inhabitants' tendency for drunkenness, lamenting the behavior as an "abominable [sic] practice" and confiding that he was "Much hurt to see so much intoxication". As an almost ironic harbinger, Rhea, perhaps as a means of escape from his rheumatism, would eventually himself befall to the throws of alcohol, in a "striking reversal", as described by historian Charles Poinsatte, through "his decline from the position taken in his first garrison order...To that of a slave to alcohol in 1812", as would later be seen during the fort's siege. However, initially and for some time, Rhea proved to be an effective commander overseeing substantial repairs to the fort, in addition to the instituion of a sanitation program and furthered progress on land clearance. The garrison first learned of the fall of Fort Dearborn on 26 August, when Corporal Walter Jordan returned after escaping the massacre. On 28 August, Stephen Johnston, a local trader, was killed approximately a mile from the fort. This news created disquiet in the garrison, and Indian agent John Johnston sent Shawnee Captain Logan to help evacuate the local women and children to the neighboring state of Ohio, 20 miles to the east. In September 1812, warriors from the Potawatomi and Miami nations, led by Chiefs Winamac and Five Medals, gathered around Fort Wayne, garrisoned by approximately 70 soldiers and some civilians. Captain James Rhea sent letters to John Johnston and Ohio Governor Return Meigs to ask for assistance. On several occasions, Rhea invited Indian delegates into the fort to discuss peace terms. Historian Milo M. Quafie maintains news of the siege had been relayed “to Picqua, Ohio by Stephen Ruddle, whence his message was conveyed to Harrison". Siege Siege On the morning of 5 September 1812, the siege began when Chief Winamac's forces attacked two soldiers returning from an outhouse. The Native Americans assaulted the fort from the east side and burned the homes of the surrounding village. The Indians constructed two wooden cannons with the intention of convincing the US garrison that the British had arrived with artillery. Captain Rhea, who was known to be a heavy drinker, retreated to his quarters on the grounds that he was ill. The fort's Indian Agent, Benjamin Stickney, was recovering from an illness, but took command of the fort with Lieutenants Daniel Curtis and Phillip Ostrander. Two assaults were made on the fort before the Native American force withdrew, awaiting