The Fall of Ruddle’s and Martin’s Stations: Part 5 of "Forts of the 1700's" | Kentucky Frontier |
In this episode of Forts of the 1700s, Peter continues the series with one of the most tragic and sobering stories of the Kentucky frontier: the fall of Ruddle’s Station and Martin’s Station in June of 1780. As British Captain Henry Bird leads regular troops, artillery, and hundreds of Native warriors south from Detroit, the frontier faces something it has never seen before—organized British regulars supported by cannon. These two stations would become the first in Kentucky to surrender under artillery fire, marking a turning point in frontier warfare. Through detailed storytelling, firsthand accounts, and years of immersive living history research, Peter explores how these events unfolded, the brutal aftermath of surrender, and the infamous death march that followed. While the violence of the era can never truly be recreated, understanding it helps illuminate the extraordinary resilience, sacrifice, and endurance of those who lived on the edge of early America’s most dangerous frontier. Remember to subscribe to our channel to dive deeper into the fascinating stories of the past that continue to shape our present. Drop a comment to share your thoughts —we'd love to hear from you! We're passionate about sharing our adventures and a slice of history with you. Support us by liking, subscribing, and hitting the notification bell for a weekly dose of a wee bit of history and unique tales from the frontier. Your engagement helps us keep history alive. Join our community! 📺 Featuring: Peter Kelly 🎥 Videography - Catherine Wolfe Production & Editing: Catherine Wolfe 🎵 Music Courtesy Of: Richard Fortier and Al MacDonald Mandolin instrumentals: Michael Righi Violin music: Meghan Balogh Guitar played by Koen Tholhuijsen. Music composed by Marcel La Haye Full album: Mundo de Dialogo Thumbnail and description: Shane Kelly 📬 Contact Us: [email protected] FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA 📘 Facebook: The Woodland Escape Instagram: @the.woodland.escape #thewoodlandescape #kellystation #frontierhistory #kentuckyhistory #americanfrontier #fortsofthe1700s #colonialamerica #earlyamerica #frontierwarfare #livinghistory #pioneerlife #danielboone #revolutionarywar #frontierforts #americanhistory
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