The Unfortunate Surrender of Detroit-- Part 1

From the Thumbwind site, Finding  Fun in Michigan.  "The tragic surrender of Detroit by General William Hull.

On a foggy morning in August 1812, American General William Hull made one of the worst decisions of his life.  Undder a flag of truce, British authorities warned him that the warriors under Shawnee Chief Tecumseh and Mohawk War Chief  John Norton (Teyoninhokarawen) were about to lay siege on him at Fort Detroit.

And, the British could not vouch for what the Indians might do to the Americans if they attacked.

Native warriors had crossed the  river and arrived south of the fort at Springwells that same night.  (Springwells later became the site of Fort Wayne.) Then, they moved along the edge of the western woods  which bordered the farmlands below the fort.

They went unnoticed as they surrounded the fort.  At the same time, British ships moored in the river, began shelling the fort.  The bombardment set parts of the fort on fire and killed a few civilians who were taking shelter there.

The Americans could not return fire.

--Brock-Perry

Detroit's Fort Wayne-- Part 9: The Treaty of Spring Wells

From Wikipedia.

Even though Fort Wayne was not there yet, it did have a role at the beginning and end of the War of 1812.

Early in the war. this is where General Isaac Brock crossed his army over from Canada to attack Fort Detroit.  And, after the Treaty of Ghent, the future site of the fort was where the Treaty of Spring Wells (which is the name of the area the fort is located) was signed there. 

Well, next question is, what was the Treaty of Spring Wells?

It was an agreement between the United States and the Wyandot, Delaware, Seneca, Shawnee, Miami, Chippewa, Ottawa and Potawatomi Indians, ending the conflict between the two groups.  It was signed on September 8, 1815, at the present site of Fort Wayne in Detroit. Michigan.

The signing of the Treaty of Ghent had ended the war between Britain and the United States, but not the Indians and the United States.  These tribes had fought on the British side against the Americans.

--Brock-Perry

Detroit's Fort Wayne-- Part 8: Today

The remainder of Fort Wayne was turned over piecemeal to the City of Detroit. with the last bit turned over in 1976.

From 1949 to 2006, the Fort Wayne Military Museum was operated by  the Detroit Historical Museum.  Since early 2006, the fort has been operated by the Detroit Recreation Department,  assisted by the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition, the Friends of Fort Wayne and the Detroit Historical Society.

The fort hosts historic reenactments (most often Civil War), spring and fall flea markets, concerts, youth soccer league matches as well as Hispanic and Boy Scout events and is open for some civic events.

Also on the grounds is the remaining Indian burial ground and the Tuskegee Airman national Museum (kind of strange that it would not be in Tuskegee, Alabama).

Spurred in part by the construction of the new Gordie Howe International Bridge nearby, Fort Wayne  has been studied for possible inclusion in the national park system.  The National Park Service has previously  assisted in identifying ways to preserve the fort and draw visitors.  Among the possibilities is inclusion in the existing River Raisin National Battlefield Park in nearby Monroe, Michigan.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Wayne-- Part 7: After WW II

At the end of World War II, plans were made to close the fort. In 1948, the fort and original barracks were turned over to the City of Detroit's Historical  Commission form operation as a military museum.

In the 1950s, anti-aircraft guns were installed at the fort, later upgraded to Nike-Ajax missiles.   During the Cold War, Fort Wayne served as an entrance station for the armed forces, with thousands of enlistees and draftees being sworn in there for the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The fort was again used to house families displaced after the 1967 12th Street Riot, wit the last families staying at the fort until 1971.

--Brock-Perry

About That Fort Wayne in Detroit-- Part 6: World War II

Every single tank, truck, jeep, tire or spare part that was sent overseas to the European and Pacific Theaters from Detroit went through Fort Wayne.  And that was a huge amount to say the least.  At the time, there was also a railroad spur along the river front, docks for large ships and over 2,000 , mostly civilian, employees.

The drivers and mechanics of the Red Ball Express were also trained there.

In addition, Fort Wayne also served as the detention center for Italian prisoners of war captured during the North African Campaign., who were employed as servants, cooks and janitors.  After Italy's surrender, the POWs were given the chance to return to Italy, but many chose to stay in Detroit.

--Brock-Perry

About That Fort Wayne in Detroit-- Part 4: Built 1843-1851

After Congress appropriated monies to build a series of forts  stretching from the east coast to the Minnesota Territory, construction started on Fort Wayne at Detroit under the supervision of Lieutenant Montgomery C. Meigs.  He bought riverfront property farm property three miles south of Detroit and work began in 1843 and was completed by 1851 at the cost of $150,000.

The new fort was named after American Revolution hero General  "Mad" Anthony Wayne, who had taken possession of Detroit from the British in 11796.

Before any cannons could be installed at the new fort, the United States and Britain worked out their differences and the fort went unused except for a single watchmen.  With the coming of the Civil War, there was fear of an attack from Canada by the British and the fort was occupied by Union forces.  It served as a mustering in area for Michigan regiments as well as an area for wounded soldiers to recover.

During the Spanish-American War, troops left for service overseas from there.

--Brock-Perry

About That Fort Detroit, Shelby and Wayne in Detroit-- Part 3: So, Which Fort Was the War of 1812 Fort?

Actually, the War of 1812 fort was not Fort Wayne, which still stands and was constructed after the war.  The fort that William Hull surrendered in 1812 was Fort Detroit which was renamed Fort Shelby in 1813.

Fort Shelby was occupied by the British for awhile and when they pulled out, American troops reoccupied it.

In 1815, the site of the future Fort Wayne was where American government officials and Indian leaders  met to sign the Treaty of Spring Wells.  This marked the end of hostilities between tribes that had Britain during the war and the United States.  Among those present at the signing were Michigan Territorial Governor Lewis Cass and William Henry Harrison.

In the late 1830s, there were a series of rebellions in Canada with led to a series of American militia attacks across the river in what is known as the Patriot War.  At the time, the U.S. government realized that the whole northern border of the country lacked fortifications to stop a British attack.  In particular, British Fort Malden, located near Detroit in Amherstburg was a potential threat.

In 1841, Congress appropriated funds to build a string of fortifications from the east coast to Minnesota, including one at Detroit.

--Brock-Perry

About That Fort Detroit, Shelby and Wayne in Detroit-- Part 2: Fort Wayne Was Not the War of 1812 Fort, But Did Play a Role in the War

So, Fort Wayne was not the fort that existed and played such a part in the War of 1812.  It was built after the war.  But, its site did play a role.

The one from the War of 1812 was known as Fort Detroit and later its name was changed to Fort Shelby.

The site of Fort Wayne consisted of a high sand mound with freshwater springs along the marshy waterfront of the Detroit River.

The opening shots of the War of 1812, however, were fired in the vicinity of the future Fort Wayne.  Although war had not yet been declared, Michigan militiamen bombarded the town of Sandwich, Upper Canada (later annexed to Windsor).

Later in the war, British General Isaac Brock crossed the narrowest part of the Detroit River with troops and landed on the future Fort Wayne site before marching on Detroit.  In the ensuing Siege of Detroit, American General William Hull, believing himself completely surrounded and outnumbered, surrendered Fort Detroit  to the British without offering much resistance.

A Sad Military Event in American History.  --Brock-Perry

John Whistler-- Part 2: Completed and Commanded Fort Dearborn

John Whistler joined the United States Army and was sent to the Western Frontier and was in the Hamar Campaign in 1790 and was severely wounded at St. Clair's Defeat in 1791.  He became a lieutenant in the Legion of the United States and helped build U.S. forts in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

In 1797 he was promoted to captain and transferred to Fort Lemoult in Detroit.  In the summer of 1803, he and his company of the 1st United States Infantry moved from Fort Detroit to the southern shore of Lake Michigan where he completed Fort Dearborn, on the future site of Chicago.

He became the fort's first commandant.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Dearborn: Battle or Massacre?-- Part 1

From the August 15, 2012, Carolina (NC) Journal "A Battle or a Massacre?" by John Hood.

On August 15, 1812, the garrison surrendered and left Fort Dearborn, on the shore of Lake Michigan (current-day Chicago).  There were 55 soldiers, 12 militiamen, 27 women and children and 30 Miami Indian allies.  They were ordered to Fort Wayne, Indiana territory and had been granted safe passage by the Potawatomi Indians.

A short distance from the fort, they were attacked by 400-500 Potawatomi Indians.  The Miami Indians fled.  What took place next is a matter of debate.

The Potawatomi refer to it as the Battle of Fort Dearborn, a victory in their continuing war against encroachment and treaty violations by the United States.  Americans call it the Fort Dearborn Massacre.  Women and children were bludgeoned to death.  Some American soldiers were tortured, executed and mutilated.  Captain William Wells was killed and had his heart ripped out and eaten.

I Call It a Massacre.  --Brock-Perry

Fort Wayne's "Old Fort"

This past Monday and Saturday, I wrote about a re-enactment in that Indiana town being held at a place called "Old Fort."  I hadn't heard of it before so went to the town's parks and recreation site.  And it wasn't NBC's Pawnee, Indiana.

It is called "Historic Old Fort" and is a recreation of the original fort, primarily used as a living history museum these days.  Visitors get a first-person interpretation of life in the western 1816s.

Many events are held there each year.  Some upcoming ones in 1813:

January--  French garrison 1753

June 8-9 Siege of Fort Wayne, 1812

July 13th and 14th:  Revolutionary War, the Western Front.

So, Who Knew?  --Brock-Perry

Re-Enactment at Fort Wayne-- Part 2

The War of 1812 opened very badly for the United States.  First, Fort Michilimackinack, in upper Michigan fell in July.  Then came the fall of Fort Detroit and Fort Dearborn, leaving Fort Wayne as the only American fort in the upper Northwest Territory.

Fort Wayne's commander told his junior officers to evacuate the fort and then spent the rest of the time drunk in his quarters.  There were soon surrounded by Indians led by Tecumseh.  Two lieutenants put the commander under arrest and ordered the fifty soldiers to hold the post.

Indian attacks began in September and some of the soldiers were killed, but the fort remained in American hands.  The British commander in the Great Lakes area, Gen. Henry Proctor sent a force of 200 British, 400 Canadian troops and 800 Indians to take it, but U.S. Indiana Territory Governor William Henry Harrison sent militia to reinforce Fort Wayne and the two armies met near Defiance, Ohio, and the British were forced to retreat.

Fort Wayne Held.  --Brock-Perry

Re-Enactment at Indiana's Fort Wayne-- Part 1

From the Sept. 3, 2012, Fort Wayne (Ind) News-Sentinel "Ear of 1812's Siege of Fort Wayne comes to life in re-enactment this weekend at Old Fort" by Kevin Kilbane.

Back on Labor Day weekend, there were nearly 200 re-enactors at Old Fort at 1201 Spy Run Avenue in Fort Wayne.  (Must be an interesting story as to how that road got its name.)

Fort Wayne was named for General "Mad" Anthony Wayne and used to stand where Fire Station No. 1 is today at the intersection of Main and Lafayette streets.

It was one of a series of American frontier forts built to keep the British out of the Northwest territory, distribute treaty payments to the Indians and encourage settlement by people of European descent.


THE TREATY OF FORT WAYNE

This treaty contributed to the start of the War of 1812 as it transferred 3 million acres of Indian land in what is now Indiana and Illinois to the U.S. government.  A lot of Indians refused to go along with, especially one from the Shawnee Nation called The Prophet who said that the recent New Madrid earthquake and a comet seen in the skies were a sign for the Indians to rise up against the U.S. soldiers and settlers.

Early War.  --Brock-Perry

Fort Wayne Today

The Fort Wayne site in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is at Clay and Berry streets and has a historical marker.  Another marker in town shows the location of Fort Miami, a French fort on the east bank of the St. Joseph River at Delaware Avenue and St. Joseph Boulevard.

AnotherPlace to Check Out.  --Brock-Perry

After the Siege of Fort Wayne

Yesterday in the timeline, I mentioned about British Major A.C. Muir's expedition to capture Fort Wayne beginning September 14th, today,  200 years ago.

It turns out that operations in and around the fort were still underway.

Thank you, again, Wikipedia.

After the Fort Wayne siege was lifted, William Henry Harrison was relieved of command at the fort by General James Winchester and then took his militia force to Piqua, Ohio, where he joined with another 1000 Kentucky militia.  Here he received word that he was the commander of the Northwestern Army.

He next set out on punitive expeditions to destroy Indian villages, this time along the St. Joseph River.

Meanwhile, General Winchester departed Fort Wayne September 22nd with the aim of recapturing Fort Detroit, but along the way, received news that British Major Muir was enroute to Fort Wayne with a force of British regulars, Canadian militia and thousands of Indians.

He reversed his march and the two sides' scouting parties met near Defiance, Ohio, and the Americans were captured.  The five men were marched back to camp and killed.  Their bodies were later recovered.

Harrison learned of the British advance and rushed to join Winchester.  The two American forces joined October 2, 1812, and Muir withdrew to Canada.

Later, Harrison continued his operations against the Miami tribe, which ended at the Battle of Mississinewa December 1812.

Just Stuff You Didn't Know.  --Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Timeline: September 1812

SEPTEMBER 14TH

Britsh Major A.C. Muir's expedition to attack Fort Wayne, Indiana, departs.


SEPTEMBER 21ST 

Raid on Gananoque, Ontario.

I'll be Doing This On a Monthly Basis Starting in in October.  --Brock-Perry

The Siege of Fort Wayne-- Part 2

The fort's commander, James Rhea, a habitual drunk, then became completely so and took to his quarters for the duration of the attack and siege.  Indian Agent Benjamin Stickney took command.  That night, the Indians tried to set the fort's walls afire and the 70-man garrison spent the hours fighting both the fires and enemy.  This fight lasted until 3 PM the next day

William Henry Harrison had been appointed major general of the Kentucky militia and was ordered to relieve Fort Wayne with his 2,200 troops.  Word was received that Tecumseh had a force on its way to the fort so Harrison quickly set off.

The fighting had continued off and on and on the 11th, the Indians had made one last attack and then withdrew.  Harrison's approach to the fort was completely uncontested.  He immediately relieved Rhea from command and later had him stand trial but allowed him to resign.

On September 14th, Harrison sent out punitive expeditions and destroyed two Indian villages.

Total Indian force was estimated at 500.  The fort's garrison consisted of 100 and there were 2,200 in the relief force.  Indian losses were about 25 and American unknowm.

Another Fort Saved.  --Brock-Perry

The Siege of Fort Wayne-- Part 1

This past September 6th marked the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the siege of Fort Wayne, Indiana.  It was part of a highly successful British and Indian campaign to push Americans out of the Northwest Territory which led to the capture of Fort Mackinac and Detroit in Michigan, Fort Dearborn in Illinois and attack on Fort Madison in Iowa.

From Wikipedia.

The Siege of Fort Wayne lasted from September 5th to September 12th, 1812.

Since the loss at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, Indians tribes in the Northwest Territory had been bitter at the increasing presence of Americans.

Fort Wayne, in northeast Indiana had fallen in disrepair, troop morale was low and apparently, the commander, Captain James Rhea, was a drunk.

The fort learned at the fall of Fort Dearborn August 28th when Corporal Jordan arrived after escaping the massacre.  On the 28th, Stephen Johnston, assistant fur trader at the fort, was killed by Indians about a mile away from the fort.  The fort's women and children were evacuated.

In early September, Pottawatomi and Miami tribes began gathering around the fort.

Negotiations were carried out but to no avail.

On the morning of September 5th, two soldiers were attacked returning from an outhouse and then the Indians began an assault on the fort's east side.  Nearby houses were burned.  The Indians constructed two wooden cannons and tricked the garrison into believing they were real.

More to Come.  --Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Timeline

From Wikipedia

September 5, 1812--  First siege of Fort Madison (Iowa) begins

Sept. 6th--  Siege of Fort Wayne (Indiana)

Sept. 12th--  US General William Henry Harrison reinforces Fort Wayne.

Brock-Perry