The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 35

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 35

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Farmers sold their grain, stock and surplus products, to army contracto. at advanced prices; some idea of the business of this kind carried on her through that summer may be had from the advertisements of contractors, one ( whom wanted to buy 3,000 barrels of flour, 600 head of cattle and 400 horse Everything the people had for sale was bought for the army. Another com tractor advertised for flour in barrels, whisky, beef cattle, vinegar and baco to be delivered at Dayton, or any of the block-houses that might be agree upon.

At noon, on Saturday, August 22, the news of Hull's disgraceful surrend reached Dayton, creating consternation and the greatest alarm among the peop for the safety of the frontier settlements. United States Commissioners were the in council with the Indians at-Piqua, and it was feared that the disaster mig] influence all neutral tribes to join the British force and spread their barbaro warfare over Southwestern Ohio. The situation was gloomy. Up to this tin there had been no idea of serious reverse. The surrender occurred on the 16 of August, at a moment when every soldier and officer in the American Arm except the General himself, was ready and anxious for the battle. Gen. Hull ha with him a well-appointed army of 2,500 men of all arms, fully supplied with arm ammunition and provisions. These, with thirty-eight pieces of artillery, lar; quantities of ammunition, a month's supply of provisions at Fort Detroit, az a great quantity of cattle, sheep and horses, and the stores at the River Raisi

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ere surrendered without firing a gun, to Maj. Gen. Brock, of the British Army, ho had but 330 regulars, 400 militia and 600 Indians; his artillery consisted three six-pounders and two three-pounders.

The Ohio troops were released on parole, and landed by the British at dif- rent points along the shore of Lake Erie as far east as Cleveland, and left to id their way across the State to their homes. Hull was afterward tried for eason, cowardice and unofficer-like conduct, found guilty of the last two Larges, sentenced to be shot, but was subsequently pardoned by the President. ull's surrender left the whole Northwestern Territory open to the aggressions the British and their Indian allies. The people of Ohio and Kentucky were oroughly aroused to the danger, and, without delay, began organizing com- nies and regiments. The news reached Dayton August 22. A call was im- ediately issued for every able-bodied man in the county who could procure a 'elock to meet in Dayton the next day, Sunday, ready to march immediately the threatened settlements of the north. By Sunday morning, Capt. James eele had a company of seventy men fully armed and equipped and marched Piqua to protect the government stores there. Mothers, wives and daughters, orked like heroines in preparing the men to go. Extras were issued from the fice of the Ohio Sentinel, at Dayton, giving all information from the front, and 'ging the men to organize for defense. Intense excitement prevailed every- here. On Sunday, five companies of volunteers and two companies of drafted en assembled in town from different parts of the county. Capt. Caldwell, ith a troop of horse from Warren County, rode through here on the way to qua; and Capt. Johnson, with a rifle company from the same county, reported

Camp Meigs. Monday morning, six of the infantry companies were organ- ed into a battalion by the election of Maj. George Adams as their commander. ¿ the afternoon, 341 strong and fully equipped, the battalion marched north. he two companies of drafted men remained at Camp Meigs subject to the or- r of the Governor. The rallying music of the fife and drum resounded rough the brushy streets of Dayton. Monday evening and Tuesday morning veral companies from adjoining counties marched through town on their way rth; on Tuesday, Maj. Jenkinson, with a battalion of 350 men, that had been ised as a re-enforcement to the army, before the news of the fall of Detroit as known, halted at Camp Meigs on their way to the front. A Greene County igade marched under Gen. Benjamin Whiteman. Troops were being organ- ed and rapidly pushed to the front to meet an expected advance of the victor- us enemy.

Capt. Steele's Dayton company, with others, was ordered to St. Mary's; apt. Steele was placed in command of the post, and Private Joseph H. Crane as made Sergeant Major.

The following is a copy of the pay-roll of the company, and from it it will. seen that a detachment must have been away on scouting duty, as there are ily fifty-two names here:

Capt. James Steele, Lieut. George Grove, Ensign James McClain, First ergeant John Folkerth, Second, Ralph Wilson, Third, John Strain, Fourth, ames Henderson, First Corporal, Matthew Patton, Second, Alexander Grimes, hird, George Harris, Fourth, David Henderson; privates, Joseph H. Crane, ohn Deaver, David Brier, John McCabe, John Rowan, Samuel Walton, Joshua reer, George Newcom, John Newcom, Simpson McCarter, George Ward, Wil- am Bay, James Miller, John Lowe, Daniel Sunderland, William Vanosdarl, Tilliam Montgomery, James Petticrew, James McClain, John Holderman, Sam- el King, James Brier, Ira Smith, Abraham Smith, George Wollaston, Lewis ordon, Jeremiah Collins, Jonathan Mayhall, David Riffle, Robert McCleary, William Van Coyk, James Bay, John Enoch, Henry Jennings, William McCor-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

mick, Andrew Robeson, Moses Hatfield, Moses McNair, Alexander Guy, William Fryback, Caleb Worley.

The military roads through Montgomery County were from Cincinnati up through Lebanon and Centerville, and the other through Franklin and Miamis- burg, to Dayton, then up Main street to First, and out that street to the Staun- ton road ford, up to Camp Meigs, across the bottoms, and on up Hull's road to Staunton, where the roads forked to Piqua and Urbana.

The following order placed the organization of troops and the responsibil- ity of the defense upon Gen. Munger, who was in command of the Fifth Bri- gade of the First Division of Ohio Militia:

URBANA, August 5th, 1812

GENERAL MUNGER:

Sir-You will take immediate measures for the defense of the frontier within your command. You will eause block-houses to be created at suitable places. Advise the in- habitants to associate and ereet suitable stations of defense in such way as to accommodate families. The astonishing fate of General Hull's army has exposed the frontier to barbar- ians. I have written by express to the Secretary of War on the subject of defense. I hope soon to see the Kentucky army here, when a regular system of operations will be adopted. In the meantime, you will direet and advise the most judicious eourse.

Your obedient servant, R. J. MEIGS

Gen. Munger promptly marched, with his brigade, to Piqua; directed the removal of the public stores from that point to Dayton, and ordered Capt, Steele's company to advance to St. Mary's, where they built block-houses for the defense of the town. It was then the most advanced post along the frontier line. There was no information from the front; the British had undisputed possession of the lakes from Fort Dearborn (Chicago) to the Niagara; there was no artillery in the West; the Maumee country was occupied by roving bands of Indians. Additional block-houses were built in the neighborhoods in this and Preble Counties.

Gen. W. H. Harrison, then Governor of Indiana Territory, had been appointed by Gov. Scott, of Kentucky, Major General of Kentucky volunteers The General immediately started from Frankfort with an escort of Kentucky cavalry, to take command of the Kentucky militia, then on the march. He overtook them in camp just below Centerville, in this county. Monday after noon, August 31, Col. Samuel Wells, of the United States Army, with three o) four hundred of the Seventeenth Infantry, and Capt. William Garrard, with a troop of horse from Bourbon County, Ky., passed through Dayton, halting over. night out at Camp Meigs. Tuesday morning Gen. Harrison, accompanied by his staff and escort, arrived and halted for a few hours; the citizens of the towi honored him with a salute of eighteen guns. The little iron gun used in firing this salute was stationed under a big oak tree that stood on the east side of Main street, north of the alley between Second and Third streets, the back end of Lot No. 108. While they were firing, a brigade of Kentuckians, 1,800 strong in command of Brig. Gen. John Payne, marched up Main street, halting naar

Second street. The brigade consisted of the following regiments: First Ken tucky Infantry, Lieut. Col. John M. Scott commanding; Fifth Kentucky Infan try, Lieut. Col. William Lewis commanding, and a regiment of Kentucky Rifles Lieut. Col. John Allen commanding. In firing the salute one of the citizen had one hand shot off, and the other badly wounded. In the afternoon the troops marched out to Camp Meigs. The following letter is evidence that the were pleased with their reception by the Dayton people:

STATE OF OHIO, CAMP NEAR DAYTON, September 1, 1872. The commander of the Kentucky Volunteers begs leave to return to the citizens of Dayton the thanks of himself and the army under his eommand, for the tribute of respec paid to them in passing through the town.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

They flatter themselves that in the hour of trial they will not be found unworthy of t; confidenee of their country. They feelingly commiserate with the citizen, who, in jying them that tribute, was maimed in the accidental going-off of the cannon, and they 1g leave to present to him a small sum of money, a voluntary contribution of the officers, tard defraying the expenses of his eure.

By order of the General.

THOMAS SMITH, Secretary.

ASA PAYNE, Aide-de-Camp.

Two regiments of Montgomery County troops were held at Piqua; a battal- in, under Maj. Adams, was sent to St. Mary's. Col. Jerome Holt was ordered 1th his regiment, to Greenville to build a block-house and strong stockade; te station at Loramie's was strengthened and re-enforced. The Governor had vanced the militia to Fort McArthur, and ordered the works there, and at ort Manary and Urbana to be enlarged.

The Indians were threatening an attack upon Fort Wayne, and Gen. Mun- gr had ordered Maj. Adams to march to the relief of that post, when the Gov- (nor and Gen. Harrison arrived at Piqua and decided to send a larger force; a urier was sent to Maj. Adams to hold his battalion at St. Mary's for re-enforce- ents. This address from the Governor and Gen. Harrison's call for troops Il explain the situation and their plans:

ULLOW-CITIZENS OF OHIO :

PIQUA, September 2, 1812.

At a moment like this, I appeal to your valor and patriotism. Maj. General Harrison "Il rendezvous a respectable force of Kentucky volunteers at Dayton on the 15th instant . a short expedition.

Gen. Harrison desires to add to his troops any number of volunteers from the State Ohio, who will serve on the expedition, not exceeding thirty days.

All those who will embrace this favorable opportunity of distinguishing themselves der an able commander, and of rendering to the State of Ohio a valuable service, will, in eir equipment and movements, follow the directions of Gen. Harrison hereto subjoined.

R. J. MEIGS, Governor of Ohio.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED.

Any number of volunteers, mounted, and prepared for active service, to continue for enty-five or thirty days, will be accepted to rendezvous at the town of Dayton, on the g Miami, on the 15th inst.

It is expected that the volunteers will provide themselves with salted provisions and a rtion of biseuits; those who are unable to procure them, will be furnished if possible. lose brave men who may give their country their services on this occasion, may be as- red that an opportunity of distinguishing themselves will be offered.

I shall command the expedition in person, aud the number of troops employed will be equate to the objeet proposed.

I will also hire a number of substantial horses; fifty cents a day will be allowed for eh horse provided with saddle aud bridle.

Those patriotic citizens who are unable to afford personal assistance, will render essen- il serviee to their country by furnishing the horses, which must be delivered in Dayton the 14th inst., to a person who will be authorized to receive and receipt for them.

WM. H. HARRISON.

Headquarters Piqua, Sept. 2, 1812.

HEADQUARTERS PIQUA, 5TH SEPTEMBER, 1812, 4 O'CLOCK A. M. OUNTED VOLUNTEERS:

I requested you in my last address to rendezvous at Dayton on the 15th inst. I have >w a more pressing call for your services! The British and Indians have invaded our untry and are now besieging (perhaps have taken) Fort Wayne. Every frieud to his untry, who is able to do so, will join me, as soon as possible, well mounted, with a good de and twenty or thirty days' provisions. Ammunition will be furnished at Cincinnati d Dayton, and the volunteers will draw provisions (to save their salted meat) at all the iblie deposits. The Quartermasters and Commissaries will see that this order is executed.

WILLIAM H. HARRISON.

A thousand men were ordered from Urbana to St. Mary's, and on Sunday, Sep- mber 6, Gen. Payne's brigade of Kentuckians marched from Piqua to the me point. Maj. Richard M. Johnson arrived in Dayton, on Sunday, with 300

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

mounted Kentucky infantry. They bivouacked on Main street for the night, and rode to Piqua the next day. Gen. Harrison was concentrating his troops at St. Mary's for the expedition to the vicinity of Fort Wayne, and issued this appeal before starting to St. Mary's, on Monday, the 7th:

TO THE PEOPLE OF OHIO:

Fellow Citizens-The situation of onr Northwestern frontiers, exposed as they are to the depredations of the savages, gnided and conducted by their British allies, requires decisive and energetie measures. To carry my views into effect, it is necessary that I should mount on horseback one at least of the regiments of infantry under my command. I have therefore authorized Jesse Hunt and Peyton Short to engage any number of horses not exceeding eight hundred in number, for an expedition which is not expected to exceed twenty-five or thirty days. Each horse is to be provided with a saddle and bridle. The terms are fifty cents a day for each horse and equipments, to be paid for by the United States should they be lost, or should the horses die by any other than a natural death. Au appraisement will take place npon the delivery of the horses, and every pains taken to pre- vent them from being abused. Patriots of the Revolution! yon who are no longer able to give your assistance in the field, will yon withhold from your countrymen the means of coming in contact with the enemy, to retrieve our late misfortunes, and wipe away the dis- grace which onr army have sustained?

I cannot doubt but that every friend to his eountry, who can spare a horse, will aid us on this oceasion.

HEADQUARTERS, PIQUA, 7th Sept., 1812.

WILLIAM H. HARRISON.

The subscribers will attend in Dayton, at the honse of Major David Reid, on the 15th and 16th of this month to receive and receipt for horses.

SEPTEMBER 8, 1812.

JESSE HUNT, PAYTON SHORT.

The paper here urged the people to promptly respond in every possible case to this opportunity afforded the real patriots of the country to step fortb in defense of our soil; that these are the times that try men's souls. A line of distinction would be drawn between the noisy pretender and the real lover of his country; that but a few days before the citizens of this and adjoining coun- ties manifested a promptitude and patriotism honorable to the State, and hopes were expressed that in the emergency they might sustain the character of the community by offering every aid called for; that the army was no longer com- manded by an old woman, and that Gen. Harrison had the confidence of all by showing an ardent devotion to the service, which none would question.

On the 9th, Gen. Harrison, with his army, 4,000 strong, marched from St., Mary's; the distance to Fort Wayne was fifty-five miles, and he was four days on the way. After destroying the Indian villages in that vicinity, he returned, with his forces, to St. Mary's. Maj. Adams' battalion, from Mont- gomery County, who had so patriotically and promptly responded to the call for defense of the frontier, were discharged, and retuned to their homes.

There was no regularly established army hospital in this county at any time during the war, yet many sick and wounded soldiers were cared for, es- pecially in Dayton. Soldiers of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Virginia, were buried in the little pioneer graveyards along the roads through the county. from Franklin and Centerville, north to Vandalia, Staunton and Milton.

In September, 1812, a courier passed through to the north, bearing dis- patches to Gen. Harrison; and his commission as Major General in the United States army; his assignment as commander of all the troops in the Northwest Territory, with orders to retake Detroit.

Sunday, September 13, Brig. Gen. James Winchester and staff stopped for dinner in Dayton, on their way to the headquarters of Gen. Harrison, Wed. nesday, the 16th, Col. Payne's regiment of Kentucky volunteers and several companies of Indiana militia were camped on the commons awaiting orders two other Kentucky regiments were out at Camp Meigs. September 17, Gen. Harrison received his commission and dispatches, and began at once to organize

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

f. the campaign. His troops were new levies, poorly clad, and hastily pushed t.the front, with but scanty supplies of ammunition, equipage and provisions. Is requisitions for ordnance and commissary supplies were promptly filled by t> Government. To furnish the men with warm clothing and blankets, he ad- (essed an appeal to the patriotic people of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, ask- iz for contributions of the needed articles. To the ladies of Dayton and vinity he sent this special appeal:

HEADQUARTERS ST. MARYS. 29th September, 1812.

General Harrison presents his compliments to the ladies of Dayton and its vicinity, and icits their assistance in making shirts for their brave defenders, who compose his army; I'ny of whom are almost destitute of that article, so necessary to their health and com- i.t. The materials will be furnished by the Quartermaster; and the General confidently ects that this opportunity for the display of female patriotism and industry will be «gerly embraced by his fair countrywomen.

WILLIAM H. HARRISON.

In compliance, the ladies of the town and county promptly, and with great thusiasm, made up and forwarded to the army 1,800 shirts, by October 14. le shirts were made of calico furnished by the Indian Department from an- jities withheld from the tribes in arms against the Government. Later in the onth, a large quantity of clothing was taken through here from Paris, Ky., for te Kentucky troops with Gen. Winchester. Indians from the Mississinewa I'ver region were getting very troublesome to settlers of Preble and Darke funties, running off horses and cattle, and murdering any of the people caught ray from the block-houses. Saturday, October 2, two little girls were mur- red within a half mile of the fort at Greenville.

A company of mounted riflemen, for immediate service at Fort Defiance, is raised in Dayton; but in consequence of these Indian troubles to the West, is company, under Maj. George Adams, was ordered to Fort Greenville, and ere stationed at a stockade seven miles north of New Paris, as an outpost of ort Greenville. October 4, Gen. Winchester, with a force consisting of three giments of Kentucky troops, four companies of regulars, a troop of horse, and apt. Ballard's company of spies, arrived at old Fort Defiance from Fort Wayne, id rebuilt the fort. Notice was given that horses, saddles and bridles, taken at Dayton for the Government, would be retained as Government property, id the owners were paid for thiem agreeably to the valuations. The valley was ill of horses that had strayed from the camps and battle-fields to the north. n agent was sent to Dayton to receive all such horses that had been taken up.

Gen. Harrison's plans for the campaign had been carefully considered, and ward the latter part of October were rapidly developing. The army was to Ivance in three columns to the Maumee Rapids. The right wing, which he ould command himself, were being assembled at Upper Sandusky. The cen- r, under Gen. Edward W. Tupper, was to advance from Urbana, by Forts Mc- rthur and Findlay. The left wing, with Gen. Winchester in command, would arch from Fort St. Mary's to Fort Defiance, and on down the Auglaize and [aumee to the rapids, where the army was to be concentrated for the advance gainst Detroit. Leaving Gen. Winchester with his brigade, at Fort Defiance, en. Harrison visited St. Mary's, Urbana, Fort McArthur and Upper Sandusky.

Heavy rains in November precluded any military movements for the winter; le country was inundated and the roads were impassable. The General then rossed to Franklinton, Franklin County, where he established his headquar- ers; here he found that Brig. Gen. Leftwich had arrived, with a brigade of irginia troops, and a train of heavy guns and lighter artillery; this brigade as ordered to Upper Sandusky. The troops at Upper Sandusky were from Pennsylvania and Virginia. Gen. Tupper's command consisted of Ohio, Indi- na and Virginia volunteers; and the left wing was composed of Kentuckians

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

and regulars. Because of the good stage of water, supplies were to be forward- ed by boats, up the Miami River to St. Mary's, across the portage, then down the Auglaize and Maumee, and across the head of the lake and up to Detroit. If colder weather came, then the roads up through Urbana and Fort Findlay would be available. Thus it will be seen that Dayton was on the line of com- munication, and so continued through the war.

The following notice was published to mill-owners on the Great Miami from the Ohio River to Loramie's:

It has become necessary to run boats from the mouth of the Great Miami to Lora mie's, loaded with public property, and it is expected that those who own dams will imme- diately make arrangements for letting the boats pass with expedition and safety, otherwise their dams will be injured. The public boats must pass at all risks.

The only danger to the line of communication seemed to be from threaten- ing Indians out on the Mississinewa River. To guard against this danger, re- serves of Miami Valley militia, were stationed at Dayton, Greenville, St. Mary's and Urbana. Our people would occasionally hear from the Montgomery Coun- ty soldiers, and supplies for their comfort were regularly forwarded, and while there was no county organization among the ladies, as a relief society, yet they gathered supplies for the hospitals, and made and forwarded clothing, proving themselves worthy wives and relatives of the noble pioneers who were at the front battling for homes for them. The noble deeds, the self-sacrifice and the untiring efforts of the pioneer women of the Miami Valley, if recorded, would fill a volume of most thrilling history. Nothing was grudgingly done. The actions of the men were hopefully seconded in all efforts that were made. The experience in the Indian wars enabled the women to act intelligently in their work. In similar cases, in war and peace, the example of these pioneer women has always been a characteristic of those who have followed.

From this time on through the winter, and, until September of the next, year (1813), Government agents were stationed at Dayton to buy all that farm- ers and dealers would sell, of pickled pork, bacon, whisky, corn-meal, flour, tow- linen, cattle, horses and grain; and recruiting offices were open all of the time. Business in the towns was brisk in every branch. Through the almost bottom- less mud roads, supplies were forwarded to Urbana. The greatest difficultics were met in crossing the swollen rivers and creeks by rope ferries. Later in the season, when the ground was frozen and there was some little snow and ice, transportation was easier; but wagons, sleds, teams and teamsters, pack-horses and pack-horsemen were scarce; wagons and horses, sleds and oxen, were hired and bought from the farmers, and the farmer boys, who were too young for serv- ice at the front, were employed to drive them. To induce farmers to send their teams, assurances were given that they would not be pressed into service beyond St. Mary's or Urbana. Three dollars a day was the price paid for sleds and teams that would haul six barrels of flour; or $8 a barrel was paid for flour delivered at Pipua or Urbana; and $10 if delivered at St. Mary's; for whisky delivered at that point, the Government paid 75 cents a gallon. The Govern- ment storehouse. in charge of Foragemaster Col. Robert Patterson, was in Dayton, at the upper end of Main street, near Grimes' tavern.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 35

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214