Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-03-09
(Continued from last ,reek J
FORT STEPHENSON

NOhi oibfhhNSON
have noticed that this Fort was con-
structed sometime between the date of the
Treaty of Greenville and the year 1918;
but the precise date of its construction |
have not been able to arrive at. 1t is stated
on reliable information, that Erastus Bean,
residing within few miles of Tifin was
present at the commencement of its con.
struction, but an interview with him has
been impracticable since undertaking this
lecture. This Fort was situated on what
is now known as inots numbers 22o.
22l, 24O, 24l, 252 and 253, and is historic
ground.
Among the manuscripts of the late DR..
Daniel Brainard kindly furnished to me by
his widow, l find a single disconnected
sheet giving an account of the battle which
has rendered this spot so interesting, and
so much inquired after by all strangers vis-
iting our town. To me and no doubt to all
the friends of the venerable Doctor, it will
be interesting to hear his words. By tho
wonderful power of letters and education.
though he has been called away from earth
his thoughts and language are with us; his
body has gone down to the grave, but the
essential man, the mind and soul, still speak
to us-when on thiss single and disconnected
sheet he says:
"Ihe 8 miles were again soon passed over
to the Fort, at which he arrived about eight
O'Clock on the morning of the second. The
enemy had landed, and were engaged in
moving their artillery on to hill about
sixty rods from the Fort. while the Indians
made their appearance in every direction
4 A flag was soon sent to the Fort, by Gen.
Proctor with an order Of immediate sur
render Lieutenant Shipp was sent out to
confer with the messenger, and know his
terms, and was informed that the only wav
to save the lives of the garrison was to sur
render at once; for if the Fort was taken
by assault, it would then be impossible to
restrain the Indians, and in that extremity
they would to man be tomahawked and
scalped. Lieut. Shipp replied that it wa,
the intention of his commander to defenC
, and maintain the Fort under all circumstan
ces, and in spite of all threats. The Brit
ish officer then told him he much regretted
, such ohstnacy, and was extremely sorry
that such noble looking young man as be
, was must soon fall into the hands of the
Indians. AT this moment two chiefs were
standing near, who when they saw Shipp
about to return, attempted to seize him; al
the same instant young Croghan called tc
him to hasten to the Fort. He soon was
, within the gate-the die was cast-no more
parleying with the enemy-it was by the
mouths of cannon and small arms that
compliments were to be exchanged.
"Could we have seen and heard the youth.
ful Croghan--ahout to come in collision
with countless numbers of British and Indi-
; ans-giving his orders to his faithful band
of only l60 men, with all the coolness and
deliberation of an old, experienced general
telling them that the whole people, particu.
larly the State of Ohio, depended upon theil
valor, and that if conquered, their own lives
would be taken by the ruthless savages
that every man must be true to his pos
and perform his duty; that ammunition
was scarce and must not be thrown away
but well used in every emergency. AnC
: even now if we can fancy the scene before
us, how must our hearts burn with patriot
; ic pride and military ardor, and, if we fee
any of these promptiugs, how can we bette
express them than by doing honor to hi
memory.
: "Good Bess, the six FOUNDER, was ordere,
/, , To be placed SO as to cover the ditch extend
: ing East and West, and muff1ed so as :,
u prevent being seen by the foe, whose at
: tack upon any other part must be prompt
: ly repulsed by small arms. AS it proved
this plan proved most judicious. At abou
2 o'clock, P. NJ, the enemy opened their ar
= tillery against tho north side of the Fort
while the whooping of the Indians KEEP
! time with the incessant roar; yet no dam
age was done, except a cannon ball took of
. the head of boy, who, contrary TO orders
I, raised it above the pickets to see the sport
"a few light arms were discharged from
, the Fort at times, merely to show spir
and to compliment the assailants, who il
: about three hours imagined that they haC
a sllenced the garrison, or they had expended
! all their ammunition. A large party theI
, marched boldly up to the West side to scale
but the small arms spoke to them through
the portfolios and they were obliged to de
e - ~ A'O'sh oiuSi dlOuS lu6 East an(
: West ditch then appeared more easy of ac
cess; TO that they rushed with billets O
wood to drive between the pickets to form
, ladders. Then il was that Croghan said /,
I his men with exultation: "We have them .
! While some were driving their sticks, hund
reds with sanguine expectations rushed for
ward ready 10 leap the pickets. The ditcI
along the whole length became crowde,
with men eager tor blood while the savage
Q stood near gazing with frenzied eyes anc
waiting with greatest impatience for th,
Q moment when they might commence thei
work and finish the tragedy; but how tran
sient their joy, how brief their time of ex
Z ultation, how quick the step from life I,
death. The officer who led the assault
gave hurried order TO mount over III,
, wall and 'put the d-d Yankees all /,
death" At this instant Croghan OK
! claimed "Now boys is the time; let he
5 speak" and she did speak the sudden doom
of hundreds who were crowded into that IA
tai ditch. The Indians raised terrifcyel
a OF astonishment, and receded quite into th,
background, and kept their knives and tom
ahawks at rest.
q "lt does not accord with British disciplin
TO retreat on the first disaster. Though b
who gave the order lay amongst the dead