Fort Amanda's Builder & 1st African-American in Auglaize County

Lt. Col. Robert Pogue

The man credited with building Fort Amanda was Lt. Col. Robert Pogue of Mayslick, Kentucky. Before we go into too much detail about the forts construction, I think it’s important we first get to know a little about Robert Pogue.

Pogue's mother Ann Kennedy had married a man named Wilson who died shortly after the birth of their daughter. Shortly thereafter she married William Pogue; Roberts father. Robert was born near Holstein River, Virginia in 1766. In 1775, he and the family moved to Boonesborough, Kentucky where they spent the winter. The Pogue family is recognized as being among the first white settlers in the state of Kentucky and Robert Pogue’s mother is credited with bringing the first spinning wheel into the state.

The following year the family moved into Fort Harrod (Harrodsburg, Kentucky). While out hunting on Sept. 24, 1778, Pogue’s father was shot 3 times by Indians and died near Danville, Kentucky. Men in the party collected his watch and rifle and gave them to 12 year old Robert. The following Spring Roberts mother married a man named Joseph Lindsay, a commissary agent who ran a store at Fort Harrod. Lindsay supplied buffalo meat and venison for General Clark’s army who at the time was stationed at Louisville, Ky. When the Indians from the North invaded Kentucky 4 years later in 1782, Joseph Lindsay borrowed Robert's rifle and joined the army. He was killed at the Battle of Blue Licks and the rifle was lost. Roberts mother had been widowed a third time. Later that same year, young Robert, now 16 years old, volunteered as a soldier in Clark's army.

On June 20th, 1791, Robert married Jane Hopkins and together they eventually had 9 children; John Hopkins, William Lindsay, Edwin Philander, Amy, Hannah Amanda, Jane Isabella, Robert (died in infancy) Robert Cunningham and Ann Eliza. Three years later (1794), 28 years old, Robert, a quartermaster with a Kentucky militia unit joined General Anthony Wayne’s army and was at the battle of Fallen Timbers on August 20th. Robert's quartermaster skills were no doubt learned from his step-father, the commissary agent at Fort Harrod. It was those skills that19 years later probably made him first choice when he was called on to build what amounted to a large commissary and supply depot on the Auglaize River, a post he named Fort Amanda.  

Now That's a Mouthful

It was during this time; Robert's mother married a 4th time, and this time to a man named McGintey. She lived out her life at Fort Harrod and is buried in the cemetery near the fort. Her full name at her death was Ann Kennedy (Wilson Pogue Lindsay McGinty). She had lost 2 husbands to disease and 2 husbands killed by Indians.

              

Making Preparations for War

By 1812, 46 year old Robert Pogue had become a very successful farmer, at one time owning as much as 90,000 acres of land on which he grew tobacco and other crops. The family homestead was located a few miles east of the town of Mayslick, Kentucky. He was a well respected businessman in the community and an active member of the Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon. He and his wife Jane Hopkins Pogue were living at the time on a large farm near the village of Mayslick, along with their seven children; four sons and three daughters ranging in age from 4 to 20.

As stated in the previous posting, the War of 1812 had gotten off to a very bad start and with the planned invasion of Canada abandoned, and with a fear of enemy incursions into Ohio and Kentucky, the frontier, especially in Ohio was on high alert. The call went out to the governors of Ohio and Kentucky for troops and sometime in early August, Pogue got his orders to assemble his regiment.

The Pogue household immediately began making arrangements for his absence. It was decided that their oldest son, 20 year old John would accompany his father while Pogue’s wife Jane, with the help of their 14 year old son Edwin, would manage the day to day operation of the family farm. Their eldest daughter, 11 year old Amanda would watch over the younger children; 9 year old Jane, 6 years old Robert and 4 year old Ann.

Finally by the third week of August and after weeks of preparations, Pogue’s command was ready to advance. He, his son John and servant David mounted their horses and started

The First Black Man in Auglaize County

Officers at the time were authorized to have a personal servant so Pogue selected David, a family slave to accompany him. Whether David volunteered or “was volunteered,” we will never know. What we do know is that Pogue did have an "expense account" and was reimbursed for David’s services (22 cents a day). Not a bad wage considering the average soldiers pay was about 33 cents a day.
****************************************************
Robert Pogue Lt. Col. Comm.
4th Regiment Ky. Vol. Militia
For: The pay of David, a private servant not of the line or militia from the 27th day of August, 1812 to the 18th March 1813, being 6 months and twenty three days at $6.66 per month. ($44.90).
I certify on honor that the above account is accurate and just, and that I employed and kept in service, a servant not of the line of the army or militia for the term above charged, and that I didn’t during the time herein charge, keep or employ as a waiter or servant any soldier from the line of the army or militia
Robert Pogue, Comm. 4th Rgt. Ky M. Vol.

Flemingsburg Kentucky, August 24, 1813. Received of Lt. George Botts pay muster to the 4th regiment Ky. Vol. Militia forty four dollars ninety cents in full payment of the above account for the services of my private servant Davey. Having signed triplicates.
Robert Pogue. 

Anecdotal evidence suggests he is buried along with other family slaves in the Pogue family plot.

The Rendezvous

Finally after weeks of preparations Pogue and his command of 753 troops of the 4th Kentucky Mounted Militia regiment began their trek toward Newport, Ky. Pogue’s regiment consisted of eleven companies made up of thirty-five officers, 763 men, and ten Waggoner’s. The total number of men in Pogue’s 4th regiment varied throughout the war as men died, were killed, deserted, became too ill to serve, or men whose family hardships demanded they be excused from duty. The regiment along with Barbee’s and Jennings arrived in Newport on August 24, where they first heard the news of Hulls surrender at Detroit.

Pogue's Command	Officers	Men
Lt. Col. Pogue, Robert (Staff)	2	9
Capt. Simon R. Baker	3	41
Capt. Joseph Belt	3	75
Capt. William Brown	3	80
Capt.  Clemmons	3	59
Capt. John Dowden	3	98
Capt. Washington Kennedy	3	63
Capt. John McKee	3	79
Capt. George Matthews*	3	56
Capt. Whitehead	3	37
Capt. McGuire	3	57
Capt. Thompson Ward*	3	64
Waggoner’s (teamsters)		10
Totals (officers & men)	35	728
Totals – All  (as of 9/18/1812)	763

On August 27^th, the Kentuckians crossed the Ohio River and entered Cincinnati.

Walking Across the Ohio River

Crossing the Ohio River from Newport, Kentucky to Cincinnati was not a difficult task in 1812 as the water at that point was less than a foot deep most of the year. In fact at certain times of the year a man could actually walk from Newport to Cincinnati, or if he was on horseback he could easily make the trip without getting has trousers wet. Once across the river Pogue’s men set up camp near the courthouse where they remained a few days while final arrangements with contractors, etc were made to insure a reliable supply chain as they advanced north.

Note: The courthouse in 1812 was located at the southeast corner of 5th and Main sts. near Fountain Square in Cincinnati.