Fort Harrison (1)
Fort Harrison (1811-1818) - Constructed in 1811 to protect Vincennes, the capitol of the Indiana Territory and named after General William Henry Harrison who ordered its construction. Abandoned in 1818
Fort Harrison (1) History
Capt. Zachary Taylor was in command when the War of 1812 began. A force of 600 Miami, Potawatomi, Kickapoo and Winnebago warriors attacked Fort Harrison on 4 Sep 1812. Captain Taylor had only 15 soldiers (5 of whom were sick) and the help of several civilians to defend the fort. Early on September 4, an Indian warrior crawled up and set the barracks on fire. This set the few defenders into a panic and the Indian warriors began firing upon the fort. Taylor ordered the fort's surgeon and a handful of defenders to control the fire. The remaining few of the garrison returned the fire of the Indians so fiercely that they were able to hold off the attack. The Indian force withdrew later that day and when reinforcements arrived from Vincennes. For his services at Fort Harrison, Capt. Zachary Taylor received a brevet promotion to major.
Commandants at Fort Harrison
- Lt. Col. James Miller, 31 Oct 1811 - 14 Nov 1811
- Capt. Josiah Snelling, 14 Nov 1811 - Jun 1812 Fourth Regiment
- Capt. Zachary Taylor, Jun 1812 - 16 Sep 1812 ?, Seventh Regiment
- Maj. Willoughby Morgan, Dec 1815 - May 1816
- Maj. John T. Chunn, May 1816 - 4 Jul 1817
- Maj. Robert Sturges, 4 Jul 1817 - 10 Feb 1818
Current Status
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Location: Vigo County, Indiana Maps & Images Lat: 39.50833 Long: -87.41111 |
Sources:
- Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page .....
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