THIS SIGN HAS BEEN ERECTED AT THE SITE OF THE BATTLE BY THE BATTLEFIELD SOCIETY - 1988On Dec. 17, 1812, Lt. Colonel John B. Campbell with 600 mounted troops arrived at this site under orders to destroy the Miami Indian Villages along the Mississinewa River from here to the present site of Peru.
The destruction of the village on this site resulted in the loss of the lives of two
soldiers and eight Indians.
Following the attack here, Campbell's force proceeded two miles down the river and destroyed two more villages before returning here to camp for the night. Shortly before dawn on December 18, a force of Miami Indians attacked Campbell's camp. The two hour battle resulted in 10 soldiers being killed and 48 wounded. Approximately 40 Miami and Delaware Indians gave their lives in the defense of their lands. Having over 100 of his horses killed and fearing a second attack, Campbell ordered his troops to return to Fort Greenville late in the afternoon of the 18th. This action was one of the first ordered by General William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812.
Here in December 17 - 18, 1812 Approximately 48 members of the Miami and Delaware Indian nations Gave their lives in defense of their homes, families and lands. "Their canoes have vanished Their forests fallen silent. But their name is on your waters Ye may not wash it out. - Lydia Huntley Sigourney Mississinewa Battlefield Society 1988 1812 Battlefield Soldiers Bedford, Pvt. Thomas "Kentucky Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Brown, Pvt. Beverly "Kentucky Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Carnahan, Pvt. Thomas "Kentucky Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Cunningham, Pvt. Daniel "Ohio Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Griffin, Pvt. James "Pennsylvania Volunteer Light Dragoons" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Lansing, Pvt. Francis "Pennsylvania Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Piatt, Pvt. Salem "Kentucky Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Pierce, Capt. Bennoni "Ohio Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Scott, Pvt. William "Kentucky Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Smith, Sgt. Thomas "Kentucky Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Waltz, 2nd Lt. Daniel "Pennsylvania Volunteers" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812" Wright, Sgt. James "U.S. Light Dragoons" "In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812"NOTE:
I am including the following pages from a report on the Battle of Mississineway,
because of a number of discrepancies I found while reading the stones erected at the battle
site. This return was made by John Payne, 1st Lt. Ky. V.L.D. and adjt. to Detachment.
On the 17th In Captain Hopkins troops U.S.L.D. Sergeant James Wright, killed In Captain Elmores troop Ky. Vol. L.D. Sergeant Thos. Smith, wounded, since dead. On the 18th In Captain Hopkins troops U.S.L.D. 1st Lieut. James Hedges, slightly. Privates Thomas Robinson, badly John Holcroft John May, slightly John Tarn, badly Thos. Salsbury, badly In Capt. Marcles troop 12 mos. Penn. V.L.D. 2nd Lieut. Danl. Waltz, killed Private Jas. Griffin, killed Corp. Henry Breneman, badly Corp. Robert Skilly, slightly Saddler James Smith, slightly Privates Thompson Carnahan, mortally, since dead Robt. Campbell, dangerously Findlay Carnahan, badly Wm. Logue, slightly Jos. Chambers, badly Jas. Selby, slightly Thomas Porter badly John McCarmon, badly Robt. Cooper, slightly David Braden, slightly Jno. Bennett, slightly In Capt. Garrards Troop 12 mos. K.V.L.D. Privates Thomas Bedford, killed Beverly Brown, killed 1st Lieut. Edw. Baysey, slightly 2nd Lieut. David Hickman, slightly Qr. M. Sergeant Strother J. Hawkins, slightly Sergeant G. Edwards, slightly Farrier J. McConnell, slightly Henry Willson Moses Richardson Thomas Easton, badly Wm. Scott, mortally Thomas Webster In Capt. Pierces troop 6 mos. Ohio V.L.D. Capt. Bennoni Pierce, killed Privates Daniel Cunningham, killed Willm. Monroe, wounded In Lieut. Warrens troop Penna. A.L.D. Cornet Greer, wounded In Cornet Lee's Troop 12 mos. Michigan V.L.D. Privates David Hull, wounded Michael McDermot, wounded Cyrus Hunter, wounded In Capt. Trotters Troop 6 mos. Ky. V.L.D. Captn. Geo Trotter Jr., slightly 1st Sergt. Byrd Smith, badly 1st Corpl. Henry Riddle, dangerously Samuel Peyatt, (Piatt), mortally, since dead David Steele, slightly In Captain Elliotts Company U.S. Infty. Privates Walter McAllister, wounded Henry Watters, wounded Thomas Wittington, wounded In Captain Butlers (Pitts:) Blues 12 mos. V. Infty Private Francis Lansing, killed Corp. E. Elliott, wounded Corp. Reid, wounded Private Isaac Chess, wounded Jos. Dodd, wounded Killed Captains______________________ 1 2nd Lieut._____________________ 1 Sergts._______________________ 1 Privates______________________ 5 Total killed in action 8 Died of their wounds since the action 2 Total_______________________________10 Wounded Captains____________________ 1 1 Lts.______________________ 2 2 Lts.______________________ 1 Cornets_____________________ 1 Q.M. Sergts._________________ 1 Sergts.______________________ 3 Corp._______________________ 5 Saddlers_____________________ 1 Farriers______________________ 1 Privates______________________ 32 Total wounded in action 48 A report of the number rendered unfit for duty by being frost bitten as appears from the reports of the morning of the 29th Inst. Viz. In Major Balls squadron 107 Col. Simralls Regt. 138 Infantry and Riflemen 58 Total 303 (Signed) JOHN PAYNE, 1st Lt. Ky. V.L.D. and adjt. to Detachment
...Original page by Sheila D. Watson