HISTORY

Fort Dearborn Massacre August 15, 1812

Fort Dearborn sat at what is now the corner of Michigan Ave. and Wacker Dr. in the present city of Chicago, Illinois. On July 29th 1812 General William Hull sent instructions to Captain William Wells, the fort’s commander to distribute all remaining stores to friendly native American tribesmen and then withdraw to Fort Wayne.

At 9AM the captain lead 54 regulars, 12 militia and a handful of civilians down lake Michigan. Within two miles , the garrison was ambushed by the local tribes. The battle lasted about 15 minutes costing 26 regulars, all 12 of the militia killed including Captain Wells. The rest were taken prisoner. Native American maintained no process for retaining prisoners and treated their captives poorly at best. This contributed greatly to animosity to Native Americans by US Troops.

After the battle the fort was burned to the ground.