The 220th Anniversary of The Battle of the Wabash (St. Clair’s Defeat) will be marked with a significant event in Fort Recovery, Ohio. Osprey Press will release Wabash 1791: St. Clair’s Defeat, by author, John Winkler on the very site of that significant battle, and three weeks before the book’s national release.
In recognition of the importance of this event, the Fort Recovery Historical Society in conjunction with Osprey Press has organized a series of events to be held in Fort Recovery throughout the weekend of November 5 and 6.
Sat. Nov 5, 9:00 – 2:00 Fort Recovery State Museum.
An in-service for educators will be conducted by John Winkler, author of Wabash 1791: St Clair’s Defeat. Included will be a 2-hour Battlefield Walk with the Author. Participants will walk the sites where approximately 600 soldiers and up to 250 women and children lost their lives. In addition to delineation of the US Army’s strategic failures, Winkler will explain the overpowering effective strategies of the Indian Confederation led by Little Turtle and Blue Jacket.
Sat. Nov 5, Evening. The patrons of the museum, officials from the Ohio Historical Society and other dignitaries are invited to the museum for a private reception with Mr. Winkler. Available at the reception will be the very first copies of Wabash 1791.
Sun, Nov 6, Noon to 5:00, The Fort Recovery Museum will be open.
Sun, Nov 6, Noon. 25 select individuals have been invited to the second two-hour Battlefield Walk with the Author.
Sun, Nov 6, 3:00pm and 4:00pm. Concluding the weekend events are two formal afternoon presentations at by Mr. Winkler in the Community Room of the State Museum at 1 Fort Site Street. The talks are open to the public and are presented free of charge. Winkler’s newly released book will be available for purchase and can be signed by the author.
“We are delighted that the distinguished author, John Winkler, will be on hand and sharing his invaluable knowledge of the battlefield with our visitors, “ said Nancy Knapke, museum director. “That is especially when history can truly come alive; when you walk in the footsteps of those that went before us, and hear their stories. This was a pivotal event in our history and we hope many people take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the battlefield, the strategies, and the many lives on all sides who were changed by this event.”
About the Historic Event at Fort Recovery In 1791, the federal government of the United States faced its first crisis. Two years into the presidency of George Washington and three years after ratification of the US Constitution, raids by American Indians, living in what is now Ohio, had become intolerable. Unless the United States acted to take control of the area between the Ohio River and the Great Lakes, the new nation would have no future west of the Appalachian Mountains. Major General Arthur St. Clair led an American army of about 2,000 into the region and on November 4th, the campaign ended in what was, in proportion to the size of the US Army at the time, by far the greatest disaster in American military history. At the battle of the Wabash, also known as St. Clair's Defeat, more Americans died than in any prior battle, more than would fall on any field before the Civil War. In the tactical masterpiece of their military history, an Indian army destroyed a force that was larger, encamped on high ground, supported by artillery, and led by many of the best American officers of the Revolutionary War.
About the Book
Wabash 1791: St Clair’s Defeat, a highly illustrated and detailed book, illuminates all aspects of this particular historic campaign. It is part of Osprey’s bestselling “Campaign” series. The entire series features an in-depth analysis of the command, strategies, tactics and combat resources of the opposing forces, while maps, battlefield "bird's-eye-views," detailed color artwork battle scenes, and color and black and white images of locations, combatants, and contemporary artifacts provide valuable visual insight into this moving and dramatic chapter of America’s military history.
About the Author
After graduating from Yale in 1968, John F. Winkler returned to his native Ohio, where he is an attorney in Columbus. He has written many works on the history of Roman, early English and American law.
About the Publisher
Osprey Publishing is the world’s largest publisher of illustrated military history reference. Based in Oxford, England, it has over 1,100 titles in print in 15 series, including “Aces of the Aircraft,” “Warrior,” “Campaign,” and its flagship uniformology series, “Men-at-Arms,” which this year will publish its 460th volume.
About the Museum
Fort Recovery State Museum is a site of the Ohio Historical Society and is under the management and direction of the Fort Recovery Historical Society. For more information on the Museum or the Commemorative events November 5-6, contact: Nancy Knapke, Museum Director, fortrecoverystatemuseum@yahoo.com
Museum director, Nancy Knapke said, “We owe SO much to Peter Dennis who created and donated the paintings and to the local VFW organization. They are responsible for:
