Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 8: The American Attack on the Peoria Villages

On October 18, 1812, Gov. Edwards and 400 mounted troops marched out of Fort Russell and burned two Kickapoo villages on the Saline Fork of the Sangamon River, present-day Springfield, Illinois.

They then turned west and marched to Peoria where they attacked Kickapoo, Miami and Potawatomi villages.  They burned the villages down and destroyed all the provisions, making prospects for winter survival much less.  They also captured 80 horses, took four prisoners and killed between 24 and 30 Indians.

They returned to Fort Russell on November 1 and the militia was released.

--Brock-Perry