Battle of Africa Point facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Africa Point
Part of the War of 1812
The location of the Battle of Africa Point is in Crawford County, Illinois
Date April 18, 1813 Location near Fort LaMotte, Illinois Territory Result None
Belligerents
United States	Kickapoo
Commanders and leaders
Captain Pierce Andrews	Unknown
Strength
12	unknown
Casualties and losses
4 killed, 2 badly wounded	5 killed

The Battle of Africa Point was a small fight during the War of 1812. It happened in the Illinois Territory between a group of United States Rangers and Native Americans. The Native Americans involved were from the Kickapoo tribe.

What Was the Battle of Africa Point?

This battle took place on April 18, 1813. It was near Fort LaMotte in what was then the Illinois Territory. The fight was part of the larger War of 1812, which was fought between the United States and Great Britain, along with their Native American allies.

Getting Ready for Battle

On that day, two men named Isaac Brimberry and Thomas Kennedy were working. They were barrel makers, also known as coopers. They went to a place called 'Africa Point' to get wood. Africa Point was a small hill surrounded by swampy land near the Wabash River.

While there, they found Native American canoes pulled up on the river's shore. This was a sign that Native Americans were nearby. Brimberry and Kennedy quickly went back to Fort LaMotte. They told Captain Pierce Andrews, the fort's commander, what they had seen.

The Fight Begins

Captain Andrews decided to send a group of soldiers, called rangers, to check out the area. These rangers went with the woodcutters to protect them. The rangers split into two groups. The first group had six men and went ahead. The second group stayed behind as a backup.

When the first group reached 'Africa Point', they were suddenly attacked. Kickapoo warriors ambushed them. A fight quickly started. The American rangers had to retreat. Four of them were killed, and two were badly wounded. These two managed to escape back to the fort.

The second group of rangers heard the gunfire. They also went back to the fort to safety. In the battle, five Kickapoo warriors were killed.