The Pittsburgh Blues offer their Services, 1812

James R. Butler was the son of General Richard Butler, who was killed at the Battle of the Wabash (also known as St. Clair's Defeat) at Fort Recovery Ohio in 1791. Supposedly, the elder Butler fathered a child with the female Shawnee Chief Nonhelema (d. 1786), named Captain Butler or Tamanatha. (Since the two people were so different in age, this may or may not have been exactly true). Tamanatha fought against his father during the battle. At any rate, since the Pittsburg Blues fought with distinction against Indians during the 1812-13 campaign, one wonders if the half-brothers ever faced off against each other--or if Tamanatha fought for the American side this time. More research is needed.

A Thousand Muskets Shipped, 1812

Lt. Hezekiah Johnson was listed as 1st Lieutenant in the 1st US Regiment of Infantry. He served as the quartermaster at Fort Fayette or Lafayette in Pittsburgh, which supplied all army posts and detachments west of the Alleghenies. He is probably best known in 1812 reenactor circles as the author of the "Fort Fayette Freight Book, a record of shipments sent via the Ohio River by keelboat.  He was promoted to Captain early in 1813, disbanded in June 1815 and reinstated as a quartermaster general in 1818. In 1821 he was disbanded again, and employed as a military storekeeper from 1821 until his death in 1837.

General William Hull to Secretary of War Doctor William Eustis, June 1812

Staunton, 3rd June 1812.

Sir

I arrived with the army, at this place, yesterday. The waters of the Miami are now so low, that it is impossible for the boats to ascend with the provisions and stores, to Lorimier.   They have stopped six miles above this. I have consulted this morning with the commanding officers of regiments, and they are clearly of the opinion, that we shall arrive at the foot of the rapids several days sooner by taking the route of Urbanna, than the one originally contemplated. Another consideration has influenced me on the subject: in the event of war with England, we must depend on the state of Ohio for supplies for this army. The route we have now adopted is the one made use of at present for the transportation of provisions to Detroit, and in marching thro' the army will repair the road. It is the safest, nearest, and most contiguous to the productive part of the state.

 I have heard nothing from A. Porter, Esqr. the contractor. Had I not contracted with Piatt and co., the army would have been without provisions. 

 I am happy to inform you that I have received reports already from five or six Indian villages (since my speech was communicated) more favorable than I had reason to expect. The chiefs are now on their way to visit us, and the frontiers have already become tranquil. I have not heard, but presume, that the 4th Regt. and Hugh's Company have arrived at Cincinnati-- this unfortunate delay has been attended with one advantage: the discipline of the army-- I am happy as yet in my command-- the most perfect harmony prevails, and the army is improving in discipline.

I am very respectfully your Obt. Servt.

Hull 

 

 

From Letters to the Secretary of War vol. 49. Probably transcribed by Richard Knopf in the 1950s and published by the Anthony Wayne Parkway Board.

"Our boats were dropping fast..." The Skirmish of Frenchman's Creek, 1812.

I've been reading through the Naval Historical Center's The Naval War of 1812: A Documentary History, Volume I-and found this interesting report of an amphibious landing over the Niagara River at Black Rock on November 28, 1812. To Canadians, this American tactical victory became known as the Battle of Frenchman's Creek, but to Americans it was simply called the affair at Black Rock and became largely forgotten, especially as the events of the next two years of the war would overshadow it. Here are some interesting excerpts from the report of Lieutenant Samuel Angus, USN in charge of the Navy detachment involved in the landing and subsequent battle.

Winter at Occupied Fort Malden, 1814

From the diary of Orderly Sergeant Ennis Duncan, a Kentucky militiaman stationed at Fort Malden in 1814:

December 2 Detachment Orders:

 Mr Spencer is detailed to do the duties of Post Master for the Regt of Ky Militia stationed at this fort. Persons wishing to send for letters from the Detroit Post Office will furnish Mr. Spencer with a list of their names-- at Mr Spencer's quarters there will be a small box in which letters are to be deposited. On the return of the mail a list of the letters in the office will be posted and no one are to apply to the office unless he sees his name on the posted list. Application to go to Detroit to search the post office of that place will therefore be useless in future.

Signed C. Gratiot Col. Comdt.

....

 December 15 A pleasant day. This evening when we were drawing rations the commissary Blair would issue no salt which caused some words between him and me. Said his word was law here and he would give no salt because the beef was a little salted which raised my temper so high that I expected he would lodge a complaint against me for telling him some little of what I and some more thought of him but he did not. A rainy night. Also some little thaw took away some of the snow. Very high wind which blew down several of the tents and tore some pretty much. Parole: "French" Countersign: "Scotch" Watchword "Irish"

 December 16th A windy day. This evening Edward Wilson of Captain Whaly's Company got 9 slaps with the paddle on the lower end of his heck bone for stealing and corporal Loyd of the Artillery got 6 slaps for leaving his post while on guard. Also reduced to the ranks. Parole: "Man" Csign "Woman" Wword "Child".

"This day no less than seven of our brave soldiers was buried": In the Garrison at Detroit, 1813.

From the Diary of Captain Stanton Sholes, 2nd Regiment of Artillery: 1813--

Sunday Decr. 12th Commenced with a clear and a cold morning, and so continued through the day, this morning I reced a note from the General (Brig. General Lewis Cass) to this affect-- Capt. Sholes you will give orders to the sentry at the (fort?), to take into custody any soldier bringing into the fort any poles or rails. If they bring anything except wood really cut for them, they must be apprehended & shall be punished. L. Cass. 

This day agreeable to the General's order, the whole of the troops that was of duty & well attended church. At eleven o'clock, at the brick store where we had a very excellent discourse delivered, we then marched off in good orders to their several quarters. --So ends this day--

Monday Decr. 13th Commences with a fine cold morning-- Died this morning of a long and lingering complaint Leut. Col. Robert Morrison of the 27th Regt. Infantry-- In this noble young officer his country has lost, one who was possessed of the most amiable qualities that this country can boast of. He was brave, cool and deliberate, he was kind and humane, his attachment to his country and its cause is seldom exceeded. This evening the General gave orders for Nichols from Westminister, a suspicious person from the British, to be put in confinement which was accordingly done--So ends this day. 

Tuesday December 14th Commences with a fine and pleasant morning, this day Col. Robert Morrison of the 27th Infantry was interred. At two o'clock the corpse was moved on to the place of depot (deposit), with the honors of war, when the President McLensey delivered a very handsome speech to the army on this solemn occasion. This day no less than seven of our brave soldiers was buried. --So ends this day.

(Editor's note: I will come back and link all the named persons to their own pages on my blog, recapitulating what I can find out about them on a searchable webpage.)

 

 

A Close Call for the American Fleet on Lake Erie

Map of modern Erie, PA, showing how narrow the harbor opening is behind Presque Isle. 

Most people are familiar with the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, but few know about the close call Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry had in getting his ships out of their base at Erie, Pennsylvania. This is from the recollections of Sailing Master Stephen Champlin, who was in command of the gunboat USS Scorpion during the campaign. It was printed in Publications of the Buffalo Historical Society vol. 8 (1905).

Model of a large warship fitted with camels. When pumped out these acted as gigantic "water wings", lifting the ship enough to get it over shallow sandbars, etc.

I arrived at Erie, Penn., the station of the United States fleet on Lake Erie, July 24th, 1813, with a draft of seventy men and boys of the most ordinary kind and nearly all new hands. By the almost incredible exertions of the few officers and men upon that station, the vessels composing our little fleet were nearly ready for service. Upon my arrival with recruits, Commodore Perry commenced operations for crossing the bar, upon which there were only four feet of water. The enemy's fleet, at this time, lay off the harbor, with the intention to cut off all supplies from our squadron. A small battery with two or three 12-pounders was therefore erected so as to command the entrance of the harbor as well as to give protection to the vessels that should first cross the bar.

At daylight, on the 1st of August, the Scorpion, under my command, with some of the other small vessels, by lightening and warping, were got over. The Niagara and one of the small vessels were then placed as near to the bar as possible, to protect the others while on it. A few guns were also left upon the Lawrence, to enable her to make some defense in case of an attack. With all the exertion we could make we were nearly two days in getting the Lawrence over, and had we been attacked, the issue must have been most disastrous. Indeed, while she was still on the bar, we discovered the enemy standing in with a leading breeze; but, by renewed and most unparalleled exertions, the Lawrence was got into deep water at 9 or 10 am, and at 12 pm her guns were aboard, and she was ready for action. 

To gain time in this emergency, Commodore Perry ordered the Ariel, Lieutenant Packet, and the Scorpion, commanded by myself, to get under weigh and stand out towards the enemy and annoy them at long shot. We dashed directly at them. Upon seeing the boldness with which they were approached, they changed their course and stood towards Long Point. Lake in the afternoon we were recalled. Every officer and man in the squadron was engaged all night in getting the fleet ready for action. At 3 am the signal was made to get under weigh, and at daylight the whole squadron was in motion. Although, for three days, neither officers nor men had had any sleep, except such as could be snatched upon deck, the greatest anxiety was manifested to pursue the enemy. After a cruise of twenty-four hours off Long Point, without getting sight of the enemy, the fleet returned to Erie for the purpose of taking in supplies for the army under Gen. Harrison.

And thus, the hunted became the hunters...

Kidnapping a Baby, Detroit 1814

Fort Detroit, aka Fort Shelby, in the War of 1812 period.

In the winter of 1813-14 the situation in the West had largely stabilized for the Americans, with Ohio, the Indiana and Michigan Territories secured from the direct threat of British action and a wide swath of the Upper Canada border under American occupation. Forts St. Joseph and Mackinac remained in British hands, and the Western Indians remained a threat, provided the British could find a way of moving arms and trade goods to the far northwest. While ice covered the Great Lakes, though, everyone was preoccupied with feeding their troops. At Detroit, American discipline broke down as senior officers like Major General Harrison and Brig. Generals Duncan McArthur and Lewis Cass were ordered east for different purposes. Harrison returned to the Northwest but established his HQ at Cincinnati, while McArthur and Cass were embroiled for the time being as key witnesses in the treason trial of William Hull. Brig. General Benjamin Howard was ordered to Detroit from St. Louis, but the orders were cancelled before he made the move. Instead, Lt. Col. Anthony Butler of the 28th US Infantry was left in charge of the Detroit frontier. 

Diary entries and letters, as well as general orders make clear that discipline was a big problem for those troops left at Detroit. Many of them were short term enlistees from the 12-months regular regiments.

Detroit 5^th Feb 1814

Dear Sir

[A paragraph regarding collecting on promissory notes from William Whistler and William Sutenfield…]

I have no news to give you only a detachment of United States Dragoons have this moment returned from the river Thames off a scouting party and have brought in eight prisoners among which is the celebrated Francis Baby supposed to be a spy from all information. I make no doubt but we shall be attacked in the course of eight or ten days. Should the effort be made by one thousand British troops I make no doubt but we should fall again into the hands of the enemy. There appears to be no energy used at this post by our officers.

Nothing going on here swearing oaths and drinking. I am Respectfully Sir your obeid. Servant,

Benj. Chittenden

[Addressed to Mr. James Williamson, Newport, Kentucky]

Colonel Francis (or rather, Francois) Baby was a leading figure on the British-Canadian side of the northwestern fur trade, and an officer in the Upper Canada militia.  He was demobilized after the British retreated from his home at Sandwich (Windsor, Ontario), but in 1814 was kidnapped from his home in the incident mentioned above. I have read sources which state that he was taken to Cincinnati, Ohio, the headquarters for the US 8th Military District at the time, but given freedom of the town as a gentleman prisoner. There was some worry apparently that he would be tried as a traitor for being borne in Detroit and therefore a native-born American citizen, but eventually he was released and lived until 1852. He sought damages of 2,450 pounds from the US government for property damage caused by William Hull's army in 1812, but without result (Congress wasn't paying off Americans for war damage and expenses, let alone an enemy combatant!).

Release the Prisoners!

From Eseray, 1922: Release of British prisoners of war from the Battle of Lake Erie and Moraviantown in April 1814. Apparently the hostage crisis between the British and American governments had subsided and paroles and prisoner exchanges were once more in effect:

The Mail Horses Reached Us By Swimming-- Captain Joseph Wheatons Letter to the President

Last month, trolling through the Madison Papers digitized at loc.gov, I found an interesting and lengthy series of letters from Captain Joseph Wheaton, quartermaster to General William Henry Harrison's Northwest Army in 1812 and 1813, to President James Madison. Wheaton apparently had some ties to the administration, or else wanted, Frank Underwood -like, to increase his political clout. Wheaton sought to establish himself as nothing less than a back channel conduit for detailed information about the leadership of Harrison, an ambitious and politically connected operator who had all but maneuvered himself into command of the northwest frontier. Or... Was Wheaton a spy planted by Madison, to keep an eye on the most expensive land campaign in the history of the young United States? The truth remains unclear, but these letters and Wheaton's later appeal to Congress are a valuable, if not exactly unbiased, account of the American war effort in Ohio. Wheaton would later be singled out by Harrison for blame when his operations went tens of thousands of dollars over budget.

This particular letter is valuable because it offers an eyewitness account of the building of Fort Meigs and the tough climate and geography that the soldiers had to contend with.

Camp Miami Rapids

March 12. 1813

Excellent Sir. Wheaton, Jos.

It being a severe snowstorm after a remarkable rain which continued all night no fatigue party being ordered out my calls and duties are lessened by the inclimency of the weather and having a more leisure (illg.) I am disposed to devote that hour to you with such observations on as (illg.) in a hasty moment.

Our garrison is situated at the foot of the rapids on this river 13 miles from the entrance at the lake, about two and a half miles above the fort built by the British in 1794 or 5 when Governor Simcoe had the administration of Upper Canada, on an elevated bank of the river with a natural ravine by a creek at the N by last angle of the work and a considerable deep hollow on its East by S point. The W.S.W end is a continuance of the natural bank of the river. The ground is well chosen and easy of defense, when the works are completed. The opposite bank is of an equal height and at the distance of about ¾ of a mile. South East of us and distinct from the works is a vast large flat country not a hill or valley to Carrying [Portage] River not less than 15 miles and the ground though heavily timbered is at this season of the year a continuous swamp to that river, and with little difference to the Sandusky Rapids which is I believe to be thirty two miles. Lower Sandusky fort is four miles down that river after we reach its banks. The Sandusky is a rocky rapid stream, boats may go down it about 40 miles when the waters are high but cannot return. The road to upper Sandusky is of much the same description of land to Portage or Carrying river. Continued and with little hilly or rolling land to the Tomarta river (?), and to Sandusky prairies, which are very large plains and excellent for early pastorage (grazing land?). The deer are plenty. All this land which I here mention between the road which led to Lower and upper Sandusky and to Carrying River is denominated the Black Swamp and is now about or quite impassible. Yet the mail horses reached us twice, on Monday last and yesterday, by swimming.

The ice in this river is now breaking up, and will soon unfold all its beauties, which are considerable, and will be very interesting when it permits us to partake of the excellent fish which are said to be in great abundance. The weakened situation of the ice and the probability of our not being (encountered?) induced Genl. Harrison to permit his Indian and white guides and spies to return home.

The idle curiosity of our young troops, the state of insubordination and the impossibility to induce them to profit by advice. Some of these men trooped over the river notwithstanding the difficulty on rotten ice scattered shooting along the bank and in the skirt of the woods when the Indians sprung on a Lieut of the Pen. Militia, Robert Walker, shot scalped, and put him under the ice. A party went out the next morning (trailed?), by the blood raised him and brought his body into the camp and buried him. Several Indians fresh tracks have been seen about 300 yards of our picquets, followed to the ice about one mile below our works, where they were tracked crossing the river. We may expect when the snow is gone to have enough of them hovering around us between this and both the Sanduskies unless were are enabled to advance upon the enemy—which I ardently hope we may be enabled to do. Genl. Harrison left us as I mentioned in my last, to hasten on I presume reinforcements or reliefs for the Virginia and Pa Brigades, and to have forage sent down the river by water from the country above us when the ice is gone.

Although as I stated there is abundance at Upper Sandusky of forage yet as there is a young man at that fort Wm. Eubank, of no military experience and little foresight & deputy quarter master too. I could not prevail on him to send forward the forage after the 13 day of February when I left him. Although I presented to him in the sharpest colors the immediate necessity to secure a sufficiency, and to send on the remainder of the 12 prs and sixes with the carriage guns, and the ammunition while the teams were coming on from Franklinton daily and while Carrying River was fast bound in ice, and the roads firm. Yet this young man has not sent forward any except a few bushels, and we are now out. I have just signed the last of the forage returns, which ends all our forage. Nor any of the guns, except one eighteen pounder and a howitzer and that not until a positive order was sent from Genl. Harrison.

Our garrison is not yet fully picketed, not a gate made, and none of our block or store houses finished I know not how I shall manage for want of teams. General Harrison is a very active man, a good deal of mind and the best experienced soldier I know of, and wants for nothing but an opportunity of regular service in a well organized body of troops to make him one of our best Generals. His indefatigable industry, his labors and zeal instill him to every (performance?), and sure I am that he will not disapoint the government or people if he can have troops that will obey, and as sure I am had it not been for the unfortunate haste of Genl. Winchester to pluck the laurels from the brow which is yet I hope destined to wear them, the government and people would have this (illg.) realized all they wish for in Upper Canada.

When ever I write you Sir it gives me much pain because I know I am not the proper officer from whom you should receive all communications, yet in hopes I may sometimes, throw a ray of light which might escape others I cannot restrain my pen.

With the homage of my heart,

I am faithfully

Excellent Sir

Your Obedient Servant

Joseph Wheaton

Prisoners and Paroles

As a follow up to the last post, which were the orders given by Joseph Larwill for his patrol in occupied Upper Canada in December 1813, here are the men under his command that were captured in the skirmish at McRea's Tavern on December 15. The original document, given to Larwill as a receipt of sorts, ended up in the Ohio Historical Society collections. It can be seen now in the Fort Meigs visitor center:

Roll of a Detachment of United States troops which was made prisoners
Dec. 15 1813 at McRea's Esq on river Thames
Names	Rank	To what Regt they belong
J H Larwill	1st Lt	2nd artillery
A Fisk	2nd Lt	27. Infty
P. Davis	Ensign	28 Regt Infty
John Spencer	Corpl acting commissary	28th Inf
John McGiffin	private	2nd Reg Arty
Michail B Martin	do	do
John Laughlin	do	do
Thomas Statten	do	do
Walter Price	do	do
John Figg	do	do
Louis Louis	do	do
Samuel Sheller	do	do
Jonathan Slaughter	do	do
Joseph Lewis	do	do
Benjamin Miller	do	27 Infty
Benjamin Richards	do	do
James Goodwin	do	do
Thomas Chadwick	do	do
Charles Smith	do	do
Davisan Finton	do	do
Jesse Carnehan	do	do
Moses Fowler	do	do
Joseph Brown	do	do
John Mashall	do	28 Infantry
William Piles	do	do
George Clark	do	do
Thomas Nichols	do	do
Joseph Simmands	do	2nd Artillery	Wounded and paroled 15 Dec 1813
Isaac Manley	do	28 Reg Infty	do
Joseph Amkler	do	27 do	do
George Collins	do	do	do
Isaac Duvall	do	do	Same aft at Coln Fatlists on Lake Erie
John Lane	private	27th Inf	servant to Lt. Fisk
William Bonner	do	2nd Reg Arty	servant to Lt. Larwill

Fortunately, at least one of the wounded men survived to be honorably discharged at Detroit and sent home to Lebanon, Ohio.

The Bearer hereof Joseph Simmonds a private in Cap. Cushings Company of the Second Regt US Artillery was enlisted the 15^th day of August 1812 for the term of one year and six months. He has served for and during one year five Months and six days and is now entitled to a discharge having produced a certificate from the Hospital Surgeon at this post declaring his inability to perform military duty during the Remainder of his time On account of a wound received at the River Thames U.C. December the 15^th 1813. His conduct while in service entitles him to an honorable discharge. He has been paid up to the first day of January 1814 has returned his arms and accoutrements in good order and has received the Quantity of Clothing allowed by law. He is entitled to pay from the first day of January 1814 to the date of his discharge, and to pay and Rations from this place Fort Shelby M.T. [Michigan Territory] to Lebanon Ohio, his place of Residence at the rate of twenty miles a day.

To Prevent impositions here follows a description of the said Joseph Simmonds He is aged twenty years is six feet high has dark hair blue eyes; fair complexion and is by occupation a farmer.

Jas C. Pickett

Lt. 2d Regt Artillery

Comdg the Company

Orders for an American Picket Guard--December 1813

In the winter of 1813 the Americans at Detroit were sending patrols deep into Upper Canada. Partly this was an effort to forestall any British attempts to launch a surprise attack through the Canadian wilderness; partly it was to secure the neutrality of the Canadian civilians, many of whom had been called up to serve as militia the previous year; partly the patrols were gathering foodstuffs to feed the poorly supplied garrison at Detroit, and to deny them to the enemy. This was probably the longest continuous period of occupation of Canadian soil by any American force, and it was not uncontested.

Ensign Davis will repair with one non Commissioned officer and five men to the most Eligible position on the River Thames between the Roman Chapple and M. Jacobs to secur the intention an object that he is placed therefore 1^st to secure the passage of the Road to prevent any person who is not well known to pass his Line either up or Down the River without a written pass from Genl. Cass or some Commissioned officer. He will cause to be stopped all suspicious persons and send them to my quarters on the River Thames for trial or Examination 2^nd to administer an oath to the inhabitants of the Country A Copy whereof will be furnished him. Those who may refuse to comply will be secured and reported to me 3^rd to secure the peace of the Country by preventing with all vigilance any person or persons that may attempt to violate the peace of the Country and have them apprehended and reported for trial--

December 12^th 1813--

J.H. Larwill Lt

2 Regt artillery

Commandg

A General Writes a Senator

Today, another letter from General Duncan McArthur to Senator Worthington. In this message he discusses the overall American strategy in the Northwest as well as some news and personal affairs. It's interesting to observe that, like most officers in the "professional" regular army of 1813, McArthur relied on political connections for advancement. Soon after he would be on the way to Sackett's Harbor with his brigade, to support the "middle army" of General James Wilkinson in its advance on Montreal. One wonders if the delay caused by the loss of dispatches on the Chippewa delayed the Northwestern Army long enough to prevent the Americans from destroying the rump British forces left at Burlington Heights.

McARTHUR TO WORTHINGTON
Detroit 16th Octr 1813
Dear Sir
Your favour of the 28th Ult I recd. by last mail. I will recollect that Mr. Robt Smith's account was put into my hands by you when at the City with some penciled remarks made in the war office requiring a certificate that the Wagon and team mentioned in Smith's account, was given up at the surrender of Detroit on the 16th of August 1812 which certificate I made out and the back of said act and left it with you. The fate of your Bill for the payment of property lost by Capitulation, not being known when I left the City. I think that you left Smiths act. at the war office after obtaining my certificate on it. of this I am not, however, certain, but unless you give it to me after overtaking me at Shepherds Town, it is not among my papers.

A small vessel "The Chipaway" was lost in a Storm, some days ago on Lake Erie, loaded with Baggage and had on board dispatches from Government to Genl Harrison. Many of the Trunks & goods on board this vessel have been found along the shore blown up by the storm, but the wreck of the vessel has not been discovered, in consequence of the failure of those dispatches the Comg Genl is at a loss to know the will of the Government as to his future movements The expedition to Michilimackinac, which I was to command, has necessarily been abandoned, this season on account of the failure of the Contractor in furnishing provisions for the expedition, As an armistice has been arranged with the Indians in this quarter, and hostages given up on this part of five nations we apprehend but little danger in future frum the Indians, provided we can but off all communication between them and the British.

I have been advising Genl. Harrison to move all his regular force fit for service down the Lake to join the middle army, and order the Ohio militia now in service to garrison this post, and to leave the sick and Convalescent regular troops at Malden. The Genl,. has talked of the plan to several of the officers this morning, he has not yet determined to adopt it but I think it probable that he may, unless otherwise advised by Government, some plan of this kind may be the means of ending the war in upper Canada this winter.

For my own part I never intended to continue longer in service than to see this place regained, and Malden fall; but as all this has happened without any act of violence on the part of our army I feel an inclination to join the middle army, provided it can be done immediately.

I know not where Mr. Abelard Bradford may be found. I saw him about the 1st of June at Cincinnati. he then talked of returning to Pa. His mother and the family reside on the Mississippi at a place called "Bayou Sarah." Mrs. McArthur mentions her wish to send Margaret, with your daughter Sarah Anne to Bethlehem. If arrangements can be made to prepare Margaret for the journey, and you will be so kind as to take the trouble of sending her there, I will be careful to furnish the necessary expense and esteem your attention as an additional favor conferred on me.
respectfully yours
Duncan McArthur

Some letters from General Duncan McArthur

General McArthur in the uniform of a regular army Brigadier General in 1813.

One of the most important, if little known leaders of the War of 1812 was Brigadier General Duncan McArthur (1772-1839). He's appeared on this blog more than a few times, in connection with events ranging from the William Hull campaign of 1812 to the last months of the war on the Detroit frontier. But a brief prospectus of his career is in order:

1790s: Acted as a "spy" or Indian scout and works in a Kentucky saltworks.

1793-96: works with fellow surveyor Nathaniel Massie to lay out the Ohio portions of the Northwest Territory. Lays out the town of Chillicothe, which is to become the state capital. As a result of land speculation, he becomes one of the richest landowners in the new state.

1803: State of Ohio joins the Union.

1804: McArthur serves the first of three nonconsecutive terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. He also serves several times in the state senate during his life, with the first term starting in 1805.

1805: Commissioned colonel in the state militia; 1808 commissioned major general. 

1812: Recruits a regiment of Ohio volunteers for Hull's campaign and is elected Colonel. Is elected to Congress that year on the Republican ticket but never assumes the office, being preoccupied with military affairs. Is captured and paroled with the American army at Detroit; not before plotting to remove the commanding general as unfit for command.

1813: While waiting to be exchanged, McArthur is appointed a regular-army Brigadier General and charged with raising several new 12-month regular infantry regiments in Ohio, which is part of the 8th Military District under the command of Major General Harrison. He is involved with operations to raise the siege of Fort Meigs, leads a regular infantry brigade as part of the Thames Campaign, and is transferred to Sackett's Harbor in the Autumn. Like many of his men he falls on the sick list, and finds time to travel to Albany, NY for the treason trial of former commanding officer William Hull.

1814: Assumes command of the 8th Military District following the resignation of General Harrison. Led the last major foray of American troops into Canada, successfully raiding grist mills and defeating a small force of Canadian militia at Malcom's Mills. 

1815: Returns to civilian political life. Serving as a commissioner for United States negotiations with the Indians, he was a key figure in the Treaty of the Maumee Rapids (Fort Meigs) in 1817 and the Treaty of St. Marys in 1818. These two treaties were some of the final concessions of Indian land in Ohio and Indiana, and opened most of the remaining land in those states to white settlement. They were also a direct result of the War of 1812, and foreshadowed the end of any major Native American cultural presence in the region.

1830-32: Elected and served as Governor of Ohio.

While McArthur is sometimes portrayed by modern historians as a thug, a poorly-educated frontiersman who rose to prominence in the "mobocracy" of the Jeffersonian Republican party, his letters reveal a sharp, businesslike mind--and definitely a literate one. He could be quite ruthless: one wonders if his "scorched-earth" campaign in Canada inspired later Ohio generals such as William Tecumseh Sherman, U.S. Grant and Phil Sheridan. He was also very anti-Indian, dedicated like many of his contemporaries to removing them from Ohio. In 1813 he executed a number of soldiers who had been found guilty of desertion (some several times); like Andrew Jackson, these wartime executions would come back to haunt his political career.

I will leave you with the first of several letters from McArthur to other American leaders (in this case Senator Thomas Worthington, an old associate of his) that help illustrate the ongoing affairs of the Ohio front of the War of 1812:

Chillicothe June 30th 1813
Dear Sir
I have just written to the secretary of war informing that there are about 300 men enlisted in the 26th Regt and that about 240 of them marched last week for Sandusky -- That there is now in this state nearly 1000 imen enlisted under the act of the 29th Jany, and that there may perhaps be another Battalion raised but I think not more within a reasonable time. I have taken the liberty of suggesting the propriety of dismissing part of the officers appointed to the 26th Regt and of raising one Battalion of said Regt in the back parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia in case the recruiting service is not carried on in their parts under the act of the 29th Jany 1813. It is only running government to an unnecessary expense, to keep a host of recruiting officers where no men can be had.
Every exertion is made by the Tories to prevent the success of the recruiting business every pains is taken to vilify and abuse those engaged in it, every recruit who signifies his wish to leave the service and sues out a writ of "habeas corpus" is certain of being dismissed by some of our Judges, and from their decision there is no appeal.
From every discovery which I can make the Creighton part have endeavored to create a jealousy between Genl. Harrison, and Genl Cass or myself by insinuating that we will intrigue against him for the command of the Divisions, and that we were the means of bringing Hull to disgrace &etc, and also that you are a violent enemy to Genl Harrison &etc and that Creighton is the only friend from this state that he has in congress. Those insinuations have frequently fallen from those in the family of Genl H so that you can see that if those Tories cannot succeed in our way, they appear determined to do so in another yes, those patriots who last winter could eulogize the speeches of Mr Quincy and ridicule those of Mr. Clay, are no doubt at this time cap in hand [illeg. ] whilst they carry on private intrigue with Mr Q. party against the administration if not against the government.
I am sorry to trouble you with those unpleasant remarks; I doubt not but you have trouble enough already.
respectfully yours
Duncan McArthur
Genl. Worthington

Detroit's first mayor discusses the state of the city in 1813

Sal Sibley from a 1919 book illustration.

A letter to Ohio Governor Thomas Worthington from the first Mayor of Detroit, Solomon "Sal" Sibley, updating the governor on current events in the Northwest frontier. Sibley served as mayor of the town in 1806. A lawyer, he first practiced law in Marietta, Ohio in the 1790s-- which may have given him connections in the state. When the war broke out he commanded a company of riflemen, but was captured and paroled when General William Hull surrendered the Michigan Territory. Colonel Elijah Brush, who he mentions in this letter, was also an officer in the Michigan Territorial Militia and another former mayor of Detroit. Colonel Brush was ill and died that year, perhaps from the same ailment that was laying low many of the American army at Detroit.

Elijah Brush from the collection of the Detroit Historical Society.

This letter was transcribed in Document Transcriptions of the War of 1812 in the Northwest. Richard C. Knopf, ed. Anthony Wayne Parkway Board. Columbus: Ohio State Museum. 1957.(http://ww2.ohiohistory.org/onlinedoc/war1812/worthington/ accessed 6 Jan 2014)

Cleaveland Decr. 25th. 1813

Dear Sir
You will probably have heard of my leaving Detroit with my family shortly after the surrender of Genl. Hull -- I retired to Marietta, where I remained until a few weeks since, when I set out for Detroit via this place, but arrived too late to profit by the navigation - My family must spend the winter in Cleaveland -- I neglected to write you from Marietta -- My determination was to visit Chilicothe the last summer, but adverse causes prevented me accomplish- ing my wishes -

Previous to my departure from Detroit I received your letter mentioning that you had in your possession the Patents for Richard Huy -- I have contemplated purchasing out their interest and wanted the Patents - I wanted to consult you in the value of the land I shall not, however, do anything on this head until spring --

The war has already pressed very hard upon me - My losses are great - I fear will be increased -- Late accounts from Detroit induce me to believe that place in danger of again falling into possession of the Enemy -- Disease has made sad ravages amongst our troops - Report says that on the 10 inst. our force was reduced to 250 effective men - And there some late movements among the Indians [ille,. ] alarm -- The late movements at and near Fort George will greatly increase it. The pressures being removed from the enemy below his whole force, will be dispensable and upon the Ice taking will be thrown in the direction of Malden and Detroit -- In the event these places will be lost, unless reinforced -- Should Michigan be reoccupied by the enemy it will experience the fate of Newark -- All will be lost -- Our Government will undoubtedly disavow the act of serving Newark - They will permit the incendiary -- But, sir, the example is set, and will be improved upon by the enemy --

I have read the Presidents communications - no papers that this war will speedily [illeg. ] Our prospects are really gloomy -- & Michigan has and continues to suffer great distress -- Govt. must defend that district, ask what it will, otherwise the state of Ohio is ruined -
It is conjectured that judge Witherall will resign -- Should there be a vacancy in the Bench, or in the office of Secretary, I should like to be noticed. In either event happening will you mention my name to the President -- My personal acquaintance with you, wills I presume, plead my apology for this personal application.
Genl Cass is I learn appointed Govr of Michigan -- To me this appointment is pleasing and will be well received in the Territory -- We require an [illeg. Character in that office at the present critical period -- The campaign, below, this the whole line, has cloud[?] far short of my expectation To what any or on what persons, are the miscarrying chargeable. Congress will undoubtedly, enquire into the subject -- Col. E. Brush of Detroit, on the 10 Int. was very sick, his life dispaired of by his friend --
Should you find leisure from business to write, I should feel gratified [illeg. ] noticed -
I am Dr. Sir, respectfully Yours friend & Hul. Sevt
Sal Sibley
Thos. Worthington Esqr. Senator &c W. City
P.S. Will you please forward the enclosed letter to [illeg.] Woodward -- Uncertainly his place of residence, induces rile to give you this trouble SS

Siege of Fort Meigs: April 23, 1813

From the journal of Captain Eleazar Darby Wood, US Corps of Engineers:

...It was now all but certain that the place would soon be invested, for we recieved information that the enemy were assembling in great force at Sandwich [modern day Windsor, ON], and that a large number of Indians had just arrived at Detroit from St. Joseph and the neighborhood of Mackinaw.

Small parties of scattering Indians were constantly round the camp, whose object it seemed to be presumably to take prisoners, as we supposed, for the purpose of obtaining information relative to our strength and situation, and which, as we afterwards learned, was actually the case.

Our block-houses, batteries, magazines and connecting lines of defense were now generally completed; and the appearance of the camp, in every direction, was such as to inspire confidence in the minds of those whose duty it had become either to defend, or with it throw themselves into the hands of an English savage...

 --from Wood, Eleazer Derby. Journal of the Northwestern Campaign of 1812-13: Under Major-General William H. Harrison. Defiance, O.: Defiance College Press, 1975 pg. 16. 

A letter from Captain Daniel L. Cushing, 2nd US Regiment of Artillery to 1st Lt. Joseph H Larwill, 2nd Artillery:

Fort Megs Apl 23th 1813

Dear Lieutenant

I Recivd your Letter this day by mule, dated 7th Instance at Wooster, I was very glad to hear from you, but was sorry to hear of your indisposition, I received a  Letter yesterday from Leut Meek dated the 3 of this month he wrights me that he is not will yet, but States that Dr Elison is puting Meddison in Side and blisters out Side, which he hopes will Cure him Shortly...

We have at this time about 1600 effective men, prehap more a good maney more would turn out in Case of an alarum--we feel ourselves perfectly Secure from the Enemy, we have built two Strong batterys in addission to the two that was built before you Left hear...

 The "Lower Blockhouse" today.

...the Lower block house on the pint we have Converted into a battery by taking off the Ruff, Lowring the upper flower about 3 feet, building up a brestwork of dirt on the out Side, and planting an 18# in it which commands the high nob ajasent to it...

...I have nothing more to wright, give my Respects to your brother and all friends you See, with profound Respect I Remaine yours etc

Danl Cushing

from  Cushing, Daniel Lewis, Harlow Lindley, and Daniel Lewis Cushing. Fort Meigs and the War of 1812, Orderly Book of Cushing's Company, 2nd U.S. Artillery, April 1813-February 1814: And Personal Diary of Captain Daniel Cushing, October 1812-July 1813. Columbus: Ohio Historical Society, 1975. pg. 141-42.

The Americans Strike Back: Amphibious Operations and the Aftermath of the Battle of Lake Erie

Lake Erie's Western Basin, where the amphibious operations waged by Harrison and Perry brought Detroit and Amherstburg (at top) under American control.

The decisive Battle of Lake Erie in 1813 was followed quickly by a short and decisive, if less well-remembered, invasion of the Canadian shores near Fort Malden. Over a hundred years before the United States' major landings during the Second World War, an American army launched a successful seaborne invasion of a foreign shore.
 Major General William Henry Harrison had been waiting and preparing since February for the moment when operational initiative would be restored. As soon as news arrived that Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's squadron had decisively cleared the British from Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, he ordered his plans into motion.

Captain Shole's Diary: A Trip down the Lake

It's been a while since I've posted on this blog, generally because of my being busier with my day jobs, and researching and writing my book. But I have located some interesting primary sources for War of 1812 research, and thought that I might as well post some of the notable passages here.


Today's passage comes from the journal of Captain Stanton Sholes, 2nd Regiment US Artillery (transcribed by Richard C. Knopf, 1956). Sholes spent much of 1813 stationed with his artillery company in Cleveland, Ohio--a tiny village back then. He built the first hospital there (a log cabin constructed without any nails or ironwork), and established a gun battery to protect the flotilla of transport boats being constructed by Major Thomas Jessup (who later went on to bigger things) consisting, apparently of one six-pounder. The passage has been corrected for grammar and spelling except where noted.

A typical bateau or Schenectady boat drawn by Pearson Scott Foresman. An open boat constructed by Major Jessup's boatyard would have been a longer vessel with a mast, rows of oars, and perhaps a small swivel gun mounted in the bow.

Monday Sept. 13th
This day commences with fine weather. The quartermaster give (sic) encouragement to me that I should have a passage in a boat that would sail the next day for the Portage (Portage River in Northwest Ohio, near the Marblehead Peninsula --DW), laden with ammunition for the N.W. Army.

July 4th, 1813 Fort Meigs Toasts

After some digging, I found an account of the toasts given at Fort Meigs on July 4th, 1813. Try them out yourself, with a glass of Madeira or Whisky! (My own annotations in brackets).

This account is excerpted from the National Intelligencer of July 29, 1813, in Richard C. Knopf, The National Intelligencer Reports the War of 1812 in the Northwest. (Document Transcriptions of The War of 1812 in the Northwest vol. V, pt. 2), pp.141-42.

"General Clay (assisted by his aid-de-camp, Major J.H. Hawkins) presided. Col. Anderson, of the 24th regt. U.S. Infantry, (assisted by Major Robt. Butler) acted as Vice-President... After partaking of soldiers' fare, the following toasts were drank, accompanied by martial music, and the Band from the Independent Volunteers.


1. The Day of our Freedom--its blessings to all the world. It should admonish our ancient and inveterate enemy, Great-Britain, that what was purchased by the blood of our father, their sons will be ever ready to maintain.
Tune-- Yankee Doodle.

Researching a War of 1812 Correspondence

Sometimes you backtrack a little bit in researching primary documents. Sometimes you go in a complete circle... I spent a couple days trying to get hold of a certain transcription of letters from the War of 1812 published by the Ohio Historical and Philosophical Society as the Gano Papers. While searching for more references to a certain Lt. Madiss, I found this letter, from 2nd Artillery Lieutenant Alexander Meek:



Of course! It had been in a volume called "Annual Report of the Historical and Philosophical etc. etc." already in my Google books library. Despite the vast digitization of primary historical sources, a lot of things still get lost in the shuffle.

I wonder what Meek meant by "we had to put it to soak on its arrival..."? Did they soak the commission in wine, or is it a phrase for drinking for another's good fortune? Why for that matter did he have to hide the fact of his departure from his wife?

Edit: Oddly enough, Google Books seems to have one or two volumes of the Gano Papers, but not the third. Sometimes you need to go spelunking in the library stacks after all...