Mississinewa 1812

Mississinewa 1812 May 15, 1812: Twelve Indian nations hold grand council with Tecumseh at Mississinewa village at the junction of the Wabash and Mississinewa River near Peru. July 14, 1812: Miami war chief Little Turtle dies and with his death United States’ influence upon the Miami Indians and other tribes in Indiana territory evaporates. July 17, 1812: United States loses control of Lake Michigan and Huron after the British captured the fort on Mackinac Island with the help of Indian tribes. Aug 15, 1812: Potawatomi force the surrender of Fort Dearborn (Chicago) and massacre most of the garrison been evacuated by William Wells, adopted son of Little Turtle. Aug 16, 1812: most tribal chiefs lose control over their warriors as Tecumseh emerge as the new Indiana leader, armed whites and Indians attack each other throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Aug 18 1812: unable to control their warriors, tribal chiefs refuse Harrison’s invitation to attend peace council at Piqua, Ohio. Sept 3, 1812: The Shawnees led by Missilimeta ravage the Pigeon Roost settlement in Southern Indiana, killing 20 whites. Sept 6, 1812: Indians attacked Fort Wayne, Fort Hamson (Terre Haute) the Americans raid and destroyed Indian Villages North of the Wabash River. Sept 24, 1812: Harrison is given command of the second army of the Northwest, replacing Gen. James Winchester. Oct 11, 1812: Indiana agent B.F. Stickney passes along information from trader John Connor to Harrison. From September 13 to October 2, there Miami’s have sent nine messengers to the Delaware’s, inviting them to join them in war against the United States. Oct 26, 1812: Harrison seeks approval from secretary of war William Eustis to attack the Indian towns on the Mississinewa River. Nov 5, 1812: Secretary Eustis advises Harrison that “the Miami’s, as well as other Indians must be dealt with.” Nov 15, 1812: Informed of Gen. Samuel Hopkins’ defeat in Illinois and the growing confidence of the Indians in attacking the army’s supply lines. Harrison advises Eustis that he will command Col. John B. Campbell to direct an expedition against the Miami town of Mississinewa. Nov 22, 1812: Gen. Hopkin’s forces destroys Prophetstown along with deserted Winnebago and Kickapoo villages along the Tippecanoe ambush and kill 16 of the Hopkin’s force on wildcat Creek northwest of present day (Kokomo) Nov 25, 1812: Harrison orders Campbell to attack and destroy the Miami village at Mississinewa. Campbell is advised to try to spare chiefs Richardville, Silver Heels, White Loon, Charley and Pecon, and the sons and daughters of Little Turtle if it can be done without risk to his force. Dec 14, 1812: Campbell’s force of nearly 600 mounted troops guided by Canner departs from Greenville, Ohio on to 80 mile to the Miami towns on the Mississinewa River. Dec 17, 1812: Campbell’s force surprises and attacks the first of four Indian Villages on Mississinewa River (Jalapa). Eight Indians and one African American are killed. Also forty-two Indians including women and children were captured. Two soldiers of Campbell’s soldiers lost their lives on the battle. Dec 18, 1812: a force of 300 Indians attacked Campbell’s force, killing eight soldiers and wounding 48. Also fifteen Indians were killed in the attack. There were 109 horses killed in the battle. Dec 24, 1812: Campbell’s troops were decimated by the freezing weather, more than 300 soldiers including captured Indian women and children to become the victims of frostbite. Campbell allowed the Indian women and children to ride on captured Indian horse.