HISTORY

Harrison Relieves Fort Wayne, September 12, 1812

Kentucky Governor Charles Scott authorized William Henry Harrison to relieve Fort Wayne and marched a militia force of 2,200 men to Fort Wayne.

On approach, Harrison received a report that a force of 400 Native Americans and 140 British regulars under Tecumseh was marching towards fort as well. A race to Fort Wayne began.

Chief Winamac attempted one last attack on Fort Wayne on September 11th and suffered several casualties. On September 12, the attack was broken off, and Winamac's forces retired. Harrison's relief army marched towards the fort, uncontested. Harrison had the commander arrested (two Lieutenants had let the defense.) Harrison then placed Lieutenant Philip Ostander (one of the two lieutenants who had directed the defense) in command of the fort.

Before they left, the warriors destroyed every thing outside the fort – live-stock, crops, and dwellings. Among the latter was the house of Captain Wells, who was killed at Ft. Dearborn. It was on his reservation of rich bottom lands on the north side of the St. Mary's River, opposite the present city of Fort Wayne, and not more than half a mile distant from it.