The Fourth Sub-Legion of the United States

MAJOR GENERAL ANTHONY WAYNE'S

Forth Sub-Legion of the United States

In the early 1790s, the Western Pennsylvanian frontier was a dangerous and unsettled land. Attacks by Native Americans were occurring with ever increasing frequency. Military expeditions were conducted in 1790 and 1791, culminating in two of the country’s worst defeats ever in the Indian Wars. Chief Little Turtle's defeat of General Josiah Harmar at the Battle of the Maumee, resulted in a loss of over 180 casualties. General Arthur St. Clair. General St. Clair, Commander of the U.S. Army in 1791, surpassed this number suffering over 900 casualties from his 1400-man army at the Battle of Wabash. (In perspective, General Custer would lose fewer than 270 men a century later at the more famous Battle of the Little Bighorn).

With fewer than 300 soldiers protecting the new nation, these defeats left the United States in a perilous military position. Following the rout of St. Clair (which Washington described as “complete”), Major General Anthony Wayne was appointed the new Commander in Chief of the almost non-existent army in early 1792. The headquarters of this new army would be in Pittsburgh at Fort Fayette. The fort was built in the spring of 1792, under the supervision of Isaac Craig. Craig described the fort as “completely stockaded in, and one range of barracks, a blockhouse in one of the angles finished.” In May of 1792, Craig officially named the fort in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, who Presley Neville served with as both friend and aide-de-camp throughout the Revolution.

1793-1794

The Forth Sub-Legion’s Role in the Whiskey Rebellion

In the Summer of 1794, the Fourth Sub Legion was at the center of the events that precipitated the first open rebellion against the new government of the United States. Printed historical documentation tells the story of the insurrection through the eyes of the rebels, in accounts by William Findlay and in “The History of the Western Insurrection in Western Pennsylvania,” by Henry Brackenridge. We also see the point of view of the Federal Government through George Washington’s papers, the personal letters of Daniel Morgan and the letters of both John and Presley Neville. We get an account of their military involvement at Bower Hill on July 17, 1794, through the narratives and reports of Isaac Craig, the Quartermaster General for the American Army at Fort Fayette in Pittsburgh (who was both John Neville’s colleague and son-in-law). Additionally, Abraham Kirkpatrick, the officer sent to defend and capitulate the Bower Hill mansion on behalf of Neville, shares his version of the events.

1794-1796

Battle of Fallen Timbers

General Wayne's army eventually went on to defeat Native Americans at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in August, 1794, thus opening the Northwest Territories for settlement by the United States. Following the peace brought about by the Treaty of Greenville and the death of Anthony Wayne, a 1796 Act of Congress called for the reduction and reorganization of the Legion of the United States. The Fourth Sub-Legion of the United States is still active today as a non-profit group, based at Woodville and dedicated to recreating life in the U.S. Army during the 1790s.

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GAMES OF THE 18TH CENTURY

Stoolball “cricket in the air”

Stoolball is a sport that dates back to at least the 15th century, originating in Sussex, southern England. It is considered a "traditional striking and fielding sport" and may be an ancestor of cricket[ (a game it resembles in some respects), baseball, softball, and rounders. The sport has been called "cricket in the air". There is evidence to suggest that it was played as a tradition by milkmaids who used their milking stools as a "wicket" and the bittle, or milk bowl as a bat, hence its archaic name of bittle-battle.

The sport of stoolball is strongly associated with Sussex and has been referred to as Sussex's 'national' sport and a Sussex game or pastime. The National Stoolball Association was formed in 1979 to promote and expand stoolball. The game was officially recognised as a sport by the Sports Council in early 2008. The National Stoolball Association changed its name to Stoolball England in 2010 on the advice of the Sports Council and was recognised as the national governing body for stoolball in England in 2011. The organisation is recognised by Sport England.

The game's popularity has faded since the 1960s, but continues to be played at a local league level in Sussex, Kent, Surrey and the Midlands. Some variants are played in some schools. Teams can be ladies only or mixed. There are ladies' leagues in Sussex, Surrey and Kent and mixed leagues in Sussex.