Martin’s Station

Capt. Henry Bird marched his army to Martin’s Station after capturing and burning Ruddell’s Station on June 26, 1780. Once the British arrived, the fort surrendered without a shot being fired. 

The significance of the Battle of Ruddell’s Station and Martin’s Station were the effectiveness of six and three pound cannons against log forts and highlighted the difficulty the British faced in maintaining a campaign in the frontier. The only two forts that surrendered were attacked with cannon. It is conceivable that Bird could have continued to capture forts if the troops could have been properly supplied. The surrender of these forts produced widespread panic in the frontier. Capt. Bird returned to Detroit with about 400 prisoners. The British never again mounted such a large expedition into Kentucky, nor did they bring cannon again.