Again this years the OHSSAR Board of Management took place at the historic Revolutionary fort in Bolivar Ohio. Camp Charlotte joined many others in the various discussions that will lead the OHSSAR for coming year ahead. On a more somber note the State Color Guard Commander after a very long stint as the Commander of the Ohio Society Color Guard passed his Command to the next State Color Guard Commander Kevin Driesbach and the Adjutant Color Guard Commander Jim Cooper of Centennial
This year 27 June the Ohio Society in conjunction with the Ohio History Connection and many others held a rededication of the tomb of the unknown Revolutionary soldier many months were spent in revitalizing the tomb and surrounding area and today they held a celebration of the completion of it. And our own Camp Charlotte members were in attendance and helped celebrate this milestone. Weather was prefect for being in uniform and many dignitaries including the Ohio Governor Mike Dewine and the Ohio National guard.
This years changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution was attended by many of the Ohio Societies SAR chapters and the Jane Bain Chapter of the, DAR. Members of the Camp Charlotte Chapter participated the changing of the guard duties as well the day was pretty warm reaching into the 100 degree range with the humidity. The event follows the procedures done at the Arlington location of the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in Washington DC. The following day they held the Summer Board of management meeting with one of the Keynote speakers being John William Nelson Assoc. Professor Texas University.
Members of the Camp Charlotte leadership attend the Board of Management at Fort Laurens and the “Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier”. Chapters from all over Ohio and some from West Virginia were there. Our SAR chapter President Kevin Driesbach was honored to be one of the members guarding the Tomb this weekend.
July 24th 2021 was the OHSSAR board of management meeting which was conducted at Ohio’s only Revolutionary War fort.
The Americans completed the construction of Fort Laurens—named after Henry Laurens, president of the Continental Congress—in early December 1778. The fort was to serve three purposes. First, the Americans hoped to use Fort Laurens as a base to attack the British garrison located at Detroit. Second, it would hopefully deter American Indians loyal to the British from conducting raids against American settlers in eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. And finally, by offering protection to the neutral Christian Delawares, the Americans might convince them to forsake their neutrality and join the patriots’ cause.
In total, 21 soldiers lost their lives at Fort Laurens before it was abandoned in 1779. Later, part of the fort was demolished during the building of the Ohio and Erie Canal. Currently none of the original fort remains above ground, but the outline of the fort is visible.
