On my way back from North Carolina in a couple weeks, I plan on taking US-41from Evansville to Terre Haute in the state.
I plan on visiting the locations of both Fort Knoxs in Vincennes and Fort Harrison in Terre Haute. Also, there was the site of the ambushes at Attack At the Narrows in between the two towns. At Vincennes, I always knew the story of Fort Sackville and george Rogers Clark, but nothing about Fort Knox and I had no knowledge of Fort harrison at Terre Haute.
That will be of interest since a lot of operations at the three places took place 200 years ago, so it will be my bicentennial thing.
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.
Showing posts with label Fort Knox. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Knox. Show all posts
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Fort Knox I and II At Vincennes, Indiana-- Part 3
In 1813, it was determined that Fort Knox II was too far from Vincennes to be of defense, so the fort was disassembled and floated down the Wabash River and rebuilt a few yards from where Fort Knox I had been. So, technically, this would be Fort Knox III, I guess.
After the warm, friction again became an issue between the garrison and townspeople. Native Americans had moved to the north, so the garrison was moved to Fort Harrison in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1816.
Within weeks, Vincennes residents had stripped the fort of anything useful and it ceased to exist.
The Story of a Bunch of Forts. --Brock-Perry
After the warm, friction again became an issue between the garrison and townspeople. Native Americans had moved to the north, so the garrison was moved to Fort Harrison in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1816.
Within weeks, Vincennes residents had stripped the fort of anything useful and it ceased to exist.
The Story of a Bunch of Forts. --Brock-Perry
Fort Knox I and II At Vincennes, Indiana-- Part 2
FORT KNOX I
A new fort was built a few blocks north of St. Patrick and named after the U.S. Secretary of War William Knox, at the intersection of present-day First and Buntin streets. From 1787 to 1803, it was the western-most military post of the country. However, the garrison and townspeople did not get along.
Territory Governor William Henry Harrison petition Secretary of War Henry Dearborn to build a new fort and in 1803, the federal government authorized $200 to build a new fort three miles north of town at Petit Rocher.
FORT KNOX II
It too was named Fort Knox, but generally referred to as Fort Knox II. The fort had no better luck than the original and became known for duels and desertions. In 1811, Captain Zachary Taylor (later president) was put in charge with Indian problems rising.
The fort was used as a muster point for the US Army and militia during the Indian Wars and War of 1812.
Today, it is a state historic site and the outlines of the fort have been marked with short posts.
Back to I. --Brock-Perry
A new fort was built a few blocks north of St. Patrick and named after the U.S. Secretary of War William Knox, at the intersection of present-day First and Buntin streets. From 1787 to 1803, it was the western-most military post of the country. However, the garrison and townspeople did not get along.
Territory Governor William Henry Harrison petition Secretary of War Henry Dearborn to build a new fort and in 1803, the federal government authorized $200 to build a new fort three miles north of town at Petit Rocher.
FORT KNOX II
It too was named Fort Knox, but generally referred to as Fort Knox II. The fort had no better luck than the original and became known for duels and desertions. In 1811, Captain Zachary Taylor (later president) was put in charge with Indian problems rising.
The fort was used as a muster point for the US Army and militia during the Indian Wars and War of 1812.
Today, it is a state historic site and the outlines of the fort have been marked with short posts.
Back to I. --Brock-Perry
Thursday, September 27, 2012
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
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
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