Post by Matthew S. Schweitzer on Sept 26, 2003 8:36:38 GMT -5
The Battle of Fort Stephenson, fought on the site of modern-day Fremont, OH, was the last battle of the War of 1812 fought on American soil in the western theater. The battle, which took place on August 2, 1813, was a terrible British and Indian defeat and forced the British forces to retreat into Canada following Oliver Hazzard Perry's victory at Put-In-Bay a month later, eventually leading to the British and Indian collapse at the Thames in October.
The Battle of Fort Stephenson was the last attempt by General Henry Proctor and his Indian allies, lead by Tecumseh, to invade the Ohio frontier and force the Americans under William Henry Harrison to surrender control of the Old Northwest to the British. After failing to defeat the Americans at the second seige of Fort Meigs in July, Tecumseh urged Proctor to launch an attack on the lightly manned Fort Stephenson on the Sandusky River. The fort was under the command of 21 year-old Major George Croghan with a garrison of only 160 men with a single cannon with which to defend themselves against a superior enemy force of 400 British of the 41st Regiment of Foot. Upon being ordered to surrender the fort or face British guns and Indian tomahawks, Croghan was reputed to have replied in the most American fashion that he was "ready to be blown to Hell at any moment!" The ensuing battle saw the British sustain heavy casualties compared to a single American loss as the British attempted to storm the walls of the fort. The Indians were said to have offered no support during the battle as a frontal assualt against a fortified position was considered suicidal and the Indians would have no part of it.
After their failure to take Fort Stephenson, Proctor withdrew to Canada, pursued by Harrion's forces. Following Perry's famous victory over the British fleet on Lake Erie, the British fate in the west was sealed. The encounter at Stepheson was on a small scale but had larger ramifications. The Americans were able to repulse the last serious attempt by Britain to invade Ohio and had helped to deal a death blow to Tecumseh's dream of driving the Americans from his homeland.
Here are a few websites dealing with the battle:
www.sandusky-county-scrapbook.net/FtStephenson.htm
members.tripod.com/~war1812/batsteve.html
The Battle of Fort Stephenson was the last attempt by General Henry Proctor and his Indian allies, lead by Tecumseh, to invade the Ohio frontier and force the Americans under William Henry Harrison to surrender control of the Old Northwest to the British. After failing to defeat the Americans at the second seige of Fort Meigs in July, Tecumseh urged Proctor to launch an attack on the lightly manned Fort Stephenson on the Sandusky River. The fort was under the command of 21 year-old Major George Croghan with a garrison of only 160 men with a single cannon with which to defend themselves against a superior enemy force of 400 British of the 41st Regiment of Foot. Upon being ordered to surrender the fort or face British guns and Indian tomahawks, Croghan was reputed to have replied in the most American fashion that he was "ready to be blown to Hell at any moment!" The ensuing battle saw the British sustain heavy casualties compared to a single American loss as the British attempted to storm the walls of the fort. The Indians were said to have offered no support during the battle as a frontal assualt against a fortified position was considered suicidal and the Indians would have no part of it.
After their failure to take Fort Stephenson, Proctor withdrew to Canada, pursued by Harrion's forces. Following Perry's famous victory over the British fleet on Lake Erie, the British fate in the west was sealed. The encounter at Stepheson was on a small scale but had larger ramifications. The Americans were able to repulse the last serious attempt by Britain to invade Ohio and had helped to deal a death blow to Tecumseh's dream of driving the Americans from his homeland.
Here are a few websites dealing with the battle:
www.sandusky-county-scrapbook.net/FtStephenson.htm
members.tripod.com/~war1812/batsteve.html