Richland County, Ohio - Chapter 29: War of 1812, 1880

War PREPARATIONS IN THE STATE - CONDITION OF THE FRONTIER - HULL's SURRENDER - DISPOSITION OF TROOPS - fErection or Birock-Hovuses - Skerca or GEN. Bearw's LirE - ORGANIZATION OF HIS ARMY - SCABCITY or Suppires - Beatt's Marcu - Camp Covncrt - MeetTIN@ AMONG THE TROOPS - GEN. HARRISON ARRIVES - His Sperco - Gen. Beau's DirFicurtry with GEN. WADsworTH - ARRESTED, CouRT-MARTIALED AND Acquirrrp - His BrigApE Dissanpep - Tue Expepirion or Gen. Crooks and Cou. ANDERSON - THE Sraremenr oF JoHn F. Rick REGARDING THE BATTLE ON LAKE Erie AND DeatH OF TECUMSEH.

' State had been gathering in every diregtion ; | the Governor. Return J. Meigs, and other offifighting trim and get forward supplies, | the news of Hull's surrender, all the militia in There were few. if any. settlers north or west of | block-houses were in existence on this extreme frontier line, where they were most needed. It was not until the surrender of Hull, August 16, 1812, that the pioneers began the erection of block-houses. Hitherto, the people had confidence in this army, feeling it would stand between them and their savage enemies, and' the surrender came like a clap of thunder from a clear sky. Meanwhile, the militia of the preceded him and erected a block-house on the public square ; another block-house was erected . at the same time on the square by Capt. These blockhouses sprang up as if by magic all along the frontier line. One was erected on the Roeky Fork, three miles below Mansfield. at Beam's Mill: another by Samuel Lewis on Clear Fork ; another by James Loudon Priest on Lake Fork. At the same time, or a little before, blockhouses had been erected at Fredericktown and at Clinton. Knox County ; also at Bellville, and one (according to the recollection of Dr. Bushnell) east of Lucas, on the Rocky Fork. near the eastern line of Monroe Township ; Thomas Coulter's cabin, near Perrysville. was converted into a block-house: there was a block-house at Wooster, then a small village, and Capt. Murray. of Gen. Beall's army, was sent to Jeromeville, where he erected a block-house for the protection of the settlers along the Lake and Jerome Forks. Many families. not near enough to get into these block-houses, or preferring to remain nearer their homes, collected together and fortified the strongest of their cabins. There was a good deal of fear and confusion along the frontier. the settlers fearing that the Indian hordes of Tecumseh would soon be upon them. However. in a few days after the cowardly surrender of Hull. the frontier line was fairly protected. On the west end, at Upper Sandusky. was Gen. Harrison, awaiting supplies and re-enforcements ; at Mansfield was Col. Kratzer with several companies of militia and two good block-houses; at Wooster, Gen. Beall was collecting an army. and between - Wooster and Mansfield the different block-houses were rapidly garrisoned by the t*.ops of Beall or Kratzer. The line was very quickly complete, though weak in places. Roads had been cut between these points so that any part of this line could be speedily re-enforced. This was the condition of things in September. 1812.

Early in September. Gen. Reasin Beall began raising a brigade for the protection of the frontier and the assistance of Gen. Harrison. As it is necessary to give pretty fully the particulars of this expedition, a sketch of Gen. Beall's life may be appropriately inserted here.

Reasin Beall was born in Maryland. December 3, 1769; removed with his parents. while yet young, to Washington County, Penn., where they made a permanent settlement. In 1790, the Indians, as an officer in the Quartermaster's department, and was in the action under Col. Hardin, when that officer: was defeated near Fort Wayne, by the Indians under Little Turtle. Beall then returned to his friends in Pennsylvania. and was not in the disastrous campaign of Gen. St. Clair; but, when Wayne took command of the army, and led it to victory over the Miami Indians, he accompanied him in the capacity of Ensign. In this campaign he became intimately acquainted with Captain. afterward General. Harrison, who was on Gen. Wayne's staff. In 1793, he resigned his position in the army and returned to his friends in Pennsylvania, where he was married to Miss Rebecca Johnson. In 1801, he removed with his family, and settled, for a short time. in Steubenville; removing, in the fall of 1803 to New Lisbon. in Columbiana County. He was here when the war of 1812 began. holding the position of Clerk of the Court. He had served long enough in the army to give his mind a military turn, and to render his services desirable by the Government. Soon after his removal to New Lisbon, he was made Colonel of militia, and, a few years afterward, was promoted to Brigadier General, which office he held at the breakingout of the war. When the news of the surrender of Hull reached him. Gen. Beall put himself at the head of his command, and marched to the relief of the settlements in Richland and Wayne Counties. His command was made up of a regiment from Jefferson and Harrison Counties, a regiment from Columbiana, and a small draft from Stark, all of which rendezvoused at Canton, in Stark County, where Gen.

at Canton. Gen. Beall sent forward a few squadrons in detachments, to reconnoiter the country west, afford protection to the trembling settlers, and garrison the newly constructed blockhouses, beginning his march with the main army stores from which supplies could be drawn, nor was it possible to obtain a sufficient quantity of cloth, or a-reasonable number of blankets, to supply the army then in the service with even one-half which the health and comfort of the troops required ; nor had the State any means of meeting the necessities of the troops on short notice. The consequence was that those who were unable to purchase their own necessaries (and most of them were) suffered greatly. To supply the army with rations in a very sparsely settled frontier region, where the inhabitants were few in number and had not enough for themselves, and the commissary department destitute of funds to purchase or transport from a distance, was a matter of the utmost difficulty ; indeed, it presented a barrier almost insurmountable. With all these difficulties, Gen. Beall felt the necessity of pushing forward, his first day's march taking him to the Tuscarawas River, near where Massillon is now located. After halting here a few days, he continued his march into the present county of Wayne, and camped about three weeks on the west side of the town of Wooster. Here he erected a block-house, and was joined by two or three new companies. His camp here was called "Camp Christmas." Here he learned of the Zimmer murder, and dispatched a company of men to that neighborhood. This company returned in a few days, and reported that they were unable to find the Indians who committed the murder.

*One anthority rays, Gen. Beall began organizing his troops about the 25th of September; entther abet he bad arrived a Wooster, with the main body of his army, when the Zimmer and Copus tragedies occurred. As these tragedies occurred early in September, the above date is believed to be correct.

From there, by the most direct route, a road was cut to Jeromeville.. At the latter place, Gen. Beall detached Capt. Murray to occupy the block-house, and at the same time sent forward a party of pioneers, under guard, to cut a road through, to the State road, which had been opened from Zanesville to the mouth of Huron River. This party started west, about 12° north. About three miles from Jeromeville the army camped on a small stream, on what was subsequently known as the Griffin farm. This camp was called " Musser," in honor of Maj. Musser, who commanded one of the regiments. They remained in this camp, in the northern part of Vermillion Township, about two weeks, and it was during their stay here that the "Battle of Cowpens" occurred, referred to in the history of that township.

The pioneers, who had been sent forward, cut the road through the north part of Vermillion and south part of Montgomery, passing two ér three miles east of the present town of Ashland, and through Milton Township, in a northwesterly direction.: This was known many years as " Beall's Trail,' and was used as a common highway by the settlers. Gen. Beall then moved forward, aiming to keep between the enemy and the settlement, and encamped on a small stream near the present site of the village of Olivesburg, within the present limits of Richland County. This was called "Camp Whetstone," owing to the quality of stone found there, which made excellent whetstones. Remaining there about a week, he moved forward to the present site of the Shenandoah ; thence he turned southwest about one and.a half miles, and again went into camp on the bank of a small stream, and on the north and south road, to better enable him to get forward supplies.

ments, his obligations to the settlers and to his country, Gen. Beall halted here for the purpose of holding a council with the judicious men of the State, and, in the mean time, sent out in various directions detached parties of troops to reconnoiter the surrounding country and report occasionally at headquarters. For this reason he named it "Camp Council." It was exceedingly difficult now to procure rations, as the army had advanced into the unsettled part of the country. The troops were compelled to live on half rations, and for a day or two they received only enough to keep soul and body together. This caused a spirit of mutiny to appear among a few of the troops, who quietly began to make preparations to march to their homes. About a week from the time the troops went into camp here, and the evening previous to the morning on which the mutineers above mentioned intended to depart, a stranger suddenly made his appearance from the south on the Huron trail. The sentinel, named Hackethorn, who was stationed on this post, says the stranger was on horseback, and was followed by seven mounted Indians, in Indian file.

After some further parley, Hackethorn called to the next sentry, and in this way conveyed the intelligence to the officer of the guard, who came out and at once addressed the stranger as rison turned to Hackethorn and said, "That's right, young man. Let no one pass without the countersign ; it is the only way to keep 'em at gun's length."

The next morning the troops were ordered to parade in close column at precisely 6 o'clock, which order was promptly obeyed. As they thus stood at "parade rest," some fifty of them appeared with their knapsacks and blankets buckled on, ready to commence their homeward march. At this moment, when a breathless silence pervaded the whole encampment, the

(whose presence was unknown to the troops) stepped from the headquarters tent, and, mounting the trunk of a large tree, which lay within two feet of the front line, addressed the troops as follows: '"Fellow-soldiers, we are called upon to vindicate our rights, to repel the insults, and chastise. the arrogance of a supercilious nation, which has invaded our rights, insulted-our flag, impressed our citizens, and totally disregarded our. remonstrances. It is thus demonstrated, that we must either teach that nation that the progeny of the Revolutionary fathers have not degenerated and become dastards, or tamely submit to the dictation of that haughty people, and be reduced to vassalage. Can a man be found in this brigade who is willing to surrender to the British Government the liberties achieved by the Revolutionary patriots? I trust no such individual can be found in the State or nation.

"TJ have been informed that rebellion against the authority of your General has been threatened, and that the mutiny is to be consummated this morning by the mutineers departing for home. Soldiers, if you go home, what will your neighbors say ? Will they not frown upon you? How will your wives look upon you? They will shut the doors against you. Young men. your sweethearts would scorn you; would call you cowards. No class of people are so immediately interested in defending their country as those in Ohio. The Indians have already commenced their incursions in your State, and already have barbarously murdered several families. Should we all abandon the defense of the State, the British Army could safely march to the Ohio River, and take possession of the State. You are defending your wives and children, your fathers and mothers and your property. It is true you have met with some privations, but, as soon as we can obtain the necessaries required, all crooked things shall be made straight. Your sufferings are light, compared with those of your sires in the war of the Revolution. They were content with such fare as the limited means of the colonies at that time could furnish. They that issued from their bare feet upon the frozen earth. - Fellow-soldiers, cultivate a spirit of subordination, patriotism and courage, and ere enemy shall be refunded with double interest, and ultimately the haughty. British Lion shall be subdued by the talons of the American Eagle." During the delivery of this speech, those troops .who had their knapsacks: and blankets on, began to unbuckle and drop them .to the ground one. by one, and at its conclusion not one appeared in his marching rig, and, from that time forward, until honorably discharged, no better soldiers were found in the army. Soon after the delivery of the address, Gen. Harrison departed from camp to attend to duties 'elsewhere.

Up to this time, the troops of Gen. Beall had not been mustered into the United States seryice, but were serving the State, and the Major General of the division to which they belonged, Wadsworth, claimed the right to control their movements, under the State law. In the exerall,

| march his brigade to his headquarters at Cleveland. This Gen. Beall declined to do, believing it to be his duty to defend the frontiers from Indian raids, and to deter the British Army from marching into the State, left in an exposed condition by the surrender of Hull. No part of the State was more exposed than Richland County, as the murders in the county by the Indians clearly established. Moreover, Wadsworth was an old, superannuated man, who had been brave and efficient in the Revolutionary war, but had outlived his physical and intellectual powers, and was then incompetent to render service to his couytry.

As Gen. Beall remained at Camp Gowmncit several weeks after Wadsworth ordered him to Cleveland, that General dispatched Gen. Perkins with an order to arrest Gen. Beall, and march the brigade to Camp Avery, near the mouth of the Huron River. This order was promptly obeyed, and Gen. Beall, in accordance with the rules of the army, delivered his sword to Perkins, and, two days subsequently, the brigade arrived at Camp Avery. Here a court-martial was ordered for the trial of Gen. Beall, for disobedience of orders. Upon a full hearing of the charges, he was acquitted, and ordered to take his command and re-enforce Gen. Winchester, who was then in the neighborhood of the river Raisin. Marching as far as Lower Sandusky (Fremont), he there received orders to return to Camp Avery and disband his army, which he did, his soldiers returning along the route by which they had advanced, to their homes, the term of their enlistment having expired.

The General himself returned to his home in New Lisbon, and was elected to Congress, serying two terms. In 1814, he was appointed Register of the land office in Wooster, and resigned his seat in Congress to accept that position, removing his family to Wooster in 1815.

private life. He was President of the Whig convention held in Columbus February 22, 1840, and was afterward chosen one of the electors for President and Vice President, and had the honor and pleasure of casting his vote for his old friend, Gen. Harrison. No incident of his life gave him more pleasure. He died at his home in Wooster February 20, 1843.

Before the close of Gen. Beall's expedition, the Governor of Pennsylvania raised and dispatched a force of 2,000 men to the assistance of Gen. Harrison in the West. under command of Gen. Robert Crooks. As this expedition passed through Mansfield on its way to the seat of war, a brief account of it is considered appropriate. Crooks marched his command by way of New Lisbon. Canton and Wooster, following in the track of Gen. Beall, arriving at the latter place about three weeks after Beall left - probably about the 11th or 12th of October. The train of wagons connected with Gen. Crook's brigade numbered, as near as can be remembered, some twenty-five or thirty six-horse teams ; the wagons being covered with canvas and filled with army stores of every description. Halting a day or two at Wooster to repair broken wagons, and allow the jaded teams to rest, the brigade was again put in motion. It reached the block-house at Jeromeyille in one day, where the army crossed the Jerome Fork and turned southwest, leaving the trail of Gen. Beall, and passing up a small stream by what was afterward known as Goudy's mill, and began cutting the path afterward known as the "old Portage road." The pioneers cut the road along aft Indian trail as far as the Quaker springs, the first day, where the brigade halted and encamped for the night. The next day the pioneers continued along the old trail in a southwest direction, cutting a path large enough for the teams to pass. That night the brigade encamped at Greentown. Nearly all the Indian huts had been burned prior to this. and the village was deserted. The next day they crossed the Black Fork, and proceeding southwest a short distance, struck a new blazed road leading to the west. They continued on this road until they reached the cabin of David Hill, on the present site of Lucas. where the brigade again encamped for the night. In the afternoon of the following day, they reached Mansfield, going into camp on. the east side of the public square in the woods. The date of Gen. Crook's arrival here has not been ascertained to a certainty, but it must have been about the 18th or 20th | ot October. He was in camp here about six weeks, awaiting the arrival of quartermaster's stores, under Col. Anderson. During his stay | in Mansfield, his soldiers cleared off considerable land east of the square, and when his camp became quite muddy, he removed his army to, and encamped on, the west side of the square, where he cleared off another piece of ground. . The occupation of Mansfield by Gen. Crook's command is referred to in the chapter on its early history. Crooks received orders to leave Mansfield for Upper Sandusky, and was compelled to march before the arrival of Col. Anderson with his supplies. He probably left Mansfield some time between the 1st and 10th of 'December. On this subject Dr. Hill says: " About the 15th of December, Gen. Crooks was ordered to proceed to Upper Sandusky to assist in fortifying that point." It will be perceived that he is in doubt as to the date, and, in the same paper, a little further along, in speaking of Anderson's march, he says: "On the 12th (December) he reached the village of Mansfield, where they found two block-houses, a tavern and one store. Gen. Crooks had left before the arrival of Col. Anderson." As he speaks positively about this date, it is evident that Crooks must have marched from here before the 12th. Comparing this date with that of other incidents occurring about this time, the evidence is very conclusive that he left early in December. Mr. Henry Newman, still living, and whose father was Gen. Crooks' pilot from here to Upper

Sandusky, thinks that Gen. Crooks must have left; here later in the winter; his impression being that his father did not leave here as early as December, as he did not return until spring, and thinks he could not have been absent from home that length of time. In piloting (Gen. Crooks through to Upper Sandusky, Jacob Newman (the first settler in the county) lost his life; contracting a severe cold on the trip, from the effects of which he died the following June.

Crooks' Quartermaster, Col. James Anderson, could not have been far from Mansfield when Gen. Crooks left. His command was composed of Capt. Gratiot, Engineer of Equipments ; Capt. Paul Anderson, Foragemaster; Capt. Wheaton, Paymaster ; Capt. Johnston and ninety men, and Lieut. Walker, with forty men as a guard. Walker was afterward killed, while out hunting, by an Indian, while the command was encamped at Upper Sandusky.

Anderson's convoy consisted of twenty-five iron cannons, mostly four and six pounders. These, and the balls fitting them, were placed in covered road-wagons, drawn by six horses each. The cannon carriages, twenty-five in number, empty, were each drawn by four horses. The cartridges, canister and other ammunition were in large covered wagons. There were fifty covered road wagons, drawn by six horses each ; they were loaded with general army stores, and one or two of them with specie for paying the troops, this specie being put up in small ironhooped kegs. Thus equipped, Col. Anderson left Allegheny City about the 1st of November, 1812, and followed, as rapidly as possible, the trail of Gen. Crooks' army. About the 11th of November, he reached Canton, where he remained ten days, repairing the wagons, shoeing the horses and gathering provisions. On the 21st, he reached Hahn's Swamp, and was three or four days passing over the same to Wooster, owing to the fact that Beall and Crooks' wagons had cut up the road badly. He left

The teamsters, being volunteers at $20 per month, and their time having expired, desired to return home. Col. Anderson, being ordered to follow Gen. Crooks to Upper Sandusky, offered to pay the teamsters $1 per day to continue with him. These terms were accepted, and each, teamster furhished with a gun, to be kept in the feed-trough for use in case of attack. The command was hardly out of sight of Mansfield when it began to snow, and continued until it was two feet deep. The ground being unfrozen, the heavy wagons cut into the soft | earth, and the horses were unable to draw them. A council was held, and fifteen gun carriages' were sent ahead to break the path. By this and various other means, they made a few miles each day. When a team gave out, it was turned aside and another put in its place. At night, the soldiers were compelled to work two or three hours shoveling off a suitable place to pitch their tents, build fires to cook their food and keep them from freezing. After two weeks of hardship and exposure, the command reached Upper Sandusky on New Year's Day, 1813.

The troubles between the Indians and early settlers, during this war, will be found in another chapter. But few of the heroes of that time are yet living. One by one they drop, like ripened fruit, and are gathered home. Here and there they are yet found, tottering on the verge of the grave, looking always back through the mist of years, and living over again, in memory, the thrilling scenes through which they passed. Thus history repeats itself; fifty years from to-day the survivors of the great rebellion will be looked upon in the same light, and will rehearse to their grandchildren, as these veterans are rehearsing to-day, the story of their exploits.

ninety-one. He participated in seven battles. and was at the bombardment of Fort McHenry. upon which occasion Charles Francis Key. then a prisoner on a British man-of-war. looked "through the dawns early light." and gave to his country the » Star-Spangled Banner."

Another one of these veterans. Mr. John F. Rice. of Shelby. died only a short time ago. and appears to have been the last survivor of Perry's victory on Lake Erie. In 1875. he was interviewed by Hon. 8. &. Bloom. and the following statement. of much historical importance. was printed in the Shelby Times. It is given in Mr. Rice's own words. His mind was then clear. and his body by no means impaired by sickness or disease. No one who knew him has any doubts concerning the correctness of his statements :

"In March. 1813, I volunteered at Lewistown, Penn.. in Capt. Rogers' company. afterward assigned to Col. Green's regiment. rendezvousing at Bellefort, Centre Co.. Penn.

April 22. 1813. and went into camp. Commodore Perry was there at the time. preparing his fleet. He had then only two brigs. the Lawrence and the Niagara, but he had a number of smaller vessels to be used as gunboats. I had voluteered in the land forces; but Commodore Perry, desiring more men for his fleet. came for only one cruise. JI was the only one of the company who then volunteered. I then remained in the fleet only three days. when the cruise was ended, and I returned to camp to inform my comrades how much better T liked the navy than the land service.

" Again volunteers were asked for. when Jacob Tool. Alexander Metlan. Thomas Green. Joseph Ammerman. John Ackerman, and a few others. went with me on board the Scorpion. under command of Capt. Christian Champlin, of Carlisle. Penn.. and. soon after doing so, on

; September 10. 1813, I was present at the battl jof Lake Erie. Two of the above named comrades of mine, Jacob Tool and Alick Metlan. rowed the boat in which Commodore Perry left the Lawrance, and went on board the Niagara ; and these two, I know. were the only men who were in that boat with him, for I saw it with my own eyes. They had been, or were then. members of the crew of the Scorpion. my own vessel, and had been detailed to row a boat. upon a signal being given, and at a moment's warning. to go whersent. The Scorpion. on which I was, escorted them. or rather got between the small boat and the fire of the enemy. to pick up the Commodore. should it become necessary. } "I heard the report of the shot that went crashing through the boat occupied by Com- }modore Perry. I saw him jump up, jerk off | his coat and stuff it into the hole made by the hall. in order to keep out the water, and saw | him. myself. take hold of the oars and assist in { i |

| rowing the boat to the Niagara. When Commodore Perry got on board the Niagara, I heard him ask Capt. Elliott. - why he did not bring the vessel into action?" Capt. Elliott replied. ~that the wind had been against him, and that he had tried hard to do so. but could not." I heard Perry reply to him. * Captain. I am afraid the day is lost! At that moment I heard a man. who. it was said. belonged to Napoleon's army. step up to Commodore Perry and say to him. «Commodore Perry, take my advice. and command this vessel yourself. Try and break through their lines. open fire upon them from both sides of the vessel. then bring up your gun-boats into action. and you will surely win the day." The Commodore immediately issued the orders accordingly, and. almost immediately, gained the victory. The Niagara now sailed directly through the British lines. opened fire upon them from both sides. with fifteen guns on both sides. with a noise that seemed to open earth and water. doing most terrible execution on the enemy's vessels. Each gun-boat had also seyeral cannons, and now these commenced to fire upon the British fleet, and they were soon compelled to strike their colors. Commodore Perry had offered a reward of $500 to the first man who would board the British ship. This reward was won by James Sims, first boarded the Queen Charlotte. and, subsequently, got his prize.

"From Perry's fleet I was soon after again transferred to the land forces under Gen. Harrison. I was in Col. Richard M. Johnson's regiment at the battle of the Thames, fought on October 5, 1813.

"JT was near Col. Johnson when he killed Tecumseh. I saw fhe whole transaction myself. Col. Johnson had been wounded in_ his fore left arm or wrist, and had his bridle rein thrown over the wounded arm, holding it nedr the elbow, when, at that moment, his horse was shot under him and dropped right down, with the Colonel on his back astride of him. Just then I saw Tecumseh rush upon Col. Johnson, with a tomahawk, but the latter rose up, with his feet, as it were, in the stirrups. pulled his pistol from his left holster, and shot Tecumseh on the spot, before my eyes. The latter fell back on his: haunches, rolled oyer dead. and I passed on beside him. I saw he was a large. fine-looking Indian, but I had no time to further

Mr. Rice spoke often of these scenes with enthusiasm, as if they were passing before his mind, and were fresh in his memory. His mind was very good until within a year or so, when he was stricken down with paralysis, from which he neyer recovered. ;

Mr. Rice was a member of the Lutheran Church; for many years one of the principal supporters of the Sheriff congregation. His funeral was attended by the clergy of the town, the band, Light Guards, Artillery, ex-soldiers, public schools and a large concourse of citizens. The procession was formed under the direction of Col. Dempsey, and moved to the M. E. Church, where appropriate services were conducted by the several clergy and choir of the M. EK. Church. Rey. D. Summers read the above history, and preached the sermon from Ley., xix., 32.

After the services at the church, the procession was again formed, and proceded to Oakland Cemetery, where the mortal remains of the old hero were buried with the honors of war. Military organizations, hand and citizens honored themselves by the respect they paid to the memory of the departed.