01 May 1813 - Fort Meigs, OH — British forces, which have had a loose siege around this post for weeks have finally brought up artillery and begin a bombardment. The forces in the fort consist of a mix of Regulars and militia from KY, PA and VA under the command of General William Henry Harrison, who had earlier been a general in the Indiana Territorial militia. When the enemy artillery starts to pound the fort, Harrison dispatches 800 Kentucky militia to cross the Maumee River and attack the guns and spike them so they can no longer fire. Once this was accomplished, the militia pursues what appears to be retreating Indians under the leadership of Tecumseh. After they entered the woods, the Indians counterattacked while the British forces swung around their flanks cutting most off from the river. Only about 150 escaped with the remainder being killed or captured. Of those captured, about 50 were murdered by the Indians before Tecumseh put a stop to it. The British, without use of their artillery, soon lifted the siege and moved back into Canada. (Courtesy NGB Today)
01 – Cambodia Campaign began (1970)
02 – German Unconditional Surrender to Italian Allies (1945)
05 - Brig. General Green Clay, with 3,000 Kentuckians, reaches Fort Meigs, and, with part of his force, cuts his way through the enemy's lines into the fort. 800 Kentuckians, under Col. Wm. Dudley, killed or taken prisoner (War of 1812, 1813).
05 – Fall of Corregidor (1942)
05 – Mini-Tet began (1968)
08 - General Zachary Taylor defeats the Mexicans at Palo Alto (Mexican War, 1846).
08 – VE (Victory Europe) Day, German Unconditional Surrender Signed (1945)
08 – U.S. Navy mined North Vietnamese ports (1972)
09 - McAfee Station, along Salt River attacked by over 150 indians. Only 13 men and their families inside who kept up a gallant defense for near 1/2 day until help arrived from nearby Harrodsburg. One settler killed at onset of action, 1 minor wounded. As pursuit was made the Indians made a stand at the ford of the river 1 more killed and 1 injured when thrown from horse. (1781) [Courtesy Luther Davenport]
09 - General Zachary Taylor defeats the Mexicans at Resaca de la Palma (Mexican War, 1846).
09 - Kentucky Legislature to present a Gold Medal to Samuel Hatfield, of Floyd County, another survivor of the Kentuckians who assisted in achieving Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813 (1868).
09 - Kentucky Legislature appropriates funding to repair monument over Daniel Boone's grave, which had been defaced by Federal soldiers during the war (1868)
10 (1773) - The McAfee Company (James jr., Robert, & George McAfee along with James McCoun Jr. and Samuel Adams) left Virginia on a 4 month expedition into Kentucky . Explored lands along Ohio & Kentucky Rivers. descended the Kentucky to where Frankfort now is continued exploration of Henry, Franklin, Anderson, & Mercer Counties. Eventually making land claims along Salt River. [Courtesy Luther Davenport]
10 – Battle of Hamburger Hill (1969)
10 – Operation Linebacker (1972)
11 - Re-interment at Crab Orchard, Lincoln, County, of the unknown Southern soldiers who fell at the battle of Wildcat, in 1862 (1871).
11 - Killed in the fight between the men from four U.S. war steamers and the Coreans (now Korea), Lieutenant Hugh McKee, of Lexington, Kentucky, aged 27. He was the first man to enter the fortress, from which the attack was made by the Coreans. His father, Colonel William R. McKee, fell nobly at the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, February 23, 1847 (1871).
13 - Congress of the United States declares war on Mexico. Maj. Gen. E.P. Gaines makes a requisition on the Governor of Kentucky for 4 regiments of volunteers, comprising 2,400 men (Mexican War, 1846).
13 - 2nd Battalion, 138th Artillery entered active duty and served 11½ months in Vietnam. John Listman, Historian, NGB-PAI-H reports that Kentucky was only one of two states to have both Air and Army Guard units called up in 1968 (the other being Kansas). Kentucky was the only state to have both Air and Army mobilized units deploy overseas.
17 – Armed Forces Day
17 - Governor Owsley issues a proclamation, appealing to Kentuckians "to form themselves into volunteer companies," and to report to him forthwith (Mexican War, 1846).
18 - The Louisville Legion, offer their services to the governor, and are accepted (Mexican War, 1846).
20 - St. Asaph's or Logan's Fort or Logan's Station resists attack by Indians (1777).
22 - Formal proclamation of Governor Owsley for two regiments of infantry or riflemen, and one of cavalry, for the service of the United States against Mexico (Mexican War, 1846).
24 – (1946) The 359th Fighter Group was redesignated as HQ, 123d Fighter Group, and allotted to the Air National Guard of Kentucky, together with its colors and World War II battle participation credits. The 368th Fighter Sq was also allotted to the KyANG with its colors and record, and redesignated as the 165th Fighter Squadron.
26 - The governor announces, that the requisition upon Kentucky for troops is full (Mexican War, 1846).
26 - Confederate Memorial Day inaugurated, commemorating the occasion when Jefferson Davis was freed from prison (1871).
27 - George Rogers Clark and men camp on Corn Island, at Falls of the Ohio (Louisville) (1778).
30 – Memorial Day