PERRYSBURG – Historian and author Matt Wulff will present "Ranger: North America’s Frontier
Soldier" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Fort Meigs visitor center.
The presentation is free and open to the public. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Immigrants from Europe to North America were confronted by a vastly different landscape than they were
used to in their homeland. The terrain in North America was widely diverse and could be harsh and
unforgiving. English settlers brought with them the practice of using militia, or "trained
bands" for the protection of their homes and families. These militia companies were trained in
traditional European military tactics, but it was quickly realized that these types of tactics did not
work well in the forests and swamps of North America.
When combined with the irregular warfare methods used by the native tribes, the English settlers soon
found themselves looking for a new type of soldier, one suited for woodland warfare in North America,
and the ranger was born.
Wulff has been a re-enactor for more than 20 years. His main area of interest is the French and Indian
War period with a special emphasis on the Corps of Rangers under the command of Robert Rogers. He has
authored articles which have appeared in "Smoke and Fire News," "The Battalion
Journal" and "Muzzleloader Magazine." He has also written several books including
"Robert Rogers Rules for the Ranging Services: An Analysis," and "Ranger: America’s
Frontier Soldiers," volumes I and II.
Fort Meigs is located at 29100 W. River Road in Perrysburg. The program is sponsored by the Anderton
Bentley Fund in memory of Christopher Perky, who served at Fort Meigs during the War of 1812.