Battle of Prairie du Chien to Be Commemorated-- Part 2

The Battle of Prairie du Chien began July 17, 1814, when a British force under Col. William McKay attacked American Fort Shelby at Prairie du Chien.

Many Prairie du Chien and Green Bay residents joined the British and more than 300 Indians did as well.  After a three-day siege, Lt. Joseph Perkins surrendered the fort.

There were no casualties except 3 British and 7 Americans wounded as well as the fort's 53-man garrison which was captured.

The British renamed the place Fort McKay and they remained in Prairie du Chien until the spring of 1815 when word of the Treaty of Ghent arrived at which time the British withdrew after setting the fort on fire.  The U.S. constructed Fort Crawford on the site in 1816 which is when all the important military persons served.

--Brock-Perry