After years of silently guarding the Birchard Public Library in Fremont, Old Betsy is finally going to speak up.

Old Betsy used to speak with more authority. The cannon was fired in defense of Fort Stephensen during the War of 1812, killing nearly 120 British soldiers huddled in a ditch during an attack.

The Aug. 2, 1813, battle was a turning point in the War of 1812, sending the British and their Indian allies in retreat from the area. The fort was defended by 21-year-old Col. George Croghan, with about 160 men who were outnumbered five-to-one, and the single cannon.

Old Betsy will be fired during Fremont's annual Croghan Day celebration that begins at 7 p.m. on the library lawn, part of Fort Stephenson Park.

Mary Anne Culbertson, library director, said the cannon has never been fired in her 24 years with the library.

This year's Croghan Day will feature a speech by historian Fred Folger of Toledo, choral groups singing patriotic and gospel songs, and a war of 1812 living history encampment at Flag Park, across the street from the library.

“We do this every year,” said Mary Anne Culbertson, library director. “It's a program that has long been done by the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.”

The observance that some call Fremont's Memorial Day, was began in 1839 to commemorate the victory by fort's young commander. This year's event is organized by the George Croghan Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, along with the library and the Sandusky County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Bob Gillmor, a Civil War re-enactor who makes replica cannons, carriages, and horse hitches, will fire the cannon. Mr. Gillmor, who lives in Sandusky County's Ballville Township, produces small cannons for battle re-enactments and patriotic ceremonies.

First Published August 2, 2003, 12:56 p.m.