By January 1813, General
William Henry Harrison, commander of the army of the Northwest was convinced a
British attack on Fort Meigs (Perrysburg, O) was imminent. He wrote the
governor of Ohio asking for troops to reinforce his command and to relieve the
Kentucky troops manning the forts to the north.
A call went out to the various militia companies and notices for volunteers to assemble at the courthouse in Cincinnti the first week of February. One of the militia companies reporting for duty was led by Captain Daniel Hosbrook of Hamilton County. His orders were to advance to Fort Amanda and, relieve the company of Kentucky troops there.o. Another company from Butler County led by Captain John Hamilton,was ordered to Fort Logan, 8 miles south of Ft. Amanda.
Lt. William Shafor
The subject of this blog is William Shafor, a 30 year old farmer from Lemon, Ohio (Middletown, O). On Feb. 6, 1813,Shafor said goodbye to his wife Jane and their 2 year old daughter Elizabeth and reported for duty. He was elected Lieutenant in Capt. John Hamilton's company and kept a diary of his experiencs during his six months of active duty.
The Diary of Lieutenant William Shafor
"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.
(Wapakoneta)
"
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
N ote: There is gap in Shafor's diary entries from March 26th to April 9. During that period, major events were taking place at Fort Amanda and elsewhere that would change his life. What follows is a narrative outlining those events.
April 8 - General Harrison, and his staff arrived around at Amanda around 1 o’clock that afternoon. During the day, Capt. Hatfield and his 60 man company of riflemen along with Capt. Nearing with his detachment of 140 regulars arrived at the fort. The troops set up camp one-half mile north of the fort in an area called "the commons."
Harrison sent word to Captin Hamilton at Ft. logan that he and his company were to advance to Fort Amanda and be prepred to load onto boats for transport to Ft. Meigs. During the night 35 year old John Bailey, a private in Hamilton's company deserted. (more on Bailey in footnotes.).[i]
April 9 - During the night the weather changed and by morning the sky was cloudy with a light rain that continued throughout the day. Meanwhile the soldiers camped at the commons, were busy taking down their tents, packing up their supplies and taking them down to the rivers edge for loading onto boats.
Using the figure of 15 men per boat, Harrison would have needed at least 25 to 30 boats to transport his men, baggage, supplies, ammunition, food, etc.
The "Auglaize Armada" left F.t Amanda at 11:30 that morning. Regardless of the type of boat, or final number, it was without a doubt the largest number of watercraft ever to navigate the Auglaize River as a group before or since.
After an 8 mile march trudging through mud rain, Captain Hamilton's company of 62 soldiers and 30 Indians finally arrived at Amanda around 4 o'clock that afternoon. The boats carrying their supplies didn't arrive until around 7:00. By the time the troops loaded onto boatd and shoved off it was around 8:30 P.M.
With only a half-moon that night and with cloudy skies and a rain that had continued throughout the day, it would have been very dark snd wet trip. Having canoed the Auglaize after dark, even with moonlite and flashlights, I can tell you it would have been very difficult and tiresome effort. ote: There is gap in Shafor's diary
entries from March 26th to April 9. During that period, major
events were taking place at Fort Amanda and elsewhere that would change his
life. What follows is a narrative outlining those events.
April 8 - General Harrison, and his staff arrived around at Amanda
around 1 o’clock that afternoon. During the day, Capt. Hatfield and his 60 man
company of riflemen along with Capt. Nearing with his detachment of 140
regulars arrived at the fort. The troops set up camp one-half mile north of the fort in an area
called "the commons."
Harrison sent word to Captin Hamilton at Ft. logan
that he and his company were to advance to Fort Amanda and be prepred to load
onto boats for transport to Ft. Meigs. During the night 35 year old John
Bailey, a private in Hamilton's company deserted. (more on Bailey in
footnotes.).[i]
April 9 - During the night the weather changed and by morning
the sky was cloudy with a light rain that continued throughout the
day. Meanwhile the soldiers camped at the commons, were busy taking
down their tents, packing up their supplies and taking them down to the rivers
edge for loading onto boats.
Using the figure of 15 men per boat, Harrison would have
needed at least 25 to 30 boats to transport his men, baggage, supplies,
ammunition, food, etc.
The "Auglaize Armada" left F.t Amanda at 11:30
that morning. Regardless of the type of boat, or final number, it was
without a doubt the largest number of watercraft ever to navigate the Auglaize
River as a group before or since.
After an 8 mile march trudging
through mud rain, Captain Hamilton's company of 62 soldiers and 30 Indians
finally arrived at Amanda around 4 o'clock that afternoon. The boats
carrying their supplies didn't arrive until around 7:00. By the time the
troops loaded onto boatd and shoved off it was around 8:30 P.M.
April 9th, we were ordered to Amanda, and on the same night started to Fort Jennings, arriving there on the 11th.
There was only a half-moon that night. With much of it covered by clouds and a rain
that had continued throughout the day, the trip would have been a very dark and
very wet.. They left Amanda at 8:30 PM April
9 and didn’t arrive at Ft. Jennings on the April 11. The distance by river from Amanda to Fort
Jennings is 23 miles. If they traveled
non-stop, the men alternating between resting and rowing and arrived at Ft.
Jennings at 8:30 AM on the 11th, it took them 36 hours to travel 23
miles, or average travel speed of 1.6 miles per hour.
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
7, 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. (One "gill of whiskey":is equal to 1/2 cup.)
Comment: One would assume that after consuming 2 cups of whiskey, the individual would not be allowed anywhere near a firearm. :-)
Shafor's enlistment ended August 6, 1813.
William Shafor's Bio
Fort Meigs during the first siege and found
himself in serious trouble on July 6, 1813 when he was accused of falling
asleep while on guard duty at No. 3 blockhouse. A court was convened and a man
who stood guard that night swore that he never saw Shafor sleeping. Shafor was
acquitted and remained in service until 1815 when he was honorably discharged.
In 1850, William and Jane established their home on a farm near the village of
Lemon in Butler County. Jane died there on May 6, 1859. The 1860 census shows William
living near Middletown, Ohio with his granddaughter and her family. The head of
household was Daniel Woodmanse, a carriage framer. By 1870, his son-in-law had
died and William and his 34-year-old daughter were still living in Lemon. In
1874, when he was 91 years old, he joined the Presbyterian Church. Six years
later, he was living near Middletown, Ohio with his two daughters - Adeline
Simpson (52) and Elizabeth Long (67). Also living with them was a 27-year-old
nurse named James Patton. Shafor was described as “remarkable in longevity of life, retaining his sprightliness and activity up to nearly the time of his
death.”[1]
He died October 19, 1880 at the age of ninety-seven, the oldest man in
Butler County, Ohio.[2]
He is buried in the Amanda Cemetery located on the
northeast corner of the intersection of Route 4/Route 73 and Lafayette Road in
Excello, Ohio.
(N39°29'51.43”,W84°24'13.76”)
[1]
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/OHBUTLER/2004-06/1087275033
[2]
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohbutler/cyc/098.htm
[i] John
Bailey served as constable of Cincinnati and
County Commissioner for Hamilton County, Ohio from 1802 to 1805. Deserved from
Ft. Logan. During the night of April 7 ,1813, Bailey deserted his company at Fort
Logan. Why he deserted is unknown, the fact that 3 of his brothers had already
been killed by Indians and he probably didn't want to share their fate.After
the war, he moved to Prairie Creek inVigo County, Indiana. He died there in
1840 at the age of 62, If he was ever disciplined for desertion is
unknown, however one thing is certain, his reputation was certainly tarnished.
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