A Frontier in Flames-- Part 16: British Offensive in April 1813: Fighting at Fort Meigs

In late April 1813, the weather was good enough for campaigning again.  British General Henry Proctor headed south to attack Fort Meigs with 900 British regulars and Canadian militia, and 1,200 Canadian and American Indians led by Tecumseh and Wyandot Chief Roundhead.

There were only 550 Americans in the fort when Proctor arrived, but his first assault failed.  He then tried bombarding the fort, but its strong walls easily withstood the cannon fire.

On May 5, William Henry Harrison arrived with a 1,200-man relief force composed mostly of Kentuckians. They dispersed the British but their undisciplined pursuit of the enemy led to nearly half of them being killed, wounded or taken prisoner.

--Brock-Perry