The Northwest Indian War was marked by a series of violent confrontations between Native American tribes and the United States as settlers moved into the territory northwest of the Ohio River. In 1790, tensions escalated when American settlers pushed beyond the boundaries set by the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, threatening Native lands. In response, General Josiah Harmar led an expedition to reinforce U.S. presence and assert control over the region. The campaign aimed to establish peace but was unprepared for the fierce resistance that awaited its troops. On October 22, Native American warriors, coordinated by leaders such as Little Turtle of the Miami Confederacy and Blue Jacket of the Shawnee, launched a well-executed ambush that resulted in a stunning defeat for Harmar’s forces. The battle took place near the St. Joseph River, close to Fort Wayne, where tribal alliances were significant in their success against the more organized, yet poorly strategized, U.S. army.