Mississinewa Battlefield Marker

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Near Marion in Grant County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Mississinewa Battlefield

By M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007

1. Mississinewa Battlefield Marker

Inscription. On Dec. 17, 1812, Lt. Colonel John B. Campbell with 600 mounted troops arrived at this site under orders to destroy the Miami Indian Villages along the Mississinewa River from here to the present site of Peru. The destruction of the village on this site resulted in the loss of the lives of two soldiers and eight Indians. Following the attack here, Campbell's force proceeded two miles down the river and destroyed two more villages before returning here to camp for the night. Shortly before dawn on December 18, a force of Miami Indians attacked Campbell's camp. The two hour battle resulted in 10 soldiers being killed and 48 wounded. Approximately 40 Miami and Delaware Indians gave their lives in the defense of their lands. Having over 100 of his horses killed and fearing a second attack, Campbell ordered his troops to return to Fort Greenville late in the afternoon of the 18th. This action was one of the first ordered by General William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812.

Erected 1988 by The Battlefield Society.

Location. 40° 38.379′ N, 85° 44.702′ W. Marker is near Marion, Indiana, in Grant County. Marker can be reached from County Route 360W near County Route W600N. Click for map. The markers and graves are off of the road, on a gravel road. Just past the trees, you will find the Mississinewa River. Marker is in this post office area: Marion IN 46952, United States of America.

By M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007

2. Mississinewa Battlefield Marker

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Miami Indian Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Battle of Mississinewa (approx. 1.9 miles away); New Purchase Boundary (approx. 7.2 miles away); Martin Boots (approx. 7.2 miles away); Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity (approx. 7.2 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Marion.

Regarding Mississinewa Battlefield.
(Photo 3: Monument to the Indians)
Here on December 17 - 18, 1812, approximately 48 members of the Miami and Delaware Indian nations gave their lives in defense of their homes, families and lands.

Their canoes have vanished
Their forests fallen silent.
But their name is on your waters
Ye may not wash it out.
—Lydia Huntley Sigourney

Mississinewa Battlefield Society 1988

(Photo 4: Monument to the U.S. Troops)
Here on December 17-18 1812, twelve members of Lt. Col. John B. Campbell’s command gave their lives in the Campaign against the Indian villages of the Mississinewa in the War of 1812.

(Photo 7: Soldiers’ Grave Inscriptions)
• Bedford, Pvt. Thomas “Kentucky Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Brown, Pvt. Beverly “Kentucky Volunteers”

Marker placed in honor of the Indians Photo, Click for full size

By M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007

3. Marker placed in honor of the Indians

• “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Carnahan, Pvt. Thomas “Kentucky Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Cunningham, Pvt. Daniel “Ohio Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Griffin, Pvt. James “Pennsylvania Volunteer Light Dragoons” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Lansing, Pvt. Francis “Pennsylvania Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Piatt, Pvt. Salem “Kentucky Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Pierce, Capt. Bennoni “Ohio Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Scott, Pvt. William “Kentucky Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Smith, Sgt. Thomas “Kentucky Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Waltz, 2nd Lt. Daniel “Pennsylvania Volunteers” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”
• Wright, Sgt. James “U.S. Light Dragoons” • “In memory of - War of 1812 Dec. 18, 1812”

Also see . . . Lydia Huntley Sigourney (1791–1865 ). (Submitted on July 7, 2007.)

Monument placed in honor of the U.S. Troops Photo, Click for full size

By M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007

4. Monument placed in honor of the U.S. Troops

Monument to the troops Photo, Click for full size

By M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007

5. Monument to the troops

The Indian marker Photo, Click for full size

By M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007

6. The Indian marker

Graves of the U.S. soldiers who lost their lives. Photo, Click for full size

By M. Bowyer, July 1, 2007

7. Graves of the U.S. soldiers who lost their lives.

Mississinewa River, below the battle site (½ mile) Photo, Click for full size

By Christopher Light, April 25, 2008

8. Mississinewa River, below the battle site (½ mile)

Credits. This page originally submitted on July 2, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. This page has been viewed 4,293 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 2, 2007, by M. Bowyer of Indianapolis, Indiana. 8. submitted on April 30, 2008, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.