In the preface, the author states that he wanted to look at more than just the naval tactics employed on Lake Erie during the War of 1812; he wanted to concentrate on the construction of the fleet and its associated logistical problems. "All contributing factors have been considered. They include the state of society within the area, its urban centers, its industrial facilities, and its transportation and communication development; where the workmen were obtained and how they were transported to the scene of the building; the costs involved in the construction; and the leaders who directed the work. It is, I hope, a complete treatment of the building of the fleet."
Contents : 1. Why The Fleet Was Built/ 2. The Lake Erie Frontier/ 3. The Builders of the Fleet/ 4. Manpower and Supplies/ 5. Chronology of The Fleet's Construction/ 6. Conclusion/ Appendix 1: The Five Vessels From Black Rock/ Appendix 2: The legend of The Dupont Powder Train
"Paper read before the Lebanon County Historical Society, June 16, 1905, VOL. III, No. 6."
Summary
The Aid Society's provision of food ,clothing and other needs for soldiers during the Civil War is described. This included servicing soldiers from other parts of the country on troop trains transiting through Lebanon. The author details the tremendous amount of supplies collected by this organization and speculates that tens of thousands of soldiers were fed by these women.
