Ohio History Journal

362        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

dedicatory exercises in honor of the battle which occurred near this

spot on July 30, 1813, when Major Ball's squadron, Second Light

Dragoons, U. S. Army, while escorting Colonel Wells of the Seventeenth

U. S. Infantry, from Major General Harrison's headquarters at Fort

Seneca to relieve Major Croghan of the command of Fort Stephenson

for alleged insubordination in refusing to evacuate the fort, was ambushed

by Indians, but gallantly charged them and killed seventeen with the

saber.

It is a source of much gratification to know that so many are

interested in this work and to know that the deeds of the men of nearly

a century ago are not forgotten in the hearts of the people. It is one

of the objects of the D. A. R. to perpetuate the memory of the spirit

of the men who helped to achieve American independence by the

acquisition and protection of historical spots and by the erection of

markers. In dedicating this marker we are endeavoring to place before

this generation and the generations to come, a memorial which will

ever call to mind the great deeds performed by the men of those early

days which aided in determining the fate of the Northwest, and the

great debt of gratitude we shall ever owe to them. And as this stone,

which we hope will endure for ages, is unveiled, may there be planted

in the hearts of each one present seeds of patriotism, civic pride, hope

and love which will grow and blossom, not only in our hearts, but

also in the hearts of those who will follow after us.

Mrs. Clayton R. Truesdall, state regent of the D. A. R.,

spoke for the state society and her first appearance before her

own chapter in such an office was greeted enthusiastically by the

members of the chapter. Her remarks were most excellent and

given in her usual attractive and charming manner.

 

ADDRESS OF MRS. TRUESDALL.

Several years ago in conversation with a friend on literary style,

Mathew Arnold said: "People think I can teach them style. What stuff

it all is! Have something to say and say it as clearly as you can.

That is the only secret of style." So this morning is no time for any

special oratory but an occasion while many are forced to stand, to speak

briefly as ambassador of the Daughters of the Revolution in Ohio.

Our state has been one of the greatest battlegrounds in history.

Here the contest took place between the Indians and the advancing

civilization of Europe. Here was the scene of the last bitter encounter

between the two races, the Anglo-Saxon or British, and the Latin, or

French. Then came the reckoning between the divisions of the Anglo-

Saxon, the English, and Americans. Its inhabitants have listened to the

war-whoop of many savage nations, and been subservient to the banner

of France, England and the United States.

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The Harrison Table Rock and Ball's Battlefield.        363

 

No other county in the state is so rich in early history as Sandusky.

A British post was established here during the Revolutionary War. Here

the first permanent white settlers located and the first marriage between

whites was performed. Especially during the War of 1812 was it a

famous battleground.

In marking, one by one, these historical places, we, as an organi-

zation, are not only showing patriotism in one of the truest forms--

reverencing the memory and brave deeds of our heroes--but we are

reminding the present and future generations of our dearly won liberties,

for very truly has some one said: "Every spot in a land that marks

the achievement of an heroic deed is to that land a perpetual fountain

from which flows influences to strengthen the patriotism of its people."

In imagination we can see Major Ball's dragons gallantly riding

down this road. They obeyed the order to charge with bayonets when-

ever smoke was seen and thus in a hand-to-hand encounter killed

seventeen of the eighteen Indians.

Bravery in battle requires the same courage, whether the fighting

is on Ball's battlefield with a small squadron, at Fort Stephenson with

160 men defending the fort, or with the thousands at Gettysburg. So

today we honor the memory of the men who won the battle which pre-

ceded Croghan's victory by two days.

From here we will go on to the Harrison Mess Rock located on

Harrison Trail. It is well known in this part of the state on account

of its great size and because the general and his staff lunched from its

spacious board.

As your state regent, I am delighted to congratulate you on the

placing of these markers, for as the Fort Kearney Chapter in Nebraska

was the first to erect a tablet on the Old Oregon Trail in that state,

so you, members of my own chapter, are the first to place markers on the

General Harrison Military Trail in Ohio.

Mrs. John T. Mack, of Sandusky, state chairman of the his-

torical sites committee, was next introduced by the local regent

and gave an interesting account of what has been done through-

out the state in the marking and commemoration of historic sites.

A part of her paper was as follows:

 

 

ADDRESS OF MRS. MACK.

The committee on historic sites of the Daughters of the American

Revolution of Ohio wish to congratulate the Colonel Croghan Chapter

upon the unveiling of two more tablets, thus adding more laurels to the

wreath you have won in the marking of historic spots. It was in the year

of 1901-02, under the state regency of Mrs. John A. Murphy that the

committee on marking Revolutionary soldiers' graves was formed. A

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