Ohio History Journal

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THE ORIGIN, DESCRIPTION AND SERVICE OF FORT

THE ORIGIN, DESCRIPTION AND SERVICE OF FORT

WINCHESTER,

 

WITH MENTION OF SOME OF THE PERSONS AND EVENTS

CONNECTED WITH IT.

 

BY CHARLES E. SLOCUM, M. D., PH. D., DEFIANCE, O.

From the earliest record until the building of the Miami and

Erie and the Wabash and Erie Canals along its course, the Mau-

mee River was known to be a great thoroughfare; and we have

good right to infer that the Aborigines, from their first appear-

ance in this region until the historic times, made its shores

and waters their principal course between the western shores of

Lake Erie and the Ohio river, both by way of the Miami and the

Wabash.

The high point at the junction of the Auglaize River with the

Maumee was recognized by General Anthony Wayne at first

view, in 1794, as the proper place for Fort Defiance,-a point

where he could safely bid defiance to all foes; and the usually

defiant Indians never ventured for its capture.

At the time of the first passing this way of the Ohio and

United States troops, of the Army of the Northwest in the be-

ginning of the War of 1812, this point was again fortified and,

being situate midway in the Maumee Valley, it served as a most

important post for observation and for supplies.

The Indians had long been troublesome to Americans set-

tling in this Northwest country and, after the Battle of Tippe-

canoe, Indiana, November 7, 1811, became still more active

in their aggressiveness under the incitements of the British and

the able Tecumseh whose avowed design was to drive out or

exterminate those settlers. At the time of the declaration of the

second war against Great Britian June 18, 1812, Fort Wayne

was the only fortification on the Maumee River. This Fort had

been seriously threatened by the Indians, but they were loth to

assail it from without. Several ineffectual feints and subterfuges

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