 Before the war started they made numerous improvements to the parcel of land . On June 14 , 1832 five men were attacked by a Kickapoo war party , three whites were killed instantly , including Spafford . In total at least one Native and four white settlers were killed in the action . Two men managed to escape , though one was fooled into thinking Fort Hamilton had been overtaken by a group of friendly Menominee for days before he finally sought refuge there . The incident at Spafford Farm eventually led to the Battle of Horseshoe Bend ( also known as the Battle of Pecatonica ) . 
