The Chicago Massacre of 1812 With Illustrations and Historical Documents

"The Chicago Massacre of 1812" by Joseph Kirkland is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book focuses on a tragic event that took place at Fort Dearborn, Chicago, detailing the massacre that resulted in the loss of many lives, including men, women, and children. Through various narratives, including those of survivors, the book aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this pivotal moment in early Chicago history. The opening of the narrative sets the stage for the events of August 15, 1812, highlighting a seemingly peaceful morning that soon turned tragic. It introduces key figures such as Captain William Wells, who leads a group of settlers and friendly Indians in their evacuation from the fort, and reflects on their dire circumstances when ambushed by hostile forces. As tension mounts, the text hints at the looming peril and captures the emotions of the participants, particularly the young women who later recount their gripping experiences of bravery, despair, and survival. This sets a poignant tone for the historical recounting of the massacre, revealing both individual and collective struggles against the backdrop of early American frontier life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Joseph Kirkland was an American novelist. Born in Geneva, New York, to educator William Kirkland and author Caroline Kirkland, he was a businessman in Chicago, then served in the Union Army during the Civil War, reaching the rank of major. He resigned his Union Army commission and moved to Tilton, Illinois, where he married Theodosia B. Wilkinson in 1863. In 1864 he founded the Midwestern literary periodical Prairie Chicken. After the war he became a lawyer while also pursuing writing. He is best remembered as the author of two realistic novels of pioneer life in the Far West, Zury: The Meanest Man in Spring County (1887) and The McVeys. Other works are The Captain of Company K and The Story of Chicago. He was also the literary editor of the Chicago Tribune. Kirkland died in Chicago at the age of 64.