Return Jonathan Meigs' Raid - The Battle of Sag Harbor
Yes, his first name was Return.
Return Jonathan Meigs was a Continental Army officer who commanded one major attack against the British…the Battle of Sag Harbor.
He then went on to become an important leader in Ohio and Tennessee.
Return Jonathan Meigs
Return Jonathan Meigs responded to the outbreak of war after Lexington and Concord by marching a company of Connecticut Militia to join the Siege of Boston.
When the Continental Army was created, Meigs was commissioned as a Major and soon joined Benedict Arnold’s treacherous journey through Maine during the Invasion of Canada. He kept a diary throughout this expedition which has proved a valuable asset to historians.
Unfortunately, the ensuing Battle of Quebec was a disaster for the Americans and Return was captured.
Meigs Raid
When Meigs was finally released in a prisoner exchange he rejoined the Continental Army.
Shortly thereafter, he led his most famous mission...the Battle of Sag Harbor.
More popularly known as the Meigs Raid, Return assembled an outfit of about 250 men to sail on whaleboats across the Long Island Sound and into the port of Sag Harbor.
Despite being severely outnumbered, the Patriots were able to destroy twelve British ships and take ninety prisoners without losing a single man.
As a result, Meigs was officially thanked by the Continental Congress (they gave him a decorative sword) and promoted to the rank of Colonel.
Reorganized
Return served the Continental Army for three more years, seeing action in several battles in the Mid-Atlantic.
Early in 1781, the Army went through a major reorganization and a few positions were eliminated.
As one of the lower-ranking Colonels, Meigs’ job was eliminated and he retired before the war was complete.
Northwest
After the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was passed, Meigs joined the first group of pioneers into the territory.
He helped create Ohio’s first permanent settlement...Marietta. As a leading citizen, Return helped create the town government and served as a justice.
Furthermore, he joined Anthony Wayne during the final years of the Northwest Indian War.
Tennessee
In 1801, Return J. Meigs was hired by the US Government as Indian Agent for Tennessee.
Here, he worked closely with the Cherokee. This includes his interpreter, Charles R. Hicks, who would later become Chief of that nation.
By all accounts, Meigs was fair in his discussions with the Cherokee and attempted to protect their rights as well as the Americans while negotiating treaties.
Legend has it that when he died 22 years later, it was because he gave his house to a Cherokee Chief and caught pneumonia sleeping outside in a tent.
Want to read about more Founders of the Ohio Valley?
Great! Check out these articles:
Thomas Worthington Fathers Ohio
Daniel Brodhead and the Coshocton Expedition
Johnny Appleseed as an American Founder
Return Jonathan Meigs was one of a handful of men who kept a journal during Arnold’s march through Maine.
‘Voices From a Wilderness Expedition’ compiles all of these journals and more to tell a story of Patriots in hellish conditions torn between service to their country and survival in a dangerous place.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
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