Battle of Fort Harrison

The Battle of Fort Harrison was a decisive victory for the United States against an Indian force which greatly outnumbered thier own.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1811, when General William Henry Harrison marched his army north to meet the Indians at the Battle of Tippecanoe, he ordered a fort constructed to protect the capitol of the Indiana Territory, at Vincennes. The fort was named in Harrison's honor and when the War of 1812 began, Captain Zachary Taylor was in command of the post.

Related Topics:
1811 - William Henry Harrison - Battle of Tippecanoe - Indiana Territory - Vincennes - War of 1812 - Captain - Zachary Taylor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The United States suffered a series of defeats right after war was declared, at the hands of British, Canada and Indians. These victories helped motivate other Native tribes to take up campaigns against remote American outposts. A force of 600 Miami, Potawatomi, Kickapoo and Winnebago warriors attacked Fort Harrison on September 4, 1812. Captain Taylor had only 15 soldiers (5 of whom were sick) and the help of several civilians to defend the fort. Early on September 4, an Indian warrior crawled up and set the barracks on fire. This set the few defenders into a panic and the Indian warriors began firing upon the fort. Taylor ordered the fort's surgeon and a handful of defenders to control the fire. The remaining few of the garrison returned the fire of the Indians so fiercely that they were able to hold off the attack. The Indian force withdrew later that day and when reinforcements arrived from Vincennes, the Indian force never ventured to return.

Related Topics:
Miami - Potawatomi - Kickapoo - Winnebago - September 4 - 1812

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Battle of Fort Harrison was a decisive victory and is considered the first land victory of the United States during the War of 1812. Shortly afterwards, U.S. forces followed up by lifting the Siege of Fort Wayne, which eliminated the last Indian threat to Indiana for the remainder of the war. For his services at Fort Harrison, Zachary Taylor received a brevet promotion to major.

Related Topics:
War of 1812 - Siege of Fort Wayne - Brevet

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~