Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-26
Arrested, But Forgiven.

Col. Wells took command at Fort Ste
phenson and sent Maj. Croghan to Fort
Seneca under arrest. where he was kind
ly received by Gen. Harrison. who accept
ed his explanation of the insubordinate
note and admired the spirit in which it
was written. He therefore sent Croghan
back to his command, with orders to use
his discretion in defending the post
The originals Of several of Croghan's
letters are in the library which now occu-
pies the sit of Fort Stephenson, and one Of
them reads: Il have collected air of the
most valuable stores in one house. Should
be forced to Uhe word retreat was writ
ten first, and then stricken OUT evacuate
the place. they will be blown up"
On the evening of Saturday. July 81.
Croghan's scouts reported the approach
Of Gen. Proctor, and about 4 o'clock the
next day the ships could be seen from
the port at a turn in the Sandusky river
about mile away. Tecumseh with more
than thousand Indians was deployed all
around the place. so as to cut off both re-
treat and reinforcements. Having thus
made his prize secure as he believed Gen.
Proctor sent Col. Elliott and Capt. Dick
son with flag cf truce to demand an I'M
conditional surrender. Maj. Croghan sent
Lieut.. Ship. who, like his commander.
was a mere boy, to receive them. Ell
lott made an earnest appeal for sur
render to prevent bloodshed and to avoid
the danger of a massacre by the Indians.
who, he said. could not be controlled.
Ship coolly replied:
Scorned Surrender Demand.
when this fort is taken there will be
no one to massacre. 1t will not be given
up while there is a man living to resist"
Shortly after the flag Of truce returned
to headquarters the British dragyed- a
park of artillery from the ships to an ele-
waited point upon the main street of Free
mont. where Is now bronze tablet bear
ing this inscription:
Near this spot British cannon from
Commodore Barclays fleet bombarded
Maj. Croghan in Fort STEPHENSON August
and 2, 1913. Gen. Proctor attempted to
capture the fort by assault with bis Vel
lington veterans. assisted by Indians un-
der Tecumseh. Maj Croghan with only
| 100 men and one cannon, old Betsy re-
pulsed the assault.
The British retreated to their ships
| with many killed and wounded, leaving
Lieut.: Gordon and twenty-five soldiers OF
the i1st Regiment dead in the ditch.
Commodore Barclay was surrounded
and with his entire fleet. including the
cannon used against Fort Stephenson,
was captured by Commodore Perry at the
| battle of Lake Erie September 10, 1913.
Gen. Proctor with his British regulars
was defeated and Tecumseh with many
| Of his Indians was killed by Gen. Harri-
son at the battle of the Thames. October
), 1913.
Maj. Croghan was awarded a gold
medal and each Of his officers a sword by
the Congress of the United States for
gallantry in the defense or Fort Stephen
/ son.
Erected by, the George croshan Chap
| ter, d. A. r."
On each side of the tablet Is an old
| fas hioned cannon mounted upon iron
rests.
| The Sandushy river is still quite a
stream as far as Fremont, and steam
boats drawing twelve feet Of water can
60 up TO the wharfo There was a good
deal Of commerce before the railroads
| were built. and Fremont was an impor-
| tant shlrpipg point for wheat. Boats