[Gutenberg 41663] • The Fort Dearborn Massacre / Written in 1814 by Lieutenant Linai T. Helm, One of the Survivors, with Letters and Narratives of Contemporary Interest

Massacre in Illinois during the War of 1812

Fort Dearborn was a frontier outpost in Illinois Territory where the city of Chicago now stands. The early history of the United States of America was often one of war on two fronts, because until the entire country was settled, irrespective of which other enemy the government of the day was fighting, there remained the continuing danger of attacks by hostile native Indian tribes. Indeed, the frontier settlements were often stripped of military forces-a fact that was recognised and exploited by Indian tribes, something that happened both before and after the events described in this book. Here are two perspectives on the battle at Fort Dearborn-one providing the essential intimate view of an eyewitness and the other an historical overview extracted from a work about the broader history of the location. In 1812, the United States was engaged in a war with Great Britain and its Canadian colony and valuable resources were drawn to the seat of the conflict, principally in the east. Following the defeat of American forces at Fort Mackinac, Fort Dearborn was ordered to be evacuated. This order, put into effect in August of 1812, precipitated an attack by Potawatomi Indians which was so overwhelming that the conflict lasted less than half an hour. Those soldiers and settlers not immediately killed were taken into captivity. This unique Leonaur edition is an excellent reference for students of the subject.

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