Fort Dearborn-- Part 5: The American Column

From the August 12th Chicago Tribune Chicago Flashback Page.  Well worth looking at it for the draeing of Fort Dearborn,  map of the area in 1812 and diagram of the column.  Kyle Bentle and Rick Tuma did an excellent job on the page.

MAKE UP OF THE COLUMN:  HOW THE SETTLERS FLED

It is unclear exactly how the column was ordered, but enough information is available to show the groupings within the procession.


INDIAN ESCORTS  Of the 30 Miami Indians (led to Fort Dearborn fom Fort Wayne by William Wells), 15 were at the head of the column and 15 at the rear.  Nothing has been said whether the Indians were mounted or on foot.  Some accounts have Captain Wells on a horse with the Miami in front.  (He had a very long and close relationship with these Indians.)  I'll have an entry on Wells soon.  Quite a story.


U.S. SOLDIERS

Following the Miami in front were about 56 U.S. soldiers, led by Captain Nathan Heald.  The exact marching formation used is not known.

WAGONS

Following the soldiers were 12 civilian militiamen, 9 women and 18 children and two wagons with supplies, guns and ammunition.  Some of the women may have walked alongside the wagons.  There is no information about who was driving the wagons, whether militiamen or one or more women.  John Kinzie is said to have ridden with the wagons.

Outstanding Job and Much More Than I Ever Knew Before of the Massacre.  --Brock-Perry