Mississinewa 1812
S.S.8.1.13, 2007; S.S 8.3.2 2007; S.S.7.1.24 2007; S.S.7.1.18 2207
May 15, 1812: Twelve Indian nations hold grand council with Tecumseh at Mississinewa village at the
junction of the Wabash and Mississinewa River near Peru.
July 14, 1812: Miami war chief Little Turtle dies and with his death United States’ influence upon the
Miami Indians and other tribes in Indiana territory evaporates.
July 17, 1812: United States loses control of Lake Michigan and Huron after the British captured the
fort on Mackinac Island with the help of Indian tribes.
Aug 15, 1812: Potawatomi force the surrender of Fort Dearborn (Chicago) and massacre most of the
garrison been evacuated by William Wells, adopted son of Little Turtle.
Aug 16, 1812: most tribal chiefs lose control over their warriors as Tecumseh emerge as the new Indiana
leader, armed whites and Indians attack each other throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.
Aug 18 1812: unable to control their warriors, tribal chiefs refuse Harrison’s invitation to attend peace
council at Piqua, Ohio.
Sept 3, 1812: The Shawnees led by Missilimeta ravage the Pigeon Roost settlement in Southern
Indiana, killing 20 whites.
Sept 6, 1812: Indians attacked Fort Wayne, Fort Hamson (Terre Haute) the Americans raid and
destroyed Indian Villages North of the Wabash River.
Sept 24, 1812: Harrison is given command of the second army of the Northwest, replacing Gen. James
Winchester.
Oct 11, 1812: Indiana agent B.F. Stickney passes along information from trader John Connor to
Harrison. From September 13 to October 2, there Miami’s have sent nine messengers to the
Delaware’s, inviting them to join them in war against the United States.
Oct 26, 1812: Harrison seeks approval from secretary of war William Eustis to attack the Indian towns
on the Mississinewa River.
Nov 5, 1812: Secretary Eustis advises Harrison that “the Miami’s, as well as other Indians must be dealt
with.”
Nov 15, 1812: Informed of Gen. Samuel Hopkins’ defeat in Illinois and the growing confidence of the
Indians in attacking the army’s supply lines. Harrison advises Eustis that he will command
Col. John B. Campbell to direct an expedition against the Miami town of Mississinewa.
Nov 22, 1812: Gen. Hopkin’s forces destroys Prophetstown along with deserted Winnebago and
Kickapoo villages along the Tippecanoe ambush and kill 16 of the Hopkin’s force on
wildcat Creek northwest of present day (Kokomo)
Nov 25, 1812: Harrison orders Campbell to attack and destroy the Miami village at Mississinewa.
Campbell is advised to try to spare chiefs Richardville, Silver Heels, White Loon, Charley
and Pecon, and the sons and daughters of Little Turtle if it can be done without risk to his
force.
Dec 14, 1812: Campbell’s force of nearly 600 mounted troops guided by Canner departs from
Greenville, Ohio on to 80 mile to the Miami towns on the Mississinewa River.
Dec 17, 1812: Campbell’s force surprises and attacks the first of four Indian Villages on Mississinewa
River (Jalapa). Eight Indians and one African American are killed. Also forty-two Indians
including women and children were captured. Two soldiers of Campbell’s soldiers lost
their lives on the battle.
Dec 18, 1812: a force of 300 Indians attacked Campbell’s force, killing eight soldiers and wounding 48.
Also fifteen Indians were killed in the attack. There were 109 horses killed in the battle.
Dec 24, 1812: Campbell’s troops were decimated by the freezing weather, more than 300 soldiers
including captured Indian women and children to become the victims of frostbite.
Campbell allowed the Indian women and children to ride on captured Indian horse.
The idea of these assessment questions is to check if the students understand the timeline of the
Mississinewa 1812
1). what year did General Hopkin’s force destroyed Prophetstown along with deserted Winnebago and
Kickapoo villages?
2). May 15, 1812: _________Indian nations hold grand council with Tecumseh at Mississinewa Village,
the junction of________________ and ___________________ River near Peru.
3). What was the name of the Indian Miami war chief that died in July 14, 1812?
4). How many messages did the Miami Indian’s send from September 13 to October 2; inviting the
Delaware Indians to join them war against the United States?
5). In December 24, 1818, more than 300 soldier including Indian _________ and __________ become
the victims of frostbite.
True or False responses are allowed to answer the following questions. Use T for True and F for
False.
6) Most tribal chiefs lost control over their warriors.
7) Tribal chiefs attended Harrison’s invitation for peace council at Piqua, Ohio.