compiled by Dr Robert Dean Tice

RICHARD AND REUBEN GO TO WAR

 Many Kentuckians could not forget or forgive the British for the First American Revolutionary War. They eagerly jumped on the French bandwagon when the Franco-British war began in 1803. As the years progressed so did Kentuckian hostility toward the British and their Indian allies. With Revolutionary War heroes like Isaac Shelby and fiery politicians with names like Clay and Breckenridge, it is no wonder that Kentucky supported the outbreak of war between Britain and the United States in June of 1812. As the months of war waged on, the American's suffered defeat after defeat, particularly in the Northwest where Kentucky felt a responsibility, support waxed and waned.

On 8 September 1812, the Governor of war-torn Illinois appealed to Governor Shelby of Kentucky for aid. There were so many volunteers that hundreds had to be turned away - including some renown Indian fighters. However, defeats made securing volunteers more and more difficult. Then in 1813, one tragic defeat and one heroic victory started the adrenalin flowing again.

In January the British defeated the Kentuckians in the Battle of the Raisin River. Subsequent to this defeat, the Indians massacred the captured Kentuckians at a place called Frenchtown. In June 22 year old Major George Croghan was directed to recover as many bodies as possible. He was given two companies of Kentucky recruited regulars to accomplish this task. While attempting to do this, Croghan was forced by General Proctor's  British troops to retreat to Fort Stephenson. In late June and early July, Croghan and his 160 men successfully defended the fort against Proctors several thousand better equipped troops. These two events spurred many to desire to volunteer.

Then when General William Henry Harrison began to plan his attack on the British in Canada, he requested that Governor Shelby secure 1500 volunteers for the task. Shelby put out the call for volunteer riflemen and since he knew that Kentuckians did not like to walk, he asked that they be mounted riflemen. The hero of King's Mountain asked these volunteers to assemble at Newport on 31 August 1813 and assured them that he would personally lead them. Units began to be formed all over the state and Barren County was no exception. An old Indian fighter who lived in Glasgow, Major John Gorin put out the call in his area. It was at this time that Richard and Reuben Waggener appear on the scene.

 Richard was the older of the two by some two years, having been born 12 January 1786 while Reuben was born in 1788. Richard married Kessiah Burch Cook, daughter of David and Martha Brewer Cook, 25 February 1812. Reuben was to marry Kessiah's sister, Martha , shortly after the boys returned from the war.

Research has shown that parctically all of Richard's and Reuben's relatives who were old enough participated in the First American Revolution. It would seem likely that these two upstarts felt a need to participate in this Second American Revolution.

The two enlisted at Glasgow, KY on 20 August 1813 along with 71 other men--mostly from Barren County. Richard was elected Ensign for the Company on the day of formation. The company had 10 days in which to report to Newport, Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati. Upon the formal muster on 31 August 1813, Major Gorin's Company was designated the 9th Company of the 10th Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia under the command of Lt. Col. Philip Barbour-- another old Indian fighter and a man who had been participating in this war since July 1812."

              Sources: THE WAR OF 1812 IN THE OLD NORTHWEST, Alec Gilpin, 1958
              KENTUCKY AND THE SECOND AMERICAN REVOLUTION, James
              Wallace Hammack, Jr., 1976
              KENTUCKY IN THE WAR OF 1812, Anderson C. Quinsenberry, 1915

 On 30 June 1990 a special graveside ceremony for ancestors Richard and Reuben Waggener, historical markers, color guard and news coverage took place at 4:00 p.m. at the Waggener Cemetery five miles from the First Baptist Church in Martin, TN. The cemetery is just past the Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Sam W. Waggener, Sr. unveiled the marker for Pvt. Reuben Waggener 1788-1841 10th Reg Ky Mounted Volunteer Militia and Dr. Robert "Bob" Tice unveiled the marker for Lt. Richard Waggener 1786-1858 10th Reg Ky Mounted Volunteer Militia. 

Richard Waggener married Keziah Birch Cook, daughter of Unknown and Unknown, on 25 Feb 1812 in Barren County, KY. Keziah was born on 15 Oct 1795 and died on 30 Jul 1875 in Martin, Weakley County, TN, at age 79. 

Reuben Waggener married Martha W. Cook, daughter of Unknown and Unknown, on 19 Dec 1815 in Barren County, KY. Martha was born about 1797 and died on 6 Oct 1852 in Martin, Weakley County, TN, about age 55. 

Submitted by Chuck Speed
 

This is the Waggener web site with more detailed information: