making of soldiers in them. Things improved somewhat with the progress of the war. The incompetents in high command on the fighting line were weeded out and real soldiers took their places. But apart from the brilliant work of the little navy, of Perry on Lake Erie, of McDonough on Lake Champlain, of many able captains with cruisers on the ocean, there were not many achievements of the war the story of which sends the blood leaping in pride along your veins. The instances of bravery or fortitude of individuals or of organizations are numerous and thrilling enough, as of course we should expect of American soldiershardy frontiersmen in large part-and these give joy and inspiration even while the general narrative of events on land may be filling us, after near a hundred years, with impotent rage at the blundering stupidity or worse of those who tried to direct and to lead. And yet, badly advised and rash as the war was, disappointing and humiliating as was the conduct of it in so large part, unsatisfactory or reticent as the treaty of peace was on the main issues for which the war was waged, the final effect of the struggle on the nation and the people was doubtless beneficial. It taught the need of trained soldiers, it made the navy popular, it gave the country a standing not before possessed in the opinions of other peoples. Just after the announcement of the treaty of peace, James Monroe, at that time Secretary of War, as well as of State, wrote in an official communication to the Military Committee of the Senate as follows: "The late war formed an epoch of a peculiar character, highly interesting to the United States. It made trial of the strength and efficiency of our government for such a crisis. It had been said that our Union, and system of government, would not bear such a trial. The result has proved the imputation to be entirely destitute of foundation. The experiment was made under circumstances the most unfavorable to the United States, and the most favorable to the very powerful nation with whom we were engaged. The demonstration is satisfactory that our Union has gained strength, our troops honor, and the nation character, by the contest. * * *By the war we have acquired a character and a rank among other nations which we did not enjoy before." ("Writings. of James Monroe," Vol. V, p. 321.) How accurate Monroe's judgment was, is seen by comparing with it the summing up of the effect of the war by our latest historian, President Woodrow Wilson, who says: "If the war had done nothing else, however, it had at least made the country quick with the spirit of nationality, and factions were discredited. The War of the Revolution had needed a war for independence to supplement it, as Mr. Franklin had long ago said. Until now, notwithstanding the separation, English statesmen had deemed the United States still in no small degree dependent upon England for their peace and privilege in the world, and America had virtually in their thought accepted a position of dependence. The Federalists had been ashamed of no concession or submission to England, when once their great leaders had fallen silent. This clumsy, foolhardy, hap-hazard war had at any rate broken their temper. The country had regained its self-respect. The government of the Union, moreover, was once more organized for rational action. The party which controlled it had once for all given up the theories which made it conscientiously weak and inefficient upon principle. It was ready now upon occasion to raise armies, impose taxes, avail itself of the services of banks, and serve the country by means which should hold the nation united and self-centered against the world." For the first year or more of the war the region about the head of Lake Erie and Detroit was the principal center of activity. The disgraceful surrender of Hull at Detroit was followed by disaster after disaster, with little to cheer the American forces until the successful resistance by Harrison of the siege of Fort Meigs in early May, 1813; and there was really not much cause for rejoicing in that when the cost was counted. Then for nearly three months little was done but to maintain and strengthen positions, while Perry was building his little fleet at Erie. General Green Clay was left in command at Ft. Meigs; Harrison was at Fort Seneca waiting for reinforcements. But late in July, Proctor' the British commander, again appeared before Ft. Meigs with a force of regulars, militia and Indians and sought to draw Clay into the open. But Clay refused to risk battle, and Proctor sending his savage allies across country went by boat around to the Sandusky river, expecting to reduce Fort Stephenson and to press on up the river to attack Harrison and capture or destroy his stores. But he counted without his host. By great good fortune Ft. Stephenson was held by a young Kentuckian of twenty-two who had the courage to dare and who had the power to inspire his little detachment of one hundred and sixty men with the same intrepidity that fired his purpose. What he and his determined companions did and how they did it is all a familiar story to you. The courageous defense of Fort Stephenson was the first really brilliant event of the war. Its moral effect on the country was wholly out of proportion to its real significance. It came like a cup of cold spring water to a man long famishing. And when it was followed in a few days by the splendid achievement of Perry and that by Harrison's invasion of Canada and his complete victory in the battle of the Thames, the country was delirious with joy and the war in the Northwest was practically over. III. The defense of Fort Stephenson added to America's list of heroes a name that will abide for all time. What we know of him before he met his great opportunity and after that had given his name to history is all too little. But here in brief is his story. On his paternal side George Croghan came of fighting blood. He belonged to the race of "the Kellys, the Burkes and the Sheas," who always "smell the battle afar off." The first Croghan we we hear of in this country was Major George Croghan who was born in Ireland and educated at Dublin University. Just when he came to America we do not know. He established himself near Harrisburg, and was an Indian trader there as early as 1746. He learned the language of the aborigines and won their confidence. He served as a captain in Braddock's expedition in 1755, and in the defense of the western frontier in the following year. The famous Sir William Johnson of New York, who was so efficient in dealing with the natives, and whom George II, had commissioned "Colonel, agent and sole superintendent of the affairs of the Six Nations and other northern Indians," came to recognize Croghan's worth, and made him deputy Indian agent for the Pennsylvania and Ohio Indians. In 1763 Sir William sent him to England to confer with the ministry in regard to some Indian boundary line. He traveled widely through the Indian country of what is now the central west. While on a mission in 1765 to pacify the Illinois Indians he was attacked, wounded and taken to Vincennes. But he was soon released and accomplished his mission. He was deeply impressed with the great possibilities of this western country and urged upon Sir William Johnson the importance of securing this region to the English colonies. In May, 1766 he fixed his abode near Fort Pitt, using his good offices and influence in pacifying the Indians and conciliating them to British interests. He died about 1782. Thus he lived a busy, useful and public-spirited life. It is altogether probable that his reports regarding the Northwestern country had something to do with impressing George Rogers Clark with its importance. A nephew of this worthy gentleman was William Croghan, likewise born in Ireland-in 1752.. Just when he came to this country I have been unable to ascertain. Perhaps it was with his uncle when he returned after his official visit to England. At any rate the young man was well established here at the time of the Declaration of Independence. He promptly volunteered his services, becoming a captain of a Virginia company. He served to the end of the war; being when mustered out the senior Major of the Virginia Line. He took part in the battles of the Brandywine, Monmouth and Germantown; and he was with the army that bitter winter at Valley Forge. In 1780 his regiment was ordered south and he was made prisoner at the surrender of Charleston. He was present at Yorktown, when the last great battle of the war was fought, though he could not share in the fighting, as he was on parole. He served for a time on the staff of Baron Steuben, and he was one of the officers present at the Verplanck Mansion on the Hudson in May, 1783, when the Society of the Cincinnati was instituted. Shortly after the war Croghan joined the increasing drift of Virginians across the mountains into the new land of Kentucky and found a home near the Falls of the Ohio. There, presumably, he won and wed his wife. She too came of valorous stock. Her name was Lucy Clark, daughter of John Clark, recently come to Kentucky from Virginia. She had five brothers, four of whom served in the Revolutionary War. The most distinguished of these was George Rogers Clark to whose great and heroic campaign through the wilderness to Vincennes |