The Wisconsin magazine of history: Volume 18, number 2, December 1934

              old fort howard louise phelps kellogg it is august in the year 1816 the united states has just come through the napoleonic wars with a settlement that makes the great lakes frontier of prime importance because of the attachment of the indians of the northwest to the rulers of canada it has been deemed wise to pro tect that region with forts fort mackinac at the head of the great lakes was restored to the united states in 1815 fort dearborn at chicago scene of the dreadful massacre of 1812 has been rebuilt on the mississippi a detachment of troops from st louis began in may 1816 fort arm strong at rock island the same troops then mounted the river to prairie du chien and on the site of the american fort shelby later the british fort mckay both in active warfare during 1814 began in june to build fort crawford the eastern end of the fox wisconsin waterway from lake michigan to the mississippi was the last position to be oc cupied the franco-british settlers at the mouth of fox river awaited with dread and apprehension the arrival of american troops rumors had passed through the settle ment that the americans would come in wrath and ven geance for the deeds of the late war although no post had stood at green bay the settlers had all been british in their allegiance had served as british militia and had furnished provisions to the british expeditions that passed that way what vengeance would the united states take