MEIGS, FORT
\mˈe͡ɪɡz], \mˈeɪɡz], \m_ˈeɪ_ɡ_z]\
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(War of 1812). After the massacre at the River Raisin, the main body of Americans entrenched themselves on the Maumee, building the fort. Here they were besieged, April 26, 1813, by more than 2000 British and Indians, commanded by General Procter and the chief Tecumtha. On May 5 General Clay arrived with reinforcements for the Americans. Of these 800 attacked the British batteries, and the rest tried to cut their way through the enemy. The batteries were taken, but recaptured by the British, the Americans losing all of the 800 but 170 who escaped to Fort Meigs. The other detachment, aided by timely sorties from the fort, defeated the force opposed to them and thus broke up the siege. The Indian allies deserted the British, who returned to Canada.
By John Franklin Jameson