On July 17, 1814, 150 British troops with 400 Indian allies successfully laid siege to 60 American soldiers at a fort in Prairie du Chien. It was the only battle of the War of 1812 fought in Wisconsin.

New American Fort

The new American fort at Prairie du Chien sat on the banks of the Mississippi River just above its juncture with the Wisconsin River. This was a critical location for control of the lucrative fur trade in the Upper Midwest. The British at Fort Mackinac learned of the construction of this fort on June 22, 1814. Mackinac's commander, Colonel Robert McDouall, immediately ordered an expeditionary force of volunteers, voyageurs, some Sioux, Ho-Chunk, and Menominee Indians, and British troops to challenge the American presence at Prairie du Chien.  

The Battle

On July 17, 1814, the combined British forces reached the Wisconsin River. The British had about 650 men compared to a meager force of 60 American defenders under the command of Lt. Joseph Perkins. Under a flag of truce, the British force demanded the Americans surrender. The Americans refused.

The battle that followed was more noisy than deadly. The unfinished fort had two small cannons, reinforced by a gunboat armed with two cannons and several howitzers. The gunboat also contained much of the garrison's ammunition and supplies. The British concentrated their firepower on the gunboat. After two hours of shelling, the gunboat cut its cable and headed downstream. The boat was leaking badly from several direct hits. That event signaled the beginning of the end of the battle.

Sporadic firing continued over the next two days. The American forces capitulated on July 19, 1814. The British took over the new American-built fort.

Aftermath

The British victory, though, was a hollow one. After suffering through a long winter with few provisions, word came in April that the war was over. One month later, the British evacuated and destroyed the fort.

Related Resources

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