Map of the attack on Fort Meigs
(from The Journal of Major John Norton, p. 321 - 322)
| On the beginning of May, General Procter moved from Detroit with two or three hundred regulars of the 41st - upwards of a thousand Indian warriors of the different tribes, -- and some of the Detroit militia; -- he came to the foot of the rapids, Miami River, and finding General Harrison too strongly fortified to hope for success from a coup de main, he invested him; -- batteries were erected on both sides of the river, but the artillery was too light to make much impression. - the warriors behaved with great intrepidity, taking advantage of every slight cover that the natural face of the ground afforded, -- they advanced daily to within a small space of the parapet from behind which none of the enemy could show their heads with safety. They formed two divisions - the one was stationed on the south east bank of the river, where the enemy had taken position - and fortified, -- the other remained on the north west bank. |
Map of the attack on Fort Meigs |
The enemy having notice of the advance of more than a thousand militia to their assistance, made a sally from their fortification on the redoubt next to them, -- they overpowered the party of the 41st which held it, took Lt. McIntyre with some prisoners and pursued the remnant. At this time,
Tecumthe [Tecumseh] came up with a body of Indian warriors, -- and retook the batteries, & drove the enemy into his fortifications with great loss. On the north west side of the river the reinforcement of the enemy landed, & there they had also a temporary advantage, but the vigourous co-operation of the warriors of the different tribes, with the troops soon overcame all resistance, -- those who were not killed, surrendered prisoners. ...
Finding that the guns made little or no impression on the fortifications of the enemy, -- and the Indian warriors, according to their ancient custom, thinking themselves free from any further engagement, this expedition, as they had now struck a blow; began to return to their homes. General Procter retired from the investment, -- and marched back to Amherstburg.