After the debacle at the Raisin River, Gen. Wm. H. Harrison appealed to Governor Shelby of KY for 1500 men to be raised, the KY Legislature actually passed an act calling 3000 men into the field. This was one of eleven regiments raised by Green Clay, commanded by Col. Wm. Dudley. This brigade went on to Newport, KY on April 1, 1813 and marched to Ft. Meigs, OH (south side of Toledo) on the Maumee River. Col. Dudley was ordered to spike the British guns surrounding Ft. Meigs which they did but made the mistake of following fleeing Indians into the woods where they were trapped by the British under Col. Henry Proctor and their Indian allies. Col. Dudley was scalped without interference by Proctor. Out of 1200 militia, 220 were killed, 350 captured and the rest managed to escape back into Ft. Meigs. The Indians actually killed about 40 more they held captive and then Tecumseh stopped the massacre. Most were ransomed and made their way back to KY. General Harrison in his report states "It rarely occurs that a General has to complain of the excessive ardor of his men yet such appears always to be the case whenever the KY Militia are engaged. It is indeed a source of all their misfortunes. They appear to think valor alone can accomplish anything".

This is it in a highly condensed form. The War of 1812 was an exciting time for the country and the men of KY certainly responded.

Sandy