irregular, but no legal technicalities or quibbles hushed the patriotic and courageous answer to this call. On the 22d of March, 1813, the call was published. Colonel Johnson designated men in the different counties contiguous to his own, Scott, to raise companies; the platoon and other officers to be chosen by the men who enlisted. It required a few weeks only to fill the regiment, which was the largest entering the service of the United States in the western department during the war. The field and staff officers selected by Colonel Johnson and commissioned by the State of Kentucky were James Johnson, lieutenant-colonel; DeVall Payne, first major; David Thompson, second major; James Suggett, chaplain and commander of spies; Benjamin S. Chambers, quartermaster; Robert Ewing, surgeon, and Benjamin Branham, forage master. The company commanders were as follows: Jacob Stucker, Scott County. James Davidson, Lincoln County. Elijah Craig, Scott County. William M. Rice, Henry County. Robert Berry, Woodford County. John W. Reading, William Church, Franklin County. The first five companies were to rendezvous at the home of Colonel Johnson, in Scott, and on the 20th of May take up the line of march for Newport, where the regiment was to be armed and equipped. The other five companies, viz., Captains Coleman, Payne, Warfield, and Craig, were to march to Newport and report on the twenty-second. On the 20th of May a vast concourse assembled at Great Crossings, on Elkhorn Creek, to say farewell and words of encouragement to the soldiers, who represented in so large measure the best blood, the noblest patriotism, and the truest courage of the State of Kentucky. It was on this occasion that Colonel Johnson, speaking gratefully to his neighbors and friends, and to the friends of his men, of the confidence which had been reposed in him, promised that, in the coming campaign, he would not only lead them where dangers were thickest, but that he would do all that could be done to protect them from the hardships and dangers of the march and from any undue exposure in battle. On the following morning they began their march for Newport, and when half way upon their journey they were met by Colonel John T. Johnson, an aide on General Harrison's staff, with a copy of an order from Harrison, dated Franklinton, Ohio (now Columbus), May 16th, expressing his gratitude for the patriotic conduct of the citizens of Ohio and Kentucky in coming to his aid in such large numbers; that he was now happy to inform them that the pressing danger was past, and that as the enemy had abandoned the siege of Fort Meigs their services would not be required. Colonel James Johnson, who was in command of the battalion, received and conveyed this order to his troops with great regret. Some of the companies, acting under the belief that the order was final, turned backward and marched toward their homes, but finally it was decided to await the coming of Colonel R. M. Johnson, who had been delayed and was in the rear. When he arrived he gave it as his judgment that the order did not discharge his regiment, and that he would proceed to Newport, and would not disband his men without a special order from General Harrison; that as his first authority to raise the regiment had come directly from the President and Secretary of War he did not think a mere order of General Harrison, without authority from the War Office, would be sufficient. This interpretation of the order greatly pleased the They were full of enthusiasm and joy at being allowed to resume their march, and they rode on in high spirits, following Colonel Johnson, who had preceded them. Immediately upon reaching Newport the members of the regiment were equipped as rapidly as possible. The first battalion was dispatched to North Bend by Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson, where they arrived on the 4th of May. There they learned from General Harrison himself, who had arrived on a visit to his family at North Bend, that the regiment had been received into the service of the United States. General Harrison at once communicated to Colonel Johnson his commands, and directed him to take charge of Fort Wayne and the forts on the Auglaise River, establish a system of scouts and forts, make incursions into the Indian territory, where feasible cut off and pursue small parties harassing forts or found passing from the Illinois or Wabash rivers toward Malden and Detroit, and other depredators; and also not to remain more than three days at any one place. With ten companies of mounted men to cover the territory now comprised within the bounds of Western Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, all a wilderness, with no posts except on the eastern line, and no depots for provisions, the task laid out for Colonel Johnson and his Kentuckians was one that would appall the stoutest heart. With the assistance of his brother, James Johnson, who was a magnificent soldier and a superb tactician, this regiment acquired a reputation which gave it national fame. Throughout the summer and fall of 1813 it was in most active service. It shirked no sacrifice, hesitated at no responsibility, and under the leadership of its distinguished colonel and lieutenant-colonel rendered magnificent service to the American cause. At the battle of the Thames Colonel Johnson's bravery was preeminent, his coolness unsurpassed, and his courage peerless-covered with wounds, twenty-five bullets having been shot into him, his clothes, or his horse. Remaining at the front until victory was assured, at the end he was carried from the battle-ground fainting from his exertions and loss of blood, almost helpless. Subsequently carried down the Thames River, he rested for a brief while in Detroit, and from there, subjected to all sorts of inconvenience and pain, in a hastily constructed boat, he was carried to Upper Sandusky, and there upon a litter between two horses, with his wounds still unhealed, suffered tortures that only a brave spirit could endure. He was brought to his home at GeorgeIn February, 1814, unable to walk, he set out for town. |