Marion County, Ohio - Chapter 1: Earlier Wars the Revolutionary War, 1883

Although the war of the Kevolution took place long before Marion County, or even Ohio, was settled, this heading is introduced here to give place to a few notices of Revolutionary soldiers who have lived in this county. It is to be regretted that a complete list is unobtainable.

Frazier Gray. - In the Union Graveyard at Scott Town, there stands a stone over the remains of Frazier Gray, a soldier of the Revolution. He enlisted in the Delaware Continentals, and served as one of the "Blue Hen's Chickens" until the conclusion of the war, without receiving a wound. He returned to Delaware with his disbanded comrades, and re- 'sided there uutil 1839, when he joined his sons, George and Samuel, in this county. He was with his regiment on the Hudson at the time Maj. André was captured, and was one of the soldiers who guarded him while in coafinement, and stood near the gallows when the Major was hung. He related the occurrence, from a soldier's point of view, about as follows:

" André was well and neatly dressed, was polite and: courteous in his manners, never betraying the least emotion, and when on the scaffold he made a beautiful speech, full of loyalty to his King, and denying any intention of acting as a spy. He claimed that, under the circumstances, he ought not to be hung; but if death was inevitable, a soldier's death, by 'shooting, should be ordered. As his last appeal met with no response, he turned to the officer near him, and with smiles on-his face signified his readiness to die in any way for his King and country."

Mr. Gray knew Gen. Washington, and had conversed with him. One 'occasion was this: Mr. Gray, with a few others of the "Blue Hen's Chickens," were out of the lines one day collecting chestnuts. Washington and his Orderly rode near, and the former called Mr. Gray to him. " What are you doing there?" asked the General "Gathering some nuts, sir," replied Mr. Gray, "by permission." "It is right, then," rejoined Washington, "but remember, green chestnuts are very,unwholesome. Be careful and not eat too many, for we cannot spare any Delaware men," and with a regular military salute the General rode away.

Joshua Van Fleet, a Revolutionary soldier, and an early settler of Big Island Township, emigrated to America when twelve years of age, and -when fourteen enlisted in the war, serving the last three years. He was a Representative to the New York Legislature, and was a member of the committee that drafted a bill, which became a law, abolishing ;slavery in that State. He also served as Judge of the County Courts. In 1832, he came 1o Big Island Township, where he died January 8, 1849, aged eighty ous

Johiah Wilcox, father of Hira Wilcox, an early settler in Waldo, was a Colonei in the Revolutionary war, and subsequently brevetted Brigadier General, and was a member of Washington's staff. He had charge of Gen.. Washington's body-guard in the march on Trenton.

Mr. Clark, who settled in Richland Township among the first pioneers, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His son, Israel Clark, was one of the pioneer school teachers of Marion.

From 1811 to 1814, was an exciting war period in this country. There were & few settlers within the present limits of Marion County, especially near the southern boundary and in Big Island Township; but at this distance of time, it is difficult to obtain anything like completeness, either in the catalogue of those of this community who took part in that war, or in the part taken by any citizen. There are but fewrolls now on file at the Adjutant General's office, and from these can be gleaned but little history. Almost every citizen within the limits of the county who was a military subject at that time, was in the service at some time during the war. The chief character from this region was nota resident of Marion County at that time, having located just south but adjoining the Greenville treaty line. We refer to

Capt. William S. Drake, who took a company to Lake Erie. On starting out, they encamped the first night on " Battle Run," about four miles from Marion on the Waldo road. The Captain told some of the men that if there should be an alarm of Indians during the night, they should run to their homes, to protect them, and he likewise ordered them to "sleep upon their arms." The men lay down to rest, and the Captain, desiring to have some fun, slipped out of camp into the woods during the night, fired off his gun and screamed "Indians! Indians!" The confusion in the little camp was tremendous. Some of the men who had not heard all the instructions endeavored to form for a fight, while the others, according to orders, made all possible speed for their homes. Nathaniel Brundige, a well-known pioneer, was one of those who started for his home, not knowing. the true source of the alarm. Supposing that he had been asleep but a few minutes, he took the moon for his guide, but had really slept several hours, and his guide took him from home instead of toward it, and after going about ten miles he came out at Radnor. Drake afterward begged Mr. Brundige's pardon. ;

Capt. Drake, seeing the bad effect of his stratagem, called out to his men that he had raised the alarm in sport, but the barder he yelled the faster the scared men ran. Finally, he rallied the most of his men and proceeded on his march, reaching his destination and rendering good service at Sandusky.

The terror caused by Drake's fleeing men spread all over the settlements. Goods were hastily packed up and the teams driven off at the top of their speed. One family, in their flight to Worthington, lost a little boy, two or three years old, from the wagon, and gave him up as a sacrifice; but be was found, and lived for many years in the western part of Delaware County. The fugitives fled through Delaware, and men were quickly raised to help defend the border against the Indians; but upon arriving at

Capt. William S. Drake was the father of the late Daniel S. Drake. He was a jovial, fun-loving man, and he never dreamed that his little plan for fun would have such serious results.

While Capt. Drake and his men were quarterd at the site selected for Fort Finley, Fort Meigs was besieged by the British and Indians. They could hear the roar of the cannon, and judged a severe battle was taking place. He became very uneasy as to the result, and called for two volunteers to approach the fort and learn the cause of the cannonading. Orderly Sergt. McCalley and James Shafer, the fifer, offered to go. They jumped into a canoe, or "dugout," and descended the river. On arriving within sight of the fort, the British fired on them, but they rowed rapidly along, hoisting a flag of truce, and entered the fort. They carried a letter from Capt. Drake to Gen. Harrison, and desired to return, but were detained because the woods were full of Indians and British. The next day a force was sent out to scour the woods in search of the enemy. McCalley accompanied the force, and was wounded in the ankle and fell; and while expecting to lose his scalp, a mounted Kentuckian rode up and offered his horse, and assisted him to mount. By this means he reached the fort, and lived to return home, and afterward drew a pension of $18 a year as long as he lived.

In the absence of the Captain, his family took shelter at night in Fort Morrow, in what is now the southern part of Waldo Township, on what is known as the old Wyatt farm.

Jacob Walters, father of J. C. Walters, of Scott Township, and Jesse Walker, who used to live about four miles south of Marion, were soldiers in the war of 1812. Mr. Walters died in 1855, and was buried in the cemetery at Sandusky. Mr. Walker died at his home, south of Marion, a number of years agv.

Bénjamin Riley, of Green Camp Township, and Adam Hines, of Backus' command, were also soldiers of 1812. The latter was buried 1n the Underwood Graveyard, in Claridon Township. | William Arnold, formerly of Waldo Township, was on Lake Erie the

William Wolfley was also wounded by the Indians, near Upper Sandusky, and died at Wyatt's tavern. Maj. Daniels, from Chillicothe, was wounded at the same time, but recovered. wi

Jacob Rice, a teamster in the war of 1812, and with Gen. Harrison dur- - ing his campaign, settled in Caledonia, where he was a charter member of the first Masonic Lodge, and died, at the age of ainety-three years, probably the oldest Mason in the State.

Bruce Packard, who lost an arm in the battle of Lundy's Lane, settled in the wilds of this county about 1820, or soon after, cleared a farm and cultivated it--using the ax, plow, hoe, ete., and doing all kinds of farm work, with one hand. He raised a large family.

Soldiers of the war of 1812 whose remains now lie buried in the Marion Cemetery: A. Sorrick, Heman Scott, Maj. George H. Busby, Josiah Copeland, Simon Huggins and Calvin Barnett.

This war took place under the administration of James K. Polk, a Democratic President, at a time when the majority of Marion County's citizens were Whigs, and consequently had but little sympathy for that fight. For that war, the State of Ohio furnished four regiments of infantry, of ten companies each, besides a number of organizations of the cavalry and artillery arms. There were probably sixty or seventy companies in all, but there is only one muster roll on file at the military headquarters of the State. Probably no organized squad went from Marion County. One man ata time volunteered - probably less than a dozen, joining companies raised elsewhere. | i

Robinson Stevens enlisted from this county in the regular army, and at the breaking-out of the Mexican war became a Lieutenant, and served through the war. He now lies buried in Green Camp Cemetery.