The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1857-04-02

0;- The following narrative is from the pen of
Gen. Geo. SAnIerson for many years the able cIii-
or OF the Lancaster Gazette. It viii be read with
interest by the residents Of the MIaumce Valley
A "Reminiscences of the War of 1872
During the war of 1912 there lived a few miles
west Of the town of lancaster in the township of
blocking, cJulty OF FdiritId, OliO, a man by the
eame of McckS,--ihmiliarly called Jack Megks.-
He was man Of family, had wife and several
children. Among the latter was daughter, a
bright.cyed, rosy looking girl who had seen eigh-
teen summers, and who was her Iathers IavOgite
child, she being his first born. Her name was
Nancy jack was a bod, daTing .and reckless
man, but withall was patriotic aId deyotedly at
tache1 TO the glOrluu, cause Of the country--ut-
tcring and avOwiug at all suitable times an eternal
hosuity 10 IL, enemies, and his intention Of en-
gagng in its cause for their determination whenev
or an opportunity offered. | so happenet that in
Ehe month Of February, 1913, John COnncr,a dash
ing aud attractive young Sergeant Of the 18th
Regiment of United States Infantry, made his ap-
pearance in Lancaster, on recruiting exped-
ton.
Mscks heard Of his arrival, called upon him, re-
'ceivei the bounty, and became high pr!va'e for
during the war This circums, ance introduced the
noble Sergeant to Jacks family where he at once
placed his eve on The beautiful Nancy, a suta-
bic partner, not only for during the war, but for
life Ht made the proposal and she being chip
OF the old block full OF love and war readily ac-
cepted the offer and in few days after, with the
assistance of a Just ce of the Peace, they became
husband and wife. Shortly after their marriage,
Sergeant Conner his wife AMI flthe r.inlaw in obe
.dcn;e to erlers IRON head quarters took up their
line of march, with knapsucks on their backs, and
on foot, in the inclcment mouth OF February, for
Chillicothe, where they were joined by an attach
ment to Captain Nearing Company ofthe 18th
which was then en- route for the Foot of the K Ip-
ids of the Maumee to assist General Harrison's
forces in constructing Fort at that point, for the
purpose of defending the frontier settlers from The
murderOus expeditions of the enemy. The march
of the Company along HuTs road, which had been
opened the previous year, and which was in bad
condition was well calculated 10 damp'n the pat
riotism OF the Company but the Sergeant and
his little squad bore their suiferngS aud prvatiOnS
with firmness and lortitude watch excited the
high Communications of their Off iers. A Fort was
erected and named Fort MeigS, in honor of the
Governor of Ohio, and Gen. Harrison was the
commander. About the last Of April, 1913 Gen.
Proctor appeared with large force Of British and
Indians on the north side of the Mlumee aud laid
seige to the new garrison. This opened new
scene for our Fairfield recruits and well they done
their duty Here Mrs Conner was seen assisting
the soldiery in defending the post-ministering
comfort by night and by day. to the sick and the
danger she subjected herself to in so doing,
On the 9th of May the enemy crossed the River
the Fort was on the south side--determned to
take it by storm. In this they were repused By
the American army but with great loss Of life III
one of the sorties ordered out by the commanding
General on that memorable day, John Nleeks re-
ceived wound which terminated his existence in q
few weeks after This called upon his daughter
uu additional and painful duty but she performed
it. She attentivey and kindly nursed and watch
ed over her dying father from the time he was
wounded till he died. Not daunted by the loss OI
her father and the scenes of blood and carnage
which she had witnessed through that memorable
seige she clung to tho fortune of her gallant hus
band aud they were both on duty during the sec
oud attack made by the enemy on the same fort in
July 1918. when under the command of Gen Greer
Clay of Kentucky. On the annou cement %
Peace in 1918, Sergeant Connor was honorably
discharged and he and his wife returned 10 Fair
field Co, purchased small farm in Berne town
ship, about six or seven miles southeast OF Ian
caster where they both spent the remainder o
their days Sergeant COnnor died about thret
years ago, and his GlitlfAl wifi, about the first o
February 1857 aged about 60. years. When Gen
Harrison visited Lancaster in 1910, he inquired TO
Sergeant Conner and his wife Nancy. and spoke o
them with great praise for their courage and gooI
conduct, during both the seiges Of Fort Megs