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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, Gommander of the Grand Battery 
 
 Compiled and Prepared by F. J. Oblinger, 
 Toledo, Ohio 
 
^r t'^ 
 
 ■^ < '09 
 
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. 
 
 PATRIOTIC 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 .M<'i|»'s Connnission, at 2:00 p. m. 
 
 2. Siniiinm "America" Andience 
 
 Led l)v WaterNiUe Choir, 75 voices. 
 
 3. Invocation Rev. J. l\ Michaelis of ^lanniee 
 
 4. Inti'odnction of (Jov. A. L. Harris as President 
 
 of the Day, and presentation to him of com- 
 pleted Moniwnent l»y Chairman ^A'ilson, and 
 acceptance of same by Co v. Harris. 
 
 5. Singing Waterville ( Mioir 
 
 6. Address. Col. Bennett H. Vonng, Kentncky 
 
 7. Singing AVatei'ville Chorns Choir 
 
 8. Addje'ess 
 
 Lieut, (lov. KobL S. .Murphy, < f Jolmstown, Pa. 
 
 !». Address 
 
 ALijor Hold. \\'. Hunter, of Richmond, Va. 
 
 10. Addi-ess Seuatoi- .1. 15. Foi-akei- of Ohio 
 
 11. Singing, "Stai- Spangh'd lianner" 
 
 ^^'ater^•ille Choi-us ( 'hoir 
 
 12. Benediction Kev. R. 1). ITolliniit(m 
 
GEN. WM. H. HARRISON 
 
COMPLETE RECORD 
 
 Of the Dedicatory Services of Fort Meigs Monu- 
 ment, September 1, 1908 
 
 There is do doubt that tlie eartlnvorks of Fort Meig=! 
 in 1813, manned by as brave a l)and of heroic officers and 
 men as ever battled for human rights, saved the continent 
 from the invasion of tyranny. It was indeed the hardy 
 band of pioneer sohliery under Gen. Wm. IT. Harrison, 
 that turned baciv the British mercenaries and their savage 
 Indian allies under Gen. Proctor. It was indeed a mem- 
 orable event not only in the history of the iMaumee Valley, 
 but it was one of national significance as well. It proved 
 a triumph in our national history when the British hordes 
 were driven back broken and discomfited, and this glori- 
 ous heritage, now dotted with thriving towns and cities 
 and peaceful homes, was saved from foreign thraldom and 
 spoliation. 
 
 The Ovation of 1840. 
 
 Twenty-seven years afterwards, during the famous 
 campaign of General Harrison for the presidency, in 1840, 
 the people came in great crowds numbered bv thousands, 
 to do honor to the heroic defender of Fort Meigs, and to 
 visit the scene of his struggles with the savage hordes of 
 British intolerance and oppression. The brave old soldi(M' 
 then delivered an address on the same spot where now 
 stands the beautiful monument erected to the memory of 
 those brave soldiers. 
 
 It was indeed a memorable occasion. No man ever 
 received a warmer ovation from the many thousands as- 
 sembled. There were no raili'oads at that time, and the 
 people gathered there from all ]ioinls of the compass, bv 
 lake, by wagon, and many on foot. Avell prepared to have 
 an enjoyable time and testifv their appreciation of the 
 grand old soldier, so familiarly known at that time as 
 
10 
 
 "Old Tippecanoe." Forty thousand is given as the low- 
 est estimate of the great throngs at that time assembled. 
 
 The Event of 1908. 
 
 Years passed by, and once more the attention of the 
 residents not only of the Maiimee Valley, bnt 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 ^feigs iiionuuieut on Sep- 
 tember 1, 1908. 
 
 This was the culiiiination of the prolonged efforts on 
 the part of the iNlaunHH^ Vallev Pioneer and Historical 
 Association. For years that association through patient 
 and industrial effort, secured the aid of tlie 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 accurate an account 
 as possible of the dedicatory services on that occasion in 
 the presence «tf the many thousands who were assembled 
 on that day. 
 
 Battery B. 
 
 Battery B of Toledo, with an equipment costing 
 $2r)0,000, und(M' command of ("'a])tain Taylor, camped on 
 the ground ^londay aftei-noon, with 4.") men and ."Sr) horses, 
 and did not break cam]) till Wednesday morning. 
 
 At sunrise Tuesday morning the batierv fired a salute 
 whose echoes could be heard for miles Jiround, and for the 
 first time the magnificent flag ])resented by the Toledo 
 National T^nion, was flung to the breeze from the toji of a 
 stately steel flag staff. 
 
 Pioneer Reunion. 
 
 The forenoon was given over to the anniial reunion 
 and picnic of the ]\raumee Valley Pioneer Association in 
 which it is estimated that fully 3,000 participated. 
 
 The Board of Trustees of the Maumee Valley Pioneer 
 and TTistorical Association who had chai-ee of the celebra- 
 tion, anticipating the large attendance, had pi-ovided com- 
 
11 
 
 modious rest tents equipped witli 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. The old officers were re- 
 elected, as follows: 
 
 President, by virtue of being the oldest member of 
 the Maumee Valley, Foster Pratt. 
 
 Vice Presidents — Justice ^IcDonald, Maumee; W. C 
 Harris and J. L. Pray, East Toledo, and A. P. Campbell, 
 Bowling Green. 
 
 Secretary — J. ^I. Wolcott, ^Maumee. 
 
 Executive Committee — Pev. J. P. Michaelis, ^laumee; 
 Jane Draper, Toledo; G. H. Blaker, Maumee; G. N. Bal- 
 lon and Jacob Enalehart, Toledo. 
 
 Gen. Young Speaks. 
 
 The first speaker after the election of officers was Dr. 
 Morgan of Maumee, who spoke l)riefly of early pioneer 
 history and the struggles to free the great Northwest of 
 the domination of the Britisli forces and tlieir savage 
 allies, the Indians. 
 
 The feature of the forenoon (wercises however, was 
 the magnificent address of Colonel Bennett Young of 
 Kentucky, who since he addressed the ^Fauuiee Valley Pio- 
 neers three years ago, has been an honorary member of 
 the association. Colonel Young spoke in part as follows : 
 
 "What a marA-elous thing it is to be able to stand in 
 this distant state and say, 'our country.' T came from 
 the state of Kentucky to thank the people of tlie Maume^ 
 Valley for this magnificent monument to our dead. There 
 were only 1,S00 men killed in tlie war of 1S12, and of that 
 number fate put it u]) to Kentucky to sacrifice 1,000 of 
 her sons. My kinsmen were in this fort on that day of 
 May 5, 1813, and fought in the battle which saved this 
 valley from conquest. 
 
 "It makes a heap of difference how you come to 
 Ohio. T 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 that God should 
 decide that our cause should fail, but I have since 
 come to the conclusion that God kncAv 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 bitter pill at the time. 
 
 "I have come to bear to you the grateful thanks of 
 Kentucky. You men who have for forty years persevered 
 Avith zeal the Avork 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 bv the men who fell here 
 in defense of the Ohio settlements that made the armies 
 of the north and south the greatest volunteer armies that 
 ever rallied around a flag and cause, braving death with 
 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 dedicatoi-y exercises, beginning at 2 o'clock, were 
 conducted on a platform erected near the monument. 
 John Tl Wilson, Gliainnan of tlic !'^>rt Meigs roimnission, 
 presiding. 
 
 The exercises opened by the AA'atei-ville (Miorus of 75 
 trained voices leading in the singing of "America." Rev. 
 J. P. Michaelis of ^raume(\ offered the following 
 
 Invocation. 
 
 O Lord, God of hosts, we beseech Thee look with favor 
 upon Thy people assembled here in Thy name. 
 
 Inspire us today with the same lofty ideals of unsel- 
 fish love of country and of steadfast devotion to ]>rinciple 
 with wliicli many years ago Thou didst move the men 
 from Kciilmky, Pennsyhania, Virginia and Ohio to 
 
13 
 
 mingle their life-blood iu consecrating these grounds a 
 shrine of our heaven-born American liberty. 
 
 And as Thy servant Jacob, awakening from his sleep 
 in the held of Bethel, said trembling: "How terrible is 
 this place," so we now feel Thy awful presence that has 
 hovered over this place, and we will pour the oil of glad- 
 ness on the stone that is to be a monument of our grati- 
 tude. 
 
 Grant, U Lord, that this shaft may always remind us 
 and our children of Thy special gift to us, of freedom, and 
 that we may always have that true appreciation of the 
 brotherhood of man, for which those whose dust lies yon- 
 der fought so bravely, that thus \\ e may abAays rejoice in 
 being able to turn to Thee and to call Thee, Our Father ! 
 Amen. 
 
 JOH^' B. WILSON'S ADDilESS 
 In Presenting the Monument to the State of Ohio. 
 
 Following the invocation. 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- 
 hve 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 unnmrked, save by the silent 
 earth-works you see placed here by those brave men, for 
 their own defense. Beyond the ravine to the east, there 
 lie buried 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 sloping 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 
 
 125,000 for tlic purchase of this fort, and the erection of a 
 suitable memorial to commemorate the acliievements of 
 G-euerals Ilariison, Dudley, Clay and their brave men. 
 
 We are glad upon this occasion that we have with us 
 our distiuguished Goveruor, 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 Robert S. Murphy, authorized by Governor 
 Edwin S. Stuart of Pennsylvania, to represent that state ; 
 also Hon. Kobert W. Hunter, authorized by Governor 
 Swanson, to represent Virginia, and last but not least, 
 Ciovernor AVillson has designated Col. Bennett H. Young, 
 our mutual fi'iend 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 the Maumee Valley Pioneer and Historical 
 Association owns the gi-ounds 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 tluMr fame as patriots and heroes, and as our 
 benefactors, we have the happy privilege of proving that 
 we aic not foigetfiil or ungrateful, and that their fame 
 picseived in history and tradition, did not die with their 
 gcneiation, bnt 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 
 ])atriotic services of the men of 1S1:{, who consecrated 
 these grounds. 
 
 It would be (]uite imiM)ssible for me to give due praise 
 to those outside of the Legislatui^, who have performed 
 si)ecial 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 sympathy of the people generally. 
 
 Labors of the Association. 
 
 I can not forego making special mention 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. 
 
 I 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 and pleasant. They have 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, I deliver this hallowed property and 
 commit this sacred trust, with the 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 fatliei" was one of the soldiers at Fort 
 Meigs, unveiled the monument, the battery fired twenty- 
 one guns, and the band played "The Star Spangled Ban 
 ner." 
 
 GOV. HARRIS RESPONDS 
 
 In Accepting the Monument on Behalf of Ohio. 
 
 Gov. Harris accepted the monunient on behalf of the 
 state in the following response: 
 Mr. Chairman, Members of Fort Mciys Commission, 
 
 Ladies and Gentlemen: 
 
 The dedication of a monument is always a beautiful 
 
16 
 
 and impressive ceremony. Tins 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 liritish and Americans. It had been 
 the scene of Wayne's victory over the Indians in 1794, and 
 of important operations in the war of 1812. 
 
 In June, 1S12, the army 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. Un the 16th of 
 August the discouraging news went abroad of Hull's sur- 
 render at Detroit. 
 
 During the same months. General Edward \V. Tup- 
 per of Gallia 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 Hull's route from Urbana to the foot of the Maumee 
 Kapids. 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 
 assend)led in superior numbers an<l 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 Wiiiclu-ster marched 
 \\ith Ids 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 Hull, the retreat of Tupper, and 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 conhdence 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 State, 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 by General Harrison, with Cap- 
 tains Wood and Gratiot, and construction was begun on 
 February 2, 1813. As the British 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 
 ingenuity and originality. One only need be mentioned. 
 On the edge of the embankment in front of the 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 
 
Fort Meigs and its iiieuace to tlie success of their plans is 
 evidenced by the fact that General Proctor and his Indian 
 allies laid siege to it on two different occasions. 
 
 The first siege beiian Ai)ril 27, 1813, and was con- 
 tinued for fourteen days, ;ind the second siege began July 
 20, 1813, and lasted eight days. The British planted 
 four batteries, known as ''King's l>att<'ry," "Queen's Bat- 
 tery," "Sailor's Battery," and the "Mortar Battery," upon 
 the opposite bank of the river, in spite of the incessant 
 tire from the guns of tlie fort. Kealizing that his force 
 was inadequate, having an available force of less than 
 eight hundred men. General Harrison dispatched a brave 
 officer, Captain AVilliam Oliver-, to hasten the advance of 
 General Green Clay, whom he knew to be on the way with 
 a force of his Kentuckians. 
 
 On the third night of the siege some British and In- 
 dians crossed the river below Fort Meigs and sheltered by 
 a ravine planted on its margin, southeastw-ard from the 
 fort and within t^\•o hundi-ed and fifty yards, two batter- 
 ies. From these batteries, and from the Indians in the 
 trees of the vicinity, the gai-rison was subjected to a dam- 
 aging tire. The next moi-ning General Proctor sent to 
 General Harrison a request to surrender, and to the of- 
 ficer who bore the request Harrison replied, "Tell your 
 general that if he obtains jMissession of this fort it will be 
 under circumstances that will (ht him far more honor than 
 would my surrender." 
 
 General Harrison, on the night of May 4th, sent 
 ^^'ord to General Clay, wlio with his army was descending 
 the river in 18 large barges, to come down the river, land 
 eight hundred men on the north bank to seize and spike 
 the Britisli guns and then to at (uice cross over to Fort 
 ^leigs. Colonel Dudley, being second in command under 
 General Clay, led the landing party. They landed about 
 a mih' al)Ove the battci-ies, formed his men in three lines 
 and marched silently down upon the liritish in the dark- 
 ness. They charged upon the guns with the bayonet, the 
 artillerymen and Indians, comi^letely surjtrised, fieeing 
 for their lives. Instead of obeying the orders of (Jcnci-al 
 Harrison and retreating across tlie liver to the fort, iMid- 
 
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. Realizing their mistake, the men began a hasty 
 retreat toward the river, but in the meantime a force oi 
 British had come from Port 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 Fort Miand Avere butchered 
 by the savages. 
 
 The battle on the other side of the river had a more 
 happy termination. The four hundred of General Clay^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 
 officers. 
 
 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 ah.lMish. The feat of Col. Miller and his 19th 
 Regulars in capturing the two batteries on the edge of the 
 
ravine at the left of the fort was a brilliant one. In this 
 Captain (afterwards Colonel) Croohan, who later dis- 
 tinguished himself at Fort Stephenson, had a conspicuous 
 part. 
 
 During the siege of Fort Meigs from May 1st to the 
 5th, the garrison, in the sorties and within the fort, had 
 eighty-one killed and one hundred and eighty-nine wound- 
 ed, aside from the number of Colonel Dudley's troops 
 which were massacred. The British force engaged was in 
 all 3,200, while the American force numbered 1,200, in all. 
 The second siege of the fort was laid on July 20th, 
 1813, General Proctor, at the solicitation of Tecumseh, 
 having returned with a force of about .5,000, while General 
 Harrison was at Lower Sandusky, and General Green 
 Clay was in charge of the fort. The fort at this time was 
 defended by only a few hundred men. General Clay dis- 
 patched Captain McCune to apprise General Harrison of 
 the situation. General Harrison returned word to Clay 
 to be particularly 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 to deceive the garri- 
 son. In the afternoon of the day 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 began 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. Many of the garrison were deceived and flew to 
 arms, and some of the officers insisted upon marching out, 
 but General Clay dissuaded them. A shower of rain end- 
 ed the mock engagement soon afterward. The eneuiy re- 
 mained about the fort but a short time after this, and on 
 the 28th of July they gathered up their stores and pro- 
 ceeded down tlie 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 tliese two sieges, Fort Meigs continued to be an 
 iiiil)<)rtant base of opei'ations against the enemy. It was 
 from here that Harrison's ariiiv wvnt in ]>nrsnit of Proc- 
 tor and Tecnmseh when they tied from Mahh'n, overtaking 
 them at the Tliames, whei-e Tecnmseh was shun and the 
 British signally defeated. 
 
 A recent writer, closing an interesting sketch of 
 Fort Meigs, says: 
 
 ''The important part which Fort Meigs play- 
 ed in the war can now l)e seen. It was the rally- 
 ing point for troo])S, and the great storehouse of 
 supplies for the western ai'iiiy. It was the Gib- 
 raltar of the ]\raunuH' Valley and rolled back the 
 tide of British invasion while Terry was cutting 
 his green ship timbers from the forest around 
 Erie, and it was to Harrison at Vovi Meigs that 
 Perry's Avorld-famed dispatch came when the 
 British fleet had struck their colors oft' Put-in- 
 Bay: 'We have met the enemy, and they are 
 ours.' " 
 
 In conclusion, gentlemen of the Fort ^ieigs rommis- 
 sion, in the name of the State of Ohio, I accept from y<uir 
 hands this monument, dedicated to American patriotism. 
 T wish to commend yon gentlemen of the f\unmission for 
 the satisfactory, bnsiness like ;ind efficient nmnner in 
 whicli y(»n have com])let(Ml the work assigned yon. I also 
 desire to congratnlate the members of the Manmee Valley 
 Pioneer Association ui)on the fact that their efforts to 
 secure a memorial to Fort .Afeigs Imve been so fittingly re- 
 warded. Let us hope that this nionnment may stand here 
 for ages, an object of ])i'ide 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. ROBEET S. MURPHY. 
 
 Address of the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania. 
 At the conclusion of his response Governor Harris introduced 
 Lieutenant Governor Murphy of Pennsylvania, who, on the part 
 (;f his state, expressed its thanks and profound interest in Fort 
 Meigs and this commemoration in an address that elicited the 
 closest attention and was clothed with oratorical power seldom 
 (■(luaUed. Gov. Murphy said: 
 
 Conditions of Country in 1812. 
 
 This splendid memorial in lienor of our country's dead points 
 to a crucial period in the national life. 
 
 The thunder of the guns at A'orktown had ended the Revolu- 
 tionary contest for liberty. The young jS[ation staggering to its 
 feet had taken its first full hreath of independence. The long 
 wished for peace had come with honor, and just hopes were enter- 
 tained for the enjoyment of those sovereign privileges for which 
 so much had been given in sacrifice. In every walk of life the 
 freshening spirit oF liberty infused new energy. Labor lifted up 
 its arms, aiul trade was filled with joy. Our commercial interests 
 were aroused to a high state of activity, and this strikingly 
 ap])ear('d in our mei'cantile marine, which, through the fortunes 
 oi' war. had been ahiiost totally destroyed. The skill of our sail- 
 ors, the sju'cd of our ships, were only matched by the enterprising 
 spirit of our nwrchants. Our sails were whitening eveiy sea, 
 ;ind so i'a|Mn was our progress upon the water in gathering the 
 trade of I be world that (Jreat Britain became justly fearful of her 
 hitherto unchallenged supremacy. 
 
 Tbioughout the English Empire the "American peril," as it 
 was teniie(l, awakened the spii'its of eoiiiniercial envy and avarice 
 to the highest degiv;'. Tbeir mniiireslations appeared in policies 
 so oppressive to Aiiiei'ieau iidcrests upon the high seas and our 
 ports of eittrv, iliai relief was only [)ossible by resort to force. 
 The prolonged conflict of France under Napoleon with England, 
 our chief opyionent. produced a coiulition of affairs in which this 
 country, altliough 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 servic-e in tlie English Navy, coupled with the 
 restrictions to our expanding comimerce, continued for a long 
 pi-riod 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 N"on-Tntercourse 
 Acts." The importation of goods from England was prohibited, 
 ?nd likewise our merchants were probibited 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 
 ,ieopardy. Erom 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 tbe struggle for inde- 
 pendence united in violent and patriotic protest against tbe 
 further infraction of their rights as citizens and impositions upon 
 their trade. 
 
 Singularly and unfortunately the condition of the public 
 mind at this period was marked by the most lamentable discord. 
 Unanimity of opinion in support of the rights of the country at 
 large did not exist. The timid and vacillating foreign policy — 
 peaceable coercion as it was called — Avhich distinguished Mr. Jef- 
 ferson's two administrations and found its most marked expres- 
 sion in the "Embargo and Non-Intercourse Acts" had many s^mi- 
 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 Admjnistralion 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 1o have been supplanted by self- 
 ishness; when the spirit of the people presented but a faint re- 
 semblance of that of '76; when ihe hopes of a glorious future for 
 the infant Nation so fondly (>ntertained had fled except from 
 hearts unusually brave. The intensity of the struggle with its 
 accompanying misfortunes from witliiu 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 the result of the 
 final appeal of intolerable conditions to the sleeping patriotism of 
 the country. It came as the result of the indignities and insults 
 of England, and as the just resentment and reply of an injured 
 self-respect, whose rights could only be preserved by force. The 
 ablest and most patriotic 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 between England and 
 America. The sword of Washington was again drawn from its 
 scabbard. 
 
 Out of circumstaiices of the most discouraging nature we 
 started upon the long struggle, and surely without m\ich hope of 
 success. It may be said in all honesty that no Nation ever com- 
 menced hostilities with another Power with less force at its com- 
 mand. Under the great Jefferson our Navy 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 greed of England the richest provocation. Indi- 
 vidual and national rights smarterl under grievous injurv. The 
 future libertv 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 Nation commenced to 
 realize that Franklin was right when he declared that the war 
 ending with the surrender of Cornwallis was simplv the war of 
 the Eevolution, and that the war of independence was yet to be 
 fought. Every one began to understand that upon the outcome 
 of the War of 1812 depended the security and the continuance of 
 national life. Upon the highway of neace and progress the career 
 and destiny of a great people was halterl to await the result. To 
 the credit of our country be it said the conflict which followed 
 placed in high relief the strongest qualities of our race. The 
 people of the various States became uniterl in a common purpose 
 under the rallying cry of "freedom of trade and sailors' rights." 
 The unprovoked causes of war fillerl them with the necessity and 
 the desire to be forever free from oppression at the hands of a for- 
 eign Power. The crisis taught the lesson of self-reliance and ban- 
 ished for nil tim-e 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 laud. True, we triumphed in a marked degree 
 upuii the sea, vet the valor exhibited by our soldiers as attested in 
 and about this historic spot contributed no less than did our sail- 
 fM-s to tlie humiliation of Eugland and the glory of America. 
 Xolhiii-;- in our national life stirs our hearts with greater fervor 
 ihan tlie victories that humbled the great .sea power of Britain. 
 Our pulse boats high when we think of how our young but vigorous 
 Xavv (h'stroyed the boasted invineil)ility of the British sailor. 
 Oui- |)atnotisni is exalted when we think of the victories of the 
 lii-ave Hull, and the e(|ually ])rave Bainbridge in "Old Ironsides;" 
 of the gallant Decatur in the "Ignited States;" of the triumphs 
 of McDonough anil I'eri'v on the waters of Champlain and Erie; 
 :iud in sadness and thankfidness we remeuiber the dying message 
 <d' the lamented Lawrence on the decks of the ill-fated Chesa- 
 l»eake. si>okeu not only to his sailors, but to all his countrymen: 
 ••l)(m"t give up the sbip." T'i)on the land our flag waved in vic- 
 torv and (hd'eat. Connuauding leadership aud coherency of action 
 was ahsi'ut. \ci out of disaster which shook the stoutest heart came 
 ihe lili'ssing of \iclory. The undisci])lined troops, frontiersmen 
 anil rariuej's. with hut Few ivgiilars, faced the veterans of Welling- 
 ton fresh from thcii- triumphs over the soldiers of Napoleon in 
 S|)aiii, aud as courageously met the "luirchased savage," whose 
 >hamele>s atrocitits upon men, women and children form a sick- 
 ( uing episode in oui' hisloi'v and hi-and the British (lovernment of 
 that da\- with the indelihic stain of iidiumauity. 
 
 'riic hra\ci-\- and de\()tion of a people lighting for home and 
 count I'v are the most pot<'ntial foi'ces in war. Tn strong colors 
 these (pudiiics n\' t)\\y couutrviuen appeared in this prolonged 
 strife. Despite llic lack of uien and ecpiipment of the country 
 for wai-. the gr<'at hduiulary of the \oilliwest — the open door 
 thi-ough which the cikmun' ruslx'd^was successfully defended. 
 The uu foi'tunate surrender of tei'i'itorv and uien at Detroit was 
 redeemed iiy the hra\c]'\ of tlu' .Vmeriean arms in many actions. 
 At IjundyV Lane, at ('hipp«'wa. at ()ueeustown, at the Thames, 
 ami ending with the triuiitph of Jackson at New Orleans, the 
 recoi-d of our soldiers was written high upon the roll of fame. 
 Soldiers \\\\o Died at Fort Meigs. 
 
 Where we stand today by the watei-s (d' the Maumee the con- 
 flict was waged with a iiercent'ss and ciTielty 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 rnany 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 country. Within these hallowed 
 precincts lie the men of Ohio, of Indiana, of Virginia, of Ken- 
 tucky, and of Pennsylvania's contribution, the valiant soldiers of 
 the Pittsburg Blues. The record of their deeds and sacrifices 
 will ever animate their countrymen. Through those who follow- 
 ed the colors the remorseless hand of England was stayed, and the 
 arm of the savage paralyzed. The great northwestern country 
 rnaching into the Valley of the Mississippi remained undespoiled. 
 To those who died here was given the privilege of contributing in 
 the highest degree to the preservation of the Eepublic. This 
 splendid memorial testifies to the appreciation which we feel today 
 for those who gave the fullest measure of service to the country. 
 May it remain for all time as a living example to generations yet 
 to come of the constancy and devotion that made us a Nation 
 among the nations of the earth. 
 
 Peace With Honor. 
 I'eace 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. It matters not how smooth may be the course 
 of government, experience tells us that the time will surely arii?e 
 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 posses'^ions ; when justice and self-respect will 
 command us to place in the balance the future happiness 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 gi-eat 
 territory of the iSTorthwest, freed from tlie danger of the savage 
 and invasion from the JSTorth, became the point toward which 
 moved an emigration from all parts of the country that was 
 extraordinary to behold. Then was lirst 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 that the movement 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 fui-nished 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 ISTationalism. . 
 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 impulses; 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 s])irit 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 
 i'.rr 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 growtli of population and commercial pro- 
 gress unjiarallcK'd l)y the achievements of any time; in a prosperity 
 exceeding the fondest anticipation of the statc^sman and giving to 
 the millions of our country a greater degree of comfort and hap- 
 piness tliaii e\ei' experienced by a people. The record surpasses 
 description, and places upon us the responsibility of its perpetua- 
 tion. Tlic situation requires the most wise and resolute good 
 faith at home and ahi'oad. \\'c liave grown in opulence and 
 wealth. Tor tlic last few ycai's hav<' giveji hirth to a gigantic 
 coniini'i'cc. ill wisdom it must he pr()tec-t('(l ajid extended. Our 
 great waterways must be improved and our mercantile marine re- 
 stored to its fornuM- prestige and power. Our people must remain 
 coiilcnted and loyal, and our Governnu'iit must niaint<iin its integ- 
 rity amoiig (he nations of the earth. We must ever remember 
 "the lesson of iiii|)ri'])aredness"" taught by the war whose heroic 
 dead sleej) about us the sleejt that knows no waking. 
 
 Our Responsibility. 
 
 Today a responsibility imposed ujjon every nation of the earth 
 rests upon us. W'e must see to it thai through no failure of ours 
 are the interests of citizens neglecti'(l. Having wealth and power 
 at our command, all things must be done to conserve the country 
 in time of peace and ])rotect it^ in time of war. 
 
 Today our flag is honored on e\erv sea and respected in every 
 poll. Our citizens abroad iwv safe from intrusion and interfer- 
 ence. 'I'lie statesmanship of the country in response to the ad- 
 \ancing gt'uius 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. 
 'I'oday our shores are safe from attack without, and under the 
 \\a\ing banner which we all love floats one of the most splendid 
 jiaval ai-maments of the world to police the Atlantic and Pacific 
 in the pea(<'ful 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 s])irit of Divine justice, npon which 
 
31 
 
 the glory and greatness of this splendid country must ever and 
 always depend. 
 
 FLAG PEESBNTATION. 
 
 Following the address of Governor Mui-phy. a large flag was 
 pi-esented by Attorney George F. Kirby, of Toledo, in a few well 
 chosen words, on behalf of the Toledo National Union. This flag 
 Hies from a high mast erected near the nionuniient. In a well 
 worded acceptance the same was received by Governor Harris, 
 after which the Water\illc Chorus Clioii- sang "See Our Banner 
 Floating O'er Us." 
 
 GEN. BENNETT H. YOUNG. 
 
 Address of Kentucky's Favorite Sou on Behalf of That State. 
 
 Next came the introduction Ijy (iovernor Harris of the silver- 
 haired southerner and silver-tongued orator, of Confederate fame, 
 Gen. Bennett H. Young, of Louisville, who gave the following 
 eloquent address, which was fre(iuently interrupted by storms of 
 applause : 
 
 It is, I know, a great disa})pointment to this vast assemblage 
 to learn tliat Gov. Willson cannot be present today to speak for the 
 State of Kentucky and Ium- three millions of grateful people. 
 Old}' the hand of disease cotdd have prevented his coming. He 
 appreciates this splendid afEering of this great State of Kentucky's 
 heroic dead, and he would have charmed and delighted you with 
 his burning eloquence in recounting the suft'erings and sacrifices 
 and courage ancl self denial of the Kcntncky men who here laid 
 down their gallant lives for the glory and honor of the Eepublic, 
 and the Commonwealth which sent them here to uphold the Na- 
 tion's honor and the Nation's Hag. lie has commissioned me to 
 take his place and speak in his naniic. You will doubtless feel 
 that you demanded oratorical bread and he has given you in re- 
 sponse a stone, but I come moved with the same great love for 
 Kentucky, and the achievements of her sons, that would thrill his 
 heart and quicken his tongue, a;nd I crave at. your hands a patient 
 and kindly iKMiring, even if an humble Confederate soldier stands 
 in the place of a distinguished Republican Governor. 
 The War of 1812. 
 
 The war of 1812 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 
 ]^■volulion. th(^ 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 people 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 earth, felt her power. 
 She was insolent, domineering and rude 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, 1813, 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 
 rinongst some of the people and a willingness for the return of 
 their allegiance to Great Britain. Rhode 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 
 

 
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 H 
 
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 ^HK^_^ *«^^feflK^B^^^l 
 
 1 
 
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 3 
 
 te^ 
 
 t^v^t^ 
 
34 
 
 a death struggle with the greatest maritime nation in the world, 
 and the willingness of Mr. Madison and liis 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, Kentucky, 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 
 iS'ew Jersey protested 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 comjjensate 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 suffering, the courage and the sacri- 
 fices of the men who held 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 ollicercd by British soldiers. 
 
 I^ugland with all her greatness and all her glory has some 
 hideous and hateful spots upon her escutcheon. Wyoming, Kaisin, 
 Meigs, Huddles Station, and hundreds of oilier horrible massacres 
 of lielpless women and children, all crimes against their own kins- 
 men and descendants, stood out with appalling horror in the t^yes 
 of the civilized world and became an offense against the justice of 
 the merciful Ivuler of the universe. 
 
 There was never a period from the commencement of the 
 Ivevolutionary War down to 1815, the close of the War of 1812, 
 tliat 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 on, embalmed 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 voiceful stone 
 
 In deathless song shall tell 
 When many a vanquished age hath flown 
 
 The story how you fell; 
 A^or wreck, nor change, nor winter's blight, 
 
 Nor time's remorseless doom 
 Can dim one ray of holy light 
 
 That gilds your glorious tomb." 
 
 Following Gen. Young's address, the Waterviile Chorus 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 Virginia, also a Confederate veteran. 
 During his address extolling 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 
 from 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: 
 
 Governor Swanson has requested me to express his regret 
 that he could not be present to participate in person in the dedi- 
 etitory exercises of this monument, which the State of Ohio has 
 elected 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. 
 
 Kising 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 pioneer days, and the heroic men and heroic 
 deeds which marked tlie "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 tiring 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 language like rhetoric. 
 
 "But let another praise thee, and not thine own lips,"', said 
 
 the Psalmist; so I call no less a witness than President Koosevelt, 
 
 who, despite the fact that lu^ was born in New York, has achieved 
 
 greatness; and whose testimony no Anaiiias will dare to question. 
 
 Virginia's Brave Sons. 
 
 In response to an address welcoming him to Richmond the 
 President said: "On the honor-roll of those American worthies 
 whose greatness is iiol (uily for the age, but for all time; not only 
 for the nation, but for all ilie w(U-id — on this honor-roll Virginia 
 stands above all others."" haniel Webster in one of his grand 
 orations said: "if she had done nothing else but furnish to the 
 world the charactcsr of Washington, this alone would have entitled 
 her to the respect and admiration of mankind." 
 
 As early as 177T, iimli'i- licr royal grant, the Ceorge-Rogers- 
 Clarke Expedition, which was organized by Patrick Henry, then 
 (iovernor of Virginia, and advised by Washington and Jelfersou, 
 explored and rescued, after fierce and l)Ioody warfare, the region 
 west of tlu^ Ohio, and beyond the 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 
 l)rineely 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. - ' I 
 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 ricJi 
 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 
 Mexico 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 
 iro 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. 
 1 am here as the representative of her Governor and her people to 
 express their gratification at the erection of this monument, and to 
 pay their loving tribute to her brave and patriotic sons — the 
 "Petersburg Volunteers" — who came from their far-off homes to 
 share with their fellow-countrymen of Oliio, Kentucky and Penn- 
 sylvania in the dangers, the deaths and glorious deeds, which are 
 here commemorated. 
 
 My first salntation 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 Pet<'rs- 
 I'urg and vicinity embarked in the sen-ice of their country, and 
 consecrated their valor at the battle of Fort Meigs, on the 5th of 
 May, 1813. They were extensively known as the "Petersburg 
 
39 
 
 Volunteers." They remained in service one yeiir and on their dis- 
 charge received the following highly commendatory testimonial of 
 their gallant and soldier-like conduct: 
 
 "GENERAL ORDEES 
 
 Headquarters, Detroit, 
 17th October, 1813. 
 
 The term of service for whieli the Petersburg Volunteers were 
 engaged liaving expired, they are permitted to commence their 
 march to Virginia as soon as they can be ti'ansported to the south 
 side of the lake. 
 
 In granting a discharge to this patriotic and gallant corps, 
 the General feels at a loss for words adequate to convey his sense 
 of their exalted merits; almost exclusively composed of individuals 
 A\'ho 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 inhospitable wilderness, with a cheerfulness and 
 alacrity which has never been surpassed. 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 
 fuithority to the whole army. 
 
 The General re(|uests Capt. McRae. his subalterns, non-com- 
 missioned officers, and privates, to accept bis warmest thanks, and 
 bids them an affectionate farewell. 
 
 By Command of GEN. ITARRTSON. 
 ROBERT BUTLER, 
 Acting Asst. Adjutant General." 
 Two Memorable Events. 
 
 Among the many memorable and highly creditable minor 
 events, in the earlier war history of Virginia, there are two that 
 stand out in bold relief, the recollection of which will always touch 
 a ri^sponsive chord in patriotic hearts. 
 
 One was the "Famous Bee-line to Boston" of Morgan's rifle- 
 men from AVinchester and the adjoining counties, the first volun- 
 teers outside of Massachusetts, to reach General Washington, 
 whon 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. 
 
 I need not stop to observe fliat. in those old days, when rail- 
 roads and auiomobiles were unknown, that it was a longer and 
 more fatiguing march 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- 
 lation 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, 
 ricldy 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 tlie 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 (xcneral Order of General Harrison, 
 at the expiration of their term of service, which T 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 Memorv of 
 CAPT. RICHARD McRAE, 
 
41 
 
 liate Commandant of the Petersburg Canada Volunteers, in the 
 war with Great Britain in the year 1812. A corps, who under the 
 impulse of holv patriotism, in the hour of their country's need, 
 leaped from their downy beds, and foregoing domestic comfort 
 and ease, instantly organized and took up the line of march for 
 the Canadian frontier, wliere under the supreme command of 
 General Harrison, they met the disciplined armies of their coun- 
 try's enemy on the 5th day of May, 1813, and after a bloody 
 conflict dcfeat-ed them, giving peace to a hitherto distracted dis- 
 trict, and won for their liome the exalted and imperishable 
 Appellation of the 
 
 Cockade City 
 of The "N'ation." 
 One thought in conclusion. This monument connnemorates 
 a period in our country's history when the people of the sections 
 were strongly bound together l)v the ties of friendship and sym- 
 pathy; sharing each other's dangers, rejoicing in each other's 
 triumphs and deploring each other's disasters. 
 
 As a Southern soldier, who had the honor to ride by the side 
 of Gen. Jno. B. Gordon, ns liis cliicf of staff, and who was of the 
 remnant of Lee's amiy, whicli yielded to overwhelming numbers 
 and resources at Appomatox. I am sui-c f represent my old com- 
 rades, when T sincerelv exiMvss the boiic that the relations between 
 the sections will become more and more cordial as the years roll 
 on. Having fought for our convictions of right and dutv we are 
 content to abide bv the iini);irtial verdict of History and to say 
 with one of our Virginia po<'ts at the Yorktown celebration 
 "Give us back the ties of Yorktown, 
 
 Perish all the modern hates. 
 Let us stand together, brothers, 
 
 Tn defense of the Fates, 
 For the safety of the Union 
 
 Is the safety of the' States." 
 
 HO^T. JOSFPH B. FOTJAKFT?. 
 
 His Terse and Vigorous Address on Behalf of Ohio. 
 The last speaker and orator of the day was the distinguished 
 United States Senator, Joseph 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 beginninsr his address he poured the oil of 
 consolation upon the friendh" rivalry of the two Confederate 
 veterans by remarking that "I 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 dii!icult to exaggerate the greatness of our country 
 or the happiness of our ]iPopl(\ Onr territory belts the continent 
 and invades the seas, (^ur population 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, tlie churches and school houses com- 
 l)ine to record the greatest march in human progress that ha? 
 ever been made. The picture ^-e today present is so complete 
 and perfect in all its features and jiroportions that it is hard to 
 recall and realize the sufferings, linrdsliips, denials, labors, efforts, 
 struggles, battles, patriotism, heroism, blood and death that are 
 involved and represented. It is only by some such occasion as 
 this ibal ihe past is again brought vividly before us and wo are 
 remindetl of the trial? and trilnilatinns that Avent 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 ))ainf annlhei'. We iiiiisi eliminate ihe railroads, the trolleys, 
 llie iclcplKJiic, 11i(^ telegra|)h, and sbut nut of view entirely all 
 kinds of clfclrieal and steam motive ])ower on both land and 
 water. We must wipe off the canvas all our beautiful farms 
 witb (heir 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 aetivily. 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 Avoods with savage beasts 
 and savage men, with only a few white settlements scattered 
 liere and there in small, newly nuule clearings, the very out- 
 jiosts of civilization, willi only foot and wagon trails incom- 
 
44 
 
 pletely connecting them. Behind this frontier was an encroach- 
 ing ])opulation, that in slowly widening and advancing growth 
 had been gradually figlitiiig its way from the river to the in- 
 terior, but which had scarcely made its appearance nearer this 
 ])oint than Columbns. 
 
 'i'hey were hardy, l)ra\c and self-reliant, but sparse, poor and 
 unable to spare to the army from their scanty stocks of pro- 
 xisions and supplies. 
 
 It was to sueb a sjiot, so silualiMl and surrounded, and to the 
 defense of sueli a i)e()])Ie, that GentTal Harrison came in 1813. 
 Today it is an agreeable I'ide of l)ul a few hours from this point 
 lo the most, far distant homes of tliose who accompanied him, 
 hut then those homes could be reached oidy by weeks of weari- 
 >(»nie .travel. JTis soldier hoys were farther from their loved 
 ones than are our soldier boys of today on duty in the Philip- 
 pines. 
 
 Othei's have deserihed the hitter eohl that was encountered, 
 and the niinierons hai'dships and deprivations thai thev endured, 
 and in thrilling sentences their brave and heroic defense of 
 this phice has been told ovei- and o\ci' again. All ibis is familiar 
 l.islory and iiee<l not be repeated here today. Suffice it to say 
 !hai llu^ gallant sous of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and 
 Ohio, who composed that little army, were worthy of the great 
 trust committed to them. 'Pogetbei' they stood and fought, and 
 together many of them died: and here for almost- a century they 
 liaxc slept side by side in the rnde trt'nches to which their com- 
 r:i(|es tenderly consigned them. 
 
 .\lmosl, a hundred years have passed and we come now to 
 honor tbein. Our respective states have sent us to join in the 
 iiiiM'iling and diMlicalioii of this beautiful monument. 
 Other Battle Fields. 
 
 We a)'e here not ahuie because a battle was fought here, and 
 because men died here bravely fighting under our country's 
 flag. Ther(^ are hundreds of baftle-fields that are unmarked, and 
 perhaps always will remain unmarked; we are here because to 
 this particular s])ot attaches a special historic interest. 
 
 Plymouth Rock 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 and Wolfe, it was decided that on this continent there 
 .-hould be not French but British domination. 
 
 Valley Forge and Yorktown are especially dear to every 
 American heart, because they respectively mark the lowest ebb 
 and the final triumph of the Eevolution. 
 
 There were a thousand fields made bloody during our late 
 Civil War, but Antietam, that moved Abraham Lincoln to pro- 
 claim emancipation, and Gettysburg, where was reached the high- 
 water mai-k of that struggle, and Appomatox, where was achieved 
 the final victory of the Union arms, will forever have a historic 
 interest far beyond that which attaches to Shiloh, Vicksburg, 
 Chicamauga, Mission Kidgi', Atlanta, the Wilderness, or any of 
 the other noted fields of that heroic strife. 
 
 The spots that arrest the attention and hold fixed places in 
 the minds of men are those which are identified with great turn- 
 ing points in national destinies and human affairs. 
 Fort ^leigs of Special Importance. 
 Fort Meigs has a special importance of this character, beyond 
 that wliich attaches to Fort Kecovery, or Fort Defiance, or Fort 
 Wayne, or any of the neigh lioring fortifications of that pioneer 
 time, because it was the base of operations in a campaign of 
 national impoi'tance, planned for the recapture of Detroit and 
 the invasion of Canada. The battle fought here was no greater, 
 and, measured by conditions and circumstances then existing, no 
 ninre ^^•()rthy of special commemoration than that which was 
 fought in this vit-inity, at Fallen Tindjers, by General Wayne; 
 l.ut Wa\neV battle had reference, and was confined in its effects 
 and intiuences, to our ri-lations with the Indian Tribes. The 
 i^ivat blessing of peace and protection to the frontiersmen of 
 that day was the result of his victory, but its effect and bene- 
 fits were local, while the siu-cessful resistance to the siege of 
 Fort j\feigs 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 prepared tlu'ui for the successful campaign that 
 followed, in which the disgrace of Hull's surrender was effaced, 
 Canada was invaded, the battle of the Thames wlas fought, 
 1\'cumseh fell, and the tide thai had been against us was turned 
 in our favor and led us on to an honorable peace with Great 
 Britain that has continued nnbroken for almost a century, and 
 vhieh 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 
 iiave 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 high 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 popuhition, with increased and cout 
 fiicting 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 Rocky 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 
 ii 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 accomplishments, has been the improvement 
 of our people intellectually, morally, and in all that makes for 
 good citizenship. 
 
 America's Influence. 
 
 There never was a time when they stood in less need of 
 statutory strait- jackets, or when they less deserved to be dis- 
 credited in their own estimation and before the world by otficial 
 censure and public criticism. 
 
 There never was a time when our 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 Eussia 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 
 the Shah must yield, as the Sultan 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 their governments by other peoples, 
 but rather the peace, the freedom, the contentment and the 
 general happiness we enjoy, coupled with the intellectual and 
 moral advancement we have made. 
 
 A government under which a people can accomplish such 
 \(.nderful success at home and exert such influences abroad, can 
 i;oi be too thoroughly studied or too carefully guarded. Practic- 
 ally all the greatest publicists agree that the most vital feature 
 of the general plan of our government is found in the distribu- 
 tion of its powers among three separate, 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 
 result is as near perfection as human imperfection will allow. 
 
 We can only speculate as to the disappointing consequences 
 that would ensue if they shoiild 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 that have passed they 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 
 iuAasion of either of the other departments by the executive. 
 
 All the powers of that department are consolidated in a single 
 in 'isidual. He is the l'ommandt'r-in-{_!liief of the Army and 
 I lie Navy. lie lias in his own hands all the tremendous power 
 of jmblic patronage. He not only has under his control and 
 .-uljject to his will, so far as their tenure is concerned, thousands 
 of othce holders, but he has even more immediately under his 
 command a constantly increasing army of more, at the present 
 tiine, than three thousand special agents, inspectors and secret 
 service men, whose highest law is his bidding. 
 
 Under a l)old, aggressive, unscrupulous and disigning Execu- 
 tive this power of appointment and these armies of appointees 
 (Oil Id be so exercised and directed as to destroy the independence 
 and impair the usefulness and etliciency of both the other de- 
 partments. 
 
 Such an abuse of ])o\vei- would be a violation of the Consti- 
 tution, which if h)ng ac(iuiesecd in might eventiudly work its 
 overthrow. 
 
 Such ])vactices are of such serious character that they are 
 not likelv often to occur, but nevertheless we should be ever watch- 
 lul to n'hukc them when I hey do occur, lest in them we find our 
 undoing. Open ami axowed en<Mnies are not always the most 
 dangei'ous. Too fi'e(|Uenllv suhlh' iuliueuci's undermine and 
 tlnvtH't hnman endeavor befoi'c they ai'c recognized. This is 
 |i;ii'ticularly true in governmental experience. 
 
 .\ll tiie teachings of history proclaim that there is no safety 
 except wlu're there is eternal vigilance, if there should come 
 necessity for changes in our organic law let us make them in ac- 
 cordance" with its ])rovisions, having the requisite patience and 
 ]ialiiotism 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- 
 fecttMl, is good eiu)ugh for you and me and for all who are com- 
 ing after us. 
 
 CLOSE OF TIIE EXERCISES. 
 
 The commemorative exercises were closed with the singing 
 of "Star Spangled Banner" by the Watervillo Chorus Choir, and 
 
4^ 
 
 the benediction pronounced by Rev. R. _ D. Hollington, of St. 
 Paul's M. E. church of Toh^do, as follows: 
 
 BENEDICTION. 
 
 "And now may the God, who inspired these men of old to 
 (Uh^hIs of daring upon this hallowed spot, inspire our hearts to 
 ...•eds of daring to preserve their heritage to us forever untarnish 
 c'd, Amen." 
 
CAPT. CUSHING»S DIARY 
 
 He Built and Commanded the Grand Battery at 
 tlie Sieges ol Fort Meigs, 1813. 
 
 j\li-. Daniel H. Cushiiig of Springtield, Ohio, grandson of Cap- 
 tain Daniel Lewis Gushing, kindly furnishes a copy of the diary 
 kept by his grandfather, with the following additional informa- 
 tion and comments on the life and decease of Captain Daniel 
 Lewis Cusliing: 
 
 Daniel Lewis Cushing was a descendant of Matthew Cushing, 
 who came from England in the year 1G38, and settled in Hingham, 
 ^Massachusetts. 
 
 He was born October 22, IT 64. in 1801 he went to iSTew 
 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 to which he gave the name of Huron. 
 
 Li 1807 he removed to Lebanon, Warren county, Oh id, where 
 he became prominent. May 25, 1811, he was commissioned 
 Brigadier General of Ohio Militia. July 2, 1812, he was com- 
 missioned Captain in the Second U. S. Artillery. He served with 
 (lislinetion in the war with England. 
 
 He built and commanded the "(irand Ijatleiy" in Fort Meigs, 
 consisting of four eighteen pounder guns. While traveling across 
 the country on horseback on some duty that was taking him l)ack 
 In l^'ort Meigs, in attempting to ford the Auglaize river he 
 was drowned, March 24, 1815. His body was recovered by his 
 traveling companion, aided by some Lidiajis and by them buried. 
 Some time later some of his fellow citizens of Lebanon attempted 
 tn return the body of Captain Cushing to his home by way of 
 the river, but the water being very high and the current very 
 strong they were compelled to desist, and floated back to Fort 
 T)<'IIance, where they buried him in wliat is now an unknown 
 ffravc. 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 accora- 
 })lish the very arduous duty offered to him. The newspaper of his 
 honu? city of those days paid him fiiic tribute as a citizen. 
 
 He was twice married, his second wife being a daughter of 
 
52 
 
 Rev. William Van Horn, of Scotch Plains, N. 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 
 Regt. marched from Lebanon — camped that night nine miles 
 from that place — marched the lltli 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 29th — 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 JN^ovember, moved near the 
 lown on high land and camped there. Nothing new from day to 
 day imtil the 24th. 
 
 At Franklinton. 
 
 The 25th one man died; hiiiied iiiiii witli tlio linnors of war. 
 On that day Col. Campbell left here with a detachm/cnt of 750 
 men, 600 cavalry, 150 light infantry, for an expedition on the 
 Wabash, to pass through Dayton. Oii the 26th the command 
 devolved on me at this place, some artilhu'y, some dragoons, some 
 infantry. ^Pbis day commenced with siiow, but concluded with 
 rain. 
 
 27tli. — By the general oi'ders moved tlie sick from the hos- 
 pital tent into the court house. This day is windy but clear. 
 Frederick Swaney went to the liospital this (hiy from my company 
 sick. Three men put into tlu' river for getting drunk and fight- 
 ing ill tlicir tents, took a halliiiig and returned to duty. 
 
 28tli. — Lieut. Meek retui'ned from visit to Cincinnati — 
 fetclied letters from Mrs. Cusliing and (*apt. Ross, also from 
 Major Van Horn. 
 
 Monday, 30th. — This day made arrangements with Mr. Sul- 
 livan for timber to build artilici r 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 the building for the artificers and putting down mill 
 dams, and sending a boat up tlie Scioto, and repairing a flat to cross 
 
the river with public stores. General Harrison left this camp for 
 the upper Sandusky on the 9th with all his suite, and gave me full 
 command of all the troops at this place. All things went on well 
 until the 2r)tli, Christmas day, when the devil got into the sol- 
 diers. From the 8th to the 35th we were steadily employed in 
 building artificer shops ajid chopping wood and making coke. 
 
 27th. — This day we are making out pay rolls; shall receive 
 our pay the 28th. 
 
 SOth. — General Harrison arrived here from Upper Sandusky. 
 'M)ih he went on to Chillicothe. 
 
 On to Upper Sandusky. 
 
 January 1, 1813. — I left Franklinton with my company for 
 IT|)])er Sandusky by the way of Worthington and Delaware — 
 inarched with 34 non-commissioned officers and privatx^^s, myself 
 and three lieutenants. It commenced raining early in the morn- 
 ing — contitiucd all day. We moved ofT tlie old camp gi-ound at 12 
 (>'(-b)ck. marched four miles, our two w.agons, one ammunition, the 
 other V)aggage; both got stuck in the mud and could not move any 
 faftlici- that night. Eained very hard, l)ecaiiie very dark, no tent 
 pitched, no fire, nothing to make fire willi. liemmed in with a very 
 steep hill on one side and a very wet and muddy bottom on the 
 other. T sent all the officers and men to two houses in the neigh- 
 hoi-hood, except two wagoners, my black boy Ferguson, and four 
 sohliei-s that stayed with me. Tt contiiuu'd raining until al)Out 
 two o'clock that night, then began to snow very fast. We made 
 us a floor with rails from a fence, also burned rails for fire wood. 
 Tn the morning the snow was alxnit four inches (l('c|» and very 
 cold; still snowing; got something to eat. called all hands, pried 
 up the wagons, doubled the teams and with much difficulty got 
 one- fourth of a mile that day. 
 
 2ik1.— Stayed all night at Mr. F.cars; the men all stayed in 
 the house and barn; Lieut. Larwill and myself slept in the markee. 
 TTnloaded a part of our loading, stalled for Worthington and 
 arrived there about dark. 
 
 3cl._0btained the acadt'uiy for the men. Myself and the 
 rest of the officers ].ut up at (V)l. Killxinrs. Gontinued snowing 
 until some time in the night of the 3nl. fMcared off very pleas- 
 ant this morning. 
 
 The 4th I made a contract willi Mi', (iriswold to furnish the 
 soldiers with provisions while wailing heiv. Left at Franklinton 
 Corporal Finley sick, Nicholas Teal. Fivderi.k Swaney, David 
 
 Hart lame. 1 left with iIh' g Is live miles from Worthington, 
 
 Sergeant Morgan and live men. S, nt hack to Franklinbui for a 
 
54 
 
 wagon and team to help us on to Worthington, 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 
 officer 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 pnt 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. Robe's 
 company last evening, a man of very small stature, weight onlv 70 
 pounds and 30 years of age, and one of the teachers of this acad- 
 emy. 
 
 8th. — The Virginia troops left this place. T went to Frank- 
 linton in order to get sleds to take our ammunition and baggage, 
 but find that the sleds will not answer. Retnrned back to this 
 place tonight; find all things well. Cenernl Harrison came with 
 me and all his suite, bound for TTppcr Sandusky. 
 
 11th. — Marched for Fpper Snndiisky: marched one and a 
 half miles past Delaware, camped wiflimii pilchiiig tents, drew 
 rations and forage to last to Fpper Snnduskv. 
 
 12th. — Marched to "NTorfon and camped there. 
 
 14th. — Arrived at Upper Sandnskv about sunset; the men 
 took shelter with the Pennsylvania troo])s 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 ihc 20th for 
 the Rapids. ^^"^ 
 
 19th. — Making preparations, and received notice that six 
 
55 
 
 companies were to march with us besides the Petersburg volun- 
 teers. 
 
 20th. — Waiting all day for the ordnance to got ready. At 3 
 o'clock received information that we could not march that day, 
 but would march next morning at 8 o'clock without fail. 
 
 Thursday, 21st. — At 10 o'clock the whole detachment parad- 
 ed near the magazine, my company taking the right. The word 
 march was sounded from right to left and all stepped oflF. We 
 marched that day nine miles and halted for the night on a small 
 branch of a creek. Major Eobert Orr commanded the detach- 
 ment from the Pennsylvania lines. All very well situated on a 
 little stream of very good water. 
 
 Scene of Crawford's Torture. 
 
 22nd. — This morning fine weather, cl-^ar and pleasant. Left 
 the Sandusky plains last evening, crossed small prairie nnd loft 
 that in our rear. One thing T have omitted in our march voster- 
 day — that is. crossing the ground where Pol. 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 gronnd, just 
 before we entered a very large prairie, leaving an old Indian town 
 on our right hand. The place, said to be the place of Crawford's 
 execution, bad 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 the prairie, where we saw several Indian horses and 
 passed on through a large flat piece oP land rather low. Soon 
 came to creek, passed that on the ice. approached another ]»rairie. 
 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, the 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 np as they fetched up the rear. 
 
 News From Hiver Eaisin. 
 
 Saturday, 23rd.— This morning the Major was desirous that 
 I should give the right to Capt. McCrea's company. I refused; 
 took the line of march, marched on about one mile and met a 
 
56 
 
 M'hite man and one Indian who had a letter from General Harri- 
 son to the Major, informing him of the first battle that General 
 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 council, and concluded 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 camp 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 officers 
 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 pack horses took the front: it was 
 agreed that we should take with us one six jioundci- that was 
 monnted. and 3G 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 oilier way but to take the 
 Avoods. The rain, had softened the snow and mud to that rate 
 (hat 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 
 Rfl.pids to relieve General Harrison. To man-li in the rear of all 
 those pack horses I found we should not get half way this day, 
 therefore T 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. Vance before day five miles 
 from camp with his train of hogs about four thousand in number. 
 At 8 o'clock in the morning we fetdicil into Hull's old ti'ack over 
 the road tliat. he traveled to the iJapids last suniini'i-. Marclioil 
 on to a small creek by the name of Carrying Creek; called a halt 
 
57 
 
 to take some little refreshment. While we were there a man 
 arrived from General Harrison who informed us that he had re- 
 treated from the Eapids seventeen miles on this side of the same 
 Creek that we were on, hut nine miles below where we were. We 
 refreshed and moved on through the worst piece of road I ever 
 traveled, up to our knees in mud and water almost every step. I 
 arrived at headquarters aliout 4 o'clock this afternoon. 
 Troubles of the March. 
 
 Sunday, 24th. — From this time until dark the troo]is keep 
 coming into camp, but not more than one-half arrived this day. 
 The Virginia volunteers and the Pennsylvania militia were order- 
 ed to encamp out of the lines about forty rods up the Creek, noth- 
 ing to shelter them but the heavens and some scattoi-ing trees. 
 Thev have neither tents nor camping ecpiipage of any sort, it being 
 Jill left behind with the ordnance and the traveling becoming so 
 very bad it could not possibly come on. My company was ordered 
 on the right of the whole army but in no better fix than the above 
 troop, but they were invited into tents with the iroops that lay 
 there. Myself and lieutenants were very politely invited by 
 l\rajor Harden and Doctor Logan, to take part of their fare as 
 lodging and victualing. This night it began to snow. 
 
 2r)th. — T called on General Harrison. He ordered, mv back 
 fo tlie baggage in order to fetch it on as soon as possibh'. I ap- 
 plied to the Quartermaster for a horse lo ride, obtained one, left 
 camp about ton o'clock, the road worse than the day before, as the 
 waters had risen in every little creek to a great height. When I 
 arrived at the crossing of Carrying Creek, T found about twenty 
 pack-horse men with all their horses: <-ould not cross, as thev 
 thoiiglit these horses had been on by tlie army and left them load- 
 ing. T met on the road from camp to tliis phice about our liun- 
 dred men that had not yet got to camp: among tlie number was 
 Capt. McCrea, two of his subalterns and about fifty of bis men; 
 this was about four miles from camp. I asked tliose jiack-borsc 
 men that were stopped above, whether they did not intend to cross; 
 they said not. I told them if they woubl assist me T would fix a 
 bridge from the shore to the ice in \hv bed of the river that we 
 could all cross in safety. They woubl not belp, therefore T went 
 at it myself, made a bridge and crossefl over safe. After \ had 
 got over they were ready enough to follow me. We came on about 
 tbree miles when night came on : we stopped and built up a fire. 
 Just as we had got our fire in gnod order Col. Wells and Mr. 
 Orderm came up from tlie army .-n llieir way. They stopped 
 witb us all night. I was witbout blankets or provisions in con- 
 
58 
 
 sequence of expecting to reach camp that night, or to meet the six 
 pounder that was behind, wliere there were 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 I 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 tlic pack-horse company a 
 severe scolding for staying there 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 iho same way that I was 
 tlicy 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 wc could ride np the creek a 
 sliort distance and find some place to cross. We rode about four 
 miles, were satisfied it would not do, returned back and found the 
 pack horses where we had left them with the tents. They had 
 concluded not to start until next morning. The colonel said to 
 mo, "Captain, what shall we do?" I told him I would cross the 
 river at all events. "Well, if you do T will also." I mounted my 
 horse, plunged into the waicr. found it very deep, but got safe to 
 iho creek and found a large tree fallen across the main stream. T 
 dismounted, my horse, took off my pistols and holsters, took them 
 in my hand, walked over on the log, had to wade from Ihe creek 
 aboul twenty rods in water two feet deep, but got to shore. 
 Found (liere Scigeant Mead and three soldiers with my six pound 
 piece; got tbem to assist us (o fell trees fi'om that side to a creek, 
 swam ovci- my liors(> saf(^ and Co!. Wells and Mr. Orderm's also. 
 That bi'okr (lie way — the park 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 liad charge of four thousand hogs. Brought a letter 
 lo him I'l-oin Ceneral Harrison, ordering him to return to Upper 
 Santhisky with the hogs, lo li;i\e iheiii butchered there. I arrived 
 at iaiii|) ahoiil 3 o'clock, luit found tlie camp moved aboiit one 
 mile in advance and were just pitching their tents. Brought an 
 
59 
 
 order to Captain Wadsworth from General Harrison to send all 
 the teams and horses io Mr. Cruther's block house for forage, but 
 knowing that the Auglaize Eiver was iiot passable in consequence 
 of the high waters we concluded to change the course and send to 
 Upper Sandusky. 
 
 A Wordy War. 
 
 28th. — This morning was occupied in fixing the teams and 
 sleds with the horses for the purpose of going after forage. After 
 the teams and horses had started I concluded to follow after in 
 order to meet General Lcftrach, as he was on his march with his 
 brigade somewhere between my camp and the river. T met him in 
 about seven miles, did the business with him that T wanted and 
 turned back again. They camped with two regiments within four 
 miles of my camp, bnt Col. Connell marched to our old camp, one 
 mile from our present camp, haltxHl about dark, struck np Rres 
 and was very jovial, when Major Scott came up and asked for Col. 
 Connell. 
 
 The Colonel answered, "T am here." 
 
 "Colonel, yon have used, us damned ill ; you have marched ns 
 too late. You are no gentleman." "T am sir; you are not in 
 earnest." 
 
 "T am sir, yon are no soldier, no officer and no gentleman." 
 
 "You lie sir, if you sav so." "You are a damned liar." said 
 the Major, and makes at the Colonel, saying, "T 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 Major 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 oP my get- 
 ting ducked, in it the morning we marched from that camp. 
 
 29th. — This morning is fine and clear. General Leftraeh 
 with his brigade, passed our camp about 9 o'clock in the morning, 
 men all in higb spirits. Our men are emploved this day in build- 
 ing a block honse. Abont 2 o'clock the judge advocate went along 
 on his wav to headquarters. T sent word bv him to General Left- 
 raeh 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 
 LePtrach from General Harrison to leave with us at this place 
 what men he thonght necessarv to facilitate the movements of the 
 artilleiT from this place. The note met General Tjeft.rach. He 
 wrote to me on the same, wishing me to send immediately 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 oflficers, and all 
 the axes and shovels that they could possibly spare. Nicholas 
 Teal arrived here from tlio hos]ntal in Franklinton, one of my 
 ('om|)any 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." Tlie other is the situation of the ground — it is a very 
 flat country for a considerable distance around. No commanding 
 spot. Our blockliouse is on a very flat piece of ground, we are at 
 this time al)ouf fifty miles in our enemy's country in a complete 
 wilderness witliout proper means for defense. We have with us 
 a very valual)le property — four eighteen pounders, four twelve, 
 ihroo six. nil on sleds, and a large quantity of ammunition and 
 pid)lic stores. 1 don't state this circnmstance as a censure on 
 anyone. Our being in this situation is in consequence of the late 
 soft weather which has broken up the roads so that we could not 
 possibly travel with our effects. The weather appears to be at 
 tills (inic fiivorable. has frozen very hard for three days and 
 nights, and still freezing. If our teams rt-turn from Upper San- 
 dusky we shall leave here on the first of February. 
 
 January 30th. — Froze hard last night, fine weather this 
 miorning. Oui- men still at work on the blockhouse; mounted 
 one six pounder on a platform of logs: in case of an attack can 
 move it with band-spikes from right to left. The men arrived 
 from Gen. Leftrach this afternoon about sixty in number. This 
 evening regulating our guard lines around the camp making pre- 
 parations for defense. Late this evening Lieutenant Tisdell of 
 the Petersbui-g voluritcvrs, arrived here from headquarters and 
 brings the pleasant news of tb(> f;iti^ of our army that was with 
 Gen. Winchester at the Eiver TJaisin. T say pleasant fate for this 
 reason — the first report came from headquarters was that Gen. 
 Winchester b;nl fallen and seven buiuli-ed of our linive men out of 
 oiK- thousand were killed and taken — but to the reverse of that, 
 (uie man that was taken broke from them and arrived at TiOwer 
 Sandusky, and states for a fact that Gen. Winchester was not 
 killed, but taken and six hundred men with him. Mr. McCul- 
 loucb. an express from Gen. Harrison, on bis way to Franklinton, 
 brings the same intelligence, and as a fact, also states that Gen. 
 Harrison will move his army from Carr}dng Creek to the Rapids 
 this day or tomorrow. 
 
 31st. — This morning snowing, not very cold, nor yet very 
 
61 
 
 warm; sent a lieutenant and ensign witli a part}- of men to open 
 the road wider from this to Hull's ohl road. The ox teams started 
 from here to fetch forage from Sandusky returned back this morn- 
 ing, being ordered back by Capt. Wadsworth, as he found they 
 could not go to that place and back in time for tlie horse teams 
 and would detain us in our movements three days at least. At 
 sundown all our pack horses and horse teams arrived from Upper 
 Sandusky with flour and forage. Gi'U. Leftrach and baggage 
 went past here on pack horses this day, and Gen. Harrison's on 
 pack horses and sleds. 
 
 On to the Kapids. 
 
 February 1st. — This morning preparing our artillery and 
 baggage for marching to headquarters at foot of the Rapids. We 
 marched precisely at 12 o'clock with 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 behind the carriage. The 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 very sttHip hill; one sled knocked 
 to pieces in the attempt. 1 waited some time for the teams to 
 appear; they did not; 1 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 1 left them or near that; found my 
 baggage wagon, one caisson and one sk;d 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 Ihal tlie men might dry 
 themselves and cook something to eat. Lieul. Tisdell of the 
 Petersburg volunteers was at this phu^e; we got some bread and 
 meat to eat, lay down on the snow, no U^nts pilch<M| this night; 
 all slept well, the howling of wolves very great. 
 
 Tuesday, 2nd. — Kost^^ early and mustered all hands; llie 
 wagons froze into the mud very much; cut tliein loose witli axes, 
 pried them out of the mud, ate l)reakrast 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 m()rnin,<( made an early start; crossed 
 the creek Trouble on a very sidlin.u' ln'id.yv made by my men and 
 some others while they lay there uilli 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 ; marched two miles, 
 camped a little before sunset on a very good spot for that purpose. 
 
 Thursday, 4th.- — This niprning marched about -i o'clock; 
 marched three miles to a black swamp; found the water about 8 
 inches deep on ilie ice for one mile, the men loth to venture on, 
 the pioneers did not like to wade. 1 told them to hand me an 
 axe and I would be the first man in the water and chop the first 
 tree. This moved some of them, four or five followed me, we 
 cleared the road, the teams canii' on, several got almost over when 
 tJie heavy artillery began to break 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 1 
 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 thive. No time to pitch tents; sleep out doors this 
 night, 
 
 Friday, 5tli. — This moi'iiiiig marched from this place, crossed 
 Portage Creek safe, marched eight miles and eam})ed on the saiiK^ 
 ground that Gen. Harrison eneam])ed on the night he left the 
 camp at Portage. 
 
 The liapids lieached. 
 
 Saturday, Gth. — This morning made an early start; arrived 
 at the head of the Rapids about l"i o'cloik, fuimd it very dilUeult 
 ascending the hills to get on the iee, hut accomplished it in about 
 one hour with all our elfects; found the ice souiid so that we 
 arrived at the foot of the Rapids and al headquartei's about -1 
 ox-lock. All our ordnance and ammunition in good order. My 
 company is quartered near 1 he park on a very dry spot of ground. 
 
 Sunthiy, '^Ih. — This day nolhing new; troo])s are employed in 
 building blockhouses and the fiu'liliealions and sloekading the 
 (;amp. Lieut. Meek, my second lieuleuanl, has the superintend- 
 ing of one small redoubt for ihe purpose of planting one six 
 pounder. 
 
 Monday, 8 tb. — 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 distiince, 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. Tapper on a complaint 
 made by Major Galloway. 
 
 Tuesday, 9th. — Our spies that visit t-d up and down this river 
 to find out the situation of the Indians and British broug'ht intel- 
 ligence that they and some i^'rencli p.'oplc had discovered a party 
 of Indians on each side of the rivor; the number they could not 
 ascertain but thought there were about :-iJi). The Frencli came 
 into camp with the spies and reported accoi'dingly. Gen. Harri- 
 son this evening started otf anothiT company of spies with the 
 sanu' Frenclimen in order to ascertain ii' tlic statement was true. 
 
 Wednesda}-, lUth. — This morning tlic spies ri'tunicd antl 
 stated they saw the Indians abo\c jufiiiioniMl and tlicy wrw in a 
 War dance. The General orchax'd the <-ommanding olhcer of each 
 Brigade to liave a certain proportion of their men to be in ruadi- 
 lU'SS to tlie number of GUI) in all, to niaich at retreat beating this 
 evening, and 5(J0 more to march in a short time after as a reserve, 
 if they should be wanted. They descended the river to the phice; 
 arrived there about 4 o'clock in the morning, but to their great 
 disappointment the Indians had h ft their camps and driven off a 
 number of cattle I'he Gcn^'ral lallcd a halt, examiiird thrii' 
 camps and the neighborhood, discovci'cd ihc r(nite they lonk, 
 followed after them about 7 or 8 miles, but round they could not 
 conu- up with tht'in. I am mistaken in the day that the; spies and 
 the Frriich came in with the news of the Indians being at the 
 Miami Bay. It was on Monday, and (U) 'I'uesday evening our 
 li'oops nuirched down to rout them, and on Wednesday about 4 
 o'clock they returned. They niaiclied the distance of 50 miles in 
 about 21 hours. 
 
 Thursday, llth. — Gen. Crook came into camp this day with 
 ahoul ."iUO niiMi of the Tennsylvania line li'din (Ipper Sandusky. 
 IJeul. Lai'will very sick last night, hnl hetlei' this nu)rning. 
 
 I'riday, \'Hh. — This day laying (Uil the encampmeni in a 
 snndler com})ass. Col. Sutton ai'rcsled hy (len. Tupper on a coui- 
 plaint laid in by Major Galloway. 
 
 Saturday, 13th.— This day jjieui. Meek is appointed iVdjutant 
 pro tem of the artillery. The militia of this state are decamping 
 by companies of 2, 3, 4 and G, as their times expire. 
 Sending Out Spies. 
 
 Sunday, 14th. — This day Gen. HaiTison sent off two com- 
 panies of spies — Capt. Woods and llinkslon 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 day 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, IGtli. — We mounted three eighteen pound cannon 
 this day- — placed one twelve pound cannon in the lower blockhouse, 
 (len. 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 tliat 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 — Major Ball arrived 
 here this evening with his squadron oi 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 Alexander's voltigeurs. We have 
 at this time four eighteen pounders, four iron twelve pounders, 
 one brass twelve and four sixes, mounted fit for battle. 
 
 Friday, IDth. — Teams arriving constantly with ammunition 
 and clothing. 
 
 Saturday, 20th. — This day two howitzers arrived here mount- 
 ed and plenty of bomb shells. 
 
 Sundays 21st. — Some snow fell last night. The troops are 
 very busy building block houses, store houst's and stockiiding. 
 Two hundred and fifty men sent down the river to escort some 
 teams from Lower Sandusky. 
 
 Monday, 22nd. — This day very (•••Id. all things going on very 
 well; some more men sent to recn force llic escort, expecting l,o see 
 some Indians. 
 
 Tuesday, 2ord.^ — This nioriiing Col. I*nge's regiment of Ken- 
 tucky militia cam]) left for home, their times having expired, and 
 Col. Jenning's also. The spies and eseort came in tliis day, did not 
 see any Indians or British, the teams had iviii rued hack to Lowei- 
 Siindusky. 
 
 To Burn a I'.ritish Ship. 
 
 Thursday, 25th. — Cold. Preparing materials to fire the 
 British ship Queen Charlotte. 
 
 Friday, 2r)th. — This day marched fi-om this camp, Capt. 
 Langham with 140 men under his command, foi- the purpose of 
 crossing the T^ake on the ice by the way of Tjower Sandusky to 
 
65 
 
 Maiden or within a very short distance of that phxce, to take pos- 
 session of the (^,ueen Charlotte and burn her down. Lieut. Meeds 
 with 30 men is with tlie detaclunent, his business will be to board 
 the vessel and set her on fire. 
 
 Saturda}', 27th. — Tliis day tlie teams are employed in hauling 
 some boats up the river on the ice which lay not far below. 
 
 Sunday, 28th. — I am sitting in a court martial; it commenc- 
 ed on the 26th. We had a sermon preached 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 the stockading as fast as possible. 
 
 Tuesday, 2nd. — This day came in two brigades of pack horses 
 laden with flour and iron. We have at this time 600,000 weight 
 of pork salted, and will have 'as much more by the time they are 
 done salting, and as much beef. 
 
 Wednesday, 3rd. — This day 1 began to get out the stufE for 
 laying 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. Jieut. Meek obtained leave to go home today, as 
 pleased as a child with a rattle. 
 
 Thursday, -ttli. — This day (.Jen. Harrison started for Cincin- 
 nati by the way of Lower Sandusky; took with him all of his 
 retinue. Major Alexander witli 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. Harrisbn returned 
 this evening to camp; could not pass that way in consequence of 
 the lake being broke up. 
 
 Friday, 5th.— This morning the General started again with 
 all his suite by way of the blockhouse at Portage and to Upper 
 Sandusky. The troops all arrived this day, botli Capt. Langham 
 and Major Alexanders. They came back without success— the 
 ice was too weak for their expedition. 
 
 Saturday, 6th.— This day Lieut. Meek started for home. 
 Corporal Wannan died this morning about 11 o'clock. I have 
 stated the return of the troops— one day too soon. They arrived 
 on Saturday, and Gen. Harrison left here on the same day at the 
 same time. 
 
 Sunday, ?th. — 'i'his day very cold. All hands to work at the 
 
 batte^ry. The; Second Virginia Regiment moved within the lines. 
 
 Monday, 8th.— Mounted one eighteen pounder yesterday. 
 
 Tuesday, 9th. — 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 stomi 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, horses aiid cattle have been over- 
 whelmed with the water and ice where tlie farmers' houses used to 
 stand. 
 
 Monday, 15th.- — Lieut. Larwill left for home. I salt my beef 
 this day. 
 
 Tuesday, 16tli. — One of my soldiers died last night by the 
 name of Farccloth. 1 had him buried tliis 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 quartennaster's chimney with the motto, "The Devil 
 has come from Britain to sec old Capt. Wheaton," meaning our 
 old quartermaster. Rained and hailed last night and mud vei-y 
 deep all over the camp — not a dry foot in camp unless they stay 
 close iu 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 down 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 tliis place from east, west, 
 north or south for seven days, and it has taken them four days to 
 come 30 miles. The whole country is inundated with water and 
 broken ice. Our camp is overwhelmed with mud and water; my 
 eyes never saw such a place for mankind to live in — not a markee 
 or lent in the whole encajnpment 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 off for a long distance from camp 
 and there are no teams to haul any for 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 sigus 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 I 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 through 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, 31st. — 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 the party being in front, ordered the men to fire in 
 
68 
 
 the bushes, saying "There are Indians, There are Indians," and 
 pointing to the place. The men obeyed, this being about 9 o'clock 
 in the evening. The flash of the guns was seen and \h.e repons 
 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 bunlc, 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 the second time he has left here and 
 returned. This day the mail arrived for the first time in two 
 weeks. A small party of our men went up the river with a boat, 
 in order to save a man that had got flung out of one of tlie boats 
 that Lieut. Meeds 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 crossed the river in pursuit of those fugi- 
 tives; also another party in the boat pursued up the river after the 
 man on the rock about four miles. Under cover of the advance 
 guard, commanded by Capt. Croghan, they got ofl" 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 
 the river on Uen. Winchester's old camping ground. 
 
 Wednesday, 24th. — 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 oflicer thought it best not to pursue any farther. 
 
 Thursday, 25th.— This morning Lieut. Larwill lett for home 
 tlie tiiird thne. \\\; have a line parcel of fish caught last night, 
 loi- llic (irst linu' this spring. An express arrived here this even- 
 ing from Franklinton, fetclimg news of (iOO militia being on their 
 way to this place and they will Ik' here in five days. 
 
 Friday, 2(;th. — Robert i'crsons died last night, one of my 
 soldii'rs. Col. Sutton left here this morning for home after being 
 bonorahly acquitted by the court martial of the charges made 
 against him by Major James Galloway. 
 
 Court Martial. 
 
 Saturday, 2Tth. — This day a general court martial convened. 
 
 > 
 
 I 
 
69 
 
 Major Stoddarcl president, for the trial of several soldiers. Nine 
 members and the Judge Advocate constitute the court — Capt. 
 Langham, Capt. Croghan, Capt. Elliott, Capt. Cushing, Lieut. 
 Gwynne, Lieut. Frederick and Ensign Ship are the members. 
 There were three sentinels found sleeping on their post last night 
 l)y the field oflicer of the day. Col. Evans: two of them were from 
 t]ie 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. Tliis evening a party arrived from 
 down the river that had been from this camp under 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 fires, refreshed themselves and came on to camp. 
 
 Sunday, 28th. — Snowing this morning after a very rainy 
 night. One company of Virginia militia leaves camp this morn- 
 ing for home. We are sitting on a court martial this day. tried 
 Nathaniel Ewing for mutinous conduct to his captain. 
 
 Mondav, 29th. — Letters arrived from Cen. Harrison to Gens. 
 Ivcftrach and Crook wishing their brigades to stay a few days 
 longer. These calls and invitations will not do; the government 
 has not been punctual enough in paying their troops for them to 
 stav longer. Major Todd sent his young man after his horse a 
 short distance down the river 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 after his waiter; they returned, reported they 
 could not find him; neither could they see any signs of him or 
 Indians. 
 
 Severe Sentence. 
 
 Wednesdav. 31st.— This day a general court martial sentenc- 
 ed John T. Mosby, a private in Capt. Bradford's company, for 
 threatening to blow up the magazine and then to desert to the 
 British, to be confined, tied to a post or log in a tent by himself 
 one month, to have a handcuff on his right hand, to ride a wooden 
 horse 30 minutes once a week for one month with a six pound ball 
 fastened to each foot, to weai- a ball and chain the whole time, to 
 have one eve brow and one side of liis head shaved and to be fed on 
 bread and water onlv. After \hv time of confinement expires he is 
 to be drummed out of camp and taken over the line of the Indian 
 houndarv on the wav to Kentuckv. This evening two or three 
 Frenchmen Nwnt down the river to fish, 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 very 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 nimbly skipped, until he arrived 
 at Sandusky bank, the river widp, 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 trv his active limbs and s^e if 
 he the gulf could s^unm, he plunges in and strusrarles hard, but 
 could not reach the other shore : he turns about and with his eyef?. 
 he sees the Frenchman to his great surprise. The lieutenant sup- 
 posed that an Indian shot the Frenchman, not him who shot the 
 owl. 
 
 Friday, 2nd. — This dav all the Virginia troops but two small 
 companies left camp, their times being out: also the Pennsvlvania 
 brigade except what volunteered to stav 15 davs — about 200. The 
 command this dav devolves upon Maior Stoddard ; the guards 
 were moved within pickets last night 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. They say that the British 
 have in Maiden and in Detroit about 600 regulars, 700 militia and 
 about 500 Indians. They further say that they 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 artiller}''. 
 
 Sunday, 4th. — We are often alarmed by the discharge of mus- 
 kets. Night before last one of my 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 an Indian as they came this morning about 9 
 
71 
 
 o'clock, killed, tomahawked and scalped one of our men within 250 
 yards of one of our blockhouses. The sentry saw the flash, heard 
 the report and saw the man fall. A party immediately under the 
 command of Capt. Langham went in pursuit of them, followed 
 them about eight miles, but could not come up with them; it is 
 thought they have killed one more or taken him prisoner, as one 
 is missing. Capt. Croghan with 30 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. Tjangham reports that he heard two guns on his march; 
 also reports they saw the Indians, but they got in the boats some 
 distance below them, and were crossing the river. He could plain- 
 ly hear them shout as they crossed and heard several guns on the 
 other side. 
 
 Tuesday, 6th. — This morning fine and clear, all hands to 
 work. I am with my company repairing the little battery, about 
 150 repairing the pickets, clearing off brush and small trees about 
 the camp and preparing to build two small magazines to contain 
 the powder. Capt. Wheat ton, the quartermaster, left here this 
 morning for home with al)out 50 or 60 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 off his leg just above the knee. 
 
 Wednesday, 7th. — This morning about 1 o'clock, I went the 
 guard rounds with the 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 Major Ball's squadron 
 of horse. He says Gen. HaiTison will be here in three days with 
 the remainder of Major Ball's squadron ; also states that we shall 
 have a re-enforcement of infantry hero in two days. The artific- 
 ers are putting up wfitch towers around the camp within the 
 gates. 
 
 Surprised by Indians. 
 Thursday, 8th.— This day has proved to be a very unfortunate 
 one to some of mv men. Sergeant Kelly with six of my men went 
 into the woods about half a mile from camp after timber. A 
 partv of Indians came upon them while they were unloading; 
 they" got between the teams before they showed themselves. As 
 soon as the men discovered 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 party 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 intercept 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 Frenchmen allowed they killed five and 
 wounded three that were in the boat. 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 Avent 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. Gen Harrison has not arrived here with the 
 squadron as was expected. One thing 1 have neglected to state — 
 Col. Stevens of Ross County, Ohio, arrived here on the 8th with 
 80 or i)0 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 al)out eight miles 
 below this camp; he 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, 
 and a lnrg(> quantity of blood in both canoes. They also found 
 
73 
 
 four or five liorses that they had left and shot them. It is sup- 
 posed tliat they were the horses that belonged to the Indians that 
 were killed and the rest had mounted and rode off. They de- 
 stroyed all the boats but two, which they brought to camp. 
 
 Saturday, 10th. — This morning about daylight, an alarm 
 took place. Major Ball, who lay outside of the garrison with his 
 squadron, had formed his men in two lines from 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 
 tliought he saw an Indian. He was on the left of the left line 
 next to the fort on the side hill. He 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 lieu- 
 tenant hailed three times ; no one answered ; the sergeant fired ; 
 tliey 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. 
 T 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. 
 Miller with him with 100 regulars and 100 militia ; had forage 
 and salt on the boats. Capt. Nering commanded the regulars. T 
 fired a salute on Gen. Harrison's arrival, 15 guns— 10 sixes and 5 
 eigh teens. 
 
 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 up stumps and cutting and fetching punch- 
 eons for the floors of the blockhouses. 
 
 Wednesdav, 14th. — This day Capt. Hamilton arrived here 
 with 50 men militia from Butler County. The men all employed 
 as they were yesterday. We are expecting the British and Indians 
 to attack us every night. 
 
 Thursday, 15th. — Very cold and windy. On(> of llic senti- 
 nels shot a horse last night supposing it to be an Indian. 
 
 Friday, IGth.— This day preparing for an at lack from the 
 British and Indians. Our l)atteries, blockhouses and pickets are 
 
74 
 
 almost completed and traversed all around. Wm. Clarke, a pri- 
 vate in Capt. Nering'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 tlie General. Major Todd sipped with me this even- 
 ing on turtle soup. 1 liave been very much indisposed, but am 
 better this evening. C^apt. 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, 17th.— This day very pleasant. A party of Major 
 Ball's sqiuidron went down the river to Presque Isle to make dis- 
 covery, but rejiorted they saw nothing worth notice. Another 
 party of Indians nnd whites went down on the other side. They 
 were ordered to go (o the Piver Paisin. Wm. Clarke had his head 
 shaved and was drummed out of camp. This evening we are ex- 
 pecting an attack every day, but we fear tliey will not come. 
 
 Sunday, 18th. — This day the Indians and white men that 
 went down to the Piver Paisin on the Ifith, returned with three 
 Frenchmen with them. These men say that the party of Indians 
 that killed Pudes and took my two men prisoners passed by where 
 they were with both 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 through the breast, the other through both arms and 
 breast. They say that Tecumseh with 80 Indians, .passed through 
 there the 16th on his way to Maiden; they also state that the Brit- 
 ish and Indians intend to attack us in ten or twelve days. 
 
 Monday, 19th.— Tliis 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 purjiose 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 3^) regulars and 153 militia from Kentucky; a brigade 
 of pack horses came with them and fetched their baggage. 
 
 Weduesday, 21st. — Capt. Holt with his company was attached 
 to the artillery this day. 
 
 Fridav, 23rd. — This morning a very heavy rain, the river 
 
75 
 
 rose to a verv high pitch, Capt. Holt niovod his men on to my left 
 tliis evening. 
 
 Saturday, 24th. — This day T moved my company in front of 
 the grand batte^}^ The infantry began to drill. 
 
 (Here a few days of the Diary is missing.) 
 
 I took good aim at them, the ball stmck just over them, they 
 fell down at the flash, they lay still until T had loaded again, and 
 Capt. AYood had loaded his eighteen pounder in his loft. At 
 length they started for the woods. Capt. Wood gave them a shot 
 and I followed suit. They both stmck very close to them ; there 
 were foiirteen seen there before we fired, and but 12 remained in 
 the old fort, where the remainder of ilieir party were plain to be 
 seen with a spy glass. This is the first time I have discharged a 
 piece at an enemy in 'M years. 
 
 British Forces Gathering. 
 
 Wednesdav, 2<Sth. — T;ast night we had the heaviest rain that 
 T ever knew and verv hard thunder. This morning we had the 
 pleasure of seeing about ."500 "British down the river and a number 
 of Indians and British came opposite to our fort and fired 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. 
 Hamilton was sent down th^^ river this morning — he reported Ihat 
 the British had landed on the other side about 1.500 or 2.000. 
 We expect a hard fight this night. T have completed the abatis 
 this evening in front of the grand batterv. The whole ainny was 
 at work this day, one third at a time, heaving up a traverse 
 through the camp. A party of drasroons rode out a short distance 
 from camp this evening: one of them received a ball in bis arm 
 from the rifle of an Indian — there was a party watching for our 
 men. 
 
 Thursday, 29th.- — This dav we are emploved in finishing the 
 traverse and making readv for battle, for we have been surrounded 
 bv British and Indians for two davs. We let loose our cannonade 
 on them yesterday and have kept it up bv ppolls all this dav, and 
 shall let loose upon them this evening with an eighteen pounder 
 that is already elevated. 
 
 Friday, 30th. — We have been all dav emploved in traversing 
 throuo-h the camp, plavincr upon their batteri'^s with our eifrhteen 
 pounders and throwing grape and cannister shot at the Indians 
 which are in our rear and on onr 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 artillerv upon our garrison from their gun-boats, 
 which lay one and one-half miles below us, but it was without 
 elfe(3t. At 8 o'clock they hoisted the red flag at their lower bat- 
 tery and commenced firing with 24, 12 and 6 pounders, and eight 
 inch mortars. They fired 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 iban two killed and four wounded today. 
 
 Sunday, 2nd. — They kept u]i their boml)ardment 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 both 
 with cannonade and bombs, and our camp is completely surrounded 
 with Indian and British keeping up a heavy fire of musketry and 
 rifles. They threw at us this day about 350 shot, a large 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 
 i-eturned pretty much the same, and thai all day. This day we 
 discovered that they liad a small battery on this side of the river, 
 about 300 yards on our right flank. The Indians had been for 
 two days firing at our men fi-om that direction which kept us 
 from noticing what they were about. They opened on us from 
 that battery one six pounder and one five and a half inch 
 howitzer which made a coinplete cross-fire through our camp. 
 This dav we received about ."iin shots from them and lost about 
 the same number of men as we did yesterday, 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 moi'i Gen. Clay came 
 down the riv(^r in a boat; arrived here tonight about 12 o'clock. 
 He brought tlic news that Gen. Clay with his brigade would be 
 bore bv break of day; this ])ut our eam,]i in motion. Every man 
 was up and preparing for battle. 
 
 Gen. Clay's Arrival. 
 Wednesday ~)ih. — This morning about 3 o'clock Gen. Har- 
 rison sent Ca])t. Hamilton. Ca])t.. Sluiw and one other up the 
 river to meet Gen. Clay with orders for him to land about 700 
 nrben two miles above cami) on the other side of the river, pro- 
 ceed down to their batteries, spike their cannon and retreat im- 
 
n 
 
 mediately back to their boats, but to eonie down under the cover 
 of my battery. They complied so far as to land the men, march 
 them down to their battery, drive tliem from their guns, spike 
 some of them, take down their colors, but did not retreat as 
 ordered; pursued the Indians into the woods until about 200 
 of them fell into tlie enemies" hands and 100 supposed to be 
 killed — the rest made tlieir escape up to their boats and arrived 
 safe at camp. At the time the balance of the brigade was float- 
 ing to camp from where the men landed. Tlie Indians and 
 liiitish kept up a heavy fire on them from the woods; the men 
 left their boats lighting them. The cavalry witli jMajor Alexan- 
 der's battalion sallied out and drove them into the woods and 
 then retreated into the garrison. There were several killed and 
 several wounded, the Indians followed them within 150 yards 
 of the gate. This sally was made from the left wing of our 
 camp. Another sally was made at the same time from the right 
 wing b}' Col. Miller. He drove the British and Indians from 
 their little battery, spiked their guns and howitzer, took about 
 43 prisoners of which 'I were officers. We had several killed and 
 wounded. After the battle ceased the British sent into our 
 camp a flag of truce the bearer of which was Major Chambers. 
 Gen. Harrison permitted the two regular officers to return back 
 to their camp; they gave us but two shots after tlie battle was 
 over. 
 
 Thursday 6th. — This day no fighting. A complete cessation 
 of arms on both sides. The flag passed both to and from each 
 camp, and men employed in complettng their bomb proof; the 
 weather very rainy and has been for three or four days, which 
 puts our camp in a dismal situation. 
 
 Friday Tth. — The British are very peaceable; they have sent 
 up a flag from the old fort, made arrangements to have prisoners 
 exchanged, and have taken them to their camp this evening. The 
 prisoners that they took from us are to be sent to Huron; we 
 Have sent down boats to transport them to that phice; also have 
 sent 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 pn'ijarations to decamp; if they are not they are laying 
 some deep plan to annoy us. Tlie Indians have not been on this 
 side today as usual; in fact there have been but very few seen 
 this day on either side. 
 
 Britisli Give Up the Fight. 
 
 Sunday 9th. — Last night two men deserted from tlie British 
 
78 
 
 and swimming the river came into our camp. They state on being 
 examined that the enemy moved olf the greater part of their 
 <jannon the night before last, and the rest last night. Thej 
 also state that the British and the Indians have all cleared out; 
 they state further that news had arrived in their camp- within 24 
 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 
 thoy supposed that we had suiTendered, 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 
 tomahawked. 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 lllh. — 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. 'IMic 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'cloc^k; 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 informing him that Little York 
 had fallen into the hands of the Americans with 1,000 men; 
 the letters also stated that the British Magazine blew up and 
 destroyed 300 of our men. Gen. Pike was amongst the sufferers. 
 I had the remains of Major Stoddard buried today in front of 
 the grand battery on the spot where he received the wound which 
 caused his death. Another 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. Eeeves and several others started down the river 
 in order to sail around to Huron and from thence to Cleveland. 
 
 Thursday 13th. — This morning ]\Iajor 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 
 tine fun fishing. 
 
 Friday 14th. — This day tlie militia left the ground in 
 the rear of my company. I cleared off the ground they occupied 
 and moved my company on to it. Tln-ee British regulars came 
 into our cainp this morning; they state that the British left 
 them behind, but 1 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 ilie 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 Nichelsou died this morning about 4 o'clock. Major 
 Hukell, Major Pintel, myself and thirteen of my soldiers crossed 
 the river this afternoon in order to reconnoitre the old British 
 camp that they left in haste. We found several balls; also a 
 man came to us who was taken by the. Indians on the day of the 
 battle; he was taken to Brownstown and he and one other made 
 their escape from that place, but the other got shot at the River 
 Raisin by an Indian. He states that a large number of our men 
 were killed by the Indians after they were taken; he says he 
 saw twelve or fourUnm shot down himself; he also states that 
 the Indians have all returned to their towns. 
 
 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 17th. — 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 62 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 battei7 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 witii rain which will be very useful. 
 
 Wednesday 19th. — Xo rain last night as was expected. 
 This day very pleasant, rather cold. 1 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 1 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 1 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 2:3d. — This day 1 went over the river with twelve of 
 my men in liiiiit of cannon balls; found some, found several dead 
 men tliat were not buried, they were killed during the fight on 
 the r)th. I went down as low as the old fort, discovered that 
 Ihcr*' luid l)(vn a large number of men buried there, several of 
 oui-s and some of theirs. We returned l)ack to camp about 2 o'clock; 
 round several balls. Soon -Aiiev I got back a very heavy tempest 
 of thunder, wind and rain commenced; continued the remaining 
 part of tiie 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. Hackley arrived here from 
 Kentucky and several men with him. 
 
 Thursday 37th. — This day as usual, only our men cleaning 
 fish that were caught yesterday with a seine. At two hauls caught 
 six barrels. Col. Miller, who commands at this time, thought 
 it advisable to send a party of men, 130, up to Fort Defiance 
 in order to fetch down a quantity of flour that is there. Having 
 some suspicion that there might be some Indians about, he sent 
 Capt. John and two other men in front. They left camp two 
 hours before tlie party got ready, went up within one-half mile 
 of Eush-de-Boo; 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. Tliis afternoon two mails arrived 
 safe. Major Vorhees from Iventucky brought them in company 
 With several others. The weather cold and unpleasant for the 
 time of year. 
 
 Sunday 30th. — Kainy part of the day; measles and mumps 
 very prevalent in camp at this time. 
 
 Monday 31st. — This day all tlie 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 3d. — This day Conrad Deguire, one of my sol- 
 diers, died very suddenly; he had been sick for a long time but 
 liad got better so that he was able to walk about the camp and 
 to the river; at 13 o'clock his messmates called him to dinner, 
 but he did not come, nor answer ; tliey went to the tent and found 
 him dead. This afternoon Capt. Holt left camp with 100 men 
 for Fort Winchester after fioar and whisky. 
 
 Thursday 3d. — This day Lieut. Gwynn and several others 
 left camp for the settlements to recruit their health. Our me- 
 chanical work goes along very well, repairing gun carriage, axes, 
 wagons and small arms, the troops very 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 veiy fine weatlier — two men arrived 
 
82 
 
 here from Cleveland with a boat load of potatoes, 150 bushels, 
 sold them all out in a few hours at $Ji.OO per bushel ; they return- 
 ed tliis evening. Dr. Mervin took passage to Cleveland for the 
 purpose of recruiting his liealth. The above mentioned wounded 
 man died this evening; his name was iVIeek, one of Capt. Near- 
 ing's soldiers. Eight line steers came into onr lines this morning 
 from the woods. 
 
 . Saturday 5th. — Commenced rainmg about 4 o'clock this 
 evening with heavy thunder, continues on until guard, still rain- 
 ing very hard. Capt. rhillips of the Ohio 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. 
 
 Sunday Gth. — This day rainy by sliowers; killed three steers 
 that the men might have some fresh meat. 
 
 Monday 7th. — This morning good news; an express arrived 
 about 12 o'clock last night from Gen. Durbin with intelligence 
 that Fort George was taken by the Americans, and that Gen. 
 Prevost had the assurance to cross the lake to Sackett's Harbor 
 with 1,500 men, and was completely defeated by Gen. Brown witli 
 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 
 indisposition, ordered that there should be a salute fired at 12 
 o'clock tliis day of 18 guns; ail the music in the garrison was 
 paraded on the top of tlie 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 the music I had 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 8th.— liainy. A party arrived here tliis day from 
 Lower Sandusky with 70 or 80 fat cattle, also a part of the men 
 tbat went up the river with Capt. Holt arrived with some flour 
 and some twelve pound shot. Say tliey left at the head of the 
 rapids thirteen boats laden with flour, the water so low that they 
 could not come over the falls. 
 
 Wednesday 9th. — Cloudy this morjiing, 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 very flourishing at this time. I have lettuce, large and 
 small radishes, sage, mint, onions, peas and beans. 
 
83 
 
 Thursday 10th. — This day veiy 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 
 fll)0ut three miles and met 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 fonned a line of battle, the Indians 
 formed in a line also in the woods; tlie firing was heard at camp; 
 a party of 100 was sent off immediately to their assistance; they 
 crossed the river, the others being on that side; met tliem witliin 
 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. Perr}', one of the Petersburg volun- 
 teers, died this morning. 
 
 Friday 11th. — This morning warm and cloudy, Major Hukell 
 left here for the City of Washington by the way of Fort De- 
 fiance or Fort Winchester; he has with him Major Vorhees who 
 is going on to Kentucky. Major Sodwick with 100 men going 
 to Fort Winchester after flour and other stores, the three men that 
 were sent up the river, Capt. Shaw and two others, returned about 
 llo'clock; 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 13th. — This day Capt. Bradford dined with us. 
 Capt. Wood joined mess with Capt. Gratiot and me on the 10th. 
 Tliirteen boats and several 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 Meldrum 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 Spaflord 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 ol pickles and a large cheese. 
 
 Monday 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 Regiment. 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, Robert 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 histoiy 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 
 clearing off the bushes for a long distance around the fort. I 
 liad my men employed in fetching up the gun carriages from 
 Ihc 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, ck'aring off the woods around the camp, cutting, haul- 
 ing and placing arbonets in front of all the batteries. Every 
 man appears to be working for his own safety. Two Frenchmen 
 and two olhers have been sent down the river as far as the bay 
 
85 
 
 to make discoveries; they will return tomorrow. I mounted all 
 the cannon this afternoon and put them into their proper bat- 
 teries and blockhouses. A soldier of Capt. Langham's company 
 arrived here this evening from Fort Winchester; states that Col. 
 Johnson is there with 800 mounted men. 
 
 Tuesday 22d. — This day all the camp busily employed in 
 strengthening the garrison wherever there appeared to be a weak 
 place. One man arrived here from Franklinton; states that Gen. 
 MacArthur is there with 500 regulars; he also states that there 
 are 500 more at Upper Sandusky of the 24th Eegiment. Eight 
 men arrived here from Fort Winchester, a part of Col. Johnson's 
 regiment of cavalry ; the regiment will be in to-morrow early in 
 tlie morning. Two men anived here from Kentucky this day; 
 they bring no particular news. About 100 men have been for 
 three days employed in clearing off all the wood and bushes about 
 the camp. A good deal of rain fell this evening. It is about 
 nine o'clock in the evening and the Kentuckians 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 
 the Indians; this is conduct very unbecoming an officer or soldier. 
 They commenced crossing the river about 6 o'clock; about 12 they 
 had all got over with their 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 hurt, one dead, 
 the blow he 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 rcgiment of 
 mounted men encamped down on the bottom next to the river for 
 tlie present. At 10 o'clock in the evening the boats that have the 
 Itaggage of Col. Johnson's regiment are landing; they are laden 
 with flour, whisky and pork: he left a part of them at the head 
 of the Rapids. 
 
 Thursday 24th.— Tins morning very cold and windy. A 
 party of spies w^ere sent down the river in order to make dis- 
 coveries— came back and reported they saw three savages and 
 several horses; it is expected 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 comforta})le. A party of spies returned 
 this evening fi-on^ the mouth of the river and state they saw 
 nothing like Indians or British while they were gone. 
 
86 
 
 Saturda)^ 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 No. 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 very 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 (rcn. Harrison 
 with the 24th Regiment 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 salute 
 of fifteen guns. This evening about o'clock Co\. Anderson 
 of the 24ih Regiment arrived witb bis regiment of regulars, 
 about 500 strong, brouglit 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 ften. 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 tbe purpose of reconnoitoring 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 regiment came in with them, 
 they came by the way of Fort Defiance. 
 
 Wednesday 30th. — Today rainy by showers. Two hundred 
 of Col. Johnson's mien crossed the river this morning for the 
 purpose of meeting him and the party that crossed yesterday 
 and went to the Eiver Raisin. They all returned this evening; 
 In-ought in two French prisoners. 
 
 Thursday, July 1st. — This morning Gen. Harrison left camp 
 for Cleveland, Capt. Wood Avith him and 100 mounted men as 
 an escort. An express arrived soon after the General left this 
 place from Lower Sandusky with infomiation that the Indians 
 had been in that neighborhood, had killed one man and one 
 woman, and scalped them and had taken seven prisoners. Col. 
 Johnson with the balance of his mounted men are ordered to 
 proceed immediatelv to Lower Sandusky. They will leave here 
 tomorrow moniing. A man, one of the Kentuckians that was 
 taken by the Indians on the 5th of May over the river, came in- 
 to camp this evening; made his escape from them ten days ago 
 somewhere at the head of the river TJaisin. He said that the In- 
 dians sent him with 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 anything but weeds and bushes for ten 
 days. 
 
 Friday 3d. — This day the whole camp in motion. In the 
 first place Col. Johnson left his camp which was on t,hc out^^ide 
 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 hravory. Another party left camp — 
 Major Robinson, INFajor 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 party \\\) tlic 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 persuaded by those unruly militin to go with them. They 
 went up on this side of tlie river five or six miles, then crossed 
 over; the Indians cn'me upon them, killed and took the whole of 
 them prisoners except two who have got into camp. Capt. 
 Langham was sent up tlic rivci' wiili I no incn in order to collect 
 
88 
 
 some flour that was left at the head of the Eapids in different 
 places; took with him small boats to fetch it down. Several of 
 his men that he had with him, but militia, without orders con- 
 cluded to leave liim 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 200 men in order to assist Capt. 
 Langham if wanted, but met him and all returned together. 
 Lieut. Gaines of the 24th Eegiment was ordered to cross the river 
 with 200 men and proceed up the river to where those men Avere 
 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 with 150 men 
 returned back after the flour ; left camp about half past fi 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 4t.h, 1813, at Camp Meigs. 
 
 This morning at sunrise we fired thirteen guns in honor 
 of the 4th of July, 177fi. At 1 o'clock we fired eighteen, the 
 National 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 T 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 
 
 Thursdav 8th. — Lieut. Larawill, his hrother William, and 
 Lieut. Henderson arrived here, the mail came with them. 
 
 Saturday 10th. — This day very pleasant. The picket guard 
 saw several Indians a short distance from the garrison, a party 
 Tas sent in pursuit of them but returned without discoveries. 
 
 Sunday 11th. — I crossed the river with Lieut. Larawall, 
 Lieut. Henderson, Q. M. Thompson and twenty of my men ; 
 made no discoveries. Spies that went down the river last night 
 returned this evening making no discoveries. 
 
 Monday 12th. — This morning I vomited, being very unwell, 
 am better this evening. The sick are fast recruiting in my com- 
 pany, only seven reported sick this morning. 
 
 Tuesday 13th. — Capt. Gratiot and Lieut. Larawill have sur- 
 veyed the camp and the country around it. My sick report this 
 morning 5 only. 
 
 Wednesday 14th. — T am very unwell but keep about. Some- 
 what rainy by showers, it sets in to l)e a steady rain about sun- 
 down. 
 
 Thursday 15th. — The mail arrived this evening. The spies 
 returned from down the river, state they saw six Indians at a 
 distance. 
 
 Saturday 17th. — l\Ir. Oliver arrived here with packhorses 
 laden with com. 
 
 Sunday 18th. — Eaiuy in the morning, the men are becom- 
 ing more healthy, Ca]it. Martin of the spy boat sailed down the 
 river to gain intelligence if possible of the British and Indians. 
 
 Monday 19th. — Capt. Shaw with his company left this camp 
 for the Portage Block-bouse. Capt. Martin returned this even- 
 ing with the spy boat: be sailed down as far as Cedar Point, he 
 made no discoveries, he states he heard several cannon fbis morn- 
 ing in the direction of Maiden. 
 
 Tuesday 20th. — This day rainy by showers. Lieut. Peters 
 returned to camp this afternoon: be left here on Saturday in 
 company with the mail and several otliers: he was on foot, the 
 others on horse-back. He foil rather l)ehind his company and 
 was surprised bv two Indians who had barrassed him through the 
 woods for two days: he got rid of them yesterday, but states that 
 he saw as many as 45 Indians on the large parterres, mounted 
 on horses driving cattle. This season has been very cold and 
 verv wet, has been a vast deal of thunder, rain and heavy wind. 
 At 9 o'clock this evening if 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 besieged by In- 
 dians and British. The Indians attacked our picket guard as 
 they left the garrison this morning, 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 Dixon 
 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 garri- 
 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 18 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. McCime with two others, started in one hour after 
 on the same business. Lieut. Mountjoy came into camp this 
 day from Portage block-house with 18 men. They made their 
 escape ven^ strangelv through the Indians; they were followed 
 for two miles and fired \^]^o^^ by them several times but did no 
 harm. 
 
 Thursday, .Tulv 22d. — 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. Bv 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 s'lould 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 repaiiing the old British 
 fort, but we are not certain of that as yet. It is expected they 
 are as much as fi,000 strong, but not more than 1,000 whites, the 
 rest are different tribes of Indians. Gen. Clay called all the 
 officers together at 10 o'clock Ibis day: ho delivered his senti- 
 ments very fully in res])eci io the siege; also comlmunicated to 
 the officers thai tliere was fo hv no surrender of this garrison to 
 the British and Iheir Indian allies. The Indians are saluting us 
 
91 
 
 with their hell hound yells and rifle shots this evening at 9 o'clock. 
 
 Friday 23rd. — The Indians are at their old business on the 
 right angle of the garrison firing on the men on the picket. We 
 have one man slightly wounded wHliin the garrison and one 
 wounded in the thigh 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 out from the 
 garrison to reconnoitre the 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 miu-li mangled, they saw but four 
 Indians, who fired on our men. The Colonel and party went 
 twice around the fort and 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 heavy 
 fire at our pickets at this time, 2 o'clock. About 300 mounted 
 Indians have passed 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 have 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 morning as yet, but expect to see them as 
 soon as the fog clears off. Aboiit 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 very little at us this day; the Indians are plentv' 
 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 onc<^ and awhile. One 
 of the soldiers shot a buck in the river Ihis day. Our camp is 
 in very good order for defense, our men in fine spirits. There 
 appears to be by the 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. 
 
 Mondav 2fith. — The ciicniy have not troubled us last night 
 or this morning more tliaii usual. Capt. IMcCune and the 
 Frenchmen sent from this camp to sec Gen. Harrison, arrived 
 
92 
 
 here about 7 o'clock with intelligence from the Greneral 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 the garrison, thinking we had a reenforcement coming in 
 and was attacked, and would sally out to their assistance; but 
 we were too well aware of their intention to be taken in by their 
 British and savage intrigue. 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, watching 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 than it did for nearly one hour; 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 wliat 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 the garrison. At 11 o'clock this evening 
 Capt. McCune, one Frenchman and one other man started on 
 express to Lower Sandusky to General Harrison. 
 
 Tuesday 27tli. — 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 tlian from ten to fifteen Indians have 
 been seen this day, and tlicsc ju-incipally on horseback. If they 
 ever attempt to storm this garrison it will be this night, unless 
 they think to stan-e us out, but that will be impossible in two 
 months; we luive ]ilenty of flour, pork and salt to last as long 
 as thev can conveniently stay. The watchword this evening is 
 "Sword." Our men all in higli spirits awaiting the attack. At 
 10 o'clock word passed tlii-ough the garrison thnt two men had 
 
93 
 
 deserted; the watch word changed to "Madison." The suspic- 
 ion was without foundation, there had not anybody left camp. 
 
 Wednesday 38th. — Eighth day of the siege. This morning 
 very pleasant, the enemy very scarce, nothing to be seen or heard 
 of them about our camp. Some few tents, men and horses to 
 be seen down at the old 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 Block-house No. 1 ; tJiose guns put them 
 in quick motion. Gen. Clay sent out two spies, Abbott and 
 ("heeks, this evening to view their camps. Their camps down 
 the river were very large as they reported. 
 
 Thursday 29th. — The spies returned into camp this 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. Martin has not returned with his spies; it is very 
 much feared that he has been cut off by the Indians. The spies 
 report that the Indians had a great number of horses with them 
 by the appearance of the 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 
 much that they have entered a formal complaint against Lieut. 
 Henderson, to have him arrested which will be done this even- 
 ing. The same two spies were sent out to reconnoitre the In- 
 dian eam)[)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 liaised 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 
 intend(Hl to make an assault 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 28th. 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 m.ust liave 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 sirff'er 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 
 fiimp, but about 300 yards from the pickets and in the woods, 
 fired four shots; stjit<' that they saw two Indians. I am inclined 
 to believe that Ihvy were mistaken; by the report of the spies they 
 surely must be. 1 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, conimanded by Captain Daniel 
 dishing; b, motar battery; e, i, o, minor batteries; g, battery command- 
 ed at the second siege by Colonel Gaines; c, magazines. The blaclv 
 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. 
 

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