Fort Boonesborough

 On September 7, 1778, Shawnee warriors began their siege of Fort Boonesborough.  Capt. Daniel Boone met with Shawnee leaders to discuss possible surrender of the fort, although Boone used these negotiations to delay a fight in hopes of reinforcements. On September 9, the negations failed and led to hand to hand fighting.  Over the next couple of weeks, the Shawnee continued to attack the fort with gunfire and torches and excavated a tunnel under the fort’s walls.  The fort’s garrison was able to counter these attacks. The Shawnee attack culminated on the night of September 17 with their largest assault.  Heavy Shawnee casualties suffered during this last attack led the Shawnee to abandon their positions outside the fort. 

The failure of the Shawnee to take Fort Boonesborough meant that Americans maintained a military foothold in Kentucky. The forts in the area provided enough security to allow more settlers to move into Kentucky