COLUMBIA COUNTY OHIO - MORRIS/MILLER History Chapter 10 (published 1873) *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Maggie Stewart-Zimmerman MaggieOhio@columbus.rr.com November 5, 1999 *********************************************************************** "HISTORY OF THE MORRIS AND MILLER FAMILIES" By Morris Miller 1873 *********************************************************************** Chapter 10 The Indian Alarm of 1812 The year 1812 was a very eventful one for us. Father’s health being rather delicate, he was solicited by the neighbors to teach a term of school during the summer. As we had a three-months’ term taught the previous winter, it gave a stimulus in the new settlement to have one in the summer also. Father and Mother feeling anxious for the advancement of their younger children and there being no schoolhouse yet suitable for small children to go to in the winter season, and the little one in which is had been kept being nearby, Father concluded that by employing a little help we three older boys could get along with the farm while he taught school. Accordingly, the school was commenced in the spring, getting along for the first three months very well, being composed mostly of small children. About midsummer our new settlement was thrown into much excitement on account of the war that had been declared in the early part of that year. Its results were looked upon by many in the west with a fearful anticipation; first, the Indians of the west having espoused the British cause, and secondly, the surrender of Hull at Malden, rendered the western frontier defenseless for the time being. In order to restore a military force, every exertion was assumed by officers to raise recruits. While these exertions were in progress many got terribly excited and imagined that the Indians that had been with us the previous autumn knew all about our location and could come in and murder us while we were asleep. Some two or three individuals imagined in the late twilight that they had seen Indians skulking through the brambles, and ran in all directions to give the alarm, really believing that they had seen the Indians. So general was the fear that no one hesitated to believe it, and soon a hundred and five men, women and children rendezvoused at George Brown’s, he being the most prominent citizen and in a central locality. All passed away quietly, no enemy appearing that night. The next morning they all dispersed, after passing a resolution that no gun should be fired that day except in self-defense. The rumor of the night did not reach our habitation, and we were glad that we had been missed and had had our rest. Father went to his school, while we with a runner came to the schoolhouse telling Father that the enemy was within 12 miles of us, killing and burning all in the way; also, that they had burned Salem and would soon be on us. Upon hearing this, Father sent the children home and hastened to the meadow calling for us to stop work and bring the horses instantly, as the enemy was likely to be on us soon and we must flee for our lives. So sudden was our flight from the field that the hired man did not stop to take up his garment. We were soon at the house with the horses, which were quickly saddled. Mother and as many of the little ones as could ride mounted and we were off for the public road, arriving soon where Hanover now is, at the converge of several roads. Soon our company increased by others, some on foot and some on horseback, like ourselves, as those that had wagons took no time to hitch to them, and there being no riding vehicles then in the settlement, all were either on horseback or on foot. A very brief consultation was held, which resulted in (a decision to get) across the Ohio River as soon as possible. It has ever since been a subject of admiration to me how so many could have gotten the word and been fleeing so soon, as we had not advanced more than three miles until the road was filled with a hurrying mass over a quarter of a mile in length and increasing as we went. Uncle Joseph and his family happened to get with us soon after we started. There were six of them with one horse and ten of us with two horses. The weather was pleasant and the roads good. Each mother had a babe of about three months old, which necessitated them to ride, often with two of the smaller ones on behind each horse. Having advanced about ten miles and coming to the Steubenville Road that led south, Uncle Joseph suggested the propriety of the two families taking that road and going to our friend Stokes’ and get some refreshments, as we had neither provisions nor money with us, and the river being but a few miles from there, we could cross it if necessary. This suggestion was acceded to by Father, and we took that way without many others knowing our object. Most of the road being through the unsettled forest, we were but little interrupted in telling people the cause of our flight. We arrived at the salt works on Yellow Creek about nightfall, and concluded to rest ourselves there and wait until the moon rose, as we were within seven miles of Stokes’. Our arrival, and the cause of our flight, created much consternation. The proprietor of the works was away at New Lisbon, as every country town was then in a foment, using all diligence in raising recruits for the frontier. We were kindly received, and such refreshments as were at hand freely bestowed on us. It was deemed prudent to cool down the boilers at the works and be ready to go if word should come from Lisbon to confirm our report. A little after midnight we resumed our journey. The moon having been up about two hours enabled us to see our way in crossing the creeks, which we had to do several times in the first two miles, as there were no bridges then. We arrived at Stokes’ about daylight. They were much surprised on seeing us at that hour and expressed more than usual sympathy for us on hearing the cause of our coming; also expressed a hope that we might not have occasion to go further. They kindly and quickly relieved our present necessities, as we were much fatigued and hungry. That day was one to be remembered with them as well as ourselves. Their elder son William was a captain of a military company, and that was the day they were to rendezvous at his father’s house and commence their march for the frontier, their provision and baggage wagon being prepared the day before. Everything was in a general excitement, although the best of order prevailed. The company assembled with many of their friends and relations. It was a scene not to be forgotten to witness the parting of near relatives on such an occasion. Their captain took them through a short drill and then addressed them in a brief but very appropriate speech while standing on his father’s doorstep. A little after noon Henry Boyles arrived with his rifle company. Soon afterwards they all marched off towards Steubenville. Father Stokes was not at home, being absent to procure some necessaries for his son, so that we did not get to see him. Not hearing anything from behind us, we remained there that night and were kindly cared for, particularly after the companies had left. We were comforted a little in our adversity in meeting there with Uncle David Morris direct from his father’s, (he) having arrived there the previous night. It was cheerful for us to have his company and gloomy for him to find us thus situated. The evening was passed off without hearing anything. Early the next morning Father and Uncle Joseph started back. Reaching the salt works, the proprietor having returned from Lisbon the day before, informed them that the alarm was false and that no real danger had existed; also (that) all that fled had returned to their homes the day before. Glad to hear such good news, they hurried back to gather us up and go home. Our good friends with whom we were staying were also glad to hear the result, and furnished us with eatables to refresh us on the way. We started and traveled until evening. Stopping at a private house until the moon rose, we resumed our journey and got home the next day about three o’clock in the afternoon. We found everything about as we had left it. Our kind neighbors who had got back two days before us had cared some for our stock and milked our cows. It was late in the evening after the alarm had been given before it subsided and word came that it was false and no danger to be apprehended. As some few courageous men had not gone, a message was sent in the night to those who had fled. The messenger found the first company at McKaig’s Mill, about eight miles from Hanover. They having started late, stopped there for the night. The large company had come within a few miles of the river and halted on a farm, using the barn and all the shelter they could get to pass the night in. They all received the message with gladness and soon in the morning were on the road for home, yet a fear prevailed that the alarm had been started for the purpose of a general pillage, but that subsided when each one found his effects undisturbed by any trespass that would have led to such a conclusion. It remained for some time to be a moot question how the rumor got into the shape it did. After the disturbed stated of our country, the west became a little more settled by its frontier being defended by a military force, and (as) the general facts in regard to Hull’s surrender became known, the most probable cause of the rumor was thus solved. After the surrender an exchange of prisoners took place and the British then having the command of all the fleet near there, used it to bring our prisoners over to American ground, and the vicinity of Sandusky being the nearest point, they disembarked them there. The people at a distance seeing the vessels land and their members come ashore, took the alarm, supposing they were British and Indians landing to invade the country. Having heard of the surrender and knowing the frontier to be defenseless, their interference was that the enemy was right on them. The alarm gained ground as it advanced among the sparse settlers of the country then, and (there) being no regular mails through the country to carry correct reports, it was believed that through this medium the rumor originated. This was the last trouble of the kind we experienced in our net settlement. It was not creditable to us thus to run at a false alarm, but since it has occurred, I record it as a matter of history contingent to a new settlement.