Scenes from the Siege of Fort Meigs, April 30 1813

Captain William Sebree's Map of Fort Meigs. Though crude, this is the best contemporary drawing of the fort, showing the traverses, magazines and "bombproof" dugouts made by the men during the siege. "Gratiots Battery" was built between the first and second sieges. Note the box with the dot in the middle situated on the Rear Traverse. This represents a man calling out "shot" or "bomb" to warn the garrison during the bombardment.

On April 28, 1813, a force of British and Canadian soldiers and Native Americans led by General Henry Procter and Tecumseh, respectively, landed on the banks of the Maumee near Fort Meigs and prepared to lay siege to the American camp. According to the history of the war written by Robert B McAfee:

The British had established their main camp about two miles down the river at teh place of their landing; and in the night they had commenced three batteries opposite the fort, on a high bank about 300 yards from the river, the intervening low ground being open and partly covered with water. Two of them were gun batteries with 4 embrasures, and were situated higher up the river than the fort; the other was a bomb battery situated rather below the fort. They had progressed so far in the night that they were now able to work at them in the daylight. A fire however was opened upon them from the fort, which considerably impeded their progress. It was under the directions of Captain Wood, the senior officer of the engineers, Captain Gratiot, being unwell, but able occasionally to take charge of a battery.

The enemy's mode of attack being now thoroughly understood, a plan previously arranged and suggested to the general, to counteract such an attack...was adopted. The whole army was turned out subject to the orders of the engineer...

The main British batteries on top of the river bluff in what is now downtown Maumee, Ohio. 24-pounder, 12-pounder and 5- and 8-inch mortars were emplaced to sweep the American camp.

Over the next two days and nights, the American army raced to build a large traverse, or earthen berm, 12 feet high, 20 feet wide, and 300 yards long to protect the exposed portions of their camp. This was hidden from the British observers by the tents in front of it, so they continued to work on emplacing their heavy cannons and mortars to sweep what they thought was an unprotected camp.


From the Diary of Captain Daniel Cushing, 2nd US Regiment of Artillery:

Thursday, 29th (April 1813)-- This day we are employed in finishing the traverse and making ready for battle, for we have been surrounded by British and Indians for two days. We let loose our cannonade on them yesterday and have kept it up by spells all this day, and shall let loose upon them this evening with an eighteen pounder that is already elevated.

Friday, 30th-- We have been all day employed in traversing through the camp, playing upon their batteries with our eighteen pounders and throwing grape and canister shot at the Indians which are in our rear and on our flanks. We have had one man killed and 6 or 7 wounded by the Indians this day. 

Details from Captain William Sebree's Map of Fort Meigs:

"Procter, Wharburton, and Tecumseh viewing the ground on which to erect their batteries. 3pm 26 April 1813. In two seconds they rode off."

"Col. Wood and Maj. Todd returning from viewing the British fleet under a heavy fire from the Indians."