It is Monday, October 19, 1790.

Colonel John Hardin commanding 180 Kentucky Milita and a small force of 30 Regulars is given an order by Commanding General Josiah Harmar to ascertain the strength of native opposition north of the confluence of the St Mary, St Joe and Maumee Rivers (modern Fort Wayne) and to attack them and destroy resistance if possible.

Colonel Hardin is a veteran of the American Revolution and as seasoned as any officer in the American Army of 1790. Hardin follows a trace heading in a northwesternly direction towards the Eel River and the village of Miami Chief Les Gris.

Hardin’s command stops to rest and due to miscommuncation, a portion of his command is left in the wind as the main body of his Regulars and militia continue their march.

As the American command approaches what is now the intersection of US 33 and Carroll Road – some 13 miles from Fort Wayne, a single native warrior is seen on horseback and the troops under Hardin give chase. Hardin doesn’t know it yet – but that single native rider is a decoy and he’s being lured into a trap by Miami Chief Little Turtle, who would prove himself to be an extraordinarily gifted military tactician.

Hardin’s command is reduced to almost single file as they navigate the swampy terrain. Forward elements of Hardin’s command see a bonfire ahead that suggests they are in reach of the Miami village and they give chase. As the troops move through a defile between two wooded stands they are met with withering fire from concealed warriors on both flanks.

The onslaught, led by Chief Little Turtle, is a tactical disaster for Hardin’s command. They are almost completely enveloped by superior firepower firing from concealed positions.

The Regulars under Captain John Armstrong make a stand but the militia are not up to the task and take flight. 22 of 30 Regulars and over 40 militia are killed in the fight with many more wounded.

Captain Armstrong would spend the night in the long grass, crawling along a river bank to escape.

This battle will become known as Hardin’s Defeat – or the Battle of Heller’s corner and is the precursor to an even larger engagment that would take place on October 22nd, 1792 near modern day Fort Wayne.