Fort Dearborn: Part 5: The Aftermath

The battle was short, most of it taking place in 15 minutes and was over within an hour.


THE SURVIVORS

Twenty-nine soldiers, seven women and six children were taken prisoner.  Most of the survivors were freed through ransom, though several died during captivity.


THE DEAD

In the end, 68 out of roughly 100 people who evacuated Fort Dearborn on Aug. 15th, died. Captain Heald later reported that only 15 Pottawatomi attackers had been killed.


THE FORT

The Pottawatomi burned Fort Dearborn the day after the battle.  It was rebuilt in 1816 but by 1840 was no longer used.  It was torn down in 1857.


THE RETALIATION

News of the battle reached Indiana Territory Gov. William Henry Harrison in late Auust.  Believing the entire column to have been killed, he launched retaliatort attacks on the Pottawatomi instead of sending out a search party.

Brock-Perry