Battle of the Mississinewa

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of the Mississinewa
partof=the War of 1812


caption=
date=December 17–18, 1812
place=Jalapa, Indiana
result=Indecisive
combatant1=Miami tribe
combatant2=United States
commander1=Francis Godfroy Joseph Richardville Little Thunder
commander2=John B. Campbell
strength1=300 infantry
strength2=600 cavalry
casualties1=24 dead, 76 captured
casualties2=12 dead, 48 wounded

.

Expedition

and took 42 Lenape prisoners. [Rafert, 75]

The mounted force then moved down the Mississinewa River, attacking at least two Miami villages. The Indians were taken by surprise and had not evacuated. A large number of Miami were killed, and 76 were taken prisoner, including 34 women and children. Later that day, having accomplished his objective, Campbell considered returning to Fort Greenville on account of severe frostbite among his troops.

The next morning, December 18, as Campbell returned to Silver Heel's village, a sizeable Indian force counterattacked, killing 10 Americans and wounding another 48. Campbell then began the return march to Fort Greenville, taking with him the 76 prisoners. It was a costly victory. During the return trek, the American force was plagued greatly by frostbite, and by the time they reached Fort Greenville on December 28, some 300 of Campbell's troops were suffering from it.

Aftermath

The Indian force was only concerned with protecting their lives and winter food supplies. In order to ensure this, they needed to stop Cambells expedition and force it to return to its base, which they did. Harrison claimed the expedition as a victory because of the prisoners that were taken, and he contemplated sending another expedition down the Mississinewa despite the fact that over half his cavalry was incapacitated either from battle wounds or frostbite. Harrison received approval and appointed Campbell a full Colonel in the Regular Army.

Harrison ordered another attack on the Mississinewa villages the following July. Although crops and houses were again destroyed, the Miami had evacuated and escaped further casualties. [Rafert, 75]

References

ources

*Rafert, Stewart "The Miami Indians of Indiana: A Persistent People. 1654-1994." ©1996, Indiana Historical Society. ISBN 0-87195-111-8

ee also

*List of battles fought in Indiana

External links

* [http://www.mississinewa1812.com/ Living history]
* [http://www.warof1812.ca/mississa.htm Overview]