The medal's obverse bears caucasian male facing away, head turned to his left; blockhouse in background. Around, AMERICAN NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION; on male figure's back, 120TH / ANNIVERSARY / CONVENTION / CHICAGO / AUGUST 16-20, 2011; signed at lower left, JNF
The reverse bears Native American warrior with tomahawk, facing right; flag with four stars in background. Around, BATTLE OF FORT DEARBORN - MDCCCXII
The Battle of Fort Dearborn was an engagement between United States troops and Potawatomi Native Americans that occurred on August 15, 1812, near Fort Dearborn in what is now Chicago, Illinois, but was then part of the Illinois Territory. The battle, which occurred during the War of 1812, immediately followed the evacuation of the fort as ordered by the commander of the United States Army of the Northwest, William Hull. The battle lasted about 15 minutes and resulted in a complete victory for the Native Americans. After the battle, Fort Dearborn was burned down. Some of the soldiers and settlers who had survived and were taken captive were later ransomed.
Following the battle, the federal government became convinced that all Indians had to be removed from the territory and the vicinity of any settlements, as settlers continued to migrate to the area. The fort was rebuilt in 1816.
The medal measures 69.6mm in diameter and was struck by the Medalcraft Mint of Green Bay, Wisconsin. The mintage was limited to 125 pieces.
