The War of 1812 was a received a lot of support from the people of Kentucky who feared the British would stir up the Indians. Richard Johnson became a War Hawk, along with Henry Clay. These were men in Congress who were pushing for a war with Britain.
After the declaration of war in June 1812, Johnson returned to Kentucky to recruit volunteers. He recruited 300 men and was elected their major. Then his group merged with another one and he was elected colonel.
His command was supposed to join General Hull at Detroit, but Hull surrendered before they got there. He then reported to General William Henry Harrison, the territorial Governor of Indiana, who ordered him to relieve Fort Wayne in the northeastern part of the state which was under attack by the Indians.. Johnson and his men reached the fort on September 18, 1812 and lifted the siege.
They then returned to Kentucky and disbanded, burning Potawatomi villages along the Elkhart River on their way.
--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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