PERRYSBURG – Larry Nelson, adjunct assistant professor of history at Bowling Green State University, will
present a lecture on "The Southern Sorties" at Fort Meigs on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The presentation is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m.
The First Siege of Fort Meigs in May 1813 consisted of five days of heavy artillery bombardment and one
day of intense fighting on both sides of the Maumee River. The two engagements on the south side of the
river, Clay’s Landing and Miller’s Charge, were part of a coordinated attack that ended in success for
American forces, yet tend to be overlooked by the more disastrous defeat of U.S. forces on the north
side of the river. However, these southern sorties saw intense fighting and represent some of the first
American successes in the Western Theater of war and should not be overlooked.
Nelson has authored and edited five books including "A Man of Distinction Among Them: Alexander
McKee and Indian Affairs Along the Ohio Frontier, 1754-1799," and "Men of Patriotism Courage
and Enterprise: Fort Meigs in the War of 1812." He has written several articles on topics relating
to Ohio history and military history. In addition, he is editor of Northwest Ohio History, a regional
journal of history and culture published by the Maumee Valley Historical Society. Nelson is the former
site manager of Fort Meigs State Memorial having retired in 2004.
The presentation will be in the Fort Meigs Visitor Center located at 29100 W. River Road. The program is
sponsored by the Anderton Bentley Fund in memory of Christopher Perky, who served at Fort Meigs during
the War of 1812.
For more information call 800-283-8916 or visit www.fortmeigs.org.