The Fort Dearborn massacre occurred on August 15, 1812 near Fort Dearborn in the United States during the War of 1812. The massacre followed the evacuation of the fort ordered by the commander of the US forces, General Hull. This event is also known as the Battle of Fort Dearborn and it was a decisive victory for the British.

The fort commander Captain Nathan Heald ordered that all whiskey and gunpowder be destroyed so it wouldn't be taken by the local Indian tribes allied with the British, and then abandoned the fort. He remained at the fort until support arrived from Fort Wayne, Indiana, led by his wife's uncle, Captain William Wells. A procession of 148 soldiers, women and children then left Fort Dearborn to retreat to Fort Wayne, Indiana. About two miles south of Fort Dearborn, a band of Potawatomi Indians ambushed the garrison, killing several of the fleeing Americans and capturing the remainder as prisoners to sell to the British as slaves, although the British released the slaves promptly after purchase.

Fort Dearborn was burned to the ground and the region remained devoid of US citizens until after the war was over.

Battles of the War of 1812 | History of Chicago