War of 1812 and Ohio
When the American Revolutionary War for independence from England came to a sudden and dramatic conclusion in 1783, the surrender of the British did not actually end the conflict with England. In fact, the only reason Cornwallis surrendered his army in 1781 was that lost any means of escape by being cut blocked by a French naval blockade that had defeated the English Navy in a strategic naval battle in Chesapeake. However, when the final treaty was signed in 1783 in Paris, Britains main allie, Native American Indians, weren't even consulted. So it was not surprising that the Native Americans continued fighting, primarily in Ohio up until 1796.
Conflicts with Native Americans in Ohio were relatively quiet until 1811.
Northwest Ohio
At the beginning of the 18th Century, northwest Ohio was a wilderness. A few meager roads had been built along old Indian trails, but for the most part it was flat swampy land. When travelling by car today across the long straight roads stretching mile after mile through tranquil farm lands of corn and tomatoes, it may be difficult to image that this very same land proved to an imense obstacle to navigate. It is one of the reasons that river travel and later canal travel were so vital in the development of the state in the early days.
What is today farm land, was at the beginning of the 19th Century, dense woods and swamps. From Columbus north, during the hot months of summer, disease was such a problem that work was abandoned because of illnesses from mosquito borne diseases. So bad were the conditions that desertions from Harrison's army were daily. More men died from disease than died from combat.
General Harrison made several bold moves. He first rebuilt Fort Defiance that had been a major asset during the Indian Wars of 1793 - 1794. Located at the confluence of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers, Fort Defiance offered good control over the Maumee. However, when this fort was built, the major threat came from the surrounding areas. During the War of 1812, the major threat was coming from British and Canadian troops that had massed along the northwest end of Lake Erie. Here, it became apparent that they were going to launch a ground and naval offensive into northwest Ohio. This meant that Fort Defiance while helpful, was not at a key point for defense of the area. That point was where the first rapids were located on the Maumee River. It was at this point that larger naval vessels had to stop. Here, very near where Perrysburg is located today, that he built his first fort called Fort Meigs.
Fort Meigs was designed for defense. Besides its massive size, the insides of the fort were constructed to protect the men and supplies from bombardment. This style of construction meant that the British could set up large seige cannons and fire night and day (which they did) without doing much damage.
Once Fort Meigs was completed, it almost immediately came under attack.
Once the General Proctor withdrew his forces, General Harrison sent men further east along the Sandusky River. Like the Maumee River, the Sandusky afforded naval vessels to come in from Lake Erie where they could unload deep into the northwest. These forts were not expected to withstand a major assault from the British, but to provide some fortification of supplies and men that could quikly be moved from one location to another as was necessary.
Fort Amanda
Originally built in the fall of 1812 by Kentucky troops under the command of Lt. Col. Robert Pogue, the fort was enlarged to almost double the original size during the spring of 1813 by Ohio militia soldiers under the command of Capt. Daniel Hosbrook. A fifth blockhouse was added during the second phase of construction as well as several cabins and storage buildings. The walls stood 11 feet above the ground.
Fort Stephenson
Fort Stephenson was at the head of navigation on the Sandusky River, on the site of present Fremont. The fort was well constructed and enclosed an acre of ground.
Fort Seneca
Fort Seneca was built as a stockade by a detachment of Gen. Harrison's army. It was used as a supply depot and stood on the west side of Sandusky River about 10 miles south of Fort Stevenson.
Fort Ball
Fort Ball was built on the west bank of the Sandusky River, in what is now the city of Tiffin. It was a fairly small stockade, enclosing perhaps one-third of an acre, and was used as a supply depot.
Fort Ferree
This stockaded position located just east of where the Wyandot County Court House in Upper Sandusky now stands. It was used as a supply depot and was located on a bluff along the western side of the Sandusky River.
Fort Loramie
during the Indian Wars of 1793-1794 General Anthony Wayne ordered the construction of Fort Loramie. It was located at the portage between St. Mary's River and modern-day Loramie's Creek. Wayne initially intended Fort Loramie to be an actual stockade, but after defeating the natives at the Battle of Fallen Timbers in August 1794, he decided a blockhouse and several storage buildings were more important. The abandoned fort was once again occupied and defended as a supply depot during the War of 1812.
Fort Findlay
A stockaded supply base 50-yards square, with four blockhouses, built by General Hull.
Fort Vance
Urbana
Battle of Lake Erie
When news of Perrys victory over the British reached the east coast of America, it was like a giant electric bolt raced through the towns and villages.
Invasion of Canada
Preparations were now made for the embarkation of the army. Harrison had been joined at Seneca by about two hundred and sixty friendly Wyandot, Shawnee, and Seneca Indians under chiefs Lewis, Black Hoof, 7 and Blacksnake.Harrison had been joined at Seneca by about two hundred and sixty friendly Wyandot, Shawnoese, and Seneca Indians under chiefs Lewis, Black Hoof, 7 and Blacksnake. Even the 72 year old Chief Tarhe took part in the task force against British foes in Detroit.
