WAR OF 1812

(CONTINUED)

On Sunday morning before 7 o'clock a company of seventy men was raised, and under marching orders for Piqua in a few hours, led by Captain James Steele. Before the morrow, seven other companies were raised from the surrounding country, with Captain Caldwell's troop of horse, and Johnston's rifle company-from Warren County, which fatter, in company with Davis' battallion, left on Monday. General Benjamin Whiteman, of Greene County, marched with nearly a full. brigade. By reference to the muster-roll on a subsequent page, in the absence of tangible data, we can see some of the names of those who most, likely participated in this campaign. The governor gave General Munger command at Piqua, and had the stores removed to Dayton. The whole country was thoroughly aroused to a sense of the imminent danger that threatened the frontiers. Troops were rapidly pushed forward to resist the expected attack of the English and Indians, led by the infamous Proctor and Tecumseh in the main, whose scattering bands were infesting the isolated settlements. The excitement was intense. All men capable of bearing arms, were scouting or in the army. The women and children were hud-dled
together in block-houses. Something must be done with the friendly Indians around the agency at      Piqua. About the 20th of June, 1812,  General Harrison held a council with the chiefs of the Delawares,
Shawanoe s, Wyandots, and Senecas, informing them that a crisis had arrived, which required all the tribes who remained neutral, and who were willing to engage in the war, to take a decided stand,
either for the Americans, or against them; that the President desired no false friends, that the proposal
of General Proctor, to exchange the Kentucky militia (his prisoners) for the tribes in our friendship,
indicated that he had received some inti-mation of their willingness to take up the tomahawk against
the Americans; and to give the United States proof of their disposition, they must either remove,
with their families, into the interior, or the warriors must fight with him. To the latter condition, the chiefs and warriors unanimously agreed, saying they had been anx-iously awaitimg an invitation to fight for the
Americans.
Harrison exacted a promise from them to fight as white men, not to slay women and children, old men, or defenseless prisoners, for by their conduct would the British power to restrain Indian ferocity be measured.
The general humorously told them that he had been informed that Proctor had had promised to deliver him (Harrison) intothe hands of Tecumseh, in case he captured him at Fort Meigs, to be treated as that warrior might think proper. "Now," said he, If I can capture Proctor, you shall have him for your prisoner, provided you will agree to treat him as squaw, and put petticoats upon him; for he who would kill a defenseless prisoner must be a coward."
The subject having been brought before the government, authority was given to enlist them, and the sequel proved that the Indians who fought under the American standard were uniformly distinguished for their orderly and humane conduct. Thus was the agency at Piqua relieved of a wearisome burden, and the indolent warriors utilized, who, by their military discipline, proved the contemptible perfidy and cowardice of Proctor.
It is impossible, in this work, to follow General Harrison, through all his campaigns, to Malden, Sandwich, Fort Wayne, Detroit, Fort Meigs, until he practically closes the war by his glorious victory at Thames, followed, July 22, 1814, by a treaty of peace, at Greenville, between the United States, Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoes, Senecas, on the one side, and the Miamis, Weas, and Eel River Indians, and tribes of Pottawatamies, Ottawas, and Kickapoos, by which all these tribes were. to aid the Americans, in case of the continuance of war with England, which, fortunately, was also terminated by the treaty of Ghent, December 24, 1814. Treaties were subsequently made with all the surrounding tribes, except the Sacs, of Rock River, who, under the celebrated Black Hawk, refused to attend the treaty, and acknowledged themselves British subjects, and went to Canada for presents. Thus we observe the germ of the Black Hawk war in 1832, which, being remote, created no serious perturbations in this county. So likewise, with the Mexican war, though participated in by a few of our citizens.
In this connection, we submit the following interview with Hugh Andrew, an aged and highly esteemed citizen of Xenia.
Hull, who surrendered at Detroit, was commander of all the northwestern armies, except a few companies of rangers, quartered in block-houses. Prior to his defeat, he was encamped at Dayton, and I was then a private. I was on duty during a greater portion of the war, but did not engage in any active battle. My company was encamped for some time on the Sandusky River. One night I was detailed for guard duty. Nothing unusual occurred until the dawning of the morning, when I heard the rustling of the thicket, a short distance from my post. Peering through the semi-darkness, I saw a dark object approaching; could not discern its features, but concluded, naturally, that they were those of an Indian. It, came yet a little closer, and stopped. I brought my gun to a level, took aim, and fired. A loud report, and all was silent; and when the smoke had cleared away, I perceived that the object had vanished. Upon being relieved, I went to the spot where I had last seen the Indian (as I supposed); saw spots of blood, by which I tracked him to the rear of the guard-house, thence further, beyond the limits of the camp. Here I discovered the carcass of a hog, that had strayed from some settlement. Thus ended my experience in Indian killing.
The announcement of Hull's surrender reached this section on the Sabbath day, while the people were attending worship. They were panic stricken, as it was considered that we were on the frontier, and liable to be invaded by the British armies without a moment's warning. Simultaneously with the news of the surrender, an order was issued, requesting the First Regiment composed partly of Greene County men to report at Yellow Springs, on the following Monday morning, at 10 o'clock. I was then in my eighteenth year, in the vigor of youth, and mounting my horse, rode to Xenia. Here we equipped ourselves with the necessaries of war, and were on the ground at the appointed time. We did camp duty that night, and on the following day marched to Urbana, where we remained several days. A large concourse of people had been gathered here from all parts of this section; who were ready and willing to answer the country's call. After several days delay, and a protracted discussion, it was decided that a portion of the First Regiment should proceed northward, while all others should return to their homes, and await further orders.
May 1813, Fort Meigs was beseiged by the British and Indians. A call was made for a volunteer regiment of mounted militia. I volunteered, with about seven hundred from this county. We were out a short time, and then ordered to go back to Xenia. On our return, we were met by a call for volunteers, to be stationed at Fort McArthur until the arrival of a drafted company. I volunteered again, and at the expiration of twenty-two days, we were relieved by a company in charge of Captain McClelland.
In the month of August 1813, there was an urgent call for a company of volunteers, to guard a train of provisions, which were being conveyed from Fort McArthur to Fort Finley. Together with fifty-one

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