St. Clair's Defeat (Battle of the Wabash)
Fort Recovery, Ohio, USA
What happened
A US army under Arthur St. Clair fought warriors of the Northwestern Confederacy of Native nations led by Little Turtle, Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas. The battle was part of the Northwest Indian War, between the United States and a confederacy of Native nations. St. Clair's army camped near the Wabash River without building defences, and at dawn the Native warriors attacked and surrounded the camp. After about three hours, St. Clair ordered a breakout, and the retreat became a rout.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It is called the most decisive defeat in the history of the American military. It led to Congress's first special investigation of the government.
What came next
Congress created a new army, the Legion of the United States, in 1792. It built Fort Recovery on the battlefield and won at Fallen Timbers in 1794.
Did you know?
Little Turtle later urged peace, signed the Treaty of Greenville, and met President George Washington in 1796.
Timeline
- October 1790Little Turtle and Blue Jacket defeat Josiah Harmar.
- 4 November 1791The Native confederacy defeats St. Clair.
- March 1792Congress creates the Legion of the United States.
- December 1793Fort Recovery is built on the battlefield.
- 1795The Treaty of Greenville is signed.