Men of patriotism, courage & enterprise: Fort Meigs in the War of 1812 [Paperback]

Larry L Nelson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1985

The title of this fine book comes from a recruiting broadside published in Marietta, Ohio, July 29, 1812. The broadside was addressed "to men of patriotism, courage and enterprise" and promised five dollars a month pay plus 160 acres of land at the end of an honorable enlistment.

Here Larry L. Nelson, the site director of the Fort Meigs State Memorial in Perrysburg, Ohio, carefully follows the chronology of major events surrounding Fort Meigs. He recounts with thorough documentation the decisions and performances of the famous leaders on both sides of the conflict. However, he also uses many previously unknown sources, including diaries, journals and personal letters to evoke the emotional effects of the war's many sacrifices and bloody confrontations. The insights provided by these intimate sources give the reader a chance to examine the lives of the officers and soldiers in light of those recruiting poster ideals of patriotism, courage and enterprise.

The narrative focus of the book is the period from February through September of 1813, when the American forces at Fort Meigs, on the south bank of the Maumee river near Lake Erie, repelled two major attacks by the British and Indian forces. Gen. William Henry Harrison, commander of the army of the northwestern frontier and future president of the U.S., was the most colorful figure on the American side. His British counterpart was Colonel Henry Proctor, but the great Indian leader, Tecumseh, is perhaps the most legendary figure involved with Fort Meigs. Many militia units from countries in Ohio and Kentucky are mentioned. A fullname and subject index is included, and all sources are cited in notes at the end of each chapter as well as in the bibliography. About thirty drawings, etchings, photos and maps help bring the stories to life. Originally published in Ohio in 1985, this book has been unavailable since 1989 despite continued demand. Heritage Books, Inc. is proud to be able to reoffer it now. (1985) reprint, 5.5 x 8.5, illus., maps, bibl., index, paper, 157 pp.

N151 - A 4101HB

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Daring Books (1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0938936387
• ISBN-13: 978-0938936381
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,141,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hard to find, but for students of 1812, worth the search, October 11, 2002

By 

Mike Conaway (Buena Park, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Men of patriotism, courage & enterprise: Fort Meigs in the War of 1812 (Paperback)

Sadly, Fort Meigs is usually mentioned only in passing (or often ignored altogether) in histories of the War of 1812. This fort, once under the command of William Henry Harrison, was an essential part of American frontier defense. From here, American soldiers repeatedly fought off the British and their Native American allies, under Tecumseh, as they tried to secure the Maumee river for their own use in moving troops through the then-western United States.

This little book is one of the only sources of detailed information about Fort Meigs and its role in securing the safety of the frontier states. It could perhaps benefit from a little more detail regarding the British ships and gunboats which stood against the fort--some of which also participated in the Battle of Lake Erie--but otherwise it's quite satisfying, supporting the text with prints, maps, and quotes from those involved. It's a useful look at the war from a nearly-forgotten perspective. The book can be hard to find, but for students of the War of 1812 (or of Great Lakes history, Ohio history, or the lives of Tecumseh or Harrison), it's worth the search.

Fort Meigs has been beautifully reconstructed on its original site in Perrysburg, Ohio, and often hosts superb re-enactments. It's one of the most faithful pieces of living history in the Great Lakes area, and shouldn't be missed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, informative, well-written, January 5, 2003

By 

Terry Crock (Massillon, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Men of patriotism, courage & enterprise: Fort Meigs in the War of 1812 (Paperback)

The writer of this book was the site director of Fort Meigs (he might still be for all I know). This is a good thing, as his personal involvement shows though in his writing. This is not a long book (156 pages including illustrations, a multitude of footnotes, an index and a bibliography), but it is well written, very interesting and informative, and for lack of a better word, "lively."
The majority of the book covers February through September of 1813 (and events leading up to the building of Fort Meigs) though the eyes of American participants. This period is when Fort Meigs was under attack or siege twice by the British and Indians, including the great Indian leader Tecumseh.
I have read many books concerning the war of 1812, but this book is the first I have found that concentrates solely on Fort Meigs. The author's entertaining writing style fits the subject well. Never does the book become dry or boring. It is obvious that the writer enjoys the subject. The major characters and many minor ones are brought to life as, not just distant historical footnotes, but as real people living, fighting and sometimes dying in the wilderness. The author uses many quotes from letters and dairies written by participates in the action, and he uses them in a manner that enhances the writing, instead of interrupting it.
For anyone interested in Fort Meigs or the War of 1812, this book is sure to be appreciated. I have been to Fort Meigs several times, and it is gratifying to have an increased knowledge of what happened there.
This book is not, however, an in-depth history of the War of 1812 or even of any of the major characters. For instance, if one was interested in Tecumseh, then there are other books that provide much more information than this one. This book gives information on people like Tecumseh only so far as they affect the time period covered and how they played a part in the story of Fort Meigs. But as a history of Fort Meigs, this is a very well-written and enjoyable to read book.
One of the many illustrations is a reprint of an advertisement trying to recruit men to serve in the war. The advertisement starts with the statement, "To Men of Patriotism, Courage, & Enterprise!" This is where the title of the book comes from.
In the end, a book worth reading. As a book in general, I've rated it a 3, but as a book on the history of Fort Meigs, it would have to be a 4 if not a 5.