A fascinating look at the Urban Military company and it's formation, campaigns,  and it's longevity from 1837 to 1919.

About 1835-36, the merchants in Cleveland, Ohio began to get worried about the uprising taking place just across Lake Erie in Canada.  There was no Army as we know it today, so the city now becoming a major center of commerce, was left unprotected. 
Not that far before, the war of 1812 had taken place and it seemed as if our budding country would have to defend it's independance many times.
Most major cities, and certainly many smaller ones, took it upon themselves to form a local Militia company.
Thus,  comprised of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 Veterans and local interested parties,  the Cleveland Grays were formed.
First to respond to the call from then President Abraham Lincoln, the Grays saw much action during the Civil War --- many campaigns later, including a stint with Theodore Roosevelt in search of Panco Villa, this unit actually was one of the last city militias to fight as a unit in the First World War.

Housed in the Grays Armory (built in 1893)  in Downtown Cleveland, The Grays still exist today as a social and Philanthropic organization.

Author George Vourlojianis is a professor of American History at Lorain Community College near Cleveland Ohio.
 
 

This book carries the highest rating from The Military Advisor. 

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