Description: Inscription on plaque in front of cannon reads: "Old Betsy. Cannon used by Major George Croghan against the British and Indians in the defense of Fort Stephenson. Aug. 1st and 2nd 1813." This image shows "Old Betsy" at Fort Stephenson at located at 423 Croghan Street in Fremont, Ohio, in front of the Birchard Library. Four boys standing nearby, studiously reading. Not long after the War of 1812 began, George Croghan became commander of Fort Stephenson. Located on the Sandusky River, the fort was important to Ohio's defense against the British. The fort consisted of three blockhouses inside a rectangular stockade. Croghan worked hard to increase the fort's defensive capabilities. General William Henry Harrison believed that the fort was located at a difficult place to defend and ordered Croghan to abandon it. But Croghan argued that, if his forces withdrew, Native Americans would cut his men off from the rest of the army. Before the two men could resolve their differences, British troops attacked the fort in August 1813. Despite the fact that Croghan had only approximately 150 troops under his command, the Americans were successful in holding off the British assault. In fact, Croghan's men were so successful that they crippled the British forces -- not one officer was left standing, and one-fifth of the British force was either killed, wounded, or missing in action. The Americans forced the enemy to withdraw from the area. The victory at Fort Stephenson came at an important time during the war, as the United States had few military successes. In addition to raising American morale, it also made Croghan famous across the country. President James Madison promoted him to the rank of lieutenant colonel as a reward for his service. Years later, the United States Congress voted to award him a gold medal for his success during the War of 1812. The site of Fort Stephenson is now part of the city of Fremont, Ohio. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B09F10_041_1
Subjects: Cannons; Croghan, George, 1791-1849; Fort Stephenson (Ohio)
Places: Fremont (Ohio); Sandusky County (Ohio)