On August 15, 1812, General William Hull, commander of U.S. troops in the Northwest Territory gave the order to evacuate Fort Dearborn. About 150 occupants of the fort was to be accompanied to safety at Fort Wayne (Indiana) by the Potawatomi Indians in exchange for the fort's supplies.
At the last moment, the decision was made to burn the supply of ammunition and alcohol instead of giving it to the Indians.
Two miles out of the fort, the Indians attacked. Eighty-six were killed and the fort was burned to the ground the next day. It was later rebuilt after the war only to be torn down later.
Today, the fort' location is marked by brass strips along its perimeter t the intersection. A depiction of the battle and an essay is on the Michigan Avenue southwest bridge house. April 15th will be the 200th anniversary of the massacre and Sherry Meyer hopes there will be some sort of commemoration.
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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