The Fort Dearborn Massacre-- Part 1

From the August 12th Chicago Tribune Chicago Flashback page "15 historic minutes" by Ron Grossman.

The soldiers and civilians in Fort Dearborn in those days leading up to yesterday, two hundred years ago, were more than a bit jittery and rightfully so. There had been a recent Indian attack to the west that had sentfrightened settlers seeking the safety of the fort on the banks of the Chicago River by Lake Michigan.

Outside the fort's walls, there was an increasing number of Indians.  Then, they had been ordered by the area commander to abandon the fort, which meant going outside.  Negotiations with the Indians had gained safe passeage in return for the fort's supplies, but the younger warriors were itching to prove themselves in battle.

John Kinzie, who operated a trading post near the fort, sensedsomething was up and evacuated his family earlier by boat.

Fifty-five soldiers and around 36 cilivilians left the fort and had proceeded just a couple miles south along the Lake Michigan shoreline before hundreds of Potawatomies emerged from behind a sand dune and the fight, roughly fifteen minutes, was on.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry