USA > Ohio > Butler County > Hamilton in Butler County > The centennial anniversary of the city of Hamilton, Ohio, September 17-19, 1891 > Part 14
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DAILY DEMOCRAT BUIILIDNG.
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HAMILTON IN LITERATURE.
BY DR . MILLIKEN.
AMILTON has at no time during the past Century period, been regarded in the light of a literary center-outside of the Schools and Academies, no organized efforts at literary accom- pli-hments have prevailed, unless the ordinary debating and social clubs that now and then sprang up and after an eme- pheral existence disappeared, shall be regarded in that light.
The temporary corruscation produced in this manner can scarcely be said to have a place worthy of notice in comment on qualities of the pioneer literature or in the scholastic incu- bation that is suppposed to precede the birth of a literary spirit in the people.
Whilst it is true that a sufficiency of literary accomplishment has not exis- ted to give the citizens of Hamilton the attributes usually deemed necessary to characterize the existence of a literary guild, it is true that the people who have lived in this community during the past hundred years, have many of them been possesed of considerable literary accomplishments and many of them have had lasting influence upon the minds of the people. Captain John Cleves Symmes author of the Theory of Concentric Spheres-(that is, that the globe is hallow and is inhabitable within)-as an author prepared and published a book on the subject containing much originality of thought, and a great deal of ingenious logic in the advocacy of his unique theory.
James Mc Bride who has been denominated the historian of the Miami Val- ley whilst not a writer of prominence in the production of books was one of the most accurate and painstaking collectors of facts that ever lived in the State. At his death he left collections of facts concerning the prehistoric and current history of the Great Miami Valley that have never received at the hands of the public that recognition to which their merit entitles them. Some portions of his facts have been compiled and published in books, but a vast quantity of valuable material of his collection as yet remain untouched for use of the future historian. He published one book in support of his friend Symme's theory of Concentric Spheres, but the people were not then in a frame of mind to seriously consider the subject and it suffered oblivion, as did the production of Symmes through indifference of the reading public.
William Dean Howells the celebrated author in his boyhood days was a resident with his parents in this city and received a portion of his education in its public schools and obtained a part of his literary training in his father's
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printing and publishing office. The scene of The Boys Home regarded by many as the very best book has been written by him, was laid in Hamilton.
So graphic and picturesque are many of the scenes depicted, that the book in itself on reading it becomes a living reality to our older citizens and causes them as it were, to again live over their own boy-hood days. Whilst Howells cannot be said to be to our Manor born, and it is even true that he had re- moved from our midst before becoming crowned with his literary laurels, we nevertheless hold his brilliant triumph in the world of letters, as shedding at least a gentle ray upon our own literary escutcheon and shall ever hold in proud recollection the fact of his boyhood residence and fellowship with us.
Two young men brothers were born, reared and educated together in Hamil. ton, and upon arriving at the age of manhood together migrated to the Pacific Coast, and there devoted themselves to literary pursuits. The one Theodore Hittell becoming the compiler of the Statutes of the State of California and the author of the valuable law papers. The other John S. Hittell for years being editor of a leading newspaper, then the anthor of an exceedingly valu- able history of that State and as well of many other valuable literary publi- cations of much distinction. Although a long time gone from our midst may we not claim at least a pride in the fact that these distinguished authors were at one time with us and of us.
Another gentleman of recognized ability in the line of literary productions is the Rev. James P. McLean the Archaeologist. He is author of the follow- ing published works "Archeaology of Butler County," "A manual of the An_ tiquity of Man," "Mastadon, Mammoth and Man," "Fingals Cave of Staffa," and has been an extensive contributor to the publications of the Smithsonian Institution. His writings evince much industry and research, and justly have a high standing among readers who appreciate the course of thought conain- ed therein. David Christy early in the present Century resided here and pub- lished a newspaper for some time. He devoted much time to the acquisition of knowledge concerning the Paleontology of South Western Ohio and pub- lished num-rous pamphlets giving the results of his investigations; and he held an important standing amongst the Geologists and Paleotologists of that period. Subsequently Mr. Christy became the author of Cotton is King a mark of much political significance at the time of its publication, and gave to the author much prominence among politicians, especially in the Southern States. Mr. Christy was also the author of other publications of repute in his day. He has been dead many years.
In the line of Poesy Mrs. Jane Cornin, who resided here nearly all her life stood alone among authors, she being the only author of a volume of poems, who ever resided in Hamilton. Many years ago she phblished an unpreten- tious little volume containing some gems of recognized ability and the reading of which gave great pleasure to her intimate associates and pioneer friends, who were the more able to appreciate the genuineness of their worth. She too
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has passed to the beyond, but her memory is still cherished in grateful remem- brance by those of the citizens of Hamilton who knew her exellent qualities of heart.
Among the distinguished temperance Orators and Authors of the present day, few if any have a more exalted standing than our fellow citizen Lou. J. Beauchamp. A printer first, then a newspaper writer, then a temperance lec- turer, and then an author of temperance literature, are the gradations of a young man who is known and highly esteemed from Canada to Texas and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. He has by industry and perseverance acqui- red a position in the front rank of Orators and Authors in his chosen profes- sion. He is yet a young man, with the world before him and it is hoped that his career so auspiciously begun will continue to redound to the great credid of our city.
Another gentleman now a resident of Hamilton who has attained a just di- stinction as an author, is James W. See, the author of the Chardal Letters "The American Machinist," and other publications. His lines of investiga- tion and thought are so characteristic and distinct from the ordinary course of literary performances, as to place him in a category peculiary to himself, and he may properly be termed the usfeul author in literature. His writings relate mainly to the practical affairs of life, and it is remarkable with what vi- vacity he treats of the most abstruse and difficult of details. His writings are a boon to the mechanic and the artisan, and are highly appreciated by the gen- eral reader for their merit as literary productions.
In the form of newspaper writers and authors, Hamilton is not without distinction and has possessed among its citizens many writers who excited much influence. In the limit prescribed for this article it is neither desirable nor practicable to more than mention a few of the names of newspaper editors and writers who have been connected with the press of Hamilton. The fol- lowing names are mentioned as containing only a partial list; John Woods, Lewis D. Campbell, Taylor Webster, W. C. Howells, William R. Kinder, James Barker, D. W. McClung, Miner Milliken, John A. Cockerell now with the New York Herald, Valentine Chase, John C. Lewis, Frank H. Scobey, Stephen Crane, C. M. Campbell. John K. Aydelotte and Frank Whitehead.
MIAMI UNIVERSITY. NEW BUILDING.
VIEW OF GREENWOOD CEMETERY.
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HAMILTON IN THE WARS.
BY HENRY L. MOREY.
AMILTON was a Fort before it was a village. Its location as so often happens, was alike favorable for a fortress and a city. Given a theatre of war in Northwestern Ohio, with a base at Cincinnati, the open gate-way of the Mill Creek Val- ley will make Hamilton an important military station.
FORT HAMILTON.
On Sept. 17th, 1791, a detachment of Gen. St. Clair's army under the command of Col. William Darke, reached the banks of the Miami River near this city, in its march against the hostile Indians. They encamped on the prairie below the city, until the arrival, a day or two afterward, of Gen. St. Clair, who had been detained at Fort Washington ; upon his arrival the site of the fort was selected and the work of erection began. According to the most authentic accounts the fort was located on the river bank, and extended from Market street south to the site of the United Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Court and Water streets. The work was a stockade, whose walls were about one thousand feet long, with bastions, store-houses, magazines and barracks for the officers and men. The magazine was made of squared timbers, and stood near the site of the present United Presbyterian Church. Having served its warlike purpose, it was for many years after the organization of Butler county. used as the county jail. The officer's mess room, which was located near the cor- ner of Front and High Streets, was a commodious frame building, perhaps the most pretentious in the fort. Like the powder magazine, its purpose in war having been served, it was used for some years as the court house, oc- casionally for religious services and other public meeetings.
No unusual incident attended the building of the Fort. On its com- pletion it was named Fort Hamilton, in honor of Alexander Hamilton, the distinguished Secretary of the Treasury.
On the 4th of October 1791, St. Clair, leaving a small force und .r Capt. John Armstrong to garrison the Fort, set out with his little army of 2,300 men, upon his campaign which ended thirty days later in the disaster at Fort Re- covery.
They forded the Miami River at a point a little north of the present junction railroad bridge, and marched over the hills in a northerly direction. The names of the creeks, Two Mile, Four Mile, Seven and Ten Mile, indicate the distance from Fort Hamilton, at which the army crossed each of them.
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Gen. Harmer had warned St. Clair that his defeat was certain; and no wonder. The army had been hastily thrown together. It lacked dicipline, coherency, Commissary and Quartermaster supplies, and indeed all things necessary to efficiency, and so rushed to destruction, Gen. Wayne after- ward required three years to accomplish what Gen. St. Clair undertook in as many months. A few days before the fatal battle, a large body of the militia deserted, and Col. Hamtranck with the best regiment, was sent back to pro- tect the supplies from being plundered.
The army reduced to 1300 men was attacked at daylight Nov. 4, 1791, and before 10 o'clock, a slaughter rarely equaled took place.
Thirty-eight commissioned officers were killed on the battlefield and thirty-one were wounded, and five hundred and ninety-three private soldiers and non-commissioned officers were killed, and two hundred and fourteen wounded. Among the officers killed was Gen. Richard Butler, in whose honor Butler county is named. On November 6th, 1791, Gen. St. Clair re- entered Fort Hamilton with the remnant of his army, and on the 8th day of the same month, they marched to Fort Washington, at Cincinnati. The ad- vance from Ft. Hamilton required thirty days, the retreat was accomplished in two days.
Until the spring of 1793, Ft. Hamilton remained under the command of Capt. Jno. Armstrong of the regular army of the United States. He had served under Gen. Josiah Harmar, in 1790, in his expedition against the Northwestern Indians. He had proved himself in that service to possess great courage, endurance and resources. He seems also to have been un- usually systematic and careful. He kept a diary during the campaign, which has afforded valuable historical material for later writers.
On the 7th of October 1793, Gen. Wayne began his march from Cincin- nati, and on the next day reached Ft. Hamilton. Fully warned by the failures of Harmer and St. Clair, Gen. Wayne had made the most complete arrange- ments for a vigorous and conclusive campaign. He would accept no short enlistments, and refused to move until his Commissary and Quartermaster's department had been made completely efficient. His troops had already been drilled for more than a year in all the evolutions necessary for Indian warfare. During the autumn and winter of 92-93. they had been in camp at Legionville, 19 miles below Pittsburg ; and the summer and early autumn of '93 had been spent in the neighborhood of Cincinnati. Nothing had been omitted to give the highest efficiency to his famous legion, and every move- ment was made by him with a deliberation and care, which indicated that he had come to stay. On the 9th of October he moved from Ft. Hamilton, but proceeded by a different route from that of St. Clair. He crossed the Miami river above the town of Hamilton, and for the most part followed the valley of the Seven Mile Creek to Eaton. It was not until the 20th of the following August, that he fought the decisive battle of "Fallen Timbers," which broke the Indian confederacy, and secured to the United States the undisputed
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possession of the northwestern frontier. A year later, namely August 3d, 1795, a treaty was made at Greenville which terminated forever the most formidable Indian conspiracy that has ever confronted the United States.
From this period forward, the military use of Fort Hamilton ceased, and the Fort was abandoned.
Capt. John Armstrong was succeeded in command by Major Michael Rudolph. He seems to have been a harsh and severe commander, and has an unfavorable report in the history and tradition of those times. Among other things he [is remembered for causing the execution of three deserters, whose pardon had been issued by Gen. Wilkinson, but had not been received at the Fort. It was felt that he had eagerly hastened the executions, in or- der to arrest the tendency to desert, which has always manifested itself so strongly in the army upon our frontiers. It is even said that he choosed to resign rather than stand his trial before a court-martial. Tradition has it that he returned to Virginia, and that subsequently he was captured and hanged by Algerine pirates. Between the defeat of St. Clair and the ad- vance of Wayne's army, there were occasional murders by the Indians in the neighborhood of Fort Hamilton, but nothing that could be dignified with the name of a battle. On the 17th of December 1794, only five months after the victory of Gen. Wayne, the town of Hamilton was laid out and opened for settlers.
Upon the advance of Wayne's army in 1793, Major Johnathan Cass, the father of the distinguished statesman and orator of Michigan, Gen. Lewis Cass, was placed in command of the Fort, and so far as is known he so con- tinued until the fort was abandoned. Many of the soldiers of the armies of St. Clair and Wayne, and of those who were employed in connection with the armies, settled in Hamilton and vicinity and formed an important element of the early society. Among these a few were so conspicuous as to merit notice in this brief history.
John Riley had been a soldier in the war of the revolution, and, when a mere boy, had participated in the battles of Guilford Court House, Camden and Eutaw Springs. He was a teacher in Columbia, now part of Cincinnati, but was one of the volunteer force that went to the scene of St. Clair's defeat in January 1792, to bury the dead,-that were abandoned upon the battle field. The weather was intensely cold and deep snow lay on the ground, so that the work was imperfectly done. In 1803 Mr. Reily settled in Hamilton, where he lived until his death in 1850. He filled numerous positions of pub- lic trust, and is remembered for his strong individuality, his high sense of honor, and his fidelity to every engagement and obligation. In these re- spects no man in the county has ever excelled him.
Brice Virgin who was Captain of the volunteer company formed at North Bend for burying the dead at Ft. Recovery, settled at Princeton in this county, and spent his life there.
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Thomas Irwin who was a soldier in Gen. Harmer's expedition of 1790, and also in St. Clair's army, afterward settled in Middletown where he died in the year 1847. He was also a soldier in the war of 1812.
Joel Collins who served in the Indian wars and served as Captain in the army against Great Britain in 1812-14, settled at Oxford, where he died in the year 1860, at a very advanced age, after an honorable and useful life.
Isaac Paxton was a soldier of Gen. Wayne's army, serving three years, and afterward lived in Hamilton where he died in 1861. The brothers, Rob- ert and Wm. McClellan, were typical pioneers ; and Robert especially lived a life of continuous adventure and danger. He was one of the famous scouts of Gen. Wayne, and one of the party of Lewis and Clark, that crossed the Rocky Mountains in 1804. He never seems to have settled anywhere. until age and infirmity compelled him to ceace his roving and adventurous career. His adventures form one of the romances of frontier life. He is perhaps the most striking figure in the lives of the Pioneers by McDonald and McBride, and he has been immortalized by Washington Irving. William McClellan settled at Hamilton, and for eight years was Sheriff of Butler county, where he died in the year 1827.
Brigadier John Wingate died near Symmes Corner in the year 1851. He came to the western country with Gen. Wayne's army, took a brave and conspicuous part in the battle of Fallen Timbers, and after the treaty of Greenville returned to Fort Hamilton and settled there. He served in the war of 1812 against Great Britain.
Matthew Hueston and John Sutherland were both connected with the Commissary Department of Wayne's army. After the close of the Indian wars, they both became citizens of Butler county, where they spent the re- mainder of their lives.
The following list of names of soldiers buried in Greenwood cemetery is taken from the history of Butler county :
Soldiers of the Revolution and Indian Wars-Isaac Hammond was in the battle of Brandywine.
John Reily-Eutaw Springs, Camden and Guilford Court House.
Pierson Sayre, John Wingate .- Revolution and Indian Wars.
Joseph McMaken, Isaac Hull, William McClellan, and John Sutherland, -Indian Wars.
Soldiers of 1812-Robt. Rosencrans, Jacob Garver, John G. Rosebone, John P. Reynolds, John Pierce, Thomas Stone, Isaac Falconer, John Caldwell, Matthew Hueston, Capt. John Cleves Symmes, Capt. Abner Torbert, Dr. Dan'l Millikin, Wm. H. Wilcox, Vincent Cohee, William Clements, John Freeman, John Byers, Edward Brown, William Dye, Alexander Delorac, Alexander Smiley, John Vinnedge, Samuel Millikin, Wilkins Warwick, Thomas Sinnard, Dr. Jacob Lewis, N. S. Smith, F. Perry, Robert Clements John Woods, Isaiah Vale, Isaac Paxton, William Shirley,"John Crane, James
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B. Thomas, Frederic Devou, Major James Patchell.
THE MEXICAN WAR.
Two companies were formed at Hamilton to answer to the call of Presi- dent Polk upon the state of Ohio, for three regiments, as its quota in the war with Mexico. Appeals for volunteers were made at a public meeting, and in one day a company was enrolled, and went into camp in the sycamore grove, which then skirted the river below the present Junction Railroad.
John B. Weller who had served in Congress from 1839 to 1845 was chosen Captain. James George who became Colonel of the 2nd Minnesota in the war of the Rebellion was chosen First Lieutenant, and Oliver Weatherby Second Lieutenant. They went direct by the canal to Camp Washington, and were attached to the First Ohio Regiment, as Company I. In the organization of this regiment, Captain Weller was made Lieutenant Colonel. First Lieut. George was advanced to Captain, and Second Lieu- tenant Weatherby to First Lieutenant ; William Wilson was elected Second, and Johnathan Richmond, Third Lieutenant. Ferdinand VanDeveer, who became a Brigadier General in the war of the Rebellion now the Judge of our Common Pleas Court, was appointed Orderly Sergeant.
The following observation is found in a local history.
"Company I contained about thirteen young lawyers of this city and it was said by a local wag, that during their absence, Hamilton was more peaceable than it had ever been before."
Upon its organization and equipment, the First Regiment was ordered to New Orleans. Here it encamped on the field where the British were de- feated by Gen. Jackson in 1815. From there they embarked for the hostile shores of Mexico, and landed at Brazos Santiago at the mouth of the Rio Grande.
From there they joined Gen. Taylor, on the march to Monterey. Lieu- tenant Wetherby having resigned,Sergeant Van Deveer was chosen to fill the vacancy.
This company participated in the battle of Monterey, Sept. 19, 20, and 2Ist, 1846. Captain George was wounded in this battle and resigned, and Lieut. VanDeveer was elected to his place, and commanded the company during the remainder of its service. A dozen members of Company I were wounded at the battle of Monterey, and three, John Pearson, Oscar Brehme and Samuel Freeman were killed, and their bodies now rest in one grave in Greenwood Cemetery.
This Company, known as "Butler Boys No. 1," at the expiration of its service, was received with every manifestation of joy by the people at home.
Its only survivor is its distinguished Commander General and Judge Ferdinand VanDeveer,-Col. Weller died in New Orleans in 1878.
Another Hamilton Company for the Mexican War, known as Butler Boys No. 2 was recruited by Capt. Wm. P. Young, and attached to the
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Fourth Regiment, commanded by Col Brough, brother of John Brough, who was Governor of Ohio during the War of the Rebellion. Capt Young be. came Major of the Regiment on its organization. They went by river to New Orleans and thence to Metamoras, and Vera Cruz, and took an honor- able part in the war. On their return home at the end of their service, they were welcomed with demonstrations of joy in the various localities from which they had enlisted.
The following soldiers of the Mexican War were buried in Greenwood Cemetery at Hamilton :
Daniel McCleary, William D. Young, Joseph H. Garrison, William H. Sinnard, William H. Wilson. James Lenahan is buried in the Catholic Cemetery below Hamilton. John Holloway, Oscar Boehme, J. S. Freeman, John Pearson. The last three named in one grave. John G. Denzer, James Moore, Cicero Birch, John L. Wilkins, Peter Leflar, James B. Milli- kin.
When the assault on Ft. Sumpter was announced, the people of Hamil- ton, without distinction of party responded with a zeal and unanimity that placed them in harmony with the loyal states. Upon the receipt of the President's proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers, a meeting was held, speeches made, and resolutions adopted, expressive of serious and determined patriotism.
Two regiments were recruited and organized at Hamilton : the Thirty- fifth and sixty-ninth, and a large number of detachments went out into other regiments, or performed independent service. The first company organized was the Jackson Guards, under Capt. J. B. Bruck, which was attached as Company K. to the First Ohio Regiment, and which was organized as early as April 18th, 1861. The Hamilton Guards was organized by Capt. Ross- man and went to Columbus on the 21st, and became Company F. 3d. O. V. I. The University Rifles, composed mostly of students of Miami University, enlisted for three months, and commanded by Capt. Ozro J. Dodds, were en- camped on the Fair Grounds at Hamilton for a short time before going to the front.
The Butler pioneers under Capt. Wm. Smith, and an Infantry Com- pany under Capt. Humback, and the Hamilton Rifles under Capt. W. H. Miller, were rapidly recruited, and accepted in the United States service. About forty German citizens of Hamilton became members of Company B. 9th Ohio Regiment at Camp Harrison. A cavalry company was recruited at Hamilton by Minon Millikin, who afterwards became Colonel of the Ist Ohio Vol. Cavalry, and an Infantry Company by Capt. John I. Earhart. An organization was formed of young men from fifteen to nineteen years old, konwn as the Young Guard. A Military Company was formed by W. H. H. Russell and others which drilled at Jacob's Hall.
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