Southern shield., 1854-09-30
SKETCHES OF 1913. Defence of Fort Stephenson.
 BY VIM. T. YOUNG.
BY WI. T. YOUNG.
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At the massacre of Frenchtown, per ished many of the noblest sons ofKen- lucky. Scarce a fumily of note, in that patriotic State, but bewailed the loss of a beloved relative. At Frank fort, the Governor and many of the citi- zens were at the theatre when the sad news of Winchester's defeat reach ed there. The whole audience, at once, by one impulse, retired to learn the de- tails of the calamity. Presently, fath- CTS were seen going about half distract nd n,>d -->eti4s-s, -uiNU Us ''iIa slo1uro were weeping in the retirement of their homes. The voice of lamentation was heard in nearly every dwelling. But, like HulFs surrender, this second dis aster contributed to increase the ardor of the people for revenge. While they mouncd for the dead, they resolved to avenge their sacrifice.
 When Gen. Harrison was informed that Winchester had advanced towards trenchtoWn, he immediately prepared to join him with re-cnforcemcnt.- Having proceeded about six miles, and ascertained that Winchester's defeat was complete, he resolved to return.- A detachment of one hundred and seventy men was sent forward to FrenchtoWn, with directions to proceed as far as possible to assist those who were fortunate enough to escape-these were very few--the great depth of snow prevented their getting far in advance of their pursuers. They were overtak- en and captured.
 Immediately after the affair at French town, Gen. Harrison marched his ar my to the Rapids of the Miami, where he constructed Fort Meigs. Here, in May, 1873, he was beseiged by two thousand British and Indians, under Proctor and Tecumseh. The lombard ment by land and water continued scy- eral days. The enemy first appeared on the 25th of April, and on the 9th of May were repulsed; routed, and forced to abandon the siege. Having ascer- tained that they had left the vicinity, Gen. Harrison left Ft. Meigs under charge of Gen. Greene Clay, and marched to lower Sandusky.
 ItUmdlIIing Uhere short time he pro- ceeded to Frankinton, where the sol diers were to assemble to prosecute tho campaign, and retake the territory lost by Gen. Hull. Major Croghan, a young officer of the regular army, was left with one hundred and sixty men al Lower Sandusky, in garrison at Fort Stephenson. Here he was attacked by a large force under Proctor, and with but a single cannon repulsed them com | pletely. An account of this siege, though familiar to the reader, is wor- thy of repetition, if 1t were only to commemorate the invinoible courage ot the young commander and his youthful companions.
 On Sunday evening, Aug. list, 1913, five hundred British regulars, and from seven to eight hundred Indians, under the immediate command of Proctor. appeared before Fort Stephenson. lie made such disposition cf his troops as efectually ta cut off the retreat ot the garrison, if they should attempt one. Ae then sent Col. Elliott and Major Chambers to demand the surrender ot the Fort, with the stereotyped assertion that ''he was anxious te spare the et- fusion of blood, which would be out of his power to effect, if heshould becom- pelled to take the Fort by storm"