The Wolcott House Museum Guild, in conjunction with the Maumee Branch of the Lucas County Public Library, will present Dave Westrick relating the history of the decisive Battle of Fallen Timbers on Thursday, March 13, at 10 a.m., at 501 River Road.
This battle was between the Native Americans against the well-disciplined American Legion Army plus the Kentucky militia under the leadership of the military savvy General Anthony Wayne. On August 20, 1794, near the present day town of Maumee, Ohio, the 3,000 member Legion encountered the 1,100 force from a confederation of Great Lakes Indian tribes. The Indians were under the leadership of the Shawnee Chief Blue Jacket (Weyapicrsenwah) who was the confidant of the successful warrior Miami Chief Little Turtle (Meshekinnoquah.) On October 22, 1790, Little Turtle’s followers had previously soundly defeated the American Army of Brigadier General Joseph Harmar at the Battle of Kekionga, site of a large Miami Indian village situated at the junction of the St. Joseph and St. Mary rivers that form the Maumee River. One year later on November 4, 1791, his Indian allies also soundly defeated and demolished the large army of Major General Arthur St. Clair’s at the Battle of the Wabash River. President Washington was greatly agitated over this and finally sent General Wayne, a successful general in the Revolution War, to quiet the Indian raids and open up the land to settlers.
During the Fallen Timbers melee, the warriors closely engaged the soldiers until a light infantry forceful skirmish line forced the Indians to seek shelter amid timbers felled by a tornado. They retreated down the Maumee River as the Miami British fort soldiers denied them entrance.
This furious battle, lasting only a few hours, resulted in the Indians retreating and the signing of the Greenville Treaty in Darke County, Ohio, on August 3, 1795. It had broad implications and opened the land for the future states of Indiana, Michigan and Illinois.
Almost half of Ohio was ceded to the Indians via the Greenville Treaty line, but that was quickly mitigated by the unwelcomed encroachment of a hoard of settlers.
The displaced Indians still occasionally terrorized and raided the homesteaders.
Westrick grew up on a farm in northwest Ohio. His joy was reading historical books and was particularly fascinated with Ohio history. He is a graduate of Ohio University where he earned a degree in journalism.
After a career in communication, he turned his attention to reading and writing research, specializing in the early United States’ frontier era and World Wars.
Also a historical re-enactor, his living history portrayals include: people from the Fallen Timbers Battle, the controversial Simon Girty, British sympathizer Alexander McKee, plus WWI and WWII soldiers in full uniform with accouterments. He creates accurate pictorial historical venues.
His particular interest is the 1794 Battle of Fallen Timbers.
He has written and lectured extensively on it and recently published a new book, “The Battle of Fallen Timbers, A Change of Worlds.” It will be available at local bookstores in May and can be pre-ordered on Amazon.
Westrick serves on the boards of several historical groups including the Maumee Valley Historical Society and is a former president of the Fallen Timbers Battlefield Preservation Committee.
He and his wife Nanci reside in Maumee.
All lectures are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the Guild President Judy Justus at 419-874-6828.
In case of inclement weather and Maumee schools are closed, the lecture will be canceled.
