SANDUSKY COUNTY OHIO - HISTORY of Sandusky County [Part 2]
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Historical Collections of Ohio
Henry Howe LL. D.
Published 1904
copyright 1888
Sandusky County


Fort Stephenson or Sandusky,  so gallantly defended by Col. Croghan,  on
the 2d of August,  1813,  against an overwhelming force of British and
Indians,  was within the present limits of the place.  Its site is
indicated by the flag on the left in the engraving,  which is about
thirty rods southeast of the court house on high ground,  much elevated
by the river.  The fort enclosed about an acre of ground,  and the
picketing was in good preservation as late as 1834.  We annex a
narration of the assault on the fort from a published source.

British Maneuvers
HAving raised the siege of Camp Meigs,  the British sailed round into
Sandusky Bay,  while a competent number of their savage allies marched
across through the swamps of Portage River,  to cooperate in a combined
attack on Lower Sandusky,  expecting,  no doubt,  that Gen. Harrison's
attention would be chiefly directed to Forts Winchester and Meigs.  The
general,  however,  had calculated on their taking this course,  and had
been careful to keep patrols down the bay,  opposite the mouth of
Portage,  where he supposed their forces would debark.

Retreat Ordered
Several days before the British had invested Fort Meigs,  Gen.
Harrison,  with Major Croghan and some other officers,  had examined the
heights which surround Fort Stephenson;  and as the hill on the opposite
or southeast side of the river was found to be the most commanding
eminence, the general had some thoughts of removing the fort to that
place,  and Major Croghan declared his readiness to undertake the work. 
But the general did not authorize him to do it,  as he believed that if
the enemy intended to invade our territory again,  they would do it
before the removal could be completed.  It was then finally concluded
that the fort,  which was calculated for a garrison of only 200 men, 
could not be defended against the heavy artillery of the enemy;  and
that if the British should approach it by water,  which would cause a
presumption that they had brought their heavy artillery,  the fort must
be abandoned and burnt,  provided a retreat could be effected with
safety.  In the orders left with Major Crogham it was stated,  "Should
the British troops approach you in force with cannon,  and you can
discover them in time to effect a retreat,  you will do so immediately, 
destroying all the public stores."
"You must be aware that the attempt to retreat in the face of an Indian
force would be vain.  Against such an enemy your garrison would be
safe,  however great the number."

A Council of War
On the evening of the 29th Gen. Harrison received intelligence,  by
express,  from Gen Clay,  that the enemy had abandoned the siege of Fort
Meigs;  and as the Indians on that day had swarmed in the woods round
his camp,  he entertained no doubt but that an immediate attack was
intended either on Sandusky or Seneca.  He therefore immediately called
a council of war,  consisting of McArthur,  Cass,  Ball,  Paul,  Wood, 
Hukill,  Holmes and Graham,  who were unanimously of the opinion that
Fort Stephenson was untenable against heavy artillery,  and that as the
enemy could bring with facility any quantity of battering cannon against
it,  by which it must inevitably fall,  and as it was an unimportant
post,  containing nothing the loss of which would be felt by us,  that
the garrison should therefore not be reinforced but withdrawn,  and the
place destroyed.

A Retreat Unsafe
In pursuance of this decision the general immediately dispatched the
order to Major Crogham,  directing him immediately to abandon Fort
Stephenson,  to set it on fire,  and repair with his command to
headquarters,  cross the river and come up on the opposite side,  and if
he should find it impractical to reach the generals quarters,  to take
the road to Huron,  and pursue it with the utmost circumspection and
dispatch.  This order was sent by Mr. Conner and two Indians,  who lost
their way in the dark,  and did not reach Fort Stephenson till eleven
o'clock the next day.  When Major Croghan received it,  he was of the
opinion that he could not then retreat with safety,  as the Indians were
hovering round the fort in considerable force.  He called a council of
his officers,  a majority of whom coincided with him in opinion that a
retreat would be unsafe,  and that the post could be maintained against
the enemy,  at least till further instructions could be received from
headquarters.  The major therefore immediately returned the following
answer:  "Sir,  I have just received yours of yesterday,  10 o'clock
PM.,  ordering me to destroy this place and make good my retreat,  which
was received too late to be carried into execution.  We have determined
to maintain this place,  and by heavens we can."

In writing this note,  Major Croghan had a view to the probability of
its falling into the hands of the enemy,  and on that account made use
of stronger language than would otherwise have been consistent with
propriety.  It reached the general on the same day,  who did not fully
understand the circumstances and motives under which it had been
dictated.  The following order was therefore immediately prepared,  and
sent with Col. Wells in the morning,  escorted by Col. Ball,  with his
corps of dragoons:  
"July 30,  1813
SIR,  The general has just received your letter of this date,  informing
him that you had thought proper to disobey the order issued from this
office,  and delivered to you this morning.  It appears that the
information which dictated the order was incorrect;  and as you did not
receive it in the night,  as was expected,  it might have been proper
that you should have reported the circumstance and your situation, 
before you proceeded to its execution.  This might have been passed
over;  but I am directed to say to you,  that an officer who presumes to
aver that he has made his resolution,  and that he will act in direct
opposition to the orders of his general,  can no longer be entrusted
with a separate command.  Colonel Wells is sent to relieve you.  You
will deliver the command to him,  and repair with Colonel Ball's
squadron to this place.  By Command
A.H. Holmes
Assistant Adjutant General"

Colonel Wells being left in the command of Fort Stephenson,  Major
Croghan returned with the squadron to headquarters.  He there explained
his motives for writing such a note,  which were deemed satisfactory; 
and having remained all night with the general,  who treated him
politely,  he was permitted to return to his command in the morning, 
with written orders similar to those he had received before.

Refusal To Surrender
A reconnoitering party which had been sent from headquarters to the
shore of the lake,  about twenty miles distant from Fort Stephenson, 
discovered the approach of the enemy,  by water,  on the evening of the
31st of July.  They returned by the fort after 12 o'clock the next day, 
and had passed it but a few hours when the enemy made their appearance
before it.  The Indians showed themselves first on the hill over the
river,  and were saluted by a six-pounder,  the only piece of artillery
in the fort,  which soon caused them to retire.  In half an hour the
British gun-boats came in sight,  and the Indian forces displayed
themselves in every direction,  with a view to intercept the garrison, 
should a retreat be attempted.  The six-pounder was fired a few times at
the gun-boats,  which was returned by the artillery of the enemy.  A
landing of their troops with a five and a half inch howitzer was
effected about a mile below the fort;  and Major Chambers,  accompanied
by Dickson,  was dispatched towards the fort with a flag,  and was met
on the part of Major Croghan by Ensign Shipp,  of the 17th regiment. 
After the usual ceremonies,  Major Chambers observed to Ensign Shipp, 
that he was instructed by General Proctor to demand the surrender of the
fort as he was anxious to spare the effusion of human blood,  which he
could not do,  should he be under the necessity of reducing it,  by the
powerful force of artillery,  regulars and Indians under his command. 
Shipp replied,  that the commandant of the fort and its garrison were
determined to defend it to the last extremity;  that no force however
great could induce them to surrender,  as they were resolved to maintain
their post,  or to bury themselves in its ruins.  Dickson then said that
their immense body of Indians could not be restrained from murdering the
whole garrison in case of success,  of which we have no doubt,  rejoined
Chambers,  as we are amply prepared.  Dickson then proceeded to remark
that it was a great pity so fine a young man should fall into the hands
of the savages,  Sir,  for Gods sake,  surrender and prevent the
dreadful massacre that will be caused by your resistance.  Mr. Shipp
replied,  that when the fort was taken,  there would be none to
massacre.  It will not be given up while a man is able to resist.  An
Indian at this moment came out of an adjoining ravine,  and advancing to
the Ensign,  took hold of his sword and attempted to wrest it from him. 
Dickson interfered,  and having restrained the Indian,  affected great
anxiety to get him safe into the fort.


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