supporter and friend. In 1805, he was a candidate for the House of Representatives in the General Assembly of Ohio; and as all the old pioneers were his personal friends and supporters, he was elected triumphantly, notwithstanding the violent opposition of many settlers of talents and capacity about Chillicothe.

I have now sketched his character from his boyhood, as a packer across the Alleghany mountains-a private soldier-a salt boiler-a hunter and trapper-a spy on the frontier-a chain-carrier-a surveyor-and now a member of the legislature of Ohio. In every situation in which he was placed, he endeavored to lead those with whom he was associated. He was now placed in a situation of a new kind, and which required acquisitions of a different character from those he already possessed. To attain these, he devoted himself to study. Not content to be a silent and passive member of the legislature, he soon exhibited his capacity for his new station and was heard with attention and respect, whenever any subject was discussed in which he felt a peculiar interest.

He became, unquestionably, the most popular man in Ross county, and continued to represent this county in the legislature, as often as his other avocations would permit. He was exceedingly popular with the members of the General Assembly, as is evidenced by his being elected speaker, to preside over the deliberations of that branch of the General Assembly of which he was a member.

In 1806, he was elected Colonel of the first Regiment, second brigade, second division of Ohio militia. This division was then under the command of his old and tried friend Gen. Nathaniel Massie.

When the United States had purchased Louisiana from France, it was rumored that Spain would refuse to surrender the possession of the country to the United States,

agreeably to her compact with France. Under these cir-
cumstances, Congress authorized the President of the
United States to raise a sufficient number of Volunteers,
to take forcible possession of Louisiana, in case Spain
should refuse peaceably to surrender the country. On
this subject intense interest and excitement prevailed in
the western country.
It was there our trade must cen-
ter. To be deprived of the advantage of this out-let for
trade, the mouth of the Mississippi river, would it was
supposed completely ruin the prospects of the western
farmers. The state of Ohio was called upon to furnish
her quota of men to be in readiness to march, to move
on New Orleans, when required. When the call was
made on the second division of the Ohio militia, the
Scioto valley, although its population was sparse, furnish-
ed a full regiment of men. The company officers of the
regiment assembled in Chillicothe, and unanimously
elected Duncan McArthur to the command of the regi-
ment. Happily for the country, these troops were not
called into service. The extensive country of Louisiana
was obtained, and peaceable possession given, through
the wise and moderate measures of President Jefferson.

During the session of the General Assembly of 1807 -8, General Massie resigned his commission as Major General of militia, in the state of Ohio. His office being vacant, the General Assembly elected Duncan McArthur, who was commissioned Major General of the second division of Ohio militia, on the twentieth day of February A. D. 1808.

CHAPTER V.

In the spring of 1812, the difficulties which had been long increasing, between the United States and the English nation were drawing to a crisis. The British had so long, and so wantonly, vexed our commerce by restrictions, confiscations, and impressing our seamen, that they had completely exhausted the patience of the country. In consequence of the many vexations practised by that government upon our commerce and citizens, Congress authorized the President of the United States to enroll and organize a number of volunteers, to hold themselves in readiness for marching at the shortest notice. McArthur, now a major general of militia, issued orders for his division to assemble by regiments, to see how many men would enroll themselves to march in the defence of the country, and to redress the wrongs which our citizens had suffered. He attended in person every regimental muster in his division, employing every argument in his power, which might induce his fellowcitizens to take the field. A sufficient number enrolled themselves to form a regiment. They were immediately organized into companies. McArthur enrolled himself as a private in a company raised in Chillicothe, commanded by Captain William Keys.

As soon as the companies were organized, they had orders to march to Dayton, the place of general rendezvous for the volunteers of Ohio. Here they were organized into battalions and regiments. The company officers, agreeably to the laws of the state of Ohio, proceeded to elect their majors. Gen. James Denny of Circleville was elected to command the first battalion, and Mr. William Trimble of Highland county was elected to command the second battalion. The company officers and majors immediately went into an election for a colonel to com

mand the regiment; when on counting the ballots, McArthur received the unanimous vote of the officers of the regiment, and was accordingly commissioned Colonel of the first regiment of Ohio volunteers, on the 7th of May, 1812.

Two other regiments of volunteers were enrolled in the state of Ohio, and rendezvoused at the same time and place. The one was commanded by Col. Lewis Cass, the other, by Col. James Findlay of Cincinnati. To these volunteer regiments, was added the fourth regiment of United States infantry, commanded by Colonel James Miller. These troops, when united, were placed under the command of Brigadier General William Hull of the United States army. Gen. Hull had been a soldier of some distinction in the war of the Revolution. James Taylor of Newport, Kentucky, was appointed Pay, and Quarter Master General.

Our country had been so long blessed with peace, that organizing and equipping an army was new to the officers. The necessary camp equipage to prepare the army for marching was slowly procured. This army of about · eighteen hundred men, were camped in the environs of Dayton, till some time in June, before they were prepared to set forward on their march.

From Dayton to Manary's Block-house (now Bellefontaine) there was something like a wagon road for the army to march on. This was then the most northwardly settlement in the state of Ohio. From Manary's Blockhouse to Detroit was one unbroken wilderness; a part of the way without even a foot-path. The country is remarkably level, intersected with swamps, marshes, and rivers. No provisions had been previously laid up by the government in advance of the army. They were compelled to carry their subsistence and forage in wagons. The road was to be made through the thick forests. Bridges were to be constructed over the marshy,

spongy ground, where none but the solitary red, or white, hunter, or the Indian trader with his Canadian ponies had ever passed. The energy and perseverance of the Ohio volunteers overcame all the difficulties placed by nature in their way.

Although war was not declared, the signs of the times were such, that the secretary of war sent an express rider after General Hull, with orders for him to hasten his march with all possible expedition to Detroit.

General Hull employed through the recommendation of General McArthur, the most efficient men for pilots. These guides were, first, Mr. Isaac Zane (brother to Col. Zane of Wheeling) who was then an old man. He had been taken prisoner by the Indians, when quite a youth; he had married an Indian woman, and raised a numerous family. He had lived near the head of Mad river, (where Zanesfield now stands,) about fifty years; and had been passing through the country to Detroit almost every year, either on hunting or trading expeditions. No man could be better acquainted with the localities and features of the country. A Mr. McPherson, an old Indian trader and a man of vigorous mind, who had been passing through the country, for upwards of twenty years, on similar business with Zane, was another; and Mr. Robert Armstrong, who had been taken prisoner by the Indians when a child, and raised by them, was also selected. He had married a daughter of Mr. Zane, and was acquainted with every spot of ground between Manary's block-house and Detroit. To these was added Mr. James L. Reed, an Indian trader for many years, and who, in his frequent travels to and fro, through the country, between Mad river and Detroit, was well acquainted with every marsh and swamp in the country. With these efficient men for pilots, the army commenced its march, with a numerous train of wagons. The making a new road through a wilderness country, inter

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