Battle of Meadow of the Dog

Context

Although Prairie of the Dog belongs to the United States since the Traité of Paris signed in 1783, the Americans do only few efforts to maintain a military presence significant in the colonies of the west on the frontier . With the result that this area will remain under British influence until the 19th century. Into full war, in spring of 1814, American finally decides to make safe the strategic passage of Meadow of the Dog, realizing that if it falls to the hands from the British, there will be no obstacle so that they launch an attack against St Louis. William Clark, the governor of the Territory of Missouri, organizes a force of 61 soldiers of the 7th Infantry under the command of the Major Zachary Taylor, and of 140 volunteers who unite with this force under the command of Frederick Yeizer and John Sullivan, they were committed being useful during 60 days. Shortly after the gathering of this troop, Taylor leaves it for personal reasons. It is replaced by Lieutenant Joseph Perkins of the 24th Infantry which takes the command. May 1st, the troop travels towards Prairie of the Dog on the Mississippi.

The news of the American advance reaches the British forces stationed with Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island in the Michigan. The British commander Robert McDouall does not wish to see American getting a foothold in the North-West, fearing that does not disorganize the British trade of furs and that does not harm alliances with the Indian tribes of the area. To answer the American threat, the British organize a militia led by Joseph Rolette, Thomas G. Anderson, and Pierre Grignon. It is sent in company of British regular troops, a detachment of the Michigan Fencibles and several hundreds of warriors Dakota, Winnebago, and Fox to face American with Prairie of the Dog. The Lieutenant-colonel William McKay is with the orders of a force estimated at 600 men.

During this time, the American forces taken along by the Clark Governor and Joseph Perkins arrive at Prairie of the Dog. It reach the village the June 2nd, and extremely begin the construction of a on a large hillock in the north of the village, the June 6th. The fort will be named Fort Shelby in the honor of the Governor Isaac Shelby of the Kentucky. Indicator that the construction of small extremely out of wood advances, the Clark Governor sets out again for St Louis the June 7th. Work of the fort progresses remarkably and although its defenses are not completed, its barraquement are occupied as of the June 19th. At this time, the 60 days of service of the volunteers of Yeizer and Sullivan come to a end. The majority of the men are thus turned over from there on their premises with Sullivan, although Yeizer and some men agree to remain on the Canonnière Governor Clark , a vessel out of wooden of 14 guns anchored on the Mississippi near Fort Shelby.

The battle

The July 17th, the British troops arrive at Prairie of the Dog. At the end of the morning, Thomas G. Anderson approaches Strong Shelby to give a note to the commander of the fort, Joseph Perkins, asking him to go without condition. Perkins refuses and prepares to defend the fort. The battle starts at the beginning of afternoon when the British open fire with their field guns. Maintaining their fire initial on the fort, the British forces also damage a Canonnière and the force to be beaten a retreat downstream from the river.

The left drain-hole, the British concentrate their fire on Fort Shelby, but the English guns are shown not very effective. The adversaries exchange a fire nourishes until the following day, but without that not affecting one or the other Cependant camp at the end of the third days, the dlfensor of the fort are practically with court of ammunition. More worrying, the puit of the fort is dry, in order to increase its capacity one tried to dig it more deeply, but it crumbled. During this time, the British commander, Colonel McKay, exasperated by this resistance makes draw with teeth and nail on the fort in order to reduce it in ashes. Lieutenant Perkins agrees then to go if the British guarantee the safe life with its men. McKay accepts but request with Perkins to delay its rendering until the next day in order to allow him to make sure that the Indian forces which accompany it will not take any with American.

The July 20th, American goes officially and leaves the fort. According to the terms of the capitulation, the British take the control of the fort, of the weapons, ammunition and provisions of American whereas the American troops are authorized to return to St Louis. The battle of Meadow of the Dog did not make any death but only some casualties in the two camps.

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