A few days before he surrendered Detroit, William Hull had sent orders to Captain Nathan Heald at Fort Dearborn (present-day Chicago) to abandon the outpost because Hull did not think it could be defended against the enemy (and especially the Indians).
When Hull's orders arrived, Fort Dearborn was surrounded by about 500 hostile Potawatomi warriors. Heald was reluctant to surrender, but also did not want to disobey orders. Like Hull, he also asked for, and was promised safe passage.
But, before leaving the fort, Heald had his men destroy stores of whiskey and guns. Furious at losing these prizes, the Potawatomi ambushed the departing Americans. there were about 65 soldiers and militia and two dozen women and children.
Most were killed outright, but some were taken prisoner only to be viciously tortured and killed later.
--Brock-Perry
2012 marks the 200th anniversary of America's "Forgotten War," the War of 1812 that took place over three years, 1812 to 1815.
Battle of New Orleans.
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