The War of 1812 began on June 18, 1812. This report of Nathaniel Pryor’s activities defending forts on the frontier reflects the anti-British sentiments that were ripe just months before the outbreak of the war.
A short time since, another of our soldiers, at Fort Madison was mortally wounded by the Indians; having been shot through a port-hole, and is since dead.
The succeeding night, the Indians made further attempts on the fort, and had one of their party killed, and another wounded.
They were constantly waylaying the fort, and seeking every opportunity to do mischief.
All the Americans, except two, have fled from Prairie du Chien, leaving their property behind, in consequence of the avowed hostility of the savages towards them. Some are arrived there having miraculously escaped with their lives; among them is Major George Wilson, lately of Kentucky, and Mr. Pryor, late an officer in the U. States Army.
These Gentlemen bare ample testimony, not only to the hostile views of the Winebagoes and others but they state circumstances, which prove, that the Shawouoe Prophet has been engaged during the winter most insidiously, in exciting the hostility of various tribes of Indians towards us.
Further particulars will be given hereafter.
The British traders boast that they have the exclusive trade of the Mississippi, above the Missouri, and that bebore the expiration of another year no American will be permitted to trade up the Missouri, or its tributary firearms! The Winnebagoes now assembled at the mouth of Rock river* say that every boat passing up and down will be examined for Americans, that their papers shall denominate their country. Americans they will tomahawk, or burn. The French attached to the American Government shall have the same fate; but the English and Canadian French shall be protected and shall have exclusive trade—Thus the British and their rascally agents arrest our commercial enterprise in the interior of our country, as well as on the Ocean. Little did we expect that the Puants would have been the next power who should have contended for the right to search, plunder, and making captives!!!
The Winnebagoes, or Puants, have two Canadian Frenchmen to examine the lading and crews of such boats as they may capture.
*Rock river falls into the Mississippi about 100 miles above Fort Madison.Missouri Gazette and Public Advertiser
April 25, 1812