[3] After receiving permission from Secretary of War William Eustis, Harrison ordered Lieutenant Colonel John B. Campbell to lead an expedition into Indiana.

Later that day, having accomplished his objective, Campbell considered returning to Fort Greenville on account of severe frostbite among his troops.

The next morning, December 18, as Campbell returned to Silver Heel's village, a sizeable Native American force counterattacked.

The American Indians were outnumbered, but fought fiercely to rescue the captured villagers being held by Campbell.

A joint cavalry charge led by Major James McDowell and Captains Trotter and Johnston finally broke the attack.

In order to ensure this, they needed to stop Cambell's expedition and force it to return to its base, which they did.