Battle of Fort Stephenson-- Part 2: The Attack Begins

The British bombardment continues, but Gen. Proctor hears rifle fire out to the east of his position, and, fearing they might be American reinforcements, orders an assault.  But what he was hearing was actually his Indian allies firing at a farmer after he came upon their position.  The farmer manages to escape uninjured.

By 4 p.m. August 2, the British have formed into two columns led by Brevet Colonel  Short and Lt. Gordon.  They began to advance toward Fort Stephenson's northwest corner.  At the same time, another 200 British grenadiers under Lt. Col. Warburton are making a wide sweep to the west and feigning an attack on the fort's  southern front.

Cannon fire and smoke continues and the group under Col.Short are able to get within 15 feet of the walls before being seen.  Kentucky sharpshooters start picking off  some of the advancing men, causing the group to temporarily be thrown into disorder.

British axe men push forward, over the glacis and into the ditch where Croghan had his men dig in preparation for such an attack.  Lt. Col. Short was with these men, whose job was to chop their way through the damaged walls with axes so that the next wave of men could enter the fort.

Lt. Col. Short could be heard shouting  from the ditch:  "Cut away the pickets, my brave boys, , and show the damned Yankees no quarter."

--Brock-Perry