the fort protected the army's supply lines, as well as the capital of the indiana territory downstream in vincennes. the site, located in present-day vigo county, indiana, at the northern edge of terre haute, was only two miles from the wea village of weauteno. it was said to be the location of a historic battle involving the illiniwek, and was initially called "camp bataille des illinois". major joseph hamilton daveiss proposed that the stockade be named fort harrison in general harrison's honor. the fort was finished october 28, 1811, and had a stockade encircling the post. leaving the fort and a small garrison under colonel james miller, harrison led his army to the tippecanoe battleground, where it confronted an army led by the shawnee prophet, tenskwatawa.