Fort Harrison was a post on the Wabash river, in the heart of the Indian country. It consisted of two blockhouses, stockade works, and a few buildings for stores or magazines. In September 1812, sixteen men, under the command of Captain Zachary Taylor, formed the garrison of this post. On the 3d of September, two men, who were working in the field near it, were murdered by the Indians, and on the night of the 4th, the savages set fire to one of the blockhouses, and commenced an assault. Captain Taylor, though suffering from sickness displayed the greatest coolness and resolution. Two of his men leaped over the stockade and fled, and the others were seized with a panic. But he restored their hopes, and by tearing off the roof of the barracks, and other means, succeeded in quenching the fire. The savages poured a steady fire into the fort. The invalids of the garrison returned it, and the conflict was fierce and desperate until daybreak, when the enemy retreated beyond the reach of the fort. They beleaguered the garrison, however, for twelve days, when a large body of troops arrived, and forced them to raise the siege. [Illustration: CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE.] [Illustration: COMMODORE HULL.] CAPTURE OF THE GUERRIERE. At the commencement of the war, the navy of Great Britain was looked upon as invincible. But an important victory changed the opinion of the people of the United States. The frigate Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, sailed from Annapolis on the 25th of July, 1812, for New York. Falling in with a British fleet, she only escaped by great skill and seamanship. Soon after she sailed from Boston, and on the 19th of August encountered the British frigate, Guerriere, commanded by Captain Dacres. A fierce conflict of about half an hour’s length ensued. The Guerriere was reduced to a wreck, and after her surrender, burned. In this action the Americans had seven men killed, and seven wounded. The British loss was fifteen killed, sixty-two wounded, and twenty-four missing. The effect of this victory was to give the Americans confidence in the skill and bravery of their seamen. [Illustration: CAPTURE OF THE FROLIC.] CAPTURE OF THE FROLIC.