1812 - 1813

This tablet marks the site of Fort Seneca built in July 1813 by Major General William Henry Harrison during the War of 1812 with Great Britain; and also marks the military road known as the "Harrison Trail" blazed through the forest in 1812 by General Bell, by order of General Harrison, over which to transport military supplies and food for the army and the forts along the Sandusky River.

At this fort he maintained his headquarters during the battle of Fort Stephenson and the naval battle on Lake Erie known as "Perry's Victory" and here received from Commodore Perry his famous message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

Here the chiefs and warriors of the four friendly tribes of Indians, the Delawares, Shawnees, Wyandots, and Senecas, who in council at Franklinton had pledged their loyalty to General Harrison, joined his army for the invasion of Canada. In that campaign they rendered valuable service against the British which resulted in the defeat of General Procter and the death of Chief Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames.

The following officers served under General Harrison at the fort:

Brigadier Generals Cass and McArthur;

Colonels Ball, Bartlett, Owings, Paull and Wells;

Majors Croghan, Graham, Holmes, Hukill, Smiley, Todd, Trigg, and Wood.

Marker is at the intersection of County Road 51 and Harrison Street, on the right when traveling north on County Road 51.

Courtesy hmdb.org

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