August 22, but there seems to have been some dispute regarding the election. Under date of August 9, James Dill sent to to Governor Harrison two returns, at the request of Major Robert Piatt. He states in his letter that one of the returns appears to be regular and he presumed would entitle those having received the highest number of votes to receive commissions. The officers he names under this return are Captain James McGuire, Lieutenant James Allen and Ensign John Payne. They were commissioned August 22. There is no record of the returns for the other officers, and Colonel Dill's letter says: "As to the other returns, I have nothing to say. Major Piatt wishes you to do as you think proper respecting it, he having no information on the subject but that is contained in the return itself."

A company of riflemen was also organized in Dearborn County, and the official notification of the organization as sent to Major Piatt at Lawrenceburg, bears the date of July 30 and was written at the "Main fork of the White River." The letter reads:

"Sor; Sometime in february last Lieut. Col. Chambers give me orders to raise a companie of Rifele men I meed the attempt and succeeded in the Sam and Has at the Present time about 70 men enrolled in said companie together with drum fife and collors and a number of said companie in uniform and agreeable to the orders of Major Jonson we held an Election on the 21 day of April Last and the following men were duly Elected as offersors of said compnie,

Joseph Washerton Morrison Capton

Jerremiaha Conney Lieutenant

Lirmond Bessey Insighn

Major Jonston Present at the Said Election and we med due Return to Mr. Jonston, Hoping he in a short time would obtain the Commishenes for us, but we have never got Them yet and I hop you will see to the Governor sonserning the Sam and indeavor to obtain the commishenes as soon as possable.

"Sir we have Held Sevrell musters and ouer men Seemes to do verry well and prides mutch in being in a rifel company they are all young men from the age of 18 and under the age of 28 years as the law directs etc.

"Sir I belive the militia offersors of this battalion would be better if the field offersors would order them to Busness soon and hold a Generell muster this fall. Sir I hop you will send me an answer as soon as this. Letter comes to hand and let me know what will be don in the above bisness and also send me the Laws of this Terratorey."

This communication was manifestly forwarded to headquarters, as on August 22 commissions were issued to Captain Joseph Washington Morrison, Lieutenant Jeremiah Corley and Ensign Lirmond Bessey. Clark County received a new

company into its regiment on October 10, of which James McFarland was captain, Booth Thomas lieutenant and James Gaddass ensign.

By this time muster days had become such great occasions for drinking and carousing that the General Assembly was forced to stop it. An amendment to the law was passed on December 10, 1810, which forbid officers from treating their men with "ardent spirits or strong water" on muster days, and which prohibited the sale of intoxicating liquors within two miles of the mustering place except as it might apply to tavern or inn keepers whose place of business was within the limit. This law also exempted Quakers from serving in the militia and repealed the clause in the existing law by which a "cheap uniform" was required.

CHAPTER II.

INDIAN ATTACKS AND THE WAR OF 1812.

The year 1811 marks the practical passing of regiments as distinguished by their counties. One or two commissions were issued in 1812, but 1810 marked the beginning of the new system and it was well developed during 1811.

William McFarland was unanimously elected major of the First Battalion, First Regiment, of Jefferson County, on November 17, 1810, but when the return of the election was made attention was called to the fact that the new battalion was wholly within the limits of the new county which was expected to be formed at the next session of the General Assembly and of which the county seat was to be Madison. The commission was issued January 1, but a more perfect organization of the militia of Jefferson County early in 1811 resulted in McFarland being elected to a higher position. Under date of November 23, Major Barthalameaw sent notice that in the early spring David Hilless was elected a captain, Richard Tolbot a lieutenant and Enoch McCarty and Jesse Gray ensigns in the First Battalion, First Regiment, of Jefferson County. They were commissioned January 1, 1811. Commissions were issued March 7 to Elisha Golway, James Arbuckle, Samuel Carr and Perry Green Magner as captains, and to Lewis Goley, Williss Stucker, James Robb, John Francis Siebenthal, John Fields, Samuel Alexander and William Dolson as ensigns. On February 23 William McFarland was unanimously elected lieutenant-colonel commanding, and he was commissioned on March 15. Samuel Smock and David Helms were elected majors and a new company was estab lished in the lower part of the county, of which the officers were Captain Thomas McIntire, Lieutenant Josiah Blankingship and Ensign George Nevill. They were commissioned the same day. The promotion of Captain Smock caused a vacancy in his company, which was filled May 1 by the election of Captain Benjamin Miller, Lieutenant William Sullivan and Ensign William McClelland. William Watson was elected lieutenant in Captain Vawter's company and William Vawter and George Craig were commissioned captains May 28.