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CHAPTER XII.

TUSCARAWAS COUNTY IN THE WARS OF 1812 AND 1846.

STATE OF THE COUNTY IN 1812-DEPARTURE OF THE INDIANS-PANIC-NUMBER OF SOLDIERS ENGAGED-GALLANT DEFENSE IN BEHALF OF THREE INDIAN PRISONERS AT NEW PHILADELPHIA- MEXICAN WAR-BRIEF CAMPAIGN OF THE TUSCARAWAS GUARDS.

AT the commencement of hostilities in 1812 between the United States and Great Britain, probably two thousand white people were dwelling in what is now Tuscarawas County, scattered principally along or near the valleys of the Tuscarawas, Sugar Creek, One Leg, Sandy and Big Stillwater. Up to this time, many Indians still occupied their old hunting-grounds in the Tuscarawas Valley, usually living on terms of friendship, and in some instances of intimacy, with the settlers. But when war was declared, these associations suddenly ceased. The red men who were not members of the missions daubed their faces with war-paint, boasted of the many scalps they had lifted from the heads of the pale faces in former years, and with threats of an invasion left the county to join their Western brothers. The cowardly surrender of Hull left the entire Western border unprotected, and rumors of an approaching Indian descent were rife A few pioneers, unwilling to hazard the lives of their families so near the expected scenes of. warfare, returned to their former Eastern homes. . Panics, produced by startling rumors, pervaded every settlement, and on several occasions the people gathered hastily at the cabin of one of the pioneers and passed the night in momentary expectation of an attack. The greatest alarm occurred soon after Hull's surrender. A few returning paroled soldiers spread the report that the savages were approaching in large numbers, and that by the next morning there would not be a white man alive west of the river. The tidings flew from cabin to cabin, throughout the Sugar Creek settlements, and the terror-stricken people at once commenced a precipitate retreat. A few valuables were usually hastily collected and thrown into the wagon, to which the team of horses or Oxen were hitched, and goaded to the highest pitch of speed. The meal from which the pioneer family arose was left standing on the table, and whatever labor they were engaged in was left unfinished. The Dover ferry was crowded all day long, and was scarcely able to transport the thronging, eager fugitives. At New Philadelphia a stand was made, but as days and weeks passed away and no enemy appeared, the settlers gradually returned to their homes. At first they went in squads, and planted their crops in common. While some were engaged in labor, others stood guard with loaded rifles. Fully six weeks elapsed before quiet was restored in Sugar Creek Valley. Many of the set-

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tlers of Tuscarawas County participated in the struggle. Most of them were drafted in the service, but some, doubtless, volunteered. The term of enlistment varied from three to twelve months. In all, perhaps more than two hundred Tuscarawas County citizens bore arms. Their number and names are unknown, as files are not on record and the local muster rolls are lost or destroyed. They were stationed principally on the frontier of Ohio.

The following account of a stirring incident at New Philadelphia is preserved in Howe's " Historical Collections of Ohio:" Shortly after the surrender of Hull, three Indians, said to be unfriendly, arrived at Goshen. The knowledge of this circumstance created much alarm, and an independent company of cavalry, of which Alexander McConnel was Captain, was solicited by the citizens to pursue and take them. Some half-a-dozen, with their Captain, turned out for that purpose. Where daring courage was required 'to achieve any hostile movement, no man was more suitable than Alexander McConnel. The Indians were traced to a small island near Goshen. McConnel plunged his horse into the river and crossed, at the same time ordering his men to follow; but none chose to obey him. He dismounted, hitched his horse, and with a pistol in each hand, commenced searching for them. He had gone but a few steps into the interior of the island when he discovered one of them, with his rifle, lying at full length behind a log. He presented his pistol, the Indian jumped to his feet, but McConnel disarmed him. He also took the others, seized their arms and drove them before him. On reach. ing his company, one of his men hinted that they should be put to death. "Not until they have had a trial according to law," said the Captain. Then, ordering his company to wheel, they conducted the prisoners to the county jail.

The murders which had been perpetrated on the Mohican, in Ashland County, had aroused the feelings of the white settlers in that neighborhood almost to frenzy. No sooner did the report reach them that some strange Indians had been arrested and confined in the New Philadelphia jail, than a company of about forty men was organized at or near Wooster, armed with rifles, under the command of a Captain Mullen, and marched for New Philadelphia to dispatch these Indians. When within about a mile of the town, coming in from the west, John C. Wright, then a practicing lawyer at Steubenville (later Judge), rode into the place from the east on business. He was hailed by Henry Laffer, Esq., at that time Sheriff of the county, told that the Indian prisoners were in his custody, the advancing company of men was pointed out to him, their object stated and the inquiry made, "What is to be done?" "The prisoners must be saved, sir, "replied Wright; " why don't you beat an alarm and call out the citizens?" To this he replied, " Our people are much exasperated, and the fear is that if they are called out they will side with the company, whose object is to take their lives." "Is there no one who will stand by you, to prevent so dastardly a murder?" rejoined Wright. "None but McConnel, who captured them." "Have you any arms?" "None but an old broadsword and a pistol." "Well," replied Wright, "go call

408 - HISTORY OF TUSCARAWAS COUNTY.

McConnel, get your weapons and come up to the tavern. I'll put away my horse, and make a third man to defend the prisoners. We must not have so disgraceful a murder committed here."

Wright put up his horse, and was joined by Laffer and McConnel. About this time the military company came up to the tavern door and there halted for some refreshments. Mr. Wright knew the Captain and many of the men, and went along the line, followed by the Sheriff, inquiring their object and remonstrating; pointing out the disgrace of so cowardly an act as was contemplated, and assuring them that, in case they carried out their brutal design, they would be prosecuted and punished for murder. Several left the line, declaring they would have nothing more to do with the matter. The Captain became angry, ordered the ground to be cleared, formed his men and moved toward the jail. McConnel was at the jail door, and the Sheriff and Wright took a cross cut and joined him before the troops arrived. The prisoners had been laid on the floor, against the front wall as a place of safety. The three arranged themselves before the front door-McConnel with the sword, Sheriff Laffer had the pistol and Wright was without weapon. The troops formed in front, a parley was had, and Wright again went alone the line remonstrating, and detached two or three more men. He was ordered off, and took his position at the jail door with his companions. The men were formed, and commands preparatory to a discharge of their arms issued.

In this position, the three were ordered off, but refused to obey, declaring that the prisoners should not be touched except they first dispatched them. Their firmness had its effect; the order to fire was given, and the men refused to obey. Wright again went along the line, remonstrating, etc., while McConnel and Laffer maintained their position at the door. One or two more were persuaded to leave the line. The Captain became very angry, and ordered him off. He again took his place with his two companions. The company was marched off some distance and treated with whisky, and after some altercation returned to the jail door, were arranged and prepared for a discharge of their rifles, and the three ordered off on pain of being shot. They maintained their ground without faltering, and the company gave way and abandoned their project. Some of them were afterward permitted, one at a time, to go in and see the prisoners, care being taken that no harm was done. These three gentlemen received no aid from the citizens; the few that were about looked on merely. Their courage and firmness was truly admirable.

The Indians were retained in jail until Gov. Meigs, who had been some time expected, arrived in New Philadelphia. He instructed Gen. A. Shane, then a Lieutenant recruiting for the United States service, to take the Indians with his men to the rendezvous at Zanesville. From thence they were ordered to be sent with his recruits to the headquarters of Gen. Harrison, at Seneca, at which place they were discharged.

Another incident occurred in Lieut. Shane's journey to headquarters, which illustrates the deep-rooted prejudices entertained by many at. that time against the Indians. The Lieutenant, with his company, stopped it night at

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Newark. The three Indians were guarded as prisoners, and that duty devolved by turns on the recruits. A physician, who lived at Newark and kept a small drug store. informed the officer that two of his men had applied to him for poison. On his questioning them closely what use they were to make of it, they partly confessed that it was intended for the Indians. It was at night when they applied for it, and they were dressed in fatigue frocks. In the morning, the Lieutenant had his men paraded, and called the doctor to point out those who bad meditated such a base act; but the doctor either unwilling to expose himself to the enmity of the men, or unable to discern them, the whole company being dressed then in their regimentals, the affair was passed over with some severe remarks by the commanding officer on the unsoldier like conduct of those who could be guilty of such a dastardly crime as poisoning.

MEXICAN WAR.

In response to the requisition made by President Polk, calling on Ohio for three regiments of infantry, to take the field in Mexico for twelve months, Gov. Bartley. May 20, 1846, issued a proclamation, addressed to the people, urging them to respond to the call promptly. The same day, a general order was issued from Adjt. Gen. Curtis, of the Ohio Militia, requiring the brigades of militia to muster forthwith and enroll volunteers. Joseph Burns, of Coshocton, Major General of the Third Division of Ohio Militia, by general order dated May 25, 1846. directed Brig. Gen. John Butt, of New Philadelphia, to muster the several regiments of his brigade at once, for the purpose of carrying into effect the requisition for troops. Thereupon, Gen. Butt, May 26, ordered the First Regiment, commanded by Col. Harry Torrey; the Second Regiment, Col. John Knight; the Third Regiment, Col. James Maginnis; the regiment of volunteers, Col. John J. Robinson, and the squadron of cavalry, Lieut. Col. William Hodge, composing the troops of the Fourth Brigade, to parade in the center square, New Philadelphia, Monday, June 1, 1846, at 10 o'clock, A. M., for the purpose of raising volunteers. The following was Col. Robinson's order:

To ARMS!! To ARMS!!

In pursuance of the above order, the First Rifle Regiment, including Capt. Sheets' company of artillery, are ordered to parade in New Philadelphia on next Monday. Citizen soldiers, TO ARMS! TO ARMS! Your country is invaded; we must, and shall drive back the FOE. Let our motto be "OUR COUNTRY, MAY SHE ALWAYS BE IN THE RIGHT, BUT RIGHT OR WRONG, OUR COUNTRY."

JOHN J. ROBINSON,

Colonel First Rifle Regiment,

Fourth Brigade, Third Division Ohio Militia.

In compliance with these orders, the brigade assembled, and together with a large number of citizens who were also present, numbered over two thousand persons. They were marched to a grove, and addressed by Gens. Butt and Blake. The latter then stepped forward and volunteered, the orders were read, and "music beat up for volunteers." Sixty-four names were enrolled, and Gen. Blake was authorized to receive more at New Philadelphia. The

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company met at Dover June 6, and elected Walter Al. Blake, Captain; Samuel Baughman, First Lieutenant, and Jacob North, Second Lieutenant. They then repaired to Kaldenbaugh's hotel and partook of a dinner given them by the citizens of Dover. Thursday, June 11, they met at New Philadelphia, and after partaking of a sumptuous dinner at the Red Lion Hotel, took up the line of march for Zanesville, the place of rendezvous. At Trenton, Port Washington and Newcomerstown, they were received with warm demonstrations of patriotism, and all went well until they arrived at Roscoe, where they met the Holmes County company returning from Zanesville. and received the intelligence that the required number of volunteers had already been received. They communicated with Gen. Burns, at Coshocton, and were instructed to return home. Mortifying as the news was, they wheeled around, and good-humoredly re-setting their song, "We're on our way to Matamoras," so as to read, " We're on our way to Tuscarawas," they retraced their steps, arriving Sunday morning. Several of the company, however, would not return, but pressed on, determined to reach the Rio Grande. This was the extent to which Tuscarawas County was engaged during this war. Had there been further need of troops, the county would not have been found lacking or lagging in zeal and patriotism.