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In May 1813, Fort Meig, commanded by General Harrison, handily withstands a siege by the British and the Indians. When a relief column arrives, the British and the Indians withdraw. Multimedia Battle Presentation General Harrison built Fort Meigs on the rapids of the Maumee River in Ohio on February 2 1813. It became the center of American activity in the region. The fort was well built. For the British the fort was a major obstacle to further advances in the region. On May 1st the British began a siege of the fort. General Harrison was in the fort when the siege began. The British demanded that the Americans surrender. Even though he was outnumbered 4 to 1 Harrison refused. He exhorted his men to withstand the coming siege by saying: “Can the citizens of a free country think of submitting to an army composed of mercenary soldiers, reluctant Canadians, goaded to the field by the bayonet and wretched, naked savages.†The British began a bombardment. Much to their surprise their cannon balls had no effect on the fort, which was surrounded, by dirt mounds. Proctor decided to engage in a lengthy siege. However, this was not the sort of fighting that the British Indian allies under Tecumseh were used to and many began drifting away. When a relief column of Kentucky militia managed to reinforce the fort, Proctor decided to withdraw. On May 9th the siege was lifted. |
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