On the 19th of April, 1812, James Bar­bour, then governor of Virginia, issued his general orders for a requisition of 12,000 men, officers included, which was the quota of Vir­ginia, in pursuance of a law passed on the 10th of the same month by Congress, authorizing a detachment of 100,000 militia at a moment's warning.

At this time the militia was divided into four divisions, and these again were subdivided into 20 brigades. Ohio county was included in the Tenth Brigade, which was commanded by Brig. Gen. Benjamin Biggs of Ohio coun­ty, and in the Third Division, commanded by Maj. Gen. John Smith, of Frederick county, no apportionment having been assigned to her.

It was not until the 3d of September fol­lowing the 19th of April, 1812, that any por­tion of the said 12,000 men mentioned in the general orders were called upon to take the field, and then only to the number of 1,500, who were ordered to repair to Point Pleasant, the place of general rendezvous.

Subsequently, on the 20th of July, 1814, another requisition was made by the president on the militia of Virginia for a like number of about 12,000 men, of which the Tenth Brigade under the apportionment was to fur­nish 499 men, but this county was not in­cluded in the apportionment.

On the 13th of January, 1815, another requisition was made, under which the Tenth Brigade was called upon to furnish 349 men, officers included. Under this last requisition Ohio county furnished a company of light horse, consisting of 64 men and officers, which was commanded by C apt. Samuel McLure, and a company of infantry consisting of 74 men and officers, under the command of Capt. William Irvin. Their superior officer was Lieut. Col. Archibald Woods, of the Fourth Regiment of Virginia militia. Both of these companies volunteered their services im­mediately upon being informed of the requisi­tion. So sparse was the population of Wheel­ing at this early day and so great the num­ber, in proportion to its limited population, of those who had volunteered that when the com­panies departed from the town it appeared as if every able-bodied man had deserted the place, leaving behind them the aged men, women and children alone.

After being mustered in they took up their line of march for their destination, Norfolk, Virginia, which was their appointed place of rendezvous, but which they failed to reach for reasons hereinafter mentioned. Upon leaving the town they marched northwardly, following the road leading along the shore of the Ohio River, until they reached Glenn's run, where they halted and made their first camp. The people of the town turned out en masse and accompanied them to its outskirts, while a large number of the citizens followed them to their camp, many of whom remained with them to the following day, when they struck their tents, resumed their march, and, reaching Wells­burg, made that town their next camping place. At this place they were welcomed with demon­strations of rejoicing and expressions of patri­otic approval in which the entire town united, all the citizens of which had turned out to ex­tend to them a generous and hearty greeting. On the next day they took up their line of march for Washington, Pennsylvania, where they were greeted by another grand ovation by the citizens and where they remained a day to rest and make some arrangements for their future progress that were necessary for their comfort. From this last place they went to their next point, Morgantown, Virginia, where they met with demonstrations of a similar char­acter to those already described. From there they proceeded to their next objective point, which was Kingwood, Virginia, where they were met by a special courier sent by the gov­ernor, who announced to them the gratifying news that peace had been declared, and that, their services being no longer needed, they were ordered to return home, as appears from the following:

"Adjutant General's Office.
"RICHMOND, 20th Feb., 1815.

"Peace between the United States and Great Britain having been announced, the ne­cessity for carrying into effect the law of the last session of the General Assembly, 'Author­izing the raising of a regular force for the de­fense of the state', no longer exists. The courts martial of the several regiments are therefore advised to adjourn and not reassemble until further orders. The several detachments of militia on their march to Norfolk and to the city of Richmond will be immediately mus­tered by their commandants and discharged, or marched back to their respective counties and be there mustered and discharged, as may best suit the convenience of the men. The com­mander in chief embraces with great pride and satisfaction this opportunity of expressing to the militia of Virginia his sense of the distin­guished patriotism they have manifested throughout the war upon all occasions and un­der all circumstances; they have been con­spicuous for their alacrity in meeting danger, and for their valor in the field. The people of Virginia have the high satisfaction derived from a consciousness of having done their duty to their country in peace and in war. When the public good requires it, the particular in­terest of this state has in all cases been made to yield to the general welfare. There has been no instance in which the voice of Vir­ginia has been raised to secure any exclusive advantages to herself. There has been no call upon her to make a sacrifice of state interests for the preservation of national character of rights which she has not obeyed. When her citizens have been called to the field they have shown fortitude and heroism, braved the dangers of battle and disease. A people so brave and patriotic, faithful in the discharge of all their duties, must respect themselves and command the esteem of those with whom they are connected, and will, we may trust, receive the protection of the Divine Power, without whose permission no human wisdom or foresight can secure to any people the happiness which we may fondly hope is in reserve for our countrymen.

"By order,
"CLAIBORNE W. GOOCH,
"Adjutant General."

It was while in Washington, Pennsylvania, that they received the cheering news of the victory gained by General Jackson in tile bat­tle of New Orleans, which was fought by him on the 8th day of January, 1815, which filled them with new life and vigor, and inspired them with high wrought patriotism and zeal to which they gave jubilant expression by a grand celebration of the auspicious event, con­sisting of patriotic speeches, toasts and a grand military ball, which was united in generally by the- citizens of the place, who emulated each other in giving expression to their enthusiasm over the crowning triumph of the American arms. Retracing their steps to Morgantown, a few returned across country to their homes, and a number took pirogues and flat-bottomed boats and floated to Pittsburg, whence they continued down the river to Wheeling. When the boats rounded the bend near where the Top Mill now stands the martial strains of the fife and the sonorous tones of the drum awakened tile echoes of the surrounding hills and were born to the ears of the inhabitants of the town who had lined the banks of the river to wel­come the returning braves and who gave vent to loud huzzas of rejoicing, making the welkin to ring with their glad shouts. There were five members of the Irwin family who volunteered in this war in the company commanded by Captain Irwin, whose names were William Ir­win, Samuel Irwin, David Irwin, James Snod­grass and Robert Snodgrass, the last named three being uncles of Isaac and Samuel Irwin. The late Samuel Irwin was at the time a lad under twenty-one years of age and his father, who was captain of the company, was opposed to his joining the command, but by dint of coaxing and persuading he finally succeeded in overcoming the opposition of his parent, who reluctantly permitted him to volunteer as a private. Another young man, Alexander McConnell, deceased, was also a volunteer in the same company, although at the time in his teens. An individual by the name of Hoot­man was the drummer of the company, and Jim Nevitt, of tall and commanding figure and large and muscular frame, was the fifer. The patriotic feeling of the day had been fully aroused, but the Wheeling patriots were de­prived of the opportunity of proving to the foe the stuff of which they were made. A member of the company used jocosely to re­mark that when the British heard that they were coming they became disheartened and promptly declared peace. In this connection we are gratified in being able to call attention to the following letter, which was addressed to Col. Archibald Woods by Brig. Gen. J. G. Jackson, formerly a member of Con­gress from the Northwestern district of Vir­ginia, which included the county of Ohio:

"WASHINGTON, Feb. 16, 1815.
"Sir: I have the pleasure to inform you that by order from the Secretary of War, dated on this day, I am instructed to communicate that the militia recently ordered to march from the Tenth and Twentieth Brigades of Vir­ginia militia are discharged from a compliance with the said orders. I have the honor to be
"Yours most obediently,
"J. G. JACKSON, Br. Gen."

"To colonel commandant of Ohio county militia: I congratulate you and my country on the restoration of an honorable peace."

In the beginning of hostilities in the year 1812 a volunteer company of infantry, under the command of Capt. Benjamin Jeffries, had been ordered into the service, but were deficient in wagons and teams, whereupon Colonel Woods issued the following order:

“Ohio County, Virginia.
“You are hereby forthwith directed to impress the wagon, team, and driver of the wagon belonging to Daniel Steenrod for the use of your company now ordered on duty for the purpose of conveying the baggage belonging to the same, on the tour of duty which they are now ordered on. And this shall be your warrant for so doing. Given under my hand this 23rd day of September, 1812.
“Archibald Woods,

“Lieut. Col. Com’t Fourth Regiment, Virginia Militia.

“To Capt. Benjamin Jeffries.”

The prompt return to the warrant was as follows:

“I have executed the above warrant agreeable to order.

“BENJAMIN JEFFIRES, Capt.”

“Ohio County and commonwealth of Virginia.”

“The subscribers being mutually chosen and being first sworn according to law to appraise a wagon, team, harness and cover, etc., the property of Daniel Steenrod, of said county, impressed this day by Col. Archibald Woods, for the use of a detachment of militia now ordered on duty from the Fourth Regi­ment in said county, under the command of Capt. Benjamin Jeffries, also the hire per day for the use of the said wagon, team and driver, do appraise the same as follows:

One wagon ...................... $ 75
One wagon cover ............... 5
5 One sorrel horse .............. 20
One bay horse .................... 75
One chestnut-sorrel mare ..... 55
One bay mare ...................... 33
Four sets gears ..................... 40
Amounting to ................... 303

"The hire per day for said team and driver, $2.37½.

"JOHN MCLURE,
"WM. IRWEIN,
"JOHN FEAY.

"I certify the above.
"ARCHIBALD WOODS.

"Lieut. Col. Com'g Fourth Reg't V. M."
Muster roll of a company of Light Infantry of Virginia Militia, commanded by Capt. Will­iam Irwein, from the Fourth Regiment in the county of Ohio, into actual- service under general order of 12th of January, 1815, from the 9th of February, 1815, when last mustered to the ??dy of ??, 181??.

NAMES                RANK     DATE OF COMMISSION  NAMES PRESENT     REMARKS	
William Irwein      Captain     25 May, 1807      William Irwein		
John Richison       Lieuten’nt  27 June 1814      John Richison		
George Dutty        Ensign      27 June 1814      George Dutty		
David Irwein        Sergeant    …………              David Irwein		
John McDonald       Musician    …………              John McDonald		
Robert Arbuttan     …………        …………              ?? Arbuttan		
Hiram Anderson      …………        …………              Hiram Anderson		
John Adams          …………        …………              John Adams		
Jacob Adams         …………        …………              Jacob Adams		
Thomas Adams        …………        …………              Thomas Adams		
William Ashew       …………        …………              William Ashew		
Thomas M. Ashew     …………        …………              Thomas M. Ashew		
Archibald Armstrong …………        …………              Archibald Armstrong		
John Brown          …………        …………              John Brown		
William Bell        …………        …………              William Bell		
Thomas Baird Jun    …………        …………              Thomas Baird Jun		
Absalam Burkham     …………        …………              Absalam Burkham		
John Bushian        …………        …………              John Bushian		
Jacob Bentley       …………        …………              Jacob Bentley		
Thomas Campbell     …………        …………              Thomas Campbell		
Thomas Crispin      …………        …………              Thomas Crispin		
John Carrol         …………        …………              ……………		
?? Campbell         …………        …………              ?? Campbell		
William Caldwell    …………        …………              William Caldwell		
William Crawford    …………        …………              …………             Appt'd Sgt Maj in staff.
Henry Dement        …………        …………              Henry Dement		
John Dauer          …………        …………              John Dauer       Absent after muster	
Michel Dulty        …………        …………              Michel Dulty		
Arnold Evans        …………        …………              Arnold Evans		
Joseph Fulton       …………        …………              Joseph Fulton		
William Graves      …………        …………              William Graves		
Thomas Johnson      …………        …………              Thomas Johnson		
Peter Loffer        …………        …………              Peter Loffer		
John Lowry          …………        …………              John Lowry		
Hugh Lackey         …………        …………              Hugh Lackey		
David Moor          …………        …………              David Moor		
Fedid Masters       …………        …………              Fedid Masters		
John D. Miller      …………        …………              John D. Miller		
Alexander M. Connel …………        …………              Alexander M. Connel		
Josiah McKnight     …………        …………              Josiah McKnight    Absent	
Feb Mix             …………        …………              Feb Mix		
James Minnis        …………        …………              James Minnis       Absent after muster	
William Montgomery  …………        …………              William Montgomery		
Lame McClain        …………        …………              Lame McClain		
Robert Prittyman    …………        …………              Robert Prittyman		
Isaiah Parlet       …………        …………              Isaiah Parlet		
John Rodeheffer     …………        …………              John Rodeheffer		
??  Rulong          …………        …………              ??  Rulong		
Joseph T. Roff      …………        …………              Joseph T. Roff		
Thos. Smith         …………        …………              Thos. Smith		
Robert Stewart      …………        …………              Robert Stewart		
William Stickler    …………        …………              William Stickler		
Robert Snodgrass    …………        …………              Robert Snodgrass		
William Stevenson   …………        …………              William Stevenson   Absent after summons
David Thornburg     …………        …………              David Thornburg		
Moses Thompson      …………        …………              ……………               Absent after summons
John Teagarden      …………        …………              John Teagarden		
Thomas Zanner       …………        …………              Thomas Zanner		
Leo Liburgen        …………        …………              Leo Liburgen		
George Venum        …………        …………              George Venum		
John Vance          …………        …………              John Vance		
Aron Varney         …………        …………              Aron Varney		
Wm Williamson       …………        …………              Wm Williamson		
Wm. Williams        …………        …………              Wm. Williams		
John Williams       …………        …………              John Williams		
Solomon Wardle      …………        …………              Solomon Wardle		
Abram Westbrook     …………        …………              Abram Westbrook		
Thomas Williamson   …………        …………              Thomas Williamson		
Alex White          …………        …………              Alex White		

Muster roll of a Company of Light Dra­goons of Virginia Militia, commanded by Cap­tain Samuel McLure, of the Fourth Regiment, in the county of Ohio, called into actual service under general orders of January 13, 1815, from the 13th day of February, 1815, when last mus­tered, to the ??day of ??, 181?.

Samuel McLure, Captain, commissioned March 23, 1812. Sorrel horse, 7 years old, 15½ hands high, valued at $120.
James H. Relfe, First Lieutenant, commissioned March 23, 1812. Black horse, 8 years old, 15 hands high, valued at $75. Acting Adjutant Col. Woods’ regiment. Richard Simms, Second Lieutenant, commissioned March 23, 1812.
John Carr, Cornet, commissioned June 27, 1814.
Richard H. Goe, First Sergeant.
Garrison Jones, Second Sergeant. Bay horse, 9 years old, 15 hands high, valued at $80.
Nathan Hukill, Third Sergeant. Bay horse, 4 years old, 15 hands high, valued at $70.
Henry Boose, Musician.
David Atkinson.
James Atkinson.
William Bounds.
Benjamin Beal.
William Bukey.
Thomas Boas.
Charles Brady.
Westly Beck.
Ninian Bell.
Frederic Beylur, deserted.
Charles Beylur.
Charles Blaney.
George Blaney.
William Brown.
William Clark.
Richard Carter, Jr.
James Dickson.
Cornelius DeHart.
John Dorsey, absent after muster.
Joseph Foreman.
William Gregg.
William Gill.
Isaac Greathouse.
James Gadd, absent after summons.
Frederick Goldenburg. Farrier.
Levi Gooding.
James Harris.
John Harris.
David Henderson.
Thomas Henderson.
Robert Humplines.
John Jerome, drafted in Brooke Co., and under com­mand Captain Fowler.
Lewis Johnson.
Charles D. Knox.
James Kelly.
Daniel Morris.
John M. Morgan, absent after muster.
Samuel Maunore.
Josiah McColloch.
Hugh Nichols, 4th sergeant.
George Pannell.
Authur Pearce.
John Snodgrass.
David Stewart.
Hezekiah Simms.
James Sprigg, cadet.
Samuel Tomlinson.
Nathan Tomlinson.
homas Thornburg.
Joseph Wilson.
Lewis Wilson.
William Webb, quartermaster.

We certify that this Muster Roll exhibits a true state­ment of Capt. McLure's Company of Cavalry, and that the remarks set opposite the men's names are correct and just.

JAMES H. RELFE, Mustering officer,
JOSEPH DODDRIDGE, Surgeon.