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Biography of by Ralph Naveaux
Major George Madison was born in Virginia in 1763 and was distantly related to President James Madison. A Revolutionary War soldier in his teens and veteran of St. Clair’s defeat, where he was seriously wounded while leading his company, Madison rose to the rank of major before retiring to accept the post of Kentucky’s Auditor of Public Accounts. At the urging of his old Indian fighting buddies, Paschal Hickman and Bland Ballard, Madison became the 2nd battalion major in John Allen’s 1st Rifle Regiment. At the Battle of the River Raisin, Madison was posted along the eastern half of the northern fence line of French Town. After the elimination of the higher ranking officers, command of the remaining American force fell on him. Presented with the captured Winchester’s note advising surrender, Madison negotiated terms with Colonel Procter, including protection of the wounded and restitution of the officers’ personal side arms. Madison was sent to Quebec before being exchanged and allowed to return home. In 1816, he was elected governor of Kentucky, but died of tuberculosis shortly after taking office. |