Fort Meigs built on the Maumee River under Harrison

Background. The War of 1812 was initiated by the United States against the United Kingdom. In August 1812, Brigadier General William Hull surrendered Detroit, leading to the loss of the Michigan Territory. This failure prompted the construction of Fort Meigs on the south side of the Maumee River in February 1813, under the command of Major General William Henry Harrison, to secure American positions in northwestern Ohio.

Construction. Construction of Fort Meigs began in February 1813 at a site where present-day Perrysburg, Ohio, later developed. The fortification was built by soldiers under the command of Major General William Henry Harrison. It was established as a result of Brigadier General William Hull's failed campaign in Canada, serving as a strategic base for American forces in the region.

Sieges. In May 1813, British allied forces under Major General Henry Procter and Tecumseh began a bombardment and siege of Fort Meigs, which had mustered 1,200 regulars and militia. In July 1813, Procter and Tecumseh returned to Fort Meigs, with Tecumseh leading 2,500 warriors, the largest contingent he would ever lead, for a second siege.

Aftermath. Following the sieges, the American naval victory at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813, forced Procter to retreat from Amherstburg. This enabled General Harrison to launch an invasion of Upper Canada, culminating in the American victory at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, where Tecumseh was killed.