey were the horses that heloiiged to the Indians that 
were killed and the rest had mounted and rod<' off. They de- 
stroyed all the boats hut two, which Ihey broiifrht to camp. 

Saturday, 10th.- — This nioniiiiix ahoiit dayliirhf. an alarni 
took plaeo. Major Ball, who lav ontsiilc of the garrison with his 
squadron, had formed his men in two lines fi'om the river to the 
hill under the walls of the fort, one on the right of the squadron, 
the other on the left. The line on the left was much the longest 
as the distance was the greatest from the river to the fort. The 
lines had been formed some time when one of his lieutenants 
thought he saAv an Indian. Tie was on the left of the left line 
next to the fort on the side hill. Tie spoke to the sergeant that 
stood by his side, told him to shoot him; the sergeant spoke low 
and replied, "Perhaps it is one of our men out there." The li<^n- 
tenant hailed three times: no one answered; the sergeant tired: 
they saw several things move which caused several of them to fire ; 
the troops all were at their posts within the garrison very soon. 
The squadron were all moved within the pickets this day. 

Sunday, 11th. — This day windy and cold from the northeast. 
I finished the little battery this evening. The lines were formed 
all along the lines of picket this evening: we found them all well 
manned. I have been today employed in having the ammunition 
distributed to all the cannon. 

Gen. Harrison Arrives. 

"Monday, 12th. — Gen. Harrison arrived here this day: Col. 
:\Iillcr with him with 100 regiilars and 100 militia: had forage 
and salt on the boats. Capt. Bering commanded the regulars. I 
fired a salute on Gen. Harrison's an-ival, 15 guns— 10 sixes and 5 
eighteens. 

Tuesday, 13th. — This day is a day of general fatigue; both 
officers and soldiers employed in building breastworks, repairing 
the pickets, laying blockhouse floors, repairing the grand battery, 
digging well, digging u]i stumps and cutting and fetching punch- 
eons for the floors of the blockhouses. 

Wednesday, 14th. — This tlay ("apt. ?Iamilton arrived here 
with 50 men militia from Butler County. The men all employed 
as they were yesterdaw We are expecting the British and Indians 
to attack us every night. 

Thursday, 15th. — Very cold and windy. One of the senti- 
nels shot a horse last night supposing it to be an Indian. 

Fridav, Ifith. — This day preparing for an attack from the 
British and Indians. Our batteries, blockhouses and pickets are 



74 

almost completed and traversed all around. Wm. Clarke, a pri- 
vate in Capt. Bering's company, was brought out to be shot. All 
the troops on the ground were assembled. His sentence was read 
to him and he appeared to be unconcerned as to his fate. He was 
reprieved by the General. Major Todd sipped with me this even- 
ing on turtle soup. I have been very much indisposed, but am 
better this evening. Capt. Wadsworth of the Pennsylvania 
militia, died last evening, was buried at 4 o'clock this afternoon. 
He was left sick when the brigade was disbanded. 

Saturday, IT'th. — This day very pleasant. A party of Major 
Ball's squadron went down the river to Presque Isle to make dis- 
covery, but reported they saw nothing worth notice. Anothep 
party of Indians and whites went down on the other side. They 
were ordered to go to the Eiver Raisin. Wm. Clarke had his head 
sliaved and was drummed out of camp. This evening we are ex- 
pecting an attack every day, ])ut we fear they will not come. 

Sunday, 18th. — This day the Indians and white men that 
went down to the Eiver Eaisin on the Ifith, returned with three 
Frenchmen with them. These men say that the party of Indians 
that killed Eudes and took my two men prisoners passed by where 
they were with lioth of them, and also state that the Frenchmen 
that went down the river after the party in boats that took their 
men, killed six, two mortally wounded as they supposed, for one 
was shot througli the breast, the other through both arms and 
breast. They say that Tecumseh with 80 Indians, passed through 
there the 16th on liis way to Maiden; they also state that the Brit- 
ish and Indians intend to attack us in ten or twelve days. 

Monday, 19th. — This day. Col. Mills arrived here with 100 
men, came down the river in boats from St. Marys, fetched 700 
bushels of forage, 40 barrels of whisky, 500 barrels of 
flour, all in good order. Most of these men were from Warren 
county — Capt. Simonton's rifle company and Capt. Shaw's militia. 

Tuesday, 20th. — This day a party of regulars and militia 
crossed the river for the purpose of clearing off the brush, that the 
enemy should not have the advantage of them in fortifying, if 
they should have the presumption to come here to attack us. Gen. 
Harrison went over, took along with him Major Stoddard and 
others to view the ground. This evening Capt. Holt arrived here 
with about 35 regulars and l.'>3 militia from Kentucky; a brigade 
of pack horses came with them and fetched their baggage. 

Wednesday, 21st. — Capt. Holt with his company was attached 
to the artillery this day. 

Friday, 23rd. — This morning a very heavy rain, the river 



75 

rose to a vorv high pitch, Caj)t. Iloli nioxcd his mon on io my loft 
this evening, 

Saturday, 24th. — This day T moved my company in front of 
the grand hattory. The infantry began to drill. 

(Here a few days of the Diary is missing.) 

r took good nim nt th(mi. tlie hnll sfrnck just over them, they 
f(^ll (hnvn at the flash, tlu'v lay still imlil I liad loaded again, and 
Capt. Wood had loaded his cightei^n pounder in his loft. At 
length they started for the woods. Capt. Wood gave them a shot 
and T followed suit. They hoth struck very close to them : there 
were fourteen seen there hefore we fired, and but 13 remained in 
the old fort, where the remainder of their party were plain to be 
seen with a spy glass. This is the first time T have discharged a 
piece at an enemy in '^0 years. 

British Forces Gathering. 

Wednesdav, 2Sih. — Lasi night we had \ho heaviest rain that 
T ever knew and ven- hard thunder. This morning we had the 
pleasure of seeing about 300 British down the river and a number 
of Indians and British came opposite to our fort and tired at our 
men that were on the river bottom. T gave them one shot with an 
eighteen pounder which made them leave their stations. Capt. 
PTamilton was sent down th^' river this morning — he reported that 
the British had landed on the other side about 1,500 or 3,000. 
We expect a hard fight this night. T have completed the abatis 
this evening in front of the grand batterv. The whole army was 
at work this day, one third at a time, heaving up a traverse 
through the camp. A party of dragoons rode out n short distance 
from camp this evening: one of them received a ball in his arm 
from the rifle of an Indian — there was. a party watching for our 
men. 

Thursday. 3nth. — This dav we are employed in finishing the 
traverse and making readv for battle, for we have been surrounded 
bv British and Indians for two days. We let loose our cannonade 
on them yesterday and .have kept it up bv spells all this dav. and 
shall let loose upon them this evening with an eighteen pounder 
that is already elevated. 

Fridav, 30th. — We have boiui all dav employed in traversing 
through the camp. plavin<r upon tlicir battering with our ei.srhteen 
pounders and throwing grape and cannister shot at the Indians 
which are in our rear and on our flanks. We have had one man 
killed and fi or 7 wounded bv the Indians this day. 
The Battle Begun. 

Saturday, May 1st. — At 2 o'clock in the morning the British 



76 

opened their artillery upon our garrison from their gun-boats, 
which lay one and one-half miles below us, but it was without 
effect. At 8 o'clock they hoisted tlie red flag at their lower bat- 
tery and commenced firing with 24, 12 and 6 pounders, and eight 
inch mortars. They tired at us this day 240 shot and shells; did 
very little damage. They continued firing shells through the 
night but not often, just enough to keep our camp from rest. "We 
keep up a heavy fire on them all day from different parts of our 
camp, the Indians are very thick on our flank and in our rear. We 
have not more than two killed and four wounded today. 

Sunday, 2nd.— They kept up their bombardment all night, 
but not very often, enough to keep the men on the watch. This 
morning they commenced a heavy fire from all their batteries botli 
with cannonade and l)ombs, and our camp is completelv surrounded 
with Indian and British keeping up a heavy fire of musketry and 
rifles. They threw at us this day about 3.50 shot, a largo propor- 
tion of them red hot ; we had about 4 killed, 7 wounded this day , 
they keep up the business of sending over their shells this evening. 

Monday, 3rd. — This morning I gave them a morning gun at 
break of day, which passed through their upper battery. They 
returned pretty much the same, and that all day. This dav we 
discovered that they liad a sm.all battery on this side of the river, 
about 300 yards on our riglit flank. The Indians had been for 
two days firing at our men from that direction which kept us 
from noticing what they were about. Thev opened on us from 
that battery one six pounder and one five and a half inch 
howitzer which made -a complete cross-fire through our camp. 
This day we received about .51fi shots from them and lost about 
the same number of men as we did vesterdav, killed and wound- 
ed. 

Tuesday 4th. — They still keep up their fire with shot hot 
and cold and bombs; killed a few men, wounded some. This 
evening Mr. Oliver who was sent out to meet (xen. Clay came 
down the river in a boat; arrived here tonight about 12 o'clock. 
He brought the news that Gren. Clay with his brigade would be 
here by break of day ; this put our camp in motion. Every man 
was up and preparing for battle. 

Gen. Clay's Arrival. 
Wednesday -Sth. — This morning about 3 o'clock Gen. Har- 
rison sent Capt. Hamilton, Capt. Shaw and one other up the 
river to meet Gen. Clay with orders for him to land about 700 
men two miles above camp on the other side of the river, pro- 
ceed down to their batteries, spike their cannon and retreat im- 



77 

mediatel}' hack lo iliiir boats, but to come down under the cover 
of my battery. They coiiiplicd so far as to land the men, marcli 
them down to tlieir bailcry, di-ivc them from tlieir guns, spike 
some of Uu'm, Uike down their coloi-s, but did not retreat as 
ordered; pursued the Indians inin ihe woods until about "^UU 
ol' thorn fell iiilo the enemies" hamU and iUU supposed to be 
killed — the rest made tiieir escape up to their boats and arrived 
safe at camp. At tiie time the bahnuc of tlie brigade was float- 
ing to camp from where the men landi'd. The Indians and 
British kepi up a heavy lire <mi iheni from llie woods; the men 
left their boats lighting them. The eavalry with Major Alexan- 
der's battalion sallied' out and drove them into the woods and 
then retreated into the garrison. There wt're several killed and 
several wounded, the Indians followed them within 150 yards 
of the gate. This sally was made from the lell wing of our 
(;amp. Another sally was made at the same time I'l'om the right 
wing by Col. Miller, lie drove the British and Indians from 
their little battery, spiked tJieir guns and howitzer, took about 
42 prisoners of whiih 2 were ollieers. We had several killed and 
wouiuled. After I he l)attle ceased the British sent into our 
camp a liag of truce the bearer of which was Major Chambers. 
Gen. Harrison permitted the two regular olllcvrs to return back 
to their camp; they gave us l)ut two shots after the battle was 
over. 

Thursday (ith. — This day no lighting. A completo cessation 
()\' ai-ms on both sides. The flag passed both to and from each 
camp, and men employed in com])leting their bomb proof; the 
weather very rainy and has been for three or four days, which 
puts our camp in a dismal situation. 

Friday 1th. — The Britisli are very pi-aceable; they have sent 
up a liag from the old fort, nuide arrangements to have prisoners 
exchanged, and have lakc'ii them to their camp this evening. The 
prisoners that they took from us are to be sent to Huron; we 
nave sent down boats to transport them to that place; also have 
sen I down provisions and blankets for them. 

Saturday 8th. — The rain still continues. We have not re- 
ceived any shots from the British this day; they appear to be 
making preparations to decamp; if they are not they are laying 
some deep plan, to annoy us. The Indians have not been on this 
sitle today as usual: in fact there have been but very few seen 
this day on cither side. 

British Give Up the Fight. 
Sunday 9 th. — Last night two men deserted from the British 



78 

and swimming the river came into our camp. They state on being 
examined that the enemy moved off the greater part of their 
<3annon the night before last, and the rest last night. The;« 
also state that the British and the Indians have all cleared out; 
they state further that news had arrived in their camp within 3-i 
hours that Little York had fallen into the hands of the Ameri- 
cans. They state that the Indians had got mad and would not 
stay any longer in consequence of the British not letting them 
have a share in the plunder that was given up in this fort, for 
they supposed tluxt we had surrendered, as the white flag had 
been passing so very often. I have been out on the battle ground 
this day; found several dead men, the most of them scalped and 
tonuihawked. The British took down their colors about 10 
o'clock this morning, went aboard of their boats and cleared 
themselves for Maiden. We gave them a few stern shots as 
they left their camp, and three cheers when they lowered their 
colors. Also we fired a salute at 12 o'clock three times around 
the fort. The sight of dead men has become no more terrifying 
than the sight of dead flies on a summer day. 

Monday 10th. — This is the first fair day we have experienced 
in eight days. A party of men crossed the river this afternoon 
in order to reconnoitre the battle ground on that side and make 
discoveries of the dead, that a party may go tomorrow and bury 
them. They reported that they saw but one dead man above 
ground but saw several graves. The British left their camp 
in great haste by appearance, for they left behind one set of 
carriage wheels and a large quantity of shot and shells. I 
pitched my markee for the first time this day since the siege, also 
the tents of my company. 

Gathering Dudley's Dead. 

Tuesday 11th. — This day a party of men went over the 
river in search of the men that were killed in the battle of the 
fifth, they found 45 men dead and scalped — amongst them was 
(^ol. Dudley of the Kentucky militia and several other officers 
of lower grade. The party dug holes and buried them. Capt. 
Holt with a party of the artilleiy crossed the river after the shot 
and shells that the British left; he found several, fetched them 
over and one large pair of gun wheels. Major Amos Stoddard 
of the artillery died this evening about 11 o'clock; his death 
was caused by a wound he received the first day of the siege, 
which was the first day of May; the wound was caused by a shell 
bursting in the air over the grand battery. 

Wednesday 12th. — This day Gen. Harrison left camp for the 



79 

settlement. A short time after he had left the camp an express 
arrived here from Gen. Durbin infonning him that Little York 
had fallen into the hands of the Americans Avith 1,000 men; 
the letters also stated that the British Magazine blew up and 
destroyed 200 of our men. Gen. Pike was amongst the sufferers. 
I had the remains of ^lajor Stoddard buried today in front of 
the grand battery on the spot where he received the wound which 
caused his death. Anotiier party crossed over the river this 
afternoon in search of dead men — they found two of the militia 
and three Indians. Major Todd, Capt. Langham, Ensign Butler 
Harrison, Lieut. Reeves and several others started down the river 
in order to sail around to Huron and from thence to Cleveland. 

Thursday loth. — This morning Major Todd and the officers 
that started with him last night all returned; the lake was too 
rough for their boat. I have had all the shot and shells collect- 
ed this day; find we have a large number more than we had 
when the siege commenced. The weather very fine; the men have 
fine fun fishing. 

Friday 14th. — This day tlie militia left the ground in 
the rear of my companw 1 cleared off the ground they occupied 
and moved my company on to it. Three British regulars came 
into our camp tliis morning; they state tiiat the British left 
them behind, but I expect that they have deserted, but don't 
like to own it. The mail arrived this day; brings the pleasing 
news that Fort George was taken by the Americans as well as 
Little York. 

Saturday 15th. — This day I moved my tent from the Grand 
Battery; had the bomb proofs filled up in front of my camp. 
Andrew Nichelson died this morning about 4 o'clock. Major 
Hukell, Major Pintel, myself and tiiirteen of my soldiers crossed 
the river this afternoon in ord'er to reconnoitre the old British 
cainp that, they left in haste. We found several balls; also a 
man came to us who was taken by the Indians on the dav of the 
battle; he was taken to Brown.^town and he and one other made 
their escape from tliat place, but the other got shot at the River 
Raisin by an Indian. He states that a large number of our men 
were kilKni by tlic Indians after they were taken; he says he 
saw twelve or fourteen shot down himself; he also states that 
the Indians have all returned to their to\vns. 

Sunday 16th. — This day very pleasant. I have made garden; 
set out lettuce and planted radishes, etc. A party of men cross- 
ed the river, went down as far as the old British fort, saw three 



80 

dead men that were killed the day of the battle, found several 
muskets, some cannon balls and one very large chain. 

Good Fishing. 

Monday ITth. — Fine weather this morning, my men in high 
spirits, fish plenty, no want of provisions, all that is wanting to 
have things com,plete is a little whisky. I took a sail in a small 
canoe this morning and caught 63 white bass that would weigh 
about one pound each; returned before dinner; caught them 
with a hook and line baited with a red rag. I moved two eigh- 
teen pounders from the lower batteiy to the grand battery this 
day. 

Tuesday 18th. — Nothing new this day; our camp getting in 
fine order in respect to cleanliness; the men are becoming more 
healthy since the dry weather commenced; this evening has com- 
menced witJi rain which will be very useful. 

Wednesday 19tli. — No rain last night as was expected. 
This day very pleasant, rather cold. I placed a sentinel at the 
Croghan battery this day. 

Thursday 20th. — My men all well employed fishing. Two 
lieutenants caught 375 with hooks. 

Friday 21st. — This day I crossed the river with a party of 
my men; found 47 balls that we fired at them from our batteries 
and block houses during the siege; also we found one Indian 
Chief that was killed by a cannon ball that I fired from the big 
battery; a prisoner that we have here confirmed it to be true; at 
the time I fired at them one of my men that was looking to see 
where the ball would strike said the ball had killed a man that 
was on a gray horse; this prisoner says that this is the man. 

Saturday 22d. — Fine weather; a number of men sick in 
camp; several died, not more than could be expected, considering 
the severe fatigue and the badness of the weather they have ex- 
perienced for the last thirty days. 

Sunday 23d. — This day I went over the river with twelve of 
my men in hunt of cannon balls; found some, found several dead 
men that were not buried, they were killed during the fight on 
the 5th. I went down as low as the old fort, discovered that 
there had been a large number of men buried there, several of 
ours and some of theirs. We returned back to camp about 2 o'clock ; 
found several balls. Soon after I got back a very heavy tempest 
of thunder, wind and rain commenced; continued the remaining 
part of the afternoon and until late in the evening. 

Monday 24th. — The rain still continues very hard. Samuel 
Grossman, one of my soldiers, died last night. 



81 

Wednesday 26th. — This day Lieut. Ilacldcy arrived here from 
Kentucky and several men with him. 

Thursday 3?tJi. — This day as usual, ouIn our men cleaning 
fish that were cauglit yestenhiy with a seine. At two hauls caught 
six barrels. Col. JMiller, who (■niiiiiiamls at this time, thought 
it advisable to send a jjaiiy (>( incn. I'jo, up to Fort Defiance 
in order to fetch down a quantity of flour tliat is there. Having 
some suspicion that there miglit be some Indians about, he sent 
Capt. John and two other men in front. They left camp two 
hours before th(! party got ready, went up within one-lialf mile 
of Rush-de-]3oo ; discovered on this side six Indians and nine on 
the other side, those on the side that they were on, retreated in 
haste, got back to the river just as the party were crossing, came 
over and reported to Col. Miller; the party were all ordered back 
for the present. 

Friday 38th. — This morning four men arrived from Detroit 
in a boat; they made their escape in the night; they state that 
twenty Indians had left Maiden for the purpose of coming to lurk 
about this camp in order to catch a prisoner or two and intercept 
the mail as it comes through. This afternoon two mails arrived 
safe, Major Vorhees from Kentucky brought them in company 
with several others. The weather cold and unpleasant for the 
lime of year. 

Sunday 30th. — Rainy part of the day; measles and mumps 
very prevalent in camp at this time. 

Monday 31st. — This day all the troops, both regulars, volun- 
teers and militia passed muster and inspection by Major Hukill. 

Tuesday, June 1st. — Nothing new this day except drawing 
seine ; they caught a large quantity of fish. 

Wednesday 2d. — This day Conrad Deguire, one of my sol- 
diers, died very suddenly : lie had been sick for a long time but 
had got better so that he was able to walk about the camp and 
to the river; at 12 o'clock his messmates called him to dinner, 
but he (lid not conic, nor answer; they went to tJie tent and found 
him dead. This afternoon C'apt. Holt left camp with 100 men 
for Fort Winchester after flour and whisky. 

Thursday 3d. — This day Lieut. Gwynn and several others 
left cam]) for the settlements to recruit their health. Our me- 
chanical work goes along very well, repairing gun carriage, axes, 
wagons and small arms, tlie troops ver}' industrious keeping the 
camp clean. Our wounded are in a fine way to recover shortly, 
all but one man, he must die very soon. 

Friday 4th.^This day very fine weather — two men arrived 



82 

here from Cleveland with a boat load of potatoes, 150 bushels, 
sold them all out in a few hours at $2.00 per bushel; tliey return- 
ed this evening. Dr. Mervin took passage to Cleveland for the 
purpose of recruiting his health. The above mentioned wounded 
man died this evening; his name was Meek, one of Capt. Near- 
ing's soldiers. Eight fine steers came into our lines this morning 
from the woods. 

Saturday 5th. — Commenced raining about 4 o'clock this 
evening with heavy thunder, continues on until guard, still rain- 
ing very hard. Capt. Phillips of tlie Oliio militia arrested by 
Col. Miller for neglect of duty. 1 had for supper this evening 
a cup of tea and piece of bread only — liigh living. 

Simday 6th. — This day rainy by showers; killed three steers 
that the men might have some fresh meat. 

Monday 7th. — This morning good news; an express arrived 
about 13 o'clock last night from Cen. Durbin with mtelligence 
that Fort Ceorge was taken by the Americans, and that Gren. 
Prevost had tlie assurance to cross the lake to Sackett's Harbor 
with 1,500 men, and was completely defeated by Gen. Brown with 
a loss of 300 killed and taken prisoners. Col. Miller, who com- 
mands at tliis place at this time, in consequence of Gen. Clay^s 
mdisposition, ordered that there should be a salute fired at 13 
o'clock this day of 18 gims; all the music in the garrison was 
paraded on the top of the big battery where the salute was 
fired out of two brass twelve pounders; we had drums, fifes, 
flutes, clarionets, violins, timbrels and a bass drum. After the 
firing and tlie music I liad Gen. Clay, Col. Miller and Major 
Sodwick to dine with Capt. Gratiot and myself; dined on soup 
and roast beef and for desert a plate of strawberries. 

Tuesday Sth. — liainy. A party arrived here this day from 
Lower Sandusky witli 70 or 80 fat cattle, also a part of the men 
that went up the river with Capt. Holt ai'rived with some flour 
and some twelve pound shot. Say they left at the head of the 
rapids thirteen boats ladtm with flour, the water so low that they 
could not come over the falls. 

Wednesday 9th. — Cloudy this morning, threatening rain all 
day; in the afternoon, butchered fine beef. A party went this 
morning to help down with the boats and the flour; another party 
took up some pirogues to lighten heavy boats. Four o'clock com- 
menced raining fast. 1 took a stroll up the river this morning 
with Major Huckill after strawberries, found plenty; my garden 
looks veiy flourishing at this time. I have lettuce, large and 
small radishes, sage, mint, onions, peas and beans. 



83 

Thursday 10th. — This day vtay warm, thunders some, rains 
a trifle. Col. Miller sent Lieut. Fredericks and about 40 men 
up tlie river to help down with some of the boats — they got up 
about three miles and ni<'t a party of Indians about 15 or 16 
in number all on horse-back; they fired at them and then retreat- 
ed down on to the bottom and formed a line of battle, the Indians 
formed in a line also in the woods; tlic firing was heard at camp; 
a party of 100 was sent olf immediately to their assistance; they 
crossed the river, the others being on that side; met tliem within 
one m/ile of camp, turned them back and all proceeded up to 
where the boats were they were after, fetched down the boats but 
discovered no Indians. Mr. Perry, one of the Petersburg volun- 
teers, died this morning. 

Friday 11th. — This morning warm and cloudy, Major Hukell 
left here for the Cit}^ of Washington b}- the way of Fort De- 
fiance or Fort Winchester; he has with him ]\Iajor Vorhees who 
is going on to Kentucky. Major Sodwick with 100 men going 
to Fort ^Vinehester after flour and otlier stores, the three men that 
were sent up the river, Capt. Shaw and two others, returned about 
llo'elock; their orders were to proceed to the head of the Rapids 
without delay with orders to the commanding officer to come on 
with the boats as quick as possible; they report they have done 
according to orders, been up to the above place, delivered the 
orders, and state the boats will be here to-morrow; they also 
state that they came upon the trail of the Indians that were seen 
yesterday by Lieut. Fredericks and party, but that they had made 
their way down the river. Mr. Dodds, one of the Pittsburg blues, 
died this day. 

Saturday 12th. — This day Capt. Bradford dined with us. 
Capt. Wood joined mess with Capt. Gratiot and me on the 10th. 
Thirteen boats and sev<n-al pirogues arrived here laden with 
flour, salt, whisky, soap and candles. Several men with two 
horses and eight head of cattle were seen down at the old fort 
this afternoon. Sergeant Meldruin caught an Indian horse this 
day. 

Sunday 13th. — A tremendous thunder gust last night with 
heavy rain and hail, this morning pleasant. Mr. Asa Stoddard, 
Major Spaft'ord and Major Farley arrived here with two boats 
from Cleveland laden with produce and dry goods; I got twenty- 
four pounds of butter, a bag of pickles and a large cheese. 

ilonday 14th. — This day the gentleman that arrived here 
yesterday with produce sold to the amount of $1,500. 

Tuesday 15th. — This day Gen. Clay took the command of 



84 

the garrison — ordered a general court martial for the purpose of 
Q. M. Lea's trial, of the 19th Eegiment. Isaac Simpson died 
this day, one of my soldiers. 

Wednesday 16th. — This day two boats left here for Cleve- 
land. Capt. McCrea and Lieut. McGee, with several of the 
Petersburg volunteers went out in the boats for the purpose of 
recruiting their health, also six of my soldiers for the same 
purpose; furloughed for thirty days, Thomas Golden, James 
McCurdy, Eobert Persons, Richard Gwynn, Francis Wartenbee 
and William Shields. Gen. Clay ordered the traverse from the 
gate at the northeast end of the big battery that extended to the 
main traverse leveled, which was done. 

Saturday 19th. — This day Capt. Hatfield arrived here from 
Fort Winchester with seven or eight boats laden with flour. I 
commenced reading the history of Modern Europe, one volume. 
My men laid the little battery floor. A hard shower this evening. 

News of Another Attack. 

Sunday 20th. — Last night one of Capt. Nearings' soldiers 
died while on guard, it is supposed — he took something that pois- 
oned him; he was opened by the surgeons, they could not dis- 
cover any defects. Two men arrived here this day from Detroit; 
they fetch intelligence that the British are coming to pay us 
another visit; they will have 2,000 regulars and from 4,000 to 
6,000 Indians, 2,000 of the Indians are to start from Browns- 
town tomorrow for this place and the British will be here as soon 
as the troops arrive from down the lake, which will be within 
a few days. This news has aroused us to arms within this 
garrison and has induced us to put ourselves in the posture of 
defense as fast as possible. One party of men were sent over the 
river this afternoon and demolished all the batteries the British 
had hove up at the other siege. Another party was employed in 
ch'arijig off the bushes for a long distance around the fort. I 
had my men employed in fetching up the gun carriages from 
the blacksmith shop and mounting the guns. An express has 
been sent to meet Gen. Harrison two or three ways; another is 
sent up to Fort Winchester to meet Col. Johnson to urge him 
on with all possible speed. 

Monday, June 21, 1813.^ — This day all the effective men 
within the garrison are on guard or on fatigue, repairing the 
batteries, clearing off the woods around the camp, cutting, haul- 
ing and placing ar])onets in front of all the batteries. Every 
man appears to be working for his own safety. Two Frenchmen 
and two others have been sent down the river as far as the bay 



85 

to make discovci-ics : tlicv will icluni tomorrow. 1 mounted all 
the cannon this arici'iionn and |iiit. iluim into their proper bat- 
teries and l)l(K'kli()iiricy. A soldicn- of (^apt. Langham's company 
arrived here this excniiiu' from Fort Winchester; states that Col. 
dohiisoM is ihei'e with s;)(» mounted men. 

'i'liesday 22d. — 'i'iiis day all tlic caiiii) busily employed in 
stren,i;llieiiin,u" the o-MiTisou wlicrc\ci- iIh'It apjx'ared to be a weak 
place. One man ai-ri\-ed here I'l-oni P'ranklintim : states that Gr€n. 
MacArtlnir is thei-i' with T)!!!) re<;ulars; he also states that there 
are 500 more at I'pper Sandusky of the 24th Regiment. Eight 
nten arri\('d hei-e fnun I'^oi't W'incheslei-. a pari, of Col. Joliuson's 
regiment of cavaliy: the regiment will be in to-morrow early in 
the monnng. Two men arrived here from Kentucky this day; 
they l)ring no ])arlieular news. About 100 men have been for 
three days employed in c-learing off all the wood and bushes about 
the camp. A good deal of rain fell this evening. It is about 
nine o'ldoek in the evening and the Iventuckians are just ap- 
proaching the ferry on the other side where they will encamp 
for this night. 

Wednesday 23d. — At 3 o'clock gun fire by the Kentucky 
cavalry on the opposite shore raised a horrid yell in imitation of 
t.he Indians; this is conduet vei-y uidjeeoming an ofHeer or soldier. 
They commenced crossing the river about 6 o'clock; about 12 they 
"had all got over with tlieir horses except what horses had strayed 
from their camp, when the gun fired; these horses all took 
flight, several men were run over and very much liurt, one dead, 
the blow lu' received by a horse's foot broke his skull. My men 
completed the abbatis in front of the little battery and repaired 
them in front of the big battery. Col. -Johnson's regiment of 
mounted men encamped down on the t)ottom next to the river for 
the present. At 10 o'clock in the evening the boats that have the 
baggage of Col. dohnson's regiment are landing; they are laden 
with flour, whisky and ])ork ; he left a part of them at the head 
of the Rapids. 

Thursday 2 lib. — This moniing verv^ cold and windy. A 
party of spies wei-e sent down the river in order to make dis- 
coveries — came back and re])orted they saw three savages and 
several horses; it is e.\p<'cte(| we shall have another visit in a few 
days from them. 

Friday 25th. — The weather still very cold, so much so that 
winter clothing is very comfortable. A party of spies returned 
this evening from, the mouth of the river and state they saw 
nothing like Indians or British while they were gone. 



86 

Saturday, June 26th. — This day warm and pleasant; the 
spies returned from down the river; report that they saw noth- 
ing like Indians or British. Lieut. Sanders and party arrived 
this afternoon from the head of the Rapids with the boats and a 
part of the floor that Col. Johnson left when he came down. 
They left about 200 barrels rolled out on the shore. 

Ancient Battlefield. 

I have spent several hours in walking by myself around the 
garrison both outside of the pickets and inside of the batteries. 
T find by examination that this place must have been a seat of 
war for ages past. In almost every place where we have thrown 
up the earth we find human bones in great plentv. Yesterday 
the fatigue party that were digging a trench in the front of block 
houses J^o. 3 and 4 came on a pile of bones where they took out 
25 skulls all in the one pit. A tree had grown over the pit that 
was several feet over, say four. In walking around this garrison 
on the earth that has been thrown up it was like walking on the 
sea shore upon the old mussel shells, only in this case, human 
bones. 

Sunday, June 27th. — This day ven^ warm ; the spies re- 
turned from down the river; they report they saw no signs of the 
Indians or British, but heard the report of eleven cannon out on 
the lake. Mr. Smith arrived here with two cows and two calves, 
brought sugar, coffee, tea and cranberries. This evening we 
have radishes for the first time this season. 

Monday 28th. — This morning Henry Fieldeman, one of my 
soldiers, died of lock jaw. Capt. Langham with three others 
arrived here last night about 11 o'clock: they left Gen. Harrison 
with the 24th Eegiment about 15 miles in the rear. About 2 
o'clock this afternoon the general arrived with his two aides and 
an escort of ten of Lieut. Ball's squadron. I gave him the sahitc 
of fifteen guns. This evening about 6 o'clock Col. Anderson 
of the 24th Regiment arrived with his regiment of regulars, 
about 500 strong, brought their baggage on pack horses. Cran- 
dall, a man that arrived here from Detroit several weeks since, 
was put under guard this day by an order from Gen. Harrison, 
on suspicion of being a spy. 

Tuesday 29th. — This morning Col. Johnson with 200 of 
his mounted men crossed the river on an expedition to the river 
Raisin for the purpose of reconnoitering that part of the coun- 
try. This afternoon 130 of Col. Johnson's mounted riflemen 
arrived here, a party that had not joined the regiment before. 



87 

Q. M. Thompson of Col. Mill's rc^moiit r;imc in with them, 
they came by the way of Fort Defiance. 

Wodni^sflay "Olh.- — Today rainy by showers. Two hundred 
of Col. Joliiison's mien crossed llio nver this mominf; for the 
purpose of meotintr him and llie party that crossed yesterday 
and weni lo the Eiver Raisin. They all returned this evening; 
brou£r]if in two French prisoners. 

Thursday. .Tulv 1st. — This mornincr Gen. Harrison left camp 
for Cleveland. Capt. Wood with him and 100 mounted men as 
an escort. .Vn express arrived soon after the (reneral left this 
place from T^owor Snnduslcv with information that the Indians 
had been in tlmi noisfbborliodd. b;id killed one man and one 
woman, and scal])ed them and had iaken seven prisoners. Col. 
Johnson with the balanco of his mounted men are ordered to 
proceed immediatelv to Lower Sanduskv. They will leave here 
tomorrow mominaf. A man. one of the Kentncknans that was 
taken by the Indians on the .'ith of May over the river, came in- 
to camp ibis eveninn-: mado his escape from them ten davs ago 
somewhere at the head of th(^ river T?aisin. He said that the In- 
dians sent him Mnth a voung Indian to a small creek to wash 
some corn : he was smoking a tomahawk pipe as they went along 
and just as they got to the bank of the creek, the Indian before, 
he struck the tomahawk into the Indian's head and cleared him- 
self, and has not eaten anvthing but weeds and bushes for ten 
days. 

Friday 2d. — This day (lie whole camp in motion. In the 
first place Col. Johnson loft his camp which was on t.h(> outside 
of the pickets on the bottom, his men commenced firing as they 
left the camp and continued firing until they got entirely out of 
hearing — a great marl- of hrarrri/. Another party left camp — 
Major Eobinson. ^Fajor "Wilson and several of our Indians and 
some other people, went up on this side of the river to Fort 
Defiance. Capt. Craig of Col. Johnson's regiment with his com- 
pany was left behind. He and his lieutenant took it upon them- 
selves to send a i)nrty up the river without orders, as they say 
after pack horses. They sent twelve or fourteen and took along 
with them four men that were discharged from the service; their 
orders were to go along with Major Robinson and party but 
were persiuuled by those unruly militia to go with them. They 
went up on this side of the river five or six miles, then crossed 
over; the Indians came upon them, killed and took the whole of 
them prisoners except two who have got into camp. Capt. 
Langham was sent up the river with 100 nicn in order to collect 



88 

some flour that was left at the head of the Eapids in different 
places; took with him small hoats to fetch it down. Several of 
his men that he had with him, but militia, without orders con- 
cluded to leave him and go on ahead. They fell in with I'our or 
five Indians who gave them a shot but did not kill any of them. 
All those that made their escape met Capt. Langham; they re- 
ported to him that there was a large body of savages not less 
than 100. He returned back to camp on this side. Capt. Holt 
was sent up on this side with 300 men in order to assist Capt. 
Langham if wanted, but met him and all returned together. 
Lieut. Gaines of the 24th Regiment was ordered to cross the river 
with 200 men and proceed up the river to where those men were 
killed; he has not returned this evening, will stay all night. 
Those brave Kentuckians, when the Indians showed themselves, 
threw down their guns and cleared themselves without firing at 
them. 

Saturday 3rd. — This morning Capt. Langham wath 150 men 
returned back after the flour; left camp about half past 6 o'clock. 
Col. Gaines returned this evening with a party; it is reported 
that they found three dead men, one scalped, two not, and found 
one dead Indian, one of our men killed and had scalped him. 
Capt. Langham came in this evening with his party; found but 
very little flour, it is supposed the Indians have destroyed it. 

July 4th, 1813, at Camp Meigs. 

This morning at sunrise, we fired thirteen guns -in honor 
of the 4th of July, 1776. At 1 o'clock we fired eighteen, the 
"NTational salute, they were all fired from two brass twelve pound- 
ers. After the firing was over the officers all repaired to a large 
bower prepare by Lieut. Hawkins near the lower magazine 
and partook of a fine dinner. By the report of Gen. 
Clay there were 86 officers commissioned and staff. There were 
18 toasts drank. I was taken with severe chills which passed 
off with fever and perspiration. 

Monday, July 5th. — This day the effects of the late Major 
Stoddard were sold. I have been indisposed all this day. 

Tuesday 6th. — This day I am very sick, taking physic, noth- 
ing particular new in the camp, tremendous heavy thunder with 
very heavy rain both last night and the night before last. 

Wednesday 7th. — This day I am very much better, of my 
indisposition, having eaten something. The picket guard saw 
several Indians in the woods as they say. One man fired on 
them; a party was sent in pursuit of them but returned without 
seeing them. 



89 

Thursd.'i, Sfh. — JAoui. Laniwill. liis hrotlicr Willinin. iind 
Lieut. ITendersoTi nri-ivcd lici-c. lli(> iii;iil caiiic with lliom. 

Saturday lOtli. — This day very ph-asaiit. The [)icket fjuard 
saw several Indians ;i short distance from the o^arrison, a party 
Tas sent in pursuit of thfiu hut i-('tunio<l without discoveries. 

Sunday llth. — I crossed the rixci- with Lieut. Larawill, 
Lieut. TTendcrson. i). y\. Thompson and twenty of my men; 
made no discoveries. Spies tliat wcid (h)wii the river Inst nic^ht 
returned this evenin<i- mnkin,<r no discoveries. 

Monday 121h. — Tin's intM-ninir I vomited, bein<r very unwell, 
am better this eveninir. The sick ai'e fast recruitiiiir in my coin- 
pan}', only seven reported sick tliis morning. 

Tuesday 13tli. — Capt. (iratiot and Tjieut. Larawill have sur- 
veyed the camp and the country around it. IVfy sick rejiort this 
morning 5 only. 

Wednesday llth. — 1 am very unwell hut keep about. Some- 
what rainy by showers, it sets in to he a steady rain about sun- 
down. 

Thursday 15th. — The mail aci-ived this evonintr. The spies 
returned from down th(^ I'ixcr. state they saw six Indians at a 
distance. 

Saturday 17th. — Mr. Oliver arrived here with packhorses 
laden with com. 

Sunday 18th. — Eainy in the moniiuu;. the men arc becom- 
ing more healthy, Capt. Martin of the spv boat sailed down the 
river to gain intelligence if ])ossible of the British and Indians. 

Monday 19th. — Capt. Shaw with his company left this camp 
for the Portage Block-house. Capt. iMartin returned this even- 
ing with the spy boat: he sailed down as far as Cedar Point, he 
made no discoveries, he stat<^s he heard sexcral cannon this morn- 
ing in the direction of Maiden. 

Tuesday 20th. — This day rainy bv showers. Lieut. Peters 
returned to camp this afternoon ; he left here on Saturday in 
company with the mail and several others: he was on foot, the 
others on horse-back. He fell rather behind his company and 
was surprised bv two Indians who hnd harrassed him throiigh the 
woods for two days : he got rid of them yesterday, but states that 
he saw as many as 4.5 Tndijins on the large parterres, mounted 
on horses driving cattle. This season has been very cold and 
very wet, has been a vast deal of thunder, rain and heavy wind. 
At 9 o'clock this evening it is reported in camp that two sails 
were seen down the river about sundown. It is expected the 
British and the Indians are coming to pay us another visit. 



90 

Capt. Martin with his company of spy rangers left camp on a 
trip up the river to return tomorrow. 

Indications of An Attack. 

Wednesday 21st. — This morning our camp hesieged by In- 
dians and British. The Indians attacked our picket guard as 
they left the garrison this moniing, between break of day and 
sunrise, killed and took 6 or 7 prisoners. The British are land- 
ing their forces down at the old British garrison ; they appear to 
have a very large force, but the principal part, are Indians, by 
their appearance and leather tents. It is expected that Pixon 
has come on with the Indians from the other side of the Mississip- 
pi. We expect they intend to storm us if possible; we are all 
engaged in putting ourselves in the best possible state of defense. 
Our cannons are all in good order. At 10 o'clock this morning 
the men are throwing up traverses in different parts of the giirri- 
son, are securing the magazines, and what are not at work are 
at the pickets giving battle to the Indians. I have given them 
several shots with the 18 and the 13 pounders. The first shot 
I made at them put one to death, another shot in the course of 
the day, killed one. it threw his gun as much as fifteen feet into 
the air. This one was seen carried off by two men. Mr. Oliver 
with one other started this evening to meet Gren. Harrison. An 
express, Capt. McCune with two others, started in one hour after 
on the same business. Lieut. Monntjoy came into camp this 
day from Portage block-house with IS men. They made their 
escape ven^ stran^elv through the Indians; they were followed 
for two miles and fired upon by them several times but did no 
harm. 

Thursday, Julv 32d. — The whole garrison on the watch last 
night, only one-third asleep at a time ; we expected an attack in 
the latter part of the night, but they have not troubled us nor 
this morning at 8 o'clock. By close examination we find they 
are planting batteries on the other side of the river and expect 
they are on this side in several places. If that should be the case 
they would give us a good deal of trouble, but they will not take 
this fort. It appears also that they are repairing the old British 
fort, but we are not certain of that as yet. It is expected they 
are as much as 6,000 strong, but not more than 1,000 whites, the 
rest are different tribes of Indians. Gren. Clay called all the 
officers together at 10 o'clock this day; he delivered his senti- 
ments very fully in respect to the siege; also comlmunicated to 
the officers that there was to be no surrender of this garrison to 
the British and their Indian allies. The Indians are saluting us 



91 

wiili tlicii' licll Iioniul veils nnd rifle sliois litis evening' al o'clock. 

Friday 23rcl. — "^i'lic Indians arc at their old business on tho 
right angle of the garrison firing on the men on the picket. We 
have one man slightly woundeil within the garrison and one 
wounded in the tliigh when at the river after ■water. Not one 
killed or badly wounded while in the garrison. About 11 o'clock 
Lieut. Col. Gaines with about 100 men sallied oui. from the 
garrison to reconnoitre tlie woods around the camp and to fetch 
in the dead that were killed on the 21st, belonging to the picket 
guard. They found two very inucb mangled, they saw but four 
Indians, who fired on our men. The Colonel and party v,'ent 
twice around the fort iuid was covered by Col. Mills' regiment. 
They all returned into fort about 10 o'clock. The Indians made 
their appearance very soon after that and are keeping up a heavv 
fire at our pickets at tliis time. 3 o'clock. About '^00 mounted 
Indians have passtnl up the river since 1 o'clock on the other 
side of the river, crossed over onto this side about two miles 
above this : we expect to hav(> warm work this night. 

Saturday 24th. — The enemy did not disturb us last night 
any farther than to keep us on diligent watch — we see nor hear 
anything of them this moiiiing as yet, but expect to see them as 
soon as the fog clears off. About 9 o'clock we discovered the 
enemy at the old British fort in columns, and their boats cross- 
ing over to this side filled with men. It appears they are cross- 
ing over to this side to give us battle this evening. They are all 
around the garrison showing themselves in different places. They 
have fired but ver\^ little at us this day ; the Indians are plent}' 
to be seen at a distance. 

Sunday 25th. — This morning all the men in the garrison 
were under arms at half past 2 o'clock, each man had not less 
than two nor over three muskets by his side well charged, at the 
pickets. They have had no use for them this day. The Indians 
came to the edge of the woods and fire once and awhile. One 
of the soldiers shot a buck in the river this day. Our camp is 
in very good order for defense, our men in fine spirits. There 
appears to be by tlie smoke, a large part of them in camp about 
two miles up the river in the woods. They have been firing in- 
to our camp five days and have not killed one man yet. Watch 
word this night "Musket." 

A Trick That Didn't Win. 
Monday 2fith.— The enemy have not troubled us last night 
or this nuorning more than usual. Capt. IVfcCune and the 
Frenchmen sent from this camp to see Gen. Harrison, arrived 



92 

here about 7 o'clock with intelligence from the General at Lower 
Sandusky. State that he is collecting a large force there and 
that Gov. Meigs is raising the militia of this State which will 
be on in a few days. Also our fleet will be ready to take part on 
the lake in a very short, time. About 4 o'clock this afternoon 
a very heavy firing took place at about one half mile in the rear 
of our camp. It appeared like an engagement with the Indians; 
they keep up the heavy firing accompanied with their horrid 
savage yells. The supposed object was to draw out our troops 
from tlie garrison, tliinking we had a reenforcement coming in 
and was attacked, and would sally out to their assistance ; ])ut 
we were too well aware of their intention to be taken in by their 
British and savage intrigiu'. Their object no doubt was to draw 
out a party of our men into the bush in the rear of our camp, 
while the rest of their troops were on the flanks of our camps 
out of sight, watx'hing to make an assault on our pickets while 
our men were engaged in the bush. Just as this sham battle 
stopped there came up the heaviest thunder shower- that ever I 
experienced. I am positive I never in all my life saw it rain 
harder tlian it did. for nearly one lumr; our camp was completely 
inundated. The men have all discharged their pieces, and load- 
ed them fit for action. This is the sixth day of siege and not a 
man killed except what were killed at the picket guard the first 
day. One of two things was their intention this day by their 
sham battle — they either meant to fall on the back of our men 
and cut them off. or wait until they had got into the woods and 
make an assault on tlie garrison. At 11 o'clock this evening 
Cajit. McCune, one Frenchman and one other man started on 
express to Lower Sandusky to General Harrison. 

Tuesday 27th. — The seventh day of the second siege at this 
place by the British and their Indian allies. Very few of them 
are to be seen this morning; their tents appear to be more num- 
erous down at the old British garrison this morning than they 
have been for three days before ; it is expected the heavy fall of 
rain last evening drove them out of the woods. Their operations 
are unknown ; not more than from ten to fifteen Indians have 
been seen this day, and these principally on horseback. If they 
ever attempt to storm this garrison it will be this night, unless 
they think to star^^e us out, but that will be impossible in two 
months ; we have plenty of flour, pork and salt to last as long 
as they can conveniently stay. The watchword this evening is 
"Sword." Our men mH in high spirits awaiting the attack. At 
10 o'clock word passed through the garrison that two men had 



93 

deserted; the watch word thangod to "Madison." The suspic- 
ion was without foundation, tliere had not anybody left camp. 

Wednesday 28th. — Eighth day of the siege. This raoniing 
very pleasant, the eni'iny very scarce, nothing to be seen or heard 
of them about our eanip. Some few tints, men and horses to 
be seen down at the ohl garrison on the bottom. This afternoon 
we discovered three small vessels and boats sailing down the 
river, some of them appeared to be filled with men; also we saw 
a large number of mounted Indians crossing about two miles 
above this fort and passing down on the other side. Once in a 
while I give them a shot from the 18-pound gun in the big 
battery and twelve from Bloek-house Xo. 1 ; those guns put them 
in quick motion. Gen. Clay sent out two spies, Abbott and 
Cheeks, this evening to view thc^r camps. Their camps down 
the river were very large as they reported, 

Thursday 29th. — The spies returned into camp tliis morning 
a little after daylight. They report they saw about 20 Indians 
in the camp below this fort; they state they had two very large 
encampments below. They also state that there were some In- 
dians above this fort in the woods, how many they could not tell, 
they did not approach near enough to tell. By the appearance 
of their camp they have a very large force of Indians. Gen, 
Clay sent an express last evening to Gen. Harrison, Our people 
this day are cleaning up the camp and ventured to the river to 
wash. Capt. ■\Iartin has not returned with his spies; it is very 
much feared that he has been cut off l)y the Indians. The spies 
report that the Indians had a great niunber of horses with them 
by the appearance of tlie encampment. Very disagreeable affair 
took place last night in this garrison — the officer of the day and 
Lieut. John Henderson of my company of artillery got drunk, 
passed around the lines and abused several of the sentinels so 
muih that they have entered a fornud complaint against Lieut. 
Henderson, to have him arrested which will be done this even- 
ing. The same tw^o spies were sent out to reconnoitre the In- 
dian camJi^s; they came in before 2 o'clock, report they did not see 
any Indians, but heard the rowing of a boat or boats and heard 
an Indian dog bark at them. The watchword "Kentucky." 

Siege Kaised After Seven Days. 
Friday 30th. — This morning every officer and soldier in the 
garrison on the watch at 2 o'clock, expecting if the enemy ever 
intended to make an assiiult on this garrison, it would be this 
morning. They have not shown themselves. The general sent 
out 200 men this morning about 9 o'clock to examine the grounds 



94 

occupied by the Indians and British during the siege which 
commenced on the 31st. and was raised on the 38th. The move- 
ments of the enemy have been very extraordinary, both coming 
and going out of this place, they have taken off about thirty head 
of working oxen and some few pack-horses. By the appearance 
of their encampment they must have been as much as 6,000 
strong, both Indians and British. By every appearance they ex- 
pected to decoy us out of the garrison into the woods, where 
they had their Indians concentrated, and cut us off by small de- 
tachments until they had weakened our force by the Indian 
slaughter so much as to carry our pickets. Poor fellows ! they 
have been sadly disappointed; the General took good care of their 
traps. It is generally believed here that the Indians have pressed 
the British to make this last move on Fort Meigs, and they (the 
British) were obliged so to do to save their own selves. They 
have gratified the Indians by coming; how far it will go in 
pacifying them is more than I can tell; the British will either 
have to compliment them with very heavy annuities, or will have 
to suffer being plundered by them, that is without any doubt. 

. Poor allies, if they cannot plunder the enemy will plunder 
them that employ them. An express was sent this evening up to 
Fort Defiance in order to ascertain where the savages have been 
in that neighborhood during the last siege. The watchword 
this evening is "Ohio is the Boy." Our camp is in perfect silence 
this evening. The men on duty as usual, by order of the General, 
he not being fully satisfied that the enemy has abandoned the 
siege. Caution is one of the greatest traits of military glory 
that a General can be possessed of. The commanding officer can- 
not be too cautious of his enemy; they will come like a thief in 
the night when they are least expected. 

Saturday, July 31, 1813. — This morning the general sent 
out spies, some up and some down the river; they returned this 
evening; report that they saw no Indians, neitlier did they see 
any fresh signs. Our picket guard on the right wing of the 
camp, but "about 300 yards from the pickets and in the woods, 
fired four shots; state that they saw two Indians. I am inclined 
to believe that they were mistaken ; by the report of tihe spies they 
surely must be. I am very unwell this evening with fevers and 
chills. The watchword this night is "Tennessee." 

(The Diary does not seem to have been continued beyond 
this point.) 




FORT MEIGS AND ITS ENVIRONS. 

Explanations: — a, grand battery, commanded by Captain Daniel 
Gushing; b, motar battery; e, i, o, minor batteries; g, battery command- 
ed at the second siege by Colonel Gaines; c, magazines. The black 
squares on the lines of the fort represent the position of the block 
houses. The dotted lines show the traverses, or walls of earth thrown 
up. The longest, the grand traverse, had a base of twenty feet, was 
twelve in height, and about nine hundred in length. The traverses 
running lengthwise of the fort, were raised as a protection against 
the batteries on the opposite side of the river, and those running cross- 
wise were to defend them from the British batteries on this side. The 
British batteries on the north side of the river were named as follows: 
a. Queen's; b. Sailor's; d, King's; and c, Motar. The fort stood upon 
high ground, on the margin of the bank, elevated about sixty feet above 
the Maumee. The surface is nearly level, and is covered by a green 
sward. The outline of the fort is now well defined, and the grand 
traverse yet rises six or eight feet from the surrounding ground. 



OCT 16 1909 



uj 
> 

Uj 

< 




WmH 



Democrat Print, Bowling Green, Ohio. 



/COPY. 0& TO CAT OIV. 

NOV QJ\m 











Record of Exercises 



at the 



Dedication 



of the 



Fort Meigs 



Monument 



September t, (908 



CepyriKiit. 1909. by Tha M«um«e V»ll«y Piaa»«r aad Hutorical AuocUOm 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



011 895 245 5 










'■:4'Ai-nim\'i'^ili''< \ ■■■■■■