The Ohio Militia passes through Franklinton and Delaware, July 1813

With his characteristic promptitude, Governor Meigs on receiving General Harrison's requisition, at once called out, en masse, the two divisions of militia nearest that part of the frontier, with orders to march immediately to the relief of Fort Meigs...

Mr. Williams was at the time Clerk of the Chillicothe Regiment--a military officer then in existence, in the regimental staff of the Ohio Militia, with the rank of lieutenant. Instead of the privations and hardships which he endured in the campaign of the previous year (1812, with Captain Brush), Mr. Williams had now every thing that could contribute to his comfort and ease. As a regimental staff officer, he was well mounted, and was entitled to, and received transportation for his baggage-trunk, forage for his horse, two daily rations of provisions; and was a member of the Colonel's "mess," and quartered in his large marquee; and, withal, was exempt from all military and camp duty. His office was to prepare and record the regimental orders issued by the Colonel, and to record and file all brigade and general orders received by the Colonel from his superior officers.

Williams' letters provided a glimpse at the progress of the march through central Ohio:

Franklinton, July 21, 1813

 We reached this place about six o'clock this evening. The Governor and suite met and escorted our regiment into and through town, and then reviewed it, expressing himself highly pleased with its martial appearance. In the evening he visited us at our marquee, and engaged to breakfast with us tomorrow morning. General Manary's brigade--twelve hundred and fifty strong--arrived here this morning, and is encamped near us. Several regiments have already gone on to Sandusky. General Lucas, with the remainder of our brigade, from Portsmouth, will join us tomorrow. Dispatches have just arrived to the Governor from General Harrison, who is still at Seneca, nine miles above Lower Sandusky, awaiting our arrival. The enemy is still before Fort Meigs, entrenching themselves. 

While at Franklinton, a dispatch arrived from General Harrison urging Governor Meigs to hurry to the front:

 Headquarters, Seneca Town,

2nd August 1813.

Dear Sir:

The enemy have been, since last evening, before Lower Sandusky, and are battering it with all their might. Come, on my friend, as quickly as possible, that we may relieve the brave fellows who are defending it. I had ordered it to be abandoned. The order was not obeyed.

 I know it will be defended to the last extremity; for earth does not hold a set of finer fellows than Croghan and his officers. I shall expect you tomorrow certainly. 

Yours etc.

Wm. H. Harrison 

By the time the Governor's forces, estimated at 10,000 men, had reached Delaware Ohio, word reached him that the British had been defeated at Fort Meigs and Lower Sandusky (Fort Stephenson), and had pulled back. Nevertheless he determined to continue on to Upper Sandusky and establish a large camp there. In 1813, Delaware was a tiny settlement, already known for its sulfur spring on the site of the modern Ohio Wesleyan University.

Delaware was at this time a very small village. The only public house in it was kept by Major Byxbe, near the center of town, in a small brick house, very poorly fitted up, and which, we were lately informed, has recently been pulled down (in 1854). The large and celebrated sulphur spring here was then in its original state of nature. Across the morass lying between it and Byxbe's tavern the Major had constructed a footbridge, consisting of a single line of slabs set end to end, and standing on wooden legs driven into auger-holes, and having a rough hand-rail at the side.