The Western Theater of the War of 1812 was an area of interest during the War of 1812 between the United States of America and the United Kingdom. Far from the Atlantic Coast and large cities, logistics and communication were more challenging in the western territories and the United States frontier. For many Native American nations involved, this war was a continuation of the defense of their lands against encroaching settlers.
Course of the War
Following the Northwest Indian War of the 1790s, the United States made it a policy to gradually remove Native Americans from the region and sell the land to white settlers. Ohio achieved statehood in 1803, and William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory, pressed groups of Native Americans to sell more territory to the United States. In response, Shawnee leader Tecumseh built a pan-tribal movement to resist further encroachment. While Tecumseh was away in Autumn of 1811, Harrison attacked Propetstown and dispersed the people living there. Kentucky governor Charles Scott declared the battle as evidence of "British intrigue."
Following the battle, the United States began a military buildup in anticipation of a wider conflict. Congress authorized six new companies of rangers, five of which were expected to maintain the peace in the Northwest region. The United Kingdom, meanwhile, reduced their supply of lead and gunpowder to their Native American allies, which was intended to maintain the fur trade, but was also needed for combat. Tecumseh's War and the related Peoria War merged with the War of 1812 in the Western theater, much as the Creek War became intertwined with the Southern theater.
At the time war was declared, Fort Belle Fontaine was the headquarters of the Department of Louisiana, which included Fort Madison, Fort Massac, Fort Osage, and Fort Knox (Vincennes, Indiana). Although Fort Belle Fontaine was frequently threatened, it was never attacked. The United States abandoned the other forts during or soon after the War of 1812.
1812 - 1813 : Detroit
When the United States declared war in June 1812, the British forces in Canada received the news before their American counterparts in the Western United States. Major-General Sir Isaac Brock issued orders to initiate offensive operations against American forces. The resulting Siege of Fort Mackinac in July was the first major land engagement of the war. The next month, at the Battle of Brownstown, a combined force of British and First Nations warriors defeated a United States force when the militia fled. Brock and Tecumseh joined forces to capture Fort Detroit from the United States just weeks later. General James Winchester was ordered to retake Detroit, but when he failed to take decisive action, William Henry Harrison- now appointed as a Major General- was given command of the Army of the Northwest.
That same August, a Native American force composed primarily of Potawatomi captured Fort Dearborn from the United States. In September 1812, Native Americans coordinated simultaneous attacks on United States posts across the region, including Fort Harrison, Pigeon Roost, and Fort Madison, and Fort Wayne. Fort Madison, remote on the west bank of the Mississippi River, was abandoned by the U.S. Fort Harrison remained under siege for a week before it was relieved by a company of infantry and militia from Vincennes. General Harrison marched from Cincinnati to relieve Fort Wayne, then planned his attack on Fort Detroit.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces under Major General Samuel Hopkins- commander of frontier forces- launched a punitive campaign against Kickapoo villages. In November, Hopkins marched them to the site of the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe, and found Prophetstown being rebuilt. They destroyed Prophetstown, but were lured into an ambush and endured heavy losses, forcing Hopkins to resign. Harrison also ordered punitive attacks against the Miami people, who he blamed for Fort Dearborn and Fort Wayne. A month later, in January 1813, Harrison's army was defeated at the Battle of Frenchtown, and prisoners were killed. The defeat ended Harrison's campaign against Detroit until the following Autumn, but "Remember the River Raisin!" became a rallying cry for the Americans.