Augustin de La Balme

Augustin de La Balme received a letter of recommendation from Benjamin Franklin[4] and left for the United States to assist in the American Revolution.

La Balme arrived in Kaskaskia as a French officer and was "greeted as Masiah" by the local Canadien residents,[11] who had been living under British rule for over a decade.

[5] He coordinated a diversionary attack against Fort St. Joseph,[13] then began his journey to Detroit, recruiting militia from among the Canadian citizens of Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes.

Upon learning of the return of a Miami hunting party to Kekionga, Le Balme departed to raid another trading post on the Eel River.

La Balme left twenty French soldiers to guard the captured stores at Kekionga and marched his force out over the Eel River trail.

[5] He gathered available warriors and attacked La Balme in camp at dawn on 5 November before he reached the Eel River trading post[19] and just 3 miles from Little Turtle's village.

The British commander at Detroit, Major Arent DePeyster, thought La Balme had survived and recorded a log entry dated 13 November: A detachment of Canadians from the Illinois and Post Vincennes arrived Kekionga about 10 days ago, and entered the village, took the horses, destroyed the horned cattle and plundered a store I allowed to be kept there for the convenience of the Indians, soon after assembled and attacked the Canadians, led by a French colonel.

I expect the Colonel in every hour … [20]… I am very sorry for what has happened to Monsieur La Balme … [he] having, perhaps, attempted with imprudence an undertaking which needed more time, more strength and better circumstances …