The Fort Dearborn Massacre

Illinois History

The Fort Dearborn Massacre

1812 – Tecumseh (Shawnee Chief) leads last fight for the NW country

U.S vs. England go to war again

The Start of the Problems:

April 1812 – Indians attack farm 4 miles from Ft. Dearborn – causes panic

July 1812 – War of 1812 begins (US vs. England)

Would British and Indians unite again?

Evacuation of Fort Dearborn:

Aug. 1812 – Capt. Nathan Heald (Com. of the Fort) is ordered to destroy arms and evacuate to Ft. Wayne, IN

Captain Wells (Indian Expert) joins them along with 30 Indian warriors

Aug. 15th 1812: Potawatomi Chief gives warning to Capt. Heald – returns friendship medal

No choice but to go - arms had already been destroyed

The Disastrous Journey:

The group had:55 army men with 30 Indian warriors12 militia / 9 women / 18 children

1.5 miles into trip - Capt. Wells spots enemy Indians

Well’s Indian warriors flee – Capt. Heald charges the enemy Indians – leaving women behind

Women and militia were ambushed – fierce hand to hand combat

Killed are:All 12 militia / 2 women / 12 children

Capt. Heald surrounded – half his men and Capt. Wells were killed

Entire battle = 15 minutes

Some captives tortured and killed

Capt. Heald survived

Indians burnt fort – 1816 U.S. returns to rebuild Fort Dearborn