Ohio, War of 1812

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]

For the category, see: Ohio, War of 1812.

War with England was spreading quickly , therefore fear of a British invasion into Ohio from the north created panic in many Ohio citizens. They left their farms along the coast and navigated for Cleveland where there was safety in numbers. Meanwhile deep in Ohio frontier territory, where the more hardy citizens were located, they began to build blockhouses intending to use them as safe houses. These were where local citizens could flee to for protection in the case of a British or Indian attack. These block houses were most usually defended by local militia organized for defense of the community. Canadian citizens were also invading Ohio, but for a different reason.

Returning Revolutionary Veterans

Post Revolution War and before the War of 1812; there were a number of Americans, induced by special offers, relocated themselves to Canada to help settle the Canada's western frontier. These inducements succeeded in transplanting many of the New England farmers which were mostly Revolutionary War veterans or descendants. This created confusion. When hostilities erupted, these patriots could not take up arms against the country they had fought to establish. This created a returning flood of refugees, our returning home patriots, from Canada and settling in Central Ohio where it was considered safer.

President Madison issues instructions to assemble the militia at Dayton, Ohio

Governor Return Jonathan Meigs of Ohio, on April 6, 1812, assemble the Militia for drilling in preparation to march to Detroit. By the end of the month more than the required number of men had been enrolled.

Governor Hull, from Michigan, was appointed as the Brigadier General. He arrived late in May to Dayton, Ohio and left on 25 May with these troops. The troops did get to choose their own Field Officers and were fairly equipped, early in May.

Ohio Military Regiments

The Adjutant General's Department at Columbus, Ohio has recorded the following as being furnished:

• 1759 Officers
• 24,521 Enlisted men distributed as follows:

• 1st Regiment, Ohio Infantry 108 Companies
• 2nd Regiment, Ohio Infantry 85 Companies
• 3rd Regiment, Ohio Infantry 56 Companies
• Voluntary Militia Units: 185 Companies
  • Captain Josiah Lockhart's Company, Ohio
  • Captain Elijah Martin's Company, Ohio
• Ohio Members Assigned to U. S. Infantry, 5 Companies
• Ohio Mounted Infantry, 25 Companies
• Ohio Cavalry, 13 Troops
• Ohio Artillery, 1 Battery

• • Captain James Flagg's Company, Ohio
  • Captain John Sharp's Company, Ohio

Ohio Resources

• Roster of Ohio soldiers in the War of 1812 by Ohio. Adjutant General's Office Published 1916 Topics United States -- History War of 1812 Regimental histories Ohio, Ohio -- History War of 1812, Ohio -- Militia Link for ONLINE DIGITAL Copy. Note: Search does not appear to be conclusive. I finally found my soldier via the first name search...lucked out because it was unique, but the last name search only showed one with that last name, where I know that there are other's with that last name in this publication.

• Original Record, searchable Note: The search is not 100% accurate. Try the last name, sometimes the first name, sometimes both names and results will vary.