FRONTIER MILITIA: The War of 1812

1-199790

Little information has been published about the frontiersmen living in northwest Ohio at the commencement of the War of 1812. The frontiersmen were often overshadowed by the prominent leaders of the day, such as Cass, Harrison, Tecumseh, and Winchester; however, the lives of these great leaders intersected the lives of the frontiersmen in northwest Ohio. Immediately after General Hull's disastrous campaign that ended in surrender at Detroit, the men of northwest Ohio became the front line of defense for both the state and the nation.

This book offers readers a glimpse of the Ohio Militia, its structure, the dangers of living in what was considered a war zone, and some sites of significance in the state of Ohio during the war. The author also focuses on the Fifth Division, as these men were stationed predominantly throughout northwest Ohio. Accounts of the Wolverton Incident and Dilbone Massacre are followed by a review of documents concerning the 1809 Constitution of the Dayton Rifle Company, basic militia structure, the Ohio Militia 1811 muster return, counties and militia divisions, flintlock phrases, sites of significance during the War of 1812, and a list of Miami County officers. A map showing counties for the state of Ohio circa 1812, numerous facsimile reprints of original documents, and a bibliography add to the value of this work. This slender volume is a must for War of 1812 reenactors, researchers and historians.