America 250 program highlights Revolutionary War on Ohio frontier

Long before the United States secured its independence, the fight for freedom was being waged across the rugged and uncertain Ohio frontier — a story brought to life during a recent America 250 program focused on the Revolutionary War in the region.

The program, presented by John Burke, Medina County treasurer and longtime historical reenactor, focused on his portrayal of Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh. The event was coordinated through the County Line Historical Society of Wayne and Holmes.

Through a first-person interpretation, Burke detailed McIntosh’s assignment by General George Washington to lead the Continental Army’s Western Department from Fort Pitt, near modern-day Pittsburgh, where American forces sought to defend frontier settlements across the area now known as Ohio and disrupt British influence in the region.

“I proposed to General George Washington that we should attempt to gather 3,000 men at Fort Pitt, then go north and attack Fort Detroit. But to do that, we would need to build several forts and staging grounds. We need to supply our men, and we need to have a line of supply up to Fort Detroit,” Burke said in character as McIntosh. “I think he thought that was a good idea. I was able to get 1,500 men, and we decided to invade.”

McIntosh’s campaign to push north toward Fort Detroit led to the construction of Fort Laurens near present-day Bolivar in 1778 — the only Revolutionary War fort built in Ohio. Intended as a forward supply base and defensive outpost, the fort quickly became a symbol of the difficulties faced by military forces operating far from established supply lines.

Burke explained that those challenges became severe during the winter of 1779, when the fort endured extreme cold, dwindling provisions, and a prolonged siege by British forces and their Native American allies. Conditions deteriorated to the point that soldiers resorted to boiling leather for sustenance.

Despite its defenders’ determination, Fort Laurens was ultimately deemed unsustainable and later abandoned.

Today, the legacy of Fort Laurens remains visible in Tuscarawas County, where the site preserves the remains of soldiers who died there and honors their service with the Tomb of the Unknown Patriot — serving as a lasting reminder of the sacrifices made on the frontier during the nation’s founding.

As part of the America 250 commemoration, the event highlighted a central truth of the nation’s founding — that independence was secured through decisive battles and perseverance in places like the Ohio frontier.

Follow the events at the County Line Historical Society on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CountyLineHistoricalSocietyWayneHolmes.

Dan Starcher is the communications coordinator for Wayne County.