Siege of Fort Harrison-- Part 2: 'The Fort of the Two Presidents'

The Native American Confederacy continued their siege for eight days and were not able to capture the fort, despite their glaring numerical advantage.  In the end, their casualties were heavy, especially when compared with just three U.S.  fatalities.

The victory for the Americans promoted increased settlement in the area and the municipality that  that grew up in the immediate vicinity of Fort Harrison would latter be named Terre Haute.

Indeed, our city's foundation is a painful, though crucial  reminder that this land we call home has not always belonged to us.  It was annexed through military conquest toward the pursuit of statehood.  The first step to healing injustice is awareness.

If you would like to know more, a display at the Vigo County Histotry Center shows a detailed  model recreation of Fort Harrison as it would have looked in 1812 and was built by Boy Scout Troop 31 in 1966.

Visitors can view everything  from the barracks and store houses to even an original log used in the fort's construction.  

Fort Harrison is aptly called the "Fort of the Two Presidents."

--Brock-Perry

Fort Harrison Today

Without a doubt, the next time I'm in Terre Haute, I will go out to the site of Fort Harrison, "The Fort of the Two Presidents."

It is located north of the city in what is called The Landing at Fort Harrison, which has been built on the site of the old fort.

The Terre Haute Lodge #86 Benevolent & Protective Elks purchased the site in 1926 and established a country club there in 1925.  Today, there is an 18-hole golf course, a 22,000 square foot clubhouse with restaurant, lounge and banquet hall.  In 1959, they added an 8-lane bowling alley and in 1997, a swimming pool.

In 2008, it was sold to a group and it became The Landings at Fort Harrison, a no-membership required country club.

You can find it off North 7th Street and Fort Harrison Road, just off US-41 north of where it joins Ind-63.

In 1963, Fort Harrison was located and outlined by the William Henry Harrison Trail Commission.

The Tale of a Fort.  --Brock-Perry

Two Attacks At the Narrows

From Wikipedia.

While not a huge fight, it was part of the overall action at Fort Harrison in Terre Haute, Indiana.

A group of 13 soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Fairbanks of the 7th Infantry escorted a supply wagon with flour and meat from Vincennes' Fort Knox to Colonel Russell at Fort Harrison. 

On September 13th, they were ambushed by the Pottawatomi at a part of the trail called the Narrows near present-day Fairbanks, Indiana (named after the lieutenant), which had many ravines from the tributaries of Prairie Creek.

The draft horses panicked and ran away with the wagon.  Only two Americans, wagoneer John B. Cook and Private Edward Perdue, managed to escape back to Fort Knox alive, but Perdue was later discharged because of severe wounds.  Fortunately, the Pottawatomi had elected to pursue the wagon instead of them.

Eleven soldiers were killed and all provisions lost.  Several Indians were killed or wounded as well.

Two days after the first relief wagon left, a second group also headed for Fort Harrison.  Lt. Richardson had 15 soldiers and two wagons and followed the same trail, unaware of the fate of the first group.  The Pottawatomi ambushed them September 15th and the Americans retreated, losing the wagons, seven men were killed and one wounded.

Beware the Narrows.  --Brock-Perry

The Siege of Fort Harrison-- Part 1

I came across this other War of 1812 that took place this month, 200 years ago.

From Wikipedia.

The Siege of Fort Harrison took place September 4th to 15th, 1812 and is regarded as the first American land victory of the war even though U.S. forces were greatly outnumbered.  This was great for morale, especially after the fall of forts Mackinac, Detroit and Dearborn.

Fort Harrison was located near Terre Haute, Indiana.

In 1811, Gen. William Henry Harrison marched from Vincennes and met the Indians at the Battle of Tippecanoe.  His army encamped on high grounds at Terre Haute overlooking the Wabash River and there he constructed a fort to protect his army's supply line and to protect Vincennes, the capital of Indiana Territory.

The site was located in present-day Vigo County at the northern edge of Terre Haute, just two miles from a Wea Indian village.

The fort was finished October 28, 1811, with a 150-foot stockade encircling the post and named for Harrison.

Captain Josiah Snelling was in command Nov. 11, 1811, to May 1812 when he was transferred to Fort Detroit.

And, I've Driven By It Many Times, But Knew Nothing About It.  --Brock-Perry