Ohio History Journal

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ST

ST. CLAIR'S DEFEAT.

 

AN ORATION DELIVERED BY JUDGE SAMUEL F. HUNT ON THE CENTEN-

NIAL, OF THE DEFEAT OF GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR AND ON

THE OCCASION OF THE RE-INTERMENT OF THE DEAD

WHO FELL IN THE ENGAGEMENT ON THE BATTLE-

FIELD. FT. RECOVERY, O., OCT. 16, 1891.*

It is said that for more than six hundred years after the

battle of Morgarten the Swiss peasantry gathered on the field of

battle to commemorate those who had fallen for freedom. We

have assembled to-day in the same spirit to do honor to the gallant

dead, who, one hundred years ago, gave their lives for their

country in this fatal field, and amidst their hallowed ashes to per-

petuate the story of their unselfish patriotism. A great Republic,

mighty in its perfect unity, guards with tender care the memory

* NOTE.--(From the Cincinnati [Daily] Enquirer. October 17,

1891.)

FT. RECOVERY, O., Oct. 16. -The grand centennial celebration of

the battle of St. Clair closed to-day, and the expectations of the Mon-

umental Association have been realized fully. Great crowds of people

have assembled each day to pay homage to the dead heroes.

This morning dawned with a clear sky, seemingly the act of

Providence to prepare a perfect day for the crowning event of the

exercises. Fully 15,000 people assembled to-day on the old battle ground

of Ft. Recovery to witness the sad rites of placing the remains of the

dead heroes in their third and last resting place. It will be remembered

that the bones of the old soldiers were discovered in a pit, where they

had been placed by their comrades after the battle. The first skull

was found by the late Judge Roop by mere accident after a rain, which

had washed them out to view. This was in June, 1851, and they lay

in that state until October of the same year, when they were interred

in a private cemetery amid grand ceremonies. They rested in their

earthly abodes until a few days ago, when they were again taken up

to prepare for their final resting place. It was to-day this rite was

performed. The exercises this forenoon were: Speaking at the grounds

and military parade, Colonel Bundy, of Cincinnati, being the prin-

cipal orator.

General J. P. C. Shanks, of Portland, Ind., delivered an inter-

esting address relative to the defeat of Arthur St. Clair. At noon Judge-

Samuel F. Hunt, of Cincinnati, Senator Godfrey, of Celina, and Mayor

(373)