Battle of Fallen Timbers

On August 20, 1794, the Battle of Fallen Timbers became one of the most significant events relating to post-Revolutionary War America. Major General "Mad" Anthony Wayne led the Federal Army, known as The Legion of the United States, against a confederacy of Native Americans led by Miami Chief Little Turtle and Shawnee war chief Blue Jacket. Defeat in battle and lack of help from nearby British allies disheartened the tribes and led to the 1795 Treaty of Greenville. That treaty secured United States control of the Northwest Territory and ultimately resulted in the formation of five new states: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The battle began with an ambush of mounted Kentucky militia by a large confederated force of Native Americans. The Native defenders pursued the fleeing militia into an area of tornado-damaged forest, where the Legion met them with a skirmish line. For an hour, the opponents waged a fierce battle in the fallen timbers. During this stage of the battle, the majority of the Legion formed a battle line and, in a bayonet charge, used superior numbers to drive the confederacy from the battlefield. The battle covered an area of two to four square miles, lasted for approximately two hours, and involved about 3,000 individuals. In 1995, archaeologists determined the actual site of the battle at this location.

Maumee, Ohio · United States