USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 1 > Part 25
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In a letter received by Mr. MeBride, Joel Collins, in relation to citizens of Butler County who served in the War of 1812. wrote :
" Brigadier John Wingate, with his brigade majer. William Robeson, served tour of six months' duty in the army of the northwestern frontier. Colonel James Mills, with his regiment, assisted in defending Port Meig- daring both the times it was besieged by the querys. Captain John Hamilton was wonneked and Lieutenant Harper was killed in Dudley's defeat at the river Raisin. I saw Colonel Thema- Irwin at Detroit to the Winter of 1814. He had with him at least two companies front Butler County. I regret being unable to recollect tine names of itis captains and other officers. I saw passius through Detroit, in the Summer of 1814, a company of mounted ritlemen from Butler County, under the com- mand of Captain Zachary P. Dewitt, of Oxford Town-hip. They had volunteered to accompany General MeArthur. who that Smiunter made an incursion into the eneng's country with about five hundred monoted volunteers. They met and dispersed some of the advanced parties of the enemy engaged in collecting supplies near the center
THE WAR OF 1812.
, of the province of Upper Canada, at a place called Ram- yours' Mills.
" In making up the officers of the Twenty-sixth Reg- iment of United States Infantry, four lieutenants were selected from Butler County; to wit: Robert Anderson, Alexander Delorac, John Hall, and Anderson Spencer. Lieutenant Anderson was early sent on with the first re- ernits. He volunteered at Lower Sandusky, and served with distinction as an officer of marines in the naval force on Lake Erie. Lientenant Delorae marched with me to Fort Melden in Upper Canada, and did faithful service in that region. He was my messmate, and a most agrecable companion. I understood that the other gentlemen were ordered to the Magara frontier, and re- mained in the service during the war."
Captain JJohn Robinson commanded a company from the neighborhood of Hamilton. He was a large, jovial, good-natured man, who lived after the war about four miles north of Hamilton. The colonel of the regiment was James Mills. The lieutenant of Robinson's company, which was in the First Regiment, Third Brigade, and First Division of Ohio militia, was William Shafor, who survived the war for sixty-five years, at the time of his death being the oldest man in Butler County. He pre- served his muster-rolls, commission, and order-book, and kept a diary for most of the time. It seems to be un- finished. Each of the soldiers received an advance of ten dollars, the ensign of twenty, the lieutenant of thirty, and the captain of forty dollars.
Lieutenant Shafor's diary is as follows :
" February 6, 1813, rendezvoused at Fort Hamilton. Engaged in the United States service for the term of six months in & company of Ohio militia commandeil by Captain John Hamilton, First Regiment, Third Detach- ment, and started the 17th instant for St. Mary's, ar- riving there the 27th. We were then ordered to Fort Logan.
" March 1st, myself and a part of the company were ordered to Fort Wayne, to escort pack-hors s with pro- visions.
" March 7th, arrived there.
"On the 2 4th we returned to St. Mary's. "On the 26th we arrived at Fort Logan.
" April 9th, we were ordered to Amanda, and on the same night started to Fort Jennings, arriving there on the 11th.
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"On the 12th we went to Brown, and on the same night to Defiance, and on the 14th to Camp Meigs.
"On the 27th the enemy made their appearance of the other side of the river, and saluted us with small arms. The compliment was returned with one or two
" The 24th, they came in the same manner.
" On the 29th, in the morning, they crossed the river, Pil saluted us ou every side.
"On the 20th they began to fire on us carly in the
morning, and wounded some slightly and one mortally, who died in a few days.
"On the night of the 30th they began to cannonade.
"May 1st, it was continued all day warmly on both sides, but not much damage done. Two were killed and a few wounded.
"Sunday, May 2d, the British played on us more warmly than the day before. No great damage, was done. Three were killed and a few wounded.
" On the 3d they began early, and kept it up all day very warmly, and killed and wounded more than any day before. A memorandum of the balls and bombs shot by the British on the 3d is said to be five hundred in the day and thirty-three in the night, besides the In- dians shooting all the time all around us, and yelling like wolves night and day.
" May 4th, it began to rain before day, and continued till about eight o'clock, during which time the firing ceased. When the rain stopped, the firing began, and was kept up all day. Not much damage was done. Some were wounded, but it is not known to me how many.
"May 5th, a severe engagement took place on both sides of the river. Colonel Dudley's regiment from Ken- tucky landed on the north side of the river, and advanced down to the British batteries, driving them away aud spiking their cannon, but was by a superior force obliged to retreat. They suffered greatly. Out of the whole regiment there were only one hundred and, Sfty or sixty who came in. The number of prisoners is not yet ascertaineil.
"On the 6th there was a cassation of arms. Harrison sont a flag of truce to get liberty to bury the dead. The British refused to give the privilege noless General Har- rison would give up the fort.
"On the 7th they came over with a flag, and brought at list of names and number of prisoners, which was three Jamilred and fifty. The number of British prisen- ers was forty-two. They were sent lome on parole for thirty days.
"On the 8th our prisoners were sent home on parole during the war. "On the morning of the 9th the British struck their colors and left their batteries.
"On the 10th myself and a part of the company vet- unteered to go out to assist in hunting the dead and buying them on the south side of the river. The nant- ber I do not know.
"On the 11th myself and a part of the company vol- Battered, with a number of Ohio and Kentucky troops, to eres the river to gather the dead. The member found was about forty seven.
June 7th, an express came to Camp Meigs that Queenstown was taken, mon which our boiteeries up. theo! four rounds of cannon as a rejoicing.
".Inne 20th, we got werd that the British were coming to see us again.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
"July 2d, a party of men left Camp Meigs to go to | day at least four hours by companies in the manual ex- Defiance, but were attacked by a party of Indians. Two were found dead; the rest were all missing, except one, who got back to the fort. He said they were all killed and taken prisoners.
"July 19th, Captain Patrick Shaw and his company of Ohio militia of the First Regiment, Third Detachment, marched from Camp Meigs to Portage, there to remain until further orders.
."On the night of the 20th July, 1813, the enemy was discovered at the old fort.
"On the morning of the 25th the hidians attacked the wood-guard, which was sent out at reveille, and killed five or six, and then continued firing on the garrison all day, doing no damage.
" The 23d, there were one hundred regulars, one hun- dred and twenty Ohio militia, and some spies sent out to search the woods for batteries, but found none. There appears to be a great stir among the enemy; but what their intentions are we can't tell.
"On the 26th the enemy began firing about four hundred yards from the garrison, and kept it up twenty minutes or more, which alarmed the garrison very much. Thinking that General Harrison was coming with a re- enforcement and was attacked, officers and meu were very anxious to go to their assistance. General Clay as- sured us that it was a sham to get men out; there were no re-enforcements so soon.
" On the 28th the enemy set sail. From the appear- ance of their craft they were very numerous."
Several of the soldiers died on the march or in en- counter with the foe. Among them were James Harper, May 5, 1813; Samuel Colby, May 21st ; Samuel Cotley, May 21st ; John Byram, May 27th ; Robert Van Vickie, July 2d : Abraham Huffman, July 15th ; John Cain, corporal, July 17th. Others deserted. Among thesc were James Carlisle and John Morton. The property of these men was sold and the proceeds turued over to the relatives, who gave Mr. Shafor receipts. Here are some of the prices that the articles brought:
Blanket, 82.50; pantaloons, 81.15; shirt and panta- loons, $2; hunting shirt, 82; handkerchief, 6}c .; vest, 25e. ; hat, $1.871 ; socks, 50c .: shoce, The. ; knapsack, 25c .; pair of mittens, 31}e. ; flannel shirt, 25e. ; cup and spoon, 31 le. ; fine comb, 18je. ; comb, 18fe. ; roundabout, $3.50; surtout coat, $5: linen pantaloons, 25c. ; woolen pantaloons, 81; belt and kuife, 12le .; overalls, 75c. ; seven twists tobacco, 30c.
Mr. Shafor records in his book the order- received, and other official papers. On the 17th of Jane J. H. Hawkins, acting adjutant, issued an order to the troops by authority of General Green Clay. Colonel Miller was thanked for the ability and thoroughness with which he load discharged his duties. The commandants of the Ohio and Kentucky regiments of militia were instructedl to cause their respective commands to be exercised each
ercise, marking time, facings, wheelings, etc. From opening of the gates until seven o'clock of the morning, bathing and swimming would be allowed, and after this it would not be permitted. Swimming to the opposite shore was positively forbidden. At four o'clock every morning four men from each company were to be permit- ted to pass the sentinels, accompanied by a commissioned officer, to gather fruit and salad, the mou to go out aud return by twelve o'clock. One gill of, whisky would be issued daily to each man returned fit for duty. These returned on the sick list would be furnished at sncb time and in such proportions as the surgeons might deem proper, for which whisky would be lodged with the hos- pital stores. The officers were earnestly recommended la every case to pay the strictest attention to the cleanliness of their maen. Saturday the men were to be permitted to wash their clothes.
On the 24th of June Adjutant Hawkins issued an . order permitting the men to fish.
On the 25th the commanding general made known & letter from the Secretary of War, saying :
" The President has been pleased that I should com- municate to you, and through you to the troops compos- ing the garrison of Fort Meigs, his thanks for the valor and patriotism they displayed in the defense of that post, and particularly to the different corps ermployed in the sorties made on the 5th instant (May .. "
The general adds that he is persuaded the gallant troops which served at Fort Meigs will duly appreciate the approbation of the chief magistrate of their country, and that it will prove a stimulus to future exertions.
The Fourth of July was duly observed. Orders were issael to the troops as follows :
" The general announces to the troops onder his com- mand the return of the day which gave liberty and in- dependence to the United States of America, and orders that a national salute be fired under the superunitetalence of Captains Gratiot and Cushing. All the troops re- ported fit for daty shall receive an extra gill of whisky, and those in confinement and those under sentence, at- tached to this corps, be forthwith released, and ordered to join their respective corps. The generi is indaved to use this leuity alone from the consideration of this ever- memorable day, and flatters himself that in future the soldiers under his command will better appreciate their liberty by a steady adherence to their duty and prompt compliance to the orders of their officers, by which alone they are winthy to enjoy the blessing of that liberty and independence, the valy real legacy left as by our fathers. The court martial now constituted in this camp is hereby dissolved."
It is one of the most ditt adt things in war to keep up the standard of health. Offices, as well as mon, meghal an attention to details which is necessary for that par pose. This difficulty was met at Fort Meigs, Genera!
101
THE WAR. OF. 1812.
Harrison declared that he was mortified that the police of most of the corps was still very deficient. He adds : " Will the officers never learn that attention to the health and comfort of the men is, perhaps, the most im- portant and most honorable of their duties, and that the neglect of this is certain to bring along with it contagion and disease infinitely more destructive than the sword of the enemy? The general assures the officers that future neglects of this kind will not be passed ever. The lives of the soldiers are too precious to be trifled with. The commandants of corps are directed to make an extra sep- arate weekly report to the general, personally, of the state of their commands as regards police, particularly noting those officers who are attentive te and who neglect this sacred duty. The former will be applauded, whilst the latter will be taken from his commands and made to exchange situations with such of the recruiting officers as are now longing for an opportunity to distinguish them- selves."
A reward of eight gills of whisky was shortly after given to the best shot, and four gills to the next best .- This was to encourage marksmanship.
The following is the muster-roll of the company:
MUSTER. ROLL
Of a Company of Infantry Militia under command of Captain John Hamilton, of the Third Detachment of Militia from the State of Ohio, now in the service of the United States, com- mandel by Lieutenant colonel, James Mills, from the sixth day of February, 1813, when firat mastered to continue in service, until the sixth day of fugust, 1813.
Captain-John Hamilton.
Lieutenant-William Shator.
Eusiga-James Harper.
Sergeants -- John Haynes, Adam Stonebreaker, Levi Hall, Ebenezer Budge.
Corporals -- John Shortman, John Miller, John McCloskey, Eli Davis.
Musicians-Joseph Blosom, Abraham Huffman.
PRIVATES.
William Dodd,
Gen. Iseminger, Jr., Joseph Abbot.
John Craig, William Martin, John Thompson,
Jacob Rush,
Robert Jordan. George Russel,
David Squier,
Benoni Goble. Stephen Seudiler,
John Brown, Moses Rush,
Thomas Johnson, Solomon Leffer,
John Brinley,
Thomas Street,
William Street,
John Porter,
William Anthony, Leonard Selby,
Benjamin Wynn,
Ezekiel Vannote,
Benjamin Stone, Philip Muchner, Samnel Robbins, John Bailey,
Joseph Depry, Daniel Clark,
James Barcalow, Joseph Hinche,
Henry Frazer,
Jeremiah Jobacon. James Heaton,
Samuel Coleby,
Jobn Bridgeford, John Bvram, David Donar.
Joseph Powers,
Charles stuart,
Daniel Baker.
Arthur Parks,
John Pierce,
Robert Vansickle, John C. Newhouse. Thomas Wear,
Joseph Frazer, David Conger, Abraham Squies. Everet Vansickle, Christian Stine,
SUBSTITUTES.
A number of the men did not go out, but appointed substitutes. They are as follows:
Benjamin Berry, substitute for L. Hull.
Christopher Kiger, substitute for Joseph Blosom.
Thomas Gregory, substitute for Jacob Rush.
Enoch Galloway, substitute for A. Squier.
William Price, substitute for John Brinley.
John Wells, substitute for shobal Vail. James Wynn, substitute for B. Blew.
John Martin, substitute.for Jeremiah Johnson. L David Viimedge, substitute for John Bridgeford. John Immick, substitute for David Douan.
Jacob Miller, substitute for G. Stonebreaker. Warner Windsor, substitute for G. Iseminger, Jr. Thomas W. Spencer, substitute for William Martin. John McCain, substitute for B. Goble. James Dickey, substitute for L. Leffer.
Samuel Bowles, substitute for William Riddle.
Samuel Chambers, substitute for J. C. Newhouse.
Mark Briney, substitute for D. Congor.
Alexander Fleming. substitute for N. Cartis. Samuel Fleming, substitute for P. Muchner. Robert McCain, substitute for S. Robbins. .
James Heaton was appointed clerk of the regiment February 8, 1813, and Samuel Bayles was appointed adjutant the 11th of February.
The next muster-roll, formerly in possession of Lien- tenant Shafor, is dated May 31st. Upon it appear the names of James Carlisle, Winthrop Emerson, Thomas Spencer, Benjamin Stone, John Wells, and Warder Wynn. Eli Davis was fourth sergeant. Nicholas Bailey first corporal, John Cain third corporal, and John Porter fourth corporal. Christopher Kiger was left sick at Amanda ; John Martin had deserted at Hamilton, Feb- ruary 17th ; Robert Jordan was appointed brigade quar- termaster at St. Mary's, April 7th ; James Heaton was appointed brigade quartermaster at St. Mary's, April ith: Samuel Bayles was appointed adjutant, February 11th ; Benjamin Stone was appointed sergeant-major, February 16th: John Wells was appointed quartermaster's sergeant. February 16th : John Bailey deserted from Fort Lngnu, April Sth ; and James Carlisle died. May 21st, at Camp Meigs. At the time of making out the roll four non-om missioned officers and nineteen privates were present le fer duty ; the lientenant, four non-commissioned officers, and seventeen privates were sick, present ; two privates were sick, absent ; eight were on detached duty and on extra service ; four men had been promoted : the captain was a prisoner ; the ensign was missing ; two had deserted, and two were dead. This made a total of fifty-the .... !_ Hilst eighty one on their original roll. It afterwards app ati that Ensign Harper, who was reported missing, va- deal.
Liretenant Shafor was tried for -looping on his posi. The charge was not substantiated, but the discipline
Philip Hawk,
Cien. Stanebreaker, William Polis, Peter Browne; Nicholas Bailey, William Riddle,
William Robinson, Silas Anderson, Nathan Corbis.
John Hunter,
Henry Thomas,
John Fuster, Nicholas Curtis,
Shobal Vail, Benjamin Blew, John Keller,
102
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
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which prevailed at the time must have been very free and easy.
The charge was sleeping on his post, while officer of guard No. 3, about three o'clock of the night of the 6th of July, 1813, and suffering his men to sleep on their posts also. The court was composed of Captains Shaw, . Hatfield, MeKune, and Engle, Lieutenant Hopkins, aud Ensigns Spence and Culp: judge advocate, Samuel Bayles.
Colonel Anderson, the complainant, was sworn. He tes- tified that on the night of the 6th, after going the grand rounds, between eleven and twelve P. M., going a second time at two o'clock; or thereabout, in passing the block- house where Lieutenant Shafor bad charge of the guard, the sentinel hailed faintly. He then asked the sentinel where the officer of the guard was; receiving answer that he was asleep or sleeping. The sentinel then asked: " Shall I wake him?" and made some attempts to do so. Colonel Anderson told him he need not, but to tell him, after waking, that the officer of the day had been there, and had found him asleep. He saw no one about the guard but what was asleep, excepting the sentinel. He did not see the officer of the guard himself, or if he did see him he did not know him.
Benjamin Stone, the sentinel, said that between two and three o'clock the night of the 6th he hailed the officer of the day, who gave the countersign. Stone then called to the sergeant to parade the guard. The officer of the day said it was not worth while to parade the guard, but tell the officer of the guard that the officer of the day had been there. He called his officer twice, but received no answer.
Question by the Court. " Do you know whether the lieutenant was asleep or not?" Answer. "1 do not. He arose immediately after the officer of the day was gone. There was no noise that could have awakened any person after the colonel went away before the lieutenant rose."
Q. "How' tar were you from the lieutenant when he arose?" A. " About one rod and a half.".
Q. " How far were you from the officer of the day when you hailed him?" A. " About two rods."
Q. "Did, or did not, you hail loud enough for a man to hear, that was not asleep?" A. "I can not tell." (. " Was your hailing Colonel Anderson louder than his answer ?" A. " I think the answer was the loudest."
John Johnson, the sergeant of the guard, heard Col- ouel Anderson tell the sentinel that be need not parade the guard, but tell the officer of the guard that the officer of the day had been there. Sergeant Johnson did not. know whether Lieutenant Shafor was asleep or awake at. the time in question.
John Collins testified that he was on guard that night with Lieutenant Shafor, Atting up nearly all night. Ho lidl not find him asleep at any time. He had heard the questions of the officer of the day, and the hall of the sentinel.
After. deliberation, the court-martial found Lieutenant
Shafor not guilty of the charge, and unanimously ac- quitted him.
Lientenant Shafor's commission read as follows:
COMMISSION
"THOMAS KIRKER, Speaker of the Senate, now acting as Gov- ernor and Commander-in-chief of the State of Ohio, to WILLIAM SHAFOR, EsQ., greeting :
"Ainow you, That from the special trust and count- dence which is reposed in your fidelity, courage, activity, and good conduct, I have, by virtue of the power vested in me, appointed you, the said William Shafor. Mentenani to a company of militia in the second battaliou, first regi- ment, second brigade, first division, Ohio militia, and do. by these presents, commission you accordingly, with all the privileges thereunto appertaining. You are, there- fore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of lieutenant as aforesaid, agrecably to law, and such instruc- tions as you shall from time to time receive from your superior officers and the commander-in-chief.
"Un toitness mbercof, the said THOMAS KIRKER, now acting as Governor and Commander-in-chief of the State of Ohio, bath caused 'the great seal of the State of Ohio' to be hereunto affixed, at Chillicothe, the 19th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, and of the independence of this State the fiftlı.
1
" THOMAS KIRKER. " By the Governor,
" Attest: WILLIAM CREIGHTON, JUN., Secretary of State." This has two indorsements:
"STATE OF OHIO, Butler County .- Before me, Daniel Strickland, justice of the peace, came Williama Shafor, and took the oath of a lieutenant in a company in the second battalion, second brigade, first regiment, and Best division of Ohio militia, and took the oath to support the Constitution of this State and of the United States. " Given under my hand, this 15th day of February, 1813. " DANIEL STRICKLAND, J. P."
The other indorsement is his discharge :
" BUTGER COUNTY, A. - I do hereby certify that I have this day accepted the resignation of William Shator. " Given under my hand, this eighth day of April, 1815. " THOMAS IRWIN, " Cod. Ist Reg't., Od Brigade, Est Division, of Ohio Militin."
In Liberty Hall, a newspaper of Cincinnati, May 13, 1812, we find the following account of Jolm Robinson's company :
"SPIR T OF BUTLER COUNTY.
" Agreeable to general orders, the company who voi- unterred from the third brigade of the first division of Ohio militia, commanded by Captain Jolm Robinson, who have manifested their zeal and attachment to our govern-
103
THE WAR OF 1812.
ment by making a tender of their services in the cause of our country and its rights and privileges, met at Mid- Hetown, in the county of Butler, on Monday, the 27th instant, for the purpose of marching to the general rendezvous at Dayton. On that occasion, and to moni- fest an approbation of the courage and integrity of those brave volunteers, the citizens of Middletown and its vicinity, animated with that spirit which the government, freedom, and privileges of the American people ought always to inspire, came forward and gave a liberal and elegant breakfast to the corps on the morning of the 28th instant, before they proceeded to march. The subscribers, the Rev. Matthew G. Wallace and Mr. William Bigham being present, were invited to partake with the corps. The repast being ended, an appropriate address was de- livered by Mr. Wallace to the corps before they left the table, and concluded with a prayer well adapted to the occasion. The greatest attention and good order prevailed amongst the soldiers and numerous crowds of citizens who attended the scene; after which the volunteers took their station to march, with the greatest spirit and composure; and being impressed with a just sense of the zeal and pa- triotic spirit manifested by the people, and as an acknowl- edgment to those worthy citizens, and the ladies in par- ticular, who contributed such attention and the most ex- treme exertion to accommodate and accomplish such a noble and generous act, the subscribers thought it their duty to communicate the same to the publie prints, as a testimonial of the gratitude we feel toward such generous and noble actions. -
"WILLELM ROBESON, B. M., "THOMAS IRWIN, M., "JOHN WINGATE, B. G. . "MIDDLETOWN, April 28. 1812."
At a respectable meeting of citizens of Fairfield Town- ship, at the house of Mr. Joseph Colby, in Hamilton, on the 4th of July, the following toasts were drunk :
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