Kentucky Association of Teachers of History

Right after lunch, the KATH conference attendees watched a performance by Harry Smith who portrayed Private William Greathouse (1794—1876), a Kentucky militiaman in the War of 1812. Photos courtesy of Richard Greissman, DoubleTake Photography.

Harry Smith with his mother who coached him in his research and portrayal of William Greathouse, Kentucky militiaman

answering questions about the uniform, described in Greathouse’s narrative

thinking about a question whether Kentucky militia fought alongside with Ohioans

tells how he researched Greathouse – and that his favorite teachers in school are history teachers

a short clip from the Kentucky Humanities Council video on the 2012 Chautauqua performers

William Greathouse was a still a teenager when he joined up among the 3,500 Kentuckians who were mustered in by Governor Shelby in 1813 to fight the British and the Indian Confederacy led by Chief Tecumseh. Greathouse, from a family of Indian fighters from Nelson County, joined Colonel Renick’s 5th Kentucky Regiment and took part in the Thames Campaign. In a battle that lasted less than an hour, the American troops, the majority of whom were from Kentucky, helped to destroy the Indian Confederacy.  For more information, read his narrative edited by John C. Fredriksen and published in the Register.

Greathouse, William. “Kentucky at the Thames, 1813: A Rediscovered Narrative by William Greathouse.” Edited by John C. Fredriksen. Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, 83 (Spring 1985), pp. 93-107.

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Return to 2012 KATH Annual Meeting.