Fort Jefferson (2)
Fort Jefferson (2) (1791-1796) - First established in October 1791 by General Arthur St. Clair just before his disastrous defeat by Miami Indian Chief Little Turtle. Named after then Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson. Abandoned in 1796.
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Fort Jefferson (2) History
Built as a 114' square palisaded fort with bastions at each of the four corners. Two blockhouses were added in 1792. One of a chain of forts built from Fort Washington to Fort Deposit to support General "Mad" Anthony Wayne and the campaign against northwest Indian tribes during the Northwest Territory Indian War (1785–1795).
The fort was built just one month before General Arthur St. Clair suffered a major defeat that cost some 900 americans killed out of a force of about 1200. The remnants of St. Clair's command retreated back to Fort Jefferson and then back to Fort Washington (4). The disaster caused General Washington to force General St. Clair's resignation and he placed General "Mad" Anthony Wayne in charge of an elite force to finish the war. The chain of forts played a crucial supporting role in Wayne's decisive victory at the Battle of Fallen Timbers and the resulting Treaty of Greenville.
Current Status
Part of Fort Jefferson State Park. The most prominent feature is a large stone monument placed at the top of the hill by the Greenville Historical Society in 1907. Markers are placed a the locations of significant archeological findings that include the blockhouse, trenches, the well and a fire pit.
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Location: Darke County, Ohio. Maps & Images Lat: 40.0256047 Long: -84.656345 |
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 643
Links:
Visited: 6 Sep 2010
Fort Jefferson (2) Picture Gallery
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