Lola gave a very interesting program on the Women in the War of 1812. She told of many women who participated in the war, from helping out by defending the forts and blockhouses, to defending their families from Indian attacks, to helping load and fire cannons during battle.
State President Lola DeGroff telling about the Women of 1812
Some of those women have Illinois connections. There were several women, who along with their husbands and children were ambushed, tortured, killed, or captured during the Fort Dearborn Massacre.
One young girl in southern Illinois witnessed her brother tortured by Indians before being carried off. She was able to leave torn bits of her apron as a trail for her rescuers to follow.
And, we discussed at length, the story of a woman who helped save Fort Harrison (in Indiana), who is buried in central Illinois. Our chapter is planning to mark her grave in the near future - she will be the subject of another blog posting.
We are proud to be descended from brave men and women who helped in the Second War for Independence during this bicentennial celebration.
Jim DeGroff, State President of Illinois Society of 1812,
Kimberly Nagy, President John Kinzie Chapter USD1812,
and Lola DeGroff, Illinois State President USD1812
Wow! I've seen societies for women of the Civil War and of the 2 great wars, but it's my first time to see a war that's not as publicized as the first two, but is as equally world-changing. War has never been kind, but the stories of the bravery of the women who served in the War of 1812, and all modern wars for that matter, merit remembrance and reckoning. I admire your society, and I hope it flourishes to keep those treasured memories for the years to come.
ReplyDeleteChristian Pearson @ League of Women Voters