Recap: Fort Fizzle 34
What’s in a name? From the Wikipedia - The "Battle of Fort Fizzle" (also called the Holmes County Draft Riots and the Holmes County Rebellion) was a skirmish fought on June 17, 1863,[1] which took place during the American Civil War in the village of Glenmont (then known as Napoleon) in Holmes County, Ohio, between Union troops and local draft resisters opposed to the Conscription Act of 1863.
Adopted by Congress on March 13, 1863, the Conscription Act authorized President Abraham Lincoln to draft men into military service in states that did not meet their volunteer quotas. When Federal officials tried to enforce the act in Holmes County in June, about 900 to 1000 locals built a makeshift fort, equipped with four artillery pieces, to prevent the act's enforcement. After a brief encounter in which two resisters were wounded, Ohio Governor David Tod ordered a force of nearly 420 Union troops, including the 3rd Ohio Infantry, to disperse the resisters, giving the place the name "Fort Fizzle" because the rebellion had "fizzled out". The episode ended when the last four resisters who had assaulted a Federal draft official turned themselves in.[2]
Forty-three men from the Napoleon area were indicted for assaulting an officer and preventing the execution of law (US Military Conscription Act of 1863). The armed men involved in the prisoner rescue were indicted for treason. An additional 37 men were indicted for their involvement in activities in other parts of Holmes County, and in nearby Knox and Coshoctoncounties.[3]
Of the 80 men involved in these activities the cases of just two men went to trial. Only one man, Laurant Blanchat (also known as Blanchard) was found guilty. Sentenced to six months at hard labor at the Ohio Penitentiary, Blanchat was pardoned by President Lincoln prior to the completion of the sentence. The prosecution of every other case was eventually dropped.
6 cyclists. 34 miles. 2800 feet of climbing. It was in mid 30’s, windy and raw at the start. Parking is available at the Bridge of Dreams lot includes a shelter and portajohn. After passing through Brinkhaven/Gann the gravel starts immediately and then a nice climb to warm up. The route crosses the ridge and then drops down into Glenmont. There is a spring on the left side of the road as you enter Glenmont. Potable and cold. The store in Glenmont is still closed. The route heads south from Glenmont and then veers off onto a gravel road and has a steep pitch up the ridge. The route continues to meander to the southwest and mixes nice gravel with quiet paved roads. The route crosses the river at the abandoned town of Cavallo then passes through the valley before paralleling Stone Quarry up to the ridge sans the mud, rock ledges and ruts. A couple more ridge crosses brings you down to Hunter Road and the abandoned bridge crossing. Yes, it is still standing and passable. The sun came out a couple times toward the end of the ride and we continued to deal with headwind on sections.
Lots of Amish life on view. Mile 17 has an Amish store with portajohn. Closed on Sunday. Some barkers on the route, but nothing intimidating. We said hi to Bigfoot and a number of farm animals. I am not sure the bus painted with “Welcome to Amish Country” is official but we passed it on a climb.
We ended the day with a picnic including brats on the grill, coleslaw, chips and super hot pickles.
