The War of 1812 in Miami County

Historians often overlook the role of men that lived on the frontier borders during the War if 1812; focusing on better documented scenarios. Miami County was formed in 1807, and was only five years old when the War of 1812 began. 

State law required that all men from ages 18-45 serve in the Militia. The Miami Militia had been functional since 1809 and belonged to the First Division of the Ohio Militia. In 1813, Miami became part of the Fifth Division, along with Greene, Montgomery, Champaign, Preble, and Darke Counties.

At the declaration of war, General Harrison, commander of the Federal troops in the northwest, issued a local call to arms.  Many men who already were in local county Militias volunteered to serve with Harrison.  Preble, Greene and Miami counties were exempt from war draft because they were considered war zones. Most other men from these counties that did not volunteer to serve with Harrison formed volunteer Militia companies.  

The Miami County Militia's uniforms consisted of the following:

light blue hunting frocks

a leather belt with an ax and knife tucked in

a shot pouch

a powder horn

a rifle

Most men already had all of these items. (Dyeing the hunting frock a common color for Militia duty was a standard practice throughout the United States.)  Ohio Militia records indicate all Miami companies were riflemen.  Ohio Militia records also indicate frequent shortages of supplies. Since Miami’s men were already at the edge of civilization, supply shortages meant a bit less to them.

In early April, 1812, President Madison issued instructions to Governor Return Jonathan Meigs of Ohio to assemble the Militia at Dayton, Ohio. By the end of the month, more than the required number of men had enrolled. The troops drilled and prepared to march to Detroit. President Madison commissioned William Hull, Governor of the Michigan Territory, as Brigadier General of the Northwest Territory Army.  This army consisted of 600 regular troops, and 1,600 state Militia troops. 

General Hull (who was Ohio Governor Meigs brother- in-law) arrived in Dayton, Ohio on May 25th, 1812. He left with his troops on June 1st, to march on Detroit as ordered by President Madison. General Hull was 58 years old at the time of his appointment. He was not in good health, and had lived a life of excess eating and drinking. He also had stroke in 1811.  It affected his ability to think clearly.  Like many regular army officers, he viewed the Militia as untrained and untrustworthy. Consequently he treated them with little respect. 

Eventually, he and over 2,000 men made their way through the state and across the border in to the Michigan Territory. After an encounter with General Brock, Hull surrendered unconditionally to the British. Hull's primary reasons for surrendering 2,000 men to 700 British and Canadian soldiers were:

1. His concern that a massacre would include the many women, children (including his own daughter, and grandchildren) and older people who were with him.

2. His mental health. He was unable to speak clearly, and demonstrated disorganized thinking.

3. Lack of support from several state Militia units who had refused to cross state lines.

In total, Hull and the Northwest Territory Army surrendered Fort Detroit and all its contents, 600 regular army, 1,600 Militia, 2,500 muskets, 30 pieces of heavy artillery, and 50 barrels of gunpowder. He also surrendered many boats, a baggage train of 100 pack animals, and provisions for 20 days.

In autumn of 1811, John Mann and Alexander Ewing scouted for Harrison near Prophetstown, Indiana.   Sometime after their return to Ohio, both are promoted to the rank of Colonel by Governor Meigs for “acts of valor”.   In early 1812, John Mann was elected as Colonel over the Miami County Militia.  At that time, county militia hierarchies were determined by popular vote within each count militia.   

At the outset of the war, Colonel Mann established several independent rifle companies to patrol the frontier.  Fortifications are established or re-established at Covington, Fort Loramie, Greenville, Piqua, Sidney, St. Marys,  and Staunton.  The locations of these structures were previously areas used by General Anthony Wayne with the exception Fort Mann in Sidney, and the Fort at Staunton.  Staunton was Miami County's seat at this time, and Fort Mann in Sidney was on or near a trail following the Miami River.  This fort secured the path to Colonel Johnston's headquarters at Upper Piqua and was eventually used as a patrol post and supply post for the Defiance, Ohio area.

During this time, Miami County’s men ran a line of defense from St. Mary's,County to spy for hostiles and discourage invasion on the western border of the state. They circulated and patrolled areas to and from Staunton, Piqua, Sidney, Covington, Greenville, Fort Loramie, St. Marys, Urbana, and Wapakoneta. 

Governor Meigs was here (on the frontier) on several occasions, and ordered Miami’s men to perform widespread duties, including staffing detachments.  As the war progressed, men that did not patrol in these areas manned local blockhouses.   

The fear of Indian uprisings were increasing on the frontier.  Ohio Governor Meigs was at Zanesville when he received a letter from the commanding officer of the state Militia near Greenville stating:

"The people of this county are much alarmed at this time by the near approach of the Indian Prophet and his party, consisting of about 45 warriors, who are hunting about thirty miles from here. We were told by two Mingo Indians who say they are camped about ten miles from his place, that the Prophet and his party are hunting about 20 miles from here, in a western direction. They say that they were told by two of the Prophet's men who came to their camp and said the Prophet's men would kill every white man they came across. We are about to send out spies immediately to discover whether the Prophet is there or not. Our exposed position would render us an easy prey to the Indians should they attack us.  The inhabitants have earnestly requested that troops be sent for our protection, and the sooner they are here, the better."

In 1813, the Miami County Militia became part of the 5th Division of the Ohio Militia.  Area Indian attacks during the war included men being killed at St. Marys, Urbana, Springfield, and Greenville. Two young girls were killed while traveling one half mile from Greenville, and two men traveling from Greenville to Preble County were also murdered.   Indians then began attacking settlers within Miami County. The double murder of Mr. and Mrs. Dilbone occurred east of Piqua was followed by the murder of David Gerard that occurred on Spring Creek.  In August 1814, toward the close of the war, Jane Williamson Carey, wife of Cephas Carey who lived in Hardin, Ohio, was killed when the Shawnee attacked the Carey Blockhouse on their farm.  Cephas was the blockhouse adjutant, having built the blockhouse for his family and other early Shelby County area settlers to take shelter.  

All throughout the war, Miami County’s men continued to run a line of defense from Urbana to St. Mary's, and discouraged invasion on the western border of the state. They patrolled the areas to and from Staunton, Piqua, Sidney, Covington, Greenville, Fort Loramie, St. Marys, Urbana, and Wapakoneta. Governor Meigs was on the frontier and ordered Miami’s men to perform widespread duties, including staffing detachments.  Men that did not patrol manned local blockhouses.   

Immediately following General Hull's surrender, Harrison marched north in his famous campaign toward the Indian Territories. He and his favored Kentucky Militia came through Miami County. He used these men because he had prior battle experience with them. It is also important to remember that Kentucky had more established settlement. 30 years on the frontier provided a more established, organized, and disciplined army.  

A factor in Harrison's choice to use the Kentucky Militia may also have been distrust of the Ohio Militia after Hull's surrender.  

His friend and ally, Colonel John Johnston, a Federal Indian Agent located in the northern part of the county, also found the Miami Militia uncooperative. Although Johnston was representing the Federal government, he was not part of the Ohio Militia leadership hierarchy, and consequently the Militia did not always answer his requests.