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Battle of Fort Dearborn

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Fort Dearborn massacre
Part of the War of 1812
DateAugust 15, 1812
Location
Chicago
Result Indian & British victory
Belligerents
Potawatomi,
United Kingdom		 United States
Commanders and leaders
Chief Blackbird Nathan Heald
Strength
500+ 69 military + civilian dependants
Casualties and losses
15 39 military + 27 civilians

The Fort Dearborn massacre occurred on August 15, 1812, near Fort Dearborn, Illinois Territory (in what is now Chicago, Illinois) during the War of 1812. The massacre followed the evacuation of the fort as ordered by the U.S. General William Hull. This event is also sometimes known as the Battle of Fort Dearborn.

Fort Dearborn's commander Captain Nathan Heald ordered all whiskey and gunpowder to be destroyed so it would not be seized by the local Indian tribes allied with the British, although he had agreed to these terms a few hours before. He then prepared to abandon his post. Heald remained at Fort Dearborn until support arrived from Fort Wayne, Indiana, led by his wife's uncle, Captain William Wells. A column of 148 soldiers, women and children then left Fort Dearborn intending to march to Fort Wayne. However, about one and a half miles (2 km) south of Fort Dearborn, at around what is now 18th Street and Prairie Avenue,[1] a band of Potawatomi warriors ambushed the garrison, killing more than fifty and capturing the remainder as prisoners to sell to the British as slaves. The British purchased the captives and released them immediately afterwards.

Fort Dearborn was burned to the ground, and the region remained empty of U.S. citizens until after the war had ended. The massacre is commemorated on the flag of Chicago as the first red star.[2]

  • a sculpture on Michigan Ave. Bridge commemorates the Fort Dearborn Massacre
    a sculpture on Michigan Ave. Bridge commemorates the Fort Dearborn Massacre
  • The inscription under the bridge
    The inscription under the bridge

References

  1. ^ Chicago School of Architecture Foundation (1975). Prairie Avenue Historic District. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ First Red Star


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