Fort Harrison was a post on the Wabash river, in the heart of the
Indian country. It consisted of two blockhouses, stockade works, and
a few buildings for stores or magazines. In September 1812, sixteen
men, under the command of Captain Zachary Taylor, formed the garrison
of this post. On the 3d of September, two men, who were working in the
field near it, were murdered by the Indians, and on the night of the
4th, the savages set fire to one of the blockhouses, and commenced an
assault. Captain Taylor, though suffering from sickness displayed
the greatest coolness and resolution. Two of his men leaped over the
stockade and fled, and the others were seized with a panic. But he
restored their hopes, and by tearing off the roof of the barracks,
and other means, succeeded in quenching the fire. The savages poured
a steady fire into the fort. The invalids of the garrison returned
it, and the conflict was fierce and desperate until daybreak, when
the enemy retreated beyond the reach of the fort. They beleaguered
the garrison, however, for twelve days, when a large body of troops
arrived, and forced them to raise the siege.
[Illustration: CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE.]
[Illustration: COMMODORE HULL.]