Fort Recovery in Mercer County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Building Fort Recovery

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019

1. Building Fort Recovery Marker

Inscription. As a direct result of the Battle of the Wabash, the Legion of the United States was formed in 1792 with Major General Anthony Wayne appointed as the Commanding General. In 1793, Wayne led a third U.S. military campaign to control the Northwest Territory. On December 22, while at his headquarters in Greeneville, Wayne sent a letter to Major Henry Burbeck also at Greeneville. Wayne commanded Burbeck "You will march tomorrow morning" with infantry and artillery to the site of St. Clair's defeat. Once there "possess yourself of the most favorable ground on the south side of the Wabash which the battle was fought and immediately proceed to erect four blockhouses of twenty feet square in the clear, connected with pickets, agreeably to the enclosed plan or draught." Burbeck did as ordered, arriving at Fort Recovery on Christmas Eve. Before constructing the fort, the men had to clear the area of the bones of St. Clair's troops, burying them in a mass grave on the banks of the Wabash. Wayne was very concerned about further attacks from American Indians and gave explicit instructions regarding the building of the fort and blockhouses.

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"Let all your houses be underway at the same time: by which you can cover your detachment from all the Indians in the wilderness in the course of two hours after laying the ground bare."

You are standing on the approximate site of the fort and where Burbeck's men would have camped for the night prior to building Fort Recovery

Erected by National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program and the State of Ohio. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical date for this entry is December 22, 1792.

Location. 40° 24.854′ N, 84° 46.776′ W. Marker is in Fort Recovery, Ohio, in Mercer County. It is at the intersection of Wayne Street and West Boundary Street, on the right when traveling south on Wayne Street. This marker is part of a cluster of three markers, that are located on the southwest corner of the intersection, on a sliver of a vacant lot, next to a brick building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 133 Wayne Street, Fort Recovery OH 45846, United States of America.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019

2. Building Fort Recovery Marker

View of the marker looking west. In the distant background can be seen the reproduction of one of the Fort Recovery block houses, at the state historic site.

Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battle of Fort Recovery (here, next to this marker); Locating the Fort (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named The Battle of Fort Recovery (within shouting distance of this marker); The Role of Women in the Battle (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of the Wabash (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Clair's Defeat / Battle of Fort Recovery (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Background of the Log Home and Original Owners (within shouting distance of this marker); Weaponry at the Battle of the Wabash and the Battle of Fort Recovery (within shouting distance of this

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019

3. Building Fort Recovery Marker

View of a cluster of three markers. The featured marker is the one situated farthest to the left.

marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Recovery.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Background of the Log Home and Original Owners (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019

4. Building Fort Recovery Marker

View of the markers, looking south along Wayne Street.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 483 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 4, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.