War of 1812: Fort Meigs

[handmade34]

nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon...

http://www.fortmeigs.org/history/

"The War of 1812 was fought over free trade, sailor's rights and to decide once and for all who would control the "western country." Great Britain was stopping American merchant ships on the Atlantic Ocean, seizing their cargo and impressing sailors into the Royal Navy. In response, the United States declared war on June 18, 1812. Fort Meigs stood at the center of American military operations in the Northwest Territory. Between June, 1812 and February, 1813, the United States lost Fort Mackinac and Fort Detroit in the Michigan Territory and Fort Dearborn in the Illinois Territory, as well as a major defeat at the Battle of the River Raisin in Michigan. Only Fort Wayne, in the Indiana Territory, withstood British attack...General William Henry Harrison established a fort on the south side of the Maumee River on February 2, 1813. The fort was to serve as a temporary supply depot and staging area for an invasion of Canada. Named for the Governor of Ohio, Return Jonathan Meigs, the garrison was a home for more than 2,000 men comprised of U.S. regulars and militia from Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Virginia."

[bluedigger]

1. Very nice photos.

They have an "antique" feeling to them I really like. As a former artilleryman I :rofl: when I saw the "cannon".:)

[handmade34]

2. yah

tools of war have come a long way... gotta love the re-enactors though... even if it piques the interest of a few

[James48]

3. My ancestor fought at the Battle of Fort Meigs

And that's how my family ended up in Perrysburg. Orignally they lived in Ontario, but were forced out by the British in 1812, and he was commissioned as an officer in the New York Militia, and sent to Fort Meigs from there. We still have the family farm deeded as a reward for their service.

[handmade34]

4. love the story

I have been working here in Wood County and Perrysburg seems a rather nice place... the history of the fort is fascinating