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
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. "Let all your houses
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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 • Native Americans • 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. Marker 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. Touch for directions.
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
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
2. Building Fort Recovery Marker
Close-up view of the portrait of General Anthony Wayne that is displayed on this marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
3. Building Fort Recovery Marker
Close-up view of the portrait of Major Henry Burbeck that is displayed on this marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
4. Building Fort Recovery Marker
Close-up view of the map that is displayed on this marker. The caption reads as follows: This "enclosed plan or draught" was part of the letter from Wayne to Burbeck and shows the fort as a square 62 feet on each side.The map appears not to be drawn to scale and shows a general location of the fort in relation to the large bend in the Wabash River. As Wayne states, "your own good judgement and experience will best direct ... the most suitable position for the Fort." This map was not publicly available until 2014 when it was acquired by the University of Michigan Clements Library.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
5. 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.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
6. Building Fort Recovery Marker
View of a cluster of three markers. The featured marker is the one situated farthest to the left.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
7. Building Fort Recovery Marker
View of the markers, looking south along Wayne Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 4, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
