The exact page text, read by your browser's voice.
Captain, U.S. Army · Commandant of Fort Wayne, 1810–1812
On the record
James Rhea, a New Jersey native, had served as a lieutenant and adjutant under Wayne and had commanded Fort Industry before his commission as captain in July 1807 brought him to Fort Wayne, where he assumed command on 15 May 1810. His early tenure was effective — he repaired the post, imposed a sanitation program, and cleared ground — but rheumatism and sleeplessness preceded a collapse into drinking. During the siege of September 1812 he talked of surrender and was incapacitated by drink, and the defense of the fort fell to Indian agent Benjamin Stickney and Lieutenants Daniel Curtis and Philip Ostrander. When Harrison relieved the post he took Rhea's sword and placed him under arrest. A board of inquiry and court martial were ordered, but in view of his long service he was permitted simply to resign.
Find them on this page
- § 06 — people of the record
- § 02 — the Story of Fort Wayne section
Sources: Wikipedia, "James Rhea"; Ball State University, Forts of Fort Wayne; Dawson, Charcoal Sketches of Old Times in Fort Wayne.