WAR OF 1812.

 

I answered the call. The train consisted of pack-horses, loaded with bacon, to insure the safe delivery of which it was necessary to provide a strong. guard. The service was performed successfully, and the company then voted to join a detachment near Upper Sandusky. Upon our, arrival, it was whispered that the .camp was surrounded by Indians. At night the fires were put out, the sentry brought in, and arrangements made to march to an open plain, where we could more successfully defend ourselves, which place was reached in safety. We waded the river, and took possession of Fort Wall, then unoccupied. On the following day we marched to Upper Sandusky.
   During the battle at Lower Sandusky, our forces were commanded by General Corwin. He took possession of the fort, but was ordered by General Harrison to evacuate the same. Harrison was well aware that the enemy far exceeded the American forces in point of numbers, and concluded that the latter must withdraw at once, to avoid overwhelming defeat. Corwin was loth to leave behind him the provisions and equipments, and disobeyed orders. Under his direction, a number of men were detailed to strengthen the fort, and dig a trench around the same. On top of the wall was placed a .huge cannon, charged with log chains. When the British began to storm the fort, they descended to the ditch,. Here they were charged upon, and slain by the hundreds, and ere long, beat a hasty retreat, leaving behind them a number of prisoners. For his gallantry, Corwin was promoted on the spot, and remained in the regular service until the commencement of the civil war, at which time he died at New Orleans.
   I was again drafted, in 1814, but participated in no battles, and was discharged on the 5th of April.
Mr. James Scott, an. old citizen of this county, still living, while in Pennsylvania took an active part in the war of 1812. He was a member of one of the companies composing a brigade of soldiers, which left Pennsylvania, and started to the scene of action in which Hull and his forces were then engaged, On arriving at Pittsburg, they learned of Hull's surrender, and were ordered to Erie, where Perry was then engaged in building his fleet. At Pittsburg they were first furnished with tents, and other equipments necessary for their comfort; having been obliged to sleep in the open air, sheds, pig-pens, or wherever they could find a place of shelter, until this time. They remained at Erie for a short time, and were then orderedto Buffalo. Here they were detained until late in the spring.
   It is related of Captain Robert McClelland, that while he was in command of Fort McArthur, on one occasion one of his men left the fort a short distance, to peel some elm bark, and while so engaged, was shot twice through the body by two Indians, concealed near by, the report of whose guns was so nearly simultaneous that but one sound was heard. Upon receiving the shots, he uttered an agonizing scream, and ran at the top of his speed for the fort, but fell before he reached the gates. The alarm instantly aroused the entire garrison, as it was supposed this was the signal for a momentarily expected general attack. So far from closing the gates, and standing upon the defensive, however, the brave but reckless McClelland seized his rifle, and calling upon his comrades to follow, which was almost unheeded, rushed to the supposed place of ambush, and scoured the vicinity in every direction; but the wily foe had effected a silent and instantaneous retreat.

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