Fort Recovery in Mercer County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
St. Clair’s Defeat (1791)
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Wayne’s Victory (1794)
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009
1. St. Clair's Defeat Marker
St. Clair’s Defeat, 1791. Native Americans inhabited and used much of the land in the Ohio valley as hunting grounds. As American settlers pushed west, conflicts resulted and attempts at peaceful settlement failed. Under political pressure, President George Washington resolved to subdue Indian resistance to American expansion in the Ohio country and appointed General Arthur St. Clair to lead the expedition. St. Clair's troops camped on the Wabash River (just east of the Ohio-Indiana state line) after an exhausting two month trek. The ill-prepared soldiers were no match for the forces of Miami, Shawnee, and Delaware Indians who attacked them at dawn of November 4, 1791. By the day's end, warriors led by Little Turtle and Blue Jacket had killed or wounded nearly three-quarters of the American force - the worst-ever defeat of the U.S. Army by Native Americans in a single battle.
Wayne’s Victory, 1794. Following St.Clair's defeat, President Washington appointed General Anthony Wayne commander of the U.S. Army. Well organized and disciplined, Wayne's army left Fort Washington and made its headquarters at Fort Greene Ville. In December 1793, Fort Recovery was built at the site of St. Clair's defeat. On June 30, 1794, combined Native American forces made a frontal attack on the fort. A two-day battle ensued, resulting in the Native American confederation giving up their assault on Fort Recovery. This U.S. Army victory, as well as the later one at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, led to the signing of the Treaty of Greene Ville in 1795. The treaty opened the Ohio Country for peaceful settlement, leading to Ohio statehood in 1803.
Erected 2003
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Former U.S. Presidents: #01 George Washington, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1836.
Location. 40° 24.83′ N, 84° 46.808′ W. Marker is in Fort Recovery, Ohio, in Mercer County. It is on Fort Site Street south of West Boundary Street, on the left when traveling south. The marker is situated across the street from the Fort Recovery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Recovery OH 45846, United States of America. 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,
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2009
2. Wayne's Victory Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Background of the Log Home and Original Owners (a few steps from this marker); The Role of Women in the Battle (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the Fort Recovery Battlefield Walking Tour (a few steps from this marker); Fort Recovery State Historic Site (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of Fallen Timbers and the Treaty of Greeneville (within shouting distance of this marker); The Franke Historical Walkway (within shouting distance of this marker); Prologue to 1791 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Battle of the Wabash (within shouting distance of this 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 a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. Apparently this marker was moved ever so slightly from its 2009
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, June 5, 2018
3. Wayne's Victory Marker
View of the historical marker situated in front of the Fort Recovery, Historical Museum, on Wayne Street.
Also see . . .
1. St. Claire's Defeat/Battle of the Wabash. Absolute Astronomy website entry (Submitted on June 28, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.)
2. Anthony Wayne. George Washington's Mount Vernon website entry (Submitted on September 18, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Northwest Indian War. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on September 18, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
4. Fort Recovery Museum & Monument. Ohio History Connection website entry (Submitted on September 18, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
5. The Battle of Fallen Timbers, August 20, 1794. Army Historical Foundation website entry (Submitted on September 18, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
4. St. Clair’s Defeat / Wayne’s Victory Marker
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
5. St. Clair’s Defeat / Wayne’s Victory Marker
View of the marker in its current location.
Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 15, 2019
6. St. Clair’s Defeat / Wayne’s Victory Marker
View of the marker, in its current location, situated across the street from the entrance to the Fort Recovery Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,089 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 28, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2009, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 19, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
