The Indians themselves had renewed hostilities, and the different tribes had one by one joined in the war, behaving with a treachery only equalled by their ferocity.

With great reluctance the National Government concluded that an effort to chastise the hostile savages could no longer be delayed; and those on the Maumee, or Miami of the Lakes, and on the Wabash, whose guilt had been peculiarly heinous, were singled out as the objects of attack.
The expedition against the Wabash towns was led by the Federal commander at Vincennes, Major Hamtranck.

No resistance was encountered; and after burning a few villages of bark huts and destroying some corn he returned to Vincennes.
Harmar's Expedition against the Miami Towns.
The main expedition was that against the Miami Indians, and was led by General Harmar himself.

It was arranged that there should be a nucleus of regular troops, but that the force should consist mainly of militia from Kentucky and Pennsylvania, the former furnishing twice as many as the latter.

The troops were to gather on the 15th of September at Fort Washington, on the north bank of the Ohio, a day's journey down-stream from Limestone.
Poor Quality of the Militia.
At the appointed time the militia began to straggle in; the regular officers had long been busy getting their own troops, artillery, and military stores in readiness.