THE BRITISH MILITARY PRESENCE IN THE

MIDWEST 1760-1786

Steven M Baule

CONTEMPORARY LONDON MAP 1755

THE MIDWEST IN 1760

Ft Chartres

Ft Ouiatenon

Ft St Joseph

Ft Detroit

Ft Michlimackinac

Ft Niagara

Ft LigonierFt Miami

Vincennes

Ft Sandoske

INDIAN ATTACKS

IN 1763

AFTERMATH OF PONTIACrsquoS REBELLION

After the Indian

Uprisings of 1763 amp

1764 the British

consolidated to a few

larger posts

Exceptions were the

single company posts

at Kaskaskia and

Cahokia in the

American Bottom

CONTEMPORARY LONDON MAP 1755

THE MIDWEST IN 1760

Ft Chartres

Ft Ouiatenon

Ft St Joseph

Ft Detroit

Ft Michlimackinac

Ft Niagara

Ft LigonierFt Miami

Vincennes

Ft Sandoske

INDIAN ATTACKS

IN 1763

AFTERMATH OF PONTIACrsquoS REBELLION

After the Indian

Uprisings of 1763 amp

1764 the British

consolidated to a few

larger posts

Exceptions were the

single company posts

at Kaskaskia and

Cahokia in the

American Bottom

THE MIDWEST IN 1760

Ft Chartres

Ft Ouiatenon

Ft St Joseph

Ft Detroit

Ft Michlimackinac

Ft Niagara

Ft LigonierFt Miami

Vincennes

Ft Sandoske

INDIAN ATTACKS

IN 1763

AFTERMATH OF PONTIACrsquoS REBELLION

After the Indian

Uprisings of 1763 amp

1764 the British

consolidated to a few

larger posts

Exceptions were the

single company posts

at Kaskaskia and

Cahokia in the

American Bottom

INDIAN ATTACKS

IN 1763

AFTERMATH OF PONTIACrsquoS REBELLION

After the Indian

Uprisings of 1763 amp

1764 the British

consolidated to a few

larger posts

Exceptions were the

single company posts

at Kaskaskia and

Cahokia in the

American Bottom

AFTERMATH OF PONTIACrsquoS REBELLION

After the Indian

Uprisings of 1763 amp

1764 the British

consolidated to a few

larger posts

Exceptions were the

single company posts

at Kaskaskia and

Cahokia in the

American Bottom

POSTS ABANDONED IN 17641765

Fort Le Boeuf Fort Presquersquo Isle

Fort St Joseph Fort Ligonier

Fort Venago Fort Miami

Fort Sandusky Fort Ouiatenon

POSTS ABANDONED IN 1772

Cahokia

Fort Chartres

Fort Pitt

POSTS ABANDONED IN 1776 Fort Gage (Kaskaskia)

FT CHARTRES (1765-1772) RECONSTRUCTED

FORT CHARTRES FROM THE ILLINOIS STATE HOUSE

ILLINOIS COUNTRY POLICIES

No civil government in the Old Northwest

Military Court at Ft Chartres

Parliament would like to abandon the area but the

King refuses

Quebec Act allowed for the development of civil

government amp protected the Catholic Church

The entire Illinois Country was formally included

within the Province of Quebec

Trade mostly exports of fur were to be sent

down river to New Orleans and then to London

1774

June - Quebec Act incorporated settlements

along the Wabash and Mississippi Rivers into

the Province of Quebec

Ft Sackville was [re]built by the British at

Vincennes but was not garrisoned

Replacement of the palisade was completed at

Ft Gage

FORT GAGE ON THE MAP (1772)

APRIL 1775 ndash BRITISH POSTS

Fort Gage

Fort Michlimackinac

Detroit

Fort Niagara

Fort Pitt

Royal Irish

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 12 Coys

Royal Irish

4 men

Ft Oswegatchie

Kingrsquos Regt

1 Coy

Ft Erie

1775

Dr John Conolly hatched a plan to order Cpt

Lordrsquos Garrison from Kaskaskia to come up

river and take Virginia back with the help of

backwood Loyalists and Indians

Conolly was captured near Ft Pitt and the plan

never reached the troops in the Illinois Country

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

FT CHARTRES (1765-1772) RECONSTRUCTED

FORT CHARTRES FROM THE ILLINOIS STATE HOUSE

ILLINOIS COUNTRY POLICIES

No civil government in the Old Northwest

Military Court at Ft Chartres

Parliament would like to abandon the area but the

King refuses

Quebec Act allowed for the development of civil

government amp protected the Catholic Church

The entire Illinois Country was formally included

within the Province of Quebec

Trade mostly exports of fur were to be sent

down river to New Orleans and then to London

1774

June - Quebec Act incorporated settlements

along the Wabash and Mississippi Rivers into

the Province of Quebec

Ft Sackville was [re]built by the British at

Vincennes but was not garrisoned

Replacement of the palisade was completed at

Ft Gage

FORT GAGE ON THE MAP (1772)

APRIL 1775 ndash BRITISH POSTS

Fort Gage

Fort Michlimackinac

Detroit

Fort Niagara

Fort Pitt

Royal Irish

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 12 Coys

Royal Irish

4 men

Ft Oswegatchie

Kingrsquos Regt

1 Coy

Ft Erie

1775

Dr John Conolly hatched a plan to order Cpt

Lordrsquos Garrison from Kaskaskia to come up

river and take Virginia back with the help of

backwood Loyalists and Indians

Conolly was captured near Ft Pitt and the plan

never reached the troops in the Illinois Country

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

FORT CHARTRES FROM THE ILLINOIS STATE HOUSE

ILLINOIS COUNTRY POLICIES

No civil government in the Old Northwest

Military Court at Ft Chartres

Parliament would like to abandon the area but the

King refuses

Quebec Act allowed for the development of civil

government amp protected the Catholic Church

The entire Illinois Country was formally included

within the Province of Quebec

Trade mostly exports of fur were to be sent

down river to New Orleans and then to London

1774

June - Quebec Act incorporated settlements

along the Wabash and Mississippi Rivers into

the Province of Quebec

Ft Sackville was [re]built by the British at

Vincennes but was not garrisoned

Replacement of the palisade was completed at

Ft Gage

FORT GAGE ON THE MAP (1772)

APRIL 1775 ndash BRITISH POSTS

Fort Gage

Fort Michlimackinac

Detroit

Fort Niagara

Fort Pitt

Royal Irish

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 12 Coys

Royal Irish

4 men

Ft Oswegatchie

Kingrsquos Regt

1 Coy

Ft Erie

1775

Dr John Conolly hatched a plan to order Cpt

Lordrsquos Garrison from Kaskaskia to come up

river and take Virginia back with the help of

backwood Loyalists and Indians

Conolly was captured near Ft Pitt and the plan

never reached the troops in the Illinois Country

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

ILLINOIS COUNTRY POLICIES

No civil government in the Old Northwest

Military Court at Ft Chartres

Parliament would like to abandon the area but the

King refuses

Quebec Act allowed for the development of civil

government amp protected the Catholic Church

The entire Illinois Country was formally included

within the Province of Quebec

Trade mostly exports of fur were to be sent

down river to New Orleans and then to London

1774

June - Quebec Act incorporated settlements

along the Wabash and Mississippi Rivers into

the Province of Quebec

Ft Sackville was [re]built by the British at

Vincennes but was not garrisoned

Replacement of the palisade was completed at

Ft Gage

FORT GAGE ON THE MAP (1772)

APRIL 1775 ndash BRITISH POSTS

Fort Gage

Fort Michlimackinac

Detroit

Fort Niagara

Fort Pitt

Royal Irish

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 12 Coys

Royal Irish

4 men

Ft Oswegatchie

Kingrsquos Regt

1 Coy

Ft Erie

1775

Dr John Conolly hatched a plan to order Cpt

Lordrsquos Garrison from Kaskaskia to come up

river and take Virginia back with the help of

backwood Loyalists and Indians

Conolly was captured near Ft Pitt and the plan

never reached the troops in the Illinois Country

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

1774

June - Quebec Act incorporated settlements

along the Wabash and Mississippi Rivers into

the Province of Quebec

Ft Sackville was [re]built by the British at

Vincennes but was not garrisoned

Replacement of the palisade was completed at

Ft Gage

FORT GAGE ON THE MAP (1772)

APRIL 1775 ndash BRITISH POSTS

Fort Gage

Fort Michlimackinac

Detroit

Fort Niagara

Fort Pitt

Royal Irish

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 12 Coys

Royal Irish

4 men

Ft Oswegatchie

Kingrsquos Regt

1 Coy

Ft Erie

1775

Dr John Conolly hatched a plan to order Cpt

Lordrsquos Garrison from Kaskaskia to come up

river and take Virginia back with the help of

backwood Loyalists and Indians

Conolly was captured near Ft Pitt and the plan

never reached the troops in the Illinois Country

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

FORT GAGE ON THE MAP (1772)

APRIL 1775 ndash BRITISH POSTS

Fort Gage

Fort Michlimackinac

Detroit

Fort Niagara

Fort Pitt

Royal Irish

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 12 Coys

Royal Irish

4 men

Ft Oswegatchie

Kingrsquos Regt

1 Coy

Ft Erie

1775

Dr John Conolly hatched a plan to order Cpt

Lordrsquos Garrison from Kaskaskia to come up

river and take Virginia back with the help of

backwood Loyalists and Indians

Conolly was captured near Ft Pitt and the plan

never reached the troops in the Illinois Country

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

APRIL 1775 ndash BRITISH POSTS

Fort Gage

Fort Michlimackinac

Detroit

Fort Niagara

Fort Pitt

Royal Irish

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

2 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 Coys

Kingrsquos Regt

3 12 Coys

Royal Irish

4 men

Ft Oswegatchie

Kingrsquos Regt

1 Coy

Ft Erie

1775

Dr John Conolly hatched a plan to order Cpt

Lordrsquos Garrison from Kaskaskia to come up

river and take Virginia back with the help of

backwood Loyalists and Indians

Conolly was captured near Ft Pitt and the plan

never reached the troops in the Illinois Country

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

1775

Dr John Conolly hatched a plan to order Cpt

Lordrsquos Garrison from Kaskaskia to come up

river and take Virginia back with the help of

backwood Loyalists and Indians

Conolly was captured near Ft Pitt and the plan

never reached the troops in the Illinois Country

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

1776

Troops were ordered from Illinois to be

concentrated at Detroit in anticipation of a

Congressional attack (May ndashJune)

A former French officer was appointed governor

in Illinois Pierre de Rochebleve

Troops on the Great Lakes remained in place

troops from Illinois were drafted into the 8th

(Kings) Foot in July 1776 and scattered

between at least Mackinac and Detroit

It does appear that that troops had intended to

return to Kaskaskia and some families

remained in Illinois for years

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

1777

Extremely quiet on the Western Frontier

British were anticipating an attack on Detroit

that never materialized

Fighting in Kentucky (Boonesborough) between

settlers and Shawnee under Blackfish but no

direct British involvement Daniel Boone was

wounded in a skirmish

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

1778

George Rogers Clark captured Kaskaskia

without resistance from the French habitants

on July 4 1778

Fr Gibault helped prepare the way for the

Virginians

British troops were sent to from Detroit to

Vincennes to fortify the village against

Congressional forces

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

1779

Troops at Vincennes are surrendered in February 1779

ndash transported to Williamsburg ndash treated like criminals

and not as POWs

Remaining troops at Detroit and Mackinaw remain

stationary

Spain enters the Revolution as an Ally of France and

Congress

British under Bird besiege Ft Laurens Ohio in February

1779 Lift siege by the end of the month Congressional

forces withdraw to Ft Pitt by August 1779

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

FT LAURENS OHIO

On February 22 1779 Captain Henry Bird 8th Foot with a

handful of British soldiers and a couple hundred Wyandot

Mingo Munsee and Delaware warriors laid siege to the fort

The siege continued until mid-March and the men inside the

fort reportedly were reduced to making a stew of boiled

moccasins

British forces were also weakened by the long siege and lifted

the siege on March 20 1779

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

FT LAURENS AFTERMATH

Relief forces from Fort Pitt arrived three days

after the British lifted the siege on March 23

1779 leaving a force of 106 men behind under

the command of Major Fredrick Vernon

Colonel Daniel Brodhead replaced McIntosh as

commander at Fort Pitt and felt the fort was

inadequate for mounting an attack on Detroit

so the fort was abandoned on August 2 1779

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

BRITISH PLAN TO RECAPTURE THE ILLINOIS

COUNTRY AND ELIMINATE THE SPANISH THREAT

British Comprehensive Plan of 1780 for Illinois Country

Attack Spanish posts at St Louis New Orleans and

Natchez

Attack Virginia Forces at Cahokia and Kaskaskia

Forces from Pensacola to attack New Orleans

Instead Spanish forces took Mobile in 1780 and

Pensacola in 1781

Troops at Cahokia and St Louis were stymied by

Spanish

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

1780

Prairie du Chien was the gathering point for

British forces

Plan to attack both St Louis and Cahokia

Troops were gathered on May 2 1780

Travelled downriver to Rock Island

About 250 Sauk amp Fox joined here

Continued to St Louis

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

MAY 26 1780

Attack on St Louis in Missouri State Capital

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

CahokiaSt Louis

Prairie du Chien

Ft Michlimackinac

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

1781

Troops at Michlimackinac moved into the

straights on Mackinaw Island to be more well

protected (the post will remain for nearly 150

years) buildings were moved over the ice

oldest stone buildings remain from the British

occupation

Detachment sent to Duluth MN (Grand

Portage) to oversee the fur traders at Chippewa

village

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

FT MACKINAC

1780 Officersrsquo Quarters

British Era Well

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

CRAWFORD EXPEDITION 1782

FEBRUARY 12 1781

The Spanish took Fort St Joseph by surprise on

12 February 1781 Captain Poureacute had the

Spanish colors raised and claimed Fort St

Joseph and the St Joseph River for Spain They

plundered the fort departing the next day The

Spanish returned to in St Louis on 6 March

where Poureacute delivered the British flag to the

Spanish governor

SANDUSKY OR BATTLE ISLAND JUNE 4 1782

A mounted company of Butlerrsquos Rangers Detroit

militia and Indians attacked a column of 500

Pennsylvania militia outside of Sandusky

BATTLE OF THE OLENTANGY JUNE 6 1782

SANDUSKY OR BATTLE ISLAND JUNE 4 1782

A mounted company of Butlerrsquos Rangers Detroit

militia and Indians attacked a column of 500

Pennsylvania militia outside of Sandusky

BATTLE OF THE OLENTANGY JUNE 6 1782

BATTLE OF THE OLENTANGY JUNE 6 1782

AUGUST 8 1782

Battle of Piqua (near Springfield OH)

G R Clark led over 1000 militia to burn five

Shawnee villages along the Little Miami

Also burning the trading post of Peter Loramie

a Loyalist

AUGUST 15-17 1782

Attack on Bryan Station

At Bryan Station founded in 1775-1776

Near present day - Lexington KY

British militia and Shawnee warriors besieged

the settlement in August 1782

Cpt Wm Caldwell and Simon Girty led the British

The siege was lifted when Kentucky militia were

reported in the area

AUGUST 19 1782

Battle of Blue Licks near present Mount Olivet

Kentucky

On a hill next to the Licking River in what is now

Robertson County a force of about 50 British

militia and 300 Shawnee ambushed and

routed 182 Kentucky militia It was the worst

defeat for the Kentuckians during the war

Troops remained in place at Mackinac and

Detroit amp Niagara

1783

1784-1796

British Troops remained in place at Mackinac

Detroit amp Niagara The Jay Treaty of 1796

actually led to the removal of British Troops

from the Old Northwest They would return in

1812

IMPACT OF THE REGULARS

Through 1776 the British are nearly entirely

reliant on the small forces of regulars to

garrison and keep the peace in the Illinois

Country

After 1778 with the entry of France and Spain

into the war regulars are only present in token

levels Two regulars accompanied the forces

attacking St Louis and Cahokia for instance

BRITISH FOCUS

1763 to 1770 ndash Establish Control of the Ohio

Valley and Great Lakes (with regulars)

1770-1771 ndash Prepare for War with Spain

1772-1775 ndash Keep the peace with Indians

1775-1779 ndash Protect Detroit (and Great Lakes)

1780-1782 ndash Regain control of

MississippiOhio Valley (with allies) Defeat

Spain

1783-1796 ndash Retain commercial control of

Indians and Great Lakes

BRITISH REGIMENTS IN THE MIDWEST

8th (Kingrsquos) Foot ndash Individuals on Mississippi

1780

18th (Royal Irish) Foot ndash Illinois garrison 1768

to 1776

34th Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres from Louisiana

in 1765 to 1768

42nd Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres by Ohio in

1765

Small detachment of Royal Artillery

POST 1796

British regulars finally abandon Detroit

Mackinaw and Niagara in 1796

British continue to try to control Indians from

the north side of the Great Lakes

Americans build several posts specifically to

deal with British influence

War of 1812 sees the final effort of British

troops to control Old Northwest

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

AUGUST 15-17 1782

Attack on Bryan Station

At Bryan Station founded in 1775-1776

Near present day - Lexington KY

British militia and Shawnee warriors besieged

the settlement in August 1782

Cpt Wm Caldwell and Simon Girty led the British

The siege was lifted when Kentucky militia were

reported in the area

AUGUST 19 1782

Battle of Blue Licks near present Mount Olivet

Kentucky

On a hill next to the Licking River in what is now

Robertson County a force of about 50 British

militia and 300 Shawnee ambushed and

routed 182 Kentucky militia It was the worst

defeat for the Kentuckians during the war

Troops remained in place at Mackinac and

Detroit amp Niagara

1783

1784-1796

British Troops remained in place at Mackinac

Detroit amp Niagara The Jay Treaty of 1796

actually led to the removal of British Troops

from the Old Northwest They would return in

1812

IMPACT OF THE REGULARS

Through 1776 the British are nearly entirely

reliant on the small forces of regulars to

garrison and keep the peace in the Illinois

Country

After 1778 with the entry of France and Spain

into the war regulars are only present in token

levels Two regulars accompanied the forces

attacking St Louis and Cahokia for instance

BRITISH FOCUS

1763 to 1770 ndash Establish Control of the Ohio

Valley and Great Lakes (with regulars)

1770-1771 ndash Prepare for War with Spain

1772-1775 ndash Keep the peace with Indians

1775-1779 ndash Protect Detroit (and Great Lakes)

1780-1782 ndash Regain control of

MississippiOhio Valley (with allies) Defeat

Spain

1783-1796 ndash Retain commercial control of

Indians and Great Lakes

BRITISH REGIMENTS IN THE MIDWEST

8th (Kingrsquos) Foot ndash Individuals on Mississippi

1780

18th (Royal Irish) Foot ndash Illinois garrison 1768

to 1776

34th Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres from Louisiana

in 1765 to 1768

42nd Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres by Ohio in

1765

Small detachment of Royal Artillery

POST 1796

British regulars finally abandon Detroit

Mackinaw and Niagara in 1796

British continue to try to control Indians from

the north side of the Great Lakes

Americans build several posts specifically to

deal with British influence

War of 1812 sees the final effort of British

troops to control Old Northwest

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

AUGUST 19 1782

Battle of Blue Licks near present Mount Olivet

Kentucky

On a hill next to the Licking River in what is now

Robertson County a force of about 50 British

militia and 300 Shawnee ambushed and

routed 182 Kentucky militia It was the worst

defeat for the Kentuckians during the war

Troops remained in place at Mackinac and

Detroit amp Niagara

1783

1784-1796

British Troops remained in place at Mackinac

Detroit amp Niagara The Jay Treaty of 1796

actually led to the removal of British Troops

from the Old Northwest They would return in

1812

IMPACT OF THE REGULARS

Through 1776 the British are nearly entirely

reliant on the small forces of regulars to

garrison and keep the peace in the Illinois

Country

After 1778 with the entry of France and Spain

into the war regulars are only present in token

levels Two regulars accompanied the forces

attacking St Louis and Cahokia for instance

BRITISH FOCUS

1763 to 1770 ndash Establish Control of the Ohio

Valley and Great Lakes (with regulars)

1770-1771 ndash Prepare for War with Spain

1772-1775 ndash Keep the peace with Indians

1775-1779 ndash Protect Detroit (and Great Lakes)

1780-1782 ndash Regain control of

MississippiOhio Valley (with allies) Defeat

Spain

1783-1796 ndash Retain commercial control of

Indians and Great Lakes

BRITISH REGIMENTS IN THE MIDWEST

8th (Kingrsquos) Foot ndash Individuals on Mississippi

1780

18th (Royal Irish) Foot ndash Illinois garrison 1768

to 1776

34th Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres from Louisiana

in 1765 to 1768

42nd Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres by Ohio in

1765

Small detachment of Royal Artillery

POST 1796

British regulars finally abandon Detroit

Mackinaw and Niagara in 1796

British continue to try to control Indians from

the north side of the Great Lakes

Americans build several posts specifically to

deal with British influence

War of 1812 sees the final effort of British

troops to control Old Northwest

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

Troops remained in place at Mackinac and

Detroit amp Niagara

1783

1784-1796

British Troops remained in place at Mackinac

Detroit amp Niagara The Jay Treaty of 1796

actually led to the removal of British Troops

from the Old Northwest They would return in

1812

IMPACT OF THE REGULARS

Through 1776 the British are nearly entirely

reliant on the small forces of regulars to

garrison and keep the peace in the Illinois

Country

After 1778 with the entry of France and Spain

into the war regulars are only present in token

levels Two regulars accompanied the forces

attacking St Louis and Cahokia for instance

BRITISH FOCUS

1763 to 1770 ndash Establish Control of the Ohio

Valley and Great Lakes (with regulars)

1770-1771 ndash Prepare for War with Spain

1772-1775 ndash Keep the peace with Indians

1775-1779 ndash Protect Detroit (and Great Lakes)

1780-1782 ndash Regain control of

MississippiOhio Valley (with allies) Defeat

Spain

1783-1796 ndash Retain commercial control of

Indians and Great Lakes

BRITISH REGIMENTS IN THE MIDWEST

8th (Kingrsquos) Foot ndash Individuals on Mississippi

1780

18th (Royal Irish) Foot ndash Illinois garrison 1768

to 1776

34th Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres from Louisiana

in 1765 to 1768

42nd Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres by Ohio in

1765

Small detachment of Royal Artillery

POST 1796

British regulars finally abandon Detroit

Mackinaw and Niagara in 1796

British continue to try to control Indians from

the north side of the Great Lakes

Americans build several posts specifically to

deal with British influence

War of 1812 sees the final effort of British

troops to control Old Northwest

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

IMPACT OF THE REGULARS

Through 1776 the British are nearly entirely

reliant on the small forces of regulars to

garrison and keep the peace in the Illinois

Country

After 1778 with the entry of France and Spain

into the war regulars are only present in token

levels Two regulars accompanied the forces

attacking St Louis and Cahokia for instance

BRITISH FOCUS

1763 to 1770 ndash Establish Control of the Ohio

Valley and Great Lakes (with regulars)

1770-1771 ndash Prepare for War with Spain

1772-1775 ndash Keep the peace with Indians

1775-1779 ndash Protect Detroit (and Great Lakes)

1780-1782 ndash Regain control of

MississippiOhio Valley (with allies) Defeat

Spain

1783-1796 ndash Retain commercial control of

Indians and Great Lakes

BRITISH REGIMENTS IN THE MIDWEST

8th (Kingrsquos) Foot ndash Individuals on Mississippi

1780

18th (Royal Irish) Foot ndash Illinois garrison 1768

to 1776

34th Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres from Louisiana

in 1765 to 1768

42nd Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres by Ohio in

1765

Small detachment of Royal Artillery

POST 1796

British regulars finally abandon Detroit

Mackinaw and Niagara in 1796

British continue to try to control Indians from

the north side of the Great Lakes

Americans build several posts specifically to

deal with British influence

War of 1812 sees the final effort of British

troops to control Old Northwest

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

BRITISH FOCUS

1763 to 1770 ndash Establish Control of the Ohio

Valley and Great Lakes (with regulars)

1770-1771 ndash Prepare for War with Spain

1772-1775 ndash Keep the peace with Indians

1775-1779 ndash Protect Detroit (and Great Lakes)

1780-1782 ndash Regain control of

MississippiOhio Valley (with allies) Defeat

Spain

1783-1796 ndash Retain commercial control of

Indians and Great Lakes

BRITISH REGIMENTS IN THE MIDWEST

8th (Kingrsquos) Foot ndash Individuals on Mississippi

1780

18th (Royal Irish) Foot ndash Illinois garrison 1768

to 1776

34th Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres from Louisiana

in 1765 to 1768

42nd Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres by Ohio in

1765

Small detachment of Royal Artillery

POST 1796

British regulars finally abandon Detroit

Mackinaw and Niagara in 1796

British continue to try to control Indians from

the north side of the Great Lakes

Americans build several posts specifically to

deal with British influence

War of 1812 sees the final effort of British

troops to control Old Northwest

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

BRITISH REGIMENTS IN THE MIDWEST

8th (Kingrsquos) Foot ndash Individuals on Mississippi

1780

18th (Royal Irish) Foot ndash Illinois garrison 1768

to 1776

34th Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres from Louisiana

in 1765 to 1768

42nd Foot ndash reached Ft Chartres by Ohio in

1765

Small detachment of Royal Artillery

POST 1796

British regulars finally abandon Detroit

Mackinaw and Niagara in 1796

British continue to try to control Indians from

the north side of the Great Lakes

Americans build several posts specifically to

deal with British influence

War of 1812 sees the final effort of British

troops to control Old Northwest

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

POST 1796

British regulars finally abandon Detroit

Mackinaw and Niagara in 1796

British continue to try to control Indians from

the north side of the Great Lakes

Americans build several posts specifically to

deal with British influence

War of 1812 sees the final effort of British

troops to control Old Northwest

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

DOCUMENTARY SOURCES ON THE TROOPS IN

THE MIDWEST

Haldimand Papers (Newberry Library)

Papers of the Continental Congress

U of Michigan

Gage Papers (good through 1775)

Amherst Papers

NA UK Archives

Guy Carleton (Lord Dorchester) Papers

WO 4 27 28 71

Draper Manuscripts (includes GR Clark Papers)

QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS