Everything about Petit Fort totally explained
Petit Fort was a structure located in northwestern
Indiana, in or near the
Indiana Dunes, near the mouth of Fort Creek. It may have been a
French military outpost, but was more likely a private residence,
trading post, or at most a support station for larger forts in the area. The
National Park Service refers to it as a "fur depot."
The fort came under the dominion of the
British following their ultimate victory in the
French and Indian War. It is unclear whether the British ever really utilized Petit Fort; at best it was a station for British fur traders. It was abandoned in 1779 as American settlers rebelled and Great Britain consolidated power in more fortified strongholds.
There are few records of Petit Fort, it being mentioned in only a few letters and at least one map. "Petit Fort" is, in fact, a description rather than a proper name, translating literally to "small fort". It is remembered primarily due to a small military action that occurred there during the
American Revolution.
Battle of Petit Fort
In late Autumn 1780, a small band of
Americans under orders from
Augustin de La Balme left
Cahokia, Illinois and raided British-controlled
Fort St. Joseph in southwest Michigan, led by Lt. Thomas Brady and Jean Baptiste Hamelin. British Lt. Dagreaux Du Quindre formed a band of loyalist traders and
American Indians, who overtook the American party at the sandy dunes.
Major DePeyster reported the action
8 January 1781 in a letter to General H. Watson Powell:
A Detachment from the Cahokias, consisting of sixteen men only, commanded by a half Indian named Jean Baptiste Hammelain, timed it so as to arrive at St. Joseph’s with Pack Horses, when the Indians were out on their first Hunt, an old Chief and his family excepted. They took the Traders Prisoners, and carried off all the goods, consisting of at least Fifty Bales, and took the Route of Chicagou. Lieut. Dagreaux Du Quindre, who I'd stationed near St. Josephs, upon being informed of it, immediately assembled the Indians, and pursued them as far as the petite Fort, a days Journey beyond the Riviere Du Chemin where on the 5th December, he summoned them to surrender, on their refusing to do it he ordered the Indians to attack them. Without a loss of a man on his side, killed four, wounded two, and took seven Prisoners, the other Three escaped in the thick Wood. Three of the Prisoners were brought in here amongst whom is Brady a Superintendent of Indian affairs. The rest he suffered the Indians to take to M. Makina. I look upon these Gentry as Robbers and not Prisoners of war, having no commission, that I can learn, other than a verbal order from Mons. Trottier an Inhabitant of the Cahoes . . ..
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