C. T. Suddeth

St. Clair’s Defeat (Battle of the Wabash)

Worst American defeat ever. Just before dawn November 4, 1791, 1000 warriors led by Blue Jacket of the Shawnee and Little Turtle of the Miami attacked the 1000-soldier camp of General St. Clair at present-day Fort Recovery, Ohio on the Wabash River. The army failed to patrol the area during the night. Indian sharpshooters killed the cannon crews before they fired. 24 soldiers escaped unharmed—the rest were dead, captured, or wounded. The Indian allies suffered 21 casualties. St. Clair survived but was relieved of command.