George Croghan was just 21 and a major. General William Henry Harrison placed him in command of Fort Stephenson on the Lower Sanduskey, present day site of Fremont, Ohio. This strategic fort guarded Harrison's headquarters and supplies at Fort Seneca and also the important water route from Pittsburgh to Detroit.
Croghan had 160 men with him. When the British forces under General Proctor began moving against Fort Stephenson, Harrison thought the British had more soldiers and Indians with him than he did and ordered Croghan to destroy the fort and retire.
The "Boy Major" replied to Harrison that he had received the orders too late to carry them out and that he would remain at Fort Stephenson as long as he was able.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
No comments:
Post a Comment