LANSING –  Col. William Whistler, a gallant commander of Fort Mackinac and heroic fighter in the Battle of Maguaga near Detroit during the War of 1812, is being honored by the Mackinac State Historic Parks (MSHP) through a new exhibition of his guns, a portrait and a war medallion.

Whistler, a native of Maryland, began his 60-year Army career in 1801.

He served at every major military post on the Great Lakes, including twice as commander of Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island in 1823 and1833.

Whistler died in Detroit in 1863 at age 80 just two years after retiring.

MSHP chief curator Steve Brisson said one of the most dramatic moments of Whistler’s service is depicted on the medallion he received after Wisconsin’s Winnebago War in 1827.

Tensions between settlers and the tribe were well established before the initial escalation of violence. In March 1826, six Winnebagos were accused of killing a family of maple sugar makers. The six men stood trial and were punished.

The war began in June 1827 when settlers breached a boundary agreement after lead ore was discovered on Winnebago land.

In retaliation for the broken treaty, a band of Winnebagos attacked and killed a farmer and a former soldier.

Acts of violence on both sides fueled the bitter feelings between the tribe and settlers. The Army stepped in to prevent further bloodshed.

In July 1827, Chief Red Bird surrendered to Whistler, ending the war. Whistler received the medallion to celebrate the occasion.

Brisson said, “These are original objects that at one time were with Whistler at Mackinac. The image alone of an officer from the fort is priceless to us.

“That it comes with his pistols and the charming medallion, commemorating an important event in the history of the Old Northwest in which he was personally involved, are icing on the cake.”

The pair of Whistler’s pistols, the medallion and a portrait by Grove Sheldon Gilbert were bought for $60,000 from a dealer who received them from Whistler’s great-granddaughter.

Brisson said the money to buy the collection came from a grant from Mackinac Associates, as well as proceeds from a golf outing organized by Karen Karam, a Mackinac Island state park commissioner from Ray, MI.

A local Mackinac Island family, the Callewaerts, and more than 90 other donors also contributed.

The museum staff is preparing the artifacts for exhibition this summer in the fort’s Soldier Barracks.

Whistler’s nephew, James McNeil Whistler is also famous. He painted “Whistler’s Mother” and other notable works.