The fort was guarded by the usual dozen of men, under the command of Lieutenant Edward Jenkins.

In March Jenkins had been warned that an Indian rising was imminent and that soon all the British in the hinterland would be prisoners.
The French and Indians in this region were under the influence of the Mississippi officers and traders, who were, in Jenkins's words, 'eternally telling lies to the Indians,' leading them to believe that a great army would soon arrive to recover the forts.

Towards the end of May ambassadors arrived at Ouiatanon, either from the Delawares or from Pontiac, bringing war-belts and instructions to the Weas to seize the fort.

This, as usual, was achieved by treachery.

Jenkins was invited to one of their cabins for a conference.