The Fort Dearborn Massacre Written in 1814 by Lieutenant Linai T. Helm, One of the Survivors, with Letters and Narratives of Contemporary Interest

"The Fort Dearborn Massacre" by Linai T. Helm is a historical story that describes the terrible events at Fort Dearborn on August 15, 1812, as told by Lieutenant Helm, one of the few who lived through it. The story gives a firsthand look at the military plans, the relationships between American soldiers and Native tribes, and the sad aftermath of the attack. It begins by setting the scene at Fort Dearborn before the massacre, introducing Lieutenant Helm and the feeling of worry. It talks about warnings of possible attacks from local Indian tribes and the decisions made by Captain Heald about leaving the fort and giving out supplies. As things get more tense, the story hints at the coming disaster through Helm's observations and the fear among the soldiers. Helm's letter shows his worries about choices made by leaders that put their lives at risk, which leads to his scary telling of the massacre. Through personal stories and historical thoughts, Helm's story aims to record the events and honor those who died that day.