Siege at Ft. Meigs - May 1-9, 1813 |
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After General Hull surrendered Detroit to the British, he was replaced as commander of the Army of the Northwest by William Henry Harrison. Fort Meigs Holds UpAfter Harrison was defeated at Frenchtown, he ordered the construction of Forts Meigs and Stephenson in northwest Ohio. Fort Meigs would become the largest wooden fortress ever built in America at the time. Shortly after construction, British and Indian forces under Henry Proctor and Tecumseh began bombarding the fort. The siege lasted eight days, despite the fact that the Americans were reinforced. In the end, however, British forces realized they could not penetrate the walls of the fort and retreated back to Detroit. Despite their retreat, they managed to inflict over 950 casualties on the Americans. 530 Americans were captured, several of which were executed by Natives.
New LeadershipAfter General Hull gave up Detroit to the British, William Henry Harrison took over as commander of the Army of the Northwest. Building Fort MeigsAfter a loss at Frenchtown, Harrison built Fort Meigs and Fort Stephenson in northwest Ohio. Fort Meigs became the biggest wooden fort ever built in America at that time. The Siege BeginsSoon after it was built, British and Native forces led by Henry Proctor and Tecumseh attacked Fort Meigs. They bombed the fort for eight days, but even after American reinforcements arrived, the fort held strong. British RetreatThe British couldn't break through the walls and eventually retreated to Detroit. However, they caused over 950 American casualties, captured 530 soldiers, and some of the prisoners were killed by Native warriors. |
