The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1858-08-13
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The Heroic Defense ofLOwer San
dusky by Major OrOghau In 1873
From Bgackonridgcs Hlst1ry Of tho Late War
Hi with Great BrlAin.l
The transactions which are now 10 be
related, may justly be ranked among the
m ist pleasing 10 our national pride, OF any
which took place during the war.
The campaign opened with an affair,
which, though comparatively Of small
consequence, was characterized by The
most brilliant bravery. This was the
Unparalleled defence Of Fort Sandusky,
BY youth Of twenty one years Of age.
In August, and before tho arrival Of the
Ohio aud Kentucky volunteers, which
did not take place until the following
month, threatening movements had been
made upon all the different forts establish
ed by the Americans on the rivers which
fall into Lake Erie. After tho seige Of
Fort Meigs, the British had received con-
siderable reinloroemonts Of regular troops,
and also Of Indians under their great
leader Teoumseh. II was all-important to
reduce these Forts before the arrivaloi the
American volunteers. Major Croghsu,
then commanding at Upper Sandusky,
having received intimation that the enemy
were about to invest the fort Of Lower
Sandusky. marched 10 this latter place
with some additional force, He occupied
himself with great assiduity In placing Il
in the best posture Of defence: but the
only addition Of importance, which the
time would allow him to make, was a
ditch six feet deep and nine feet wide;
outside the stookade Of pickets by which
tho fort was enclosed flo had but one
six FOUNDER; aud one hundred and sixty
men, consisting Of some regulars, and OF
ldetachmenls Of the Pittsburgh aud Pc.
tersburgh volunteers: while his slight
and hastily constructed Notifications af.
forded but weak defence against artill-
cry. Gen. Harrison, not conoeiying il
practicable to defend the place, ordered
young Croghan to retire on the approach
Of the enemy, after destroying the works,
By despatch, which was intended 10 fall
into the hands Of the enemy, the latter
declared bis unwillingness to obey, as he
was able to defend the fort. This reach.
ing tho general. he sent for Croghan; and
on receiving satisfactory explanations
fully authorized him to make the attempt
} On the lst Of August, General Proctor
having left large body Of Indians under
Tecumseh 10 keep up the appearance Of a
siege Of Fort Meigs, arrived a, Sandusky
with about five hundred regulars, seven
hundred Indians, and some gun boats. -
After he had made such dispositions OF
his troops as rendered the retreat Of the
garrison impracticable, he sent flag by
Colonel Elliot and Major Chambers, de-
maudiug a surrender, accompanied with
the usual threats Of butchery and massa.
ere il the garrison should hold out
Croghan, who found that all his compan
ions, chiefly striplings like himself, would
support him 10 the last. returned a spirit
ed answer to the effect that. "when the
fort should be taken, there would be none
left to massacre; as it would not be- given
up while a man WAS able TO 6ght.'
When the flag returned, Abrisk FIRE was
opened from six-pounders in the boats and
howitzer, which was kept up during
the night. in the morning It was discov-
cred that three skies had been planted,
under the cover Of the night, within two
hundred and fifty yards Of the pickets,
which shortly after commenced firing, but
with little effect. About four o'coeg in
the afternoon, the enemy having coueen-
trated his FIRE against the northwest angle
of the fort, with the intention Of making
breach, il was Immediately strengthen
cd by means OF bags Of flour and sand. -
At the same time, the FOUNDER, the
only piece Of artillery in the fort, was
carefully concealed in the bastion which
covered the point 10 be assailed. and load
ed with slugs and grape. About five
hundred of the enemy now advanced TO
assail the part where II was supposed the
i pickets had been injured; at the same time
making several fsints, to draw the atten-
ton of the besieged from the real point
OF attack Their force being thus dispos-
J ed, a column Of three hundred and fifty
men, who were so enveloped in smoke as
not TO be seen until they approached With
] ia twenty PAGES of the lines, advanced
I rapidly 70 the assault. A FIRE Of mesket-
: ~ from the fort, threw them for a moment
into confusion; but they were quickly raj
lied by Col. Short, their commander, who
sprung over the outer works into the
ditch, and commanded his men TO follow
! crying out, "Giye the d--d Yankees
. no quartsrp Scarcely had those word,
escaped his lips, when the six -poundol
opened upon them most destructive fire
0 killing their barbarous leader aud twenty
0 others, and wounding as many more, A
! volley Of musketry was. at the same time
3 fred upon those who had not descended
0 The officer who succeeded Short, oxas
6 perated at being thus treated by fev
! boys, formed the broken column anew
Z and again rushed 10 the ditch. The six
9 FOUNDER was a secoud time played on then
2 with the same success as before; and th
, small arms were discharged so rapidly
that they were again thrown into oonfu
sion, and, in spite Of the exerlions Of thei