American Revolution

[Front Side of Marker];

With recommendation from Benjamin Franklin, Augustin de La Balme, former French Cavalry officer, came to America to assist in the American Revolution.

In November 1780, allegedly under secret orders from General George Washington, Colonel Augustin de La Balme, and a body of 104 men from Kaskaskia and Vincennes, raided the British stores at Kekionga (present day Fort Wayne). Leaving a detachment to guard the captured stores, his force marched out over the Eel River trail, the same path Colonel John Hardin followed ten years later.
(Continued on other side) [Back Side of Marker];

(Continued from other side)The Miami Indians, literally up in arms about this intrusion, destroyed the detachment left at Kekionga and attacked La Balme near the Eel River Trading Post. There his force was surrounded by a large body of warriors led by Chief Little Turtle. La Balme and his men fortified themselves on the banks of the Eel River just north of this location. After several days of conflict, they were defeated by an overwhelming force. The remains of Colonel de La Balme and approximately forty militiamen forever belong to the Eel River.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Columbia City, IN  |  Whitley County  |  46725  |  Indiana  |  United States of America

Last Home of Chief Little Turtle
Eel River Post-Fort
La Balme Massacre Site
Concord Methodist Church
Site of Little Turtle's Miami Village
Seek's Village
Eel River Battlefield
Site of First County Court and First Mill
Whitley County Viet Nam Memorial
Churubusco War Memorial

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.