War Of 1812

The history world has been preoccupied lately with the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, with reenactments and other events planned to commemorate the men (and women) in blue and gray. But another important milestone occurs this year —the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. Often called America’s “second war of independence”, the causes of the war included America’s desire to expand its territory, British attempts to restrict American trade, and the Royal Navy's impressment of American seamen into British service.

During the war the young United States suffered many defeats at the hands of the British, including the capture of Washington and the burning of the White House in August of 1814 (when First Lady Dolley Madison famously saved the portrait of George Washington from the fire). In the end, American troops were able to ward off British invasions in New York, Baltimore, and New Orleans, and were ultimately victorious. The war ended with the ratification of the Treaty of Ghent on February 17, 1815.

Giles County sent a considerable number of men who served at different times during the war. Early in 1815 Captain Andrew Johnston (who later built the Historical Society’s current home) organized a company of soldiers and was ordered to march to Norfolk. When they reached Bedford County they received the welcome news that a peace treaty had been signed and they were able to return home.

Over a century later a tattered piece of paper was found in the wall of a log cabin in neighboring
Montgomery County. This document contained a list of veterans from the War of 1812, including men from Giles County, many of whose descendants live in the county today. Giles men known
to have served in the War of 1812 include: Major James Bane, Lt. John Bane, Ens. Peter Blake, Lt. William Blake, Berry Blankenship, Ens. Andrew Bogle, Ens. William Brown, Lt. John Cook, Capt. Hiram Davis, Jesse Diamond, Ens. Charles Dingess, Benjamin Duncan, Lt. William French, Daniel Fry, George Fry, John Fry, Capt. John Harvey, Major R.M. Hutchinson, Lt. Samuel Hutchinson, Capt. Andrew Johnston, Capt. David Johnston, Capt. Charles King, Thomas Kirk, Jacob Lucas, Nelson Lucas, Ens. Price Lucas, Lt. Ralph Lucas, Ens. William Lucas, Pct. William
Lucas, Ens. John McClaugherty, Ens. Elisha McComas, Capt. Joseph McDonald, Ens. Stephen McDonald, Ens. Patrick Napier, William Oney, Lt. James Orr, Capt. George N. Pearis, Capt. John Peters, Capt. David Price, Alexander Porterfield, William Porterfield, James Sarver, Lt. John Shannon, Capt. William Smith, Christian Snidow, Capt. John Snidow, John Spangler, Ralph Stafford, Jr., Daniel Stanley, James Stanley, John Stanley, Lt. James Straley, Ens. Joseph Taylor, Ens. Enos Walker, Capt. CHA Walker, Henry Walker, Julius Walker, Alexander Williams, Ens. GeorgeWilliams.

The Giles County Historical Society works to preserve, interpret and exhibit Giles County’s rich
historical and cultural heritage. It provides a repository for Giles County family histories, documents and artifacts, assists genealogical researchers, and supports the preservation of
endangered Giles County artifacts, sites and records.