On Sibling Rivalry and the Neglected History of an Amazing People

I bike past the Fort Meigs Museum and Fort Meigs proper every day so decided it was time to stop in and check the place out. Interestingly this fort was built for the sole purpose of providing logistics support to U.S. armies invading Canada during the war of 1812. 

Needless to say, that perked my interest. As many Canadians and Americans know, back in the early 1800’s Canada was still essentially a British colony, and the 1700s and 1800s were years filled with war and strife on this continent in addition to the great opportunities and growth. The European super-powers of the day, namely France and England, duked it out over sovereignty of our great continen, while the First Nations tried to hold on to their lands and way of life. 

The Great War on Independence that ran from 1775 to 1783 was actually one of the first world wars because it involved Spain, France, the Netherlands as well as England and the U.S. While it did result in the world acknowledging the United States of America as an independent sovereign power, the skirmishing didn’t really end until much later in the 1800’s. Hence the needs to build Fort Meigs as the British were still coming down the Maumee River from the Great Lakes and Canada to capture or

recapture territories.

The fort itself was an amazing structure for its time and a good lesson in warfare tactics of the day. It had seven of what they called blockhouses. A blockhouse is a structure with very dense walls (approximately 2 feet deep) that would withstand being shot at by some of the strongest artillery of the day—namely 18 pound cannon balls. Each housed a cannon on the first floor and had several openings for muskets on the second floor.

The Ohio Historical Society has done an amazing job of restoring the fort and many of the artifacts in the museum were excavated right on the site. The land surrounding the fort had been cleared of all trees so that no one could approach the fort without being fully exposed. As it was the fort was never taken, though the British did try on several occasions. As I mentioned previously, its main purpose was to provide logistics support to troops and militia invading Canada. Ohio consisted of mostly swamp land back then, so provisioning the fort and stocking it to support the US armies going north was no easy feat. The military and merchants alike had to pass through swamp lands approximately 40 miles long and 120 miles wide.

I think the thing that really touched me in a meaningful way about my visit to the museum was the stories about the First Nations, who were really lost so much during this tumultuous time. In history class we never really learn about these great leaders of such strong and proud people. Nor do we learn about how the First Nations tried to reason with the Europeans, who never honored their agreements and eventually ended up fighting for their very lives. The Great War between the First Nations and the American settlers didn’t last for just  a few years or so as was the case with the War of Independence or the War of 1812 (for which Fort Meigs was built). No, they fought for more than three generations – more than 60 years.  Yet still we learn so little about them in our traditional education systems. Maybe we are ashamed, maybe not. Regardless, I would like to wrap up this post by giving a small shout out few great First Nations leaders and warriors of that era:

Tenskwatawa: (March 1768 – November 1836) A great political and religious leader of the Shawnee Tribe known as “The Profit.”

Tecumseh:  (March 1768 – October 5, 1813) Brother of Tenskwatawa and actual leader of the Shawnee Tribe who tried to work with the Americans to bring about peaceful resolutions to the 60 year conflict. Unfortunately the Americans would not enforce or honor their agreements with the Shawnee and settlers continued to encroach on the Shawnee lands not matter often the Shawnee moved or how much land they gave over to the United States of America.

Catahecssa: Also known as Black Hoof was another principal chief of the Shawnee people who supported peace and believed that the First Nations would not win the war against the Americans. Under his guidance, his people adopted modern agriculture and established a saw mill.