The turning point in War of 1812 took place along the river just north of Marion, Indiana. Each year in October Mississinewa 1812 revisits the time and place of this historic event. The largest 1812 living history in the nation attracts 30,000 visitors annually.

Mississinewa 1812 is the largest War of 1812 living history event in the United States—where a step back in history is measured by 200 years.

It is sponsored by the Mississinewa Battlefield Society Inc, Marion, Indiana. It is a historical commemoration of the Battle of Mississinewa fought near Marion during the War of 1812 . Approximately 30,000 visitors from across the nation attend the critically acclaimed event each year in October.

In addition to the battle re-enactment, Mississinewa 1812 provides visitors an authentic glimpse of life in the early nineteenth century with a myriad of activities.

British and American military encampments depict the daily life of the War of 1812 soldier. Ongoing demonstrations include field drills, artillery firing, musket and rifle drill, battlefield medicine and surgery, and battle re-enactments.

The picketed fort and the traditional long house are the centerpieces of the Indian Village that offers a glimpse of Indian life that has been on this site since 1752. Storytellers captivate visitors with their Native American legends.

The Wilderness Camp, where trappers, traders, and voyageurs struggled with roving river pirates in an effort to carve a pioneer settlement from the woodland, bringing new sights and sounds and skills to the frontier.

Rivertown features more than 140 merchants, artisans and food purveyors who display their wares, demonstrate 18th Century crafts, and sell food and drink of 1812. Shops include 18th century master printers, gunsmiths, tinsmiths, silversmiths, soap makers, potters, blacksmiths, weavers, and other traditional craftsmen. Food purveyors tempt passers by with English trap pies, barbecued chops, bratwurst, ribs and chicken, hearty stews, baked potatoes, and French pastries, Indian fry bread and ice cream. Ongoing performances of music, songs, and stories fill the crisp autumn air throughout the weekend.

Tributes to those who fought bravely…

A permanent tribute to the soldiers and the Miami and Delaware Indians who fought the Battle of Mississinewa was established in 1988 by the Mississinewa Battlefield Society on the battlefield site. It includes a tombstone for each of the 12 soldiers who died, along with identical inscribed granite memorials to the soldiers and to the Indians.

Today a new $280,000 War of 1812 Monument stands along the Mississinewa River in Marion. The bronze statue is 10 feet tall and weighs 4,700 pounds. The Mississinewa Battlefield Society commissioned the piece to commemorate the sacrifices of the participants of the battle. The sculpture depicts a scene of a dismounted American Soldier walking beside a Native American woman on horseback and a Native American man on foot. The scene reflects the order of Col. John B. Campbell to allow more than 30 captured women and children to ride army horses through the knee deep snow while his own troops walked the journey, a touching act of compassion rarely shown in war time.

Faithful attention to authenticity has made Mississinewa 1812 the premiere living history event in Indiana. Here you will step back into the wilderness life of early Indiana Territory. Visit Mississinewa 1812 for more information or call 800-662-9474.

History Comes Alive

In June of 1812, America declared war on Great Britain. The Indians in the area decided the only way to stop the settlers from moving west onto Indian land, was to urge the all the tribes to join forces with the British.

American forts at Mackinac, Detroit and Dearborn were captured by the British and their Indian allies, which caused the American army to retreat to its forts at Fort Wayne and Fort Knox, near Vincennes.

In September of 1812, the Indians threatened Fort Wayne and Fort Knox, but were not able to capture them. In an effort to discourage further attacks against these forts, President James Madison ordered General William Henry Harrison to attack the Miami Indians.

In November, 1812, General Harrison formed an army of 600 men under the command of Lt. Col. John Campbell. Campbell marched his army to the Indian villages along the Mississinewa River. When the smoke of battle cleared, the Indians had killed seven soldiers, wounded another fifty, and destroyed over one hundred horses. Campbell estimated that thirty or forty Indians lost their lives, but only fifteen casualties were found on the battlefield. This discrepancy may be explained by the practice of the Indians to try to carry their dead comrades away with them - leaving dead on the field meant that they had been thoroughly defeated.

Except for one other battle in Canada, this was the only offensive battle action of the North Western Army during the War of 1812. It destroyed the Mississinewa Valley as an Indian rendezvous site, and went a long way toward ensuring the security of the frontier.

General Information:
Event location: 7 miles north of Marion on State Road 15. Event Dates: Annually in October Hours: Friday 9-4, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 9-4, Handicap Parking, Handicap Restrooms. No Pets Allowed. Assist Animals Only.
 

Download High Resolution Images: (to download, right click on the link and choose "Save Image As..."

1812 Monument Image