PRIVATES.
John Scott John Malone Samuel Gray William Smith Isaac Watson Nicholas Woodfin John Shields Henry Jones Andrew Smith Benjamin Pines Joseph McMahan Jacob Gates William Rainy Jacob Rinehart Andrew Lintner Jacob Dickard William Teagard Samuel Thompson Robert Taylor Robinson Newkirk Alexander Steele Simeon Broadberry James Broadberry Thomas Wilson James Anderson James Martin	George Teagarden George Beeler Silas Owens Samuel Stephens George Boyers Peter Garver Joseph Price Patrick Sullivan Samuel Steel Samuel Simpson James McNeal John Hyde Samuel Malone John Smiley Richard Scott John Simmons Thomas Stephens Chris. Mosteller David Smith James Smiley John Brown William McMannis Jacob Salmon John McKinstry John Sackett Vincent Dilcoe William Sullivan	William Heath Thomas Howard John Harper William Sutton Andrew Woods John Isaacs John Stonebraker John Bone Archibald Starks Eber Watson Geo. Kirkpatrick John Smiley John Deneen Jacob Garver Jacob Kerr James Cooper Wm. De Camp James Kerr Joseph Wickard John Thompson Joseph Welliver Isaac Rutledge Robert Crane Moses Gard Robert Orbison Philip McGonigle

     Paymaster Torrence wrote to Major-general John S. Gano, concerning them, as follows:

" FORT HAMILTON, August 17,1812.
     "SIR:—Captain Collins has agreed to meet the detachment at Lebanon, as you wished. I promised to them payment of his company about ten o'clock. He has really one of the finest companies I ever saw; somewhere about one hundred strong. They are as fine, cheerful a set of fellows as can be well placed in exercise. "Whatever is offered to them, they are ready and willing to march when and where they are wanted. I expect to be in Cincinnati tomorrow. They have some tents, and are preparing more. They expect orders from you for marching. I am, sir, respectfully,
                                 " Your obedient servant,
                                               " GEORGE P. TORRENCE."

     They then marched to Lebanon, where they were joined by three other rifle companies, under Captains McMeans, Leonard, and Hinkle, a company of artillery, under Captain Joseph Jenkinson, and a company of light infantry, under Captain Matthias Corwin. The commissioned officers' met in the evening, and elected Captain Joseph Jenkinson major. The command of his company devolved on Lieutenant Gibson. Thus organized, they next day took up their line of march for Urbana, making quite a formidable appearance. But before reaching the town of Dayton, they received the news that Hull and the whole of his army were made prisoners by the enemy, and that the British, with their Indian allies, were rapidly advancing upon the frontier settlement of the State.
     At Urbana they were joined by the second battalion, under the command of Major James Galloway, of Xenia. The commissioned officers of these battalions elected David Sutton, of Warren County, to command the regiment. Colonel Sutton had raised a company, and gone out with the first army as a captain, had been sent into the interior by General Hull, for the purpose of transacting some business connected with the army, and was with Jenkinson's battalion on his return, when they received the intelligence of Hull's surrender.
General Hull, who was an old and esteemed officer of the Revolutionary army, was in command of the forces on our frontier. Being without proper support, and without provisions, he surrendered his troops to the British, on the 16th of August, 1812. A storm was immediately raised about his head, he was court-martialed, and his countrymen mentioned his name, for years, with only less detestation than that of Benedict Arnold. So strong was the feeling of patriotism which pervaded the country at that time, that it appeared as if every able-bodied man, whether old or young, who could possibly raise a horse and gun, was on the move for the frontier, and in a few days a large and promiscuous multitude were collected in and about Urbana. But they were without leaders, and knew not what to do. At length Governor Meigs and General Tupper, with other leading characters, appeared on-the ground, with the agreeable news that General Harrison was coming on to take command. Harrison was then governor of Indiana Territory, and had been invited to Frankfort, Kentucky, by Charles Scott, governor of Kentucky, to consult on the subject of defending the northwestern frontier. Governor Scott, on the 25th of August, 1812, appointed William Henry Harrison major-general of the Kentucky militia, which appointment he accepted. This measure, although complained of by some at the time, appears to have answered a good purpose. The supposed defection of General Hull had implanted a spirit of suspicion and distrust in the minds of both officers and men, and some of them were not slow to express themselves unwilling to enter the service under the command of any but a man of acknowledged patriotism, and who possessed at least some experience in the art of war. The year before he had gained a brilliant victory,, over the Indians at the battle of Tippecanoe. The appointment of General Harrison, therefore, seemed to be a measure called for by the public feeling at the time. On the seventeenth day of September following the President of the United States appointed General Harrison commander-in-chief of all the troops in the Northwestern Territory.
     Governor Meigs gave orders for the troops to spread out for the protection of the frontier. It was deemed proper, in making arrangements, to divide Colonel Sutton's regiment; and Major Jenkinson, with his battalion, was ordered to file to the left, by way of Troy and Piqua, in the direction of Fort Wayne, while the colonel, with Galloway's battalion, joined the troops destined to form the center line, and took up his line of march in the direction of Fort McArthur. Soon after Jenkinson's arrival at Piqua, General Harrison, with two or three regiments from Kentucky, appeared on the left wing, and assumed the command.
Major Jenkinson called a meeting of his captains, soon after, and informed them that he had orders to send one company as an escort of a train of wagons on their way to Fort Wayne; one company to act as road-cutters, to open a wagon-way along Wayne's old trace from Fort Loramies to St. Mary's; and another company to relieve a company of militia from Ohio, stationed at Loramies; the remainder of the battalion to remain at Piqua for further orders. Major Jenkinson permitted the captains to decide the matter by lot, as to what company should be assigned to each particular duty. Tickets were accordingly prepared, and placed in a hat. On drawing them out, it fell to the lot of Captain Collins and his company to open the road. They performed that duty in about eight days, and were directed to remain in their last encampment. One night, about ten o'clock, while they were lying at that place, Lieutenant Nathaniel McClain came to them, as an express, to inform them that Captain Corwin's company, which was acting as an escort to twenty wagons loaded with valuable supplies for the army, was encamped about three miles in their rear; that there was good reason to apprehend that a party of Indians intended to make an attack on the escort before morning; and that Captain Corwin wished Captain Collins to re-enforce him with as many men as he could spare. Captain Collins soon had his company on parade, and was obliged to make a detail of men to remain and keep their own camp, for every man wanted to go to the relief of his comrades. Captain Collins, with more than half his company, moved off in quick time. Lieutenant McClain led the way, he being mounted on a horse furnished him by the wagoners. When Captain Collins arrived at the camp, Captain Corwin was himself going, the rounds, relieving his guards, at that part of the line of sentinels which they first reached. He informed Captain Collins that a considerable number of the Wabash Indians (who pretended friendship for the whites) had visited the settlements in the neighborhood of Piqua, with the expectation that the inhabitants would afford them maintenance through the Winter. But our army needed all the spare provisions, and the people, after these Indians had been among them a few weeks, became tired of them, and insisted on their returning to their own homes. They had left in rather an angry mood, two or three days before the departure of the wagons for Fort Wayne. It was also reported to him, by some of his men, that Indians had been seen in the dusk of the evening near his encampment, apparently in the act of spying out his position. Besides, it seemed reasonable to suppose that the contents of the wagons afforded a strong temptation to a band of starving savages, who, they had every reason to believe, were within striking distance, and who knew that they were loaded with the provisions they so much needed.  He had thrown out a guard sufficiently strong to form a close chain of sentinels entirely around' his encampment, at least one hundred and fifty paces in advance of the wagons. It was decided that out of the re-enforcements now arrived, a second chain of sentinels should be made fifty paces in advance of the first line. Accordingly, Captain Collins proceeded to place at that distance one of his men opposite to each space between the sentinels of the first chain. While in the performance of that duty, Collins heard the snap of a musket, nearly in the direction he was going.
     "Hail, sentinel!"
     "Who comes there?"
     " Captain Collins, on his way placing out another line of sentinels."
     " Good Lord! If my musket had not missed fire, you would have been a dead man."
     "Call the sergeant to go round and let the guards know of this arrangement."
     Here was an error committed for want of thought. A notice of the plan adopted should have been given to the sentinels before its execution commenced. Mr. Collins, however, said he could not well censure Captain Corwin for not performing that duty or making the suggestion, as he claimed to outrank him because of his age and experience, though it was a military blunder that had nearly cost him his life.
     The encampment was not disturbed by the Indians during the night, but in the opinion of those experienced in Indian warfare, it was believed that the care and vigilance of the escort in guarding against a surprise prevented them from making the attempt. It will be recollected that these same Indians shortly afterward became so hostile and took such a decided part against the whites that a regiment of six hundred men, composed of a few regulars, a volunteer company from Pennsylvania, and some militia from Kentucky and Ohio, were sent out under the command of Colonel Campbell of the regular army, to drive them from their towns and destroy their habitations. But before the colonel could finish, the Indians collected in great numbers, and gave him battle. Colonel Campbell and his men, however, being on their guard and^well prepared, succeeded' in repulsing the enemy, with the loss, on his part, of some fifty men in killed and wounded.
     There are many well known instances where the Indians have abandoned a meditated attack because they could not find the white people off their guard, and therefore could not take them by surprise. Now, if Colonel Campbell of the standing army has justly received the applause of his countrymen for saving himself with the loss of fifty men killed and-wounded, there can be no impropriety in thinking well of a1 young militia captain who, by his own care and the vigilance of his men, saved all without losing any thing.
     The hostile Indians on the Wabash and Illinois having thrown themselves under the protection of the British, General Winchester left a small garrison for the protection of Fort Wayne, and moved with his army down the Maumee. In the mean time, General Harrison had received his commission of major-general in the regular army of the United States. He had ordered Colonel William Jennings to join General Winchester at old Fort Defiance, at the mouth of the Auglaize River, with a large drove of beef cattle and other army supplies. Colonel Jennings was advised of the probable time at which General Winchester would arrive at Defiance, and was ordered not to advance nearer than: ten or fifteen miles without having certain intelligence that the army had arrived there. Our spies, however, discovered that old Fort Defiance, at which they were to form this junction, was occupied by the British and Indians, at least three days after the time set for General Winchester's arrival there. This intelligence was immediately communicated by express to the commanding general at St. Mary's, who ordered that the troops at that place should forthwith be supplied with three days' rations, and an additional supply of gun-flints and ammunition; and by three o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, Colonels Poage's and Barbee's regiments of Kentucky volunteers, Colonel Simrail's regiment of dragoons, Garrard's troop of horse (also from Kentucky), and Captain Collins's company of riflemen, from Butler County, Ohio, amounting in all to upward of two thousand men, were put in motion on a forced march, to ascertain what had become of General Winchester; the light horse in front, Captain Collins's company of riflemen forming the rear-guard. The troops marched on at a quick step in this order until it became dark, when a halt was called. General Harrison, in riding round to form the hollow square, ordered Captain Collins to fill up with his company the space in the rear line, between the two Kentucky regiments of infantry, and to throw out a guard sufficiently strong to protect his own front. At the break of day next morning, the bugles sounded, and they were again in motion. Shortly after sunrise it commenced raining, and continued to rain hard all day. But they pushed on, without making a single halt, until four o'clock in the afternoon, when they arrived at Jennings' encampment, at the mouth of the Little Auglaize. The men, being burdened with heavy packs and drenched in the rain, had a most fatiguing and disagreeable day's travel. Toward evening it was observed that numbers of the Kentuckians were lying by the way-side, entirely exhausted and unable to proceed. Many of them were young gentlemen who had been delicately raised, and were unaccustomed to hardships of this kind. Captain Collins, and Ensign John Hall of his company (being originally from Kentucky), were rather disposed to sympathize with them; Lieutenant Ephraim Gard, of the company, when he came to where any number of them had given out, would sing out at the top of his voice, "Hook up, my rugged sons of Ohio, these brave Kentuckians will soon be able to relieve the rear guard." As further provocation, some of the riflemen would spring up and strike their heels together, as they passed. General Harrison was informed by an express, which met him at Fort Jennings, that the enemy had retreated, and that General Winchester, with his army, now occupied the ground at Fort Defiance. He thereupon gave orders that the regiments of Colonels Barbee and Poage, and Captain Collins's company of riflemen, should remain at Fort Jennings until further orders, and he continued his march for Defiance. On the next morning, Colonel Jennings (with whom Captain Collins had been acquainted in Kentucky, and to whom he had reported himself on the previous evening) came to where Captain Collins's company were encamped, and inquired for some men called mounted rangers (a small company of whom had been for some time in the employ of the army as spies), stating that General Harrison had informed him that some of those men were in the rear, and would be up that night; and left orders that one or two of them should be sent with two friendly Indians to ascertain whether the enemy in retreating had not taken the direction of Fort Wayne. Captain Collins was unable to give him any account of the men inquired for Colonel Jennings appeared to be much disappointed, and expressed his fears that the general would not receive the needful information in time. Captain Collins told him that rather than that should be the case, if the general had left no orders for the disposition of his company, he would, if furnished with a good horse, go with the Indians, make the examination, and report to the general that night. This offer was readily accepted.
     A horse and saddle were soon provided for Captain Collins. As soon as he was mounted Colonel Jennings brought to him the two Indians and James Conner, an interpreter. The Indian guides were young men, said to be brothers, belonging to a tribe residing on the Auglaize River. They were directed to pilot Captain Collins to a point on the Maumee River, six miles above old Fort Defiance. One of the guides, through the interpreter, requested Captain Collins to remove a handkerchief which he had tied on his head, and by all means to keep his hat on; for there was danger of their being taken as belonging to the enemy and fired on by the Kentuckians. Captain Collins took the hint,' arid complied with the request. The Colonel ordered him to satisfy himself by a careful examination whether the enemy had or had not evaded the army of General Winchester, and were still on their march for Fort Wayne. They then started on their journey, and after they were clear of the encampment the elder of the two guides gave Captain Collins to understand that, while they would be careful to keep the proper course, the other man and Collins were to keep a good lookout in every direction, intimating that there was danger of their falling in with the enemy. By pushing their horses as fast as they were able to go, they arrived at Maumee River, above Defiance, a short time before night, and by the time they had made an examination sufficient to satisfy' themselves that the enemy had not taken that direction, it commenced getting dark. Captain Collins being much fatigued, and observing that the horses needed rest and time to feed, proposed that they should encamp for the night; but the guides insisted that they could find the main army that night, and by signs gave him to understand that it was not more than four miles distant. Accordingly, they hurried on, and about nine o'clock came in hearing of horse-bells, upon which the guides halted; and when Captain Collins came up, one of them, placing his mouth close to Collins's ear, said, in a low voice:
     "Hallison, Hallison."
     " Yes, yes," Collins replied, " General Harrison is here; come on;" and took his position in front of the guides. It was so dark that they were unable to see each other. They, however, soon came to a piece of rising ground which brought them in full view of the fires of the encampment, which extended down the river as far as they could see. When they came to where they supposed they were near the chain of sentinels, the Indians commenced hurrying their horses by a peculiar kind of .language, mixed with coughing and whistling, sufficiently loud to apprise the guards of their approach. In a short time they were hailed by a sentinel, not more than twenty paces in advance of them.
     "Who comes there?"
     "Two friendly Indians and a white man who have been out spying by order of General Harrison. Can we pass?"
     "Well, I suppose you may go along."
     In the same manner they hailed at the guard-fire, and were permitted to pass into the encampment. This want of vigilance grew out of the necessity there was for permitting the horsemen to pass out and return through the chain of sentinels, for the purpose of procuring grass for their horses. At length they came to where they heard quite an animated and apparently warm conversation, which seemed to be going on in a marquee near the center of the encampment. Among the voices engaged Captain Collins readily recognized that of the commanding general;- upon which he dismounted, leaving his horse in the care of the guides.
     On General Harrison coming out, Captain Collins made himself and his business known to him. General Harrison expressed some surprise at seeing him there, and inquired what. he had done with his company. To which Captain Collins gave an explanation, and was about to report the discoveries made by him as a spy, when General Harrison interrupted him by saying that the enemy had left the neighborhood and retreated down the river some five or six days before. At the request of General Harrison, Captain Collins went with him to his marquee.
     The next morning Captain Collins was ordered by General Harrison to retrace his steps to Fort Jennings, take command of his company, and return to St. Mary's, where they went into Winter quarters and remained until their term of service expired, in March, 1813, when they were discharged and returned to their homes. While Captain Collins and his company remained at St. Mary's, some of the officers in command of the Kentucky troops, who were continually passing and repassing, stated to a part of his company, who were on detached duty, that they knew Captain Collins from a boy, and that if ever he came in contact with the enemy they would find him to be "a fighting man."
     Some of the Kentuckians at times felt themselves at liberty to charge the Ohioans with cowardice in not rushing to the relief of Fort Wayne when it was besieged by the enemy. This produced a high feeling, and often occasioned words. But as it was known that Captain Collins was on the line, and had the command of a rifle company from Ohio, there were a few old officers among the Kentuckians who were not slow to make an exception in his favor. Every member of the rifle company from Butler County, at the expiration of their term of service, returned home in safety, without a scar. They had not the fortune to be ordered into battle; consequently, they returned unincumhered with those laurels and high honors' which some imagine can only be obtained on the battle-field. Still it is justly claimed for them that they did good service in opening roads, making water-craft to transport supplies down the St. Mary's River, and pushing on provisions and other needful supplies for the use of the army. They did their duty by promptly performing any service that was required of them by those in command.
     Immediately after Mr. Collins returned home, in 1813, he received the appointment of captain in the standing army of the United States, and was ordered to proceed to Cincinnati and enlist men for the service. He soon had twenty-three men enlisted, when he was ordered to rendezvous at Franklinton. He left Hamilton in company with Lieutenant Alexander Delorac early in the month of October, and proceeded to Franklinton, where they remained about a month, when they were ordered to Sandusky, and from thence to Detroit, where he was stationed for some time. On the 4th of March, 1814, he was appointed to the command of the force at Sandwich, in Canada, and proceeded to build the fort at that place. He was also, for a short time, commander of Fort Malden, in Canada. He was afterward ordered back to Detroit, where he took command of the place, and continued in the service until the close of the war in 1815, when he retired from the army with credit and honor to himself. He then returned to his farm in Oxford Township. During the time Captain Collins was in the army he disbursed considerable sums of money on account of the government, and when he retired from the service his accounts were promptly closed, and a small balance found due to him from the government by the accounting officers.
     In a letter received by Mr. McBride, Joel Collins, in relation to citizens of Butler County who served in the War of 1812, wrote:
     " Brigadier John Wingate, with his brigade major, William Robeson served a tour of six months' duty in the army of the northwestern frontier. Colonel James Mills, with his regiment, assisted in defending Fort Meigs during both the times it was besieged by the enemy. Captain John Hamilton was wounded and Lieutenant Harper was killed in Dudley's defeat at the river Raisin. I saw Colonel Thomas Irwin at Detroit in the Winter of 1814. He had with him at least two companies from Butler County. I regret being unable to recollect the names of his captains, and other officers. I saw passing through Detroit, in the Summer of 1814, a company of mounted riflemen from Butler County, under the command of Captain Zachary P. Dewitt, of Oxford Township. They had volunteered to accompany General McArthur, who that Summer made an incursion into the enemy's country with about five hundred mounted volunteers. They met and dispersed some of the advanced parties of the enemy engaged in collecting supplies near the center of the province of Upper Canada, at a place called Ramsours' Mills.
" In making up the officers of the Twenty-sixth Regiment of United States Infantry, four lieutenants were selected from Butler County, to wit: Robert Anderson, Alexander Delorac, John Hall, and Anderson Spencer. Lieutenant Anderson was early sent on with the first recruits. He volunteered at Lower Sandusky, and served with distinction as an officer of marines in the naval force on Lake Erie. Lieutenant Delorac marched with me to Fort Maiden in Upper Canada, and did faithful service in that region. He was my messmate, and a most agreeable companion. I understood that the other gentlemen were ordered, to the Niagara frontier, and remained in the service during the war."
     Captain John Robinson commanded a company from the neighborhood of Hamilton. He was a large, jovial, good-natured man, who lived after the war about four miles north of Hamilton. The colonel of the regiment was James Mills. The lieutenant of Robinson's company, which was in the First Regiment, Third Brigade, and First Division of Ohio militia, was William Shafor, who survived the war for sixty-five years, at the time of his death being the oldest man. in Butler County. He preserved his muster-rolls, commission, and order-book, and kept a diary for most of the time. It seems to be unfinished. Each of the soldiers received an advance of ten dollars, the ensign of twenty, the lieutenant of thirty, and the captain of forty dollars.
Lieutenant Shafor's diary is as follows:
     "February 6, 1813, rendezvoused at Fort Hamilton. Engaged in the United States service for the term of six months in a company of Ohio militia commanded by Captain John Hamilton, First Regiment, Third Detachment, and started the 17th instant for St. Mary's, arriving there the 27th. We were then ordered to Fort Logan.
     " March 1st, myself and a part of the company were ordered to Fort Wayne, to escort pack-horses with provisions.
     "March 7th, arrived there.
     " On the 24th we returned to St. Mary's.
     " On the 26th we arrived at Fort Logan.
     " April 9th, we were ordered to Amanda, and on the same night started to Fort Jennings, arriving there on the 11th.
     "On the 12th we went to Brown, and on the same night to Defiance, and on the 14th to Camp Meigs.
     " On the 27th the enemy made their appearance on the other side of the river, and saluted us with small arms. The compliment was returned with one or two cannon.
     "The 28th, they came in the same manner.
     " On the 29th, in the morning, they crossed the river, and saluted us on every side.
     "On the 30th they began to fire on us early in the morning, and wounded some slightly and one mortally, who died in a few days.
     "On the night of the 30th they began to cannonade.
     "May 1st, it was continued all day warmly on both sides, but not much damage done. Two were killed and a few wounded.
     "Sunday, May 2d, the British played on us more warmly than the day before. No great damage was done. Three were killed and a few wounded.
     " On the 3d they began early, and kept it up all day very warmly, and killed and wounded more than any
day before. A memorandum of the balls and bombs shot by the British on the 3d is said to be five hundred
in the day and thirty-three in the night, besides the Indians shooting all the time all around us, and yelling like
wolves night and day.
     "May 4th, it began to rain before day, and continued till about eight o'clock, during which time the firing ceased. When the rain stopped, the firing began, and was kept up all day. Not much damage was done. Some were wounded, but it is not known to me how many.
     "May 5th, a severe engagement took place on both sides of the river. Colonel Dudley's regiment from Kentucky landed on the north side of the river, and advanced down to the British batteries, driving them away and spiking their cannon, but was by a superior force-obliged to retreat. They suffered greatly. Out of the whole regiment there were only one hundred and fifty or sixty who came in. The number of prisoners is not yet ascertained.
     "On the 6th there was a cessation of arms. Harrison sent a flag of truce to get liberty to bury the dead. The British refused to give the privilege unless General Harrison would give up the fort.
     "On the 7th they came over with a flag, and brought a list of names and number of prisoners, which was three hundred and fifty. The number of British prisoners was forty-two. They were sent home on parole for thirty days.
     "On the 8th our prisoners were sent home on parole during the war.
     "On the morning of the 9th the British struck their colors and left their batteries.
     "On the 10th myself and a part of the company volunteered to go out to assist in hunting the dead and burying them on the south side of the river. The number I do not know.
     "On the 11th myself and a part of the company volunteered, with a number of Ohio and Kentucky troops, to cross the river to gather the dead. The number found was about forty-seven.
     "June 7th, an express came to Camp Meigs that Queenstown was taken, upon which our batteries opened four rounds of cannon as a rejoicing.
     "June 20th, we got word that the British were coming to see us again.
     "July 2d, a party of men left Camp Meigs to go to Defiance, but were attacked by a party of Indians. Two were found dead; the rest were all missing, except one, who got back to the fort. He said they were all killed and taken prisoners.
     "July 19th, Captain Patrick Shaw and his company of Ohio militia of the First Regiment, Third Detachment, marched from Camp Meigs to Portage, there to remain until further orders.
     "On the night of the 20th July, 1813, the enemy was discovered at the old fort.
     "On the morning of the 25th the Indians attacked the wood-guard, which was sent out at reveille, and killed five or six, and then continued firing on the garrison all day, doing no damage.
" The 23d, there were one hundred regulars, one hundred and twenty Ohio militia, and some spies sent out to search the woods for batteries, but found none. There appears to be a great stir among the enemy; but what their intentions are we can't tell.
     "On the 26th the enemy began firing about four hundred yards from the garrison, and kept it up twenty minutes or more, which alarmed the garrison very much. Thinking that General Harrison was coming with a re-enforcement and was attacked, officers and men were very anxious to go to their assistance. General Clay assured us that it was a sham to get men out; there were no re-enforcements so soon.
     "On the 28th the enemy set sail. From the appearance of their craft they were very numerous."
Several of the soldiers died on the march or in encounter with the foe. Among them were James Harper, May 5, 1813; Samuel Colby, May 21st; Samuel Cotley, May 21st; John Byram, May 27th ; Robert Van Vickie, July 2d ; Abraham Huffman, July 15th; John Cain, corporal, July 17th. Others deserted. Among these were James Carlisle and John Morton. The property of these men was sold and the proceeds turned over to the relatives, who gave Mr. Shafor receipts. Here are some of the prices that the articles brought:
Blanket, $2.50; pantaloons, $1.15; shirt and pantaloons, 42; hunting shirt, $2; handkerchief, 6¼c.; vest, 25c; hat, $1.87½ ; socks, 50c; shoes, 75c; knapsack, 25c; pair of mittens, 31¼c.; flannel shirt, 25c.; cup and spoon, 31¼c ; fine comb, 18¾c.; comb, 18¾c.; roundabout,$3.50; surtout coat, $5 ; linen pantaloons, 25c.; woolen pantaloons, $1; belt and knife, 12½c ; overalls, 75c.; seven twists tobacco, 30c
     Mr. Shafor records in his book the orders received, and other official papers. On the 17th of June J. H. Hawkins, acting adjutant, issued an order to the troops by authority of General Green Clay. Colonel Miller was thanked for the ability and thoroughness with which he had discharged his duties. The commandants of the Ohio and Kentucky regiments of militia were instructed to cause their respective commands to be exercised each day at least four hours by companies in the manual exercise, marking time, facings, wheelings, etc. From opening of the gates until seven o'clock of the morning, bathing and swimming would be allowed, and after this it would not be permitted. Swimming to the opposite shore was positively forbidden. At four o'clock every morning four men from each company were to be permitted to pass the sentinels, accompanied by a commissioned officer, to gather fruit and salad, the men to go out and return by twelve o'clock. One gill of whisky would he issued daily to each man returned fit for duty. Those returned on the sick list would be furnished at such time and in such proportions as the surgeons might deem proper, for which whisky would be lodged with the hospital stores. The officers were earnestly recommended in every, case to. pay the strictest attention to the cleanliness of their men. Saturday the men were to be permitted to wash their clothes.
     On the 24th of June Adjutant Hawkins issued an order permitting the men to fish.
     On the 25th the commanding general made known a letter from the Secretary of War, saying :
     "The President has been pleased that I should communicate to you, and through you to the troops composing the garrison of Fort Meigs, his thanks for the valor and patriotism they displayed in the defense of that post, and particularly to the different corps employed in the sorties made on the 5th instant (May)."
The general adds that he is persuaded the gallant troops which served at Fort Meigs will duly appreciate the approbation of the chief magistrate of their country, and that it will prove a stimulus to future exertions.
The Fourth of July was duly observed. Orders were issued to the troops as follows:
     "The general announces to the troops under his command the return of the day which gave liberty and independence to the United States of America, and orders that a national salute be fired under the superintendence of Captains Gratiot and dishing. All the troops reported fit for duty shall receive an extra gill of whisky, and those in confinement and those under sentence, attached to this corps, be forthwith released, and ordered to join their respective corps. The general is induced to use this lenity alone from the consideration of this ever-memorable day, and flatters himself that in future the soldiers under his command will better appreciate their liberty by a steady adherence to their duty and prompt compliance to the orders of their officers, by which alone they are worthy to enjoy the blessing of that liberty and independence, the only real legacy left us by our fathers. The court martial now constituted in this camp is hereby dissolved."
     It is one of the most difficult things in war to keep up the standard of health. Officers, as well as men, neglect an attention to details which is necessary for that purpose. This difficulty was met at Fort Meigs. General Harrison declared that he was mortified that the police of most of the corps was still very deficient. He adds:
     "'Will the officers never learn that attention to the health and comfort of the men is, perhaps, the most important and most honorable of their duties, and that the neglect of this is certain to bring along with it contagion and disease infinitely more destructive than the sword of the enemy? The general assures the officers that future neglects of this kind will not be passed ever. The lives of the soldiers are too precious to be trifled with. The commandants of corps are directed to make an extra separate weekly report to the general, personally, of the state of their commands as regards police, particularly noting those officers who are attentive to and who neglect this sacred duty. The former will be applauded, whilst the latter will be taken from his commands and made to exchange situations with such of the recruiting officers as are now longing for an opportunity to distinguish themselves."
     A reward of eight gills of whisky was shortly after given to the best shot, and four gills to the next best. This was to encourage marksmanship.
     The following is the muster-roll of the company:

MUSTER-ROLL

     Of a Company of Infantry Militia under command of Captain John Hamilton, of the Third Detachment of Militia from the State of Ohio, now in the service of the United States, commanded by Lieutenant-colonel James Mills, from the sixth day of February, 1813, when first mustered to continue in service, until the, sixth day of August, 1813.
     Captain—John Hamilton.
     Lieutenant —William Shafor.
     Ensign —James Harper.
     Sergeants—John Haynes, Adam Stonebreaker, Levi Hall, Ebonezer Budge.
     Corporals—John Shortman, John Miller, John McCloskey, Eli Davis.
     Musicians—Joseph Blosom, Abraham Huffman.

PRIVATES.

William Dodd John Craig Jacob Rush David Squier John Brown Thomas Johnson John Brinley Shobal Vail Benjamin Blew William Anthony Benjamin Wynn Joseph Denny Daniel Clark Jeremiah Johnson John Bridgeford John Byram David Donar Geo. Stonebreaker Peter Brozune Philip Hawk Geo. Iseminger, Jr. William Martin Robert Jordan

Benoni Goble Moses Rush Solomon Leffer Thomas Street Willialm Street John Keller Leonard Selby Ezekiel Vannote James Barcalow Joseph Hincle James Heaton William Robinson John Hunter Joseph Powers William Potts Nicholas Bailey William Riddle Joseph Abbot John Thompson George Russel Stephen Scudder Henry Thomas John Fuster

Nicholas Curtis John Porter Benjamin Stone Phillip Muchner Samuel Robbins John Bailey Henry Frazer Samuel Coleby Silas Anderson Nathan Corbin Charles Stuart Daniel Baker Arthur Parks John Pierce Robert Vansickle Joseph Frazer Everet Vansickle John C. Newhouse David Conger Christian Stine Thomas Wear Abraham Squier

SUBSTITUTES.

     A number of the men did not go out, but appointed substitutes. They are as follows :
     Benjamin Berry, substitute for L. Hull.
     Christopher Kiger, substitute for Joseph Blosom.
     Thomas Gregory, substitute for Jacob Rush.
     Enoch Galloway, substitute for A. Squier.
     William Price, substitute for John Brinley.
     John Wells, substitute for Shobal Vail.
     James Wynn, substitute for B. Blew.
     John Martin, substitute for Jeremiah Johnson.
     David Vinnedge, substitute for John Bridgeford.
     John Immick, substitute for David Donan.
     Jacob Miller, substitute for G. Stonebreaker.
     Warner Windsor, substitute for G. Iseminger, Jr.
     Thomas W. Spencer, substitute for William Martin.
     John McCain, substitute for B. Goble.
      James Dickey, substitute for L. Leffer.
     Samuel Bowles, substitute for William Riddle.
     Samuel Chambers, substitute for J. C. Newhouse.
     Mark Briney, substitute for D. Conger.
     Alexander Fleming, substitute for N. Curtis.
     Samuel Fleming, substitute for P. Muchner.
     Robert McCain, substitute for S. Robbins.
    
     James Heaton was appointed clerk of the regiment February 8, 1813, and Samuel Bayles was appointed adjutant the 11th of February.
     The next muster-roll, formerly in possession of Lieutenant Shafor, is dated May 31st. Upon it appear the names of James Carlisle, Winthrop Emerson, Thomas Spencer, Benjamin Stone, John Wells, and Warner Wynn. Eli Davis was fourth sergeant, Nicholas Bailey first corporal, John Cain third corporal, and John Porter fourth corporal. Christopher Kiger was left sick at Amanda; John Martin had deserted at Hamilton, February 17th ; Robert Jordan was appointed brigade quartermaster at St. Mary's, April 7th ; James Heaton was appointed brigade quartermaster at St. Mary's, April 7th; Samuel Bayles was appointed adjutant, February 11th ; Benjamin Stone was appointed sergeant-major, February 16th; John Wells was appointed quartermaster's sergeant, February 16th; John Bailey deserted from Fort Logan, April 8th ; and James Carlisle died, May 21st, at Camp Meigs. At the time of making out the roll four non-commissioned officers and nineteen privates were present fit for duty; the lieutenant, four non-commissioned officers, and seventeen privates were sick, present; two privates were sick, absent; eight were on detached duty and on extra service ; four men had been promoted; the captain was a prisoner; the ensign was missing; two had deserted, and two were dead. This made a total of fifty-three, against eighty-one on their original roll. It afterwards appeared that Ensign Harper, who was reported missing, was dead. Lieutenant Shafor was tried for sleeping on his post. The charge was not substantiated, but the discipline which prevailed at the time must have been very free and easy.
     The charge was sleeping on his post, while officer of guard No. 3, about three o'clock of the night of the 6th of July, 1813, and suffering his men to sleep on their posts also. The court was composed of Captains Shaw, Hatfield, McKune, and Engle, Lieutenant Hopkins, and Ensigns Spence and Gulp; judge advocate, Samuel Bayles.
     Colonel Anderson, the complainant, was sworn. He testified that on the night of the 6th, after going the grand rounds, between eleven and twelve P. M., going a second time at two o'clock, or thereabout, in passing the blockhouse where Lieutenant Shafor had charge of the guard, the sentinel hailed faintly. He then asked the sentinel where the officer of the guard was; receiving answer that he was asleep or sleeping. The sentinel then asked: "Shall I wake him?" and made some attempts to do so. Colonel Anderson told him he need not, but to tell him, after waking, that the officer of the day bad been there, and had found him asleep. He saw no one about the guard but what was asleep, excepting the sentinel. He did not sec the officer of the guard himself, or if he did sec him he did not know him.
     Benjamin Stone, the sentinel, said that between two and three o'clock the night of the 6th he hailed the officer of the day, who gave the countersign. Stone then called to the sergeant to parade the guard. The officer of the day said it was not worth while to parade the guard, but tell the officer of the guard that the officer of the day had been there. He called his officer twice, but received no answer.
     Question by the Court. "Do you know whether the lieutenant was asleep or not?" Answer. "I do not. He arose immediately after the officer of the day was gone. There was no noise that could have awakened any person after the colonel went away before the lieutenant rose."
     Q. "How far were you from the lieutenant when he arose?" A. "About one rod and a half."
     Q. " How far were you from the officer of the day when you hailed him?" A. " About two rods."
     Q. " Did, or did not, you hail loud enough for a man to hear, that was not asleep?" A. " I can not tell."
     Q. " Was your hailing Colonel Anderson louder than his answer?" A. " I think the answer was the loudest." John Johnson, the sergeant of the guard, heard Colonel Anderson tell the sentinel that he need not parade the guard, but tell the officer of the guard that the officer of the day had been there. Sergeant Johnson did not know whether Lieutenant Shafor was asleep or awake at the time in question.
     John Collins testified that he was on guard that night with Lieutenant Shafor, sitting up nearly all night. He did not find him asleep at any time. He had heard the questions of the officer of the day, and the hail of the sentinel.
     After deliberation, the court-martial found Lieutenant Shafor not guilty of the charge, and. unanimously acquitted him.
     Lieutenant Shafor's commission read as follows:

COMMISSION.

"THOMAS KIRKER, Speaker of the Senate, now acting as Governor and Commander-in-chief of the State of Ohio, to WILLIAM SHAFOR, ESQ., greeting:
     "Know you, That from the special trust and confidence which is reposed in your fidelity, courage, activity, and good conduct, I have, by virtue of the power vested in me, appointed you, the said William Shafor, lieutenant to a company of militia in the second battalion, first regiment, second brigade, first division, Ohio militia, and do, by these presents, commission you accordingly, with all the privileges thereunto appertaining. You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the duties of lieutenant as aforesaid, agreeably to law, and such instructions as you shall from time to time receive from your superior officers and the commander-in-chief.
     "In witness whereof the said THOMAS KIRKER, now acting as Governor and Commander-in-chief of the State of Ohio, hath caused  the great hereunto affixed, at Chillicothe, of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven, and of the "THOMAS KIRKER. "By the Governor, "Attest: WILLIAM CREIGHTON, JUN., Secretary of State."
     This has two indorsements:
     "STATE OF OHIO, Butler County.—Before me, Daniel Strickland, justice of the peace, came "William Shafor, and took the Oath of a lieutenant in a company in the second battalion, second brigade, first regiment, and first division of Ohio militia, and took the oath to support the Constitution of this State and of the United States.
     "Given under my hand, this 15th day of February, 1813. "DANIEL STRICKLAND, J. P."
     The other indorsement is his discharge:
     "BUTLER COUNTY, SS.—I do hereby certify that I have this day accepted the resignation of William Shafor.
     "Given under my hand, this eighthday of April, 1815.
                                              "THOMAS IRWIN,
     "Col. 1st Reg't, 3d Brigade, 1st Division, of Ohio Militia."
     In Liberty Hall, a newspaper of Cincinnati, May 13, 1812, we find the following account of John Robinson's company:

"SPIRIT OF BUTLER COUNTY.

     "Agreeable to general orders, the company who volunteered from the third brigade of the first division of Ohio militia, commanded by Captain John Robinson, who have manifested their zeal and attachment, to our government by making a tender 'of their services in the cause of our country and its rights and privileges, met at Middletown, in the county of Butler, on Monday, the 27th instant,, for the purpose of marching to the general rendezvous, at Dayton. On that occasion, and to manifest an approbation of the courage and integrity of those brave volunteers, the citizens of Middletown and its vicinity, animated with that spirit which the government, freedom, and privileges of the American people ought always to inspire, came forward and gave a liberal and elegant breakfast to the corps on the morning of the 28th instant, before they proceeded to march. The subscribers, the Rev. Matthew G. Wallace and Mr. William Bigham being present, were invited to partake with the corps. The repast being ended, an appropriate address was delivered by Mr. Wallace to the corps before they left the table, and concluded with a prayer well adapted to the occasion. The greatest attention and good order prevailed amongst the soldiers and numerous crowds of citizens who attended the scene; after which the volunteers took their station to march, with the greatest spirit and composure; and being impressed with a just sense of the zeal and patriotic spirit manifested by the people, and as an acknowledgment to those worthy citizens, and the ladies in particular, who contributed such attention and the most extreme exertion to accommodate and accomplish such a noble and generous act, the subscribers thought it their duty to communicate the same to the public prints, as a testimonial of the gratitude we feel toward such generous ; and noble actions.
                             "WILLIAM ROBESON, B. M.,
                             "THOMAS IRWIN, M.,
                             "JOHN WINGATE, B. G.
     "Middletown, April 28, 1812."
      At a respectable meeting of citizens of Fairfield Township, at the house of Mr. Joseph Colby, in Hamilton, on the 4th of July, the following toasts were drunk:
     1. "The United States—May her sons possess the fire of patriotism which animated the bosoms of their ancestors, and drive the proud Britons by the sword, and with the tune 'Yankee Doodle,' from her shores into Pandemonium."
     2. "The Army of the United States—May they have no Arnolds, or other accursed traitors, for their commanders."
     3. "The Canadas—May they see the perfidy and oppression of their old mother, and with disdain flee from her ranks to the standard of the American arms, and learn to feel the glow and animating spirit of patriotism."
     4. "Our Militia—May they be well organized, and with Roman valor fight to a man for liberty, in the present war."
     5. "Congress—May the cursed tories, if any, in our national councils, be hurled headlong from their seats to the gallows."
     6. "May we find plenty of Washingtons and Waynes in our present war, who will hang all tories, traitors, and British spies."
     7. "May the Americans support their standard, and bid defiance to all foreign despots."
     8. "The President of the United States—May his determined mind, in signing the proceedings of Congress in the present crisis, be remembered to our latest posterity."
     9. "George Clinton—May his successors emulate his virtues."
     10. "The State of Louisiana—May the dignity in which she is placed cause her to be an ornament to her sister States."
     11. "The Savages on our Frontiers—As their existence depends on our arms, may they sue to us for peace."
     12. "The departed Heroes—May their sons emulate their fathers' virtues."
     13. "General Hull—May he soon hoist the American standard in Maiden."
     14. "Our Navy—Despised by Britain, may they deal destruction to the British ships."
     15. "May all the British ships which attempt to sail through Hellgate, to burn New York, sink to Hell eternally."
     16. "The State of Ohio—May her patriotism be an example to her sister States."
     17. "The Kentucky Militia—The dread of our savage foes."
     18. "The Fair Sex—May their embraces be an ample
reward for our intended victory."

VOLUNTEER—BY MRS. POWERS.

     "The Surviving Patriots who fought in the late Revolution— May they live to see an honorable peace proclaimed."
     We find, also, in an old newspaper of the time the following advertisement of the recruiting officers:

ENCOURAGEMENT TO ENLIST.

     To every able-bodied man, from the age of eighteen to forty-five years, who wishes to enlist in defense of the honor and independence of their country for the term of five years,

A. Bounty of Sixteen Dollars

will be paid; and whenever he shall have served the said term, or obtained an honorable discharge stating the faithful performance of his duty while in service, he shall be paid three months' extra pay, and

160 Acres of Land;

and in case he should be killed in action, or die in the service, his heirs and representatives will be entitled to the said three months' pay and one hundred and sixty acc£s of land, to be designated, surveyed, and laid off at the public expense. To those who prefer enlisting for eighteen months the same bounty, additional pay, and clothing will be given (the bounty in land excepted), as if enlisted for five years. The following places are appointed, and a rendezvous opened for the enlistment of-soldiers in the new army for this district, mulct* the undersigned officers:
     At Cincinnati, Hugh Moore, Captain U. S. Army
     At Hamilton, Butler County, Lewis Howel, First Lieutenant U. S. Army
     At Middletown and Eaton, Preble County, Phillip P. Price, Second Lieutenant U. S. Army.
     At Staunton and Troy, Miami County, E. B. Baskinville, Ensign U. S. Army
     CINCINNATI, July 11, 1812
     Besides those mentioned above, Thomas Irwin served a tour of duty of six months in the Ohio militia as a major. Robert Anderson, of the township of Ross, entered the commissary and pack-horse service at the beginning of the war, but in the early part of 1813 received a commission as lieutenant. He was first placed upon the recruiting service, then joining General Harrison's army at Sandusky. The fleet was insufficiently manned, and Lieutenant Anderson volunteered his services, acting as an officer of marines during Commodore Perry's active service on the lake. He received a silver medal, by order of Congress, as a testimonial of his bravery and good conduct during the action. He then joined the northern tinny, in which he served until the conclusion of the war. General Brown was his commander.
     Dr. Daniel Millikin marched at the head of a company of his neighbors up to the frontier, and narrowly escaped being shot by an Indian. John Woods, after-wart Is the leader of the bar here, but who then lived in Warren County, did his duty as a soldier. He was included in the last draft of the Ohio militia, which was made in 1814, and was in the garrison at Fort Meigs when peace with Great Britain was proclaimed. The Rev. Matthew G. Wallace, to prove that the clergy were not behind the laity, also went out as a captain.
Colonel Matthew Hueston, who had served valiantly in Wayne's army, saw service in the war of 1812. General Hull surrendered on the 16th of August of that year, and the whole country immediately armed to prevent a recurrence of the disaster. Hueston volunteered his services, and marched, with a number of others, to Fort Wayne, for the relief of that place, which was then besieged. After being out two or three months, he was appointed purchasing agent for the contractor of the Northwestern army. He bought a vast number of horses and a large quantity of provisions in Butler County for the supply of the army. He continued to act in that capacity until the close of the war.
     Charles K. Smith, then a mere lad, was out with his father, who was a paymaster, and acted as clerk.
Hundreds of others might be mentioned did we possess perfect records, and the reader will find accounts of many of them scattered, through the township histories. The war of 1812 marks an epoch in the annals of this county. Settlements had then been begun in every quarter, and, although the forests covered a much larger extent of the country than the cultivated land, yet there were farms and cleared patches everywhere. Schools were beginning ; there were a dozen Church organizations, although but three or four meeting-houses; and the main roads were laid out. It would seem to us now very savage ; but it was in reality a great advance upon the wilderness. The population was 11,150, just about a quarter of what it is at present.

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