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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/15581-8.txt b/15581-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5944d3a --- /dev/null +++ b/15581-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8611 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Life of Tecumseh, and of His Brother the +Prophet, by Benjamin Drake + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Life of Tecumseh, and of His Brother the Prophet + With a Historical Sketch of the Shawanoe Indians + + +Author: Benjamin Drake + +Release Date: April 8, 2005 [eBook #15581] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF TECUMSEH, AND OF HIS +BROTHER THE PROPHET*** + + +E-text prepared by Wallace McLean, Leonard Johnson, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +LIFE OF TECUMSEH, AND OF HIS BROTHER THE PROPHET; + +With a Historical Sketch of the Shawanoe Indians + +by + +BENJAMIN DRAKE + +Author of _The Life of Black Hawk_, _Tales from the Queen City_, &c. &c. + +Cincinnati: +Printed and Published by E. Morgan & Co. +Stereotyped by J.A. James, +Cincinnati. + +1841 + + + + + + + +PREFACE + + +Many years have elapsed since the author of this volume determined to +write the life of TECUMSEH and of his brother the PROPHET, and actually +commenced the collection of the materials for its accomplishment. From +various causes, the completion of the task has been postponed until the +present time. This delay, however, has probably proved beneficial to +the work, as many interesting incidents in the lives of these +individuals are now embraced in its pages, which could not have been +included had it been put to press at an earlier period. + +In the preparation of this volume, the author's attention was drawn, to +some extent, to the history of the Shawanoe tribe of Indians: and he +has accordingly prefixed to the main work, a brief historical narrative +of this wandering and warlike nation, with biographical sketches of +several of its most distinguished chiefs. + +The author is under lasting obligations to a number of gentlemen +residing in different sections of the country, for the substantial +assistance which they have kindly afforded him in the collection of the +matter embraced in this volume. Other sources of information have not, +however, been neglected. All the histories, magazines and journals +within the reach of the author, containing notices of the subjects of +this memoir, have been carefully consulted. By application at the +proper department at Washington, copies of the numerous letters written +by general Harrison to the Secretary of War in the years 1808, '9, '10, +'11, '12 and '13, were obtained, and have been found of much value in +the preparation of this work. As governor of Indiana territory, +superintendant of Indian affairs, and afterwards commander-in-chief of +the north-western army, the writer of those letters possessed +opportunities of knowing Tecumseh and the Prophet enjoyed by no other +individuals. + +In addition to these several sources of information, the author has +personally, at different times, visited the frontiers of Ohio and +Indiana, for the purpose of conversing with the Indians and the +pioneers of that region, who happened to be acquainted with Tecumseh +and his brother; and by these visits, has been enabled to enrich his +narrative with some amusing and valuable anecdotes. + +In the general accuracy of his work the author feels considerable +confidence: in its merit, as a literary production, very little. Every +line of it having been written while suffering under the depressing +influence of ill health, he has only aimed at a simple narrative style, +without any reference to the graces of a polished composition. B.D. + +Cincinnati, 1841. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +HISTORY OF THE SHAWANOE INDIANS + +CATAHECASSA, or BLACK-HOOF + +CORNSTALK + +SPEMICA-LAWBA, the HIGH HORN; or, CAPTAIN LOGAN + + + +THE LIFE OF TECUMSEH. + +CHAPTER I. + +Parentage of Tecumseh--his sister Tecumapease--his brother Cheeseekan, +Sauweeseekau, Nehasseemo, Tenskwautawa or the Prophet, and +Kumakauka + +CHAPTER II. + +Birth place of Tecumseh--destruction of the Piqua village--early habits +of Tecumseh--his first battle--effort to abolish the burning of +prisoners--visits the Cherokees in the south--engages in several +battles--returns to Ohio in the autumn of 1790 + +CHAPTER III. + +Tecumseh attacked near Big Rock by some whites under Robert +M'Clelland--severe battle with some Kentuckians on the East Fork of the +Little Miami--attack upon Tecumseh in 1793, on the waters of Paint +creek--Tecumseh present at the attack on fort Recovery in +1794--participates in the battle of the Rapids of the Maumee, in +1794 + +CHAPTER IV. + +Tecumseh's skill as a hunter--declines attending the treaty of +Greenville in 1796--in 1796 removed to Great Miami--in 1798 joined a +party of Delawares on White river, Indiana--in 1799 attended a council +between the whites and Indians near Urbana--another at Chillicothe in +1803--makes an able speech--removes with the Prophet to Greenville, in +1805--the latter commences prophecying--causes the death of Teteboxti, +Patterson, Coltos, and Joshua--governor Harrison's speech to the +Prophet to arrest these murderers--effort of Wells the U.S. Indian +agent to prevent Tecumseh and the Prophet from assembling the Indians +at Greenville--Tecumseh's speech in reply--he attends a council at +Chillicothe--speech on that occasion--council at Springfield--Tecumseh +principal speaker and actor + +CHAPTER V. + +Governor Harrison's address to the Shawanoe chiefs at Greenville--the +Prophet's reply--his influence felt among the remote tribes--he is +visited in 1808 by great numbers of Indians--Tecumseh and the Prophet +remove to Tippecanoe--the latter sends a speech to governor +Harrison--makes him a visit at Vincennes + +CHAPTER VI. + +Tecumseh visits the Wyandots--governor Harrison's letter about the +Prophet to the Secretary of War--British influence over the +Indians--Tecumseh burns governor Harrison's letter to the chiefs--great +alarm in Indiana, in consequence of the assemblage of the Indians at +Tippecanoe--death of Leatherlips, a Wyandot chief, on a charge of +witchcraft + +CHAPTER VII. + +Governor Harrison makes another effort to ascertain the designs of +Tecumseh and the Prophet--Tecumseh visits the governor at Vincennes, +attended by four hundred warriors--a council is held--Tecumseh becomes +deeply excited, and charges governor Harrison with falsehood--council +broken up in disorder--renewed the next day + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Alarm on the frontier continues--a Muskoe Indian killed at +Vincennes--governor Harrison sends a pacific speech to Tecumseh and the +Prophet--the former replies to it--in July Tecumseh visits governor +Harrison at Vincennes--disavows any intention of making war upon the +whites--explains his object in forming a union among the +tribes--governor Harrison's opinion of Tecumseh and the Prophet--murder +of the Deaf Chief--Tecumseh visits the southern Indians + +CHAPTER IX. + +Governor Harrison applies to the War Department for troops to maintain +peace on the frontiers--battle of Tippecanoe on the 7th of +November--its influence on the Prophet and his followers + +CHAPTER X. + +Tecumseh returns from the south--proposes to visit the President, but +declines, because not permitted to go to Washington at the head of a +party--attends a council at fort Wayne--proceeds to Malden and joins +the British--governor Harrison's letter to the War Department relative +to the north-west tribes + +CHAPTER XI. + +Tecumseh participates in the battle of Brownstown--commands the Indians +in the action near Maguaga--present at Hull's surrender--general Brock +presents him his military sash--attack on Chicago brought about by +Tecumseh + +CHAPTER XII. + +Siege of fort Meigs--Tecumseh commands the Indians--acts with +intrepidity--rescues the American prisoners from the tomahawk and +scalping knife, after Dudley's defeat--reported agreement between +Proctor and Tecumseh, that general Harrison, if taken prisoner, should +be delivered to the latter to be burned + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Tecumseh present at the second attack on fort Meigs--his stratagem of a +sham-battle to draw out general Clay--is posted in the Black Swamp with +two thousand warriors at the time of the attack on fort +Stephenson--from thence passes by land to Malden--compels general +Proctor to release an American prisoner--threatens to desert the +British cause--urges an attack upon the American fleet--opposes +Proctor's retreat from Malden--delivers a speech to him on that +occasion + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Retreat of the combined British and Indian army to the river +Thames--skirmish at Chatham with the troops under general +Harrison--Tecumseh slightly wounded in the arm--battle on the Thames on +the 5th of October--Tecumseh's death + +CHAPTER XV. + +Critical examination of the question "who killed Tecumseh?"--colonel +R.M. Johnson's claim considered + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Mr. Jefferson's opinion of the Prophet--brief sketch of his +character--anecdotes of Tecumseh--a review of the great principles of +his plan of union among the tribes--general summary of his life and +character + + + + +HISTORY + +OF THE + +SHAWANOE INDIANS. + + +There is a tradition among the Shawanoes, in regard to their origin, +which is said to be peculiar to that tribe. While most of the +aborigines of this country believe that their respective races came out +of holes in the earth at different places on this continent, the +Shawanoes alone claim, that their ancestors once inhabited a foreign +land; but having determined to leave it, they assembled their people +and marched to the sea shore. Here, under the guidance of a leader of +the Turtle tribe, one of their twelve original subdivisions, they +walked into the sea, the waters of which immediately parted, and they +passed in safety along the bottom of the ocean, until they reached this +island.[A] + +[Footnote A: History of the Indian Tribes of North America, by James +Hall and J. L. McKinney, a valuable work, containing one hundred and +twenty richly colored portraits of Indian chiefs.] + +The Shawanoes have been known by different names. The Iroquois, +according to Colden's history of the "Five Nations," gave them the +appellation of Satanas. The Delawares, says Gallatin, in his synopsis +of the Indian tribes, call them Shawaneu, which means _southern_. The +French writers mention them under the name of Chaouanons; and +occasionally they are denominated Massawomees. + +The orthography of the word by which they are generally designated, is +not very well settled. It has been written Shawanos, Sawanos, Shawaneu, +Shawnees and Shawanoes, which last method of spelling the word, will be +followed in the pages of this work. + +The original seats of the Shawanoes have been placed in different +sections of the country. This has doubtless been owing to their very +erratic disposition. Of their history, prior to the year 1680, but +little is known. The earliest mention of them by any writer whose work +has fallen under our observation, was in the beginning of the +seventeenth century. Mr. Jefferson, in his "Notes on Virginia," says +that when captain John Smith first arrived in America a fierce war was +raging against the allied Mohicans, residing on Long Island, and the +Shawanoes on the Susquehanna, and to the westward of that river, by the +Iroquois. Captain Smith first landed on this continent in April, 1607. +In the following year, 1608, he penetrated down the Susquehanna to the +mouth of it, where he met six or seven of their canoes, filled with +warriors, about to attack their enemy in the rear. De Laet, in 1632, in +his enumeration of the different tribes, on either side of the Delaware +river, mentions the Shawanoes.--Charlevoix speaks of them under the +name of Chaouanons, as neighbors and allies in 1672, of the Andastes, +an Iroquois tribe, living south of the Senecas. Whether any of the +Shawanoes were present at the treaty[A] made in 1682, under the +celebrated Kensington elm, between William Penn and the Indians, does +not positively appear from any authorities before us; that such, +however, was the fact, may be fairly inferred, from the circumstance +that at a conference between the Indians and governor Keith, in 1722, +the Shawanoes exhibited a copy of this treaty written on parchment. + +[Footnote A: "This treaty," says Voltaire, "was the first made between +those people (the Indians) and the Christians, that was not ratified +with an oath, and that was never broken."] + +To the succeeding one made at Philadelphia, in February, 1701, the +Shawanoes were parties, being represented on that occasion, by their +chiefs, Wopatha, Lemoytungh and Pemoyajagh.[A] More than fifty years +afterward, a manuscript copy of this treaty of commerce and friendship, +was in the possession of the Shawanoes of Ohio, and was exhibited by +them. In 1684, the Iroquois, when complained of by the French for +having attacked the Miamis, justified their conduct on the-ground, that +they had invited the Santanas (Shawanoes) into the country, for the +purpose of making war upon them.[B] The Sauks and Foxes, whose +residence was originally on the St. Lawrence, claim the Shawanoes as +belonging to the same stock with themselves, and retain traditional +accounts of their emigration to the south.[C] In the "History of the +Indian Tribes of North America," when speaking of the Shawanoes, the +authors say, "their manners, customs and language indicate a northern +origin; and, upwards of two centuries ago, they held the country south +of Lake Erie. They were the first tribe which felt the force and +yielded to the superiority of the Iroquois. Conquered by these, they +migrated to the south, and from fear or favor, were allowed to take +possession of a region upon the Savannah river; but what part of that +stream, whether in Georgia or Florida, is not known; it is presumed the +former." Mr. Gallatin speaks of the final defeat of the Shawanoes and +their allies, in a war with the Five Nations, as having taken place in +the year 1672. This same writer, who has carefully studied the language +of the aborigines, considers the Shawanoes as belonging to the Lenape +tribes of the north. From these various authorities, it is apparent +that the Shawanoes belonged originally to the Algonkin-Lenape nation; +and that during the three first quarters of the seventeenth century, +they were found in eastern Pennsylvania, on the St. Lawrence, and the +southern shore of Lake Erie; and generally at war with some of the +neighboring tribes. Whether their dispersion, which is supposed to have +taken place about the year 1672, drove them all to the south side of +the Ohio, does not very satisfactorily appear. + +[Footnote A: Proud's History of Pennsylvania.] + +[Footnote B: Colden.] + +[Footnote C: Morse's Report.] + +Subsequently to this period, the Shawanoes were found on the Ohio river +below the Wabash, in Kentucky, Georgia and the Carolinas. Lawson, in +his history of Carolina in 1708, speaks of the Savanoes, removing from +the Mississippi to one of the rivers of South Carolina. Gallatin quotes +an authority which sustains Lawson, and which establishes the fact that +at a very early period in the history of the south, there was a +Shawanoe settlement on the head waters of the Catawba or Santee, and +probably of the Yadkin. From another authority it appears, that for a +time the Shawanoes had a station on the Savannah river, above Augusta; +and Adair, who refers to the war between the Shawanoes and Cherokees, +saw a body of the former in the wilderness, who, after having wandered +for some time in the woods, were then returning to the Creek country. +According to John Johnston,[A] a large party of the Shawanoes, who +originally lived north of the Ohio, had for some cause emigrated as far +south as the Suwanoe river, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. From +thence they returned, under the direction of a chief named Black Hoof, +about the middle of the last century, to Ohio. It is supposed that this +tribe gave name to the Suwanoe river, in 1750, by which name the +Cumberland was also known, when Doctor Walker, (of Virginia) visited +Kentucky. + +[Footnote A: I Vol. Trans. Amer. Antiquarian Society.] + +Of the causes which led the Shawanoes to abandon the south, but little +is known beyond what may be gleaned from their traditions. Heckewelder, +in his contributions to the American Philosophical Society, says, "they +were a restless people, delighting in wars, in which they were +constantly engaged with some of the surrounding nations. At last their +neighbors, tired of being continually harassed by them, formed a league +for their destruction. The Shawanoes finding themselves thus +dangerously situated, asked to be permitted to leave the country, which +was granted to them; and they immediately removed to the Ohio. Here +their main body settled, and then sent messengers to their elder +brother,[A] the Mohicans, requesting them to intercede for them with +their grandfather, the Lenni Lenape, to take them under his protection. +This the Mohicans willingly did, and even sent a body of their own +people to conduct their younger brother into the country of the +Delawares. The Shawanoes finding themselves safe under the protection +of their grandfather, did not choose to proceed to the eastward, but +many of them remained on the Ohio, some of whom settled as far up that +river as the long island, above which the French afterwards built fort +Duquesne, on the spot where Pittsburg now stands. Those who proceeded +farther, were accompanied by their chief, named Gachgawatschiqua, and +settled principally at and about the forks of the Delaware, between +that and the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill; and some, even +on the spot where Philadelphia now stands; others were conducted by the +Mohicans into their own country, where they intermarried with them and +became one people. When those settled near the Delaware had multiplied, +they returned to Wyoming on the Susquehannah, where they resided for a +great number of years." + +[Footnote A: The Shawanoes call the Mohicans their _elder brother_, and +the Delawares their _grandfather_.] + +Chapman, in his history of Wyoming, states, that after the Shawanoes +were driven from Georgia and Florida, they built a town at the mouth of +the Wabash, and established themselves in it. They then applied to the +Delawares for some territory on which to reside. When granted, a +council was held to consider the propriety of accepting the offer of +the Delawares. On this question the Shawanoes divided--part of them +remained on the Wabash,--the others, composing chiefly the Piqua tribe, +formed a settlement in the forks of the Delaware. Alter a time, a +disagreement arose between them and the Delawares, which induced the +former to remove to the valley of the Wyoming, on the Susquehannah, on +the west bank of which they built a town, and lived in repose many +years. Subsequently to the treaty held at Philadelphia, in 1742, +between the governor and the Six Nations, the Delawares were driven +from that part of Pennsylvania; and a portion of them also removed to +the Wyoming valley, then in possession of the Shawanoes, and secured +the quiet occupancy of a part of it; built a town on the east bank of +the river, which they called Waughwauwame, where they lived for some +time, on terms of amity with their new neighbors. + +During the summer of 1742, count Zinzendorf of Saxony, came to America +on a religious mission, connected with the ancient church of the United +Brethren. Having heard of the Shawanoes at Wyoming, he determined to +make an effort to introduce Christianity among them. He accordingly +made them a visit, but did not meet with a cordial reception. The +Shawanoes supposed that the missionary was in pursuit of their lands; +and a party of them determined to assassinate him privately, for fear +of exciting other Indians to hostility. The attempt upon his life was +made, but strangely defeated. Chapman relates the manner of it, which +he obtained from a companion of the count, who did not publish it in +his memoirs, lest the United Brethren might suppose that the subsequent +conversion of the Shawanoes was the result of their superstition. It is +as follows: + +"Zinzendorf was alone in his tent, seated upon a bundle of dry weeds, +which composed his bed, and engaged in writing, when the assassins +approached to execute their bloody commission. It was night, and the +cool air of September had rendered a small fire necessary for his +comfort and convenience. A curtain, formed of a blanket, and hung upon +pins, was the only guard to his tent. The heat of this small fire had +aroused a large rattlesnake, which lay in the weeds not far from it; +and the reptile, to enjoy it the more effectually, had crawled slowly +into the tent, and passed over one of his legs, undiscovered. Without, +all was still and quiet, except the gentle murmur of the river, at the +rapids about a mile below. At this moment, the Indians softly +approached the door of his tent and slightly removing the curtain, +contemplated the venerable man, too deeply engaged in the subject of +his thoughts to notice either their approach, or the snake which lay +before him. At a sight like this, even the heart of the savages shrunk +from the idea of committing so horrid an act; and, quitting the spot, +they hastily returned to the town, and informed their companions, that +the Great Spirit protected the white man, for they had found him with +no door but a blanket, and had seen a large rattlesnake crawl over his +legs without attempting to injure him. This circumstance, together with +the arrival soon afterwards of Conrad Weizer, the interpreter, procured +the count the friendship of the Indians, and probably induced some of +them to embrace Christianity." + +When the war between the French and the English occurred in 1754, the +Shawanoes on the Ohio took sides with the former; but the appeal to +those residing at Wyoming to do the same, was ineffectual. The +influence of the count's missionary efforts had made them averse to +war. But an event which happened soon afterward, disturbed the peace of +their settlement, and finally led to their removal from the valley. +Occasional difficulties of a transient nature, had arisen between the +Delawares and the Shawanoes at Wyoming. An unkind feeling, produced by +trifling local causes, had grown up between the two tribes. At length a +childish dispute about the possession of a harmless grasshopper, +brought on a bloody battle; and a final separation of the two parties +soon followed. One day, while most of the Delaware men were absent on a +hunting excursion, the women of that tribe went out to gather wild +fruits on the margin of the river, below their village. Here they met a +number of Shawanoe women and their children, who had crossed the stream +in their canoes, and were similarly engaged. One of the Shawanoe +children having caught a large grasshopper, a dispute arose with some +of the Delaware children, in regard to the possession of it. In this +quarrel, as was natural, the mothers soon became involved. The Delaware +women contended for the possession of the grasshopper on the ground +that the Shawanoes possessed no privileges on that side of the river. A +resort to violence ensued, and the Shawanoe women being in the +minority, were speedily driven to their canoes, and compelled to seek +safety by flight to their own bank of the stream. Here the matter +rested until the return of the hunters, when the Shawanoes, in order to +avenge the indignity offered to their women, armed themselves for +battle. When they attempted to cross the river, they found the +Delawares duly prepared to receive them and oppose their landing. The +battle commenced while the Shawanoes were still in their canoes, but +they at length effected a landing, which was followed by a general and +destructive engagement. The Shawanoes having lost a number of their +warriors before reaching the shore, were too much weakened to sustain +the battle for any length of time. After the loss of nearly one half +their party, they were compelled to fly to their own side of the river. +Many of the Delawares were killed. Shortly after this disastrous +contest, the Shawanoes quietly abandoned their village, and removed +westward to the banks of the Ohio.[A] + +[Footnote A: Chapman] + +After the Shawanoes of Pennsylvania had fallen back upon the waters of +the Ohio, they spread themselves from the Alleghenies as far westward +as the Big Miami. One of their villages was seventeen miles below +Pittsburg: it was called Log's Town, and was visited by Croghan, in +1765. Another, named Lowertown, also visited by the same traveler, +stood just below the mouth of the Scioto. It was subsequently carried +away by a great flood in that river, which overflowed the site of the +town, and compelled the Indians to escape in their canoes. They +afterwards built a new town on the opposite side of the river, but soon +abandoned it, and removed to the plains of the Scioto and Paint creek, +where they established themselves, on the north fork of the latter +stream. They had also several other villages of considerable size in +the Miami valley. One was "Chillicothe," standing near the mouth of +Massie's creek, three miles north of Xenia. Another, called Piqua, and +memorable as the birth place of TECUMSEH, the subject of our present +narrative, stands upon the north-west side of Mad river, about seven +miles below Springfield, in Clark county. Both of these villages were +destroyed in 1780, by an expedition from Kentucky, under the command of +general George Rogers Clark. + +After the peace of 1763, the Miamis having removed from the Big Miami +river, a body of Shawanoes established themselves at Lower and Upper +Piqua, in Miami county, which places, being near together, became their +great head-quarters in Ohio. Here they remained until driven off by the +Kentuckians; when they crossed over to the St. Mary's and to +Wapakanotta. The Upper Piqua is said to have contained, at one period, +near four thousand Shawanoes.[A] + +[Footnote A: John Johnston.] + +From the geographical location of the Shawanoes, it will be perceived +that they were placed under circumstances which enabled them, with +great facility, to annoy the early settlements in Kentucky; and to +attack the emigrants descending the Ohio. In this fierce border war, +which was waged upon the whites for a number of years, and oftentimes +with extreme cruelty, the Delawares, Wyandots, Mingoes and Miamis, +united: the Shawanoes, however, were by far the most warlike and +troublesome. + +The Shawanoes were originally divided into twelve tribes or bands, each +of which was sub-divided into families, known as the Eagle, the Turtle, +the Panther, &c., these animals constituting their _totems_. Of these +twelve, the names of but four tribes are preserved, the rest having +become extinct, or incorporated with them. They are, 1st. the +Mequachake,--2d. the Chillicothe,--3d. the Kiskapocoke,--4th. the +Piqua. When in council, one of these tribes is assigned to each of the +four sides of the council-house, and during the continuance of the +deliberations, the tribes retain their respective places. They claim to +have the power of distinguishing, at sight, to which tribe an +individual belongs; but to the casual observer, there are no visible +shades of difference. In each of the four tribes, except the +Mequachake, the chiefs owe their authority to merit, but in the last +named, the office is hereditary. Of the origin of the Piqua tribe, the +following tradition has been recited:[A] "In ancient times, the +Shawanoes had occasion to build a large fire, and after it was burned +down, a great puffing and blowing was heard, when up rose a man from +the ashes!--hence the name Piqua, which means a man coming out of the +ashes." Mequachake, signifies a perfect man. To this tribe the +priesthood is confided. The members, or rather certain individuals of +it, are alone permitted to perform the sacrifices and other religious +ceremonies of the tribe.[B] The division of the tribe into bands or +totems, is not peculiar to the Shawanoes, but is common to several +other nations. One of the leading causes of its institution, was the +prohibition of marriage between those related in a remote degree of +consanguinity. Individuals are not at liberty to change their totems, +or disregard the restraint imposed by it on intermarriages. It is +stated in Tanner's narrative, that the Indians hold it to be criminal +for a man to marry a woman whose totem is the same as his own; and they +relate instances where young men, for a violation of this rule, have +been put to death by their nearest relatives. Loskiel, in his history +of the Moravian missions, says, the Delawares and Iroquois never marry +near relatives. According to their own account, the Indian nations were +divided into tribes for the sole purpose, that no one might, either +through temptation or mistake, marry a near relation, which is now +scarcely possible, for whoever intends to marry must take a person of a +different totem. Another reason for the institution of these totems, +may be found in their influence on the social relations of the tribe, +in softening private revenge, and preserving peace. Gallatin, on the +information derived from a former Indian agent[C] among the Creeks, +says, "according to the ancient custom, if an offence was committed by +one or another member of the same clan, the compensation to be made, on +account of the injury, was regulated in an amicable way by the other +members of the clan. Murder was rarely expiated in any other way than +by the death of the murderer; the nearest male relative of the deceased +was the executioner; but this being done, as under the authority of the +clan, there was no further retaliation. If the injury was committed by +some one of another clan, it was not the injured party, but the clan to +which he belonged, that asked for reparation. This was rarely refused +by the clan of the offender; but in case of refusal, the injured clan +had a right to do itself justice, either by killing the offender, in +case of murder, or inflicting some other punishment for lesser +offences. This species of private war, was, by the Creeks, called, 'to +take up the sticks;' because, the punishment generally consisted in +beating the offender. At the time of the annual corn-feast, the sticks +were laid down, and could not be again taken up for the same offence. +But it seems that originally there had been a superiority among some of +the clans. That of the Wind, had the right to take up the sticks four +times, that of the Bear twice, for the same offence; whilst those of +the Tiger, of the Wolf, of the Bird, of the Root, and of two more whose +names I do not know, could raise them but once. It is obvious that the +object of the unknown legislation, was to prevent or soften the effects +of private revenge, by transferring the power and duty from the blood +relatives to a more impartial body. The father and his brothers, by the +same mother, never could belong to the same clan, as their son or +nephew, whilst the perpetual changes, arising from intermarriages with +women of a different clan, prevented their degenerating into distinct +tribes; and checked the natural tendency towards a subdivision of the +nation into independent communities. The institution may be considered +as the foundation of the internal policy, and the basis of the social +state of the Indians." + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell's manuscript account of the Shawanoes, in +possession of the author.] + +[Footnote B: John Johnston.] + +[Footnote C: Mitchell.] + +One mode of ascertaining the origin of the Indian tribes, and of +determining their relation to each other, as well as to other races of +mankind, is the study of their language. This has, at different times, +engaged the attention of several able philologists, who have done much +to analyze the Indian languages, and to arrange in systematic order, +the numerous dialects of this erratic people. The results of the +investigation of one[A] of the most learned and profound of these +individuals, may be summed up in the three following propositions: + +1. "That the American languages in general, are rich in words and in +grammatical forms, and that in their complicated construction, the +greatest order, method and regularity prevail. + +2. "That these complicated forms, which I call _poly synthetic,_ appear +to exist in all those languages, from Greenland to Cape Horn. + +3. "That these forms appear to differ essentially from those of the +ancient and modern languages of the old hemisphere." + +[Footnote A: Mr. Duponceau.] + +In a late learned dissertation[A] on this subject, it is stated that in +nearly the whole territory contained in the United States, and in +British and Russian America, there are only eight great families, each +speaking a distinct language, subdivided in many instances, into a +number of dialects belonging to the same stock. These are the Eskimaux, +the Athapascas (or Cheppeyans,) the Black Feet, the Sioux, the +Algonkin-Lenape, the Iroquois, the Cherokee, and the Mobilian or +Chahta-Muskhog. The Shawanoes belong to the Algonkin-Lenape family, and +speak a dialect of that language. It bears a strong affinity to the +Mohican and the Chippeway, but more especially the Kickapoo. Valuable +vocabularies of the Shawanoe language have been given by Johnston and +by Gallatin in their contributions to the American Antiquarian Society, +which may be consulted by those disposed to prosecute the study of this +subject. + +[Footnote A: Mr. Gallatin.] + +The Shawanoes have been known since the first discovery of this +country, as a restless, wandering people, averse to the pursuits of +agriculture, prone to war and the chase. They have, within that period, +successively occupied the southern shore of lake Erie, the banks of the +Ohio and Mississippi, portions of Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, +Kentucky, and eastern Pennsylvania; then again the plains of Ohio, and +now the small remnant of them that remains, are established west of +Missouri and Arkansas. They have been involved in numerous bloody wars +with other tribes; and for near half a century, resisted with a bold, +ferocious spirit, and an indomitable hatred, the progress of the white +settlements in Pennsylvania, western Virginia, and especially Kentucky. +The Shawanoes have declined more rapidly in numbers[A] than any other +tribe of Indians known to the whites. This has been, and we suppose +justly, attributed to their wandering habits and their continual wars. +Although one of their villages is said once to have contained four +thousand souls, their present number does not exceed eighteen hundred. +They have ever been considered a courageous, powerful and faithless +race; who hare claimed for themselves a pre-eminence not only over +other tribes, but also over the whites.[B] Their views in regard to +this superiority were briefly set forth by one of their chiefs at a +convention held at fort Wayne, in 1803. + +[Footnote A: John Johnston.] + +[Footnote B: General Harrison considers the Shawanoes, Delawares and +Miamis, as much superior to the other tribes of the west.] + +"The Master of Life," said he, "who was himself an Indian, made the +Shawanoes before any other of the human race; and they sprang from his +brain: he gave them all the knowledge he himself possessed, and placed +them upon the great island, and all the other red people are descended +from the Shawanoes. After he had made the Shawanoes, he made the French +and English out of his breast, the Dutch out of his feet, and the +long-knives out of his hands. All these inferior races of men he made +white and placed them beyond the stinking lake.[A] + +"The Shawanoes for many ages continued to be masters of the continent, +using the knowledge they had received from the Great Spirit in such a +manner as to be pleasing to him, and to secure their own happiness. In +a great length of time, however, they became corrupt, and the Master of +Life told them that he would take away from them the knowledge which +they possessed, and give it to the white people, to be restored, when +by a return to good principles they would deserve it. Many ages after +that, they saw something white approaching their shores; at first they +took it for a great bird, but they soon found it to be a monstrous +canoe filled with the very people who had got the knowledge which +belonged to the Shawanoes. After these white people landed, they were +not content with having the knowledge which belonged to the Shawanoes, +but they usurped their lands also; they pretended, indeed, to have +purchased these lands; but the very goods they gave for them, were more +the property of the Indians than the white people, because the +knowledge which enabled them to manufacture these goods actually +belonged to the Shawanoes: but these things will soon have an end. The +Master of Life is about to restore to the Shawanoes both their +knowledge and their rights, and he will trample the long knives under +his feet." + +[Footnote A: Atlantic Ocean.] + +It has been already stated that, for a series of years, the several +tribes of Indians residing in the territory now forming the state of +Ohio, made violent opposition to the settlement of the whites, west of +the Alleghanies. Among the most formidable of these were the Shawanoes. +The emigrants, whether male or female, old or young, were every where +met by the torch, the tomahawk and the scalping-knife. The war-cry of +the savage was echoed from shore to shore of the beautiful Ohio, whose +waters were but too often reddened with the blood of women and +children. Many of those who escaped the perils of the river, and had +reared their log-cabins amid the cane-brakes of Kentucky, were doomed +to encounter the same ruthless foe, and fell victims to the same +unrelenting cruelty. While the feelings are shocked at these dreadful +scenes of blood and carnage, and the Indian character rises in hideous +deformity before the mind, it is not to be forgotten that there are +many mitigating circumstances to be pleaded in behalf of the +aborigines. They were an ignorant people, educated alone for war, +without the lights of civilization, without the attributes of mercy +shed abroad by the spirit of christianity. They were contending for +their homes and their hunting grounds--the tombs of their +forefathers--the graves of their children. They saw the gradual, but +certain, encroachments of the whites upon their lands; and they had the +sagacity to perceive, that unless this mighty wave of emigration was +arrested, it would overwhelm them. They fought as savage nature will +fight, with unflinching courage and unrelenting cruelty. But it was not +alone this encroachment upon their lands, which roused their savage +passions. The wanton aggressions of the whites oftentimes provoked the +fearful retaliation of the red-man. The policy of the United States +towards the Indians has generally been of a pacific and benevolent +character; but, in carrying out that policy, there have been many +signal and inexcusable failures. The laws enacted by congress for the +protection of the rights of the Indians, and to promote their comfort +and civilization, have, in a great variety of cases, remained a dead +letter upon the statute book. The agents of the government have often +proved unfaithful, and have looked much more to their own pecuniary +interests, than to the honest execution of the public trusts confided +to them. Nor is this all. There has ever been found upon the western +frontiers, a band of unprincipled men who have set at defiance the laws +of the United States, debauched the Indians with ardent spirits, +cheated them of their property, and then committed upon them +aggressions marked with all the cruelty and wanton bloodshed which have +distinguished the career of the savage. The history of these +aggressions would fill a volume. It is only necessary to recall to the +mind of the reader, the horrible murder of the Conestoga Indians, in +December 1763, by some Pennsylvanians; the dark tragedy enacted on the +banks of he Muskingum, at a later period, when the Moravian Indians, at +the three villages of Schoenbrun, Salem, and Gnadenhuetten, were first +disarmed and then deliberately tomahawked by Williamson and his +associates; the unprovoked murder of the family of Logan; the +assassination of Bald Eagle, of the gallant and high-souled Cornstalk, +and his son Elinipsico: we need but recall these, from the long +catalogue of similar cases, to satisfy every candid mind, that rapine, +cruelty and a thirst for human blood are not peculiarly the attributes +of the American Indian. + +But there are still other causes which have aroused and kept in +activity, the warlike passions of the Indians. They have been +successively subjected to English, Dutch, French and Spanish influence. +The agents of these different powers, as well as the emigrants from +them, either from interest or a spirit of mischievous hostility, have +repeatedly prompted the Indians to arm themselves against the United +States. The great principle of the Indian wars, for the last seventy +years, has been the preservation of their lands. On this, the French, +English and Spanish have in turn excited them to active resistance +against the expanding settlements of the whites. It was on the +principle of recovering their lands, that the French were their allies +between the commencement of hostilities with the colonies, in 1754, and +the peace of 1762; and subsequently kept up an excitement among them +until the beginning of the revolution. From this period, the English +took the place of the French, and instigated them in a similar manner. +Their views and feelings on this point, may be gathered from their own +words: + +"It was we," say the Delawares, Mohicans and their kindred tribes, "who +so kindly received the Europeans on their first arrival into our own +country. We took them by the hand and bid them welcome to sit down by +our side, and live with us as brothers; but how did they requite our +kindness? They at first asked only for a little land, on which to raise +bread for their families, and pasture for their cattle, which we freely +gave them. They saw the game in the woods, which the Great Spirit had +given us for our subsistence, and they wanted it too. They penetrated +into the woods in quest of game, they discovered spots of land they +also wanted, and because we were loth to part with it, as we saw they +had already more than they had need of, they took it from us by force, +and drove us to a great distance from our homes."[A] + +[Footnote A: Heckewelder's historical account of the Indians.] + +It is matter of history, that for a period of near seventy years after +it was planted, the colony of William Penn lived in peace and harmony +with the neighboring Indians, among whom were bands of the warlike +Shawanoes. It was an observation of this venerable and worthy man, when +speaking of the Indians, that "if you do not abuse them, but let them +have justice, you will win them, when there is such a knowledge of good +and evil." His kind treatment to them was repaid by friendly offices, +both to himself and his followers. The Indians became indeed the +benefactors of the colonists. When the latter were scattered in 1682, +and without shelter or food, they were kind and attentive, and treated +them as brothers.[A] + +[Footnote A: Clarkson's Life of Penn.] + +Proud, in his History of Pennsylvania, when explaining the aversion of +the Indians to christianity, attributes it to the character and conduct +of the whites residing near or among them, "many of whom were of the +lowest rank and least informed of mankind, who flowed in from Germany, +Ireland and the jails of Great Britain, or who had fled from the better +inhabited parts of the colony, to escape from justice." The proceedings +of the assembly of Pennsylvania show that, as early as 1722, an Indian +was barbarously killed by some whites, within the limits of the +province. The assembly proposed some measures for the governor's +consideration in regard to the affair; and mentioned the repeated +requests of the Indians, that strong liquors should not be carried nor +sold among them. In a treatise published in London, in 1759, on the +cause of the then existing difficulties between the Indians and the +colonists, we find this paragraph. "It would be too shocking to +describe the conduct and behavior of the traders, when among the +Indians; and endless to enumerate the abuses the Indians received and +bore from them, for a series of years. Suffice it to say, that several +of the tribes were, at last, weary of bearing; and, as these traders +were the persons who were, in some part, the representatives of the +English among the Indians, and by whom they were to judge of our +manners and religion, they conceived such invincible prejudices against +both, particularly our holy religion, that when Mr. Sargeant, a +gentleman in New England, took a journey in 1741, to the Shawanoes and +some other tribes living on the Susquehanna, and offered to instruct +them in the christian religion, they rejected his offer with disdain. +They reproached Christianity. They told him the traders would lie and +cheat." In 1744, governor Thomas, in a message to the assembly of +Pennsylvania, says, "I cannot but be apprehensive that the Indian +trade, as it is now carried on, will involve us in some fatal quarrel +with the Indians. Our traders, in defiance of the laws, carry +spirituous liquors among them, and take advantage of their inordinate +appetite for it, to cheat them of their skins, and their wampum, which +is their money." In 1753 governor Hamilton appointed Richard Peters, +Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, to hold a treaty with the Indians +at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In the report of these commissioners they +say: "But in justice to these Indians, and the promises we made them, +we cannot close our report, without taking notice, that the quantity of +strong liquors sold to these Indians, in the places of their residence, +and during their hunting season, have increased to an inconceivable +degree, so as to keep these poor creatures continually under the force +of liquors, that they are thereby become dissolute, enfeebled and +indolent when sober; and untractable and mischievous in their liquor, +always quarreling, and often murdering one another." Some of the chiefs +at this treaty said, "these wicked whisky-sellers, when they have once +got the Indians in liquor, make them sell their very clothes from their +backs. In short, if this practice is continued, we must be inevitably +ruined; we most earnestly, therefore, beseech you to remedy it."[A] + +[Footnote A: Proud's History of Pennsylvania.] + +This brief sketch of the early intercourse between the colonists and +the aborigines of this country, is not over-drawn, nor is it at all +inapplicable to the period which has elapsed since the formation of the +federal government. With an insatiable cupidity and a wanton disregard +of justice, have the lands and property of the Indians been sought by +citizens of the United States. The great agent of success in this +unholy business, has been ardent spirits, by means of which their +savage reason has been overthrown, and their bad passions called into +action. The class of reckless and desperate characters, described by +Proud, have hung upon the western frontiers, for the purpose of preying +upon the Indians. If government itself be not to blame, for want of +good faith towards this miserable race, is it not highly culpable for +not having, by the strong arm of physical power, enforced the salutary +laws, which from time to time, have been enacted for their protection? +Impartial posterity will, we apprehend, answer this question in the +affirmative. + +The Shawanoes engaged in the war between the French and English, which +commenced in 1755, and was terminated by the peace of 10th February, +1763. In this contest they took sides with the former, and rendered +them essential service. They committed many depredations on the +frontier settlements of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The peace of 1763, +between France and England, did not terminate the Indian war against +the colonies. The Indians were displeased with the provisions of this +treaty, especially that which ceded the provinces of Canada to Great +Britain. This dissatisfaction was increased when the British government +began to build forts on the Susquehanna, and to repair or erect those +of Bedford, Ligonier, Pittsburg, Detroit, Presque Isle, St. Joseph and +Michilimakinac. By this movement the Indians found themselves +surrounded, on two sides, by a cordon of forts, and were threatened +with an extension of them into the very heart of their country. They +had now to choose whether they would remove to the north and west, +negociate with the British government for the possession of their own +land, or take up arms for its defence. They chose the last alternative; +and, a war of extermination against the English residents in the +western country, and even those on the Susquehanna, was agreed upon and +speedily commenced. Many of the British traders living among the +Indians were murdered; the forts of Presque Isle, St. Joseph and +Mackinac, were taken, with a general slaughter of their garrisons; +while the forts of Bedford, Ligonier, Niagara, Detroit and Pitt, were +barely preserved from falling into their hands. The contest was +continued with resolute and daring spirit, and with much destruction of +life and property, until December, 1764, when the war was brought to a +close by a treaty at the German Flats, made between Sir William +Johnston and the hostile Indians. Soon after the conclusion of this +peace the Shawanoes became involved in a war with the Cherokees, which +continued until 1768, when, pressed hard by the united force of the +former tribe and the Delawares, the southern Indians solicited and +obtained a peace.[A] For the ensuing six years, the Shawanoes remained +quiet, living on amicable terms with the whites on the frontiers: in +April, 1774, however, hostilities between these parties were renewed. + +[Footnote A: Thatcher's Indian Biography.] + +It is not our purpose in the present sketch of this tribe, to present a +detail of all their conflicts with the whites; but the "Dunmore war," +(as it is generally called,) of 1774, having been mainly prosecuted by +Shawanoes, one of their distinguished chiefs having commanded in the +battle of Point Pleasant, and another, Puckecheno, (the father of +Tecumseh,) having fallen in this engagement, would seem to render a +full account of the border feuds of this year, not out of place in the +present narrative. + +In the latter part of April, 1774, a report that the Indians had stolen +some horses, from the vicinity of Wheeling, alarmed the whites who were +making settlements on the Ohio below that place. For greater safety +they immediately assembled on Wheeling creek, and learning that two +Indians were with some traders above the town, they went up the river, +and without stopping to enquire as to their guilt, deliberately put +them to death. On the afternoon of the same day, they found a party of +Indians on the Ohio, below Wheeling creek, on whom they fired, and +killed several. The Indians returned the fire and wounded one of the +assailing party. It is admitted by all the authorities on this subject, +that the two Indians killed above Wheeling, were shot by men under the +command of colonel Michael Cresap. Mr. Jefferson, in his Notes on +Virginia, states that the second attack, in which one of Logan's family +is alleged to have been killed, was also headed by Cresap; and, in this +he is sustained by Doddridge, Heckewelder and others; but it is denied +by Jacob. "Pursuing these examples," says Mr. Jefferson, "Daniel +Greathouse and one Tomlinson, who lived on the opposite side of the +river from the Indians, and were in habits of friendship with them, +collected at the house of Polk, on Cross creek, about sixteen miles +from Baker's bottom, a party of thirty-two men. Their object was to +attack a hunting party of Indians, consisting of men, women and +children, at the mouth of Yellow creek, some distance above Wheeling. +They proceeded, and when arrived near Baker's bottom they concealed +themselves, and Greathouse crossed the river to the Indian camp. Being +among them as a friend, he counted them and found them too strong for +an open attack with his force. While here, he was cautioned by one of +the women not to stay, for that the Indian men were drinking; and +having heard of Cresap's murder of their relatives at Grave creek, were +angry; and she pressed him in a friendly manner to go home; whereupon, +after inviting them to come over and drink, he returned to Baker's, +which was a tavern, and desired that when any of them should come to +his house, he would give them as much rum as they could drink. When +this plot was ripe, and a sufficient number of them had collected at +Baker's and become intoxicated, he and his party fell on them and +massacred the whole except a little girl, whom they preserved as a +prisoner. Among them was the very woman who had saved his life by +pressing him to retire from the drunken wrath of her friends, when he +was playing the spy in their camp at Yellow creek. Either she herself +or some other one of the murdered women was the sister of Logan; there +were others of his relations who fell at the same time. The party on +the opposite side of the river, upon hearing the report of the guns, +became alarmed for their friends at Baker's house, immediately manned +two canoes and sent them over. They were met by a fire from +Greathouse's party, as they approached the shore, which killed some, +wounded others, and obliged the remainder to return. Baker subsequently +stated, that six or eight were wounded and twelve killed." + +The settlers along the frontier, satisfied that the Indians would +retaliate upon them, for these unprovoked aggressions, either returned +to the interior of the country, or gathered in forts, and made +preparation for resistance. The assembly of the colony of Virginia +being then in session, an express was sent to the seat of government, +announcing the commencement of hostilities with the Indians, and asking +assistance. In the month of May, the excitement among the Indians was +still further increased by the murder of the Delaware sachem, "Bald +Eagle," and the wounding of "Silver Heels," a popular chief of the +Shawanoe tribe. Bald Eagle was an aged, harmless man, who was in the +habit of visiting the whites on the most friendly terms. At the period +of his death, he was returning alone, in his canoe, from a visit to the +fort at the mouth of the Kanawha. The individual who committed the +murder, having scalped him, placed the body in a sitting posture in the +canoe and suffered it to float down the stream, in which condition it +was found by the Indians. Silver Heels was returning from Albany to the +Ohio, having been to that city as the voluntary escort of some white +traders, who were fleeing from the frontiers. He was fired upon and +dangerously wounded while crossing Big Beaver in a canoe. Such were +some of the causes which called into action the vindictive feelings of +the Indians. + +The distinguished Mingo chief, Logan, was roused to action by the +murder of his relatives at Yellow creek; and in the course of the +summer, led some war parties against the whites, and destroyed several +families. The Earl of Dunmore, then governor of the colony of Virginia, +made arrangements for a campaign against the Indians, but it was not +until September, that his forces were brought into the field. He +ordered three regiments to be raised west of the Blue Ridge, the +command of which was given to general Andrew Lewis. A similar army was +assembled from the interior, the command of which the Earl assumed in +person. The mouth of the Great Kanawha was the point at which two +divisions of the army were to meet; from whence, under the command of +governor Dunmore, they were to march against the Indian towns on the +north side of the Ohio. General Lewis' division amounted to eleven +hundred men, most of whom were accustomed to danger, and with their +officers, familiar with the modes of Indian warfare. On the eleventh of +September, general Lewis moved from his camp, in the vicinity of +Lewisburg, and after a march of nineteen days, traversing a wilderness +through the distance of one hundred and sixty-five-miles, he reached +the mouth of the Kanawha, and made an encampment at that point. Here he +waited several days for the arrival of governor Dunmore, who, with the +division under his command, was to have met him at this place. +Disappointed in not hearing from Dunmore, general Lewis despatched some +scouts, over land to Pittsburg, to obtain intelligence of him. On the +ninth of October, and before the return of these scouts, an express +from Dunmore arrived in camp, with information that he had changed his +plan of operations; and intended to march directly against the Indian +towns on the Scioto; and directing general Lewis to cross the Ohio and +join him. Preparations were making to obey this order, when, about +sunrise, on the morning of the tenth, a large body of Indians was +discovered within a mile of the camp. Two detachments were ordered out +by general Lewis, to meet the enemy, one under the command of colonel +Charles Lewis, the other under colonel Fleming. The former marched to +the right, some distance from the Ohio, the latter to the left, on the +bank of that stream. Colonel Lewis had not proceeded half a mile from +the camp, when, soon after sunrise, his front line was vigorously +attacked by the united tribes of the Shawanoes, Delawares, Mingoes, +Ioways, and some others, in number between eight hundred and one +thousand. At the commencement of the attack, colonel Lewis received a +wound, which in the course of a few hours proved fatal: several of his +men were killed at the same time, and his division was forced to fall +back. In about a minute after the attack upon Lewis, the enemy engaged +the front of the other division, on the bank of the Ohio, and in a +short time, colonel Fleming, the leader of it, was severely wounded, +and compelled to retire to the camp. Colonel Lewis' division having now +been reinforced from the camp, pressed upon the Indians until they had +fallen back in a line with Fleming's division. During this time, it +being now twelve o'clock, the action continued with unabated severity. +The close underwood, the ravines and fallen trees, favored the Indians; +and while the bravest of their warriors fought from behind these +coverts, others were throwing their dead into the Ohio, and carrying +off their wounded. In their slow retreat, the Indians, about one +o'clock, gained a very advantageous position, from which it appeared to +our officers so difficult to dislodge them, that it was deemed +advisable to maintain the line as then formed, which was about a mile +and a quarter in length. In this position, the action was continued, +with more or less severity, until sundown, when, night coming on, the +Indians effected a safe retreat.[A] + +[Footnote A: Official Report, xii. vol., Niles Register.] + +McClung, in his valuable Sketches of Western Adventure, in describing +this sanguinary battle, speaks of the Indians fighting from behind a +breastwork; Stone, in his Life of Brant, says the Indians were forced +to avail themselves of a rude breastwork of logs and brushwood, which +they had taken the precaution to construct for the occasion. There must +be some mistake in regard to this breastwork, as it is evident from the +circumstances of the case, that the Indians could not, before the +battle, have erected one so near the camp without discovery; and after +the action commenced, it was too fiercely prosecuted for a rampart of +this kind to have been thrown up. + +In regard to the number killed on either side, there is no very certain +information. Doddridge, in his Notes on the Indian wars, places the +number of whites killed in this action at seventy-five, and the wounded +at one hundred and forty. Campbell, in his History of Virginia, says +the number of whites who were killed was upwards of fifty, and that +ninety were wounded, which is probably near the truth. The Indian force +engaged in this action has been estimated by different writers, at from +eight hundred to fifteen hundred men. It is probable that the number +did not exceed eight hundred. They were led on by some bold and warlike +chiefs, among them Cornstalk, Logan, Elenipsico, Red Eagle, and +Packishenoah, the last of whom was killed. Cornstalk, the chief in +command, was conspicuous for his bravery, and animated his followers in +tones which rose above the clash of arms; and when a retreat became +necessary, conducted it so successfully and with so much delay, as to +give his men an opportunity of bearing off all their wounded and many +of the killed, whose bodies were thrown into the river. The loss of the +Indians was never ascertained. One of the historians already quoted, +speaks of it as "comparatively trifling." The character of our troops, +many of whom were experienced woods-men, familiar with Indian fighting, +the long continuance of the action--from the rising to the going down +of the sun--the equality in numbers and position of the contending +parties, the known usage of the Indians in hiding their dead and +carrying off the wounded, the number of killed found on the battle +ground the following day, and the severe loss of the Virginians, all +forbid the idea that the loss of the enemy could have been trifling. +The Ohio and Kanawha rivers afforded them opportunities for concealing +their dead, while the plan of retreat,--alternately giving ground and +renewing the attack,--was no doubt adopted for the purpose of gaining +time to remove the wounded across the Ohio. It is fair to assume that +the loss of the Indians was not far short of that sustained by the +whites. + +All circumstances considered, this battle may be ranked among the most +memorable, and well contested, that has been fought on this continent. +The leaders, on either side, were experienced and able, the soldiers +skilful and brave. The victorious party, if either could be so called, +had as little to boast of as the vanquished. It was alike creditable to +the Anglo-Saxon and the aboriginal arms. + +After the Indians had recrossed the Ohio, they marched to the valley of +the Scioto, and encamped on the east side of that stream, about eight +miles north of where Chillicothe now stands. Here a council was held to +decide upon their future movements. Cornstalk, although true to the +interests of the Shawanoes, was the friend of peace, and had been +opposed to making the attack on the troops of general Lewis. Being +overruled, he entered into the action determined to do his duty. He now +rose in the council and demanded, "_What shall we do now? The Long +Knives are coming upon us by two routes. Shall we turn out and fight +them_?" No reply being made to his questions, he continued, "shall we +kill all our women and children, and then fight until we are all killed +ourselves?" The chiefs were still silent. Cornstalk turned round, and +striking his tomahawk into the war-post standing in the midst of the +council, said with his characteristic energy of manner, "_Since you are +not inclined to fight, I will go and make peace_." + +In the meantime the earl of Dunmore, having procured boats at fort +Pitt, descended the river to Wheeling, where the army halted for a few +days, and then proceeded down the river in about one hundred canoes, a +few keel boats and perogues, to the mouth of Hockhocking, and from +thence over land, until the army had got within a few miles of the +Shawanoe camp. Here the army halted, and made a breastwork of fallen +trees, and entrenchments of such extent as to include about twelve +acres of ground, with an enclosure in the centre containing about one +acre. This was the citadel, which contained the markees of the earl and +his superior officers.[A] Before the army of Dunmore had reached this +point, he had been met by messengers from the Indians suing for peace. +General Lewis, in the meantime, did not remain inactive. The day after +the battle he proceeded to bury his dead, and to throw up a rude +entrenchment around his camp, and appoint a guard for the protection of +the sick and wounded. On the succeeding day he crossed the Ohio with +his army, and commenced his march through a trackless desert, for the +Shawanoe towns on the Scioto. Governor Dunmore, having determined to +make peace with the Indians, sent an express to general Lewis, ordering +him to retreat across the Ohio. The order was disregarded, and the +march continued until the governor in person, met the general and +peremptorily repeated it. General Lewis and his troops, burning with a +desire of avenging the Indian massacres, and the loss of their brave +companions in the late battle, reluctantly obeyed the command of +Dunmore; and turned their faces homewards. When the governor and his +officers had returned to their camp, on the following day, the treaty +with the Indians was opened. For fear of treachery, only eighteen +Indians were permitted to attend their chiefs within the encampment, +and they were required to leave their arms behind them. The conference +was commenced by Cornstalk, in a long, bold and spirited speech, in +which the white people were charged with being the authors of the war, +by their aggressions upon the Indians at Captina and Yellow creek. +Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief, refused to attend, although willing +to make peace. His influence with the Indians made it important to +secure his concurrence in the proposed treaty. Dunmore sent a special +messenger, (colonel John Gibson,) to him. They met alone in the woods, +where Logan delivered to him his celebrated speech. Colonel Gibson +wrote it down, returned to Dunmore's camp, read the speech in the +council, and the terms of the peace were then agreed on. What those +terms were, is not fully known. No copy of the treaty can now be found, +although diligent enquiry has been made for it. Burk, in his History of +Virginia, says, that the peace was on "condition that the lands on +_this side of the Ohio_ should be for ever ceded to the whites; that +their prisoners should be delivered up, and that four hostages should +be immediately given for the faithful performance of these conditions." +Campbell, in his History of Virginia, says, the Indians "agreed to give +up their lands on this side of the Ohio, and set at liberty their +prisoners." Butler, in his History of Kentucky, remarks that, "such a +treaty appears at this day, to be utterly beyond the advantages which +could have been claimed from Dunmore's expedition?" This is undoubtedly +a reasonable conclusion. The statement in Doddridge, that "on our part +we obtained at the treaty a cessation of hostilities and a surrender of +prisoners, and nothing more," is most probably the true version of the +terms of this peace. If an important grant of land had been obtained by +this treaty, copies of it would have been preserved in the public +archives, and references in subsequent treaties, would have been made +to it; but such seems not to have been the case. The conclusion most +be, that it was only a treaty for the cessation of hostilities and the +surrender of prisoners. + +[Footnote A: Doddridge's Indian Wars.] + +There have been various speculations as to the causes which induced +governor Dunmore to order the retreat of the army under general Lewis, +before the treaty was concluded. However desirous of a peace, the +presence of an additional force would only have rendered that result +more certain. It was believed by some of the officers of the army, and +the opinion has been held by several writers since, that after governor +Dunmore started on this expedition, he was advised of the strong +probability of a war between Great Britain and her colonies; and that +all his subsequent measures were shaped with a reference to making the +Indians the allies of England in the expected contest. On this +supposition, his conduct in not joining general Lewis at the mouth of +the Kanawha, in risking his own detachment in the enemy's country, and +in positively forbidding the other wing of the army from uniting with +his, at camp Charlotte, has been explained. There are certainly +plausible grounds for believing that governor Dunmore at this time, had +more at heart the interests of Great Britain than of the colonies. + +Soon after the conclusion of this war, the Shawanoes, with other tribes +of the north-western Indians, took part with England in the war with +the colonies; nor did the peace of 1783 put an end to these +hostilities. The settlement of the valley of the Ohio by the whites, +was boldly and perseveringly resisted; nor was the tomahawk buried by +the Indians, until after the decisive battle at the rapids of the Miami +of the lakes, on the 20th of August, 1794. The proximity of the +Shawanoe towns to the Ohio river--the great highway of emigration to +the west--and the facility with which the infant settlements in +Kentucky could be reached, rendered this warlike tribe an annoying and +dangerous neighbor. Led on by some daring chiefs; fighting for their +favorite hunting-grounds, and stimulated to action by British agents, +the Shawanoes, for a series of years, pressed sorely upon the new +settlements; and are supposed to have caused the destruction of more +property and a greater number of lives, than all the other tribes of +the north-west united. They participated in most of the predatory +excursions into Kentucky. They were present at the celebrated attack on +Bryant's station; they fought with their characteristic bravery in the +battle of the Blue Licks, and participated in colonel Byrd's hostile +excursion up Licking river, and the destruction of Martin's and +Riddle's stations. In turn, they were compelled to stand on the +defensive, and to encounter the gallant Kentuckians on the north side +of the Ohio. Bowman's expedition in 1779, to the waters of Mad river; +Clark's in 1780 and 1782, and Logan's in 1786, to the same point; +Edwards' in 1787, to the head waters of the Big Miami; and Todd's in +1788, into the Scioto valley--not to name several minor ones--were +chiefly directed against the Shawanoes; and resulted in the destruction +of two or three of their principal villages, but not without a fierce +and bloody resistance. The Shawanoes were likewise found in hostility +to the United States, in the campaigns of Harmar, St. Clair and Wayne. +They united in the treaty of Greenville, in 1795; and with the +exception of a few who fought at Tippecanoe, remained at peace with +this government until the war with Great Britain, in 1812, in which a +considerable body of them became the allies of the latter power. Some +of the tribe, however, remained neutral in that contest, and others +joined the United States, and continued faithful until the peace of +1815. + + +WEYAPIERSENWAH, OR BLUE JACKET. + +In the campaign of general Harmar, in the year 1790, Blue Jacket--an +influential Shawanoe chief--was associated with the Miami chief, Little +Turtle, in the command of the Indians. In the battle of the 20th of +August 1794, when the combined army of the Indians was defeated by +general Wayne, Blue Jacket had the chief control. The flight previous +to the battle, while the Indians were posted at Presque Isle, a council +was held, composed of chiefs from the Miamis, Potawatimies, Delawares, +Shawanoes, Chippewas, Ottawas and Senecas--the seven nations engaged in +the action. They decided against the proposition to attack general +Wayne that night in his encampment. The expediency of meeting him the +next day then came up for consideration. Little Turtle was opposed to +this measure, but being warmly supported by Blue Jacket, it was finally +agreed upon. The former was strongly inclined to peace, and decidedly +opposed to risking a battle under the circumstances in which the +Indians were then placed. "We have beaten the enemy," said he, "twice, +under separate commanders. We cannot expect the same good fortune +always to attend us. The Americans are now led by a chief who never +sleeps. The night and the day are alike to him; and, during all the +time that he has been marching upon our villages, notwithstanding the +watchfulness of our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. +Think well of it. There is something whispers me, it would be prudent +to listen to his offers of peace." The councils of Blue Jacket, +however, prevailed over the better judgment of Little Turtle. The +battle was fought and the Indians defeated. + +In the month of October following this defeat, Blue Jacket concurred in +the expediency of sueing for peace, and at the head of a deputation of +chiefs, was about to bear a flag to general Wayne, then at Greenville, +when the mission was arrested by foreign influence. Governor Simcoe, +colonel McKee and the Mohawk chief, captain John Brant, having in +charge one hundred and fifty Mohawks and Messasagoes, arrived at the +rapids of the Maumee, and invited the chiefs of the combined army to +meet them at the mouth of the Detroit river, on the 10th of October. To +this Blue Jacket assented, for the purpose of hearing what the British +officers had to propose. Governor Simcoe urged the Indians to retain +their hostile attitude towards the United States. In referring to the +encroachments of the people of this country on the Indian lands, he +said, "Children: I am still of the opinion that the Ohio is your right +and title. I have given orders to the commandant of fort Miami to fire +on the Americans whenever they make their appearance again. I will go +down to Quebec, and lay your grievances before the great man. From +thence they will be forwarded to the king, your father. Next spring you +will know the result of every thing what you and I will do." He urged +the Indians to obtain a cessation of hostilities, until the following +spring, when the English would be ready to attack the Americans, and by +driving them back across the Ohio, restore their lands to the +Indians.[A] These counsels delayed the conclusion of peace until the +following summer. + +[Footnote A: Amer. State Papers, vol. 5, p. 529. Stone's Life of Brant, +vol. 2, p.392.] + +Blue Jacket was present at the treaty of Greenville in 1795, and +conducted himself with moderation and dignity. Upon his arrival at that +place, in excuse for not having met general Wayne at an earlier period, +he said, "Brother, when I came here last winter, I did not mean to +deceive you. What I promised you I did intend to perform. My wish to +conclude a firm peace with you being sincere, my uneasiness has been +great that my people have not come forward so soon as you could wish, +or might expect. But you must not be discouraged by these unfavorable +appearances. Some of our chiefs and warriors are here; more will arrive +in a few days. You must not, however, expect to see a great number. +Yet, notwithstanding, our nation will be well represented. Our hearts +are open and void of deceit." + +On the second day of the council, Blue Jacket made a remark, showing +the relation subsisting between the Shawanoes and some other tribes, to +which allusion has been made already. + +"Brothers: I hope you will not take amiss my changing my seat in this +council. You all know the Wyandots are our uncles, and the Delawares +our grandfathers, and that the Shawanoes are the elder brothers of the +other nations present. It is, therefore, proper that I should sit next +my grandfathers and uncles. I hope, younger brothers, you are all +satisfied with what your uncles said yesterday, and that I have done +every thing in my power to advise and support you." + +At the conclusion of the treaty Blue Jacket rose and said: + +"Elder Brother, and you, my brothers, present: you see me now present +myself as a war-chief to lay down that commission, and place myself in +the rear of my village chiefs, who for the future will command me. +Remember, brother's, you have all buried your war hatchet. Your +brothers, the Shawanoes, now do the same good act. We must think of war +no more. + +"Elder Brother: you see now all the chiefs and warriors around you, +have joined in the good work of peace, which is now accomplished. We +now request you to inform our elder brother, general Washington, of it; +and of the cheerful unanimity which has marked their determination. We +wish you to enquire of him if it would be agreeable that two chiefs +from each nation should pay him a visit, and take him by the hand; for +your younger brothers have a strong desire to see that great man and to +enjoy the pleasure of conversing with him." + +We are indebted to major Galloway of Xenia, for the following anecdote +of this chief: + +"In the spring of 1800, Blue Jacket and another chief, whose name I +have forgotten, boarded for several weeks at my father's, in Green +county, at the expense of a company of Kentuckians, who engaged Blue +Jacket, for a valuable consideration, to show them a great silver mine, +which tradition said was known to the Indians, as existing on Red +river, one of the head branches of the Kentucky. A Mr. Jonathan Flack, +agent of this company, had previously spent several months among the +Shawanoes, at their towns and hunting camps, in order to induce this +chief to show this great treasure. At the time agreed on, ten or twelve +of the company came from Kentucky to meet Blue Jacket at my father's, +where a day or two was spent in settling the terms upon which he would +accompany them; the crafty chief taking his own time to deliberate on +the offers made him, and rising in his demands in proportion to their +growing eagerness to possess the knowledge which was to bring untold +wealth to all the company. At length the bargain was made; horses, +goods and money were given as presents, and the two chiefs with their +squaws, were escorted in triumph to Kentucky, where they were feasted +and caressed in the most flattering manner, and all their wants +anticipated and liberally supplied. In due time and with all possible +secrecy, they visited the region where this great mine was said to be +emboweled in the earth. Here the wily Shawanoe spent some time in +seclusion, in order to humble himself by fastings, purifications and +_pow-wowings_, with a view to propitiate the Great Spirit; and to get +His permission to disclose the grand secret of the mine. An equivocal +answer was all the response that was given to him in his dreams; and, +after many days of fruitless toil and careful research, the mine, the +great object so devoutly sought and wished for, could not be found. The +cunning Blue Jacket, however, extricated himself with much address from +the anticipated vengeance of the disappointed worshippers of Plutus, by +charging his want of success to his eyes, which were dimmed by reason +of his old age; and by promising to send his son on his return home, +whose eyes were young and good, and who knew the desired spot and would +show it. The son, however, never visited the scene of his father's +failure; and thus ended the adventures of the celebrated mining company +of Kentucky." + + +CATAHECASSA, OR BLACK-HOOF. + +Among the celebrated chiefs of the Shawanoes, Black Hoof is entitled to +a high rank. He was born in Florida, and at the period of the removal +of a portion of that tribe to Ohio and Pennsylvania, was old enough to +recollect having bathed in the salt water. He was present with others +of his tribe, at the defeat of Braddock, near Pittsburg, in 1755, and +was engaged in all the wars in Ohio from that time until the treaty of +Greenville, in 1795. Such was the sagacity of Black Hoof in planning +his military expeditions, and such the energy with which he executed +them, that he won the confidence of his whole nation, and was never at +a loss for _braves_ to fight under his banner. "He was known far and +wide, as the great Shawanoe warrior, whose cunning, sagacity and +experience were only equalled by the fierce and desperate bravery with +which he carried into operation his military plans. Like the other +Shawanoe chiefs, he was the inveterate foe of the white man, and held +that no peace should be made, nor any negotiation attempted, except on +the condition that the whites should repass the mountains, and leave +the great plains of the west to the sole occupancy of the native +tribes. + +"He was the orator of his tribe during the greater part of his long +life, and was an excellent speaker. The venerable colonel Johnston of +Piqua, to whom we are indebted for much valuable information, describes +him as the most graceful Indian he had ever seen, and as possessing the +most natural and happy faculty of expressing his ideas. He was well +versed in the traditions of his people; no one understood better their +peculiar relations to the whites, whose settlements were gradually +encroaching on them, or could detail with more minuteness the wrongs +with which his nation was afflicted. But although a stern and +uncompromising opposition to the whites had marked his policy through a +series of forty years, and nerved his arm in a hundred battles, he +became at length convinced of the madness of an ineffectual struggle +against a vastly superior and hourly increasing foe. No sooner had he +satisfied himself of this truth, than he acted upon it with the +decision which formed a prominent trait in his character. The temporary +success of the Indians in several engagements previous to the campaign +of general Wayne, had kept alive their expiring hopes; but their signal +defeat by that gallant officer, convinced the more reflecting of their +leaders of the desperate character of the conflict. Black Hoof was +among those who decided upon making terms with the victorious American +commander; and having signed the treaty of 1795, at Greenville, he +continued faithful to his stipulations during the remainder of his +life. From that day he ceased to be the enemy of the white man; and as +he was not one who could act a negative part, he became the firm ally +and friend of those against whom his tomahawk had been so long raised +in vindictive animosity. He was their friend, not from sympathy or +conviction, but in obedience to a necessity which left no middle +course, and under a belief that submission alone could save his tribe +from destruction; and having adopted this policy, his sagacity and +sense of honor, alike forbade a recurrence either to open war or secret +hostility. + +"Black Hoof was the principal chief of the Shawanoe nation, and +possessed all the influence and authority which are usually attached to +that office, at the period when Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet +commenced their hostile operations against the United States. Tecumseh +had never been reconciled to the whites. As sagacious and as brave as +Black Hoof, and resembling him in all the better traits of savage +character, he differed widely from that respectable chief in his +political opinions. They were both patriotic in the proper sense of the +word, and earnestly desired to preserve the remnant of their tribe from +the destruction that threatened the whole Indian race. Black Hoof, +whose long and victorious career as a warrior placed his courage far +above suspicion, submitted to what he believed inevitable, and +endeavoured to evade the effects of the storm by bending beneath its +fury; while Tecumseh, a younger man, an influential warrior, but not a +chief, with motives equally public spirited, was, no doubt, +unconsciously biassed by personal ambition, and suffered his hatred to +the white man to master every other feeling and consideration. The one +was a leader of ripened fame, who had reached the highest place in his +nation, and could afford to retire from the active scenes of warfare; +the other was a candidate for higher honors than he had yet achieved; +and both might have been actuated by a common impulse of rivalry, which +induced them to espouse different opinions in opposition to each +other."[A] + +[Footnote A: History of the Indian Tribes of N. America.] + +When Tecumseh and the Prophet embarked in their scheme for the recovery +of the lands as far south as the Ohio river, it became their interest +as well as policy to enlist Black Hoof in the enterprise; and every +effort which the genius of the one and the cunning of the other, could +devise, was brought to bear upon him. But Black Hoof continued faithful +to the treaty which he had signed at Greenville, in 1795, and by +prudence and influence kept the greater part of his tribe from joining +the standard of Tecumseh or engaging on the side of the British in the +late war with England. In that contest he became the ally of the United +States, and although he took no active part in it, he exerted a very +salutary influence over his tribe. In January, 1813, he visited general +Tapper's camp, at fort McArthur, and while there, about ten o'clock one +night, when sitting by the fire in company with the general and several +other officers, some one fired a pistol through a hole in the wall of +the hut, and shot Black Hoof in the face: the ball entered the cheek, +glanced against the bone, and finally lodged in his neck: he fell, and +for some time was supposed to be dead, but revived, and afterwards +recovered from this severe wound. The most prompt and diligent enquiry +as to the author of this cruel and dastardly act, failed to lead to his +detection. No doubt was entertained that this attempt at assassination +was made by a white man, stimulated perhaps by no better excuse than +the memory of some actual or ideal wrong, inflicted on some of his own +race by an unknown hand of kindred colour with that of his intended +victim.[A] + +[Footnote A: James Galloway.] + +Black Hoof was opposed to polygamy, and to the practice of burning +prisoners. He is reported to have lived forty years with one wife, and +to have reared a numerous family of children, who both loved and +esteemed him. His disposition was cheerful, and his conversation +sprightly and agreeable. In stature he was small, being not more than +five feet eight inches in height. He was favored with good health, and +unimpaired eye sight to the period of his death, which occurred at +Wapakonatta, in the year 1831, at the age of one hundred and ten years. + + +CORNSTALK. + +The reader of these pages is already familiar with the name of +Cornstalk, "the mighty Cornstalk, sachem of the Shawanoes, and king of +the Northern Confederacy." His conduct in the memorable battle of Point +Pleasant establishes his fame as an able and gallant warrior. He +carried into that action the skill of an accomplished general, and the +heroism of a dauntless brave. Neither a thirst for blood, nor the love +of renown, ever prompted him to arms. He was the open advocate for +honorable peace--the avowed and devoted friend of the whites. But he +loved his own people and the hunting grounds in which they roamed; and, +when his country's wrongs demanded redress, he became the "thunderbolt +of war," and avenged the aggressions upon his tribe with energy and +power. He fought, however, that peace might reign; and, after the +battle in which he so highly distinguished himself, was the first among +his associated chiefs to propose a cessation of hostilities. While he +mourned over the inevitable doom of the Indians, he had the sagacity to +perceive that all efforts to avert it, were not only useless, but, in +the end, reacted upon them with withering influence. + +He has been justly called a great and a good man. He was the zealous +friend of the Moravian missions; and warmly encouraged every effort to +ameliorate the moral and physical condition of his people. "His noble +bearing," says Mr. Withers, "his generous and disinterested attachment +to the colonies, when the thunder of British cannon was reverberating +through the land, his anxiety to preserve the frontier of Virginia from +desolation and death, (the object of his visit to Point Pleasant,) all +conspired to win for him the esteem and respect of others; while the +untimely and perfidious manner of his death, caused a deep and lasting +regret to pervade the bosoms even of those who were enemies to his +nation; and excited the just indignation of all towards his inhuman and +barbarous murderers." The strong native powers of his mind had been +more enriched by observation, travel and intercourse with the whites, +than is usual among the Indian chiefs. He was familiarly acquainted +with the topography and geography of the north-west, even beyond the +Mississippi river, and possessed an accurate knowledge of the various +treaties between the whites and the Indian tribes of this region, and +the relative rights of each party. + +At the treaty with Dunmore, he made a speech alike creditable to his +love of country and his sense of justice. He pourtrayed, in living +colors, the wrongs inflicted upon the Indians by the colonists, and +placed in strong contrast the former and present condition of his +nation, the one being happy and prosperous, the other degraded and +oppressed. He spoke in a strain of manly boldness of the repeated +perfidy of the white people; and especially, of the unblushing +dishonesty of the traders; and, finally concluded by proposing as one +of the fundamental provisions of the treaty, that no commerce with the +Indians should be carried on for individual profit, but that honest men +should be sent among them by their white brother, with such things as +they needed, to be exchanged, at a fair price, for their skins and +furs: and still further, that no "fire-water," of any kind, should be +introduced among them, inasmuch as it depraved his people and +stimulated them to aggressions upon their white brethren. + +As an orator, the fame of Cornstalk stands high. Colonel Benjamin +Wilson, an officer in Dunmore's campaign, in 1774, who was present at +the interview (at camp Charlotte) between the chiefs and the governor, +in speaking of Cornstalk, says, "when he arose, he was in no wise +confused or daunted, but spoke in a distinct and audible voice, without +stammering or repetition, and with peculiar emphasis. His looks, while +addressing Dunmore, were truly grand and majestic, yet graceful and +attractive. I have heard the first orators in Virginia,--Patrick Henry +and Richard Henry Lee,--but never have I heard one whose powers of +delivery surpassed those of Cornstalk." + +The treaty at camp Charlotte did not bring much repose to the frontier. +In the course of the two years succeeding it, new difficulties arose +between the Indians and the inhabitants of western Virginia. Early in +the spring of 1777, several tribes joined in an offensive alliance +against the latter. Cornstalk exerted all his influence to arrest it, +but in vain. Sincerely desirous of averting war, he resolved to +communicate this condition of affairs to the Virginians, in the hope +that they might dissipate the impending war-cloud. This information he +determined to give in person. Taking with him Red Hawk, and one other +Indian, he went secretly to the fort at Point Pleasant, with a flag of +peace, and presented himself to the commander of that post. After +stating to him the object of the mission, and fully explaining the +situation of the confederate tribes and their contemplated attack upon +the whites, he remarked, in regard to his own, "the current sets (with +the Indians,) so strong against the Americans, in consequence of the +agency of the British, that they (the Shawanoes) will float with it, I +fear, in spite of all my exertions." No sooner had this information +been given to the commander, captain Matthew Arbuckle, than he decided, +in violation of all good faith, to detain the two chiefs as hostages, +to prevent the meditated attack on the settlements. This he did; and +immediately gave information to the executive of Virginia, who ordered +additional troops to the frontier. In the mean time, the officers in +the fort held frequent conversations with Cornstalk, whose intelligence +equally surprised and pleased them. He took pleasure in giving them +minute descriptions of his country, its rivers, prairies and lakes, its +game and other productions. One day, as he was drawing a rude map on +the floor, for the gratification of those present, a call was heard +from the opposite shore of the Ohio, which he at once recognized as the +voice of his favorite son, Elenipsico, a noble minded youth, who had +fought by his father's side in the battle of Point Pleasant. At the +request of Cornstalk, Elenipsico crossed over the river, and joined him +in the fort, where they had an affectionate and touching meeting. The +son had become uneasy at his father's long absence; and regardless of +danger, had visited this place in search of him. It happened on the +following day that two white men, belonging to the fort, crossed over +the Kanawha, upon a hunting excursion; as they were returning to their +boat, they were fired upon by some Indians in ambush, and one of the +hunters, named Gilmore, was killed, the other making his escape. The +news of this murder having reached the fort, a party of captain Hall's +men crossed the river and brought in the body of Gilmore; whereupon the +cry was raised, "let us go and kill the Indians in the fort." An +infuriated gang, with captain Hall at their head, instantly started, +and in despite of all remonstrance, and the most solemn assurances that +the murderers of Gilmore had no connection whatever with the imprisoned +chiefs, they persisted in their cruel and bloody purpose, swearing, +with guns in their hands, that they would shoot any one who attempted +to oppose them. In the mean time, the interpreter's wife, who had been +a captive among the Indians, and had a feeling of regard for Cornstalk +and his companions, perceiving their danger, ran to the cabin to tell +them of it; and to let them know that Hall and his party charged +Elenipsico with having brought with him the Indians who had killed +Gilmore. This, however, the youthful chief denied most positively, +asserting that he came unattended by any one, and for the single +purpose of learning the fate of his father. At this time captain Hall +and his followers, in despite of the remonstance and command of captain +Arbuckle, were approaching the cabin of the prisoners. For a moment, +Elenipsico manifested some agitation. His father spoke and encouraged +him to be calm, saying, "my son, the Great Spirit has seen fit that we +should die together, and has sent you here to that end. It is his will, +and let us submit; it is all for the best;" and turning round to meet +the assassins at the door, was shot with seven bullets, and expired +without a groan. The momentary agitation of Elenipsico passed off, and +keeping his seat, he met his death with stern and heroic apathy. Red +Hawk manifested less resolution, and made a fruitless effort to conceal +himself in the chimney of the cabin. He was discovered and instantly +shot. The fourth Indian was then slowly and cruelly put to death. Thus +terminated this dark and fearful tragedy--leaving a foul blot on the +page of history, which all the waters of the beautiful Ohio, on whose +banks it was perpetrated, can never wash out, and the remembrance of +which will long outlive the heroic and hapless nation which gave birth +to the noble Cornstalk. + + +SPEMICA-LAWBA--THE HIGH HORN, + +generally known as + +CAPTAIN LOGAN + +In September, 1786, captain Benjamin Logan, of Kentucky, led an +expedition of mounted men from that state against the Shawanoes, on the +north side of the Ohio, and destroyed the Machachac towns on the waters +of Mad river. Most of the warriors happened to be absent from the +villages when the invading army reached them. About thirty persons were +captured, chiefly women and children. After the slight resistance which +was made by the Indians had ceased, captain Logan's men were both +annoyed and endangered by some arrows, shot among them by an invisible +but not unpractised hand. After considerable search, in the tall grass +around the camp, an Indian youth was discovered, who with his bow and a +quiver of arrows, had concealed himself in a position from which he +could successfully throw his darts against the enemy: that intrepid boy +was Logan, the subject of the present biographical sketch. He likewise +was made prisoner, and with the others carried to Kentucky. The +commander of the expedition was so much pleased with the bold conduct +of this boy, that upon returning home, he made him a member of his own +family, in which he resided some years, until at length, at a council +for the exchange of prisoners, held on the bank of the Ohio, opposite +to Maysville, between some Shawanoe chiefs and a deputation of citizens +from Kentucky, our young hero was permitted to return to his native +land. He was ever afterwards known by the name of Logan. + +Of the family of this distinguished individual, we have been enabled to +glean but few particulars. In M'Afee's History of the Late War, and in +Butler's History of Kentucky, he is represented to have been the son of +Tecumseh's sister: this is manifestly an error; there was no +relationship between them, either by blood or marriage. + +Logan was a member of the Machachac tribe of the Shawanoes, and was +elevated to the rank of a civil chief on account of his many estimable +qualities, both intellectual and moral. He was a married man, and left +behind him a wife and several children--requesting on his death bed +that they might be sent into Kentucky, and placed under the patronage +of his friend, colonel Hardin, who had married the daughter of his +early patron, captain Logan. This, however, was not done, owing to +objections interposed by the wife. The personal appearance of Logan was +remarkably good, being six feet in height, finely formed and weighing +near two hundred pounds. + +From the period of his residence in Kentucky, to that of his death, +Logan was the unwavering friend of the United States. He was +extensively and favorably known on the frontier of Ohio, and the +Indiana territory; and, immediately after the declaration of war +against England in 1812, he joined the American service. He acted as +one of the guides of general Hull's army to Detroit; and, prior to the +actual investment of fort Wayne,--an account of which will be presently +given--he was employed by the Indian agent at Piqua, on an important +and delicate mission. The Indians around fort Wayne were giving +indications of a disposition to abandon their neutrality. This rendered +it expedient that the women and children then at that point, should be +removed within the inhabited portions of Ohio. John Johnston, the +Indian agent at Piqua, knowing Logan intimately, and having great +confidence in his judgment as well as his fidelity, selected him to +perform this duty. He was accordingly furnished with a letter to the +commandant of that fort, in which assurances were given, that the +persons about to be removed might confidently rely upon the discretion +and enterprise of Logan. He proceeded on his mission, and executed it +successfully: bringing into Piqua--near one hundred miles distant from +fort Wayne--twenty-five women and children; the former, without an +exception, bearing testimony to the uniform delicacy and kindness with +which he treated them. Deeply impressed with the dangerous +responsibility of the office he had assumed, he is said not to have +slept from the time the party left fort Wayne, until it reached Piqua. + +We next hear of Logan, in connection with the memorable siege of fort +Wayne. This post, which was erected in 1794, stood at the junction of +the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, and, although not within the +limits of Ohio, its preservation was all-important to the peace and +safety of our north-western frontier. Having been built of wood, it +was, in 1812, a pile of combustible matter. Immediately after the +surrender of general Hull, in August, 1812, the Indians, to the number +of four or five hundred, closely invested this place. The garrison at +that time, including every description of persons, amounted to less +than one hundred persons, of whom not more than sixty or seventy were +capable of performing military duty. These were commanded by captain +Rhea, an officer who, from several causes, was but ill qualified for +the Station. His lieutenants were Philip Ostrander and Daniel Curtis, +both of whom, throughout the siege, discharged their duty in a gallant +manner. + +At the time of the investment of this place, there was a considerable +body of Ohio troops in the neighborhood of Piqua. These had been +ordered out by governor Meigs, for the relief of Detroit; but, upon +hearing of the surrender of that place, their course was directed +towards fort Wayne. They were, however, almost in a state of +disorganization, and manifested but little ardor in entering upon this +new duty. Perceiving this state of things, and aware that the fort was +in imminent danger, a young man, now major William Oliver, of +Cincinnati, determined upon making an effort to reach the garrison. +Young Oliver was a resident of fort Wayne, and was on his return from a +visit to Cincinnati when, at Piqua, he learned that the place was +besieged. He immediately joined a rifle company of the Ohio militia; +but seeing the tardy movements of the troops, in advancing to the +relief of the fort, he resolved in the first place to return with all +possible expedition, to Cincinnati, for the purpose of inducing colonel +Wells, of the 17th U.S. infantry, to march his regiment to the relief +of the fort; and, in the second place, to make an effort to reach it in +person, that the garrison might be encouraged to hold out until +reinforcements should arrive. When Oliver arrived in Cincinnati, he +found that general Harrison had just crossed the Ohio, from Kentucky, +and assumed the command of the troops composing the north-western army. +He called upon the general, stated the condition of things on the +frontier, and avowed his intention of passing into the fort in advance +of the reinforcements. The general informed him that the troops then at +Cincinnati would be put in motion that day, and marched with all +practicable expedition to the invested point. This was on the 27th of +August; on the 31st Oliver overtook the Ohio militia at the St. Mary's +river. Here he learned that Adrian and Shane, two experienced scouts, +had been sent in the direction of fort Wayne, and had returned with +information that the hostile Indians were in great force on the route +to that place. On the next day, general Thomas Worthington, of +Chillicothe, who was then on the frontier as Indian commissioner, +seeing the great importance of communicating with the garrison, +determined to unite with Oliver in the attempt to reach it. These two +enterprising individuals induced sixty-eight of the Ohio troops and +sixteen Shawanoe Indians, among whom was Logan, to accompany them. They +marched eighteen miles that day, and camped for the night at Shane's +crossing. + +Next morning they again moved forward, but in the course of the day, +some thirty-six of their party abandoned the hazardous enterprise, and +returned to the main army. The remainder pursued their route, and +encamped that evening within twenty-four miles of fort Wayne. As the +party was not strong enough in its present condition to encounter the +besieging enemy, general Worthington was very reluctantly induced to +remain at this point, while Oliver, with Logan, captain Johnny and +Brighthorn, should make an effort to reach the fort. Being well armed +and mounted, they started at daybreak next morning upon this daring +adventure. Proceeding with great caution, they came within five miles +of the fort, before they observed any fresh Indian signs. At this point +the keen eye of Logan discovered the cunning strategy of the enemy: for +the purpose of concealing their bodies, they had dug holes on either +side of the road, alternately, at such distances as to secure them from +their own fire: these were intended for night watching, in order to cut +off all communication with the fort. Here the party deemed it advisable +to leave the main road, and strike across the country to the Maumee +river, which was reached in safety at a point one and a half miles +below the fort. Having tied their horses in a thicket, the party +proceeded cautiously on foot, to ascertain whether our troops or the +Indians were in possession of the fort. Having satisfied themselves on +this point, they returned, remounted their horses, and taking the main +road, moved rapidly to the fort. Upon reaching the gate of the +esplanade, they found it locked, and were thus compelled to pass down +the river bank, and then ascend it at the northern gate. They were +favored in doing so by the withdrawal of the hostile Indians from this +point, in carrying out a plan, then on the point of consummation, for +taking the fort by an ingenious stratagem. For several days previous to +this time, the hostile chiefs under a flag of truce, had been holding +intercourse with the garrison; and had, it is supposed, discovered the +unsoldier-like condition of the commander. They had accordingly +arranged their warriors in a semicircle, on the west and south sides of +the fort, and at no great distance from it. Five of the chiefs, under +pretence of treating with the officers of the garrison, were to pass +into the fort, and when in council were to assassinate the subaltern +officers with pistols and knives, concealed under their blankets; and +then to seize captain Rhea, who, in his trepidation, and under a +promise of personal safety, would, they anticipated, order the gates of +the fort to be thrown open for the admission of the besiegers. The +plan, thus arranged, was in the act of being carried into execution at +the moment when Oliver and his companions reached the gate. In speaking +of the opportune approach of this party, lieutenant Curtis says, "the +safe arrival of Mr. Oliver at that particular juncture, may justly be +considered most miraculous. One hour sooner or one later, would no +doubt have been inevitable destruction both to himself and escort: the +parties of Indians who had been detached to guard the roads and passes +in different directions, having all at that moment been called in, to +aid in carrying the fort. It is generally believed by those acquainted +with the circumstances, that not one hour, for eight days and nights +preceding or following the hour in which Mr. Oliver arrived, would have +afforded an opportunity of any probable safety." Winnemac, Five Medals, +and three other hostile chiefs, bearing the flag under which they were +to gain admittance to the fort to carry out their treacherous +intentions, were surprised by suddenly meeting at the gate, Oliver and +his companions. Coming from different directions and screened by the +angles of the fort, the parties were not visible to each other until +both were near the gate. On meeting, they shook hands, but it was +apparent that Winnemac was greatly disconcerted; he immediately wheeled +and returned to his camp, satisfied that this accession of strength to +the garrison--the forerunner, in all probability, of a much larger +force--had defeated his scheme. The others of his party entered the +fort, and remained some little time, during which they were given to +understand that Logan and his two Indian companions were to remain with +the garrison. Oliver, in the mean time, having written a hasty letter, +describing the condition of the fort, to general Worthington; and the +Indians being equipped with new rifles from the public stores, they +prepared to leave the fort without delay. Fortunately their movements +were not observed by the enemy, until they had actually started from +the garrison gate. They now put spurs to their horses and dashed off at +full speed. The hostile Indians were instantly in motion to intercept +them; the race was a severe and perilous one, but Logan and his +companions cleared the enemy's line in safety, and this accomplished, +his loud shout of triumph rose high in the air, and fell like music +upon the ears of the beleaguered garrison. The party reached general +Worthington's camp early the next morning, and delivered Oliver's +letter to him. Notwithstanding the perilous condition of the garrison, +however, the Ohio troops delayed moving for its relief, until they were +overtaken by general Harrison, who, with his reinforcements, was unable +to reach the fort until the twelfth. In the mean time the Indians kept +up an incessant firing, day and night, upon the fort, killing on one +occasion, two of the garrison who passed out of the gate on police +duty. Several times the buildings of the fort were set on fire by the +burning arrows which were shot upon them, but by the vigilance of the +garrison in extinguishing the flames, a general conflagration was +prevented. Some days after the arrival of Oliver, the Indians appeared +to be making preparations for some uncommon movement, and one +afternoon, just before night-fall, succeeded in getting possession of +one of the trading houses standing near the fort. From this point they +demanded a surrender of the garrison, under a promise of protection; +and with a threat of extermination if they were compelled to carry the +fort by storm: they alleged, further, that they had just been +reinforced by a large number of warriors, some pieces of British +cannon, and artillerists to man them. Their demand being promptly +refused, they immediately closed in upon the fort, yelling hideously, +firing their guns and also a couple of cannon. Every man in the fort +capable of doing duty, now stood at his post, having several stands of +loaded arms by his side. They were directed by the acting lieutenant, +Curtis,[A] not to fire until the Indians had approached within +twenty-five paces of the fort: the fire was at length opened upon the +entire Indian lines, and in a manner so destructive, that in twenty +minutes the enemy retreated with the loss of eighteen of their +warriors, killed. It was discovered, subsequently, that the cannon used +on this occasion by the Indians, had been made of wood by some British +traders who were with them; one of the pieces burst upon the first, and +the other on the second, fire. + +[Footnote A: Captain Rhea, by common consent, was suspended for +incapacity, and lieutenant Ostrander was on the sick list.] + +The day before general Harrison reached this place, the Indians +concentrated at a swamp, five miles south of the fort, for the purpose +of giving him battle; but after reconnoitering his force, and finding +it too strong for them, they fell back, passing by the fort in great +disorder, in the hope, it is supposed, of drawing out the garrison, +under a belief that they, (the Indians,) had been defeated by general +Harrison's army. To promote this idea, they had, while lying at the +swamp, kindled extensive fires, that the rising volume of smoke might +be mistaken for that which usually overhangs the field of battle. This +device proving unavailing, the Indians, after a vigorous investment, +running through more than twenty days, withdrew forever from the siege +of fort Wayne. + +The enterprise of young Oliver, just related, reflected the highest +credit on his bravery and patriotism: being wholly voluntary on his +part, the moral heroism of the act was only surpassed by its fortunate +results; as it prevented, in all probability, the fall of an important +frontier post, and saved its garrison from the tomahawk and scalping +knife. So hazardous was the effort deemed, indeed, that experienced +frontier's-men endeavored to dissuade him from the undertaking; and +even Logan considered it one of great peril; but when once resolved +upon, he gallantly incurred the hazard of the deed, and showed himself +worthy of the trust reposed in him. + +In November of this year, general Harrison directed Logan to take a +small party of his tribe, and reconnoitre the country in the direction +of the Rapids of the Maumee. When near this point, they were met by a +body of the enemy, superior to their own in number, and compelled to +retreat. Logan, captain Johnny and Bright-horn, who composed the party, +effected their escape, to the left wing of the army, then under the +command of general Winchester, who was duly informed of the +circumstances of their adventure. An officer of the Kentucky troops, +general P., the second in command, without the slightest ground for +such a charge, accused Logan of infidelity to our cause, and of giving +intelligence to the enemy. Indignant at this foul accusation, the noble +chief at once resolved to meet it in a manner that would leave no doubt +as to his faithfulness to the United States. He called on his friend +Oliver, and having told him of the imputation that had been cast upon +his reputation, said that he would start from the camp next morning, +and either leave his body bleaching in the woods, or return with such +trophies from the enemy, as would relieve his character from the +suspicion that had been wantonly cast upon it by an American officer. + +Accordingly, on the morning of the 22d he started down the Maumee, +attended by his two faithful companions, captain Johnny and +Bright-horn. About noon, having stopped for the purpose of taking rest, +they were suddenly surprised by a party of seven of the enemy, amongst +whom were young Elliott, a half-breed, holding a commission in the +British service, and the celebrated Potawatamie chief, Winnemac. Logan +made no resistance, but with great presence of mind, extending his hand +to Winnemac, who was an old acquaintance, proceeded to inform him, that +he and his two companions, tired of the American service, were just +leaving general Winchester's army, for the purpose of joining the +British. Winnemac, being familiar with Indian strategy, was not +satisfied with this declaration, but proceeded to disarm Logan and his +comrades, and placing his party around them, so as to prevent their +escape, started for the British camp at the foot of the Rapids. In the +course of the afternoon, Logan's address was such as to inspire +confidence in his sincerity, and induce Winnemac to restore to him and +his companions their arms. Logan now formed the plan of attacking his +captors on the first favorable opportunity; and whilst marching along, +succeeded in communicating the substance of it to captain Johnny and +Bright-horn. Their guns being already loaded, they had little further +preparation to make, than to put bullets into their mouths, to +facilitate the reloading of their arms. In carrying on this process, +captain Johnny, as he afterwards related, fearing that the man marching +by his side had observed the operation, adroitly did away the +impression by remarking, "me chaw heap tobac." + +The evening being now at hand, the British Indians determined to encamp +on the bank of Turkeyfoot creek, about twenty miles from fort +Winchester. Confiding in the idea that Logan had really deserted the +American service, a part of his captors rambled around the place of +their encampment, in search of blackhaws. They were no sooner out of +sight, than Logan gave the signal of attack upon those who remained +behind; they fired and two of the enemy fell dead--the third, being +only wounded, required a second shot to despatch him; and in the mean +time, the remainder of the party, who were near by, returned the fire, +and all of them "treed." There being four of the enemy, and only three +of Logan's party, the latter could not watch all the movements of their +antagonists. Thus circumstanced, and during an active fight, the fourth +man of the enemy passed round until Logan was uncovered by his tree, +and shot him through the body. By this time Logan's party had wounded +two of the surviving four, which caused them to fall back. Taking +advantage of this state of things, captain Johnny mounted Logan--now +suffering the pain of a mortal wound--and Bright-horn--also wounded--on +two of the enemy's horses, and started them for Winchester's camp, +which they reached about midnight. Captain Johnny, having already +secured the scalp of Winnemac, followed immediately on foot, and gained +the same point early on the following morning. It was subsequently +ascertained that the two Indians of the British party, who were last +wounded, died of their wounds, making in all five out of the seven, who +were slain by Logan and his companions. + +When the news of this gallant affair had spread through the camp, and +especially after it was known that Logan was mortally wounded, it +created a deep and mournful sensation. No one, it is believed, more +deeply regretted the fatal catastrophe, than the author of the charge +upon Logan's integrity, which had led to this unhappy result. + +Logan's popularity was very great; indeed he was almost universally +esteemed in the army, for his fidelity to our cause, his unquestioned +bravery, and the nobleness of his nature. He lived two or three days +after reaching the camp, but in extreme bodily agony; he was buried by +the officers of the army, at fort Winchester, with the honors of war. +Previous to his death, he related the particulars of this fatal +enterprise to his friend Oliver, declaring to him that he prized his +honor more than life; and, having now vindicated his reputation from +the imputation cast upon it, he died satisfied. In the course of this +interview, and while writhing with pain, he was observed to smile; upon +being questioned as to the cause, he replied, that when he recalled to +his mind the manner in which captain Johnny took off the scalp of +Winnemac, while at the same time dexterously watching the movements of +the enemy, he could not refrain from laughing--an incident in savage +life, which shows the "ruling passion strong in death." It would +perhaps be difficult in the history of savage warfare, to point out an +enterprise the execution of which reflects higher credit upon the +address and daring conduct of its authors, than this does upon Logan +and his two companions. Indeed a spirit even less indomitable, a sense +of honor less acute, and a patriotic devotion to a good cause less +active, than were manifested by this gallant chieftain of the woods, +might, under other circumstances, have well conferred immortality upon +his name. + +The Shawanoe nation has produced a number of distinguished individuals, +besides those who have been noticed in this brief sketch of that +people. The plan of our work does not permit a more extended +enumeration of them. When a full and faithful history of this tribe +shall be written, it will be found, we think, that no tribe of +aborigines on this continent, has given birth to so many men, +remarkable for their talents, energy of character, and military +prowess, as the Shawanoe. + +Under a treaty held at the rapids of the Miami of the lakes, in 1817, +by Duncan McArthur and Lewis Cass, commissioners on the part of the +United States, for extinguishing Indian titles to lands in Ohio, the +Shawanoes ceded to the government the principal portion of their lands +within the limits of this state. After this period they resided +principally on the reserve made by them at and around Wapakanotta, on +the Auglaize river. Here the greater part of them remained, until +within a few years past, when, yielding to the pressing appeals of the +government, they sold their reserved lands to the United States, and +removed west of the Mississippi. + +For a number of years prior to their final departure from Ohio, the +society of Friends, with their characteristic philanthropy towards the +Indians, maintained a mission at Wapakanotta, for the purpose of giving +instruction to the Shawanoe children, and inducing the adults to turn +their attention to agricultural pursuits. Notwithstanding the wandering +and warlike character of this tribe, such was the success attending +this effort of active benevolence, that the Friends composing the +Yearly Meetings of Baltimore, Ohio and Indiana, still continue a +similar agency among the Shawanoes, although they are now the occupants +of the territory lying beyond the distant Arkansas. + +Whether the new position west of the Mississippi, in which the Indian +tribes have been placed, will tend to promote their civilization, +arrest their deterioration in morals, or their decline in numbers, we +think extremely problematical. Should such, however, be the happy +result, it may be anticipated that the tribe which has produced a +Logan, a Cornstalk and a Tecumseh, will be among the first to rise +above the moral degradation in which it is shrouded, and foremost to +exhibit the renovating influences of Christian civilization. + + + + +THE LIFE OF TECUMSEH. + +CHAPTER I. + + Parentage of Tecumseh--his sister Tecumapease--his brothers + Cheeseekau, Sauweeseekau, Nehasseemo, Tenskwautawa or the Prophet, + and Kumskaukau. + + +There are not wanting authorities for the assertion that both the +Anglo-Saxon and Creek blood ran in the veins of TECUMSEH.[A] It has +been stated that his paternal grandfather was a white man, and that his +mother was a Creek. The better opinion, however, seems to be, that he +was wholly a Shawanoe. On this point we have the concurrent authority +of John Johnston, late Indian agent at Piqua; and of Stephen Ruddell, +formerly of Kentucky, who for near twenty years was a prisoner among +the Shawanoes. They both possessed ample opportunities for ascertaining +the fact, and unite in asserting that Puckeshinwa, the father of +Tecumseh, was a member of the Kiscopoke, and Methoataske, the mother, +of the Turtle tribe of the Shawanoe nation. + +[Footnote A: The Indian orthography of this name is Tecumthà, but the +public have been so long under a different impression, that no attempt +has been made in this work to restore the original reading.] + +The parents of Tecumseh removed from Florida to the north side of the +Ohio, about the middle of the eighteenth century. The father rose to +the rank of a chief, and fell in the celebrated battle of the Kanawha, +in 1774, leaving six sons and one daughter. Of these, one or two were +born at the south, the others within what now constitutes the state of +Ohio. They will be briefly noticed in the order of their birth. + +Cheeseekau, the eldest, is represented to have taken great pains with +his brother Tecumseh, laboring not only to make him a distinguished +warrior, but to instil into his mind a love of truth, and a contempt +for every thing mean and sordid. Cheeseekau fought by the side of his +father in the battle of Kanawha; and, some years afterwards, led a +small band of Shawanoes on a predatory expedition to the south, +Tecumseh being one of the party. While there, they joined some +Cherokees, in an attack upon a fort, garrisoned by white men. A day or +two before the attack, Cheeseekau made a speech to his followers, and +predicted that at such an hour, on a certain morning, they would reach +the fort, and that he should be shot in the forehead and killed; but +that the fort would be taken, if the party persevered in the assault, +which he urged them to do. An effort was made by his followers to +induce him to turn back, but he refused. The attack took place at the +time predicted, and Cheeseekau fell. His last words expressed the joy +he felt at dying in battle; he did not wish, he said, to be buried at +home, like an old woman, but preferred that the fowls of the air should +pick his bones. The fall of their leader created a panic among the +assaulting party, and they suddenly retreated.[A] + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell's manuscript narrative.] + +Tecumapease, known also by the name of Menewaulakoosee, was a sister +worthy of her distinguished brother Tecumseh, with whom, up to the +period of his death, she was a great favorite. Sensible, kind hearted, +and uniformly exemplary in her conduct, she obtained and exercised a +remarkable degree of influence over the females of her tribe. She was +united in marriage to a _brave_, called Wasegoboah, (stand firm,) who +fell in the battle of the Thames, fighting courageously by the side of +his brother-in-law, Tecumseh. In 1814, Tecumapease visited Quebec, in +company with some other members of her tribe, from whence, after the +close of the war between this country and England, she returned to the +neighborhood of Detroit, where, not long afterwards, she died. Tecumseh +is represented to have entertained for her a warm affection, and to +have treated her, uniformly, with respect. He was in the habit of +making her many valuable presents. + +Sauwaseekau, is supposed to have been born while his parents were +removing from the south to the Ohio. Concerning him few particulars +have been preserved. He stood well as a warrior, and was killed in +battle during Wayne's campaign in 1794. + +The fourth child, TECUMSEH, or the Shooting Star, is the subject of +this biography. + +Of the fifth, Nehaseemo, no information has been obtained. + +The two remaining children, Laulewasikaw, called after he became a +prophet Tenskwautawa, and Kumskaukau, were twins. Such is understood to +have been the statement of the former, in giving the family pedigree. +Other authorities[A] say that Tecumseh, Laulewasikaw, and Kumskaukau +were all three born at the same time. The last named lived to be an old +man, and died without distinction. + +[Footnote A: John Johnston and Anthony Shane.] + +Laulewasikaw, as will appear in the course of this work, lived to +attain an extraordinary degree of notoriety. He became, under the +influence of his brother Tecumseh, a powerful agent in arousing the +superstitious feelings of the north-western Indians, in that memorable +period of their history, between the year 1805, and the battle of +Tippecanoe, in 1811, which dissolved, in a great measure, the charm by +which he had successfully played upon their passions and excited them +to action. The character and prophetical career of this individual will +necessarily be fully displayed in the progress of this work. There is, +however, one trait of his character which may be appropriately +mentioned in this place--his disposition to boast, not only of his own +standing and importance, but also of the rank and respectability of the +family to which he belonged. As an instance of this peculiarity, and of +his tact in telling a plausible tale, the following narration may be +cited. It is an ingenious mixture of truth and fiction; and was written +down by the gentleman to whom it was related by Laulewasikaw. The +language is that of the individual to whom the narrative was made. + +"His paternal grandfather, (according to his statement of the family +pedigree) was a Creek, who, at a period which is not defined in the +manuscript before us, went to one of the southern cities, either +Savannah or Charleston, to hold a council with the English governor, +whose daughter was present at some of the interviews. This young lady +had conceived a violent admiration for the Indian character; and, +having determined to bestow herself upon some 'warlike lord' of the +forest, she took this occasion to communicate her partiality to her +father. The next morning, in the council, the governor enquired of the +Indians which of them was the most expert hunter; and the grandfather +of Tecumseh, then a young and handsome man, who sat modestly in a +retired part of the room, was pointed out to him. When the council +broke up for the day, the governor asked his daughter if she was really +so partial to the Indians, as to prefer selecting a husband from them, +and finding that she persisted in this singular predilection, he +directed her attention to the young Creek warrior, for whom, at first +sight, she avowed a decided attachment. On the following morning the +governor announced to the Creeks that his daughter was disposed to +marry one of their number; and, having pointed out the individual, +added, that his own consent would be given. The chiefs at first very +naturally doubted whether the governor was in earnest; but upon +assuring them that he was sincere, they advised the young man to +embrace the lady and her offer. He was not so ungallant as to refuse; +and having consented to the fortune that was thus buckled on him, was +immediately taken to another apartment, where he was disrobed of his +Indian costume by a train of black servants, washed, and clad in a new +suit, and the marriage ceremony was immediately performed. + +"At the close of the council the Creeks returned home, but the young +hunter remained with his wife. He amused himself in hunting, in which +he was very successful, and was accustomed to take a couple of black +servants with him, who seldom failed to bring in large quantities of +game. He lived among the whites until his wife had borne him two +daughters and a son. Upon the birth of the latter, the governor went to +see his grandson, and was so well pleased, that he called his friends +together, and caused thirty guns to be fired. When the boy was seven or +eight years old his father died, and the governor took charge of the +child, who was often visited by the Creeks. At the age of ten or +twelve, he was permitted to accompany the Indians to their nation, +where he spent some time; and two years after, he again made a long +visit to the Creeks, who then, with a few Shawanoes, lived on a river +called Pauseekoalaakee, and began to adopt their dress and customs. +They gave him an Indian name, Puckeshinwau, which means _something that +drops_; and after learning their language, he became so much attached +to the Indian life, that when the governor sent for him he refused to +return." + +Such is the pleasant and artful story, narrated with solemn gravity by +Laulewasikaw, to emblazon the family pedigree by connecting it with the +governor of one of the provinces: and here, for the present, we take +our leave of the "Open Door." + +The band of Shawanoes with whom Puckeshinwau and his family emigrated +to the Ohio, established themselves, in the first place, in the valley +of the Scioto, from whence they subsequently removed to the waters of +Mad River, one of the tributaries of the Great Miami. After the death +of Puckeshinwau, his wife Methoataaskee, returned to the south, where +she died at an advanced age, among the Cherokees. She belonged to the +Turtle tribe of the Shawanoes, and her name signifies, _a turtle laying +eggs in the sand_. That she was a respectable woman, is the testimony +of those who knew her personally: that she was naturally a superior +one, may be fairly inferred from the character of at least a part of +her children. + +With this brief account of an aboriginal family, highly reputable in +itself, but on which the name of Tecumseh has conferred no small degree +of distinction, we now proceed to the immediate subject of this memoir. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Birth place of Tecumseh--destruction of the Piqua village--early + habits of Tecumseh--his first battle--effort to abolish the burning + of prisoners--visits the Cherokees in the south--engages in several + battles--returns to Ohio in the autumn of 1790. + + +Some diversity of opinion has prevailed as to the birth place of +Tecumseh. It is generally supposed, and indeed is stated by several +historians to have been in the Scioto valley, near the place where +Chillicothe now stands. Such, however, is not the fact. He was born in +the valley of the Miamis, on the bank of Mad River, a few miles below +Springfield, and within the limits of Clark county. Of this there is +the most satisfactory evidence. In the year 1805, when the Indians were +assembling at Greenville, as it was feared with some hostile intention +against the frontiers, the governor of Ohio sent Duncan McArthur and +Thomas Worthington to that place, to ascertain the object and +disposition of these Indians. Tecumseh and three other chiefs agreed to +return with these messengers to Chillicothe, then the seat of +government, for the purpose of holding a "talk" with the governor. +General McArthur, in a letter to the author of this work, under date of +19th November, 1821, says, "When on the way from Greenville to +Chillicothe, Tecumseh pointed out to us the place where he was born. It +was in an old Shawanoe town, on the north-west side of Mad River, about +six miles below Springfield." This fact is corroborated by Stephen +Ruddell, the early and intimate associate of Tecumseh, who states that +he was "born in the neighborhood of 'old Chillicothe,' in the year +1768." The "old Chillicothe" here spoken of was a Shawanoe village, +situated on Massie's creek, three miles north of where Xenia now +stands, and about ten or twelve miles south of the village pointed out +by Tecumseh, to general McArthur, as the spot of his nativity. This +village was the ancient Piqua of the Shawanoes, and occupied the site +on which a small town called West Boston has since been built. The +principal part of Piqua stood upon a plain, rising fifteen or twenty +feet above the river. On the south, between the village and Mad River, +there was an extensive prairie--on the north-east some bold cliffs, +terminating near the river--on the west and south-west, level timbered +land; while on the opposite side of the stream, another prairie, of +varying width, stretched back to the high grounds. The river sweeping +by in a graceful bend--the precipitous rocky cliffs--the undulating +hills with their towering trees--the prairies garnished with tall grass +and brilliant flowers--combined to render the situation of Piqua both +beautiful and picturesque. + +At the period of its destruction, Piqua was quite populous. There was a +rude log fort within its limits, surrounded by pickets. It was, +however, sacked and burnt on the 8th of August, 1780, by an army of one +thousand men from Kentucky, after a severe and well conducted battle +with the Indians who inhabited it. All the improvements of the Indians, +including more than two hundred acres of corn and other vegetables, +then growing in their fields, were laid waste and destroyed. The town +was never afterwards rebuilt by the Shawanoes. Its inhabitants removed +to the Great Miami river, and erected another town which they called +Piqua, after the one that had just been destroyed; and in defence of +which they had fought with the skill and valor characteristic of their +nation.[A] + +[Footnote A: For this sketch of Piqua, the author is chiefly indebted +to his venerable friend, Major James Galloway, of Xenia, Ohio.] + +The birth of Tecumseh has been placed by some writers in the year 1771. +Ruddell states that it occurred in 1768, three years earlier, and this, +we think, is probably the true period. His early boyhood gave promise +of the renown of his maturer years. After the death of his father, +which occurred when he was in his sixth year, he was placed under the +charge of his oldest brother, Cheeseekau, who taught him to hunt, led +him to battle, and labored zealously to imbue his mind with a love for +truth, generosity, and the practice of those cardinal Indian virtues, +courage in battle and fortitude in suffering. From his boyhood, +Tecumseh seems to have had a passion for war. His pastimes, like those +of Napoleon, were generally in the sham-battle field. He was the leader +of his companions in all their sports, and was accustomed to divide +them into parties, one of which he always headed, for the purpose of +fighting mimic battles, in which he usually distinguished himself by +his activity, strength and skill.[A] His dexterity in the use of the +bow and arrow exceeded that of all the other Indian boys of his tribe, +by whom he was loved and respected, and over whom he exercised +unbounded influence. He was generally surrounded by a set of companions +who were ready to stand or fall by his side.[B] It is stated that the +first battle in which he was engaged, occurred on Mad River, near where +Dayton stands, between a party of Kentuckians, commanded by colonel +Benjamin Logan, and some Shawanoes. At this time Tecumseh was very +young, and joined the expedition under the care of his brother, who was +wounded at the first fire. It is related by some Indian chiefs that +Tecumseh, at the commencement of the action, became frightened and +ran.[C] This may be true, but it is the only instance in which he was +ever known to shrink from danger, or to loose that presence of mind for +which he was ever afterwards remarkably distinguished. + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell's MS. account.] + +[Footnote B: Anthony Shane.] + +[Footnote C: A similar statement is made in regard to the first battle +of the celebrated Red Jacket.] + +The next action in which Tecumseh participated, and in which he +manifested signal prowess, was an attack made by the Indians upon some +flat boats, descending the Ohio, above Limestone, now Maysville. The +year in which it occurred is not stated, but Tecumseh was not probably +more than sixteen or seventeen years of age. The boats were captured, +and all the persons belonging to them killed, except one, who was taken +prisoner, and afterwards burnt. Tecumseh was a silent spectator of the +scene, having never witnessed the burning of a prisoner before. After +it was over, he expressed in strong terms, his abhorrence of the act, +and it was finally concluded by the party that they would never burn +any more prisoners;[A] and to this resolution, he himself, and the +party also, it is believed, ever afterwards scrupulously adhered. It is +not less creditable to the humanity than to the genius of Tecumseh, +that he should have taken this noble stand, and by the force and +eloquence of his appeal, have brought his companions to the same +resolution. He was then but a boy, yet he had the independence to +attack a cherished custom of his tribe, and the power of argument to +convince them, against all their preconceived notions of right and the +rules of warfare, that the custom should be abolished. That his effort +to put a stop to this cruel and revolting rite, was not prompted by any +temporary expediency, but was the result of a humane disposition, and a +right sense of justice, is abundantly shown by his conduct towards +prisoners in after life. + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell.] + +The boats were owned by traders. The number of whites killed in the +engagement has not been ascertained. In the attack upon them, Tecumseh +not only behaved with great courage, but even left in the back ground +some of the oldest and bravest warriors of the party. From this time +his reputation as a brave, and his influence over other minds, rose +rapidly among the tribe to which he belonged. + +About the year 1787, Cheeseekau and Tecumseh, with a party of +Kiscopokes, one of the tribes of the Shawanoe nation, moved westward on +a hunting and predatory expedition. They made a stand for some months +on the waters of the Mississinnaway, and then crossed over to the +Mississippi, opposite the mouth of Apple creek, where they encamped and +remained for eight or nine months. From thence they proceeded towards +the Cherokee country. On their route, while opposite fort Massac, they +engaged in a buffalo chase, during which Tecumseh was thrown from his +horse, and had his thigh broken.[A] This accident detained them for +some months at the place where it occurred. So soon as he had +recovered, the party, headed by Cheeseekau, proceeded on their way to +the country of the Cherokees, who were then at hostilities with the +whites. With that fondness for adventure and love of war, which have +ever marked the Shawanoe character, they immediately offered assistance +to their brethren of the south, which being accepted, they joined in +the contest. + +[Footnote A: Shane thinks both thighs were broken, Ruddell says but +one.] + +The engagement in which they participated was an attack upon a fort, +the name and position of which were not known to our informant. The +Indians, it is well known are always superstitious, and from the fact +of Cheeseekau, having foretold his death, its occurrence disheartened +them, and in despite of the influence of Tecumseh and the Cherokee +leaders, who rose above the superstition of their comrades, the attack +was given up, and a sudden retreat followed. + +Tecumseh, who had left the banks of the Miami in quest of adventures, +and for the purpose of winning renown as a warrior, told the party that +he was determined not to return to his native land, until he had +achieved some act worthy of being recounted. He accordingly selected +eight or ten men and proceeded to the nearest settlement, attacked a +house, killed all the men in it, and took the women and children +prisoners. He did not immediately retreat, but engaged in some other +similar adventures. During this expedition he was three times attacked +in the night in his encampment; but owing to his good judgment in the +choice of his camping ground, and his habitual watchfulness when in an +enemy's country, no advantage was gained over him. On one occasion, +while encamped in the edge of a cane-brake on the waters of the +Tennessee, he was assaulted by a party of whites, about thirty in +number. Tecumseh had not lain down, but was engaged at the moment of +the attack, in dressing some meat. He instantly sprang to his feet, and +ordering his small party to follow him, rushed upon his foes with +perfect fearlessness; and, having killed two, put the whole party to +flight, he losing none of his own men. + +Tecumseh and his party remained at the south nearly two years, +traversing that region of country, visiting the different tribes of +Indians, and engaging in the border forays which at that period were +constantly occurring between the whites and the native possessors of +the soil. He now determined to return home, and accordingly set out +with eight of his party. They passed through western Virginia, crossed +the Ohio near the mouth of the Scioto, and visiting the Machichac towns +on the head waters of Mad River, from thence proceeded to the Auglaize, +which they reached in the fall of 1790, shortly after the defeat of +general Harmar, having been absent from Ohio upwards of three years. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Tecumseh attacked near Big Rock by some whites under Robert + M'Clelland--severe battle with some Kentuckians on the East Fork of + the Little Miami--attack upon Tecumseh in 1793, on the waters of + Paint creek--Tecumseh present at the attack on fort Recovery in + 1794--participates in the battle of the Rapids of the Maumee, in + 1794. + + +From the period of his return, until August of the following year, +1791, Tecumseh spent his time in hunting. In the autumn of this year, +when information reached the Indians, that general St. Clair and his +army were preparing to march from fort Washington, into their country, +this chief headed a small party of spies, who went out for the purpose +of watching the movements of the invading force.[A] While lying on +Nettle creek, a small stream which empties into the Great Miami, +general St. Clair and his army passed out through Greenville to the +head waters of the Wabash, where he was defeated. Tecumseh, of course, +had no personal participation in this engagement, so creditable to the +valor of the Indians, and so disastrous to the arms and renown of the +United States. + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell.] + +In December, 1792, Tecumseh, with ten other warriors and a boy, were +encamped near Big Rock, between Loramie's creek and Piqua, for the +purpose of hunting. Early one morning, while the party were seated +round the fire, engaged in smoking, they were fired upon by a company +of whites near treble their number. Tecumseh raised the war-whoop, upon +which the Indians sprang to their arms, and promptly returned the fire. +He then directed the boy to run, and in turning round a moment +afterwards, perceived that one of his men. Black Turkey, was running +also. He had already retreated to the distance of one hundred yards; +yet such was his fear of Tecumseh, he instantly obeyed the order to +return, indignantly given him, and joined in the battle. Two of the +whites were killed--one of them by Tecumseh--before they retreated. +While pursuing them Tecumseh broke the trigger of his rifle, which +induced him to give up the chase, or probably more of the whites would +have fallen. They were commanded by Robert M'Clelland. Tecumseh lost +none of his men; two of them, however, were wounded, one of whom was +Black Turkey.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +In the month of March, 1792, some horses were stolen by the Indians, +from the settlements in Mason county, Kentucky. A party of whites to +the number of thirty-six, was immediately raised for the purpose of +pursuing them. It embraced Kenton, Whiteman, M'Intire, Downing, +Washburn, Calvin and several other experienced woodsmen. The first +named, Simon Kenton, a distinguished Indian fighter, was placed in +command. The trail of the Indians being taken, it was found they had +crossed the Ohio just below the mouth of Lee's creek, which was reached +by the pursuing party towards evening. Having prepared rafts, they +crossed the Ohio that night, and encamped. Early next morning the trail +was again taken and pursued, on a north course, all day, the weather +being bad and the ground wet. On the ensuing morning twelve of the men +were unable to continue the pursuit, and were permitted to return. The +remainder followed the trail until eleven o'clock, A.M., when a bell +was heard, which they supposed indicated their approach to the Indian +camp. A halt was called, and all useless baggage and clothing laid +aside. Whiteman and two others were sent ahead as spies, in different +directions, each being followed by a detachment of the party. After +moving forward some distance, it was found that the bell was +approaching them. They halted and soon perceived a solitary Indian +riding towards them. When within one hundred and fifty yards, he was +fired at and killed. Kenton directed the spies to proceed, being now +satisfied that the camp of the Indians was near at hand. They pushed on +rapidly, and after going about four miles, found the Indians encamped, +on the south-east side of the east fork of the Little Miami, a few +miles above the place where the town of Williamsburg has since been +built. The indications of a considerable body of Indians were so +strong, that the expediency of an attack at that hour of the day was +doubted by Kenton. A hurried council was held, in which it was +determined to retire, if it could be done without discovery, and lie +concealed until night, and then assault the camp. This plan was carried +into execution. Two of the spies were left to watch the Indians, and +ascertain whether the pursuing party had been discovered. The others +retreated for some distance and took a commanding position on a ridge. +The spies watched until night, and then reported to their commander, +that they had not been discovered by the enemy. The men being wet and +cold, they were now marched down into a hollow, where they kindled +fires, dried their clothes, and put their rifles in order. The party +was then divided into three detachments,--Kenton commanding the right, +M'Intire the centre, and Downing the left. By agreement, the three +divisions were to move towards the camp, simultaneously, and when they +had approached as near as possible, without giving an alarm, were to be +guided in the commencement of the attack, by the fire from Kenton's +party. When Downing and his detachment had approached close to the +camp, an Indian rose upon his feet, and began to stir up the fire, +which was but dimly burning. Fearing a discovery, Downing's party +instantly shot him down. This was followed by a general fire from the +three detachments, upon the Indians who were sleeping under some +marquees and bark tents, close upon the margin of the stream. But +unfortunately, as it proved in the sequel, Kenton's party had taken +"Boone," as their watch-word. This name happening to be as familiar to +the enemy as themselves, led to some confusion in the course of the +engagement. When fired upon, the Indians instead of retreating across +the stream as had been anticipated, boldly stood to their arms, +returned the fire of the assailants and rushed upon them. They were +reinforced moreover from a camp on the opposite side of the river,[A] +which until then, had been unperceived by the whites. In a few minutes +the Indians and the Kentuckians were blended with each other, and the +cry of "Boone," and "Che Boone," arose simultaneously from each party. + +[Footnote A: M'Donald, in his interesting "Biographical Sketches," of +some of the western pioneers, says this "second line of tents" was on +the lower bottom of the creek and not on the opposite side of it.] + +It was after midnight when the attack was made, and there being no +moon, it was very dark. Kenton perceiving that his men were likely to +be overpowered, ordered a retreat after the attack had lasted for a few +minutes; this was continued through the remainder of the night and part +of the next day, the Indians pursuing them, but without killing more +than one of the retreating party. The Kentuckians lost but two men, +Alexander McIntire and John Barr.[A] The loss of the Indians was much +greater, according to the statements of some prisoners, who, after the +peace of 1795, were released and returned to Kentucky. They related +that fourteen Indians were killed, and seventeen wounded. They stated +further, that there were in the camp about one hundred warriors, among +them several chiefs of note, including Tecumseh, Battise, Black Snake, +Wolf and Chinskau; and that the party had been formed for the purpose +of annoying the settlements in Kentucky, and attacking boats descending +the Ohio river. Kenton and his party were three days in reaching +Limestone, during two of which they were without food, and destitute of +sufficient clothing to protect them from the cold winds and rains of +March. The foregoing particulars of this expedition are taken from the +manuscript narrative of general Benjamin Whiteman, one of the early and +gallant pioneers to Kentucky, now a resident of Green county, Ohio. + +[Footnote A: The father of the late Major William Barr, for many years +a citizen of Cincinnati.] + +The statements of Anthony Shane and of Stephen Ruddell, touching this +action, vary in some particulars from that which has been given above, +and also from the narrative in McDonald's Sketches. The principal +difference relates to the number of Indians in the engagement, and the +loss sustained by them. They report but two killed, and that the Indian +force was less than that of the whites. Ruddell states that at the +commencement of the attack, Tecumseh was lying by the fire, outside of +the tents. When the first gun was heard he sprang to his feet, and +calling upon Sinnamatha[A] to follow his example and charge, he rushed +forward, and killed one of the whites[B] with his war-club. The other +Indians, raising the war-whoop, seized their arms, and rushing upon +Kenton and his party, compelled them, after a severe contest of a few +minutes, to retreat. One of the Indians, in the midst of the +engagement, fell into the river, and in the effort to get out of the +water, made so much noise, that it created a belief on the minds of the +whites that a reinforcement was crossing the stream to aid Tecumseh. +This is supposed to have hastened the order from Kenton, for his men to +retreat. The afternoon prior to the battle, one of Kenton's men, by the +name of McIntire, succeeded in catching an Indian horse, which he tied +in the rear of the camp; and, when a retreat was ordered, he mounted +and rode off. Early in the morning, Tecumseh and four of his men set +off in pursuit of the retreating party. Having fallen upon the trail of +McIntire, they pursued it for some distance, and at length overtook +him. He had struck a fire and was cooking some meat. When McIntire +discovered his pursuers, he instantly fled at full speed. Tecumseh and +two others followed, and were fast gaining on him, when he turned and +raised his gun. Two of the Indians, who happened to be in advance of +Tecumseh, sprung behind trees, but he rushed upon McIntire and made him +prisoner. He was tied and taken back to the battle ground. Upon +reaching it, Tecumseh deemed it prudent to draw off his men, lest the +whites should rally and renew the attack. He requested some of the +Indians to catch the horses, but they, hesitating, he undertook to do +it himself, assisted by one of the party. When he returned to camp with +the horses, he found that his men had killed McIntire. At this act of +cruelty to a prisoner, he was exceedingly indignant; declaring that it +was a cowardly act to kill a man when tied and a prisoner. The conduct +of Tecumseh in this engagement, and in the events of the following +morning, is creditable alike to his courage and humanity. Resolutely +brave in battle, his arm was never uplifted against a prisoner, nor did +he suffer violence to be inflicted upon a captive, without promptly +rebuking it. + +[Footnote A: Or Big Fish, the name by which Stephen Ruddell, then +fighting with Tecumseh, was called.] + +[Footnote B: John Barr, referred to in a preceding note.] + +McDonald, in speaking of this action, says: + +"The celebrated Tecumseh commanded the Indians. His cautious and +fearless intrepidity made him a host wherever he went. In military +tactics, night attacks are not allowable, except in cases like this, +when the assailing party are far inferior in numbers. Sometimes in +night attacks, panics and confusion are created in the attacked party, +which may render them a prey to inferior numbers. Kenton trusted to +something like this on the present occasion, but was disappointed; for +when Tecumseh was present, his influence over the minds of his +followers infused that confidence in his tact and intrepidity, that +they could only be defeated by force of numbers." + +Some time in the spring of 1793, Tecumseh and a few of his followers, +while hunting in the Scioto valley on the waters of Paint creek, were +unexpectedly attacked by a party of white men from Mason county, +Kentucky. The circumstances which led to this skirmish were the +following. Early in the spring of this year, an express reached the +settlement in Mason, that some stations had been attacked and captured +on Slate creek, in Bath county, Kentucky, and that the Indians were +returning with their prisoners to Ohio. A party of thirty-three men was +immediately raised to cut off their retreat. These were divided into +three companies, of ten men each;--Simon Kenton commanding one,--Baker +another, and James Ward the third. The whole party crossed the Ohio +river at Limestone, and aimed to strike the Scioto above the mouth of +Paint creek. After crossing this latter stream, near where the great +road from Maysville to Chillicothe now crosses it, evening came on, and +they halted for the night. In a short time they heard a noise, and a +little examination disclosed to them that they were in the immediate +vicinity of an Indian encampment. Their horses were promptly taken back +some distance and tied, to prevent an alarm. A council was +held,--captain Baker offered to go and reconnoitre, which being agreed +to, he took one of his company and made the examination. He found the +Indians encamped on the bank of the creek, their horses being between +them and the camp of the whites. After Baker's report was made, the +party determined to remain where they were until near daylight the next +morning; and then to make an attack in the following manner. Captain +Baker and his men were to march round and take a position on the bank +of the stream, in front of the Indian camp: captain Ward was to occupy +the ground in the rear; and captain Kenton one side, while the river +presented a barrier on the fourth, thus guarding against a retreat of +the Indians. It was further agreed that the attack was not to commence +until there was light enough to shoot with accuracy. Before Kenton and +Ward had reached the positions they were respectively to occupy, the +bark of a dog in the Indian camp was heard, and then the report of a +gun. Upon this alarm, Baker's men instantly fired, and captains Kenton +and Ward, with their companies, raising the battle cry, rushed towards +the camp. To their surprise, they found Baker and his men in the rear, +instead of the front of the Indians, thus deranging the plan of attack, +whether from design or accident is unknown. The Indians sent back the +battle cry, retreated a few paces, and treed. It was still too dark to +fire with precision, but random shots were made, and a terrible +shouting kept up by the Indians. While the parties were thus at bay, +Tecumseh had the address to send a part of their men to the rear of the +Kentuckians for the horses; and when they had been taken to the front, +which was accomplished without discovery, the Indians mounted and +effected their escape, carrying with them John Ward, the only one of +their party who was shot. This individual, a white man, had been +captured when three-years old, on Jackson, one of the tributaries of +James river, in Virginia. He had been raised by the Indians, among whom +he had married, and reared several children. He was the brother of +James Ward, one of the leaders of this expedition, and died of his +wound a few days after the engagement, as was subsequently ascertained. +No Indian was killed in this skirmish, and but one of the Kentuckians, +Jacob Jones, a member of Baker's detachment. No pursuit of the Indians +was made from this point, nor did they prove to be the same party who +had been engaged in the attack upon the Slate creek station.[A] + +[Footnote A: For the foregoing details of this little expedition, the +author is indebted to captain James Ward, of Mason county, Kentucky, +who commanded one of the detachments on this occasion.] + +In McDonald's Sketches, it is stated that "three Indians were killed in +this action; and that when fired upon by their assailants, they dashed +through the creek, and scattered through the woods, like a flock of +young partridges." + +On these points, the worthy author of the "Sketches" has undoubtedly +been misinformed. The Indians lost but one man, John Ward; and after +having treed, maintained their ground until they had adroitly obtained +possession of their horses, and then succeeded in making their escape, +carrying off not only the wounded man, but also the women and children +who were with them when attacked. This we learn from authorities before +us, on which reliance may be placed.[A] By one of these, it appears +that there were but six or seven warriors in the party; and, that when +the attack was made, Tecumseh called out to them that the women and +children must be defended, and it was owing to his firmness and +influence that the assailants were kept at bay until the horses of his +party were secured, and the necessary arrangements made for a hasty +retreat. + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane. Stephen Ruddell.] + +After this engagement, it is not known that Tecumseh was a party to any +warlike movement, until the summer of the following year. He returned +to the waters of the Miami, and spent his time in hunting, for which he +had a great fondness, and in which he was generally more successful +than any other member of his tribe. + +After general Wayne assumed the command of the north-western army, he +caused a fort to be built on the spot where the unfortunate defeat of +his predecessor, general Arthur St. Clair, had occurred. This fort was +named Recovery. + +In the summer of 1794, an attack was made upon it by a numerous body of +Indians, among whom was Tecumseh. They were accompanied by a British +officer, and some artillerists, furnished with fixed ammunition, suited +to the calibre of some field pieces which the Indians had taken from +general St. Clair, at the time of his defeat.[A] In referring to this +attack and the movements of general Wayne, Withers, in his "Chronicles +of Border Warfare," says: + +"Before the troops marched from fort Washington, it was deemed +advisable to have an abundant supply of provisions in the different +forts in advance of this, as well for the support of their respective +garrisons, as for the subsistence of the general army, in the event of +its being driven into them, by untoward circumstances. With this view, +three hundred pack horses, laden with flour, were sent on to fort +Recovery; and as it was known that considerable bodies of the enemy +were constantly hovering about the forts, and awaiting opportunities of +cutting off any detachments from the main army, major McMahon, with +ninety riflemen under captain Hartshorn, and fifty dragoons under +captain Taylor, was ordered on as an escort. This force was so large as +to discourage the savages from making an attack, until they should +unite their several war parties, and before this could be effected, +major McMahon reached the place of his destination. + +"On the 30th of July, as the escort was about leaving fort Recovery, it +was attacked by a body of one thousand Indians, in the immediate +vicinity of the fort. Captain Hartshorn had advanced only three or four +hundred yards, at the head of the riflemen, when he was unexpectedly +beset on every side. With the most consummate bravery and good conduct, +he maintained the unequal conflict, until major McMahon, placing +himself at the head of the cavalry, charged upon the enemy, and was +repulsed with considerable loss. Major McMahon, captain Taylor and +cornet Torrey fell, upon the first onset, and many of the privates were +killed or wounded. The whole savage force being now brought to press on +captain Hartshorn, that brave officer was forced to try and regain the +fort; but the enemy interposed its strength to prevent this movement. +Lieutenant Drake and ensign Dodd, with twenty volunteers, marched from +the fort, and forcing a passage through a column of the enemy, at the +point of the bayonet, joined the rifle corps at the instant that +captain Hartshorn received a shot which broke his thigh. Lieutenant +Craig being killed, and lieutenant Marks taken prisoner, lieutenant +Drake conducted the retreat; and while endeavoring for an instant to +hold the enemy in check, so as to enable the soldiers to bring off +their wounded captain, himself received a shot in the groin, and the +retreat was resumed, leaving captain Hartshorn on the field. + +"When the remnant of the troops came within the walls of the fort, +lieutenant Michael, who had been detached at an early period of the +battle by captain Hartshorn to the flank of the enemy, was found to be +missing, and was given up as lost; but while his friends were deploring +his unfortunate fate, he and lieutenant Marks, who had been taken +prisoner, were seen rushing through the enemy from opposite directions, +towards the fort. They gained it safely, notwithstanding they were +actively pursued, and many shots fired at them. Lieutenant Marks had +got off by knocking down the Indian who held him prisoner; and +lieutenant Michael had lost all of his party but three men." + +[Footnote A: For this fact see general Harrison's Address on the 50th +Anniversary of the first settlement of Ohio.] + +The official letter of general Wayne giving an account of this action, +places the loss of the whites at twenty-two killed and thirty wounded. +"The enemy," continues the report, "were soon repulsed with great +slaughter, but immediately rallied and reiterated the attack, keeping +up a very heavy and constant fire, at a more respectable distance, for +the remainder of the day, which was answered with spirit and effect by +the garrison, and that part of major McMahon's command that had +regained the fort. The savages were employed during the night (which +was dark and foggy,) in carrying off their dead by torchlight, which +occasionally drew a fire from the garrison. They nevertheless succeeded +so well, that there were but eight or ten bodies left on the field, and +those close under the influence of the fire from the fort. The enemy +again renewed the attack on the morning of the first inst., but were +ultimately compelled to retreat with loss and disgrace from that very +field, where they had upon a former occasion, been proudly victorious." + +Tecumseh fought in the decisive battle between the American troops +under general Wayne, and the combined Indian forces, which occurred on +the 20th of August, 1794, near the rapids of the Miami of the lakes. It +is not known whether he attended the council, the evening previous to +the engagement, in which the advice of Little Turtle, the Miami chief, +was overruled by the influence of the Shawanoe chief, Blue Jacket. The +former was opposed to giving battle on the following day; the latter in +favor of it. As a _brave_ of distinction, Tecumseh took the command of +a party of Shawanoes in the engagement, but had no participation in the +plan of the attack, or the mode of carrying it into execution. At the +commencement of the action, he was in the advance guard with two of his +brothers. After fighting for some time, in attempting to load his +rifle, he put in a bullet before the powder, and was thus unable to use +his gun. Being at this moment pressed in front by some infantry, he +fell back with his party until they met another detachment of Indians. +Tecumseh urged them to stand fast and fight, saying if any one would +lend him a gun, he would show them how to do it. A fowling-piece was +handed to him, with which he fought for some time, until the Indians +were again compelled to give ground. While falling back, he met another +party of Shawanoes, and although the whites were pressing on them, he +rallied the Indians, and induced them to make a stand in a thicket. +When the infantry pressed close upon them, and had discharged their +muskets into the bushes, Tecumseh and his party returned their fire, +and then retreated, until they had joined the main body of the Indians +below the rapids of the Miami.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +In this memorable action, which gave victory to the American arms, and +humbled the north-western Indians, William Henry Harrison and Tecumseh +were for the first time opposed to each other in battle. They were both +young, and indeed nearly the same age, and both displayed that courage +and gallantry which ever afterwards signalized their brilliant and +eventful lives. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Tecumseh's skill as a hunter--declines attending the treaty of + Greenville in 1795--in 1796 removed to Great Miami--in 1798 joined a + party of Delawares on White river, Indiana--in 1799 attended a + council between the whites and Indians near Urbana--another at + Chillicothe in 1803--makes an able speech--removes with the Prophet + to Greenville, in 1805--the latter commences prophecying--causes the + death of Teteboxti, Patterson, Coltes, and Joshua--governor + Harrison's speech to the Prophet to arrest these murderers--effort of + Wells, the U.S. Indian agent, to prevent Tecumseh and the Prophet + from assembling the Indians at Greenville--Tecumseh's speech in + reply--he attends a council at Chillicothe--speech on that + occasion--council at Springfield--Tecumseh principal speaker and + actor. + + +In the spring of the year 1795, Tecumseh was established on Deer creek, +near where Urbana now stands, and engaged in his favorite amusement of +hunting. This was more as a pastime than a matter of business. The love +of property was not a distinguishing trait of his character; on the +contrary, his generosity was proverbial among his tribe. If he +accumulated furs, they, or the goods which he received in return for +them, were dispensed with a liberal hand. He loved hunting because it +was a manly exercise, fit for a _brave_; and, for the additional +reason, that it gave him the means of furnishing the aged and infirm +with wholesome and nourishing food. The skill of Tecumseh in the chase +has already been adverted to. While residing on Deer creek, an incident +occurred which greatly enhanced his reputation as a hunter. One of his +brothers, and several other Shawanoes of his own age, proposed to bet +with him, that they could each kill as many deer, in the space of three +days, as he could. Tecumseh promptly accepted the overture. The parties +took to the woods, and at the end of the stipulated time, returned with +the evidences of their success. None of the party, except Tecumseh, had +more than twelve deer skins; he brought in upwards of thirty--near +three times as many as any of his competitors. From this time he was +generally conceded to be the greatest hunter in the Shawanoe nation. + +In the course of the summer of this year, 1795, he commenced raising a +party of his own, and began to style himself a chief. He did not attend +the treaty of Greenville, held by general Wayne, on the 3d of August, +1795, with the hostile Indians, but after its conclusion, Blue Jacket +paid him a visit on Deer creek, and communicated to him the terms on +which peace had been concluded. + +Tecumseh remained at this place until the spring of 1796, when he +removed with his party to the Great Miami, near to Piqua, where they +raised a crop of corn. In the autumn he again changed his place of +residence, and went over to the head branches of White Water, west of +the Miami, where he and his party spent the winter; and in the spring +and summer of 1797, raised another crop of corn. + +In the year 1798, the Delawares, then residing in part, on White river, +Indiana, invited Tecumseh and his followers, to remove to that +neighborhood. Having accepted this invitation, and made the removal, he +continued his head quarters in the vicinity of that nation for several +years, occupied in the ordinary pursuits of the hunter-life--gradually +extending his influence among the Indians, and adding to the number of +his party. + +In 1799, there was a council held about six miles north of the place +where Urbana now stands, between the Indians and some of the principal +settlers on Mad River, for the adjustment of difficulties which had +grown up between these parties. Tecumseh, with other Shawanoe chiefs, +attended this council. He appears to have been the most conspicuous +orator of the conference, and made a speech on the occasion, which was +much admired for its force and eloquence. The interpreter, Dechouset, +said that he found it very difficult to translate the lofty flights of +Tecumseh, although he was as well acquainted with the Shawanoe +language, as with the French, which was his mother tongue.[A] + +[Footnote A: James Galloway, of Xenia.] + +We next hear of Tecumseh, under circumstances which show the confidence +reposed in him by the white settlers on the frontier. + +In the month of April, 1803, Thomas Herrod, living sixteen miles +north-west of Chillicothe, was shot, tomahawked, and scalped, near his +own house. The Indians were suspected of having committed this deed; a +wanton and cruel retaliation was made upon one of them, (guiltless no +doubt of that particular crime,) and the settlement in the Scioto +valley and north-west of it, was thrown into a state of much +excitement. The Indians fled in one direction and the whites in +another. For the purpose of ascertaining the facts in the case, and +preventing further hostilities, several patriotic citizens of +Chillicothe mounted their horses, and rode into the Indian country, +where they found Tecumseh and a body of Indians. They disavowed all +knowledge of the murder of Herrod, and stated, explicitly, that they +were peaceably inclined, and disposed to adhere to the treaty of +Greenville. Tecumseh finally agreed to return with the deputation from +Chillicothe, that he might in person, give similar assurances to the +people of that place. He did so, and a day was fixed on, when he should +make an address upon the subject. A white man, raised among the +Indians, acted as interpreter. Governor Tiffin opened the conference. +"When Tecumseh rose to speak," says an eyewitness, "as he cast his gaze +over the vast multitude, which the interesting occasion had drawn +together, he appeared one of the most dignified men I ever beheld. +While this orator of nature was speaking, the vast crowd preserved the +most profound silence. From the confident manner in which he spoke of +the intention of the Indians to adhere to the treaty of Greenville, and +live in peace and friendship with their white brethren, he dispelled, +as if by magic, the apprehensions of the whites--the settlers returned +to their deserted farms, and business generally was resumed throughout +that region."[A] This incident is of value, in forming an estimate of +the character of this chief: it exhibits the confidence reposed in him +by he white inhabitants on the frontier. The declaration of no other +Indian could thus have dissipated the fears of a border war, which then +pervaded the settlement. + +[Footnote A: Colonel John M'Donald.] + +Some time during this year, a stout Kentuckian came to Ohio, for the +purpose of exploring the lands on Mad River, and lodged one night at +the house of captain Abner Barrett, residing on the head waters of Buck +creek. In the course of the evening, he learned with apparent alarm, +that there were some Indians encamped within a short distance of the +house. Shortly after hearing this unwelcome intelligence, the door of +captain Barrett's dwelling was suddenly opened, and Tecumseh entered +with his usual stately air: he paused in silence, and looked around, +until at length his eye was fixed upon the stranger, who was +manifesting symptoms of alarm, and did not venture to look the stern +savage in the face. Tecumseh turned to his host, and pointing to the +agitated Kentuckian, exclaimed, "a big baby! a big baby!" He then +stepped up to him, and gently slapping him on the shoulder several +times, repeated with a contemptuous manner, the phrase "big baby! big +baby!" to the great alarm of the astonished man, and to the amusement +of all present.[A] + +[Footnote A: James Galloway.] + +In the early part of the year 1805, a portion of the Shawanoe nation, +residing at the Tawa towns on the headwaters of the Auglaize river, +wishing to re-assemble their scattered people, sent a deputation to +Tecumseh and his party, (then living on White river,) and also to a +body of the same tribe upon the Mississiniway, another tributary of the +Wabash, inviting them to remove to the Tawa towns, and join their +brethren at that place. To this proposition both parties assented; and +the two bands met at Greenville, on their way thither. There, through +the influence of Laulewasikaw, they concluded to establish themselves; +and accordingly the project of going to the Auglaize was abandoned. +Very soon afterwards, Laulewasikaw assumed the office of a prophet; and +forthwith commenced that career of cunning and pretended sorcery, which +enabled him to sway the Indian mind in a wonderful degree, and win for +himself a name on the page of history. A concise notice of his +prophetical achievements is subjoined. While it serves to display his +individual character and endowments, it also presents an interesting +and instructive phase of aboriginal character. + +It happened about this time that an old Shawanoe, named Penagashega, or +the Change of Feathers, who had for some years been engaged in the +respectable calling of a prophet, fell sick and died. Laulewasikaw, who +had marked the old man's influence with the Indians, adroitly caught up +the mantle of the dying prophet, and assumed his sacred office. He +changed his name from Laulewasikaw, to Tenskwautawau,[A] meaning the +Open Door, because he undertook to point out to the Indians the new +modes of life which they should pursue. In the month of November, of +this year, he assembled a considerable number of Shawanoes, Wyandots, +Ottaways and Senecas, at Wapakonatta, on the Auglaize river, when he +unfolded to them the new character with which he was clothed, and made +his first public effort in that career of religious imposition, which, +in a few years, was felt by the remote tribes of the upper lakes, and +on the broad plains which stretch beyond the Mississippi. At this time +nothing, it is believed, was said by him in regard to the grand +confederacy of the tribes, for the recovery of their lands, which +shortly afterwards became an object of ambition with his brother; and, +in the furtherance of which he successfully exerted his power and +influence, as a prophet. In this assemblage he declaimed against +witchcraft, which many of the Indians practised and still more +believed. He pronounced that those who continued bewitched, or exerted +their arts on others, would never go to heaven nor see the Great +Spirit. He next took up the subject of drunkenness, against which he +harangued with great force; and, as appeared subsequently, with much +success. He told them that since he had become a prophet, he went up +into the clouds; that the first place he came to was the dwelling of +the Devil, and that all who had died drunkards were there, with flames +issuing out of their mouths. He acknowledged that he had himself been a +drunkard, but that this awful scene had reformed him. Such was the +effect of his preaching against this pernicious vice, that many of his +followers became alarmed, and ceased to drink the "fire-water," a name +by which whiskey is significantly called among the Indians. He +likewise, declaimed against the custom of Indian women intermarrying +with white men, and denounced it as one of the causes of their +unhappiness. Among other doctrines of his new code, he insisted on a +community of property--a very comfortable regulation for those, who +like himself, were too indolent to labor for the acquisition of it. A +more salutary and rational precept, and one which he enforced with +considerable energy, was the duty of the young, at all times and under +all circumstances, to support, cherish and respect the aged and infirm. +He declaimed with vehemence against all innovations in the original +dress and habits of the Indians--dwelt upon the high claims of the +Shawanoes to superiority over other tribes, and promised to all his +followers, who would believe his doctrines and practice his precepts, +the comforts and happiness which their forefathers enjoyed before they +were debased by their connection with the whites. And finally +proclaimed, with much solemnity, that he had received power from the +Great Spirit, to cure all diseases, to confound his enemies, and stay +the arm of death, in sickness, or on the battle field. + +[Footnote A: In the remaining pages of this work this person will be +called the Prophet, the name by which he is most generally known.] + +Such is the superstitious credulity of the Indians, that this crafty +impostor not only succeeded for a time, in correcting many of the vices +of his followers, but likewise influenced them to the perpetration of +outrages upon each other, shocking to humanity. If an individual, and +especially a chief, was supposed to be hostile to his plans, or doubted +the validity of his claim to the character of a prophet, he was +denounced as a witch, and the loss of reputation, if not of life, +speedily followed. Among the first of his victims were several +Delawares,--Tatepocoshe (more generally known as Teteboxti,) Patterson, +his nephew, Coltos, an old woman, and an aged man called Joshua. These +were successively marked by the Prophet, and doomed to be burnt alive. +The tragedy was commenced with the old woman. The Indians roasted her +slowly over a fire for four days, calling upon her frequently to +deliver up her charm and medicine bag. Just as she was dying, she +exclaimed that her grandson, who was then out hunting, had it in his +possession. Messengers were sent in pursuit of him, and when found he +was tied and brought into camp. He acknowledged that on one occasion he +had borrowed the charm of his grandmother, by means of which he had +flown through the air, over Kentucky, to the banks of the Mississippi, +and back again, between twilight and bed-time; but he insisted that he +had returned the charm to its owner; and after some consultation, he +was set at liberty. The following day, a council was held over the case +of the venerable chief Tatepocoshe, he being present. His death was +decided upon after full deliberation; and, arrayed in his finest +apparel, he calmly assisted in building his own funeral pile, fully +aware that there was no escape from the judgment that had been passed +upon him. The respect due to his whitened locks, induced his +executioners to treat him with mercy. He was deliberately tomahawked by +a young man, and his body was then placed upon the blazing faggots and +consumed. The next day, the old preacher Joshua, met a similar fate. +The wife of Tatepocoshe, and his nephew Billy Patterson, were then +brought into the council house, and seated side by side. The latter had +led an irreproachable life, and died like a Christian, singing and +praying amid the flames which destroyed his body. While preparations +were making for the immolation of Tatepocoshe's wife, her brother, a +youth of twenty years of age, suddenly started up, took her by the +hand, and to the amazement of the council, led her out of the house. He +soon returned, and exclaiming, "the devil has come among us, (alluding +to the Prophet) and we are killing each other," he reseated himself in +the midst of the crowd. This bold step checked the wild frenzy of the +Indians, put an end to these cruel scenes, and for a time greatly +impaired the impostor's influence among the Delawares. + +The benevolent policy of the governor of Indiana Territory (William +Henry Harrison,) towards the Indian tribes, had given him much +influence over them. Early in the year 1806, and so soon as he had +heard of the movements of the Prophet, and the delusion of the +Delawares in regard to witchcraft, he sent a special messenger to them +with the following speech. Had it reached them a little earlier, it +would probably have saved the life of the aged Tatepocoshe. + +"My Children:--My heart is filled with grief, and my eyes are dissolved +in tears, at the news which has reached me. You have been celebrated +for your wisdom above all the tribes of red people who inhabit this +great island. Your fame as warriors has extended to the remotest +nations, and the wisdom of your chiefs has gained for you the +appellation of grandfathers, from all the neighboring tribes. From what +cause, then, does it proceed, that you have departed from the wise +counsels of your fathers, and covered yourselves with guilt? My +children, tread back the steps you have taken, and endeavor to regain +the straight road which you have abandoned. The dark, crooked and +thorny one which you are now pursuing, will certainly lead to endless +woe and misery. But who is this pretended prophet, who dares to speak +in the name of the Great Creator? Examine him. Is he more wise or +virtuous than you are yourselves, that he should be selected to convey +to you the orders of your God? Demand of him some proofs at least, of +his being the messenger of the Deity. If God has really employed him, +he has doubtless authorized him to perform miracles, that he may be +known and received as a prophet. If he is really a prophet, ask of him +to cause the sun to stand still--the moon to alter its course--the +rivers to cease to flow--or the dead to rise from their graves. If he +does these things, you may then believe that he has been sent from God. +He tells you that the Great Spirit commands you to punish with death +those who deal in magic; and that he is authorized to point them out. +Wretched delusion! Is then the Master of Life obliged to employ mortal +man to punish those who offend him? Has he not the thunder and all the +powers of nature at his command?--and could he not sweep away from the +earth a whole nation with one motion of his arm? My children: do not +believe that the great and good Creator of mankind has directed you to +destroy your own flesh; and do not doubt but that if you pursue this +abominable wickedness, his vengeance will overtake and crush you. + +"The above is addressed to you in the name of the Seventeen Fires. I +now speak to you from myself, as a friend who wishes nothing more +sincerely than to see you prosperous and happy. Clear your eyes, I +beseech you, from the mist which surrounds them. No longer be imposed +upon by the arts of an impostor. Drive him from your town, and let +peace and harmony once more prevail amongst you. Let your poor old men +and women sleep in quietness, and banish from their minds the dreadful +idea of being burnt alive by their own friends and countrymen. I charge +you to stop your bloody career; and if you value the friendship of your +great father, the President--if you wish to preserve the good opinion +of the Seventeen Fires, let me hear by the return of the bearer, that +you have determined to follow my advice."[A] + +[Footnote A: Quoted from Dawson's Historical Narrative of the civil and +military services of William Henry Harrison.] + +Among the Miamis, the Prophet was less successful in establishing an +influence than with the Delawares; while over the Kickapoos he gained, +for a time, a remarkable ascendency,--greater, indeed, than he ever +established in his own tribe. Most of the Shawanoe chiefs were opposed +to him, and even complained to the agent at fort Wayne, that his +conduct was creating difficulties among the Indians. + +We have met with no evidence that Tecumseh favored the destruction of +the Delawares, whose unhappy fate has been detailed. On the contrary, +it is stated by a credible authority,[A] that he was opposed to it. + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +Throughout the year 1806, the brothers remained at Greenville, and were +visited by many Indians from different tribes, not a few of whom became +their followers. The Prophet dreamed many wonderful dreams; and claimed +to have had many supernatural revelations made to him. The great +eclipse of the sun which occurred in the summer of this year, a +knowledge of which he had by some means attained, enabled him to carry +conviction to the minds of many of his ignorant followers, that he was +really the earthly agent of the Great Spirit. He boldly announced to +the unbelievers, that on a certain day, he would give them proof of his +supernatural powers, by bringing darkness over the sun. When the day +and hour of the eclipse arrived, and the earth, even at mid day, was +shrouded in the gloom of twilight, the Prophet, standing in the midst +of his party, significantly pointed to the heavens, and cried out, "did +I not prophecy truly? Behold! darkness has shrouded the sun!" It may +readily be supposed that this striking phenomenon, thus adroitly used, +produced a strong impression on the Indians, and greatly increased +their belief in the sacred character of their Prophet. + +In April, 1807, Tecumseh and his brother had assembled at Greenville +about four hundred Indians, most of them highly excited by religious +fanaticism; and ready, it was feared, for any enterprise on which these +brothers might be disposed to lead them. Considerable apprehension was +entertained for the safety of the frontiers, and several fruitless +efforts were made to ascertain the ulterior objects of the leaders. +William Wells, then Indian agent at fort Wayne, despatched Anthony +Shane, a half-blood Shawanoe, with a communication to Tecumseh and the +Prophet, requesting them and two other of their chiefs, to visit him at +fort Wayne, that he might read to them a letter which he had just +received from their great father, the President of the United States. + +A council being called, Shane made known the object of his mission. +Tecumseh, without consulting with those around him, immediately arose +and said to the messenger, "go back to fort Wayne, and tell captain +Wells, that my fire is kindled on the spot appointed by the Great +Spirit above; and, if he has any thing to communicate to me, _he_ must +come _here_:--I shall expect him in six days from this time." With this +laconic, but dignified reply, the conference ended. The agent at fort +Wayne declined waiting on Tecumseh, in person, but on the appointed +day, sent Shane back to Greenville, with a copy of the President's +communication, contained in a letter from the Secretary at War; the +substance of which was, that Tecumseh and his party being established +within the limits of the governor's purchase from the Indians, they +were desired to remove to some point beyond the boundaries agreed upon +by the treaty of Greenville; and, in case of their compliance, the +government would afford them assistance, until they were properly +established at their new post. A second council was assembled, and the +communication fully interpreted to those present. Tecumseh felt +indignant that captain Wells had not visited him in person. He arose +deeply excited, and turning to his followers, addressed them in a long, +glowing and impassioned speech, in which he dwelt upon the injuries the +Indians had received from the whites, and especially the continued +encroachments of the latter upon the lands of the red men: "These +lands," said he in conclusion, "are ours: no one has a right to remove +us, because we were the first owners; the Great Spirit above has +appointed this place for us, on which to light our fires, and here we +will remain. As to boundaries, the Great Spirit above knows no +boundaries, nor will his red people acknowledge any." + +Of this speech no copy has been preserved. Shane speaks of it as a +masterpiece of Indian eloquence--bold, argumentative and powerful. It +was delivered with great vehemence, and deep indignant feeling. After a +moment's pause, Tecumseh turned to the messenger and said, with that +stately indifference of manner, which he could so gracefully assume +when in council, "if my great father, the President of the Seventeen +Fires, has any thing more to say to me, he must send a man of note as +his messenger. I will hold no further intercourse with captain Wells." + +The Prophet, who seldom lost an opportunity of vaunting himself before +his followers, then rose, and addressing captain Shane, said, "why does +not the President send to us the greatest man in his nation? I can talk +to him--I can bring darkness between him and me--nay more, I can bring +the sun under my feet, and what white man can do this?" With this +self-glorification, the council terminated. + +The excitement continued to increase, and at the close of May, it was +estimated by the agent at fort Wayne, that not less than fifteen +hundred Indians, had within a short time, passed and repassed that +fort, in making visits to the Prophet. Many of these were from distant +points on the lakes. Councils were assembled, runners with pipes and +belts of wampum, went from tribe to tribe, and strong evidence of some +uncommon movement among the Indians became quite apparent. The British +agents were active in fomenting this excitement, and in extending the +influence of Tecumseh and his brother, whose ulterior objects were +carefully concealed from the agents of the United States, and such +Indian chiefs as were known to be friendly to our government. + +In the month of August, on the testimony of several persons familiar +with Indian affairs, then residing in the north-western portions of the +state, the Indians at fort Wayne and at Greenville, who were supposed +to be under the influence of the Prophet, amounted to between seven and +eight hundred, most of them equipped with new rifles. These facts being +communicated to the governor of Ohio, he directed his attention to the +subject, and, in the early part of September, despatched Thomas +Worthington and Duncan McArthur, to Greenville, for the purpose of +holding a conference with the Prophet and Tecumseh, and ascertaining +the object of their assembling so large a body of Indians, within the +limits of the cession of land made by them at the treaty of 1795. These +commissioners left Chillicothe on the 8th of September, and reached +Greenville on the 12th, where they were courteously received by the +Indians. They were fortunate in securing the services of Stephen +Ruddell, as their interpreter, who had resided for seventeen years +among the Indians, and was familiar with the Shawanoe language. On the +day of their arrival, the commissioners were invited to a general +council of the Indians, at which the letter of the governor was read, +and interpreted to the Shawanoes, Potawatamies and Chippewas. This was +followed by an address from the commissioners, referring to the past +relations between the United States and the Indians, the policy pursued +towards the latter by Great Britain, and the importance of their +remaining neutral, in case of a war between that country and the United +States. On the following day, Blue Jacket, who, it was announced, had +been authorized by all the Indians present, to speak for them, replied +to the commissioners as follows: + +"Brethren--We are seated who heard you yesterday. You will get a true +relation, as far as we and our connections can give it, who are as +follows: Shawanoes, Wyandots, Potawatamies, Tawas, Chippewas, +Winnepaus, Malominese, Malockese, Secawgoes, and one more from the +north of the Chippewas. _Brethren_--you see all these men sitting +before you, who now speak to you. + +"About eleven days ago we had a council, at which the tribe of +Wyandots, (the elder brother of the red people) spoke and said God had +kindled a fire and all sat around it. In this council we talked over +the treaties with the French and the Americans. The Wyandot said, the +French formerly marked a line along the Alleghany mountains, southerly, +to Charleston, (S.C.) No man was to pass it from either side. When the +Americans came to settle over the line, the English told the Indians to +unite and drive off the French, until the war came on between the +British and the Americans, when it was told them that king George, by +his officers, directed them to unite and drive the Americans back. + +"After the treaty of peace between the English and Americans, the +summer before Wayne's army came out, the English held a council with +the Indians, and told them if they would turn out and unite as one man, +they might surround the Americans like deer in a ring of fire and +destroy them all. The Wyandot spoke further in the council. We see, +said he, there is like to be war between the English and our white +brethren, the Americans. Let us unite and consider the sufferings we +have undergone, from interfering in the wars of the English. They have +often promised to help us, and at last, when we could not withstand the +army that came against us, and went to the English fort for refuge, the +English told us, 'I cannot let you in; you are painted too much, my +children.' It was then we saw the British dealt treacherously with us. +We now see them going to war again. We do not know what they are going +to fight for. Let us, my brethren, not interfere, was the speech of the +Wyandot. + +"Further, the Wyandot said, I speak to you, my little brother, the +Shawanoes at Greenville, and to you, our little brothers all around. +You appear to be at Greenville to serve the _Supreme Ruler_ of the +universe. Now send forth your speeches to all our brethren far around +us, and let us unite to seek for that which shall be for our eternal +welfare, and unite ourselves in a band of perpetual brotherhood. These, +brethren, are the sentiments of all the men who sit around you: they +all adhere to what the elder brother, the Wyandot, has said, and these +are their sentiments. It is not that they are afraid of their white +brethren, but that they desire peace and harmony, and not that their +white brethren could put them to great necessity, for their former arms +were bows and arrows, by which they got their living." + +The commissioners made some explanations in reply, when they were told +that the Prophet would assign the reasons why the Indians had settled +at Greenville. "He then proceeded to inform us," says the report, "that +about three years since, he became convinced of the error of his ways, +and that he would be destroyed from the face of the earth, if he did +not amend them; that it was soon after made known to him what he should +do to be right; that from that time he constantly preached to his red +brethren the miserable situation they were in by nature, and endeavored +to convince them that they must change their lives, live honestly, and +be just in all their dealings, kind towards one another, and their +white brethren: affectionate towards their families, put away lying and +slandering, and serve the Great Spirit in the way he had pointed out; +never think of war again; that at first the Lord did not give them the +tomahawk to go to war with one another. His red brethren, the chiefs of +the Shawanoes at Tawa town, would not listen to him, but persecuted +him. This produced a division in the nation; those who adhered to him, +separated themselves from their brethren at Tawa town, removed with and +settled where he now was, and where he had constantly preached the +above doctrines to all the strangers who came to see them. They did not +remove to this place because it was a pretty place, or very valuable, +for it was neither; but because it was revealed to him that the place +was a proper one to establish his doctrines; that he meant to adhere to +them while he lived; they were not his own, nor were they taught him by +man, but by the Supreme Ruler of the universe; that his future life +should prove to his white brethren the sincerity of his professions. He +then told us that six chiefs should go with us to Chillicothe." + +The commissioners left Greenville entirely convinced of the sincerity +of the Prophet in his declaration of pacific intentions towards the +United States.[A] Four chiefs, Tecumseh, Blue Jacket, Sti-agh-ta, (or +Roundhead) and Panther, accompanied them to the seat of government, for +the purpose of holding a conference with the governor; and giving him +assurances that the Indians were not assembling at Greenville for the +purpose of making war upon the frontiers. These chiefs remained about a +week in Chillicothe, in the course of which a public council was held +between them and the governor. Stephen Ruddell acted as the +interpreter. Tecumseh was the principal speaker; and in the course of +the conference, made a speech which occupied three hours in the +delivery. + +[Footnote A: See Report of Commissioners to governor Kirker, 22d Sept. +1807, published in the United States Gazette, for that year.] + +His great object was to prove the nullity of the treaties under which +the whites claimed the country north and west of the Ohio. He seemed to +have a familiar knowledge of all the treaties made with the western +tribes; reviewed them in their order, and with the most intense +bitterness and scorn, denounced them as null and void. This speech is +described by one[A] who heard it, as possessing all the characteristics +of a high effort of oratory. The utterance of the speaker was rapid and +vehement; his manner bold and commanding; his gestures impassioned, +quick and violent, and his countenance indicating that there was +something more in his mind, struggling for utterance, than he deemed it +prudent to express. While he fearlessly denied the validity of these +_pretended_ treaties, and openly avowed his intention to resist the +further extension of the white settlements upon the Indian lands, he +disclaimed all intention of making war upon the United States. The +result was, a conviction on the part of the governor, that no immediate +danger was to be apprehended from the Indians, at Greenville and fort +Wayne; and, as a consequence, the militia which had been called into +service were ordered to be disbanded, and the chiefs returned to their +head quarters. + +[Footnote A: John A. Fulton, formerly mayor of Chillicothe, +communicated by general James T. Worthington.] + +In the autumn of this year, a white man by the name of Myers, was +killed a few miles west of where the town of Urbana now stands, by some +straggling Indians. This murder, taken in connection with the +assemblage of the Indians under Tecumseh and the Prophet, created a +great alarm on the frontier, and actually induced many families to +remove back to Kentucky, from whence they had emigrated. A demand was +made by the whites upon these two brothers for the Indians who had +committed the murder. They denied that it was done by their party, or +with their knowledge, and declared that they did not even know who the +murderers were. The alarm continued, and some companies of militia were +called out. It was finally agreed, that a council should be held on the +subject in Springfield, for the purpose of quieting the settlements. +General Whiteman, major Moore, captain Ward and one or two others, +acted as commissioners on the part of the whites. Two parties of +Indians attended the council; one from the north, in charge of +McPherson; the other, consisting of sixty or seventy, came from the +neighborhood of fort Wayne, under the charge of Tecumseh. Roundhead, +Blackfish, and several other chiefs, were also present. There was no +friendly feeling between these two parties, and each was willing that +the blame of the murder should be fixed upon the other. The party under +McPherson, in compliance with the wishes of the commissioners, left +their arms a few miles from Springfield. Tecumseh and his party refused +to attend the council, unless permitted to retain their arms. After the +conference was opened, it being held in a maple grove, a little north +of where Werden's hotel now stands, the commissioners, fearing some +violence, made another effort to induce Tecumseh to lay aside his arms. +This he again refused, saying, in reply, that his tomahawk was also his +pipe, and that he might wish to use it in that capacity before their +business was closed. At this moment, a tall, lank-sided Pennsylvanian, +who was standing among the spectators, and who, perhaps, had no love +for the shining tomahawk of the self-willed chief, cautiously +approached, and handed him an old, long stemmed, dirty looking earthen +pipe, intimating, that if Tecumseh would deliver up the fearful +tomahawk, he might smoke the aforesaid pipe. The chief took it between +his thumb and finger, held it up, looked at it for a moment, then at +the owner, who was gradually receding from the point of danger, and +immediately threw it, with an indignant sneer, over his head, into the +bushes. The commissioners yielded the point, and proceeded to business. + +After a full and patient enquiry into the facts of the case, it +appeared that the murder of Myers, was the act of an individual, and +not justly chargeable upon either party of the Indians. Several +speeches were made by the chiefs, but Tecumseh was the principal +speaker. He gave a full explanation of the views of the Prophet and +himself, in calling around them a band of Indians--disavowed all +hostile intentions towards the United States, and denied that he or +those under his control had committed any aggressions upon the whites. +His manner, when speaking, was animated, fluent and rapid, and made a +strong impression upon those present. The council terminated. In the +course of it, the two hostile parties became reconciled to each other, +and quiet was restored to the frontier. + +The Indians remained in Springfield for three days, and on several +occasions amused themselves by engaging in various games and other +athletic exercises, in which Tecumseh generally proved himself +victorious. His strength, and power of muscular action, were remarkably +great, and in the opinion of those who attended the council, +corresponded with the high order of his moral and intellectual +character.[A] + +[Footnote A: Dr. Hunt.] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Governor Harrison's address to the Shawanoe chiefs at Greenville--the + Prophet's reply--his influence felt among the remote tribes--he is + visited in 1808 by great numbers of Indians--Tecumseh and the Prophet + remove to Tippecanoe--the latter sends a speech to governor + Harrison--makes him a visit at Vincennes. + + +The alarm caused by the assembling of the Indians at Greenville, still +continuing, governor Harrison, in the autumn of this year, sent to the +head chiefs of the Shawanoe tribe, by John Conner, one of our Indian +agents, the following address:-- + +"My Children--Listen to me, I speak in the name of your father, the +great chief of the Seventeen Fires. + +"My children, it is now twelve years since the tomahawk, which you had +raised by the advice of your father, the king of Great Britain, was +buried at Greenville, in the presence of that great warrior, general +Wayne. + +"My children, you then promised, and the Great Spirit heard it, that +you would in future live in peace and friendship with your brothers, +the Americans. You made a treaty with your father, and one that +contained a number of good things, equally beneficial to all the tribes +of red people, who were parties to it. + +"My children, you promised in that treaty to acknowledge no other +father than the chief of the Seventeen Fires; and never to listen to +the proposition of any foreign nation. You promised never to lift up +the tomahawk against any of your father's children, and to give him +notice of any other tribe that intended it: your father also promised +to do something for you, particularly to deliver to you, every year, a +certain quantity of goods; to prevent any white man from settling on +your lands without your consent, or to do you any personal injury. He +promised to run a line between your land and his, so that you might +know your own; and you were to be permitted to live and hunt upon your +father's land, as long as you behaved yourselves well. My children, +which of these articles has your father broken? You know that he has +observed them all with the utmost good faith. But, my children, have +you done so? Have you not always had your ears open to receive bad +advice from the white people beyond the lakes? + +"My children, let us look back to times that are past. It has been a +long time since you called the king of Great Britain, father. You know +that it is the duty of a father to watch over his children, to give +them good advice, and to do every thing in his power to make them +happy. What has this father of yours done for you, during the long time +that you have looked up to him for protection and advice? Are you wiser +and happier than you were before you knew him; or is your nation +stronger or more respectable? No, my children, he took you by the hand +when you were a powerful tribe; you held him fast, supposing he was +your friend, and he conducted you through paths filled with thorns and +briers, which tore your flesh and shed your blood. Your strength was +exhausted, and you could no longer follow him. Did he stay by you in +your distress, and assist and comfort you? No, he led you into danger, +and then abandoned you. He saw your blood flowing and he would give you +no bandage to tie up your wounds. This was the conduct of the man who +called himself your father. The Great Spirit opened your eyes; you +heard the voice of the chief of the Seventeen Fires, speaking the words +of peace. He called to you to follow him; you came to him, and he once +more put you on the right way, on the broad smooth road that would have +led to happiness. But the voice of your deceiver is again heard; and +forgetful of your former sufferings, you are again listening to him. + +"My children, shut your ears, and mind him not, or he will lead you to +ruin and misery. + +"My children, I have heard bad news. The sacred spot where the great +council fire was kindled, around which the Seventeen Fires and ten +tribes of their children, smoked the pipe of peace--that very spot +where the Great Spirit saw his red and white children encircle +themselves with the chain of friendship--that place has been selected +for dark and bloody councils. + +"My children, this business must be stopped. You have called in a +number of men from the most distant tribes, to listen to a fool, who +speaks not the words of the Great Spirit, but those of the devil, and +of the British agents. My children, your conduct has much alarmed the +white settlers near you. They desire that you will send away those +people, and if they wish to have the impostor with them, they can carry +him. Let him go to the lakes; he can hear the British more distinctly." + +At the time of the delivery of this speech, the head chiefs of the +Shawanoes were absent from Greenville. The Prophet, after listening +patiently to it, requested the interpreter to write down the following +answer, which was transmitted to the governor. + +"Father,--I am very sorry that you listen to the advice of bad birds. +You have impeached me with having correspondence with the British; and +with calling and sending for the Indians from the most distant part of +the country, 'to listen to a fool that speaks not the words of the +Great Spirit, but the words of the devil.' Father, those impeachments I +deny, and say they are not true. I never had a word with the British, +and I never sent for any Indians. They came here themselves to listen, +and hear the words of the Great Spirit. + +"Father, I wish you would not listen any more to the voice of bad +birds; and you may rest assured that it is the least of our idea to +make disturbance, and we will rather try to stop any such proceedings +than to encourage them." + +The appeal of the governor, as may be inferred from the evasive and +cunning answer of the Prophet, produced no change in his measures, nor +did it arrest the spread of the fanaticism among the Indians which his +incantations had set afloat. The happiness of the Indians was the great +idea which Tecumseh and his brother promulgated among their followers +as being the object of their labors. This was to be attained by leading +more virtuous lives, by retaining their lands, and in simply doing what +the government of the United States had frequently urged upon them, +effecting an extended and friendly union of the different tribes. These +plausible reasons, backed by the superstitious belief of the Indians in +the inspired character of the Prophet, and the insidious efforts of the +British agents, in fomenting discontent among them, were sufficient to +keep alive the excitement, and even extend the circle of its influence. +Thus ended the year 1807. + +The reader may learn the extraordinary success of the Prophet in +spreading his influence among the remote tribes, by a reference to the +narrative of Mr. John Tanner. This man had been taken captive in Boone +county, Kentucky, when a boy; had been raised by the Indians, and was +at this time, living among the Ojibbeways, who reside far up the lakes. + +News reached that remote tribe that a great man had arisen among the +Shawanoes, who had been favored by a revelation of the mind and will of +the Great Spirit. The messenger bearing this information to them, +seemed deeply penetrated with the sacred character of his mission. Upon +his arrival among them, he announced himself after a mysterious +silence, as the forerunner of the great Prophet, who was shortly to +shake hands with the Ojibbeways, and explain to them more fully his +inspired character, and the new mode of life and conduct which they +were hereafter to pursue. He then gravely repeated to them the +Prophet's system of morals; and in a very solemn manner, enjoined its +observance. So strong was the impression made upon the principal men of +the Ojibbeways, that a time was appointed and a lodge prepared for the +public espousal of these doctrines. When the Indians were assembled in +the new lodge, "we saw something," says Mr. Tanner, "carefully +concealed under a blanket, in figure and dimensions bearing some +resemblance to a man. This was accompanied by two young men, who, it +was understood, attended constantly upon it, made its bed at night, as +for a man, and slept near it. But while we remained, no one went near +to it, or raised the blanket which was spread over its unknown +contents. Four strings of mouldy and discolored beads were all the +visible insignia of this important mission. + +"After a long harangue, in which the prominent features of the new +revelation were stated, and urged upon the attention of all, the four +strings of beads, which we were told were made of the flesh of the +Prophet, were carried with, much solemnity, to each man in the lodge, +and he was expected to take hold of each string at the top, and draw +them gently through his hand: This was called shaking hands with the +Prophet, and was considered as solemnly engaging to obey his +injunctions, and accept of his mission as from the Supreme. All the +Indians who touched the beads had previously killed their dogs; they +gave up their medicine bags, and showed a disposition to comply with +all that should be required of them." + +The excitement among the Ojibbeways continued for some time; they +assembled in groups, their faces wearing an aspect of gloom and +anxiety, while the active sunk into indolence, and the spirit of the +bravest warriors was subdued. The influence of the Prophet, says Mr. +Tanner, "was very sensibly and painfully felt by the remotest +Ojibbeways of whom I had any knowledge: but it was not the common +impression among them, that his doctrines had any tendency to unite +them in the accomplishment of any human purpose. For two or three years +drunkenness was much less frequent than formerly; war was less thought +of; and the entire aspect of things among them was changed by the +influence of this mission. But in time these new impressions were +obliterated; medicine-bags, flints and steels, the use of which had +been forbidden, were brought into use; dogs were reared, women and +children beaten as before; and the Shawanoe Prophet was despised." + +With the beginning of the year 1808, great numbers of Indians came down +from the lakes, on a visit to the Prophet, where they remained until +their means of subsistence were exhausted. The governor of Indiana, +with the prudence and humanity which marked his administration, +directed the agent at fort Wayne, to supply them with provisions from +the public stores at that place. This was done, and from his +intercourse with them he came to the conclusion that they had no +hostile designs against the United States. About this time, Tecumseh +made a visit to the Mississinaway towns, the immediate object of which +could not be clearly ascertained. That it was connected with the grand +scheme in which he was engaged, is probable from the fact that the +Indians of that region agreed to meet him and the Prophet on the +Wabash, in the following June, to which place he had at this time +resolved to move his party. Mr. Jouett, one of the United States' +Indian agents, apprehended that this meeting would result in some +hostile action against the frontiers; and, as a means of preventing it, +and putting an end to the influence of the Prophet, recommended to the +governor that he should be seized and confined. The proposition, +however, was not entertained. + +In the spring of this year, 1808, Tecumseh and the Prophet removed to a +tract of land granted them by the Potawatamies and Kickapoos, on +Tippecanoe, one of the tributaries of the Wabash river. They had not +been long at their new residence before it became apparent that the +Prophet had established a strong influence over the minds of the +surrounding Indians, and there was much reason for believing that his +views were hostile to the United States. The governor still confided in +the fidelity of the Delawares and the Miamis; but he apprehended, that +although disbelievers in the Prophet's divine mission, they might be +turned from the line of duty from a fear of his temporal power. When he +had established himself upon the banks of the Tippecanoe, the Prophet +drew around him a body of northern Indians, principally from the +Potawatamies, Ottowas and Chippewas. To this, the Miamis and Delawares +had strong objections; and a deputation of the latter was sent to the +Prophet on the subject. He refused to see them himself, but Tecumseh +met them; and after a solemn conference, they returned to their tribe +with increased apprehensions of the combination at Tippecanoe, which +was now uniting warlike sports with the performance of religious +duties.[A] The Delawares decided in council to arrest the progress of +this rising power, but in vain. Strong in the moral force with which +they were armed, the two brothers were not to be driven from their +purpose of planting the banner of union, which they were now holding +out to the tribes, upon the waters of the Wabash. The sacred office +which the Prophet had impiously assumed, enabled him to sway many +minds, and in doing so, he was effectively sustained by the personal +presence, tact and sagacity of his brother. From his youth, Tecumseh +had been noted for the influence which he exercised over those by whom +he was surrounded. Hence, when the chiefs of the Miamis and Delawares, +who were disbelievers in the Prophet's holy character, set out to +prevent his removal to the Wabash, Tecumseh boldly met them, and turned +them from their purpose. This was done at a moment when the number of +the Prophet's followers was greatly reduced, as we gather from the +statement of the agent, John Conner, who in the month of June, of this +year, visited his settlement on the Wabash to reclaim some horses which +had been stolen from the whites. At this time, the Prophet had not more +than forty of his own tribe with him; and less than a hundred from +others, principally Potawatamies, Chippewas, Ottawas and Winebagoes. +The Prophet announced his intention of making a visit to governor +Harrison, for the purpose of explaining his conduct, and procuring a +supply of provisions for his followers. This, he insisted, could not be +consistently withheld from him, as the white people had always +encouraged him to preach the word of God to the Indians: and in this +holy work he was now engaged. + +[Footnote A: Governor Harrison's Correspondence with the War +Department.] + +Some time in the month of July, the governor received a speech from the +Prophet, sent to Vincennes by a special messenger. It was cautious, +artful and pacific in its character. It deprecated in strong terms the +misrepresentations which had been circulated in regard to the ulterior +objects of the Prophet and his brother as to the whites; and renewed +the promise of an early visit. This visit was made in the month +following, and was continued for two weeks, during which time he and +the governor had frequent interviews. In these, the Prophet, with his +characteristic plausibility, denied that his course was the result of +British influence. His sole object, he alleged, was a benevolent one +towards his red brethren; to reclaim them from the degrading vices to +which they were addicted, and induce them to cultivate a spirit of +peace and friendship, not only with the white people, but their kindred +tribes. To this sacred office, he insisted, with much earnestness, he +had been specially called by the Great Spirit. That he might the more +successfully enforce the sincerity of his views upon the mind of the +governor, he took occasion several times during the visit, to address +the Indians who had accompanied him to Vincennes, and dwelt upon the +great evils resulting to them from wars, and the use of ardent spirits. +It was apparent to the governor that the Prophet was a man of decided +talents, of great tact, and admirably qualified to play successfully, +the part he had assumed. In order to test the extent of his influence +over his followers, the governor held conversations with them, and +several times offered them whiskey, which they invariably refused. +Looking to that amelioration of the condition of the Indians, which had +long engaged his attention, the governor began to hope that the +Prophet's power over them might be turned to advantage; and that the +cause of humanity would be benefited by sustaining rather than trying +to weaken the influence of the preacher. This impression was much +strengthened by the following speech which the Prophet delivered to +him, before the close of the visit. + +"Father:--It is three years since I first began with that system of +religion which I now practice. The white people and some of the Indians +were against me; but I had no other intention but to introduce among +the Indians, those good principles of religion which the white people +profess. I was spoken badly of by the white people, who reproached me +with misleading the Indians; but I defy them to say that I did any +thing amiss. + +"Father, I was told that you intended to hang me. When I heard this, I +intended to remember it, and tell my father, when I went to see him, +and relate to him the truth. + +"I heard, when I settled on the Wabash, that my father, the governor, +had declared that all the land between Vincennes and fort Wayne, was +the property of the Seventeen Fires. I also heard that you wanted to +know, my father, whether I was God or man; and that you said if I was +the former, I should not steal horses. I heard this from Mr. Wells, but +I believed it originated with himself. + +"The Great Spirit told me to tell the Indians that he had made them, +and made the world--that he had placed them on it to do good, and not +evil. + +"I told all the red skins, that the way they were in was not good, and +that they ought to abandon it. + +"That we ought to consider ourselves as one man; but we ought to live +agreeably to our several customs, the red people after their mode, and +the white people after theirs; particularly, that they should not drink +whiskey; that it was not made for them, but the white people, who alone +knew how to use it; and that it is the cause of all the mischiefs which +the Indians suffer; and that they must always follow the directions of +the Great Spirit, and we must listen to him, as it was he that made us: +determine to listen to nothing that is bad: do not take up the +tomahawk, should it be offered by the British, or by the long knives: +do not meddle with any thing that does not belong to you, but mind your +own business, and cultivate the ground, that your women and your +children may have enough to live on. + +"I now inform you, that it is our intention to live in peace with our +father and his people forever. + +"My father, I have informed you what we mean to do, and I call the +Great Spirit to witness the truth of my declaration. The religion which +I have established for the last three years, has been attended to by +the different tribes of Indians in this part of the world. Those +Indians were once different people; they are now but one: they are all +determined to practice what I have communicated to them, that has come +immediately from the Great Spirit through me. + +"Brother, I speak to you as a warrior. You are one. But let us lay +aside this character, and attend to the care of our children, that they +may live in comfort and peace. We desire that you will join us for the +preservation of both red and white people. Formerly, when we lived in +ignorance, we were foolish; but now, since we listen to the voice of +the Great Spirit, we are happy. + +"I have listened to what you have said to us. You have promised to +assist us: I now request you, in behalf of all the red people, to use +your exertions to prevent the sale of liquor to us. We are all well +pleased to hear you say that you will endeavor to promote our +happiness. We give you every assurance that we will follow the dictates +of the Great Spirit. + +"We are all well pleased with the attention that you have showed us; +also with the good intentions of our father, the President. If you give +us a few articles, such as needles, flints, hoes, powder, &c., we will +take the animals that afford us meat, with powder and ball." + +Governor Harrison, if not deceived by the plausible pretences and +apparently candid declarations of the Prophet, was left in doubt, +whether he was really meditating hostile movements against the United +States, or only laboring, with the energy of an enthusiast, in the good +work of promoting the welfare of the Indians. Having received a supply +of provisions, the Prophet and his followers, at the end of a +fortnight, took leave of the governor and returned to their head +quarters, on the banks of the Tippecanoe. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Tecumseh visits the Wyandots--governor Harrison's letter about the + Prophet to the Secretary at War--British influence over the + Indians--Tecumseh burns governor Harrison's letter to the + chiefs--great alarm in Indiana, in consequence of the assemblage of + the Indians at Tippecanoe--death of Leatherlips, a Wyandot chief on a + charge of witchcraft. + + +During the autumn of this year, 1808, nothing material occurred with +the Prophet and his brother, calculated to throw light upon their +conduct. The former continued his efforts to induce the Indians to +forsake their vicious habits. The latter was occupied in visiting the +neighboring tribes, and quietly strengthening his own and the Prophet's +influence over them. Early in the succeeding year, Tecumseh attended a +council of Indians, at Sandusky, when he endeavored to prevail upon the +Wyandots and Senecas to remove and join his establishment at +Tippecanoe. Among other reasons presented in favor of this removal, he +stated that the country on the Tippecanoe was better than that occupied +by these tribes; that it was remote from the whites, and that in it +they would have more game and be happier than where they now resided. +In this mission he appears not to have been successful. The Crane, an +old chief of the Wyandot tribe, replied, that he feared he, Tecumseh, +was working for no good purpose at Tippecanoe; that they would wait a +few years, and then, if they found their red brethren at that place +contented and happy, they would probably join them.[A] In this visit to +Sandusky, Tecumseh was accompanied by captain Lewis, a Shawanoe chief +of some note, who then engaged to go with him to the Creeks and +Cherokees, on a mission which he was contemplating, and which was +subsequently accomplished. Lewis, however, did not finally make the +visit, but permitted Jim Blue Jacket to make the tour in his place. + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +In April of the year 1809, the agent of the United States at fort +Wayne, informed governor Harrison, that it had been reported to him +that the Chippewas, Potawatamies and Ottawas, were deserting the +standard of the Prophet, because they had been required to take up arms +against the whites, and to unite in an effort to exterminate all the +inhabitants of Vincennes, and those living on the Ohio, between its +mouth and Cincinnati--it being the order of the Great Spirit; and that +their own destruction would be the consequence of a refusal. The agent +did not think, however, that hostilities were likely to ensue, as he +was informed there were not more than one hundred warriors remaining +with the Prophet. The governor, however, had information from other +sources, that although there might be but that number of warriors at +the Prophet's village, there were, within fifty miles of his +head-quarters, four or five times that number, who were devoted to him +and to his cause. Under these circumstances, he decided to organize +forthwith, under previous orders from the War department, two companies +of volunteer militia, and with them to garrison fort Knox--a post about +two miles from Vincennes--then the general depot of arms and +ammunition, for the use of the neighboring militia. The agent at fort +Wayne was accordingly directed by the governor to require the Delaware, +Miami and Potawatamie tribes, to prevent any hostile parties of Indians +from passing through their respective territories. This they were bound +to do, by a stipulation in the treaty of Greenville. But no hostile +movements, (if any had been meditated,) were made by the Prophet, and +before the close of the month of May, most of his warriors had +dispersed, and all apprehension of an attack from the Indians was +dispelled. + +In the month of July, in reply to a letter from the Secretary of War, +on the subject of the defence of the north-western frontier, governor +Harrison, in reference to the Prophet, says: + +"The Shawanoe Prophet and about forty followers, arrived here about a +week ago. He denies most strenuously, any participation in the late +combination to attack our settlements, which he says was entirely +confined to the tribes of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers; and he +claims the merit of having prevailed upon them to relinquish their +intentions. + +"I must confess that my suspicions of his guilt have been rather +strengthened than diminished at every interview I have had with him +since his arrival. He acknowledges that he received an invitation to +war against us, from the British, last fall; and that he was apprised +of the intention of the Sacs and Foxes, &c. early in the spring, and +was warmly solicited to join in their league. But he could give no +satisfactory explanation of his neglecting to communicate to me, +circumstances so extremely interesting to us; and towards which I had a +few months before directed his attention, and received a solemn +assurance of his cheerful compliance with the injunctions I had +impressed upon him. + +"The result of all my enquiries on the subject is, that the late +combination was produced by British intrigue and influence, in +anticipation of war between them and the United States. It was, +however, premature and ill-judged, and the event sufficiently manifests +a great decline in their influence, or in the talents and address, with +which they have been accustomed to manage their Indian relations. + +"The warlike and well armed tribes of the Potawatamies, Ottawas, +Chippewas, Delawares, and Miamis, I believe, neither had, nor would +have, joined in the combination; and although the Kickapoos, whose +warriors are better them those of any other tribe, the remnant of the +Wyandots excepted, are much under the influence of the Prophet, I am +persuaded that they were never made acquainted with his intentions, if +these were really hostile to the United States." + +In the latter part of the year 1809, under instructions from the +President of the United States, governor Harrison deemed the period a +favorable one to extinguish the Indian title to the lands on the east +of the Wabash, and adjoining south on the lines established by the +former treaties of fort Wayne and Grousland. A council was accordingly +held, in the latter part of September, at fort Wayne, with the Miami, +Eel river, Delaware and Potawatamie tribes, which resulted in the +purchase of the land above mentioned. A separate treaty was made with +the Kickapoos, who confirmed the grants made at the above treaty, and +also ceded another tract. In making these treaties, governor Harrison +invited all those Indians to be present, who were considered as having +any title to the lands embraced within them. + +Throughout the remainder of the year 1809, things remained quiet with +Tecumseh and the Prophet. The number of their followers was again on +the increase; and, although no overt acts of hostility against the +frontier settlements were committed, there was a prevalent suspicion in +that quarter, that the Indians entertained sinister designs towards the +whites. The events of the early part of the year 1810, were such as to +leave little doubt of the hostile intentions of the brothers. In the +latter part of April, governor Harrison was informed, upon credible +authority, that the Prophet was really instigating the Indians to acts +of hostility against the United States; and that he had under his +immediate control about four hundred warriors, chiefly composed of +Kickapoos and Winnebagoes, but embracing also some Shawanoes, +Potawatamies, Chippewas, and Ottawas. The traders among them attributed +this hostile feeling to British influence. That the followers of the +Prophet had received a supply of powder and ball from the English +agents, was generally admitted. They refused to buy ammunition from our +traders, alleging that they were plentifully supplied from a quarter +where it cost them nothing. About the middle of May, it was ascertained +that the number of warriors with the Prophet, amounted to more than six +hundred men, and there were reasons to apprehend that his influence had +kindled a hostile feeling among several of the tribes to the west and +north of his head quarters. A meeting of Indians having been appointed +to take place about this time, on the St. Joseph's river, governor +Harrison made an appeal to them through the Delawares, in which he +forcibly pointed out the unhappy results that would certainly follow +any attack upon the United States; and cautioned the friendly tribes, +upon the dangers to which they would be subjected, in consequence of +the difficulty of discriminating between friends and enemies, in case a +war should occur. In July the governor was authorized by the Secretary +of War, to take such steps as he might deem necessary for the +protection of the frontier; and, at the same time was informed that +some troops had been ordered to Vincennes to keep in check the hostile +Indians of that quarter. + +Fresh apprehensions were now felt for the safety of the frontiers. The +Prophet, it appears, had gained over to his cause the Wyandot tribe, +whose councils had always exerted a strong influence among the Indians. +To this tribe had been committed the preservation of the Great Belt, +the symbol of union among the tribes in their late war with the United +States; and also the original duplicate of the Greenville treaty of +1795. The Prophet sent a deputation to the Wyandots requesting +permission to examine the provisions of that treaty, and artfully +expressing his astonishment that they, who had ever directed the +councils of the Indians, and who were alike renowned for their talents +and bravery, should remain passive, and see the lands of the red men +usurped by a part of that race. The Wyandots, pleased with these +flattering speeches, replied, that they had carefully preserved the +former symbol of union among the tribes; but it had remained so long in +their hands without being called for, they supposed it was forgotten. +They further replied, that weary of their present situation, they felt +desirous of seeing all the tribes united in one great confederacy: that +they would join such a union, and labor to arrest the encroachments of +the whites upon their lands, and if possible recover those which had +been unjustly taken from them. This reply of the Wyandots was exactly +suited to the objects of the Prophet; and he lost no time in sending +his heralds with it, in every direction. The Wyandots soon afterwards +made a visit to Tippecanoe; and in passing thither, had a conference +with some of the Miami chiefs, to whom they showed the great belt, and +charged them with having joined the whites in opposition to their red +brethren. The Miamis at length concluded to join in a visit to the +Prophet, and also invited the Weas to join with them. + +About this time, the governor was informed by an aged Piankishaw, +friendly to the United States, that the Prophet had actually formed a +plan for destroying the citizens of Vincennes by a general massacre; +and that he boasted that he would walk in the footsteps of the great +Pontiac. From another source the governor learned that there were +probably three hundred Indians within thirty miles of the Prophet's +quarters; and that although their proceedings were conducted with great +secrecy, it had been discovered that they were determined to stop the +United States' surveyors from running any lines west of the Wabash. +Other evidences of approaching hostilities were not wanting. The +Prophet, and the Kickapoos who were at his village, refused to accept +the salt which had been sent up to them as a part of their annuities, +and after it had been put upon the shore, the carriers were not only +required to replace it in their boat, but whilst doing so, were treated +with rudeness, and ordered to take the salt back to Vincennes. They +were Frenchmen, or in all probability they would have been treated +still more harshly.[A] + +[Footnote A: Governor Harrison's letters to the War Department.] + +In the early part of July, governor Harrison received a letter from +John Johnston, Indian agent at fort Wayne, in which he says: + +"A person just arrived, who it appears has lost himself in his route to +Vincennes, affords me an opportunity of announcing to you my return to +this fort. I was delayed on my journey in attending to the +transportation of the public goods; and on my arrival in the state of +Ohio, I had learned that the Prophet's brother had lately been at work +among the Shawanoes, on the Auglaize; and, among other things, had +burned your letter delivered to the chiefs at this place last fall. I +accordingly took Wapakonetta in my route home, assembled the chiefs, +and demanded the reason why they had suffered such an improper act to +be committed at their door. They disavowed all agency in the +transaction, and their entire disapprobation of the Prophet's conduct; +and concurring circumstances satisfied me that they were sincere. The +white persons at the town informed me that not one of the chiefs would +go into council with the Prophet's brother, and that it was a preacher +named Riddle, who took the letter to have it interpreted, and that the +brother of the Prophet took it from his hand, and threw it into the +fire, declaring, that if governor Harrison were there, he would serve +_him_ so. He told the Indians that the white people and the government +were deceiving them, and that for his part, he never would believe +them, or put any confidence in them; that he never would be quiet until +he effected his purpose; and that if he was dead, _the cause_ would not +die with him. He urged the Indians to move off to the Mississippi with +him, saying, that there he would assemble his forces. All his arguments +seemed to be bottomed on the prospect of hostilities against our +people. He made no impression on the Shawanoes, and went away much +dissatisfied at their not coming into his views. I consider them among +our best friends. I indirectly encouraged their emigration westward, +and told them their annuity should follow them. They appear determined +to remain, and are much attached to the town and the improvements, +which are considerable." + +Notwithstanding the Prophet appears in all these recent transactions, +to be the prominent individual, it is certain that a greater one was +behind the scene. In the junction of the Wyandots with the Prophet, may +be seen the result of Tecumseh's visit to that tribe, in the previous +year, at Sandusky, an account of which has been already given. In +regard to the salt annuity, the Prophet knew not what course to pursue, +until he had consulted with his brother. Tecumseh, burning the +governor's letter, and the threat, that if he were present he should +meet the same fate, were acts in keeping with his bold character, and +well calculated to maintain his ascendancy among the Indians. While the +Prophet was nominally the head of the new party, and undoubtedly +exercised much influence by means of his supposed supernatural power, +he was but an agent, controlled and directed by a master spirit, whose +energy, address and ceaseless activity, were all directed to the +accomplishment of the grand plan to which he had solemnly devoted his +life. + +The information which flowed in upon governor Harrison, from different +quarters, relative to the movements of Tecumseh and the Prophet, and +the number of their followers, were such as to induce him to make the +most active preparations to meet the impending storm. A meeting of the +citizens of Vincennes was held on the subject, two companies of militia +were called into active service, and the rest were directed to hold +themselves in readiness for the field. Alarm-posts were established, +and other measures adopted, especially for the preservation of +Vincennes, which appeared to have been fixed upon as the first point of +attack. + +Toward the close of June, Winnemac, at the head of a deputation of +Potawatamies, visited the governor at Vincennes, for the purpose of +informing him of the decision of a council, held at the St. Joseph's of +lake Michigan, which had been attended by all the tribes of that +quarter, and by a delegation from the Delawares. This deputation was +present for the purpose of dissuading the Indians from joining the +Prophet. The duty appears to have been faithfully performed by them. +They protested in strong terms, against the schemes of the Prophet and +his brother, and induced, it is believed, these tribes to give up all +idea of joining them. Winnemac was directed to inform the governor, of +the determination to which they had come, and also, to lay before him +the plans of the Prophet. According to the information before the +council, Detroit, St. Louis, fort Wayne, Chicago and Vincennes, were +all to be surprised. Efforts were making to persuade the tribes +residing on the Mississippi, to unite in the confederacy. It further +appeared, that the followers of the Prophet, drawn as they were from +all the tribes, embraced but few, if any of the peace chiefs, while not +a few of the war chiefs, or the leaders of small parties, were +enrolling themselves under his standard. Winnemac stated to the +governor, that the Prophet had actually suggested to his young men, the +expediency of murdering all the leading chiefs of the surrounding +tribes, on the plea that their own hands would never be untied until +this was done. They, he said, were the men who sold their lands, and +invited the encroachments of the whites. + +About the period of Winnemac's visit, an Indian belonging to the Iowa +tribe, told general Harrison, that two years before, a British agent +visited the Prophet, and delivered a message to him. The object was to +induce the Prophet to persevere in uniting the tribes against the +United States, but not to make any hostile movement, until the signal +was given him by the British authorities. From this Iowa, and others of +his tribe, the governor ascertained that the Prophet had been +soliciting them and other tribes on the Mississippi to join the +confederacy. To these the Prophet stated, in his plausible manner, that +the Americans were ceaselessly and silently invading the Indians, until +those who had suffered most, had resolved to be driven back no farther; +and that it was the duty of the remote tribes upon whose lands the +march of civilization had not yet pressed, to assist those who had +already lost theirs, or in turn a corresponding calamity would follow +upon them. This, the Prophet declared, he was directed by the Great +Spirit of the Indians to tell them, adding, that this Great Spirit +would utterly destroy them, if they ventured to doubt the words of his +chosen Prophet.[A] + +[Footnote A: General Harrison's official correspondence--Dawson's +Historical Narrative.] + +On the first of June, a Wyandot chief, called Leatherlips, paid the +forfeit of his life on a charge of witchcraft. General Harrison +entertained the opinion that his death was the result of the Prophet's +command, and that the party who acted as executioners went directly +from Tippecanoe, to the banks of the Scioto, where the tragedy was +enacted. Leatherlips was found encamped upon that stream, twelve miles +above Columbus. The six Wyandots who put him to death, were headed, it +is supposed, by the chief Roundhead. An effort was made by some white +men who were present to save the life of the accused, but without +success. A council of two or three hours took place: the accusing party +spoke with warmth and bitterness of feeling: Leatherlips was calm and +dispassionate in his replies. The sentence of death, which had been +previously passed upon him, was reaffirmed. "The prisoner then walked +slowly to his camp, partook of a dinner of jerked venison, washed and +arrayed himself in his best apparel, and afterwards painted his face. +His dress was very rich--his hair gray, and his whole appearance +graceful and commanding." When the hour for the execution had arrived, +Leatherlips shook hands in silence with the spectators. "He then turned +from his wigwam, and with a voice of surpassing strength and melody +commenced the chant of the death song. He was followed closely by the +Wyandot warriors, all timing with their slow and measured march, the +music of his wild and melancholy dirge. The white men were likewise all +silent followers in that strange procession. At the distance of seventy +or eighty yards from the camp, they came to a shallow grave, which, +unknown to the white men, had been previously prepared by the Indians. +Here the old man knelt down, and in an elevated but solemn tone of +voice, addressed his prayer to the Great Spirit. As soon as he had +finished, the captain of the Indians knelt beside him, and prayed in a +similar manner. Their prayers of course were spoken in the Wyandot +tongue. * * * * After a few moments delay, the prisoner again sank +down upon his knees and prayed as he had done before. When he had +ceased, he still continued in a kneeling position. All the rifles +belonging to the party had been left at the wigwam. There was not a +weapon of any kind to be seen at the place of execution, and the +spectators were consequently unable to form any conjecture as to the +mode of procedure, which the executioners had determined on, for the +fulfilment of their purpose. Suddenly one of the warriors drew from +beneath the skirts of his capote, a keen, bright tomahawk--walked +rapidly up behind the chieftain--brandished the weapon on high, for a +single moment, and then struck with his whole strength. The blow +descended directly upon the crown of the head, and the victim +immediately fell prostrate. After he had lain awhile in the agonies of +death, the Indian captain directed the attention of the white men to +the drops of sweat which were gathering upon his neck and face; +remarked with much apparent exultation, that it was conclusive proof of +the sufferer's guilt. Again the executioner advanced, and with the same +weapon, inflicted two or three additional and heavy blows. As soon as +life was entirely extinct, the body was hastily buried, with all its +apparel and decorations; and the assemblage dispersed."[A] + +[Footnote A: Mr. Otway Curry, in the Hesperian for May, 1838.] + +One of Mr. Heckewelder's correspondents, as quoted in his Historical +Account of the Indian Nations, makes Tarhe, better known by the name of +Crane, the leader of this party. This has been denied; and, the +letter[A] of general Harrison on the subject, proves quite conclusively +that this celebrated chief had nothing to do with the execution of +Leatherlips. Mr. Heckewelder's correspondent concurs in the opinion +that the original order for the death of this old man, was issued from +the head quarters of the Prophet and his brother. + +[Footnote A: Published in the Hesperian for July, 1838.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Governor Harrison makes another effort to ascertain the designs of + Tecumseh and the Prophet--Tecumseh visits the governor at Vincennes, + attended by four hundred warriors--a council is held--Tecumseh + becomes deeply excited, and charges governor Harrison with + falsehood--council broken up in disorder--renewed the next day. + + +For the purpose of ascertaining more fully the designs of the Prophet +and his brother, governor Harrison now despatched two confidential +agents to their head quarters at Tippecanoe. One of these agents, Mr. +Dubois, was kindly received by the Prophet. He stated to him that he +had been sent by governor Harrison to ascertain the reason of his +hostile preparations, and of his enmity to the United States; that his +conduct had created so much alarm, that warriors both in Kentucky and +Indiana were arming for service, and that a detachment of regular +troops was then actually on its way to Vincennes: that he was further +authorized by the governor to say, that these preparations were only +for defence; that no attempt would be made against him, until _his_ +intention to commence hostilities could be doubted no longer. The +Prophet denied that he intended to make war, and declared that on this +point he had been unjustly accused: that it was by the express commands +of the Great Spirit that he had fixed himself there; and that he was +ordered to assemble the Indians at that spot. When urged by the agent +to state the grounds of his complaints against the United States, he +replied, the Indians had been cheated of their lands; that no sale was +valid unless sanctioned by all the tribes. He was assured that the +government would listen to any complaints he might have to urge; and +that it was expedient for him to go to Vincennes and see governor +Harrison on the subject. This he declined doing, giving as a reason, +that on his former visit to him, he had been badly treated. Mr. Dubois +met at the Prophet's town with some Kickapoos, with whom he was +acquainted. They seemed to regret having joined the Prophet, and +admitted that they had long suspected that it was his wish to go to war +with the United States. War was undoubtedly his intention, but whether +against the United States or the Osage nation, they were unable to say +with certainty. Mr. Dubois, on this trip, visited the Wea and Eel river +tribes, and found them apprehensive that war would ensue, and that they +would find themselves involved in it. + +The letter of general Harrison to the Secretary of War, detailing the +results of this mission, concludes with the following remarks upon the +principles long and stoutly contended for by Tecumseh, that the Indian +lands were the common property of all the tribes, and could not be sold +without the consent of all. + +"The subject of allowing the Indians of this country to consider all +their lands as common property, has been frequently and largely +discussed, in my communications with your predecessor, and in a +personal interview with the late President. The treaties made by me +last fall were concluded on principles as liberal towards the Indians, +as my knowledge of the views and opinions of the government would +allow. For although great latitude of discretion has always been given +to me, I knew that the opinion of Mr. Jefferson on the subject went so +far as to assert a claim of the United States, as lords paramount, to +the lands of all extinguished or decayed tribes, to the exclusion of +all recent settlers. Upon this principle, the Miami nation are the only +rightful claimants of all the unpurchased lands from the Ohio to the +Illinois and Mississippi rivers. But, sir, the President may rest +assured that the complaint of injury, with regard to the sale of lands, +is a mere pretence suggested to the Prophet by British partisans and +emissaries." + +Early in July, some of the Prophet's followers descended the Wabash to +a point below Terre Haute, and stole several horses. A few days +afterwards, governor Harrison ascertained from a party of Indians who +were on a visit to Vincennes, that the Sacs and Foxes had taken up the +hatchet, and declared themselves ready to act with the Prophet, +whenever it should be required. It was further stated, that a Miami +chief, who had just returned from his annual visit to Malden, after +receiving his usual stipend of goods, was addressed by the British +agent, Elliot, in these words: "My son, keep your eyes fixed on me--my +tomahawk is now up--be you ready, but do not strike till I give the +signal." + +About the same time, the governor, in the hope of staying the movements +of the Prophet, or at least of ascertaining the amount of his forces, +forwarded to him by a confidential interpreter, the following speech: + +"William Henry Harrison, governor and commander-in-chief of the +territory of Indiana, to the Shawanoe chief, and the Indians assembled +at Tippecanoe: + +"Notwithstanding the improper language which you have used towards me, +I will endeavor to open your eyes to your true interests. +Notwithstanding what white bad men have told you, I am not your +personal enemy. You ought to know this from the manner in which I +received and treated you, on your visit to this place. + +"Although I must say, that you are an enemy to the Seventeen Fires, and +that you have used the greatest exertions with other tribes to lead +them astray. In this, you have been in some measure successful; as I am +told they are ready to raise the tomahawk against their father; yet +their father, notwithstanding his anger at their folly, is full of +goodness, and is always ready to receive into his arms those of his +children who are willing to repent, acknowledge their fault, and ask +for his forgiveness. + +"There is yet but little harm done, which may be easily repaired. The +chain of friendship which united the whites with the Indians, may be +renewed, and be as strong as ever. A great deal of that work depends on +you--the destiny of those who are under your direction, depends upon +the choice you may make of the two roads which are before you. The one +is large, open and pleasant, and leads to peace, security and +happiness; the other, on the contrary, is narrow and crooked, and leads +to misery and ruin. Don't deceive yourselves; do not believe that all +the nations of Indians united, are able to resist the force of the +Seventeen Fires. I know your warriors are brave, but ours are not less +so; but what can a few brave warriors do, against the innumerable +warriors of the Seventeen Fires? Our blue coats are more numerous than +you can count; our hunters are like the leaves of the forest, or the +grains of sand on the Wabash. + +"Do not think that the red coats can protect you; they are not able to +protect themselves. They do not think of going to war with us. If they +did, you would in a few moons see our flag wave over all the forts of +Canada. + +"What reason have you to complain of the Seventeen Fires? have they +taken any thing from you--have they ever violated the treaties made +with the red men? You say that they purchased lands from them who had +no right to sell them: show that this is true, and the land will be +instantly restored. Show us the rightful owners of those lands which +have been purchased--let them present themselves. The ears of your +father will be opened to your complaints, and if the lands have been +purchased of those who did not own them, they will be restored to the +rightful owners. I have full power to arrange this business; but if you +would rather carry your complaints before your great father, the +President, you shall be indulged. I will immediately take means to send +you with those chiefs which you may choose, to the city where your +father lives. Every thing necessary shall be prepared for your journey, +and means taken for your safe return." + +Tecumseh was present when the interpreter delivered this speech. The +Prophet made no reply to it, but promised to send one by his brother, +who intended, in a few weeks, to make a visit to governor Harrison. In +conversation, however, with the interpreter, the Prophet strongly +disavowed the idea that he had any hostile intentions; but at the same +time declared, that it would not be practicable long to maintain peace +with the United States, unless the government would recognize the +principle, that the lands were the common property of _all_ the +Indians; and cease to make any further settlement to the north and +west. "The Great Spirit" continued he, "gave this great island to his +red children; he placed the whites on the other side of the big water; +they were not contented with their own, but came to take ours from us. +They have driven us from the sea to the lakes: we can go no further. +They have taken upon them to say, this tract belongs to the Miamis, +this to the Delawares, and so on; but the Great Spirit intended it as +the common property of us all. Our father tells us, that we have no +business upon the Wabash, the land belongs to other tribes; but the +Great Spirit ordered us to come here, and here we will stay." He +expressed himself, in the course of the conversation, gratified with +the speech which the governor had sent him; saying, he recollected to +have seen him, when a very young man, sitting by the side of general +Wayne. + +Some of the Indians, then at the Prophet's town, appeared to be alarmed +at the arrival of the interpreter, and professed themselves +dissatisfied with the conduct of their leaders. Tecumseh told him, that +in making his promised visit to the governor, he should bring with him +about thirty of his principal warriors; and as the young men were fond +of attending on such occasions, the whole number might probably be one +hundred. The Prophet added, that the governor might expect to see a +still larger number than that named by his brother. + +Upon the return of the interpreter to Vincennes, the governor, not +wishing to be burthened with so large a body of Indians, despatched a +messenger to Tecumseh, requesting that he would bring with him but a +few of his followers. This request, however, was wholly disregarded; +and on the 12th of August, the chief, attended by four hundred +warriors, fully armed with tomahawks and war-clubs, descended the +Wabash to Vincennes, for the purpose of holding the proposed +conference. From a family letter written by captain Floyd, then +commanding at fort Knox, three miles above Vincennes, under date of +14th of August, 1810, the following extract is made, referring to this +visit of the chieftain and his war-like retinue. + +"Nothing new has transpired since my last letter to you, except that +the Shawanoe Indians have come; they passed this garrison, which is +three miles above Vincennes, on Sunday last, in eighty canoes; they +were all painted in the most terrific manner: they were stopped at the +garrison by me, for a short time: I examined their canoes and found +them well prepared for war, in case of an attack. They were headed by +the brother of the Prophet, (Tecumseh) who, perhaps, is one of the +finest looking men I ever saw--about six feet high, straight, with +large, fine features, and altogether a daring, bold looking fellow. The +governor's council with them will commence to-morrow morning. He has +directed me to attend." + +Governor Harrison had made arrangements for holding the council on the +portico of his own house, which had been fitted up with seats for the +occasion. Here, on the morning of the fifteenth, he awaited the arrival +of the chief, being attended by the judges of the Supreme Court, some +officers of the army, a sergeant and twelve men, from fort Knox, and a +large number of citizens. At the appointed hour Tecumseh, supported by +forty of his principal warriors, made his appearance, the remainder of +his followers being encamped in the village and its environs. When the +chief had approached within thirty or forty yards of the house, he +suddenly stopped, as if awaiting some advances from the governor. An +interpreter was sent requesting him and his followers to take seats on +the portico. To this Tecumseh objected--he did not think the place a +suitable one for holding the conference, but preferred that it should +take place in a grove of trees,--to which he pointed,--standing a short +distance from the house. The governor said he had no objection to the +grove, except that there were no seats in it for their accommodation. +Tecumseh replied, that constituted no objection to the grove, the earth +being the most suitable place for the Indians, who loved to repose upon +the bosom of their mother. The governor yielded the point, and the +benches and chairs having been removed to the spot, the conference was +begun, the Indians being seated on the grass. + +Tecumseh opened the meeting by stating, at length, his objections to +the treaty of fort Wayne, made by governor Harrison in the previous +year; and in the course of his speech, boldly avowed the principle of +his party to be, that of resistance to every cession of land, unless +made by all the tribes, who, he contended, formed but one nation. He +admitted that he had threatened to kill the chiefs who signed the +treaty of fort Wayne; and that it was his fixed determination not to +permit the _village_ chiefs, in future, to manage their affairs, but to +place the power with which _they_ had been heretofore invested, in the +hands of the war chiefs. The Americans, he said, had driven the Indians +from the sea coast, and would soon push them into the lakes; and, while +he disclaimed all intention of making war upon the United States, he +declared it to be his unalterable resolution to take a stand, and +resolutely oppose the further intrusion of the whites upon the Indian +lands. He concluded, by making a brief but impassioned recital of the +various wrongs and aggressions inflicted by the white men upon the +Indians, from the commencement of the Revolutionary war down to the +period of that council; all of which was calculated to arouse and +inflame the minds of such of his followers as were present. + +The governor rose in reply, and in examining the right of Tecumseh and +his party to make objections to the treaty of fort Wayne, took occasion +to say, that the Indians were not one nation, having a common property +in the lands. The Miamis, he contended, were the real owners of the +tract on the Wabash, ceded by the late treaty, and the Shawanoes had no +right to interfere in the case; that upon the arrival of the whites on +this continent, they had found the Miamis in possession of this land, +the Shawanoes being then residents of Georgia, from which they had been +driven by the Creeks, and that it was ridiculous to assert that the red +men constituted but one nation; for, if such had been the intention of +the Great Spirit, he would not have put different tongues in their +heads, but have taught them all to speak the same language. + +The governor having taken his seat, the interpreter commenced +explaining the speech to Tecumseh, who, after listening to a portion of +it, sprung to his feet and began to speak with great vehemence of +manner. + +The governor was surprised at his violent gestures, but as he did not +understand him, thought he was making some explanation, and suffered +his attention to be drawn towards Winnemac, a friendly Indian lying on +the grass before him, who was renewing the priming of his pistol, which +he had kept concealed from the other Indians, but in full view of the +governor. His attention, however, was again directed towards Tecumseh, +by hearing general Gibson, who was intimately acquainted with the +Shawanoe language, say to lieutenant Jennings, "those fellows intend +mischief; you had better bring up the guard." At that moment, the +followers of Tecumseh seized their tomahawks and war clubs, and sprung +upon their feet, their eyes turned upon the governor. As soon as he +could disengage himself from the armed chair in which he sat, he rose, +drew a small sword which he had by his side, and stood on the +defensive. Captain G.R. Floyd, of the army, who stood near him, drew a +dirk, and the chief Winnemac cocked his pistol. The citizens present, +were more numerous than the Indians, but were unarmed; some of them +procured clubs and brick-bats, and also stood on the defensive. The +Rev. Mr. Winans, of the Methodist church, ran to the governor's house, +got a gun, and posted himself at the door to defend the family. During +this singular scene, no one spoke, until the guard came running up, and +appearing to be in the act of firing, the governor ordered them not to +do so. He then demanded of the interpreter, an explanation of what had +happened, who replied that Tecumseh had interrupted him, declaring that +all the governor had said was _false_; and that he and the Seventeen +Fires had cheated and imposed on the Indians.[A] + +[Footnote A: Dawson's Historical Narrative.] + +The governor then told Tecumseh that he was a bad man, and that he +would hold no further communication with him; that as he had come to +Vincennes under the protection of a council-fire, he might return in +safety, but that he must immediately leave the village. Here the +council terminated. During the night, two companies of militia were +brought in from the country, and that belonging to the town was also +embodied. Next morning Tecumseh requested the governor to afford him an +opportunity of explaining his conduct on the previous day--declaring, +that he did not intend to attack the governor, and that he had acted +under the advice of some of the white people. The governor consented to +another interview, it being understood that each party should have the +same armed force as on the previous day. On this occasion, the +deportment of Tecumseh was respectful and dignified. He again denied +having had any intention to make an attack upon the governor, and +declared that he had been stimulated to the course he had taken, by two +white men, who assured him that one half of the citizens were opposed +to the governor, and willing to restore the land in question; that the +governor would soon be put out of office, and a good man sent to fill +his place, who would give up the land to the Indians. When asked by the +governor whether he intended to resist the survey of these lands, +Tecumseh replied that he and his followers were resolutely determined +to insist upon the old boundary. When he had taken his seat, chiefs +from the Wyandots, Kickapoos, Potawatamies, Ottawas, and Winnebagoes, +spoke in succession, and distinctly avowed that they had entered into +the Shawanoe confederacy, and were determined to support the principles +laid down by their leader. The governor, in conclusion, stated that he +would make known to the President, the claims of Tecumseh and his +party, to the land in question; but that he was satisfied the +government would never admit that the lands on the Wabash were the +property of any other tribes than those who occupied them, when the +white people first arrived in America; and, as the title to these lands +had been derived by purchase from those tribes, he might rest assured +that the right of the United States would be sustained by the sword. +Here the council adjourned. + +On the following day, governor Harrison visited Tecumseh in his camp, +attended only by the interpreter, and was very politely received. A +long conversation ensued, in which Tecumseh again declared that his +intentions were really such as he had avowed them to be in the council; +that the policy which the United States pursued, of purchasing lands +from the Indians, he viewed as a mighty water, ready to overflow his +people; and that the confederacy which he was forming among the tribes +to prevent any individual tribe from selling without the consent of the +others, was the dam he was erecting to resist this mighty water. He +stated further, that he should be reluctantly drawn into a war with the +United States; and that if he, the governor, would induce the President +to give up the lands lately purchased, and agree never to make another +treaty without the consent of all the tribes, he would be their +faithful ally and assist them in the war, which he knew was about to +take place with England; that he preferred being the ally of the +Seventeen Fires, but if they did not comply with his request, he would +be compelled to unite with the British. The governor replied, that he +would make known his views to the President, but that there was no +probability of their being agreed to. "Well," said Tecumseh, "as the +great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great Spirit will +put sense enough into his head to induce him to give up this land: it +is true, he is so far off he will not be injured by the war; he may sit +still in his town and drink his wine, whilst you and I will have to +fight it out." This prophecy, it will be seen, was literally fulfilled; +and the great chieftain who uttered it, attested that fulfilment with +his blood. The governor, in conclusion, proposed to Tecumseh, that in +the event of hostilities between the Indians and the United States, he +should use his influence to put an end to the cruel mode of warfare +which the Indians were accustomed to wage upon women and children, or +upon prisoners. To this he cheerfully assented; and, it is due to the +memory of Tecumseh to add, that he faithfully kept his promise down to +the period of his death.[A] + +[Footnote A: In Marshall's History of Kentucky, vol. 2. p. 482, there +is a speech quoted as having been delivered by Tecumseh at this +council. We are authorised, on the best authority, to say that it is a +sheer fabrication. No such speech was delivered by him at the council.] + +Whether in this council Tecumseh really meditated treachery or only +intended to intimidate the governor, must remain a matter of +conjecture. If the former, his force of four hundred well armed +warriors was sufficient to have murdered the inhabitants and sacked the +town, which at that time did not contain more than one thousand +persons, including women and children. When in the progress of the +conference, he and his forty followers sprung to their arms, there +would have been, in all probability, a corresponding movement with the +remainder of his warriors encamped in and around the village, had he +seriously contemplated an, attack upon the governor and the +inhabitants. But this does not appear to have been the case. It is +probable, therefore, that Tecumseh, in visiting Vincennes with so large +a body of followers, expected to make a strong impression upon the +whites as to the extent of his influence among the Indians, and the +strength of his party. His movement in the council may have been +concerted for the purpose of intimidating the governor; but the more +probable supposition is, that in the excitement of the moment, produced +by the speech of the governor, he lost his self-possession, and +involuntarily placed his hand upon his war-club, in which movement he +was followed by the warriors around him, without any previous intention +of proceeding to extremities. Whatever may have been the fact, the bold +chieftain found in governor Harrison a firmness of purpose and an +intrepidity of manner which must have convinced him that nothing was to +be gained by an effort at intimidation, however daring. + +Soon after the close of this memorable council, governor Harrison made +arrangements for the survey of the land purchased at the treaty of fort +Wayne, under the protection of a detachment of soldiers. About the same +time, "a young Iowa chief, whom the governor had employed to go to the +Prophet's town to gain information, reported, on his return; that he +had been told by an old Winnebago chief, who was his relation, that the +great Belt which had been sent round to all the tribes, for the purpose +of uniting them, was returned; and he mentioned a considerable number +who had acceded to the confederacy, the object of which was 'to confine +the great water and prevent it from overflowing them.' That the belt +since its return had been sent to the British agent, who danced for joy +at seeing so many tribes had joined against the United States. That the +Prophet had sent a speech to his confedrates not to be discouraged at +the apparent defection of some of the tribes near him; for that it was +all a sham, intended to deceive the white people; that these tribes +hated the Seventeen Fires; and that though they gave them sweet words, +they were like grass plucked up by the roots, they would soon wither +and come to nothing. The old Winnebago chief told him with tears in his +eyes, that he himself and all the village chiefs, had been divested of +their power, and that everything was managed by the warriors, who +breathed nothing but war against the United States.[A]" + +[Footnote A: Dawson's Historical Narrative.] + +Governor Harrison, in his address to the legislature of Indiana, in the +month of November of this year, refers to the difficulties with the +Indians at Tippecanoe; and bears testimony to the fact, that the +Prophet and Tecumseh were instigated to assume a hostile attitude +towards the United States, by British influence. He says, + +"It is with regret that I have to inform you that the harmony and good +understanding which it is so much our interest to cultivate with our +neighbors, the aborigines, have for some time past experienced +considerable interruption, and that we have indeed been threatened with +hostilities, by a combination formed under the auspices of a bold +adventurer, who pretends to act under the immediate inspiration of the +Deity. His character as a Prophet would not, however, have given him +any very dangerous influence, if he had not been assisted by the +intrigues and advice of foreign agents, and other disaffected persons, +who have for many years omitted no opportunity of counteracting the +measures of the government with regard to the Indians, and filling +their naturally jealous minds with suspicions of the justice and +integrity of our views towards them." + +That our government was sincerely desirous of preserving peace with +these disaffected Indians, appears from the following extract of a +letter from the Secretary of War, to governor Harrison, written in the +autumn of this year. "It has occurred to me," said the Secretary, "that +the surest means of securing good behavior from this conspicuous +personage and his brother, [the Prophet and Tecumseh] would be to make +them prisoners; but at this time, more particularly, it is desirable +that peace with all the Indian tribes should be preserved; and I am +instructed by the President to express to your excellency his +expectations and confidence, that in all your arrangements, this may be +considered, (as I am confident it ever has been) a primary object with +you." + +During the autumn, a Kickapoo chief visited Vincennes, and informed the +governor that the pacific professions of the Prophet and Tecumseh were +not to be relied on,--that their ultimate designs were hostile to the +United States. At the same time governor Clark, of Missouri, forwarded +to the governor of Indiana information that the Prophet had sent belts +to the tribes west of the Mississippi, inviting them to join in a war +against the United States; and, stating that he would commence the +contest by an attack on Vincennes. Governor Clark further said, that +the Sacs had at length joined the Tippecanoe confederacy, and that a +party of them had gone to Maiden for arms and ammunition. The Indian +interpreter, at Chicago, also stated to governor Harrison, that the +tribes in that quarter were disaffected towards the United States, and +seemed determined upon war. One of the surveyors, engaged to run the +lines of the new purchase, was driven off the lands by a party of the +Wea tribe, who took two of his men prisoners: thus closed the year +1810. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Alarm on the frontier continues--a Muskoe Indian killed at + Vincennes--governor Harrison sends a pacific speech to Tecumseh and + the Prophet--the former replies to it--in July Tecumseh visits + governor Harrison at Vincennes--disavows any intention of making war + upon the whites--explains his object in forming a union among the + tribes--governor Harrison's opinion of Tecumseh and the + Prophet--murder of the Deaf Chief--Tecumseh visits the southern + Indians. + + +The spring of 1811 brought with it no abatement of these border +difficulties. Early in the season, governor Harrison sent a boat up the +Wabash, loaded with salt for the Indians,--that article constituting a +part of their annuity. Five barrels were to be left with the Prophet, +for the Kickapoos and Shawanoes. Upon the arrival of the boat at +Tippecanoe, the Prophet called a council, by which it was decided to +seize the whole of the salt, which was promptly done--word being sent +back to the governor, not to be angry at this measure, as the Prophet +had two thousand men to feed; and, had not received any salt for two +years past. There were at this time about six hundred men at +Tippecanoe; and, Tecumseh, who had been absent for some time, on a +visit to the lakes, was expected daily, with large reinforcements. From +appearances, it seemed probable that an attack was meditated on +Vincennes by these brothers, with a force of eight hundred or one +thousand warriors; a number far greater than the governor could +collect, even if he embodied all the militia for some miles around that +place. He accordingly wrote to the Secretary of War, recommending that +the 4th regiment of U.S. troops, then at Pittsburg, under the command +of colonel Boyd, should be ordered to Vincennes; at the same time +asking for authority to act offensively against the Indians, so soon as +it was found that the intentions of their leaders were decidedly +hostile towards the United States. + +Under date of June 6th, governor Harrison, in a letter to the war +department, expresses the opinion that the disposition of the Indians +is far from being pacific. Wells, the agent at fort Wayne, had visited +the Prophet's town, relative to some stolen horses, and certain +Potawatamies who had committed the murders on the Mississippi. Four of +the horses were recovered, but Tecumseh disclaimed all agency in taking +them, although he acknowledged that it was done by some of his party. +Tecumseh openly avowed to the agent his resolute determination to +resist the further encroachments of the white people. In this letter +the governor remarks, "I wish I could say the Indians were treated with +justice and propriety on all occasions by our citizens; but it is far +otherwise. They are often abused and maltreated; and it is very rare +that they obtain any satisfaction for the most unprovoked wrongs." He +proceeds to relate the circumstance of a Muskoe Indian having been +killed by an Italian innkeeper, in Vincennes, without any just cause. +The murderer, under the orders of the governor, was apprehended, tried, +but acquitted by the jury almost without deliberation. About the same +time, within twenty miles of Vincennes, two Weas were badly wounded by +a white man without the smallest provocation. Such aggressions tended +greatly to exasperate the Indians, and to prevent them from delivering +up such of their people as committed offences against the citizens of +the United States. Such was the fact with the Delawares, upon a demand +from the governor for White Turkey, who had robbed the house of a Mr. +Vawter. The chiefs refused to surrender him, declaring that they would +never deliver up another man until some of the whites were punished, +who had murdered their people. They, however, punished White Turkey +themselves, by putting him to death. + +On the 24th of June, soon after the return of Tecumseh from his visit +to the Iroquois and Wyandots, for the purpose of increasing his +confederacy, governor Harrison transmitted to him and the Prophet, +together with the other chiefs at Tippecanoe, the following speech: + +"Brothers,--Listen to me. I speak to you about matters of importance, +both to the white people and yourselves; open your ears, therefore, and +attend to what I shall say. + +"Brothers, this is the third year that all the white people in this +country have been alarmed at your proceedings; you threaten us with +war, you invite all the tribes to the north and west of you to join +against us. + +"Brothers, your warriors who have lately been here, deny this; but I +have received the information from every direction; the tribes on the +Mississippi have sent me word that you intended to murder me, and then +to commence a war upon our people. I have also received the speech you +sent to the Potawatamies and others, to join you for that purpose; but +if I had no other evidence of your hostility to us, your seizing the +salt I lately sent up the Wabash, is sufficient. + +"Brothers, our citizens are alarmed, and my warriors are preparing +themselves; not to strike you, but to defend themselves and their women +and children. You shall not surprise us as you expect to do; you are +about to undertake a very rash act; as a friend, I advise you to +consider well of it; a little reflection may save us a great deal of +trouble and prevent much mischief; it is not yet too late. + +"Brothers, what can be the inducement for you to undertake an +enterprise when there is so little probability of success; do you +really think that the handful of men that you have about you, are able +to contend with the Seventeen Fires, or even that the whole of the +tribes united, could contend against the Kentucky Fire alone? + +"Brothers, I am myself of the long knife fire; as soon as they hear my +voice, you will see them pouring forth their swarms of hunting shirt +men, as numerous as the musquetoes on the shores of the Wabash; +brothers, take care of their stings. + +"Brothers, it is not our wish to hurt you: if we did, we certainly have +power to do it; look at the number of our warriors to the east of you, +above and below the Great Miami,--to the south, on both sides of the +Ohio, and below you also. You are brave men; but what could you do +against such a multitude?--but we wish you to live in peace and +happiness. + +"Brothers, the citizens of this country are alarmed; they must be +satisfied that you have no design to do them mischief, or they will not +lay aside their arms. You have also insulted the government of the +United States by seizing the salt that was intended for other tribes; +satisfaction must be given for that also. + +"Brothers, you talk of coming to see me, attended by all your young +men; this, however, must not be so; if your intentions are good, you +have no need to bring but a few of your young men with you. I must be +plain with you; I will not suffer you to come into our settlements with +such a force. + +"Brothers, if you wish to satisfy us that your intentions are good, +follow the advice that I have given you before; that is, that one or +both of you should visit the President of the United States, and lay +your grievances before him. He will treat you well, will listen to what +you say, and if you can show him that you have been injured, you will +receive justice. If you will follow my advice in this respect, it will +convince the citizens of this country and myself that you have no +design to attack them. + +"Brothers, with respect to the lands that were purchased last fall, I +can enter into no negotiations with you on that subject; the affair is +in the hands of the President, if you wish to go and see him, I will +supply you with the means. + +"Brothers, the person who delivers this, is one of my war officers; he +is a man in whom I have entire confidence: whatever he says to you, +although it may not be contained in this paper, you may believe comes +from me. + +"My friend Tecumseh! the bearer is a good man and a brave warrior; I +hope you will treat him well; you are yourself a warrior, and all such +should have esteem for each other." + +Tecumseh to the governor of Indiana, in reply: + +"Brother, I give you a few words until I will be with you myself. + +"Brother, at Vincennes, I wish you to listen to me whilst I send you a +few words, and I hope they will ease your heart; I know you look on +your young men and young women and children with pity, to see them so +much alarmed. + +"Brother, I wish you now to examine what you have from me; I hope that +it will be a satisfaction to you, if your intentions are like mine, to +wash away all these bad stories that have been circulated. I will be +with you myself in eighteen days from this day. + +"Brother, we cannot say what will become of us, as the Great Spirit has +the management of us all at his will. I may be there before the time, +and may not be there until the day. I hope that when we come together, +all these bad tales will be settled; by this I hope your young men, +women and children, will be easy. I wish you, brother, to let them know +when I come to Vincennes and see you, all will be settled in peace and +happiness. + +"Brother, these are only a few words to let you know that I will be +with you myself, and when I am with you I can inform you better. + +"Brother, if I find that I can be with you in less time than eighteen +days, I will send one of my young men before me, to let you know what +time I will be with you." + +On the second of July, governor Harrison received information from the +executive of Illinois, that several murders had been committed in that +territory; and that there were good grounds for believing these crimes +had been perpetrated by a party of Shawanoes. The governor had been +previously informed that it was the design of the Prophet to commence +hostilities in Illinois, in order to cover his main object--the attack +on Vincennes. Both territories were in a state of great alarm; and the +Secretary of War was officially notified, that if the general +government did not take measures to protect the inhabitants, they were +determined to protect themselves. + +In a letter under date of Vincennes, 10th July, 1811, governor Harrison +writes as follows to the Secretary of War. + +"Captain Wilson, the officer whom I sent to the Prophet's town, +returned on Sunday last. He was well received, and treated with +particular friendship by Tecumseh. He obtained, however, no +satisfaction. The only answer given was, that in eighteen days Tecumseh +would pay me a visit for the purpose of explaining his conduct. Upon +being told that I would not suffer him to come with so large a force, +he promised to bring with him a few men only. I shall not, however, +depend upon this promise, but shall have the river well watched by a +party of scouts after the descent of the chief, lest he should be +followed by his warriors. I do not think that this will be the case. +The detection of the hostile designs of an Indian is generally (for +that time) to defeat them. The hopes of an expedition, conducted +through many hundred miles of toil and difficulty, are abandoned +frequently, upon the slightest suspicion; their painful steps retraced, +and a more favorable moment expected. With them the surprise of an +enemy bestows more eclat upon a warrior than the most brilliant success +obtained by other means. Tecumseh has taken for his model the +celebrated Pontiac, and I am persuaded he will bear a favorable +comparison, in every respect, with that far famed warrior. If it is his +object to begin with the surprise of this place, it is impossible that +a more favorable situation could have been chosen, than the one he +occupies: it is just so far off as to be removed from immediate +observation, and yet so near as to enable him to strike us, when the +water is high, in twenty-four hours, and even when it is low, their +light canoes will come fully as fast as the journey could be performed +on horseback. The situation is in other respects admirable for the +purposes for which he has chosen it. It is nearly central with regard +to the tribes which he wishes to unite. The water communication with +lake Erie, by means of the Wabash and Miami--with lake Michigan and the +Illinois, by the Tippecanoe, is a great convenience. It is immediately +in the centre of the back line of that fine country which he wishes to +prevent us from settling--and above all, he has immediately in his rear +a country that has been but little explored, consisting principally of +barren thickets, interspersed with swamps and lakes, into which our +cavalry could not penetrate, and our infantry, only by slow, laborious +efforts." + +The promised visit of Tecumseh took place in the latter part of July. +He reached Vincennes on the 27th, attended by about three hundred of +his party, of whom thirty were women and children. The council was +opened on the 30th, in an arbor erected for the purpose, and at the +appointed time the chief made his appearance, attended by about one +hundred and seventy warriors, without guns, but all of them having +knives and tomahawks, or war clubs, and some armed with bows and +arrows. The governor, in opening the council, made reference to the +late murders in Illinois, and the alarm which the appearance of +Tecumseh, with so large an armed force, had created among the people on +the Wabash. He further informed Tecumseh that, whilst he listened to +whatever himself or any of the chiefs had to say in regard to the late +purchase of land, he would enter into no negociation on that subject, +as it was now in the hands of the President. The governor, after +telling Tecumseh that he was at liberty to visit the President, and +hear his decision from his own mouth, adverted to the late seizure of +the salt, and demanded an explanation of it. In reply, the chief +admitted the seizure, but said he was not at home, either this spring +or the year before, when the salt boats arrived; that it seemed +impossible to please the governor: last year he was angry, because the +salt was refused, and this year equally so, because it was taken. The +council was then adjourned until the following day. When it was again +opened, a Wea chief made a long speech, giving the history of all the +treaties which had been made by the governor and the Indian tribes; and +concluded with the remark, that he had been told that the Miami chiefs +had been forced by the Potawatamies to accede to the treaty of fort +Wayne; and that it would be proper to institute enquiries to find out +the person who had held the tomahawk over their heads, and punish him. +This statement was immediately contradicted by the governor, and also +by the Miami chiefs who were present. Anxious to bring the conference +to a close, the governor then told Tecumseh that by delivering up the +two Potawatamies who had murdered the four white men on the Missouri, +last fall, he would at once attest the sincerity of his professions of +friendship to the United States, and his desire to preserve peace. His +reply was evasive, but developed very clearly his designs. After much +trouble and difficulty he had induced, he said, all the northern tribes +to unite, and place themselves under his direction; that the white +people were unnecessarily alarmed at his measures, which really meant +nothing but peace; that the United States had set him the example of +forming a strict union amongst all the Fires that compose their +confederacy; that the Indians did not complain of it, nor should his +white brothers complain of him for doing the same thing in regard to +the Indian tribes; that so soon as the council was over, he was to set +out on a visit to the southern tribes, to prevail upon them to unite +with those of the north. As to the murderers, they were not at his +town, and if they were, he could not deliver them up; that they ought +to be forgiven, as well as those who had committed some murders in +Illinois; that he had set the whites an example of the forgiveness of +injuries which they ought to follow. In reply to an enquiry on the +subject, he said he hoped no attempt would be made to settle the new +purchase, before his return next spring; that a great number of Indians +were coming to settle at Tippecanoe in the autumn, and they would need +that tract as a hunting ground, and if they did no further injury, they +might kill the cattle and hogs of the white people, which would create +disturbances; that he wished every thing to remain in its present +situation until his return, when he would visit the President, and +settle all difficulties with him. The governor made a brief reply, +saying, that the moon which they beheld (it was then night) would +sooner fall to the earth, than the President would suffer his people to +be murdered with impunity; and that he would put his warriors in +petticoats, sooner than he would give up a country which he had fairly +acquired from the rightful owners. Here the council terminated. In a +day or two afterwards, attended by twenty warriors, Tecumseh set off +for the south, on a visit to the Creeks and Choctaws. The governor was +at a loss to determine the object of Tecumseh, in taking with him to +Vincennes, so large a body of his followers. The spies said that he +intended to demand a retrocession of the late purchase, and if it was +not obtained, to seize some of the chiefs who were active in making the +treaty, in presence of the governor, and put them to death; and in case +of his interference, to have subjected him to the same fate. Many of +the neutral Indians entertained the opinion that he meditated an attack +upon Vincennes. If such was the case, his plan was probably changed by +observing the vigilance of governor Harrison and the display of seven +or eight hundred men under arms. It is questionable, however, we think, +whether Tecumseh really meditated violence at this time. He probably +wished to impress the whites with an idea of his strength, and at the +same time gratify his ambition of moving, as a great chieftain, at the +head of a numerous retinue of warriors. + +The day after the close of this council, the governor wrote to the War +Department. The following is a part of his communication. + +"My letter of yesterday will inform you of the arrival and departure of +Tecumseh from this place, and of the route which he has taken. There +can be no doubt his object is to excite the southern Indians to war +against us. His mother was of the Creek nation, and he builds much upon +that circumstance towards forwarding his views. I do not think there is +any danger of further hostility until he returns: and his absence +affords a most favorable opportunity for breaking up his confederacy, +and I have some expectations of being able to accomplish it without a +recourse to actual hostility. Tecumseh assigned the next spring as the +period of his return. I am informed, however, that he will be back in +three months. There is a Potawatamie chief here, who says he was +present when the message from the British agent was delivered to the +Prophet, telling him that the time had arrived for taking up arms, and +inviting him to send a party to Malden, to receive the necessary +supplies. This man is one of the few who preserve their independence. + +"The implicit obedience and respect which the followers of Tecumseh pay +to him, is really astonishing, and more than any other circumstance +bespeaks him one of those uncommon geniuses which spring up +occasionally to produce revolutions, and overturn the established order +of things. If it were not for the vicinity of the United States, he +would, perhaps, be the founder of an empire that would rival in glory +Mexico or Peru. No difficulties deter him. For four years he has been +in constant motion. You see him to-day on the Wabash, and in a short +time hear of him on the shores of lake Erie or Michigan, or on the +banks of the Mississippi; and wherever he goes he makes an impression +favorable to his purposes. He is now upon the last round to put a +finishing stroke to his work. I hope, however, before his return that +that part of the fabric which he considered complete, will be +demolished, and even its foundations rooted up. Although the greater +part of his followers are attached to him from principle and affection, +there are many others who follow him through fear; and he was scarcely +a mile from town, before they indulged in the most virulent invectives +against him. The Prophet is impudent and audacious, but is deficient in +judgment, talents and firmness." + +The following anecdote illustrates the coolness and self-possession of +Tecumseh, not less than the implicit obedience that was paid to his +commands by his followers. + +A Potawatamie, called the Deaf Chief, was present at the late council. +After it was closed, he stated to the governor, that had he been called +upon during the conference he would have confronted Tecumseh, when he +denied that his intentions towards the United States were hostile. This +declaration having been repeated to Tecumseh, he calmly intimated to +the Prophet, that upon their return to Tippecanoe, the Deaf Chief must +be disposed of. A friend of the latter informed him of his danger, but +the chief, not at all intimidated, returned to his camp, put on his +war-dress, and equipping himself with his rifle, tomahawk and scalping +knife, returned and presented himself before Tecumseh, who was then in +company with Mr. Baron, the governor's interpreter. The Deaf Chief +there reproached Tecumseh for having ordered him to be killed, +declaring that it was an act unworthy of a warrior. "But here I am +now," said he, "come and kill me." Tecumseh making no answer, the +Potawatamie heaped upon him every term of abuse and contumely, and +finally charged him with being the slave of the red-coats, (the +British.) Tecumseh, perfectly unmoved, made no reply, but continued his +conversation with Mr. Baron, until the Deaf Chief, wearied with the +effort to provoke his antagonist to action, returned to his camp. There +is some reason for believing that the Prophet did not disobey his +orders: the Deaf Chief was never seen again at Vincennes. + +Of the result of the mission of Tecumseh to the southern tribes, we +have no detailed information. Hodgson, who subsequently travelled +through this country, in his "Letters from North America," says: + +"Our host told me that he was living with his Indian wife among the +Creeks, when the celebrated Indian warrior Tecumseh, came more than one +thousand miles, from the borders of Canada, to induce the lower Creeks, +to promise to take up the hatchet in behalf of the British, against the +Americans, and the upper Creeks whenever he should require it: that he +was present at the midnight convocation of the chiefs, which was held +on that occasion, and which terminated after a most impressive speech +from Tecumseh with a unanimous determination to take up the hatchet +whenever he should call upon them. This was at least a year before the +declaration of the last war." + +In the "History of the Tribes of North America," there is an +interesting notice of this visit of Tecumseh. + +"The following remarkable circumstance may serve to illustrate the +penetration, decision and boldness of this warrior chief. He had been +south, to Florida, and succeeded in instigating the Seminoles in +particular, and portions of other tribes, to unite in the war on the +side of the British. He gave out that a vessel, on a certain day, +commanded by red-coats, would be off Florida, filled with guns and +ammunition, and supplies for the use of the Indians. That no mistake +might happen in regard to the day on which the Indians were to strike, +he prepared bundles of sticks, each bundle containing the number of +sticks corresponding to the number of days that were to intervene +between the day on which they were received, and the day of the general +onset. The Indian practice is to throw away a stick every morning; they +make, therefore, no mistake in the time. These sticks Tecumseh caused +to be painted red. It was from this circumstance that in the former +Seminole war, these Indians were called 'Red Sticks.' In all this +business of mustering the tribes, he used great caution; he supposed +enquiry would be made as to the object of his visit; that his plans +might not be suspected, he directed the Indians to reply to any +questions that might be asked about him, by saying, that he had +counselled them to cultivate the ground, abstain from ardent spirits, +and live in peace with the white people. On his return from Florida, he +went among the Creeks in Alabama, urging them to unite with the +Seminoles. Arriving at Tuckhabatchee, a Creek town on the Tallapoosa +river, he made his way to the lodge of the chief called the Big +Warrior. He explained his object, delivered his war-talk, presented a +bundle of sticks, gave a piece of wampum and a hatchet; all which the +Big Warrior took. When Tecumseh, reading the intentions and spirit of +the Big Warrior, looked him in the eye, and pointing his finger towards +his face, said: 'Your blood is white: you have taken my talk, and the +sticks, and the wampum, and the hatchet, but you do not mean to fight: +I know the reason: you do not believe the Great Spirit has sent me: you +shall know: I leave Tuckhabatchee directly, and shall go straight to +Detroit: when I arrive there, I will stamp on the ground with my foot, +and shake down every house in Tuckhabatchee.' So saying, he turned and +left the Big Warrior in utter amazement, at both his manner and his +threat, and pursued his journey. The Indians were struck no less with +his conduct than was the Big Warrior, and began to dread the arrival of +the day when the threatened calamity would befal them. They met often +and talked over this matter, and counted the days carefully, to know +the time when Tecumseh would reach Detroit. The morning they had fixed +upon, as the period of his arrival, at last came. A mighty rumbling was +heard--the Indians all ran out of their houses--the earth began to +shake; when at last, sure enough, every house in Tuckhabatchee was +shaken down! The exclamation was in every mouth, 'Tecumseh has got to +Detroit!' The effect was electrical. The message he had delivered to +the Big Warrior was believed, and many of the Indians took their rifles +and prepared for the war. + +"The reader will not be surprised to learn, that an earthquake had +produced all this; but he will be, doubtless, that it should happen on +the very day on which Tecumseh arrived at Detroit; and, in exact +fulfilment of his threat. It was the famous earthquake of New Madrid, +on the Mississippi. We received the foregoing from the lips of the +Indians, when we were at Tuckhabatchee, in 1827, and near the residence +of the Big Warrior. The anecdote may therefore be relied on. Tecumseh's +object, doubtless was, on seeing that he had failed, by the usual +appeal to the passions, and hopes, and war spirit of the Indians, to +alarm their fears, little dreaming, himself, that on the day named, his +threat would be executed with such punctuality and terrible fidelity." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Governor Harrison applies to the War Department for troops to + maintain peace on the frontiers--battle of Tippecanoe on the 7th of + November--its influence on the Prophet and his followers. + + +The late council at Vincennes having failed in producing any +satisfactory results, and Tecumseh having gone to the south for the +avowed purpose of extending his confederacy, the alarm among the +inhabitants of Indiana continued to increase. Public meetings were +held, and memorials forwarded to the President, invoking protection, +and requesting the removal of the Indians from the Prophet's town; the +memorialists being "fully convinced that the formation of this +combination, headed by the Shawanoe Prophet, was a British scheme, and +that the agents of that power were constantly exciting the Indians to +hostility against the United States." The President accordingly placed +the 4th regiment U.S. infantry, commanded by colonel Boyd, and a +company of riflemen, at the disposal of governor Harrison. The +Secretary of War, under date of 20th October, 1811, in a letter to him, +says: "I have been particularly instructed by the President to +communicate to your excellency, his earnest desire that peace may, if +possible, be preserved with the Indians; and that to this end, every +proper means may be adopted. By this, it is not intended that murder or +robberies committed by them, should not meet with the punishment due to +those crimes; that the settlements should be unprotected, or that any +hostile combination should avail itself of success, in consequence of a +neglect to provide the means of resisting and defeating it; or that the +banditti under the Prophet should not be attacked and vanquished, +provided such a measure should be rendered absolutely necessary. +Circumstances conspire, at this particular juncture, to render it +peculiarly desirable that hostilities of any kind, or to any degree, +not indispensably required, should be avoided." + +On the seventh of August the governor informed the secretary that he +should call, in a peremptory manner, on all the tribes, to deliver up +such of their people as had been concerned in the murder of our +citizens; that from the Miamis he should require an absolute disavowal +of all connection with the Prophet; and that to all the tribes he would +repeat the declaration, that the United States have manifested through +a series of years, the utmost justice and generosity towards their +Indian neighbors; and have not only fulfilled all the engagements which +they entered into with them, but have spent considerable sums to +civilize them and promote their happiness; but if, under those +circumstances, any tribe should dare to take up the tomahawk against +their fathers, they must not expect the same lenity that had been shown +them at the close of the former war, but that they would either be +exterminated or driven beyond the Mississippi. + +In furtherance of this plan, the governor forwarded speeches to the +different tribes, and instructed the Indian agents to use all possible +means to recall them to a sense of duty. He also wrote to the governors +of Illinois and Missouri, on the subject of the border difficulties, in +the hope that a general and simultaneous effort might avert an appeal +to arms. + +In the month of September, the Prophet sent assurances to governor +Harrison of his pacific intentions, and that his demands should be +complied with; but about the same time some horses were stolen in the +neighborhood of his town, and the whites who went in pursuit of them +were fired upon by the Indians. Early in October the governor moved, +with a considerable body of troops, towards the Prophet's town, with +the expectation that a show of hostile measures would bring about an +accommodation with the Indians of that place. On the 10th of October, +one of the sentinels around his camp was fired on by the Indians, and +severely wounded. About the same time the Prophet sent a messenger to +the chiefs of the Delaware tribe, who were friendly to the United +States, requiring, them to say whether they would or would not join him +in the war against them; that he had taken up the tomahawk and would +not lay it down but with his life, unless their wrongs were redressed. +The Delaware chiefs immediately visited the Prophet, for the purpose of +dissuading him from commencing hostilities. Under these circumstances +there seemed to be no alternative for governor Harrison, but to break +up the Prophet's establishment. On the 27th, the Delaware chiefs +returned to the camp of the governor, and reported that the Prophet +would not listen to their council, and had grossly insulted them. While +at the Prophet's town, the Indians who had wounded the sentinel, +returned. They were Shawanoes and near friends of the Prophet; who was +daily practising certain pretended rites, by means of which he played +upon the superstitious feelings of his followers, and kept them in a +state of feverish excitement. On the 29th, a body of twenty-four Miami +chiefs were sent by governor Harrison, to make another effort with the +Prophet. They were instructed, to require that the Winnebagoes, +Potawatamies and Kickapoos, should leave him and return to their +respective tribes; that all the stolen horses in their possession +should be delivered up; that the murderers of the whites should either +be surrendered or satisfactory proof offered that they were not under +his control. These chiefs, however, did not return, and there is reason +to believe that they were induced to join the confederacy at +Tippecanoe. + +On the 5th of November, 1811, governor Harrison, with about nine +hundred effective troops, composed of two hundred and fifty of the 4th +regiment U.S. infantry, one hundred and thirty volunteers, and a body +of militia, encamped within ten miles of the Prophet's town. On the +next day, when the army was within five miles of the village, +reconnoitering parties of the Indians were seen, but they refused to +hold any conversation with the interpreters sent forward by the +governor to open a communication with them. When within a mile and a +half of the town a halt was made, for the purpose of encamping for the +night. Several of the field officers urged the governor to make an +immediate assault on the village; but this he declined, as his +instructions from the President were positive, not to attack the +Indians, as long as there was a probability of their complying with the +demands of government. Upon ascertaining, however, that the ground +continued favorable for the disposition of his troops, quite up to the +town, he determined to approach still nearer to it. In the mean time, +captain Dubois, with an interpreter, was sent forward to ascertain +whether the Prophet would comply with the terms proposed by the +governor. The Indians, however, would make no reply to these enquiries, +but endeavored to cut off the messengers from the army. When this fact +was reported to the governor, he determined to consider the Indians as +enemies, and at once march upon their town. He had proceeded but a +short distance, however, before he was met by three Indians, one of +them a principal counsellor to the Prophet, who stated that they were +sent to know why the army was marching upon their town--that the +Prophet was desirous of avoiding hostilities--that he had sent a +pacific message to governor Harrison by the Miami and Potawatamie +chiefs, but that those chiefs had unfortunately gone down on the south +side of the Wabash, and had thus failed to meet him. Accordingly, a +suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, and the terms of peace were +to be settled on the following morning by the governor and the chiefs. +In moving the army towards the Wabash, to encamp for the night, the +Indians became again alarmed, supposing that an attack was about to be +made on the town, notwithstanding the armistice which had just been +concluded. They accordingly began to prepare for defence, and some of +them sallied out, calling upon the advanced corps, to halt. The +governor immediately rode forward, and assured the Indians that it was +not his intention to attack them, but that he was only in search of a +suitable piece of ground on which to encamp his troops. He enquired if +there was any other water convenient besides that which the river +afforded; and an Indian, with whom he was well acquainted, answered, +that the creek which had been crossed two miles back, ran through the +prairie to the north of the village. A halt was then ordered, and +majors Piatt, Clark and Taylor, were sent to examine this creek, as +well as the river above the town, to ascertain the correctness of the +information, and decide on the best ground for an encampment. In the +course of half an hour, the two latter reported that they had found on +the creek; every thing that could be desirable in an encampment--an +elevated spot, nearly surrounded by an open prairie, with water +convenient, and a sufficiency of wood for fuel.[A] The army was now +marched to this spot, and encamped "on a dry piece of ground, which +rose about ten feet above the level of a marshy prairie in front +towards the town; and, about twice as high above a similar prairie in +the rear; through which, near the foot of the hill, ran a small stream +clothed with willows and brush-wood. On the left of the encampment, +this bench of land became wider; on the right, it gradually narrowed, +and terminated in an abrupt point, about one hundred and fifty yards +from the right bank."[B] + +[Footnote A: M'Afee's History of the Late War.] + +[Footnote B: Ibid.] + +The encampment was about three-fourths of a mile from the Prophet's +town; and orders were given, in the event of a night attack, for each +corps to maintain its position, at all hazards, until relieved or +further orders were given to it. The whole army was kept during the +night, in the military position which is called, lying on their arms. +The regular troops lay in their tents, with their accoutrements on, and +their arms by their sides. The militia had no tents, but slept with +their clothes and pouches on, and their guns under them, to keep them +dry. The order of the encampment was the order of battle, for a night +attack; and as every man slept opposite to his post in the line, there +was nothing for the troops to do, in case of an assault, but to rise +and take their position a few steps in the rear of the fires around +which they had reposed. The guard of the night consisted of two +captain's commands of forty-two men, and four non-commissioned officers +each; and two subaltern's guards of twenty men and non-commissioned +officers each--the whole amounting to about one hundred and thirty men, +under the command of a field officer of the day. The night was dark and +cloudy, and after midnight there was a drizzling rain. It was not +anticipated by the governor or his officers, that an attack would be +made during the night: it was supposed that if the Indians had intended +to act offensively, it would have been done on the march of the army, +where situations presented themselves that would have given the Indians +a great advantage. Indeed, within three miles of the town, the army had +passed over ground so broken and unfavorable to its march, that the +position of the troops was necessarily changed, several times, in the +course of a mile. The enemy, moreover, had fortified their town with +care and great labor, as if they intended to act alone on the +defensive. It was a favorite spot with the Indians, having long been +the scene of those mysterious rites, performed by their Prophet, and by +which they had been taught to believe that it was impregnable to the +assaults of the white man. + +At four o'clock in the morning of the 7th, governor Harrison, according +to his practice, had risen, preparatory to the calling up the troops; +and was engaged, while drawing on his boots by the fire, in +conversation with general Wells, colonel Owen, and majors Taylor and +Hurst. The orderly-drum had been roused for the purpose of giving the +signal for the troops to turn out, when the attack of the Indians +suddenly commenced upon the left flank of the camp. The whole army was +instantly on its feet; the camp-fires were extinguished; the governor +mounted his horse and proceeded to the point of attack. Several of the +companies had taken their places in the line within forty seconds from +the report of the first gun; and the whole of the troops were prepared +for action in the course of two minutes; a fact as creditable to their +own activity and bravery, as to the skill and energy of their officers. +The battle soon became general, and was maintained on both sides with +signal and even desperate valor. The Indians advanced and retreated by +the aid of a rattling noise, made with deer hoofs, and persevered in +their treacherous attack with an apparent determination to conquer or +die upon the spot. The battle raged with unabated fury and mutual +slaughter, until daylight, when a gallant and successful charge by our +troops, drove the enemy into the swamp, and put an end to the conflict. + +Prior to the assault, the Prophet had given assurances to his +followers, that in the coming contest, the Great Spirit would render +the arms of the Americans unavailing; that their bullets would fall +harmless at the feet of the Indians; that the latter should have light +in abundance, while the former would be involved in thick darkness. +Availing himself of the privilege conferred by his peculiar office, +and, perhaps, unwilling in his own person to attest at once the rival +powers of a sham prophecy and a real American bullet, he prudently took +a position on an adjacent eminence; and, when the action began, he +entered upon the performance of certain mystic rites, at the same time +singing a war-song. In the course of the engagement, he was informed +that his men were falling: he told them to fight on,--it would soon be +as he had predicted; and then, in louder and wilder strains, his +inspiring battle-song was heard commingling with the sharp crack of the +rifle and the shrill war-whoop of his brave but deluded followers. + +Throughout the action, the Indians manifested more boldness and +perseverance than had, perhaps, ever been exhibited by them on any +former occasion. This was owing, it is supposd, to the influence of the +Prophet, who by the aid of his incantations had inspired them with a +belief that they would certainly overcome their enemy: the supposition, +likewise, that they had taken the governor's army by surprise, +doubtless contributed to the desperate character of their assaults. +They were commanded by some daring chiefs, and although their spiritual +leader was not actually in the battle, he did much to encourage his +followers in their gallant attack. Of the force of the Indians engaged, +there is no certain account. The ordinary number at the Prophet's town +during the preceding summer, was four hundred and fifty; but a few days +before the action, they had been joined by all the Kickapoos of the +prairie, and by several bands of the Potawatamies, from the Illinois +river, and the St. Joseph's of lake Michigan. Their number on the night +of the engagement was probably between eight hundred and one thousand. +Some of the Indians who were in the action, subsequently informed the +agent at fort Wayne, that there were more than a thousand warriors in +the battle, and that the number of wounded was unusually great. In the +precipitation of their retreat, they left thirty-eight on the field; +some were buried during the engagement in their town, others no doubt +died subsequently of their wounds. The whole number of their killed, +was probably not less than fifty. + +Of the army under governor Harrison, thirty-five were killed in the +action, and twenty-five died subsequently of their wounds: the total +number of killed and wounded was one hundred and eighty-eight. Among +the former were the lamented colonel Abraham Owen and major Joseph +Hamilton Davies, of Kentucky. + +Both officers and men behaved with much coolness and +bravery,--qualities which, in an eminent degree, marked the conduct of +governor Harrison throughout the engagement. The peril to which he was +subjected may be inferred from the fact that a ball passed through his +stock, slightly bruising his neck; another struck his saddle, and +glancing hit his thigh; and a third wounded the horse on which he was +riding. + +Peace on the frontiers was one of the happy results of this severe and +brilliant action. The tribes which had already joined in the +confederacy were dismayed; and those which had remained neutral now +decided against it. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Tecumseh returns from the south--proposes to visit the President, but + declines, because not permitted to go to Washington at the head of a + party--attends a council at fort Wayne--proceeds to Malden and joins + the British--governor Harrison's letter to the War Department + relative to the north-west tribes. + + +During the two succeeding days, the victorious army remained in camp, +for the purpose of burying the dead and taking care of the wounded. In +the mean time, colonel Wells, with the mounted riflemen, visited the +Prophet's town, and found it deserted by all the Indians except one, +whose leg had been broken in the action. The houses were mostly burnt, +and the corn around the village destroyed. On the ninth the army +commenced its return to Vincennes, having broken up or committed to the +flames all their unnecessary baggage, in order that the wagons might be +used for the transportation of the wounded. + +The defeated Indians were greatly exasperated with the Prophet: they +reproached him in bitter terms for the calamity he had brought upon +them, and accused him of the murder of their friends who had fallen in +the action. It seems, that after pronouncing some incantations over a +certain composition, which he had prepared on the night preceding the +action, he assured his followers, that by the power of his art, half of +the invading army was already dead, and the other half in a state of +distraction; and that the Indians would have little to do but rush into +their camp, and complete the work of destruction with their tomahawks. +"You are a liar," said one of the surviving Winnebagoes to him, after +the action, "for you told us that the white people were dead or crazy, +when they were all in their senses and fought like the devil." The +Prophet appeared dejected, and sought to excuse himself on the plea +that the virtue of his composition had been lost by a circumstance of +which he had no knowledge until after the battle was over. His sacred +character, however, was so far forfeited, that the Indians actually +bound him with cords, and threatened to put him to death. After leaving +the Prophet's town, they marched about twenty miles and encamped on the +bank of Wild Cat creek. + +In a letter to the war department, dated fourth of December, governor +Harrison writes: + +"I have the honor to inform you that two principal chiefs of the +Kickapoos of the prairie, arrived here, bearing a flag, on the evening +before last. The account which they give of the late confederacy under +the Prophet, is as follows: The Prophet, with his Shawanoes, is at a +small Huron village, about twelve miles from his former residence, on +this side of the Wabash, where also were twelve or fifteen Hurons. The +Kickapoos are encamped near the Tippecanoe, the Potawatamies have +scattered and gone to different villages of that tribe. The Winnebagoes +had all set out on their return to their own country, excepting one +chief and nine men, who remained at their former villages. The Prophet +had sent a messenger to the Kickapoos of the prairie to request that he +might be permitted to retire to their town. This was positively +refused, and a warning sent to him not to come there. These chiefs say +that the whole of the tribes who lost warriors in the late action, +attribute their misfortune to the Prophet alone; that they constantly +reproach him with their misfortunes, and threaten him with death; that +they are all desirous of making their peace with the United States, and +will send deputations to me for that purpose, as soon as they are +informed that they will be well received. They further say, that the +Prophet's followers were fully impressed with a belief that they could +defeat us with ease; that it was their intention to have attacked us at +fort Harrison, if we had gone no higher; that Racoon creek was then +fixed on, and finally Pine creek, and that the latter would probably +have been the place, if the usual route had not been abandoned, and a +crossing made higher up; that the attack made on our sentinels at fort +Harrison was intended to shut the door against accommodation; that the +Winnebagoes had forty warriors killed in the action, and the Kickapoos +eleven, and ten wounded. They have never heard how many of the +Potawatamies and other tribes were killed." + +With the battle of Tippecanoe, the Prophet lost his popularity and +power among the Indians. His magic wand was broken, and the mysterious +charm by means of which he had for years, played upon the superstitious +minds of this wild people, scattered through a vast extent of country, +was dissipated forever. It was not alone to the character of his +prophetic office that he was indebted for his influence over his +followers. The position which he maintained in regard to the Indian +lands, and the encroachments of the white people upon their hunting +grounds, increased his popularity, which was likewise greatly +strengthened by the respect and deference with which the politic +Tecumseh--the master spirit of his day--uniformly treated him. He had, +moreover, nimble wit, quickness of apprehension, much cunning and a +captivating eloquence of speech. These qualities fitted him for playing +his part with great success; and sustaining for a series of years, the +character of one inspired by the Great Spirit. He was, however, rash, +presumptuous and deficient in judgment. And no sooner was he left +without the sagacious counsel and positive control of Tecumseh, than he +foolishly annihilated his own power, and suddenly crashed the grand +confederacy upon which he and his brother had expended years of labor, +and in the organization of which they had incurred much personal peril +and endured great privation. + +Tecumseh returned from the south through Missouri, visited the tribes +on the Des Moins, and crossing the head waters of the Illinois, reached +the Wabash a few days after the disastrous battle of Tippecanoe. It is +believed that he made a strong impression upon all the tribes visited +by him in his extended mission; and that he had laid the foundation of +numerous accessions to his confederacy. He reached the banks of the +Tippecanoe, just in time to witness the dispersion of his followers, +the disgrace of his brother, and the final overthrow of the great +object of his ambition, a union of all the Indian tribes against the +United States: and all this, the result of a disregard to his positive +commands. His mortification was extreme; and it is related on good +authority, that when he first met the Prophet, he reproached him in +bitter terms for having departed from his instructions to preserve +peace with the United States at all hazards. The attempt of the Prophet +to palliate his own conduct, excited the haughty chieftain still more, +and seizing him by the hair and shaking him violently, he threatened to +take his life. + +During the ensuing winter, there was peace on the frontiers. In the +month of January, 1812, Little Turtle, the celebrated Miami chief, +wrote to governor Harrison, that all the Prophet's followers had left +him, except two camps of his own tribe, and that Tecumseh had just +joined him with only eight men; from which he concluded there was no +present danger to be apprehended from them. Shortly afterwards, +Tecumseh sent a message to governor Harrison informing him of his +return from the south; and that he was now ready to make the promised +visit to the President. The governor replied, giving his permission for +Tecumseh to go to Washington, but not as the leader of any party of +Indians. The chieftain, who had been accustomed to make his visits to +Vincennes, attended by three or four hundred warriors, all completely +armed, did not choose to present himself to his great father, the +President, shorn of his power and without his retinue. The visit was +declined, and here terminated the intercourse between him and governor +Harrison. + +Early in March, the peace of the frontiers was again disturbed by +Indian depredations; and in the course of this and the following month, +several families were murdered on the Wabash and Ohio rivers. On the +15th of May, there was a grand council held at Mississiniway, which was +attended by twelve tribes of Indians. They all professed to be in favor +of peace, and condemned the disturbances which had occurred between the +Indians and the settlers, since the battle of Tippecanoe. Tecumseh was +present at this council and spoke several times. He defied any living +creature to say that he had ever advised any one, directly or +indirectly, to make war upon the whites: it had constantly been his +misfortune, he said, to have his views misrepresented to his white +brethren, and this had been done by pretended chiefs of the +Potawatamies, who had been in the habit of selling land to the white +people, which did not belong to them. "Governor Harrison," he +continued, "made war on my people in my absence: it was the will of God +that he should do so. We hope it will please God that the white people +will let us live in peace. We will not disturb them, neither have we +done it, except when they came to our village with the intention of +destroying us. We are happy to state to our brothers present, that the +unfortunate transaction that took place between the white people and a +few of our young men at our village, has been settled between us and +governor Harrison; and I will further state, that had I been at home, +there would have been no bloodshed at that time." + +In the month of June, following this council, Tecumseh made a visit to +fort Wayne, and sought an interview with the Indian agent at that +place. Misfortune had not subdued his haughty spirit nor silenced the +fearless expression of his feelings and opinions. He still maintained +the justice of his position in regard to the ownership of the Indian +lands, disavowed any intention of making war upon the United States, +and reproached governor Harrison for having marched against his people +during his absence. The agent made a long speech to him, presenting +reasons why he should now become the friend and ally of the United +States. To this harangue, Tecumseh listened with frigid indifference, +made a few general remarks in reply, and then with a haughty air, left +the council-house, and took his departure for Malden, where he joined +the British standard. + +In taking leave of that part of our subject which relates to the +confederacy of Tecumseh and the Prophet, and the principle on which it +was established, we quote, as relevant to the case, and as an +interesting piece of general history, the following letter from +governor Harrison to the Secretary of War: + +_"Cincinnati, March 22_, 1814. + +"Sir,--The tribes of Indians on this frontier and east of the +Mississippi, with whom the United States have been connected by treaty, +are the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoes, Miamis, Potawatamies, Ottawas, +Chippewas, Piankashaws, Kaskaskias and Sacs. All but the two last were +in the confederacy which carried on the former Indian war against the +United States, that was terminated by the treaty of Greenville. The +Kaskaskias were parties to the treaty, but they had not been in the +war. The Wyandots are admitted by the others to be the leading tribe. +They hold the grand _calumet_ which unites them and kindles the council +fire. This tribe is nearly equally divided between the _Crane_, at +Sandusky, who is the grand sachem of the nation, and Walk-in-the-Water, +at Brownstown, near Detroit. They claim the lands bounded by the +settlements of this state, southwardly and eastwardly; and by lake +Erie, the Miami river, and the claim of the Shawanoes upon the +Auglaize, a branch of the latter. They also claim the lands they live +on near Detroit, but I am ignorant to what extent. + +"The Wyandots of Sahdusky have adhered to us through the war. Their +chief, the Crane, is a venerable, intelligent and upright man. Within +the tract of land claimed by the Wyandots, a number of Senecas are +settled. They broke off from their own tribe six or eight years ago, +but received a part of the annuity granted that tribe by the United +States, by sending a deputation for it to Buffalo. The claim of the +Wyandots to the lands they occupy, is not disputed, that I know of, by +any other tribe. Their residence on it, however, is not of long +standing, and the country was certainly once the property of the +Miamis. + +"Passing westwardly from the Wyandots, we meet with the Shawanoe +settlement at Stony creek, a branch of the Great Miami, and at +Wapauckanata, on the Auglaize. These settlements were made immediately +after the treaty of Greenville, and with the consent of the Miamis, +whom I consider the real owners of these lands. The chiefs of this band +of Shawanoes, Blackhoof, Wolf and Lewis, are attached to us from +principle as well as interest--they are all honest men. + +"The Miamis have their principal settlement at the forks of the Wabash, +thirty miles from fort Wayne; and at Mississinaway, thirty miles lower +down. A band of them under the name of Weas, have resided on the +Wabash, sixty miles above Vincennes; and another under the Turtle on +Eel river, a branch of the Wabash, twenty miles north-west of fort +Wayne. By an artifice of Little Turtle, these three bands were passed +on general Wayne as distinct tribes, and an annuity granted to each. +The Eel river and Weas, however, to this day call themselves Miamis, +and are recognized as such by the Mississinaway band. The Miamis, +Maumees or Tewicktowes, are the undoubted proprietors of all that +beautiful country which is watered by the Wabash and its branches; and +there is as little doubt that their claim extended at least as far east +as the Scioto. They have no tradition of removing from any other +quarter of the country; whereas all the neighboring tribes, the +Piankishaws excepted, who are a branch of the Miamis, are either +intruders upon them, or have been permitted to settle in their country. +The Wyandots emigrated first from lake Ontario, and subsequently from +lake Huron--the Delawares from Pennsylvania and Maryland--the Shawanoes +from Georgia--the Kickapoos and Potawatamies from the country between +lake Michigan and the Mississippi--and the Ottawas and Chippewas from +the peninsula formed by lakes Michigan, Huron and St Clair, and the +strait connecting the latter with Erie. The claims of the Miamis were +bounded on the north and west by those of the Illinois confederacy, +consisting originally of five tribes, called Kaskaskias, Cahokias, +Peorians, Michiganians, and Temorais, speaking the Miami language, and +no doubt branches of that nation. + +"When I was first appointed governor of Indiana territory, these once +powerful tribes were reduced to about thirty warriors, of whom +twenty-five were Kaskaskias, four Peorians, and a single Michiganian. +There was an individual lately alive at St. Louis, who saw the +enumeration made of them by the Jesuits in the year 1745, making the +number of their warriors four thousand. A furious war between them and +the Sacs and Kickapoos, reduced them to that miserable remnant, which +had taken refuge amongst the white people of the towns of Kaskaskias +and St. Genevieve. The Kickapoos had fixed their principal village at +Peoria, upon the south bank of the Illinois river, while the Sacs +remained masters of the country to the north. + +"During the war of our Revolution, the Miamis had invited the Kickapoos +into their country to assist them against the whites, and a +considerable village was formed by that tribe on Vermillion river, near +its junction with the Wabash. After the treaty of Greenville, the +Delawares had, with the approbation of the Miamis, removed from the +mouth of the Auglaize to the head waters of White river, a large branch +of the Wabash--and the Potawatamies, without their consent, had formed +two villages upon the latter river, one at Tippecanoe, and the other at +Chippoy, twenty-five miles below. + +"The Piankishaws lived in the neighborhood of Vincennes, which was +their ancient village, and claimed the lands to the mouth of the +Wabash, and to the north and west as far as the Kaskaskias claimed. +Such was the situation of the tribes, when I received instructions from +President Jefferson, shortly after his first election, to make efforts +for extinguishing the Indian claims upon the Ohio, below the mouth of +the Kentucky river, and to such other tracts as were necessary to +connect and consolidate our settlements. It was at once determined, +that the community of interests in the lands amongst the Indian tribes, +which seemed to be recognized by the treaty of Greenville, should be +objected to; and that each individual tribe should be protected in +every claim that should appear to be founded in reason and justice. But +it was also determined, that as a measure of policy and liberality, +such tribes as lived upon any tract of land which it would be desirable +to purchase, should receive a portion of the compensation, although the +title might be exclusively in another tribe. Upon this principle the +Delawares, Shawanoes, Potawatamies, and Kickapoos, were admitted as +parties to several of the treaties. Care was taken, however, to place +the title to such tracts as might be desirable to purchase hereafter, +upon a footing that would facilitate the procuring of them, by getting +the tribes who had no claim themselves, and who might probably +interfere, to recognize the titles of those who were ascertained to +possess them. + +"This was particularly the case with regard to the lands watered by the +Wabash, which were declared to be the property of the Miamis, with the +exception of the tract occupied by the Delawares on White river, which +was to be considered the joint property of them and the Miamis. This +arrangement was very much disliked by Tecumseh, and the banditti that +he had assembled at Tippecanoe. He complained loudly, as well of the +sales that had been made, as of the principle of considering a +particular tribe as the exclusive proprietors of any part of the +country, which he said the Great Spirit had given to all his red +children. Besides the disaffected amongst the neighboring tribes, he +had brought together a considerable number of Winnebagoes and +Folsovoins, from the neighborhood of Green Bay, Sacs from the +Mississippi, and some Ottawas and Chippewas from Abercrosh on lake +Michigan. These people were better pleased with the climate and country +of the Wabash, than with that they had left. + +"The Miamis resisted the pretensions of Tecumseh and his followers for +some time; but a system of terror was adopted, and the young men were +seduced by eternally placing before them a picture of labor, and +restriction as to hunting, to which the system adopted would inevitably +lead. The Potawatamies and other tribes inhabiting the Illinois river +and south of lake Michigan, had been for a long time approaching +gradually towards the Wabash. Their country, which was never abundantly +stocked with game, was latterly almost exhausted of it. The fertile +regions of the Wabash still afforded it. It was represented, that the +progressive settlements of the whites upon that river, would soon +deprive them of their only resource, and indeed would force the Indians +of that river upon them who were already half starved. + +"It is a fact, that for many years the current of emigration, as to the +tribes east of the Mississippi, has been from north to south. This is +owing to two causes; the diminution of those animals from which the +Indians procure their support; and the pressure of the two great +tribes, the Chippewas and Sioux, to the north and west. So long ago as +the treaty of Greenville, the Potawatamies gave notice to the Miamis, +that they intended to settle upon the Wabash. They made no pretensions +to the country, and their only excuse for the intended aggression was, +that they were 'tired of eating fish and wanted meat.' It has already +been observed that the Sacs had extended themselves to the Illinois +river, and that the settlements of the Kickapoos at the Peorias was of +modern date. Previously to the commencement of the present war, a +considerable number had joined their brethren on the Wabash. The Tawas +from the Des Moins river, have twice made attempts to get a footing +there. + + * * * * * + +"The question of the title to the lands south of the Wabash, has been +thoroughly examined; every opportunity was afforded to Tecumseh and his +party to exhibit their pretensions, and they were found to rest upon no +other basis than that of their being the common property of all the +Indians. The Potawatamies and Kickapoos have unequivocally acknowledged +the Miami and Delaware titles." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Tecumseh participates in the battle of Brownstown--commands the + Indians in the action near Maguaga--present at Hull's + surrender--general Brock presents him his military sash--attack on + Chicago brought about by Tecumseh. + + +On the 18th of June, 1812, the congress of the United States made a +formal declaration of war against Great Britain. This gave a new aspect +to affairs on the north-western frontier; and at the first commencement +of hostilities between these two powers, Tecumseh was in the field, +prepared for the conflict. In the month of July, when general Hull +crossed over from Detroit into Canada, this chief, with a party of +thirty Potawatamies and Shawanoes, was at Malden. About the same time +there was an assemblage at Brownstown, opposite to Malden, of those +Indians who were inclined to neutrality in the war. A deputation was +sent to the latter place, inviting Tecumseh to attend this council. +"No," said he, indignantly, "I have taken sides with the King, my +father, and I will suffer my bones to bleach upon this shore, before I +will recross that stream to join in any council of neutrality." In a +few days he gave evidence of the sincerity of this declaration, by +personally commanding the Indians in the first action that ensued after +the declaration of war.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +Early in August, general Hull, then in Detroit, was notified by express +that a company of Ohio volunteers, under the command of captain Henry +Brush, with provisions for the army, were near the river Raisin, and +needed an escort, as it had been ascertained that some British and a +considerable body of Indians, under the command of Tecumseh, had +crossed from Malden to Brownstown, with a view to intercept this +convoy. General Hull, after some delay, gave a reluctant consent to the +colonels of the Ohio militia, that a detachment of troops might march +to the relief of colonel Brush. Major Van Horne, with a small body of +men, started as an escort to the mail, with orders to join captain +Brush at the river Raisin. He set off on the fourth of August, marching +that evening as far as the river De Corce. On the next day, captain +McCullough of the spies, was killed by some Indians. In the course of +the succeeding one, near Brownstown, the detachment under major Van +Horne was suddenly attacked by the Indians, who were lying in ambush. +Apprehensive of being surrounded and entirely cut off, the major +ordered a retreat, which was continued to the river De Corce, the enemy +pursuing them to that point. Our loss was seventeen killed, besides +several wounded, who were left behind. Among the former were captains +Ulry, Gilchrist, Boersler, lieutenant Pents, and ensign Ruby. The loss +of so many officers resulted from their attempts to rally the men. The +loss of the enemy was supposed to be equal to that sustained by major +Van Horne. There were about forty British soldiers and seventy Indians +in this engagement, the latter being commanded by Tecumseh in person. + +After general Hull had ingloriously retreated from Canada, he detached +colonel Miller, with majors Van Horne and Morrison, and a body of +troops, amounting to six hundred, to make a second effort to reach +captain Brush. They were attended by some artillerists with one six +pounder and a howitzer. The detachment marched from Detroit on the +eighth, and in the afternoon of the ninth the front guard, commanded by +captain Snelling, was fired upon by a line of British and Indians, +about two miles below the village of Maguaga. At the moment of the +attack, the main body was marching in two lines, and captain Snelling +maintained his position in a gallant manner, until the line was formed +and marched to the ground he occupied, where the whole, except the rear +guard, was brought into action. The British were entrenched behind a +breast-work of logs, with the Indians on the left covered by a thick +wood. Colonel Miller ordered his whole line to advance, and when within +a short distance of the enemy, fired upon them, and immediately +followed it up by a charge with fixed bayonets, when the whole British +line and the Indians commenced a retreat. They were vigorously pursued +for near two miles. The Indians on the left were commanded by Tecumseh, +and fought with great bravery, but were forced to retreat. Our loss in +this severe and well fought action was ten killed and thirty-two +wounded of the regular troops, and eight killed and twenty-eight +wounded of the Ohio and Michigan militia. The full extent of the force +of the enemy is not known. There were four hundred regulars and +Canadian militia, under command of major Muir, and a considerable body +of Indians under Tecumseh. Forty of the latter were found dead on the +field: fifteen of the British regulars were killed and wounded, and +four taken prisoners. The loss of the Canadian militia and volunteers, +was never ascertained, but is supposed, from the position which they +occupied in the action, to have been considerable. Both major Muir and +Tecumseh were wounded. The bravery and good conduct of the latter, in +this engagement, are supposed to have led to his being shortly +afterwards appointed a brigadier general, in the service of the British +king. + +When Detroit was captured, on the 16th of August, Tecumseh was at the +head of the Indians. After the surrender, general Brock requested him +not to allow his men to ill-treat the prisoners, to which he replied, +"no! I despise them too much to meddle with them."[A] + +[Footnote A: Book of the Indians, by S.G. Drake.] + +"Tecumseh was an excellent judge of position; and not only knew, but +could point out the localities of the whole country through which he +passed. His facility of communicating the information he had acquired, +was thus displayed before a concourse of spectators. Previously to +general Brock's crossing over to Detroit, he asked him what sort of a +country he should have to pass through, in case of his proceeding +farther. Tecumseh, taking a roll of elm bark, and extending it on the +ground by means of four stones, drew forth his scalping knife, and with +the point presently etched upon the bark a plan of the country, its +hills, rivers, woods, morasses and roads; a plan which, if not as neat, +was for the purpose required, fully as intelligible as if Arrowsmith +himself had prepared it. Pleased with this unexpected talent in +Tecumseh, also by his having, with his characteristic boldness, induced +the Indians, not of his immediate party, to cross the Detroit, prior to +the embarkation of the regulars and militia, general Brock, as soon as +the business was over, publicly took off his sash, and placed it round +the body of the chief. Tecumseh received the honor with evident +gratification; but was next day seen without his sash. General Brock +fearing something had displeased the Indian, sent his interpreter for +an explanation. The latter soon returned with an account, that +Tecumseh, not wishing to wear such a mark of distinction, when an +older, and as he said, abler warrior than himself, was present, had +transferred the sash to the Wyandot chief, Roundhead."[A] + +[Footnote A: James' Military Occurrences of the Late War.] + +On the 15th of August, the garrison of Chicago, situated in the +south-western bend of lake Michigan,--consisting of about seventy men, +with some women and children,--were attacked by a large body of +Indians, who had been lying around the fort for some time, professing +neutrality. The whole were either murdered or taken prisoners. The +garrison, under the direction of captains Heald and Wells, having +destroyed the fort and distributed the public stores among the Indians, +was about to retreat towards fort Wayne. As the Indians around Chicago +had not yet taken sides in the war, the garrison would probably have +escaped, had not Tecumseh, immediately after the attack upon major +Vanhorn, at Brownstown, sent a runner to these Indians, claiming the +victory over that officer; and conveying to them information that +general Hull had returned to Detroit; and that there was every prospect +of success over him. This intelligence reached the Indians the night +previous the evacuation of Chicago, and led them at once, as Tecumseh +had anticipated, to become the allies of the British army. + +At the period of colonel Campbell's expedition against the +Mississinaway towns, in the month of December, Tecumseh was in that +neighborhood, with about six hundred Indians, whose services he had +engaged as allies of Great Britian. He was not in the battle of the +river Raisin on the 22d of January. Had he been present on that +occasion, the known magnanimity of his character, justifies the belief +that the horrible massacre of prisoners, which followed that action, +would not have taken place. Not only the savages, but their savage +leaders, Proctor and Elliott, would have been held in check, by a chief +who, however daring and dreadful in the hour of battle, was never known +to ill-treat or murder a prisoner. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + Siege of fort Meigs--Tecumseh commands the Indians--acts with + intrepidity--rescues the American prisoners from the tomahawk and + scalping knife, after Dudley's defeat--reported agreement between + Proctor and Tecumseh, that general Harrison, if taken prisoner, + should be delivered to the latter to be burned. + + +Fort Meigs, situated on the south-east side of the Miami of the lakes, +and at the foot of the rapids of that stream, was an octagonal +enclosure, with eight block houses, picketed with timber, and +surrounded by ditches. It was two thousand five hundred yards in +circumference, and required, to garrison it with efficiency, about two +thousand men. It was constructed under the immediate superintendence of +colonel E. D. Wood, of the corps of engineers, one of the most +scientific and gallant officers of the late war. This post, which was +established in the spring of 1813, was important not only for the +protection of the frontiers, but as the depot for the artillery, +military stores and provisions, necessary for the prosecution of the +ensuing campaign. These circumstances could not fail to attract the +attention of the enemy; and the commander of the American army was not +disappointed in supposing that fort Meigs would be the first point of +attack, upon the opening of the spring, by the combined forces of +Proctor and Tecumseh. + +In the latter part of March, intelligence reached this post that +Proctor had issued a general order for assembling the Canadian militia +at Sandwich, on the 7th of April, to unite in an expedition against +fort Meigs. This information gave a fresh impulse to the efforts then +making to render the fort, which was still in an unfinished state, as +strong as possible. On the 8th of April, colonel Ball arrived with two +hundred dragoons; and on the 12th general Harrison reached the fort +with three hundred men from the posts on the Auglaize and St. Mary's. +Vigorous preparations were now made for the anticipated siege. On the +19th, a scouting party returned from the river Raisin, with three +Frenchmen, who stated that the British were still making arrangements +for an attack on this post; and were assembling a very large Indian +force. They informed general Harrison that Tecumseh and the Prophet had +reached Sandwich, with about six hundred Indians, collected in the +country between lake Michigan and the Wabash. This intelligence removed +the apprehension entertained by the general, that the Indians intended +to fall upon the posts in his rear, while Proctor should attack fort +Meigs. On the 26th, the advance of the enemy was discovered at the +mouth of the bay; and on the 28th, the British and Indian forces were +found to be within a few miles of the fort. At this time, only a part +of the troops destined for the defence of the place, had arrived; but +the remainder, under the command of general Green Clay, of Kentucky, +were daily expected. So soon as the fort was actually invested by the +Indians, an express was sent by the commander-in-chief, to inform +general Clay of the fact, and direct his subsequent movements. This +dangerous enterprise--for the Indians were already in considerable +numbers around the fort--was undertaken and successfully executed by +captain William Oliver,[A] a gallant young officer belonging to the +commissary's department, who, to a familiar acquaintance with the +geography of the country, united much knowledge of Indian warfare. +Attended by a white man and a Delaware Indian, Oliver traversed the +country to fort Findlay, thence to fort Amanda, and finally met with +general Clay at fort Winchester, on the 2d of May, and communicated to +him general Harrison's instructions. + +[Footnote A: Now Major William Oliver, of Cincinnati. It is but an act +of justice to this gentleman to state that, for the voluntary +performance of this service, he refused all pecuniary compensation. +General Harrison subsequently, in a letter to major Oliver, in relation +to this service, says, "To prevent the possibility of these orders +coming to the knowledge of the enemy, they could not be committed to +writing, but must be communicated verbally, by a confidential officer. +The selection of one suited to the performance of this important trust +was a matter of no little difficulty. To the qualities of undoubted +patriotism, moral firmness, as well as active courage, sagacity and +prudence, it was necessary that he should unite a thorough knowledge of +the country through which the troops were to pass, and of all the +localities of the position upon which they were advancing. Without the +latter, the possession of the former would be useless, and the absence +of either of the former might render the latter not only useless, but +in the highest degree mischievous. Although there was no coincidence +between the performance of this duty and those which appertained to the +department of the staff in which you held an appointment, [the +commissariat] I did not long hesitate in fixing on you for this +service."] + +Soon after Oliver had started on this enterprise, the gunboats of the +enemy approached the site of old fort Miami, on the opposite side of +the river, about two miles below fort Meigs. In the course of the +ensuing night they commenced the erection of three batteries, opposite +the fort on a high bank, about three hundred yards from the river, the +intermediate space of ground being open and partly covered with water. +Two of them were gun batteries, with four embrasures, and were situated +higher up the river than the fort; the third was a bomb battery, placed +a short distance below. Early the next morning, a fire was opened upon +them from the fort, which, to some extent, impeded the progress of the +works. On the morning of the 30th, the enemy, under a heavy and +somewhat fatal fire from the guns of the fort, raised and adjusted +their cannon, while at the same time, a number of boats filled with +Indians were seen crossing to the south-eastern side of the river. + +On the morning of the first of May, the British batteries were +completed; and about ten o'clock, the enemy appeared to be adjusting +their guns on certain objects in the fort. "By this time our troops had +completed a grand traverse, about twelve feet high, upon a base of +twenty feet, three hundred yards long, on the most elevated ground +through the middle of the camp, calculated to ward off the shot of the +enemy's batteries. Orders were given for all the tents in front to be +instantly removed into its rear, which was effected in a few minutes, +and that beautiful prospect of cannonading and bombarding our lines, +which but a few moments before had excited the skill and energy of the +British engineer, was now entirely fled; and in its place nothing was +to be seen but an immense shield of earth, which entirely obscured the +whole army. Not a tent nor a single person was to be seen. Those canvas +houses, which had concealed the growth of the traverse from the view of +the enemy, were now protected and hid in their turn. The prospect of +_smoking us out,_ was now at best but very faint. But as neither +general Proctor nor his officers were yet convinced of the folly and +futility of their laborious preparations, their batteries were opened, +and five days were spent in arduous cannonading and bombarding, to +bring them to this salutary conviction. A tremendous cannonading was +kept up all the rest of the day, and shells were thrown until 11 +o'clock at night. Very little damage, however, was done in the camp; +one or two were killed, and three or four wounded; among the latter was +major Amos Stoddard, of the first regiment of artillery, a survivor of +the revolution, and an officer of much merit. He was wounded slightly +with a piece of shell, and about ten days afterwards died with the +lock-jaw. + +"The fire of the enemy was returned from the fort with one eighteen +pounder with some effect, though but sparingly, for the stock of +eighteen pound shot was but small, there being but three hundred and +sixty of that size in the fort when the siege commenced; and about the +same number for the twelve pounders."[A] + +[Footnote A: M'Affee.] + +Throughout the whole of the second day the firing was continued with +great spirit, but without doing much damage on either side. General +Harrison, in anticipation of a transfer of the enemy's guns to the +other side of the river, and the establishment of batteries to play +upon the centre or flanks of the camp, had directed the construction of +works calculated to resist such an attack; and they were in a state of +considerable forwardness on the morning of the third, when, from the +bushes on the left of the fort, three field pieces and a howitzer were +suddenly opened upon the camp by the enemy. The fire was returned with +such effect, that general Proctor was soon compelled to change his +position. His batteries were again opened on the camp from another +point, but without doing much injury. On the fourth, the fire of the +enemy was renewed, but with less energy than on the previous days, the +result, it is supposed, of a belief that their efforts to reduce the +fort would fail. General Harrison was waiting the arrival of general +Clay with his reinforcements. Late in the night of the fourth, captain +Oliver, accompanied by majors David Trimble and ---- Taylor, with +fifteen Ohio militia, having left general Clay above the rapids, +started in a boat for the fort, that the commanding general, by knowing +the position of the reinforcements, might form his plans for the +ensuing day. The effort to reach the fort under the existing +circumstances was extremely dangerous. Captain Leslie Combs had already +attempted it, and failed. He had been sent by colonel Dudley, upon his +arrival at Defiance, to inform general Harrison of the fact. With five +men, the captain approached within a mile of the fort, when he was +attacked by the Indians, and compelled to retreat after a gallant +resistance, in which nearly all his companions were killed. When Oliver +drew near the fort, the night was extremely dark, and he was only +enabled to discover the spot by the spreading branches of a solitary +oak tree, standing within the fortification. The boat was fired upon by +the sentinels of the fort, but on their being hailed by captain Oliver, +no further alarm was given. After landing and wading over a ravine +filled with water, the party groped their way to one of the gates, and +were admitted. Tecumseh and his Indians were extremely vigilant, and, +at night, usually came close to the ramparts for the purpose of +annoying our troops, as opportunity might offer. So soon as general +Harrison had received the information brought by captain Oliver and his +companions, he made his arrangements for the ensuing day. Captain +Hamilton, attended by a subaltern, was immediately despatched up the +river in a canoe with orders to general Clay. The captain met him at +daylight five miles above the fort, the boats conveying the +reinforcements having been delayed by the darkness of the night. +Captain Hamilton delivered the following order to general Clay. "You +must detach about eight hundred men from your brigade, and land them at +a point I will show you about a mile or a mile and a half above camp +Meigs. I will then conduct the detachment to the British batteries on +the left bank of the river. The batteries must be taken, the cannon +spiked, and the carriages cut down; and the troops must then return to +their boats and cross over to the fort. The balance of your men must +land on the fort-side of the river, opposite the first landing, and +fight their way into the fort through the Indians. The route they must +take will be pointed out by a subaltern officer how with me, who will +land the canoe on the right bank of the river to point out the landing +for the boats."[A] As soon as these orders were received by general +Clay, who was in the thirteenth boat from the front, he directed +captain Hamilton to go to colonel Dudley, with orders to take the +twelve front boats and execute the plan of the commanding general on +the left bank of the river; and to post the subaltern with the canoe on +the right bank, at the point where the remainder of the reinforcement +was directed to land. It was the design of general Harrison while the +troops under Dudley were destroying the enemy's batteries on the +north-west side of the river, and general Clay was fighting the Indians +above the fort on the south-east side, to send out a detachment to take +and spike the British guns on the south side. + +[Footnote A: M'Affee.] + +General Clay ordered the five remaining boats to fall behind the one +occupied by him; but in attempting to do so, they were driven on shore, +and thus thrown half a mile into the rear. The general kept close to +the right bank, intending to land opposite to the detachment under +Dudley, but finding no guide there, and the Indians having commenced a +brisk fire on his boat, he attempted to cross to the detachment. The +current, however, was so swift, that it soon carried him too far down +for that project; he therefore turned back, and landed on the right +bank further down. Captain Peter Dudley, with a part of his company, +was in this boat, making in the whole upwards of fifty men, who now +marched into camp without loss, amidst a shower of grape from the +British batteries and the fire of some Indians. The boat with their +baggage and four sick soldiers, was left, as the general supposed, in +the care of two men who met him at his landing, and by whom he expected +she would be brought down under the guns of the fort. In a few minutes, +however, she fell into the hands of the Indians. The attempt which he +had made to cross the river, induced colonel Boswell, with the rear +boats, to land on the opposite side; but as soon as captain Hamilton +discovered the error under which he was acting, he instructed him to +cross over and fight his way into camp. When he arrived at the south +side, he was annoyed on landing by the Indians; and as soon as his men +were on shore, he formed them and returned the fire of the enemy; at +the same time he was directed by captain Shaw, from the commanding +general, to march in open order, through the plain, to the fort. As +there was now a large body of Indians on his flank, general Harrison +determined to send out a reinforcement from the garrison to enable him +to beat them. Accordingly, Alexander's brigade, a part of Johnson's +battalion, and the companies of captains Nearing and Dudley, were +ordered to prepare for this duty. When the Kentuckians reached the +gates of the fort, these troops were ready to join them. Having formed +in order--colonel Boswell being on the right,--they marched against the +Indians, who were superior to them in numbers, and at the point of the +bayonet, forced them into the woods to the distance of half a mile or +more. Such was the ardor of our troops, in the pursuit, that it was +difficult, especially for the Kentucky officers, to induce their men to +return. + +General Harrison had now taken a position on one of the batteries of +the fort, that he might see the various movements which at this moment +claimed his attention. He soon perceived a detachment of British and +Indians passing along the edge of the woods, with a view to reach the +left and rear of the corps under Boswell: he forthwith despatched his +volunteer aid, John T. Johnston, to recall the troops under Boswell +from the pursuit. Johnston's horse having been killed before he +delivered this order, it was repeated through major Graham, and a +retreat was commenced: the Indians promptly rallied and boldly pursued +them for some distance, killing and wounding a number of our troops. So +soon as the commanding general perceived that colonel Dudley and his +detachment had reached the batteries on the northern bank of the river, +and entered successfully upon the execution of the duty assigned them, +he ordered colonel John Miller of the regulars to make a sortie from +the fort, against the batteries which the enemy had erected on the +south side of the river. The detachment assigned to colonel Miller, +amounted to about three hundred and fifty men, composed of the +companies and parts of companies of captains Langham, Croghan, +Bradford, Nearing, Elliott, and lieutenants Gwynne and Campbell of the +regular troops; the volunteers of Alexander's battalion; and captain +Sebree's company of Kentucky militia. Colonel Miller and his men +charged upon, the enemy, and drove them from their position; spiked the +cannon at their batteries, and secured forty-one prisoners. The force +of the enemy, thus driven and defeated, consisted of two hundred +British regulars, one hundred and fifty Canadians and about five +hundred Indians, under the immediate command of Tecumseh, in all more +than double the force of the detachment under colonel Miller. In this +sortie, captain Sebree's company of militia, was particularly +distinguished. With the intrepid bravery and reckless ardor for which +the Kentucky troops are noted, they plunged into the thickest ranks of +the enemy, and were for a time surrounded by the Indians, who gallantly +pressed upon them; but they maintained their ground, until lieutenant +Gwynne,[A] of the 19th regiment, perceiving their imminent peril, +boldly charged upon the Indians, with a portion of captain Elliott's +company, and released captain Sebree and his men from their dangerous +situation. Had the force of colonel Miller been something stronger, he +would probably have captured the whole of the enemy, then on the south +side of the river. The British and Indians suffered severely, being +finally driven back and thrown into confusion. As colonel Miller +commenced his return to the fort, the enemy rallied and pressed with +great bravery upon his rear, until he arrived near the breast-works. A +considerable number of our soldiers were left dead on the field, and +several officers were wounded. + +[Footnote A: Major David Gwynne, now of Cincinnati.] + +Colonel Dudley's movements on the north side of the river, are now to +be noticed. A landing was effected by his detachment, which was +immediately marched off, through an open plain, to a hill clothed with +timber. Here the troops were formed into three columns, colonel Dudley +placing himself at the head of the right, major Shelby leading the +left, and captain Morrison, acting as major, the centre. The distance +from the place where the detachment was formed in order, to the point +to be attacked, was near two miles. The batteries were engaged in +cannonading camp Meigs, when the column led by major Shelby, being a +few hundred yards in advance of the others, rushed at full speed upon +those having charge of the guns, and carried them without the loss of a +single man. When the British flag was cut down, the garrison of fort +Meigs shouted for joy. The grand object of the enterprise having been +achieved, the general, who was watching the movements of the +detachment, made signs to them to retreat to their boats; but to his +great surprise, and in express disobedience of the orders transmitted +through colonel Hamilton, our troops remained at the batteries, quietly +looking around, without spiking the cannon, cutting down the carriages +or destroying the magazines. This delay proved fatal to them. The +general, alarmed for their safety, now offered a very high reward to +any individual who would bear fresh orders to colonel Dudley and his +men, to return to their boats and cross over the river to the fort. The +service was undertaken by lieutenant Campbell. "About the time when the +batteries were taken a body of Indians, lying in ambush, had fired on a +party of spies under captain Combs, who had marched down on the extreme +left of the detachment. Presently colonel Dudley gave orders to +reinforce the spies, and the greater part of the right and centre +columns rushed into the woods in confusion, with their colonel among +them--to fight the Indians, whom they routed and pursued near two +miles. The left column remained in possession of the batteries, till +the fugitive artillerists returned with a reinforcement from the main +British camp, and attacked them. Some of them were then made prisoners, +others fled to the boats, and a part, who were rallied by the exertions +of their major, marched to the aid of colonel Dudley. The Indians had +also been reinforced, and the confusion in which major Shelby found the +men under Dudley, was so great as to amount to a cessation of +resistance; while the savages, skulking around them, continued the work +of destruction in safety. At last a retreat commenced in disorder, but +the greater part of the men were captured by the Indians, or +surrendered to the British at the batteries. The gallant but +unfortunate colonel Dudley, after being wounded, was overtaken and +despatched with the tomahawk. The number of those who escaped and got +into the fort, out of the whole detachment, was considerably below two +hundred. Had the orders which colonel Dudley received, been duly +regarded, or a proper degree of judgment exercised on the occasion, the +day would certainly have been an important one for the country, and a +glorious one for the army. Every thing might have been accomplished +agreeably to the wishes and intentions of the general, with the loss of +but few men. When the approach of the detachment under Dudley was +reported to Proctor, he supposed it to be the main force of the +American army, from which he was apprehensive that he might sustain a +total defeat: he therefore recalled a large portion of his British and +Indians from the opposite shore. They did not arrive, however, in time +to partake in the contest on the north side."[A] + +[Footnote A: M'Affee.] + +After the fighting had ceased on the fifth, the British general sent a +flag to the fort by major Chambers, and his introduction to general +Harrison was succeeded by the following significant dialogue: + +"_Major Chambers._ General Proctor has directed me to demand the +surrender of this post. He wishes to spare the effusion of blood. + +"_General Harrison._ The demand, under present circumstances, is a most +extraordinary one. As general Proctor did not send me a summons to +surrender on his first arrival, I had supposed that he believed me +determined to do my duty. His present message indicates an opinion of +me that I am at a loss to account for. + +"_Major Chambers._ General Proctor could never think of saying anything +to wound your feelings, sir. The character of general Harrison, as an +officer, is well known. General Proctor's force is very respectable, +and there is with him a larger body of Indians than has ever before +been embodied. + +"_General Harrison._ I believe I have a very correct idea of general +Proctor's force; it is not such as to create the least apprehension for +the result of the contest, whatever shape he may be pleased hereafter +to give it. Assure the general, however, that he will never have this +post _surrendered_ to him upon any terms. Should it fall into his +hands, it will be in a manner calculated to do him more honor, and to +give him larger claims upon the gratitude of his government than any +capitulation could possibly do." + +The siege was continued, but without any very active efforts against +the fort, until the morning of the 9th of May, when the enemy retreated +down the bay, leaving behind them a quantity of cannon balls, and other +valuable articles. + +The force under general Proctor amounted, as nearly as could be +ascertained, to six hundred regulars, eight hundred Canadian militia, +and about eighteen hundred Indians. The number of troops under general +Harrison, including those which arrived on the morning of the fifth, +under general Clay, was about twelve hundred in all. The number fit for +duty did not, perhaps, equal eleven hundred. + +The number of the American troops killed and massacred on the north +side of the river, was upwards of seventy. One hundred and eighty-nine +were wounded, and eighty-one killed, in the two sorties from the fort. +The loss of the British and Indians, in killed and wounded, could never +be satisfactorily ascertained. That it was very considerable, there can +be no doubt. + +The enemy brought against fort Meigs a combined army of near three +thousand men, under Proctor, Elliott and Tecumseh, and prepared, by a +train of artillery, for vigorous operations. These were prosecuted with +skill and energy. The Indians, led on by the daring Tecumseh, fought +with uncommon bravery, and contributed largely to swell the list of our +killed and wounded. It is said, that the sagacious leader of the Indian +forces did not enter upon this siege with any strong hopes of ultimate +success; but having embarked in it, he stood manfully in the post of +danger, and took an active, if not a leading part, in planning and +executing the various movements which were made against the fort. The +spirit with which these were prosecuted may be in part inferred from +the fact, that during the first five days of the siege, the enemy fired +upon the fort with their cannon, fifteen hundred times,[A] many of +their balls and bombs being red-hot, and directed specially at the two +block houses containing the ammunition. These shots made no decided +impression upon the picketing of the fort, but killed or wounded about +eighty of the garrison. + +[Footnote A: Brown's History of the Late War.] + +It has been already stated that the distinguished leader of the +Indians, in this assault upon camp Meigs, entered upon it with no +sanguine hopes of success. His associate, general Proctor, however, is +said to have entertained a different opinion, and flattered himself and +his troops with the prospect of splendid success and rich rewards. In +case of the reduction of the fort and the capture of its garrison, the +British general intended to assign the Michigan territory to the +Prophet and his followers, as a compensation for their services; and +general Harrison was to have been delivered into the hands of Tecumseh, +to be disposed of at the pleasure of that chief.[A] + +[Footnote A: M'Affee.] + +One of the public journals of the day[A] states that this proposition +originated with Proctor, and was held out as an inducement to Tecumseh, +to join in the siege. General Harrison subsequently understood, that in +case he had fallen into Proctor's hands, he was to have been delivered +to Tecumseh, to be treated as that warrior might think proper: and in a +note to Dawson's Historical Narrative, the author of that work says, +"There is no doubt that when Proctor made the arrangement for the +attack on fort Meigs with Tecumseh, the latter insisted and the former +agreed, that general Harrison and all who fought at Tippecanoe, should +be given up to the Indians to be burned. Major Ball of the dragoons +ascertained this fact from prisoners, deserters and Indians, all of +whom agreed to its truth." Whatever may have been the actual agreement +between Proctor and Tecumseh in regard to general Harrison and those +who fought with him at Tippecanoe, it is hardly credible that this +chief had any intention of participating in an outrage of this kind, +upon the prisoners. Tecumseh may possibly have made such an arrangement +with Proctor, and announced it to the Indians, for the purpose of +exciting them to activity and perseverance, in carrying on the siege; +but that this chief seriously meditated any such outrage, either +against general Harrison or his associates, is not to be credited but +on the best authority. It will be recollected that Tecumseh, when but a +youth, succeeded by his personal influence, in putting an end to the +custom of burning prisoners, then common among a branch of the +Shawanoes. In 1810, at a conference with general Harrison, in +Vincennes, he made an agreement that prisoners and women and children, +in the event of hostilities between the whites and the Indians, should +be protected; and there is no evidence that this compact was ever +violated by him; or indeed, that through the whole course of his +eventful life, he ever committed violence upon a prisoner, or suffered +others to do so without promptly interfering for the captive. To +suppose, then, that he really intended to permit general Harrison, or +those who fought with him on the Wabash, to be burned, would have been +at variance with the whole tenor of his life; and particularly with his +manly and magnanimous conduct at the close of the assault upon fort +Meigs. + +[Footnote A: The Chillicothe Fredonian.] + +The prisoners captured on the fifth, were, taken down to Proctor's +head-quarters and confined in fort Miami, where the Indians were +permitted to amuse, themselves by firing at the crowd, or at any +particular individual. Those whose taste led them to inflict a more +cruel and savage death, led their victims to the gateway, where, under +the eye of general Proctor and his officers, they were coolly +tomahawked and scalped. Upwards of twenty prisoners were thus, in the +course of two hours, massacred in cold blood, by those to whom they had +voluntarily surrendered. At the same time, the chiefs of the different +tribe were holding a council to determine the fate of the remaining +captives, when Tecumseh and colonel Elliott came down from the +batteries to the scene of carnage. + +A detailed account of the noble conduct of the former in regard to +these captives is contained in the following extract from a letter,[A] +upon the accuracy of which reliance may be placed. The writer, after +contrasting the brave and humane Tecumseh with the cruel and reckless +Proctor, says: + +"The most unfortunate event of that contest, I presume you will admit +to have been the defeat of colonel Dudley. I will give you a statement +made to me by a British officer who was present. He states, that when +colonel Dudley landed his troops, Tecumseh, the brave but unfortunate +commander, was on the south side of the river, annoying the American +garrison with his Indians; and that Proctor, with a part of his troops +and a few Indians, remained on the opposite side at the batteries. +Dudley attacked him, and pursued him two miles. During this time, +Harrison had sent out a detachment to engage Tecumseh; and that the +contest with him continued a considerable length of time, before he was +informed of what was doing on the opposite side. He immediately +retreated, swam over the river and fell in the rear of Dudley, and +attacked him with great fury. Being thus surrounded and their commander +killed, the troops marched up to the British line and surrendered. +Shortly afterwards, commenced the scene of horrors which I dare say is +yet fresh in your memory; but I shall recall it to your recollection +for reasons I will hereafter state. They (the American troops) were +huddled together in an old British garrison, with the Indians around +them, selecting such as their fancy dictated, to glut their savage +thirst for murder. And although they had surrendered themselves +prisoners of war, yet, in violation of the customs of war, the inhuman +Proctor did not yield them the least protection, nor attempt to screen +them from the tomahawk of the Indians. Whilst this blood-thirsty +carnage was raging, a thundering voice was heard in the rear, in the +Indian tongue, when, turning round, he saw Tecumseh coming with all the +rapidity his horse could carry him, until he drew near to where two +Indians had an American, and were in the act of killing him. He sprang +from his horse, caught one by the throat and the other by the breast, +and threw them to the ground; drawing his tomahawk and scalping knife, +he ran in between the Americans and Indians, brandishing them with the +fury of a mad man, and daring any one of the hundreds that surrounded +him, to attempt to murder another American. They all appeared +confounded, and immediately desisted. His mind appeared rent with +passion, and he exclaimed almost with tears in his eyes, 'Oh! what will +become of my Indians.' He then demanded in an authoritative tone, where +Proctor was; but casting his eye upon him at a small distance, sternly +enquired why he had not put a stop to the inhuman massacre. 'Sir,' said +Proctor, 'your Indians cannot be commanded.' 'Begone' retorted +Tecumseh, with the greatest disdain, 'you are unfit to command; go and +put on petticoats.'" + +[Footnote A: This letter is from Mr. Wm. G. Ewing, formerly of Piqua, +O., and is addressed, under date of May 2d, 1818, to John H. James, +Esq. now of Urbana.] + +This was not the only occasion on which Tecumseh openly manifested the +contempt which he felt for the character and conduct of general +Proctor. Among other instances, it is stated by an officer of the +United States' army, in a letter, under date of 28th September, +1813,[A] that in a conversation between these two commanders of the +allied British army, Tecumseh said to Proctor, "I conquer to save, and +you to murder;"--an expression founded in truth, and worthy of the +magnanimous hero from whose lips it fell. + +[Footnote A: Niles' Register.] + +There is another incident connected with the defeat of Dudley, which +justice to the character of Tecumseh requires should be recorded. +Shortly after he had put a stop to the horrid massacre of the +prisoners, his attention was called to a small group of Indians +occupied in looking at some object in their midst. Colonel Elliott +observed to him, "Yonder are four of your nation who have been taken +prisoners; you may take charge of them, and dispose of them as you +think proper." Tecumseh walked up to the crowd, where he found four +Shawanoes, two brothers by the name of Perry, Big Jim, and the Soldier. +"Friends," said he, "colonel Elliott has placed you under my charge, +and I will send you back to your nation with a talk to our people." He +accordingly took them on with the army as far as the river Raisin, from +which point their return home would be less dangerous, and then +appointed two of his followers to accompany them, with some friendly +messages to the chiefs of the Shawanoe nation. They were thus +discharged under their parole, not to fight against the British during +the war. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Tecumseh present at the second attack on fort Meigs--his stratagem of + a sham-battle to draw out general Clay--is posted in the Black swamp + with two thousand warriors at the time of the attack on fort + Stephenson--from thence passes by land to Malden--compels general + Proctor to release an American prisoner--threatens to desert the + British cause--urges an attack upon the American fleet--opposes + Proctor's retreat from Malden--delivers a speech to him on that + occasion. + + +After abandoning the siege of fort Meigs, general Proctor and Tecumseh +returned to Malden, where the Canadian militia were disbanded, and the +Indians, who had not already left the army, for their respective +villages, were stationed at different cantonments. The Chippewas +preferred going home; the Potawatamies were placed six miles up the +river Rouge; the Miamis and Wyandots at Brownstown and up the Detroit +river, as far as Maguaga. They were successively employed by the +British commander as scouts, a party being sent regularly, once a week, +to reconnoiter fort Meigs, and other points in that vicinity. They +planted no corn and hunted but little, being regularly supplied with +provisions from Detroit and Malden. + +Early in July, the allies of the British again made their appearance in +the vicinity of fort Meigs. Dickson, an influential Scotch trader among +the Indians, having returned from the north-west with a large body of +savages, general Proctor was urged to renew the attack on the fort, and +it was accordingly done. + +Late on the evening of the 20th of July, the garrison discovered the +boats of the British army ascending the river. On the following morning +general Clay, now in command of this post, despatched a picket guard of +ten men to a point three hundred yards below the fort, where it was +surprised by the Indians, and seven of the party either killed or +captured. The combined army of British and Indians, were soon +afterwards encamped on the north side of the river, below the old +British fort Miami. For a short time, the Indians took a position in +the woods, in the rear of the fort, from which they occasionally fired +upon the garrison, but without doing any injury. In the night, captain +William Oliver, accompanied by captain M'Cune, was sent express to +general Harrison, then at Lower Sandusky, with information that fort +Meigs was again invested; and, that the united force of the enemy did +not fall far short of five thousand men. The general directed captain +M'Cune to return to the fort, with information to the commander, that +so soon as the necessary troops could be assembled, he would march to +his relief. The general doubted, however, whether any serious attack +was meditated against the place. He believed, and the result showed the +accuracy of his judgment, that the enemy was making a feint at the +Rapids, to call his attention in that direction, while Lower Sandusky +or Cleveland, would be the real point of assault. On the 23d Tecumseh, +with about eight hundred Indians, passed up the river, with the +intention, as general Clay supposed, of attacking fort Winchester: this +movement, as was subsequently ascertained, being also intended to +deceive the commander of the fort. On the 25th the enemy removed to the +south side of the river, and encamped behind a point of woods which +partly concealed them from the view of the garrison. This, taken in +connection with other circumstances, led general Clay to think that an +effort would be made to carry the post by assault. Early on the morning +of the 26th captain M'Cune reached the fort in safety. In the afternoon +of that day, the enemy practised a well devised stratagem for the +purpose of drawing general Clay and his troops from their fastness. On +the Sandusky road, just before night, a heavy firing of rifles and +muskets was heard: the Indian yell broke upon the ear, and the savages +were seen attacking with great impetuosity a column of men, who were +soon thrown into confusion; they, however, rallied, and in turn the +Indians gave way. The idea flew through the fort that general Harrison +was approaching with a body of reinforcements; and the troops under +general Clay seized their arms, and with nearly all the officers in the +garrison, demanded to be led to the support of their friends. General +Clay was unable to explain the firing, but wisely concluded, from the +information received in the morning by captain M'Cune, that there could +be no reinforcements in the neighborhood of the fort. He had the +prudent firmness to resist the earnest importunity of his officers and +men, to be led to the scene of action. The enemy finding that the +garrison could not be drawn out, and a heavy shower of rain beginning +to fall, terminated their sham-battle. It was subsequently ascertained +that this was a stratagem, devised by Tecumseh, for the purpose of +decoying out a part of the force under general Clay, which was to have +been attacked and cut off by the Indians; while the British troops were +to carry the fort by storm. But for the opportune arrival of the +express in the morning of this day, and the cool judgment of the +commander, there is great reason to suppose that this admirably planned +manoeuvre would have succeeded; which must have resulted in the total +destruction of the garrison, the combined force of the enemy, then +investing fort Meigs, being about five thousand in number, while the +troops under general Clay were but a few hundred strong. The enemy +remained around the fort but one day after the failure of this +ingenious stratagem, and on the 28th embarked with their stores, and +proceeded down the lake. + +As had been anticipated by general Harrison, immediately after the +siege was raised, the British troops sailed round into Sandusky bay, +while a portion of the Indians marched across the land, to aid in the +meditated attack upon fort Stephenson, at lower Sandusky. Tecumseh, in +the mean time, with about two thousand warriors, took a position in the +great swamp, between that point and fort Meigs, ready to encounter any +reinforcement that might have been started to the relief of general +Clay, to fall upon the camp at Seneca, or upon Upper Sandusky, +according to circumstances. The gallant defence of fort Stephenson by +captain Croghan, put a sudden stop to the offensive operations of the +army under Proctor and Tecumseh; and very shortly afterwards +transferred the scene of action to a new theatre on the Canada shore, +where these commanders were, in turn, thrown upon the defensive. + +Immediately after the signal defeat of general Proctor at fort +Stephenson, he returned with the British troops to Malden by water, +while Tecumseh and his followers passed over land round the head of +lake Erie and joined him at that point. At this time, an incident +occurred which illustrates the character of Tecumseh, while it shows +the contumely with which he was accustomed to treat general Proctor, +who did not dare to disobey him. A citizen of the United States, +captain Le Croix, had fallen into the hands of Proctor, and was +secreted on board one of the British vessels, until he could be sent +down to Montreal. Tecumseh had a particular regard for captain Le +Croix, and suspected that he had been captured. He called upon general +Proctor, and in a peremptory manner demanded if he knew any thing of +his friend. He even ordered the British general to tell him the +_truth_, adding, "If I ever detect you in a falsehood, I, with my +Indians, will immediately abandon you." The general was obliged to +acknowledge that Le Croix was in confinement. Tecumseh, in a very +imperious tone, insisted upon his immediate release. General Proctor +wrote a line stating, that the "king of the woods" desired the release +of captain Le Croix, and that he must be set at liberty; which was done +without delay.[A] + +[Footnote A: Alden Collection.] + +Discouraged by the want of success, and having lost all confidence in +general Proctor, Tecumseh now seriously meditated a withdrawal from the +contest. He assembled the Shawanoes, Wyandots and Ottawas, who were +under his command, and declared his intention to them. He told them, +that at the time they took up the tomahawk and agreed to join their +father, the king, they were promised plenty of white men to fight with +them; "but the number is not now greater," said he, "than at the +commencement of the war; and we are treated by them like the dogs of +snipe hunters; we are always sent ahead to _start the game_: it is +better that we should return to our country, and let the Americans come +on and fight the British." To this proposition his followers agreed; +but the Sioux and Chippewas, discovering his intention, went to him and +insisted that inasmuch as he had first united with the British, and had +been instrumental in bringing their tribes into the alliance, he ought +not to leave them; and through their influence he was finally induced +to remain.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +Tecumseh was on the island of Bois Blanc, in the Detroit river, when +commodore Perry made the first display of his fleet before Malden. He +appeared much pleased at the appearance of these vessels, and assured +the Indians by whom he was surrounded, that the British fleet would +soon destroy them. The Indians hastened to the shore to witness the +contest, but the harbour of Malden presented no evidence that commodore +Barclay intended to meet the American commander. Tecumseh launched his +canoe, and crossed over to Malden to make enquiries on the subject. He +called on general Proctor, and adverting to the apparent unwillingness +of commodore Barclay to attack the American fleet, he said "a few days +since, you were boasting that you commanded the waters--why do you not +go out and meet the Americans? See yonder, they are waiting for you, +and daring you to meet them: you must and shall send out your fleet and +fight them." Upon his return to the island, he stated to the Indians, +with apparent chagrin, that "the big canoes of their great father were +not yet ready, and that the destruction of the Americans must be +delayed for a few days."[A] + +[Footnote A: Ibid.] + +When the battle was finally fought, it was witnessed by the Indians +from the shore. On the day succeeding the engagement, general Proctor +said to Tecumseh, "my fleet has whipped the Americans, but the vessels +being much injured, have gone into Put-in Bay to refit, and will be +here in a few days." This deception, however, upon the Indians, was not +of long duration. The sagacious eye of Tecumseh soon perceived +indications of a retreat from Malden, and he promptly enquired into the +matter. General Proctor informed him that he was only going to send +their valuable property up the Thames, where it would meet a +reinforcement, and be safe. Tecumseh, however, was not to be deceived +by this shallow device; and remonstrated most urgently against a +retreat. He finally demanded, in the name of all the Indians under his +command, to be heard by the general, and, on the 18th of September, +delivered to him, as the representative of their great father, the +king, the following speech: + +"Father, listen to your children! you have them now all before you. + +"The war before this, our British father gave the hatchet to his red +children, when our old chiefs were alive. They are now dead. In that +war our father was thrown on his back by the Americans; and our father +took them by the hand without our knowledge; and we are afraid that our +father will do so again at this time. + +"Summer before last, when I came forward with my red brethren and was +ready to take up the hatchet in favor of our British father, we were +told not to be in a hurry, that he had not yet determined to fight the +Americans. + +"Listen! when war was declared, our father stood up and gave us the +tomahawk, and told us that he was then ready to strike the Americans; +that he wanted our assistance, and that he would certainly get our +lands back, which the Americans had taken from us. + +"Listen! you told us at that time, to bring forward our families to +this place, and we did so; and you promised to take care of them, and +they should want for nothing, while the men would go and fight the +enemy; that we need not trouble ourselves about the enemy's garrisons; +that we knew nothing about them, and that our father would attend to +that part of the business. You also told your red children that you +would take good care of your garrison here, which made our hearts glad. + +"Listen! when we were last at the Rapids, it is true we gave you little +assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like ground-hogs. + +"Father, listen! our fleet has gone out; we know they have fought; we +have heard the great guns; but we know nothing of what has happened to +our father with one arm.[A] Our ships have gone one way, and we are +much astonished to see our father tying up every thing and preparing to +run away the other, without letting his red children know what his +intentions are. You always told us to remain here and take care of our +lands; it made our hearts glad to hear that was your wish. Our great +father, the king, is the head, and you represent him. You always told +us you would never draw your foot off British ground; but now, father, +we see that you are drawing back, and we are sorry to see our father +doing so without seeing the enemy. We must compare our father's conduct +to a fat dog, that carries his tail on its back, but when affrighted, +drops it between its legs and runs off. + +"Father, listen! the Americans have not yet defeated us by land; +neither are we sure that they have done so by water; _we, therefore, +wish to remain here and fight our enemy, should they make their +appearance._ If they defeat us, we will then retreat with our father. + +"At the battle of the Rapids, last war, the Americans certainly +defeated us; and when we returned to our father's fort at that place, +the gates were shut against us. We were afraid that it would now be the +case; but instead of that, we now see our British father preparing to +march out of his garrison. + +"Father, you have got the arms and ammunition which our great father +sent for his red children. If you have an idea of going away, give them +to us, and you may go and welcome, for us. Our lives are in the hands +of the Great Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands, and if it +be his will, we wish to leave our bones upon them." + +[Footnote A: Commodore Barclay, who had lost an arm in some previous +battle.] + +General Proctor, in disregarding the advice of Tecumseh, lost his only +opportunity of making an effective resistance to the American army. Had +the troops under general Harrison been attacked by the British and +Indians at the moment of their landing on the Canada shore, the result +might have been far different from that which was shortly afterwards +witnessed on the banks of the Thames. Of the authenticity of this able +speech, there is no doubt. It has been the cause of some surprise that +it should have been preserved by general Proctor, and translated into +English, especially as it speaks of the commander of the allied army in +terms the most disrespectful. We are enabled to state, on the authority +of John Chambers, Esq. of Washington, Kentucky, who was one of the aids +of general Harrison in the campaign of 1813, that the speech as given +above, is truly translated; and was actually delivered to general +Proctor under the circumstances above related. When the battle of the +Thames had been fought, the British commander sought safety in flight. +He was pursued by colonels Wood, Chambers, and Todd, and three or four +privates. He escaped, but his baggage was captured. Colonel Chambers +was present when his port-folio was opened, and among the papers, a +translation of this speech was found. In remarking upon the fact +subsequently, to some of the British officers, they stated to colonel +Chambers that the speech was undoubtedly genuine; and that general +Proctor had ordered it to be translated and exhibited to his officers, +for the purpose of showing them the insolence with which he was treated +by Tecumseh, and the necessity he was under of submitting to every +species of indignity from him, to prevent that chief from withdrawing +his forces from the contest or turning his army against the British +troops. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Retreat of the combined British and Indian army to the river + Thames--skirmish at Chatham with the troops under general + Harrison--Tecumseh slightly wounded in the arm--battle on the Thames + on the 5th of October--Tecumseh's death. + + +Shortly after the delivery of the speech quoted in the foregoing +chapter, a considerable body of Indians abandoned general Proctor, and +crossed the strait to the American shore. Tecumseh himself again +manifested a disposition to take his final leave of the British +service. Embittered by the perfidy of Proctor, his men suffering from +want of clothes and provisions, with the prospect of a disgraceful +flight before them, he was strongly inclined to withdraw with his +followers; and leave the American general to chastise in a summary +manner those who had so repeatedly deceived him and his Indian +followers. The Sioux and Chippewas, however, again objected to this +course. _They_ could not, they said, withdraw, and there was no other +leader but Tecumseh, in whom they placed confidence: they insisted that +he was the person who had originally induced them to join the British, +and that he ought not to desert them in the present extremity. +Tecumseh, in reply to this remonstrance remarked, that the battlefield +had no terrors for him; he feared not death, and if they insisted upon +it, he would remain with them. + +General Proctor now proposed to the Indians to remove their women and +children to McGee's, opposite the river Rouge, where they would be +furnished with their winter's clothing and the necessary supplies of +food. To this proposition, Tecumseh yielded a reluctant assent; +doubting, as he did, the truth of the statement. When they were about +to start, he observed to young Jim Blue-Jacket, "we are now going to +follow the British, and I feel well assured, that we shall never +return." When they arrived at McGee's, Tecumseh found that there were +no stores provided for them, as had been represented. Proctor made +excuses; and again pledged himself to the Indians, that if they would +go with him to the Thames, they would there find an abundance of every +thing needful to supply their wants; besides a reinforcement of British +troops, and a fort ready for their reception.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +The retreat was continued towards the Thames. On the second of October, +when the army had reached Dalson's farm, Proctor and Tecumseh, attended +by a small guard, returned to examine the ground at a place called +Chatham, where a deep, unfordable creek falls into the Thames. They +were riding together in a gig, and after making the necessary +examination, the ground was approved of; and general Proctor remarked, +upon that spot they would either defeat general Harrison or there lay +their bones. With this determination Tecumseh was highly pleased, and +said, "it was a good place, and when he should look at the two streams, +they would remind him of the Wabash and the Tippecanoe." Perhaps no +better position could have been chosen for meeting the American army +than this place presented. The allied force of British and Indians, had +they made a stand upon it, would have been protected in front by a deep +unfordable stream, while their right flank would have been covered by +the Thames, and their left by a swamp. But general Proctor changed his +mind; and leaving Tecumseh with a body of Indians to defend the passage +of the stream, moved forward with the main army. Tecumseh made a prompt +and judicious arrangement of his forces; but it is said that his +Indians, in the skirmish which ensued, did not sustain their previous +reputation as warriors. It is probable, however, that their leader did +not intend to make any decided resistance to the American troops at +this point, not being willing that general Proctor and his army should +escape a meeting with the enemy. In this action Tecumseh was slightly +wounded in the arm by a ball. General Harrison, in his official report +of this affair, says: + +"Below a place called Chatham, and four miles above Dalson's, is the +third unfordable branch of the Thames: the bridge over its mouth had +been taken up by the Indians, as well as that at M'Gregor's mills, one +mile above--several hundred of the Indians remained to dispute our +passage, and upon the arrival of the advanced guard, commenced a heavy +fire from the opposite bank of the creek, as well as that of the river. +Believing that the whole force of the enemy was there, I halted the +army, formed in order of battle, and brought up our two six pounders, +to cover the party that were ordered to repair the bridge. A few shot +from these pieces soon drove off the Indians, and enabled us in two +hours to repair the bridge and cross the troops. Colonel Johnson's +mounted regiment being upon the right of the army, had seized the +remains of the bridge at the mills, under a heavy fire from the +Indians. Our loss upon this occasion was two killed, and three or four +wounded; that of the enemy was ascertained to be considerably greater. +A house near the bridge, containing a very considerable number of +muskets, had been set on fire; but it was extinguished by our troops +and the arms saved." + +Tecumseh and his party overtook they main army near the Moravian towns, +situated on the north side of the Thames. Here he resolved that he +would retreat no further; and the ground being favorable for forming +the line of battle, he communicated his determination to general +Proctor, and compelled him, as there is every reason for believing, to +put an end to his retreat, and prepare for meeting the pursuing army. +After the Indians were posted in the swamp, in the position occupied by +them during the battle, Tecumseh remarked to the chiefs by whom he was +surrounded, "brother warriors! we are now about to enter into an +engagement from which I shall never come out--my body will remain on +the field of battle." He then unbuckled his sword, and placing it in +the hands of one of them, said, "when my son becomes a noted warrior, +and able to wield a sword, give this to him." He then laid aside his +British military dress, and took his place in the line, clothed only in +the ordinary deer-skin hunting shirt.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane, and colonel Baubee of the British army.] + +The position selected by the enemy was eminently judicious. The British +troops, amounting to eight or nine hundred, were posted with their left +upon the river, which was unfordable at that point; their right +extended to and across a swamp, and united them with the Indians, under +Tecumseh, amounting to near eighteen hundred. The British artillery was +placed in the road along the margin of the river, near to the left of +their line. At from two to three hundred yards from the river, a swamp +extends nearly parallel to it, the intermediate ground being dry. This +position of the enemy, with his flank protected on the left by the +river and on the right by the swamp, filled with Indians, being such as +to prevent the wings from being turned, general Harrison made +arrangements to concentrate his forces against the British line. The +first division, under major general Henry, was formed in three lines at +one hundred yards from each other; the front line consisting of +Trotter's brigade, the second of Chiles', and the reserve of King's +brigade. These lines were in front of, and parallel to, the British +troops. The second division, under major general Desha, composed of +Allen's and Caldwell's brigades, was formed _en potence_, or at right +angles to the first division. Governor Shelby, as senior major general +of the Kentucky troops, was posted at this crotchet, formed between the +first and second divisions. Colonel Simrall's regiment of light +infantry was formed in reserve, obliquely to the first division, and +covering the rear of the front division; and, after much reflection as +to the disposition to be made of colonel Johnson's mounted troops, they +were directed, as soon as the front line advanced, to take ground to +the left, and forming upon that flank, to endeavor to turn the right of +the Indians. A detachment of regular troops, of the 26th United States +infantry, under colonel Paul, occupied the space between the road and +the river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's artillery; and, +simultaneously with this movement, forty friendly Indians were to pass +under the bank of the stream to the rear of the British line, and by +their fire and war-cry, induce the enemy to think their own Indians +were turning against them. At the same time, colonel Wood had been +instructed to make preparations for using the enemy's artillery, and to +rake their own line by a flank fire. By refusing the left or second +division, the Indians were kept _in the air_, that is, in a position in +which they would be useless. It will be seen, as the commander +anticipated, that they waited in their position the advance of the +second division, while the British left was contending with the +American right. Johnson's corps consisted of nine hundred men, and the +five brigades under governor Shelby amounted to near eighteen hundred, +in all, not exceeding two thousand seven hundred men. + +In the midst of these arrangements, and just as the order was about to +be given to the front line to advance, at the head of which general +Harrison had placed himself with his staff, colonel Wood approached him +with intelligence, that having reconnoitered the enemy, he had +ascertained the singular fact, that the British lines, instead of the +usual close order, were drawn up at _open order_. This fact at once +induced general Harrison to adopt the novel expedient of charging the +British lines with Johnson's mounted regiment. "I was within a few feet +of him," says the gallant colonel John O'Fallon, "when the report of +colonel Wood was made, and he instantly remarked, that he would make a +novel movement by ordering colonel Johnson's mounted regiment to charge +the British line of regulars, which, thus drawn up, contrary to the +habits and usages of that description of troops, always accustomed to +_the touch_, could be easily penetrated and thrown into confusion, by a +spirited charge of colonel Johnson's regiment." This determination was +presently made known to the colonel, who was directed to draw up his +regiment in close column, with its right fifty yards from the +road--that it might be partially protected by the trees from the +artillery--its left upon the swamp, and to charge at full speed upon +the enemy. + +At this juncture, general Harrison, with his aids-de-camp, attended +likewise by general Cass and commodore Perry, advanced from the right +of the front line of infantry, to the right of the front column of +mounted troops, led by colonel James Johnson. The general, personally, +gave the direction for the charge to be made. "When the right battalion +of the mounted men received the first fire of the British, the horses +in the front column recoiled; another fire was given by the enemy, but +our column getting in motion, broke through the enemy with irresistible +force. In one minute the contest was over. The British officers seeing +no prospect of reducing their disordered ranks to order, and seeing the +advance of the infantry, and our mounted men wheeling upon them and +pouring in a destructive fire, immediately surrendered."[A] + +[Footnote A: Official Despatch.] + +Colonel Richard M. Johnson, by the extension of his line, was brought +in contact with the Indians, upon whom he gallantly charged, but was +unfortunately severely wounded by the first fire of the enemy, and was +immediately taken off the field, not, however, it has been stated, +until he had despatched an Indian by a pistol shot. The fire of the +Indians having made some impression upon Johnson's men, and upon the +left of Trotter's brigade, general Harrison despatched an order to +governor Shelby to bring up Simrall's regiment to reinforce the point +pressed by the Indians; and then the general passed to the left, to +superintend the operations in that quarter. The governor, however, had +anticipated the wishes of his commander, being in the act of leading up +the regiment, when the order reached him. He and the general met near +the crochet, where after a severe contest of several minutes, the +battle finally ceased. The particulars of the charge made by colonel +Johnson on the Indians, are thus given by an intelligent officer[A] of +his corps. In a letter to the late governor Wickliffe of Kentucky, +under date of Frankfort, September 7, 1840, he says: + +"I was at the head or right of my company, on horseback, waiting +orders, at about fifty or sixty yards from the line of the enemy. +Colonel Johnson rode up and explained to me the mode of attack, and +said in substance, 'captain Davidson, I am directed by general Harrison +to charge and break through the Indian line, and form in the rear. My +brother James will charge in like manner through the British line at +the same time. The sound of the trumpet will be the signal for the +charge.' In a few minutes the trumpet sounded, and the word 'charge' +was given by colonel Johnson. The colonel charged within a few paces of +me. We struck the Indian line obliquely, and when we approached within +ten or fifteen yards of their line, the Indians poured in a heavy fire +upon us, killing ten or fifteen of our men and several horses, and +wounded colonel Johnson very severely. He immediately retired. Doctor +Theobald, of Lexington, (I think) aided him off." + +[Footnote A: Captain James Davidson, of Kentucky.--See Cincinnati +Republican.] + +The loss of the Americans in this battle was about twenty killed and +between thirty and forty wounded. The British had eighteen killed and +twenty-six wounded. The Indians left on the ground between fifty and +sixty killed; and, estimating the usual proportion for the wounded, it +was probably more than double that number. + +The British official account of this action is not before us. In a +general order under date of Montreal, November 21, 1813, the adjutant +general of the English forces, bears testimony to the good conduct of +the Indian warriors, who gallantly maintained the conflict under the +brave chief Tecumseh. This tribute to the Indians and their leader is +well merited. Had general Proctor and his troops fought with the same +valor that marked the conduct of Tecumseh and his men, the results of +the day would have been far more creditable to the British arms. It has +already been stated that Tecumseh entered this battle with a strong +conviction on his mind that he should not survive it. Further flight he +deemed disgraceful, while the hope of victory in the impending action, +was feeble and distant. He, however, heroically resolved to achieve the +latter or die in the effort. With this determination, he took his stand +among his followers, raised the war-cry and boldly met the enemy. From +the commencement of the attack on the Indian line, his voice was +distinctly heard by his followers, animating them to deeds worthy of +the race to which they belonged. When that well known voice was heard +no longer above the din of arms, the battle ceased. The British troops +having already surrendered, and the gallant leader of the Indians +having fallen, they gave up the contest and fled. A short distance from +where Tecumseh fell, the body of his friend and brother-in-law, +Wasegoboah, was found. They had often fought side by side, and now, in +front of their men, bravely battling the enemy, they side by side +closed their mortal career.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +James, a British historian,[A] in his account of the battle of the +Thames, makes the following remarks upon the character and personal +appearance of Tecumseh. + +"Thus fell the Indian warrior Tecumseh, in the 44th year of his age. He +was of the Shawanoe tribe, five feet ten inches high, and with more +than the usual stoutness, possessed all the agility and perseverance of +the Indian character. His carriage was dignified, his eye penetrating, +his countenance, which even in death, betrayed the indications of a +lofty spirit, rather of the sterner cast. Had he not possessed a +certain austerity of manners, he could never have controlled the +wayward passions of those who followed him to battle. He was of a +silent habit; but when his eloquence became roused into action by the +reiterated encroachments of the Americans, his strong intellect could +supply him with a flow of oratory that enabled him, as he governed in +the field, so to prescribe in the council. Those who consider that in +all territorial questions, the ablest diplomatists of the United States +are sent to negociate with the Indians, will readily appreciate the +loss sustained by the latter in the death of their champion. * * * * +Such a man was the unlettered savage, Tecumseh, and such a man have the +Indians lost forever. He has left a son, who, when his father fell, was +about seventeen years old, and fought by his side. The prince regent, +in 1814, out of respect to the memory of the old, sent out as a present +to the young, Tecumseh, a handsome sword. Unfortunately, however, for +the Indian cause and country, faint are the prospects that Tecumseh the +son, will ever equal, in wisdom or prowess, Tecumseh the father." + +[Footnote A: Military Occurrences of the Late War.] + +Mr. James (p. 295,) asserts, that Tecumseh was not only scalped, but +that his body was actually _flayed_, and the skin converted into +razor-straps by the Kentuckians. We fear there is too much truth in +this statement. It is confirmed by the testimony of several American +officers and privates, who were in the battle of the Thames. It is +painful to make an admission of this kind, but truth forbids the +suppression of a fact, when fairly established, however revolting to +the feelings of humanity, or degrading to a people. That there was any +general participation of our troops in this inhuman and revolting deed, +is not for a moment to be supposed. That it was the act of a few vulgar +and brutish individuals, is, we think, just as certain, as that the +great mass of the army were shocked at its perpetration. It is to be +regretted that the names of the persons who committed this outrage have +not been preserved, that their conduct on this occasion might have been +held up to universal condemnation. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + Critical examination of the question "who killed Tecumseh?"--colonel + R. M. Johnson's claim considered. + + +Tecumseh was a determined and subtle enemy of the United States, and +during the palmy days of his bold career, wielded an influence over the +north-western Indians which belonged to no other chief. His death was +consequently an important circumstance in relation to the peace and +safety of the frontiers. But whether he fell by a pistol shot from a +field officer, or a rifle ball from a private soldier, however +interesting as a matter of personal history, is certainly not one of +national importance. Nevertheless, the question by whose hands he fell, +has engaged public attention to some considerable extent ever since the +memorable battle of the Thames. Its discussion has not been confined to +the immediate friends of the several aspirants for the honor of having +slain this distinguished warrior; it has enlivened the political +canvass, and the halls of legislation; occupied the columns of journals +and magazines, and filled no inconsiderable space on the pages of +American and British histories. Under such circumstances, and as +directly connected with the present biography, a fair presentation of +all the testimony bearing on the case will now be attempted. It may at +least gratify the public curiosity, if it do not definitively settle +the long pending question in relation to the actual _slayer of +Tecumseh_. + +M'Affee, in his History of the Late War, says, Tecumseh "was found +among the dead, at the point where colonel Johnson had charged upon the +enemy, in person, and it is generally believed, that this celebrated +chief fell by the hand of the colonel. It is certain that the latter +killed the Indian with his pistol, who shot him through his hand, at +the very spot where Tecumseh lay; but another dead body lay at the same +place, and Mr. King, a soldier in captain Davidson's company, had the +honor of killing one of them." + +Brown, in his history of the same war, says, that "colonel Johnson, +after receiving four wounds, perceived the daring Tecumseh commanding +and attempting to rally his savage force; when he instantly put his +horse towards him, and was shot by Tecumseh in the hand, as he +approached him. Tecumseh advanced with a drawn weapon, a sword or +tomahawk, at which instant the colonel, having reserved his fire, shot +his ferocious antagonist dead at his feet; and that too, at the moment +he was almost fainting with the loss of blood and the anguish of five +wounds." + +The statement of Shawbeneh, a Potawatamie chief, lately published in +the "Chicago Democrat," goes to prove that Tecumseh was wounded in the +neck; and telling his warriors that he must die, rushed forward to kill +colonel Johnson. Shawbeneh saw him fall, having been shot by the +colonel, just as his arm had reached the necessary height to strike the +fatal blow. Shawbeneh says that colonel Johnson was riding a large +white horse, with occasionally a jet black spot. He further states that +Tecumseh's body was not mutilated by the American troops. + +The testimony of another Potawatamie chief, Chamblee, as furnished us +by captain Robert Anderson, of the U.S. army, is to this effect: + +He saw Tecumseh engaged in a personal rencontre with a soldier armed +with a musket; that the latter made a thrust at the chief, who caught +the bayonet under his arm, where he held it, and was in the act of +striking his opponent with his tomahawk, when a horseman rode up, and +shot Tecumseh dead with a pistol. The horseman had a red feather, +(plume) in his hat, and was mounted on a spotted or red-roan horse; he +further says, that he saw the body of Tecumseh a day or two after the +battle, and that it was not mutilated. + +In a work entitled "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," +there is the following note: + +"A Potawatamie chief was thus questioned: Were you at the battle of the +Thames? Yes. Did you know Tecumseh? Yes. Were you near him in the +fight? Yes. Did you see him fall? Yes. Who shot him? Don't know. Did +you see the man that shot him? Yes. What sort of looking man was he? +Short, thick man. What color was the horse he rode? Most white. How do +you know this man shot Tecumseh? I saw the man ride up--saw his horse +get tangled in some bushes--when the horse was most still, I saw +Tecumseh level his rifle at the man and shoot--the man shook on his +horse--soon the horse got out of the bushes, and the man spurred him +up--horse came slow--Tecumseh right before him--man's left hand hung +down--just as he got near, Tecumseh lifted his tomahawk and was going +to throw it, when the man shot him with a short gun (pistol)--Tecumseh +fell dead and we all ran." + +Mr. Garrett Wall, of Kentucky, who participated in the battle of the +Thames, says: + +" ---- The men by this time had collected in groups; and it was remarked +that colonel R. M. Johnson was dead, but I contradicted the report; +also, that the great Indian commander, Tecumseh, was slain; I asked by +what authority? I was told that Anthony Shane, who had known him from a +small boy, said so, and had seen him among the slain. In a short time I +saw Shane with a small group of men, walking towards a dead Indian; as +he approached the body, I asked him if he knew that Indian. He said it +was, in his opinion, Tecumseh; but he could tell better if the blood +was taken from his face. I examined the Indian. He was shot in the left +side of the breast with several balls or buck shot, all entering near +and above the left nipple. There was also a wound in his head, too +small for a rifle ball to make." + +Atwater, in his History of Ohio, remarks, that two Winnebago chiefs, +Four-Legs and Carymaunee, told him, that Tecumseh, at the commencement +of the battle of the Thames, lay with his warriors in a thicket of +underbrush on the left of the American army, and that they were, at no +period of the battle, out of their covert--that no officer was seen +between them and the American troops--that Tecumseh fell the very first +fire of the Kentucky dragoons, pierced by thirty bullets, and was +carried four or five miles into the thick woods and there buried by the +warriors, who told the story of his fate. + +In 1838, a writer in the Baltimore American published Black Hawk's +account of the fall of Tecumseh. It is as follows: + +" ---- Shortly after this, the Indian spies came in and gave word of the +near approach of the Americans. Tecumseh immediately posted his men in +the edge of a swamp, which flanked the British line, placing himself at +their head. I was a little to his right with a small party of Sauks. It +was not long before the Americans made their appearance; they did not +perceive us at first, hid as we were by the undergrowth, but we soon +let them know where we were, by pouring in one or two vollies as they +were forming into line to oppose the British. They faltered a little; +but very soon we perceived a large body of horse (colonel Johnson's +regiment of mounted Kentuckians) preparing to charge upon us in the +swamp. They came bravely on; yet we never stirred until they were so +close that we could see the flints in their guns, when Tecumseh, +springing to his feet, gave the Shawanoe war-cry, and discharged his +rifle. This was the signal for us to commence the battle, but it did +not last long; the Americans answered the shout, returning our fire, +and at the first discharge of their guns, I saw Tecumseh stagger +forwards over a fallen tree, near which he was standing, letting his +rifle drop at his feet. As soon as the Indians discovered that he was +killed, a sudden fear came over them, and thinking the Great Spirit was +angry, they fought no longer, and were quickly put to flight. That +night we returned to bury our dead; and search for the body of +Tecumseh. He was found lying where he had first fallen; a bullet had +struck him above the hip, and his skull had been broken by the butt end +of the gun of some soldier, who had found him, perhaps, when life was +not yet quite gone. With the exception of these wounds, his body was +untouched: lying near him was a large fine looking Potawatamie, who had +been killed, decked off in his plumes and war-paint, whom the Americans +no doubt had taken for Tecumseh for he was scalped and every particle +of skin flayed from his body. Tecumseh himself had no ornaments about, +his person, save a British medal. During the night, we buried our dead, +and brought off the body of Tecumseh, although we were in sight of the +fires of the American camp." + +James, a British historian,[A] after describing the battle of the +Thames, remarks: + +"It seems extraordinary that general Harrison should have omitted to +mention in his letter, the death of a chief, whose fall contributed so +largely to break down the Indian spirit, and to give peace and security +to the whole north-western frontier of the United States. Tecumseh, +although he had received a musket ball in the left arm, was still +seeking the hottest of the fire, when he encountered colonel Richard M. +Johnson, member of congress from Kentucky. Just as the chief, having +discharged his rifle, was rushing forward with his tomahawk, he +received a ball in the head from the colonel's pistol. Thus fell the +Indian warrior, Tecumseh, in the forty-fourth year of his age. * * * * +The body of Tecumseh was recognized, not only by the British officers, +who were prisoners, but by commodore Perry, and several American +officers." + +[Footnote A; "Military Occurrences of the Late War between Great +Britain and the United States, by William James, 2 vols. London, +1818."] + +This writer adds, that Tecumseh was scalped and his body flayed by the +Kentuckians. + +In Butler's History of Kentucky, there is a letter from the reverend +Obediah B. Brown, of Washington city, then a clerk in the general +post-office, under date of 18th September, 1834, in which the writer +says, in substance: + +That colonel Johnson, while leading the advance upon the left wing of +the Indians, saw an Indian commander, who appeared to be a rallying +point for his savage companions, and whose costume indicated the +superiority of his rank; that colonel Johnson, sitting upon his horse, +covered with wounds and very feint with the loss of blood, and having a +pistol in his right hand loaded with a ball and three buck-shot, +thought that the fate of the battle depended upon killing this +formidable chief, and he accordingly rode round a fallen tree for this +purpose; that the chief, perceiving his approach, levelled his rifle +and shot the colonel in the left hand; that the colonel continued to +advance upon him, and at the moment when the Indian was raising his +tomahawk, shot him dead with his pistol; that this deed spread +consternation among the savages, and with hideous yells, they began +from that point their retreat; that as soon as the battle ended, the +Indian killed by colonel Johnson was recognized as Tecumseh; and before +the colonel had so far recovered from the effects of his wounds as to +be able to speak, word ran through the army that he had killed +Tecumseh; and finally, that a medal was taken from the body which was +known to have been presented to this chief by the British government. +Mr. Brown further states, that a conversation which he had with Anthony +Shane, some years since, strengthened his belief that Tecumseh fell by +the hand of colonel Johnson; that Shane told him he went, after the +battle, to the spot where it was reported the colonel had killed an +Indian, and there he saw the dead body of Tecumseh, and that he must +have been killed by a horseman, as a ball and three buck-shot had +entered the breast and passed downwards; that he could not be mistaken +as to the body of Tecumseh, as he had a remarkable scar upon his thigh, +which, upon examination, was found as he had described it. + +By recurring to the foregoing statements, it will be seen that eight +Indians have borne testimony in relation to the death of Tecumseh. Of +these, four assert that he was killed by the first fire from the +American line; and four that he fell by the hands of a horseman, some +time after the commencement of the action. One of these witnesses +states that Tecumseh was shot in the neck; another, that he was hit +above or in the eyes; two others that he was killed by a ball in the +hip; and again two others, that he was pierced by thirty bullets on the +first fire of our troops. Three of these witnesses testify that the +body of the fallen chief was mutilated by taking the skin from off the +thigh, and three that it was not. One of them saw the body the day +after the action, lying on the battle ground; a second bears witness +that it was buried on the spot the night of the battle; and a third, +that it was carried four or five miles into the woods, and there +interred. A further examination of the testimony will show that these +eight witnesses concur but in one single point,--that Tecumseh was +killed in the battle of the Thames. As to the nature of his wounds, the +mutilation of his body, the time when, the spot where, and by whose +hands, he fell, these various statements are wholly irreconcilable with +each other, and leave the main question involved in additional doubt +and obscurity. + +As the claim of colonel Johnson to the honor of having killed Tecumseh, +has been recently and earnestly urged upon the public consideration, we +propose, even at the risk of some repetition, to examine in detail the +testimony which bears upon this point. + +It will be recollected that the Potawatamie chief, whose narrative is +quoted from the "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," +testifies that Tecumseh met his death by a wound above or in the eyes; +and, that upon his fall the Indians ran. If these statements be true, +Tecumseh could not have been killed by colonel Johnson, as will be +satisfactorily established in the course of this examination. + +Shawbeneh, another Potawatamie chief, states that Tecumseh was mortally +wounded in the neck, before he rushed upon the individual who killed +him. All the other witnesses, except one, say that Tecumseh remained +stationary, and that the horseman who fired the fatal shot, advanced +upon him. + +Chamblee, the third Potawatamie who testifies in the case, states that +Tecumseh was engaged in a personal conflict with a soldier armed with a +musket, when a horseman, on a spotted horse, rode up and shot him dead +with a pistol. This account is not sustained by any other witness. + +Captain M'Affee, who belonged to the mounted regiment, and who has +written a history of the late war, says, it is _generally believed that +Tecumseh fell by the hand of colonel Johnson_; but the historian +candidly admits that there was another dead Indian at the spot where +Tecumseh lay, and that Mr. King, of captain Davidson's company, killed +one of them. It May be questioned whether there is or ever has been any +_general belief_,--whatever vague reports may have been +circulated,--that colonel Johnson killed this chief; but even if such +were the case, it does not by any means establish the allegation. + +Brown, another historian of the late war, says, in general terms, that +Tecumseh advanced upon the colonel with a sword or tomahawk, and that +the colonel shot him dead. Tecumseh wore no sword in that action, nor +did he advance upon colonel Johnson. Mr. Brown cites no authorities for +his loose and general statements. + +Garrett Wall testifies that he went to the spot where he was told +colonel Johnson had fought, and there questioned Anthony Shane about +the dead Indian before them. Shane remarked that he could tell better +whether it was Tecumseh, if the blood was washed from the face. It does +not appear that this was done, nor that Shane became satisfied as to +the identity of the dead Indian. Mr. Wall infers that Tecumseh fell by +a shot from colonel Johnson, because it was so reported, and because +they both led their warriors to the charge, and the desire of victory +brought them together. Mr. Wall cites no evidence to prove that the +body over which Shane was doubting, fell by the colonel--a link in the +chain of testimony, altogether important in making out his case. + +The Rev. Obediah B. Brown, however, at Washington, is by far the most +precise in his statements, of all the witnesses. But it is proper, +before entering upon the examination of his testimony, to state that he +was not at the battle of the Thames; and that his letter, in regard to +Tecumseh's death, was written in 1834, more than twenty years after the +action was fought, and upon the eve of a political campaign, in which +his friend, colonel Johnson, was an aspirant for a high and honorable +office. Mr. Brown, it is further proper to add, derived his information +from "several persons," but he has inadvertently omitted the names of +all but one. + +He commences by saying, that colonel Johnson saw an Indian known to be +a chief by his costume. Now it has been already shown that Tecumseh +entered the action dressed in the plain deer-skin garb of his tribe, +having nothing about him which would indicate his rank. The colonel +thought, continues Mr. B., that the fate of the day depended upon the +fall of this chief. The question might be asked whether the thoughts of +colonel Johnson, at this particular juncture, became known to the +witness by a logical process of ratiocination, or by a direct personal +communication from his distinguished friend? He states further, that +the colonel rode up within a few feet of the chief, received his fire, +and then shot him dead with his pistol. This act, says the witness, +caused the savages to retreat in consternation: now, the fact is well +established, that the Indians, at this very point, fought bravely for +twenty or twenty-five minutes after colonel Johnson was compelled, by +his wounds, to leave the scene of action: it is further stated by Mr. +B. that before the colonel was so far recovered from his wounds, as to +be able to speak, it ran through the army that he had killed Tecumseh. +Mr. Wall, who was in the action, says, that after colonel Johnson had +retired from the contest, and was lifted from his horse, he said to +those around him, "my brave men, the battle continues, leave me, and do +not return until you bring me an account of the victory." Thus it would +seem that the colonel, within a few minutes after receiving his last +wound, was giving orders to his men, and in the mean time, according to +Mr. B., "word ran through the army that he had killed Tecumseh." This +is more remarkable, when it is recollected, that the only person, +except the commanding general, who could identify the fallen chief, was +Anthony Shane, and he was in a different part of the field, (on the +bank of the Thames) and did not visit this part of the line until the +action was entirely over! The witness further states, that no other +chief of high rank was killed in this part of the line, but Tecumseh. +Anthony Shane says that Tecumseh's brother-in-law, and principal chief, +Wasegoboah, was killed ten or fifteen steps from where Tecumseh fell. +Black Hawk also testifies, that near Tecumseh, there was lying a large, +fine looking Potawatamie, decked off in his plumes and war-paint, whom +the Americans mistook for Tecumseh. Mr. B. says that a medal was taken +from the body of the Indian killed by colonel Johnson, which was known +to have been presented by the British government to Tecumseh. Where is +the authority for this? When Shane was examining the body, and so much +in doubt whether it was Tecumseh as to require the blood to be washed +from the face, before he could decide with certainty, where was this +medal, which of itself would have settled the question of identity? It +is singular, that neither Shane nor Wall speaks of a medal. Mr. B. says +that Tecumseh was killed by a ball and three buckshot, fired by a +horseman, and as colonel Johnson was the only person in that part of +the battle who fought on horseback, his pistols being loaded with a +ball and three buckshot, settles the question, that the colonel killed +Tecumseh. Again, the question may be asked, how Mr. B. knows the fact +as to the manner in which these pistols were loaded? And if they were +so loaded, who can say whether the chief was killed by this shot, the +wound in the eyes, that in the neck, or the one in the hip? But again; +colonel Johnson was not the only person who fought on horseback in this +part of the battle. He led a "forlorn hope" of twenty men, all mounted; +while on his left was Davidson's company of one hundred and forty men, +also on horseback. Mr. Wall, who was one of the "forlorn hope," says, +"the fighting became very severe, each party mingling with the other." +Finally, Mr. B. closes his testimony with the remark, that it was well +known and acknowledged, by the British and Indians, at the time, that +Tecumseh received his death from the hand of colonel Johnson, as +appears by James' History of the Late War. It is stated by the +historian here cited, that colonel Johnson shot Tecumseh in the +head--that the body was recognized not only by the British officers who +were prisoners, but by commodore Perry and several other American +officers: Mr. James also expresses his surprise that general Harrison +should have omitted, in his official letter to the War Department, to +mention the death of this chief. Now, we have the authority of several +American officers, of high rank, for stating, that these British +officers were not, on the evening of the day on which the action was +fought, in that part of the line where Tecumseh fell; and that early on +the ensuing morning, they were taken to a house two miles below the +battle ground, and from thence to Detroit, without returning to the +scene of their defeat, Mr. James is, therefore, incorrect on this +point, as he certainly is, in saying that commodore Perry and other +American officers recognized the body of Tecumseh. The commodore had +never seen this chief prior to the afternoon of the battle in which he +fell. General Harrison, it is believed, was the only American officer +in the engagement, who had a personal knowledge of Tecumseh. The day +after the battle, the general, attended by several of his officers, +visited the battle ground. The body of the Indian, supposed to be that +of Tecumseh, was pointed out to him, but owing to its swollen +condition, he was unable to say whether it was Tecumseh, or a +Potawatamie chief, who usually visited Vincennes in company with him: +he felt confident it was one of the two, but further than this could +not pronounce with certainty. Mr. James and Anthony Shane are Mr. +Brown's chief witnesses. The first states that Tecumseh was shot with a +musket ball in the arm, and finally killed by a ball in the head from +colonel Johnson's pistol: the second testifies that he fell by a ball +and three buckshot which entered his left breast, and that he was +wounded in no other part: the former says that Tecumseh's body was +literally flayed--the latter, that only a small piece of skin was cut +from one of his thighs.[A] It remains for Mr. Brown to reconcile these +glaring discrepancies in the testimony of his own witnesses. If this +dissection of Mr. Brown's elaborated letter, presents him more in the +light of the partizan advocate than that of the faithful historian, we +are not responsible for it; and if he has failed to establish the fact +that colonel Johnson killed Tecumseh, he must probably look for the +reason of that failure in the weakness of his claims, rather than in +any lack of zeal in advocating the colonel's cause. + +[Footnote A: See James Military Occurrences, and Anthony Shane's +Narrative.] + +Our analysis of the testimony which has at different times been brought +before the public, tending to establish the supposition that Tecumseh +fell by the hands of colonel Johnson, is now closed; and we think it +will be admitted, in reviewing the case, that the claims of the colonel +have not been satisfactorily established, either by direct or +circumstantial evidence. But we have further testimony to offer on this +point. + +It is proved by a number of witnesses, and among them several who are +relied upon to establish the fact, that colonel Johnson killed +Tecumseh, that upon the fall of this chief, the action ceased and the +Indians fled. + +Even the reverend Mr. Brown admits such to have been the case. Now, we +propose to show that colonel Johnson was wounded and retired from the +scene of action at its commencement; and that the contest lasted for +twenty or thirty minutes afterwards. As to the first point, captain +Davidson, who was by the side of colonel Johnson, says, "We struck the +Indian line obliquely, and when we approached within ten or fifteen +yards of their line, the Indians poured in a heavy fire upon us, +killing ten or fifteen of our men and several horses, and wounding +colonel Johnson very severely. He immediately retired."[A] Colonel +Ambrose Dudley says, "As I passed to the left, near the crochet, after +the firing had ceased on the right, I met colonel R.M. Johnson passing +diagonally from the swamp towards the line of infantry, and spoke with +him. He said he was badly wounded, his gray mare bleeding profusely in +several places. The battle continued with the Indians on the left. The +infantry, with some of colonel R. M. Johnson's troops mixed up +promiscuously with them, continued the battle for half an hour after +colonel Johnson was disabled and had ceased to command his men."[B] +Doctor S. Theobald, of Lexington, Kentucky, one of the surgeons to the +mounted regiment, says, "colonel Johnson was wounded in the onset of +the battle. I had the honor to compose one of his 'forlorn hope,' and +followed him in the charge. It is impossible, under such circumstances, +to estimate time with precision; but I know the period was a very brief +one from the firing of the first guns, which indeed was tremendously +heavy, till colonel Johnson approached me covered with wounds, but +still mounted. I think he said to me, I am severely wounded, which way +shall I go? That I replied, follow me, which he did: and I conducted +him directly across the swamp, on the margin of which we had charged, +and to the point where doctor Mitchell, surgeon-general of Shelby's +corps, was stationed. Some one hundred and fifty or two hundred yards +in the rear, colonel Johnson was taken from his horse. He appeared +faint and much exhausted. I asked him if he would have water, to which +he answered, yes. I cast about immediately for some, but there was none +at hand, nor any thing that I could see to bring it in, better than a +common funnel, which I saw lying on the ground, and which I seized and +ran to the river, (Thames) a distance probably of one hundred yards or +more; and closing the extremity of the funnel with my finger, made use +of it as a cup, from which I gave him drink. In a few minutes after +this, Garret Wall, who also composed one of the 'forlorn hope,' and was +thrown from his horse in the charge, came and solicited me to return +with him to the ground on which we had charged, to aid him in +recovering his lost saddle-bags. I assented. We crossed the narrow +swamp, to which I have before alluded, and had not progressed far, +before we came to the body of one of our men who had been killed, and +who I recognized as Mansfield, of captain Stucker's company: a little +further, that of Scott, of Coleman's company; and progressing some +forty or fifty steps (it may have been more,) in advance of that, we +found our venerable and brave old comrade, colonel Whitley, who was +also of the 'forlorn hope.' Near him, in a moment, I well remember to +have noticed, with a feeling and exclamation of exultation, the body of +an Indian; and some twenty or thirty steps in advance of this, another +Indian, which last was afterwards designated as the body of Tecumseh. I +distinctly recollect, that as we returned to make this search, the +firing was still kept up some distance off on our left"[C] + +[Footnote A: Cincinnati Republican, 30th September, 1840] + +[Footnote B: See Cincinnati Republican, 30th September, 1840. ] + +[Footnote C: Dr. Theobald's letter, dated 27th November, 1840, in +possession of the author of this work.] + +Testimony on these points might be multiplied, but could add nothing to +the force of that which is here cited. The letter of Dr. Theobald is +conclusive as to the time when colonel Johnson was wounded, and the +period during which the action continued after he retired from the +battle ground. It seems the colonel was disabled at the beginning of +the action with the Indians, and immediately rode from the field; that +the action lasted for near half an hour; that Tecumseh fell at or near +the close of it; and that he could not, therefore, have fallen by the +hand of colonel Johnson. Whether the leader of the "forlorn hope" can +claim the credit of having actually killed an Indian chief on this +memorable day, is not the immediate question before us: that he acted +with dauntless bravery, in promptly charging the Indian line, during +the brief period which he remained unwounded, is universally admitted; +but that he is entitled to the honor, (if such it may be called,) of +having personally slain the gifted "king of the woods," will not be so +readily conceded. + +James, the British historian, from whose "Military Occurrences" we have +already quoted, having charged general Harrison with designedly +omitting, in his official report, all reference to the death of +Tecumseh, leaves the inference to be drawn by the reader, that the +omission was prompted by a feeling of envy towards colonel Johnson, who +had done the deed. It is due to the cause of truth, not less than to +the reputation of the American commander, that this charge should be +impartially examined. It is true, that the official account of the +battle of the Thames does not mention the death of Tecumseh, and the +propriety of this omission will be sufficiently obvious from the +following narrative. + +General Harrison and Anthony Shane, so far as it is known, were the +only persons in the American army who were personally acquainted with +Tecumseh. It is possible that some of the friendly Indians, commanded +by Shane, may have known him; but it does not appear that any of them +undertook to identify the body after the battle was over. Shane was +under the impression, on the evening of the action, that he had found +the body of Tecumseh among the slain; but, as Mr. Wall testifies, +expressed himself with caution. General Harrison himself was not, on +the following day, enabled to identify with certainty the body of this +chief, as appears from the testimony of a member of the general's +military family, which we here quote, as having a direct bearing on the +question under consideration: + +"I am authorised," says colonel Charles S. Todd,[A] "by several +officers of general Harrison's staff, who were in the battle of the +Thames, to state most unequivocally their belief, that the general +neither knew nor could have known the fact of the death of Tecumseh, at +the date of his letter to the war department. It was the uncertainty +which prevailed, as to the fact of Tecumseh's being killed, that +prevented any notice of it in his report. On the next day after the +battle, general Harrison, in company with commodore Perry and other +officers, examined the body of an Indian supposed to be Tecumseh; but +from its swollen and mutilated condition, he was unable to decide +whether it was that chief or a Potawatamie who usually visited him at +Vincennes, in company with Tecumseh; and I repeat most unhesitatingly, +that neither commodore Perry nor any officer in the American army, +excepting general Harrison, had ever seen Tecumseh previously to the +battle; and even though he had recognized the body which he examined to +be that of the celebrated chief, it was manifestly impossible that he +could have known whether he was killed by Johnson's corps, or by that +part of the infantry which participated in the action. No official or +other satisfactory report of his death, was made to him by those +engaged on that part of the battle ground where he fell. It was not +until after the return of the army to Detroit, and after the date of +general Harrison's despatches,[B] that it was ascertained from the +enemy, that Tecumseh was _certainly_ killed; and even then the opinion +of the army was divided as to the person by whose hands he fell. Some +claimed the credit of it for colonel Whitley, some for colonel Johnson; +but others, constituting a majority, including governor Shelby, +entertained the opinion that he fell by a shot from David King, a +private in captain Davidson's company, from Lincoln county, Kentucky. +In this state of the case, even had the fact of Tecumseh's death been +fully ascertained, at the date of general Harrison's letter, it would +have been manifestly unjust, not to say impracticable, for the +commander-in-chief to have expressed an opinion as to the particular +individual to whose personal prowess his death was to be +attributed."[C] + +[Footnote A: One of the aids of general Harrison, and inspector-general +of the United States army, during the late war.] + +[Footnote B: Early on the 7th, general Harrison left the army under the +command of governor Shelby, and returned to Detroit. His report of the +battle, was dated on the 9th. The army did not reach Sandwich, opposite +Detroit, until the 10th.] + +[Footnote C: See Louisville Journal.] + +In taking leave of this branch of our subject, it may be remarked, that +the strong terms of approbation in which general Harrison, in his +official account of the battle of the Thames, speaks of the bravery and +bearing of colonel Johnson in the conflict, should have shielded him +from the suspicion that any unkind feeling towards that officer was +allowed to sway his judgment in the preparation of his report. + +We now proceed to give some testimony in favor of other individuals, +whose friends have claimed for them the credit of having slain +Tecumseh. It has been already stated, that before our army left the +field of battle, it was reported and believed by many of the troops, +that colonel Whitley, of Johnson's corps of mounted men, had killed the +Indian commander in the action of the Thames. The only testimony, in +confirmation of this report, which has fallen under our observation, is +contained in the two following communications. The first is a letter +from Mr. Abraham Scribner, now of Greenville, Ohio, under date of +September 8th, 1840. The writer says--"I had never seen Tecumseh, until +the body was shown to me on the battle ground on the river Thames: by +whose hand he fell must always be a matter of uncertainty. My own +opinion was, the day after the battle, and is yet, that Tecumseh fell +by a ball from the rifle of colonel Whitley, an old Indian fighter: two +balls passed through colonel Whitley's head, at the moment that +Tecumseh fell; he (colonel Whitley,) was seen to take aim at the Indian +said to be Tecumseh, and his rifle was found empty." + +The second is from colonel Ambrose Dudley, of Cincinnati, under date of +24th February, 1841, and is in the following words: + +"The morning after the battle of the Thames, in company with several +other persons, I walked over the ground, to see the bodies of those who +had been slain in the engagement. After passing from the river a +considerable distance, and the latter part of the way along what was +termed a swamp, viewing the slain of the British army, we came to a +place where some half a dozen persons were standing, and three dead +Indians were lying close together. One of the spectators remarked, that +he had witnessed that part of the engagement which led to the death of +these three Indians and two of our troops, whose bodies had been +removed the evening before for burial. He proceeded to point out the +position of the slain as they lay upon the ground, with that of our +men. He said old colonel Whitley rode up to the body of a tree, which +lay before him, and behind which lay an Indian: he (the Indian,) +attempted to fire, but from some cause did not succeed, and then +Whitley instantly shot him. This Indian was recognized by one of the +persons present as Tecumseh: the next Indian was pointed out as having +killed Whitley; then the position of another of our troops who killed +that Indian, and the Indian who killed him, with the position of the +man who shot the third Indian--making three Indians and two Americans +who had fallen on a very small space of ground. From the manner of the +narrator, and the facts related at the time, I did not doubt the truth +of his statement, nor have I ever had any reason to doubt it since. The +Indian pointed out as Tecumseh, was wearing a bandage over a wound in +the arm, and as it was known that Tecumseh had been slightly wounded in +the arm the day before, while defending the passage of a creek, my +conviction was strengthened by this circumstance, that the body before +us was that of Tecumseh." + +The reader will decide for himself how far this testimony sustains the +plea that has been raised for colonel Whitley. It is certainly clear +and to the point, and presents a plausible case in support of his +claim. + +Mr. David King is the other individual to whom reference has been made +as entitled to the credit of having killed the great Shawanoe chief. He +was a private in captain James Davidson's company of mounted men, +belonging to Johnson's corps. The statement given below in support of +King's claim, was written by the editor of the Frankfort (Ky.) +Commentator, and published in that journal in 1831. It is given on the +authority of captain Davidson and his brother, two highly respectable +citizens of Kentucky, both of whom belonged to colonel Johnson's +mounted regiment, and were in the battle of the Thames. We have omitted +the first part of this statement as irrelevant to the point in issue. + +"While these things were acting in this part of the field, and towards +the close of the action, which did not last long--for though much was +done, it was done quickly--when the enemy was somewhat thinned and +considerably scattered, and our men were scattered amongst them, Clark, +one of the men mentioned above, suddenly called out to his comrade, +David King, to 'take care of the Indian that was near to him.' The +warrior turned upon Clark; at the same instant, King fired at him with +Whitley's gun, and lodged the two balls which he knew it was loaded +with, in the chieftain's breast--for when Whitley fell, King threw away +his own gun, and took the better one and the powder horn of the old +Indian fighter. The Indian droped upon King's fire:--'Whoop--by G----' +exclaimed King, 'he was every inch a soldier. I have killed one d----d +yellow bugger,' and passed on. Giles saw this occurrence as well as +Clark, and so did Von Treece--they were all together. From the +commencement of the fight, the voice of an Indian commander had been +distinctly heard and observed by our soldiers. About this time it +ceased, and was heard no more: _Tecumseh was dead._ Presently a cry of +'_how! how!_' was raised among the Indians; upon which they turned and +fled, pursued by our soldiers. + +"Upon the return of the volunteers from the pursuit, King proposed to +Sam Davidson, his friend and relative, and to other comrades, to go +round with him by the spot where he had killed the Indian, because he +wanted to get his fine leggins. They had noticed a particular tree and +a log, near to which the Indian fell. They found the tree without +difficulty, but the body was not discovered quite so readily; but King +insisted that it must be somewhere thereabouts. Sam Davidson first +discovered it. It was lying behind a tree, face downward. '_Here he +is_,' said Davidson, 'but I see no wound upon him.' '_Roll him over_,' +said King, 'and if it is my Indian, you will find two bullet holes in +his left breast.' It was done; and there were the two bullet holes, an +inch apart, just below the left pap--the same, no doubt, where King's +balls had entered. The Indian, from his dress, was evidently a chief. +His fanciful leggins, (King's main object in hunting out the body,) his +party-colored worsted sash, his pistols, his two dirks, all his dress +and equipments, were the _undisputed_ spoils of King. He kept one of +the dirks, the sash, and moccasins for himself; the rest he distributed +as presents among his messmates. + +"Now, _it was this very Indian_, which was afterwards identified by +those who had known him, as TECUMSEH--_this and no other_." + +This testimony, coming as it does from a highly respectable quarter, +would seem to be conclusive in favor of the claim of King. It contains, +however, statements which, if true, greatly weaken its force; and, +indeed, in our opinion, dissipate at once the idea that the Indian +killed by King was Tecumseh. The narrative states that "the Indian, +from his dress, was evidently a chief. His fanciful leggins, his +party-colored worsted sash, his pistols, his two dirks, all his dress +and equipments, were the undisputed spoils of King." Now, if there be +any one fact connected with the fall of Tecumseh which is fully and +fairly established upon unimpeachable authority, it is, that he entered +the battle of the Thames, dressed in the ordinary deerskin garb of his +tribe. There was nothing in his clothes, arms or ornaments, indicating +him to have been a chief. On this point the testimony of Anthony Shane +is explicit; and his statement is confirmed by colonel Baubee of the +British army, who was familiarly acquainted with Tecumseh. This +officer, the morning after the action, stated to one of the aids of +general Harrison, that he saw Tecumseh just before the battle +commenced, and that he was clothed in his usual plain deer-skin dress, +and in that garb took his position in the Indian line, where he +heroically met his fate. The testimony in favor of Mr. King's claim, +while it proves very satisfactorily that he killed an Indian, is +equally conclusive, we think, in establishing the fact that that Indian +was not the renowned Tecumseh. + +With the statement of one other person, upon this vexed question, we +shall take our final leave of it. Major William Oliver, of Cincinnati, +in a communication to the author, under date of 23d December, 1840, +says:-- + +"In 1819, I lodged with Anthony Shane, at what was then called 'the +Second Crossing of the St. Mary's.' I had known Shane intimately for a +long time, indeed, from my first settlement at fort Wayne, in 1806. In +speaking of the battle of the Thames, and the fall of Tecumseh, he +said, the most authentic information he had obtained upon this point, +was from two brothers of his wife, who were in the battle, and near the +person of Tecumseh when he fell. They stated, in positive terms, that +Tecumseh was shot by a private of the Kentucky troops; and Shane seemed +so well satisfied with the truth of their statement, that he informed +me it was entitled to belief." + +To John Johnston, of Piqua, late Indian agent, and others, Shane, at +this early period, expressed the opinion that Tecumseh did not fall by +the hands of the commander of the mounted regiment. The reader of this +volume will recollect, that long subsequent to the period when these +opinions were expressed, and upon the eve of a political campaign, in +which colonel R.M. Johnson was a candidate for a high and honorable +office, Anthony Shane is represented by the reverend O.B. Brown, as +having stated to him his belief, that Tecumseh did meet his death by a +shot from the colonel. Shane, who, we believe, is now deceased, +sustained, through life, a character for integrity. Whether, in his +latter years, his memory had failed him, by which he was led to express +these contradictory opinions, or whether Mr. Brown misunderstood the +import of his language, when talking upon this matter, we shall not +undertake to decide. The reader who feels an interest in the point at +issue will settle the question for himself, whether, under the peculiar +circumstances of the case, the early or late declarations of Shane were +the genuine expression of his belief on this subject. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Mr. Jefferson's opinion of the Prophet--brief sketch of his + character--anecdotes of Tecumseh--a review of the great principles of + his plan of union among the tribes--general summary of his life and + character. + + +Mr. Jefferson, in a letter to John Adams,[A] says: "The Wabash Prophet +is more rogue than fool, if to be a rogue is not the greatest of all +follies. He rose to notice while I was in the administration, and +became, of course, a proper subject for me. The inquiry was made with +diligence. His declared object was the reformation of his red brethren, +and their return to their pristine manner of living. He pretended to be +in constant communication with the Great Spirit; that he was instructed +by Him to make known to the Indians that they were created by Him +distinct from the whites, of different natures, for different purposes, +and placed under different circumstances, adapted to their nature and +destinies; that they must return from all the ways of the whites to the +habits and opinions of their forefathers; they must not eat the flesh +of hogs, of bullocks, of sheep, &c., the deer and buffalo having been +created for their food; they must not make bread of wheat, but of +Indian corn; they must not wear linen nor woollen, but dress like their +fathers, in the skins and furs of animals; they must not drink ardent +spirits; and I do not remember whether he extended his inhibitions to +the gun and gunpowder, in favor of the bow and arrow. I concluded, from +all this, that he was a visionary, enveloped in their antiquities, and +vainly endeavoring to lead back his brethren to the fancied beatitudes +of their golden age. I thought there was little danger of his making +many proselytes from the habits and comforts they had learned from the +whites, to the hardships and privations of savagism, and no great harm +if he did. We let him go on, therefore, unmolested. But his followers +increased until the British thought him worth corrupting, and found him +corruptible. I suppose his views were then changed; but his proceedings +in consequence of them, were after I left the administration, and are, +therefore, unknown to me; nor have I ever been informed what were the +particular acts on his part, which produced an actual commencement of +hostilities on ours. I have no doubt, however, that his subsequent +proceedings are but a chapter apart, like that of Henry and Lord +Liverpool, in the book of the Kings of England." + +[Footnote A: Jefferson's Correspondence, vol. 10. p. 171.] + +Mr. Jefferson's account of the Prophet's "budget of reform," is correct +as far as it goes: it embraced, however, many other matters, looking to +the amelioration of savage life. Whatever may have been his original +object, in the promulgation of his new code of ethics, there is enough, +we think, in the character and conduct of this individual to warrant +the opinion, that he was really desirous of doing good to his race; +and, that with many foibles, and some positive vices, he was not +destitute of benevolent and generous feelings. That in assuming the +character of a prophet, he had, in connection with his brother, +ulterior objects in view, is not to be doubted. It so happened, that +the adoption of his doctrines was calculated to promote harmony among +the tribes; and this was the very foundation of the grand confederacy, +to which he and Tecumseh were zealously devoting the energies of their +minds. + +After the premature and, to the Indians, disastrous battle of +Tippecanoe, the Prophet began to fall into obscurity. The result of +that action materially diminished the wide spread influence which he +had attained over his countrymen. The incantations, by means of which +he had played upon their imaginations, and swayed their conduct, lost +their potency. The inspired messenger of the Great Spirit, as he openly +proclaimed himself, had boldly promised his followers an easy victory +over their enemies. A battle was fought--the Indians were defeated--and +the gory form of many a gallant, but credulous "brave," attested that +the renowned Prophet had lost, amid the carnage of that nocturnal +conflict, his office and his power. + +At the time when this battle was fought, Tecumseh was on a mission to +the southern Indians, with the view of extending his warlike +confederacy. He had left instructions with the Prophet, to avoid any +hostile collision with the whites; and from the deference which the +latter usually paid to the wishes of the former, it is not probable +that the battle would have occurred, had not extraneous influence been +brought to bear upon the leader. The reason assigned by the Prophet to +his brother, for this attack upon the army under general Harrison, is +not known; but some of the Indians who were in this engagement, +subsequently stated that the Winnebagoes forced on the battle contrary +to the wishes of the Prophet. This is not improbable; yet, admitting it +to be true, if he had taken a bold and decided stand against the +measure, it might, in all probability, have been prevented. The +influence of the Prophet, however, even at this time, was manifestly on +the wane, and some of his followers were beginning to leave his camp. +He doubtless felt that it was necessary to do something to sustain +himself: a signal victory over the whites would accomplish this end; +and hence he consented the more readily, to the wishes of the +Winnebagoes, that an attack should be made, in the hope that it would +prove successful. + +Within a few months after this battle, war was declared against England +by the United States. Tecumseh and the Prophet, discouraged in regard +to their union of the tribes, decided on joining the British standard. +The love of fighting, however, was not a remarkable trait of the +Prophet's character. He won no military laurels during the continuance +of that war; and although in the vicinity of the Moravian town on the +5th of October, 1813, he did not choose to participate in the action at +the Thames. After the return of peace, he resided in the neighborhood +of Malden for some time, and finally returned to Ohio: from whence, +with a band of Shawanoes, he removed west of the Mississippi, where he +resided until the period of his death, which occurred in the year 1834. +It is stated, in a foreign periodical,[A] that the British government +allowed him a pension from the year 1813, to the close of his life. + +[Footnote A: The United Service Journal--London.] + +In forming an estimate of the Prophet's character, it seems unjust to +hold him responsible for all the numerous aggressions which were +committed by his followers upon the property and persons of the whites. +His first proselytes were from the most worthless and vicious portion +of the tribes from which they were drawn. "The young men especially, +who gathered about him, like the young men who brought on the war of +King Philip, were wrought up until the master spirit himself, lost his +control over them; and to make the matter worse, most of them were of +such a character in the first instance, that horse stealing and house +breaking were as easy to them as breathing. Like the refugees of +Romulus, they were outcasts, vagabonds and criminals; in a great degree +brought together by the novelty of the preacher's reputation, by +curiosity to hear his doctrines, by the fascination of extreme +credulity, by restlessness, by resentment against the whites, and by +poverty and unpopularity at home."[A] To preserve an influence over +such a body of men, to use them successfully as propagandists of his +new doctrines, and, at the same time, prevent their aggressions upon +the whites, who were oftentimes themselves the aggressors, required no +small degree of talent; and called into activity the utmost powers of +the Prophet's mind. In addition to these adverse circumstances, he had +to encounter the opposition of all the influential chiefs in the +surrounding tribes; and a still more formidable adversary in the +poverty and extreme want of provisions, which, on several occasions, +threatened the total disruption of his party, and undoubtedly led to +many of the thefts and murders on the frontiers, of which loud and +frequent complaints were made by the agents of the United States. In a +word, difficulties of various kinds were constantly recurring, which +required the most ceaseless vigilance and the shrewdest sagacity on the +part of the two brothers to obviate or overcome. The Prophet had a +clear head, if not an honest heart; courteous and insinuating in his +address, with a quick wit and a fluent tongue, he seldom came out of +any conference without rising in the estimation of those who composed +it. He was no warrior, and from the fact of his never having engaged in +a battle, the presumption has been raised that he was wanting in +physical courage. With that of cowardice, the charge of cruelty has +been associated, from the cold-blooded and deliberate manner in which +he put to death several of those who were suspected of having exercised +an influence adverse to his plans, or calculated to lessen the value of +the inspired character which he had assumed. Finally, it may be said of +him, that he was a vain, loquacious and cunning man, of indolent habits +and doubtful principles. Plausible but deceitful, prone to deal in the +marvellous, quick of apprehension, affluent in pretexts, winning and +eloquent, if not powerful in debate, the Prophet was peculiarly fitted +to play the impostor, and to excite into strong action, the credulous +fanaticism of the stern race to which he belonged. Few men, in any age +of the world, have risen more rapidly into extended notoriety; wielded, +for the time being, a more extraordinary degree of moral influence, or +sunk more suddenly into obscurity, than the Prophet. + +[Footnote A: North American Review.] + +TECUMSEH was near six feet in stature, with a compact, muscular frame, +capable of great physical endurance. His head was of a moderate size, +with a forehead full and high; his nose slightly aquiline, teeth large +and regular, eyes black, penetrating and overhung with heavy arched +brows, which increased the uniformly grave and severe expression of his +countenance. He is represented by those who knew him, to have been a +remarkably fine looking man, always plain but neat in his dress, and of +a commanding personal presence. His portrait, it is believed, was never +painted, owing probably to his strong prejudices against the whites. + +In the private and social life of Tecumseh there were many things +worthy of notice. He was opposed, on principle, to polygamy, a practice +almost universal among his countrymen. He was married but once; and +this union, which took place at the age of twenty-eight, is said to +have been more in compliance with the wishes of others than in +obedience to the unbiassed impulse of his feelings or the dictates of +his judgment. Mamate, his wife, was older than himself, and possessed +few personal or mental qualities calculated to excite admiration. A +son, called Pugeshashenwa, (a panther in the act of seizing its prey,) +was the only fruit of this union. The mother died soon after his birth, +and he was left to the care of his aunt, Tecumapease.[A] This son is +now residing with the Shawanoes west of the Mississippi, but is not +distinguished for talents, or renowned as a warrior. The British +government, however, since the death of Tecumseh, has recognized its +obligations to the father by the extension of an annual stipend to the +son. + +[Footnote A: Recollections of John Johnston, and Anthony Shane.] + +From his boyhood, Tecumseh was remarkable for temperance and the +strictest integrity. He was hospitable, generous and humane; and these +traits were acknowledged in his character long before he rose to +distinction, or had conceived the project of that union of the tribes, +on which the energies of his manhood were fruitlessly expended. He was, +says an intelligent Shawanoe, who had known him from childhood, kind +and attentive to the aged and infirm, looking personally to their +comfort, repairing their frail wigwams when winter approached, giving +them skins for moccasins and clothing, and sharing with them the +choicest game which the woods and the seasons afforded. Nor were these +acts of kindness bestowed exclusively on those of rank or reputation. +On the contrary, he made it his business to search out the humblest +objects of charity, and in a quick, unostentatious manner, relieve +their wants. + +The moral and intellectual qualities of Tecumseh place him above the +age and the race in which his lot was cast. "From the earliest period +of his life," says Mr. Johnston, the late Indian agent at Piqua, +"Tecumseh was distinguished for virtue, for a strict adherence to +truth, honor, and integrity. He was sober[A] and abstemious, never +indulging in the use of liquor nor eating to excess." Another +respectable individual,[B] who resided for near twenty years as a +prisoner among the Shawanoes, and part of that time in the family of +Tecumseh, writes to us, "I know of no _peculiarity_ about him that +gained him popularity. His talents, rectitude of deportment, and +friendly disposition, commanded the respect and regard of all about +him. In short, I consider him a very great as well as a very good man, +who, had he enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, would have +done honor to any age or any nation." + +[Footnote A: Major James Galloway, of Xenia, states, that on one +occasion, while Tecumseh was quite young, he saw him intoxicated. This +is the only aberration of the kind, which we have heard charged upon +him.] + +[Footnote B: Mr. Stephen Ruddell.] + +Tecumseh had, however, no education, beyond that which the traditions +of his race, and his own power of observation and reflection, afforded +him. He rarely mingled with the whites, and very seldom attempted to +speak their language, of which his knowledge was extremely limited and +superficial. + +When Burns, the poet, was suddenly transferred from his plough in +Ayrshire to the polished circles of Edinburg, his ease of manner, and +nice observance of the rules of good-breeding, excited much surprise, +and became the theme of frequent conversation. The same thing has been +remarked of Tecumseh: whether seated at the tables of generals McArthur +and Worthington, as he was during the council at Chillicothe in 1807, +or brought in contact with British officers of the highest rank, his +manners were entirely free from vulgarity and coarseness: he was +uniformly self-possessed, and with the tact and ease of deportment +which marked the poet of the heart, and which are falsely supposed to +be the result of civilization and refinement only, he readily +accommodated himself to the novelties of his new position, and seemed +more amused than annoyed by them. + +The humanity of his character has been already portrayed in the pages +of this work. His early efforts to abolish the practice of burning +prisoners--then common among the Indians--and the merciful protection +which he otherwise invariably showed to captives, whether taken by +himself or his companions, need no commendation at our hands. Rising +above the prejudices and customs of his people, even when those +prejudices and customs were tacitly sanctioned by the officers and +agents of Great Britain, Tecumseh was never known to offer violence to +prisoners, nor to permit it in others. So strong was his sense of +honor, and so sensitive his feelings of humanity, on this point, that +even frontier women and children, throughout the wide space in which +his character was known, felt secure from the tomahawk of the hostile +Indians, if Tecumseh was in the camp. A striking instance of this +confidence is presented in the following anecdote. The British and +Indians were encamped near the river Raisin; and while holding a talk +within eighty or one hundred yards of Mrs. Ruland's house, some Sauks +and Winnebagoes entered her dwelling, and began to plunder it. She +immediately sent her little daughter, eight or nine years old, +requesting Tecumseh to come to her assistance. The child ran to the +council house, and pulling Tecumseh (who was then speaking) by the +skirt of his hunting-shirt, said to him, "Come to our house--there are +bad Indians there." Without waiting to close his speech, the chief +started for the house in a fast walk. On entering, he was met by two or +three Indians dragging a trunk towards the door: he seized his tomahawk +and levelled one of them at a blow: they prepared for resistance, but +no sooner did they hear the cry, "dogs! I am Tecumseh!" than under the +flash of his indignant eye, they fled from the house: and "you," said +Tecumseh, turning to some British officers, "are _worse_ than dogs, to +break your faith with prisoners." The officers expressed their regrets +to Mrs. Ruland, and offered to place a guard around the house: this she +declined, observing, that so long as that man, pointing to Tecumseh, +was near them, she felt safe.[A] + +[Footnote A: On the authority of colonel John Ruland.] + +Tecumseh entertained a high and proper sense of personal character--was +equally bold in defending his own conduct, and condemning that which +was reprehensible in others. In 1811, he abandoned his intention of +visiting the President, because he was not permitted to march to +Washington at the head of a party of his warriors. As an officer in the +British army, he never lost sight of the dignity of his rank, nor +suffered any act of injustice towards those under his command to pass +without resenting it. On one occasion, while the combined British and +Indian forces were quartered at Malden, there was a scarcity of +provisions, the commissary's department being supplied with salt beef +only, which was issued to the British soldiers, while horse flesh was +given to the Indians. Upon learning this fact, Tecumseh promptly called +on general Proctor, remonstrated against the injustice of the measure, +and complained, indignantly, of the insult thus offered to himself and +his men. The British general appeared indifferent to what was said; +whereupon, the chief struck the hilt of Proctor's sword with his hand, +then touched the handle of his own tomahawk, and sternly remarked, "You +are Proctor--I am Tecumseh;" intimating, that if justice was not done +to the Indians, the affair must be settled by a personal rencontre +between the two commanders. General Proctor prudently yielded the +point.[A] + +[Footnote A: On the authority of the Rev. Wm. H. Raper.] + +But few of the numerous speeches made by Tecumseh have been preserved. +Tradition speaks in exalted terms of several efforts of this kind, of +which no record was made. All bore evidence of the high order of his +intellectual powers. They were uniformly forcible, sententious and +argumentative; always dignified, frequently impassioned and powerful. +He indulged neither in sophism nor circumlocution, but with bold and +manly frankness, gave utterance to his honest opinions. Mr. Ruddell, +who knew him long and intimately, says, that "he was naturally +eloquent, very fluent, graceful in his gestures, but not in the habit +of using many; that there was neither vehemence nor violence in his +style of delivery, but that his eloquence always made a strong +impression on his hearers." Dr. Hunt, of Clark county, Ohio, has +remarked, that the first time he heard Henry Clay make a speech, his +manner reminded him, very forcibly, of that of Tecumseh, in the council +at Springfield, in the year 1807, on which occasion he made one of his +happiest efforts. + +Our present minister to France, Mr. Cass, has said, with his usual +discrimination, that "the character of Tecumseh, in whatever light it +may be viewed, must be regarded as remarkable in the highest degree. +That he proved himself worthy of his rank as a general officer in the +army of his Britannic majesty, or even of his reputation as a great +warrior among all the Indians of the north-west, is, indeed, a small +title to distinction. Bravery is a savage virtue, and the Shawanoes are +a brave people: too many of the American nation have ascertained this +fact by experience. His oratory speaks more for his genius. It was the +utterance of a great mind roused by the strongest motives of which +human nature is susceptible; and developing a power and a labor of +reason, which commanded the admiration of the civilized, as justly as +the confidence and pride of the savage." There was one subject, far +better calculated than all others, to call forth his intellectual +energies, and exhibit the peculiar fascination of his oratory. "When he +spoke to his brethren on the glorious theme that animated all his +actions, his fine countenance lighted up, his firm and erect frame +swelled with deep emotion, which his own stern dignity could scarcely +repress; every feature and gesture had its meaning, and language flowed +tumultuously and swiftly, from the fountains of his soul." + +Another writer, Judge Hall, long resident in the west, and devoted to +the study of aboriginal history, has thus summed up the character of +this chief: + +"At this period the celebrated Tecumseh appeared upon the scene. He was +called the Napoleon of the west; and so far as that title was deserved +by splendid genius, unwavering courage, untiring perseverance, boldness +of conception and promptitude of action, it was fairly bestowed upon +this accomplished savage. He rose from obscurity to the command of a +tribe to which he was alien by birth. He was, by turns, the orator, the +warrior and the politician; and in each of these capacities, towered +above all with whom he came in contact. As is often the case with great +minds, one master passion filled his heart, prompted all his designs, +and gave to his life its character. This was hatred to the whites, and, +like Hannibal, he had sworn that it should be perpetual. He entertained +the same vast project of uniting the scattered tribes of the west into +one grand confederacy, which had been acted on by King Philip and +Little Turtle. He wished to extinguish all distinctions of tribe and +language, to bury all feuds, and to combine the power and the +prejudices of all, in defence of the rights and possessions of the +whole, as the aboriginal occupants of the country." + +It may be truly said, that what Hannibal was to the Romans, Tecumseh +became to the people of the United States. From his boyhood to the hour +when he fell, nobly battling for the rights of his people, he fostered +an invincible hatred to the whites. On one occasion, he was heard to +declare, that he could not look upon the face of a white man, without +feeling the flesh crawl upon his bones. This hatred was not confined, +however, to the Americans. Circumstances made him the ally of the +British, and induced him to fight under their standard, but he neither +loved nor respected them. He well understood their policy; they could +not deceive his sagacious mind; he knew that their professions of +regard for the Indians were hollow, and that when instigating him and +his people to hostilities against the United States, the agents of +Britain had far less anxiety about the rights of the Indians, than the +injuries which, through their instrumentality, might be inflicted upon +the rising republic. This feeling towards the whites, and especially to +the people of the United States, had a deeper foundation than mere +prejudice or self-interest. Tecumseh was a patriot, and his love of +country made him a statesman and a warrior. He saw his race driven from +their native land, and scattered like withered leaves in an autumnal +blast; he beheld their morals debased, their independence destroyed, +their means of subsistence cut off, new and strange customs introduced, +diseases multiplied, ruin and desolation around and among them; he +looked for the cause of these evils and believed he had found it in the +flood of white immigration which, having surmounted the towering +Alleghenies, was spreading itself over the hunting grounds of Kentucky, +and along the banks of the Scioto, the Miami and the Wabash, whose +waters, from time immemorial, had reflected the smoke of the rude but +populous villages of his ancestors. As a statesman, he studied the +subject, and, having satisfied himself that justice was on the side of +his countrymen, he tasked the powers of his expansive mind, to find a +remedy for the mighty evil which threatened their total extermination. + +The original, natural right of the Indians to the occupancy and +possession of their lands, has been recognized by the laws of congress, +and solemnly sanctioned by the highest judicial tribunal of the United +States. On this principle, there is no disagreement between our +government and the Indian nations by whom this country was originally +inhabited.[A] + +[Footnote A: 6 Wheaton's Reports, 515.] + +In the acquisition of these lands, however, our government has held +that its title was perfect when it had purchased of the tribe in actual +possession. It seems, indeed, to have gone farther and admitted, that a +tribe might acquire lands by conquest which it did not occupy, as in +the case of the Iroquois, and sell the same to us; and, that the title +thus acquired, would be valid. Thus we have recognized the principles +of international law as operative between the Indians and us on this +particular point, while on some others, as in not _allowing_ them to +sell to individuals, and giving them tracts used as hunting grounds by +other tribes beyond the Mississippi, we have treated them as savage +hordes, not sufficiently advanced in civilization to be admitted into +the family of nations. Our claim to forbid their selling to +individuals, and our guarantying to tribes who would not sell to us in +our corporate capacity, portions of country occupied as hunting +grounds, by more distant tribes, can only be based on the right of +discovery, taken in connection with a right conferred by our superior +civilization; and seems never in fact to have been fully acknowledged +by them. It was not, at least, admitted by Tecumseh. His doctrine seems +to have been that we acquired no rights over the Indians or their +country either by discovery or superior civilization; and that the +possession and jurisdiction can only be obtained by conquest or +negociation. In regard to the latter, he held that purchase from a +single tribe, although at the time sojourners on the lands sold, was +not valid as it respected other tribes. That no particular portion of +the country belonged to the tribe then within its limits--though in +reference to other tribes, its title was perfect; that is, possession +excluded other tribes, and would exclude them forever; but did not +confer on the tribe having it, the right to sell the soil to us; for +that was the common property of all the tribes who were near enough to +occupy or hunt upon it, in the event of its being at any time vacated, +and could only be vacated by _the consent of the whole_. As a +conclusion from these premises, he insisted that certain sales made in +the west were invalid, and protested against new ones on any other than +his own principles. + +It must be acknowledged that these views have much plausibility, not to +grant to them any higher merit. If the Indians had been in a nomadic +instead of a hunter state, and in summer had driven their flocks to the +Allegheny mountains--in winter to the banks of the Wabash and Tennessee +rivers, it could scarcely be denied that each tribe would have had an +interest in the whole region between, and as much right as any other +tribe to be heard on a question of sale. The Indians were not +shepherds, wandering _with_ their flocks of sheep and cattle in quest +of new pastures, but hunters, roaming after deer and bison, and +changing their location, as the pursuit from year to year, or from age +to age, might require. We do not perceive a difference in principle in +the two cases; and while we admit the difficulty of acquiring their +territory on the plan of Tecumseh, we feel bound also to admit, that as +far as its preservation to themselves was concerned, his was the only +effective method. + +In its support he displayed in council the sound and logical eloquence +for which he was distinguished--in war the prowess which raised him +into the highest rank of Indian heroes. + +At what period of his life he first resolved upon making an effort to +stop the progress of the whites west of the mountains, is not certainly +known. It was probably several years anterior to the open avowal of his +plan of union, which occurred in 1805 or '6. The work before him was +herculean in character, and beset with difficulties on every side; but +these only quickened into more tireless activity his genius and his +patriotic resolution. To unite the tribes as he proposed, prejudices +must be overcome, their original manners and customs re-established, +the use of ardent spirits utterly abandoned, and finally, all +intercourse with the whites cut off. Here was a field for the display +of the highest moral and intellectual powers. He had already gained the +reputation of a brave and sagacious warrior, a cool headed, upright and +wise counsellor. He was neither a war nor a peace chief, and yet he +wielded the power and influence of both. The time had now arrived for +action. To win savage attention, some bold and striking movement was +necessary. He imparted his plan to his brother, a smart, cunning and +pliable fellow, who adroitly and quickly prepared himself for the part +he was appointed to play, in this great drama of savage life. Tecumseh +well understood, that excessive superstition is every where a prominent +trait in the Indian character, and readily availed himself of it. +Suddenly, his brother begins to dream dreams, and see visions, he is an +inspired Prophet, favored with a divine commission from the Great +Spirit; the power of life and death is placed in his hands; he is the +appointed agent for preserving the property and lands of the Indians, +and for restoring them to their original, happy condition. He commences +his sacred work; the public mind is aroused; unbelief gradually gives +way; credulity and wild fanaticism begin to spread in circles, widening +and deepening until the fame of the Prophet, and the divine character +of his mission, have reached the frozen shores of the lakes, and +overrun the broad plains which stretch far beyond the Mississippi. +Pilgrims from remote tribes, seek, with fear and trembling, the +head-quarters of the mighty Prophet. Proselytes are multiplied, and his +followers increase in number. Even Tecumseh becomes a believer, and, +seizing upon the golden opportunity, he mingles with the pilgrims, wins +them by his address, and, on their return, sends a knowledge of his +plan of concert and union to the most distant tribes. And now commenced +those bodily and mental labors of Tecumseh, which were never +intermitted for the space of five years. During the whole of this +period, we have seen that his life was one of ceaseless activity. He +traveled, he argued, he commanded: to-day, his persuasive voice was +listened to by the Wyandots, on the plains of Sandusky--to-morrow, his +commands were issued on the banks of the Wabash--anon, he was paddling +his bark canoe across the Mississippi; now, boldly confronting the +governor of Indiana territory in the council-house at Viacennes, and +now carrying his banner of union among the Creeks and Cherokees of the +south. He was neither intoxicated by success, nor discouraged by +failure; and, but for the desperate conflict at Tippecanoe, would have +established the most formidable and extended combination of Indians, +that has ever been witnessed on this continent That he could have been +successful in arresting the progress of the whites, or in making the +Ohio river the boundary between them and the Indians of the north-west, +even if that battle had not been fought, is not to be supposed. The +ultimate failure of his plan was inevitable from the circumstances of +the case. The wonder is not that he did not succeed, but that he was +enabled to accomplish so much. His genius should neither be tested by +the magnitude of his scheme, nor the failure in its execution, but by +the extraordinary success that crowned his patriotic labors. These +labors were suddenly terminated in the hour when the prospect of +perfecting the grand confederacy was brightest. By the battle of +Tippecanoe--fought in violation of his positive commands and during his +absence to the south,--the great object of his ambition was frustrated, +the golden bowl was broken at the fountain; that ardent enthusiasm +which for years had sustained him, in the hour of peril and privation, +was extinguished. His efforts were paralyzed, but not his hostility to +the United States. He joined the standard of their enemy, and fought +beneath it with his wonted skill and heroism. At length the contest on +the Thames was at hand. Indignant at the want of courage or military +skill, which prompted the commander of the British forces to shrink +from meeting the American army on the shore of lake Erie, he sternly +refused to retreat beyond the Moravian towns. There, at the head of his +warriors, he took his stand, resolved, as he solemnly declared, to be +victorious, or leave his body upon the field of battle, a prey to the +wolf and the vulture. The result has been told. The Thames is +consecrated forever, by the bones of the illustrious Shawanoe +statesman, warrior and patriot, which repose upon its bank. + +In whatever aspect the genius and character of Tecumseh may be viewed, +they present the evidence of his having been a remarkable man; and, to +repeat the language of a distinguished statesman and general, who knew +him long and intimately, who has often met him in the council and on +the field of battle, we may venture to pronounce him, one of those +uncommon geniuses which spring up occasionally to produce revolutions, +and overturn the established order of things; and, who, but for the +power of the United States, would, perhaps, have been the founder of an +empire which would have rivalled that of Mexico or Peru. + + + + +THE END. + + + + +E. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Life of Tecumseh, and of His Brother the Prophet</p> +<p> With a Historical Sketch of the Shawanoe Indians</p> +<p>Author: Benjamin Drake</p> +<p>Release Date: April 8, 2005 [eBook #15581]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF TECUMSEH, AND OF HIS BROTHER THE PROPHET***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3>E-text prepared by Wallace McLean, Leonard Johnson,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (https://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> + <hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + <h3> + LIFE + </h3> + <h5> + OF + </h5> + <h1 style="letter-spacing:0.4em"> + TECUMSEH, + </h1> + <h5> + AND OF HIS BROTHER + </h5> + <h2> + THE PROPHET; + </h2> + <h5> + WITH A + </h5> + <h3> + HISTORICAL SKETCH + </h3> + <h5> + OF THE + </h5> + <h2> + SHAWANOE INDIANS + </h2> + <hr /> + <h2> + BY BENJAMIN DRAKE + </h2> + <h5> + AUTHOR OF <i>THE LIFE OF BLACK HAWK</i>, <i>TALES FROM THE + <br /> + QUEEN CITY</i>, &c. &c. + </h5> + <hr /> + <h3> + CINCINNATI: + </h3> + <h4> + PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY E. MORGAN & Co. + <br /> + 1841. + </h4> + <h5> + Stereotyped by J.A. James, + <br /> + Cincinnati. + </h5> + <hr /> + <h2 class="chp"> + PREFACE. + </h2> + <p> + Many years have elapsed since the author of this volume + determined to write the life of TECUMSEH and of his brother the + PROPHET, and actually commenced the collection of the materials + for its accomplishment. From various causes, the completion of + the task has been postponed until the present time. This delay, + however, has probably proved beneficial to the work, as many + interesting incidents in the lives of these individuals are now + embraced in its pages, which could not have been included had it + been put to press at an earlier period. + </p> + <p> + In the preparation of this volume, the author's attention was + drawn, to some extent, to the history of the Shawanoe tribe of + Indians: and he has accordingly prefixed to the main work, a + brief historical narrative of this wandering and warlike nation, + with biographical sketches of several of its most distinguished + chiefs. + </p> + <p> + The author is under lasting obligations to a number of gentlemen + residing in different sections of the country, for the + substantial assistance which they have kindly afforded him in the + collection of the matter embraced in this volume. Other sources + of information have not, however, been neglected. All the + histories, magazines and journals within the reach of the author, + containing notices of the subjects of this memoir, have been + carefully consulted. By application at the proper department at + Washington, copies of the numerous letters written by general + Harrison to the Secretary of War in the years 1808, '9, '10, '11, + '12 and '13, were obtained, and have been found of much value in + the preparation of this work. As governor of Indiana territory, + superintendant of Indian affairs, and afterwards + commander-in-chief of the north-western army, the writer of those + letters possessed opportunities of knowing Tecumseh and the + Prophet enjoyed by no other individuals. + </p> + <p> + In addition to these several sources of information, the author + has personally, at different times, visited the frontiers of Ohio + and Indiana, for the purpose of conversing with the Indians and + the pioneers of that region, who happened to be acquainted with + Tecumseh and his brother; and by these visits, has been enabled + to enrich his narrative with some amusing and valuable anecdotes. + </p> + <p> + In the general accuracy of his work the author feels considerable + confidence: in its merit, as a literary production, very little. + Every line of it having been written while suffering under the + depressing influence of ill health, he has only aimed at a simple + narrative style, without any reference to the graces of a + polished composition. B.D. + </p> + <p> + <i>Cincinnati</i>, 1841. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CONTENTS. + </h2> + <ul class="TOC"> + <li>HISTORY OF THE SHAWANOE INDIANS <span class= + "tocright"><a href="#Page_009">PAGE 9</a></span> + </li> + <li>CATAHECASSA, or BLACK-HOOF <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_041">41</a></span> + </li> + <li>CORNSTALK <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_045">45</a></span> + </li> + <li>SPEMICA-LAWBA, the HIGH HORN; or, CAPTAIN LOGAN + <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_049">49</a></span> + </li> + </ul> + <h2 class="chp"> + THE LIFE OF TECUMSEH. + </h2> + <ul class="TOC"> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER I. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Parentage of Tecumseh—his sister Tecumapease—his + brother Cheeseekan, Sauweeseekau, Nehasseemo, Tenskwautawa or the + Prophet, and Kumakauka <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_061">61</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER II. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Birth place of Tecumseh—destruction of the Piqua + village—early habits of Tecumseh—his first + battle—effort to abolish the burning of + prisoners—visits the Cherokees in the south—engages + in several battles—returns to Ohio in the autumn of 1790 + <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_066">66</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER III. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Tecumseh attacked near Big Rock by some whites under Robert + M'Clelland—severe battle with some Kentuckians on the East + Fork of the Little Miami—attack upon Tecumseh in 1793, on + the waters of Paint creek—Tecumseh present at the attack on + fort Recovery in 1794—participates in the battle of the + Rapids of the Maumee, in 1794 <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_071">71</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER IV. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Tecumseh's skill as a hunter—declines attending the + treaty of Greenville in 1796—in 1796 removed to Great + Miami—in 1798 joined a party of Delawares on White river, + Indiana—in 1799 attended a council between the whites and + Indians near Urbana—another at Chillicothe in + 1803—makes an able speech—removes with the Prophet to + Greenville, in 1805—the latter commences + prophecying—causes the death of Teteboxti, Patterson, + Coltos, and Joshua—governor Harrison's speech to the + Prophet to arrest these murderers—effort of Wells the U.S. + Indian agent to prevent Tecumseh and the Prophet from assembling + the Indians at Greenville—Tecumseh's speech in + reply—he attends a council at Chillicothe—speech on + that occasion—council at Springfield—Tecumseh + principal speaker and actor <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_082">82</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER V. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Governor Harrison's address to the Shawanoe chiefs at + Greenville—the Prophet's reply—his influence felt + among the remote tribes—he is visited in 1808 by great + numbers of Indians—Tecumseh and the Prophet remove to + Tippecanoe—the latter sends a speech to governor + Harrison—makes him a visit at Vincennes <span class= + "tocright"><a href="#Page_100">100</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER VI. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Tecumseh visits the Wyandots—governor Harrison's letter + about the Prophet to the Secretary of War—British influence + over the Indians—Tecumseh burns governor Harrison's letter + to the chiefs—great alarm in Indiana, in consequence of the + assemblage of the Indians at Tippecanoe—death of + Leatherlips, a Wyandot chief, on a charge of witchcraft + <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_109">109</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER VII. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Governor Harrison makes another effort to ascertain the + designs of Tecumseh and the Prophet—Tecumseh visits the + governor at Vincennes, attended by four hundred warriors—a + council is held—Tecumseh becomes deeply excited, and + charges governor Harrison with falsehood—council broken up + in disorder—renewed the next day <span class= + "tocright"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Alarm on the frontier continues—a Muskoe Indian killed + at Vincennes—governor Harrison sends a pacific speech to + Tecumseh and the Prophet—the former replies to it—in + July Tecumseh visits governor Harrison at + Vincennes—disavows any intention of making war upon the + whites—explains his object in forming a union among the + tribes—governor Harrison's opinion of Tecumseh and the + Prophet—murder of the Deaf Chief—Tecumseh visits the + southern Indians <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_133">133</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER IX. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Governor Harrison applies to the War Department for troops to + maintain peace on the frontiers—battle of Tippecanoe on the + 7th of November—its influence on the Prophet and his + followers <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_146">146</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER X. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Tecumseh returns from the south—proposes to visit the + President, but declines, because not permitted to go to + Washington at the head of a party—attends a council at fort + Wayne—proceeds to Malden and joins the + British—governor Harrison's letter to the War Department + relative to the north-west tribes <span class= + "tocright"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER XI. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Tecumseh participates in the battle of + Brownstown—commands the Indians in the action near + Maguaga—present at Hull's surrender—general Brock + presents him his military sash—attack on Chicago brought + about by Tecumseh <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_163">163</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER XII. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Siege of fort Meigs—Tecumseh commands the + Indians—acts with intrepidity—rescues the American + prisoners from the tomahawk and scalping knife, after Dudley's + defeat—reported agreement between Proctor and Tecumseh, + that general Harrison, if taken prisoner, should be delivered to + the latter to be burned <span class="tocright"><a href= + "#Page_167">167</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER XIII. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Tecumseh present at the second attack on fort Meigs—his + stratagem of a sham-battle to draw out general Clay—is + posted in the Black Swamp with two thousand warriors at the time + of the attack on fort Stephenson—from thence passes by land + to Malden—compels general Proctor to release an American + prisoner—threatens to desert the British cause—urges + an attack upon the American fleet—opposes Proctor's retreat + from Malden—delivers a speech to him on that occasion + <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_183">183</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER XIV. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Retreat of the combined British and Indian army to the river + Thames—skirmish at Chatham with the troops under general + Harrison—Tecumseh slightly wounded in the arm—battle + on the Thames on the 5th of October—Tecumseh's death + <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER XV. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Critical examination of the question "who killed + Tecumseh?"—colonel R.M. Johnson's claim considered + <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_199">199</a></span> + </li> + <li> + <h3> + CHAPTER XVI. + </h3> + </li> + <li>Mr. Jefferson's opinion of the Prophet—brief sketch of + his character—anecdotes of Tecumseh—a review of the + great principles of his plan of union among the + tribes—general summary of his life and character + <span class="tocright"><a href="#Page_219">219</a></span> + </li> + </ul> + <p> + <a id="Page_009" name="Page_009"></a><span class= + "page2">009</span> + </p> + <hr /> + <h2 class="chp"> + HISTORY + <br /> + OF THE + <br /> + SHAWANOE INDIANS. + </h2> + <p> + There is a tradition among the Shawanoes, in regard to their + origin, which is said to be peculiar to that tribe. While most of + the aborigines of this country believe that their respective + races came out of holes in the earth at different places on this + continent, the Shawanoes alone claim, that their ancestors once + inhabited a foreign land; but having determined to leave it, they + assembled their people and marched to the sea shore. Here, under + the guidance of a leader of the Turtle tribe, one of their twelve + original subdivisions, they walked into the sea, the waters of + which immediately parted, and they passed in safety along the + bottom of the ocean, until they reached this island.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_1">[1]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + The Shawanoes have been known by different names. The Iroquois, + according to Colden's history of the "Five Nations," gave them + the appellation of Satanas. The Delawares, says Gallatin, in his + synopsis of the Indian tribes, call them Shawaneu, which means + <i>southern</i>. The French writers mention them under the name + of Chaouanons; and occasionally they are denominated Massawomees. + </p> + <p> + The orthography of the word by which they are generally + designated, is not very well settled. It has been written + Shawanos, Sawanos, Shawaneu, Shawnees and Shawanoes, which last + method of spelling the word, will be followed in the pages of + this work. + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_010" name="Page_010"></a><span class= + "page2">010</span> + </p> + <p> + The original seats of the Shawanoes have been placed in different + sections of the country. This has doubtless been owing to their + very erratic disposition. Of their history, prior to the year + 1680, but little is known. The earliest mention of them by any + writer whose work has fallen under our observation, was in the + beginning of the seventeenth century. Mr. Jefferson, in his + "Notes on Virginia," says that when captain John Smith first + arrived in America a fierce war was raging against the allied + Mohicans, residing on Long Island, and the Shawanoes on the + Susquehanna, and to the westward of that river, by the Iroquois. + Captain Smith first landed on this continent in April, 1607. In + the following year, 1608, he penetrated down the Susquehanna to + the mouth of it, where he met six or seven of their canoes, + filled with warriors, about to attack their enemy in the rear. De + Laet, in 1632, in his enumeration of the different tribes, on + either side of the Delaware river, mentions the + Shawanoes.—Charlevoix speaks of them under the name of + Chaouanons, as neighbors and allies in 1672, of the Andastes, an + Iroquois tribe, living south of the Senecas. Whether any of the + Shawanoes were present at the treaty<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_2">[2]</a></span> made in 1682, under the celebrated + Kensington elm, between William Penn and the Indians, does not + positively appear from any authorities before us; that such, + however, was the fact, may be fairly inferred, from the + circumstance that at a conference between the Indians and + governor Keith, in 1722, the Shawanoes exhibited a copy of this + treaty written on parchment. + </p> + <p> + To the succeeding one made at Philadelphia, in February, 1701, + the Shawanoes were parties, being represented on that occasion, + by their chiefs, Wopatha, Lemoytungh and Pemoyajagh.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_3">[3]</a></span> More than fifty + years afterward, a manuscript copy of this treaty of commerce and + friendship, was in the possession of the Shawanoes of Ohio, and + was exhibited by them. In <a id="Page_011" name= + "Page_011"></a><span class="page2">011</span> 1684, the Iroquois, + when complained of by the French for having attacked the Miamis, + justified their conduct on the-ground, that they had invited the + Santanas (Shawanoes) into the country, for the purpose of making + war upon them.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_4">[4]</a></span> The Sauks and Foxes, whose residence + was originally on the St. Lawrence, claim the Shawanoes as + belonging to the same stock with themselves, and retain + traditional accounts of their emigration to the + south.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_5">[5]</a></span> In + the "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," when + speaking of the Shawanoes, the authors say, "their manners, + customs and language indicate a northern origin; and, upwards of + two centuries ago, they held the country south of Lake Erie. They + were the first tribe which felt the force and yielded to the + superiority of the Iroquois. Conquered by these, they migrated to + the south, and from fear or favor, were allowed to take + possession of a region upon the Savannah river; but what part of + that stream, whether in Georgia or Florida, is not known; it is + presumed the former." Mr. Gallatin speaks of the final defeat of + the Shawanoes and their allies, in a war with the Five Nations, + as having taken place in the year 1672. This same writer, who has + carefully studied the language of the aborigines, considers the + Shawanoes as belonging to the Lenape tribes of the north. From + these various authorities, it is apparent that the Shawanoes + belonged originally to the Algonkin-Lenape nation; and that + during the three first quarters of the seventeenth century, they + were found in eastern Pennsylvania, on the St. Lawrence, and the + southern shore of Lake Erie; and generally at war with some of + the neighboring tribes. Whether their dispersion, which is + supposed to have taken place about the year 1672, drove them all + to the south side of the Ohio, does not very satisfactorily + appear. + </p> + <p> + Subsequently to this period, the Shawanoes were found on the Ohio + river below the Wabash, in Kentucky, Georgia and the Carolinas. + Lawson, in his history of Carolina in 1708, speaks of the + Savanoes, <a id="Page_012" name="Page_012"></a><span class= + "page2">012</span> removing from the Mississippi to one of the + rivers of South Carolina. Gallatin quotes an authority which + sustains Lawson, and which establishes the fact that at a very + early period in the history of the south, there was a Shawanoe + settlement on the head waters of the Catawba or Santee, and + probably of the Yadkin. From another authority it appears, that + for a time the Shawanoes had a station on the Savannah river, + above Augusta; and Adair, who refers to the war between the + Shawanoes and Cherokees, saw a body of the former in the + wilderness, who, after having wandered for some time in the + woods, were then returning to the Creek country. According to + John Johnston,<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_6">[6]</a></span> a large party of the Shawanoes, who + originally lived north of the Ohio, had for some cause emigrated + as far south as the Suwanoe river, which empties into the Gulf of + Mexico. From thence they returned, under the direction of a chief + named Black Hoof, about the middle of the last century, to Ohio. + It is supposed that this tribe gave name to the Suwanoe river, in + 1750, by which name the Cumberland was also known, when Doctor + Walker, (of Virginia) visited Kentucky. + </p> + <p> + Of the causes which led the Shawanoes to abandon the south, but + little is known beyond what may be gleaned from their traditions. + Heckewelder, in his contributions to the American Philosophical + Society, says, "they were a restless people, delighting in wars, + in which they were constantly engaged with some of the + surrounding nations. At last their neighbors, tired of being + continually harassed by them, formed a league for their + destruction. The Shawanoes finding themselves thus dangerously + situated, asked to be permitted to leave the country, which was + granted to them; and they immediately removed to the Ohio. Here + their main body settled, and then sent messengers to their elder + brother,<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_7">[7]</a></span> + the Mohicans, requesting them to intercede for them with their + grandfather, the Lenni Lenape, to take them under his protection. + This the Mohicans <a id="Page_013" name= + "Page_013"></a><span class="page2">013</span> willingly did, and + even sent a body of their own people to conduct their younger + brother into the country of the Delawares. The Shawanoes finding + themselves safe under the protection of their grandfather, did + not choose to proceed to the eastward, but many of them remained + on the Ohio, some of whom settled as far up that river as the + long island, above which the French afterwards built fort + Duquesne, on the spot where Pittsburg now stands. Those who + proceeded farther, were accompanied by their chief, named + Gachgawatschiqua, and settled principally at and about the forks + of the Delaware, between that and the confluence of the Delaware + and Schuylkill; and some, even on the spot where Philadelphia now + stands; others were conducted by the Mohicans into their own + country, where they intermarried with them and became one people. + When those settled near the Delaware had multiplied, they + returned to Wyoming on the Susquehannah, where they resided for a + great number of years." + </p> + <p> + Chapman, in his history of Wyoming, states, that after the + Shawanoes were driven from Georgia and Florida, they built a town + at the mouth of the Wabash, and established themselves in it. + They then applied to the Delawares for some territory on which to + reside. When granted, a council was held to consider the + propriety of accepting the offer of the Delawares. On this + question the Shawanoes divided—part of them remained on the + Wabash,—the others, composing chiefly the Piqua tribe, + formed a settlement in the forks of the Delaware. Alter a time, a + disagreement arose between them and the Delawares, which induced + the former to remove to the valley of the Wyoming, on the + Susquehannah, on the west bank of which they built a town, and + lived in repose many years. Subsequently to the treaty held at + Philadelphia, in 1742, between the governor and the Six Nations, + the Delawares were driven from that part of Pennsylvania; and a + portion of them also removed to the Wyoming valley, then in + possession of the Shawanoes, and secured the quiet occupancy of a + part of it; built a town on the east bank of the river, which + they called Waughwauwame, where they <a id="Page_014" name= + "Page_014"></a><span class="page2">014</span> lived for some + time, on terms of amity with their new neighbors. + </p> + <p> + During the summer of 1742, count Zinzendorf of Saxony, came to + America on a religious mission, connected with the ancient church + of the United Brethren. Having heard of the Shawanoes at Wyoming, + he determined to make an effort to introduce Christianity among + them. He accordingly made them a visit, but did not meet with a + cordial reception. The Shawanoes supposed that the missionary was + in pursuit of their lands; and a party of them determined to + assassinate him privately, for fear of exciting other Indians to + hostility. The attempt upon his life was made, but strangely + defeated. Chapman relates the manner of it, which he obtained + from a companion of the count, who did not publish it in his + memoirs, lest the United Brethren might suppose that the + subsequent conversion of the Shawanoes was the result of their + superstition. It is as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Zinzendorf was alone in his tent, seated upon a bundle of dry + weeds, which composed his bed, and engaged in writing, when the + assassins approached to execute their bloody commission. It was + night, and the cool air of September had rendered a small fire + necessary for his comfort and convenience. A curtain, formed of a + blanket, and hung upon pins, was the only guard to his tent. The + heat of this small fire had aroused a large rattlesnake, which + lay in the weeds not far from it; and the reptile, to enjoy it + the more effectually, had crawled slowly into the tent, and + passed over one of his legs, undiscovered. Without, all was still + and quiet, except the gentle murmur of the river, at the rapids + about a mile below. At this moment, the Indians softly approached + the door of his tent and slightly removing the curtain, + contemplated the venerable man, too deeply engaged in the subject + of his thoughts to notice either their approach, or the snake + which lay before him. At a sight like this, even the heart of the + savages shrunk from the idea of committing so horrid an act; and, + quitting the spot, they hastily returned to the town, and + informed their companions, that the Great Spirit protected the + white man, for they had <a id="Page_015" name= + "Page_015"></a><span class="page2">015</span> found him with no + door but a blanket, and had seen a large rattlesnake crawl over + his legs without attempting to injure him. This circumstance, + together with the arrival soon afterwards of Conrad Weizer, the + interpreter, procured the count the friendship of the Indians, + and probably induced some of them to embrace Christianity." + </p> + <p> + When the war between the French and the English occurred in 1754, + the Shawanoes on the Ohio took sides with the former; but the + appeal to those residing at Wyoming to do the same, was + ineffectual. The influence of the count's missionary efforts had + made them averse to war. But an event which happened soon + afterward, disturbed the peace of their settlement, and finally + led to their removal from the valley. Occasional difficulties of + a transient nature, had arisen between the Delawares and the + Shawanoes at Wyoming. An unkind feeling, produced by trifling + local causes, had grown up between the two tribes. At length a + childish dispute about the possession of a harmless grasshopper, + brought on a bloody battle; and a final separation of the two + parties soon followed. One day, while most of the Delaware men + were absent on a hunting excursion, the women of that tribe went + out to gather wild fruits on the margin of the river, below their + village. Here they met a number of Shawanoe women and their + children, who had crossed the stream in their canoes, and were + similarly engaged. One of the Shawanoe children having caught a + large grasshopper, a dispute arose with some of the Delaware + children, in regard to the possession of it. In this quarrel, as + was natural, the mothers soon became involved. The Delaware women + contended for the possession of the grasshopper on the ground + that the Shawanoes possessed no privileges on that side of the + river. A resort to violence ensued, and the Shawanoe women being + in the minority, were speedily driven to their canoes, and + compelled to seek safety by flight to their own bank of the + stream. Here the matter rested until the return of the hunters, + when the Shawanoes, in order to avenge the indignity offered to + their women, armed themselves for battle. When they attempted to + cross the river, <a id="Page_016" name= + "Page_016"></a><span class="page2">016</span> they found the + Delawares duly prepared to receive them and oppose their landing. + The battle commenced while the Shawanoes were still in their + canoes, but they at length effected a landing, which was followed + by a general and destructive engagement. The Shawanoes having + lost a number of their warriors before reaching the shore, were + too much weakened to sustain the battle for any length of time. + After the loss of nearly one half their party, they were + compelled to fly to their own side of the river. Many of the + Delawares were killed. Shortly after this disastrous contest, the + Shawanoes quietly abandoned their village, and removed westward + to the banks of the Ohio.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_8">[8]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + After the Shawanoes of Pennsylvania had fallen back upon the + waters of the Ohio, they spread themselves from the Alleghenies + as far westward as the Big Miami. One of their villages was + seventeen miles below Pittsburg: it was called Log's Town, and + was visited by Croghan, in 1765. Another, named Lowertown, also + visited by the same traveler, stood just below the mouth of the + Scioto. It was subsequently carried away by a great flood in that + river, which overflowed the site of the town, and compelled the + Indians to escape in their canoes. They afterwards built a new + town on the opposite side of the river, but soon abandoned it, + and removed to the plains of the Scioto and Paint creek, where + they established themselves, on the north fork of the latter + stream. They had also several other villages of considerable size + in the Miami valley. One was "Chillicothe," standing near the + mouth of Massie's creek, three miles north of Xenia. Another, + called Piqua, and memorable as the birth place of TECUMSEH, the + subject of our present narrative, stands upon the north-west side + of Mad river, about seven miles below Springfield, in Clark + county. Both of these villages were destroyed in 1780, by an + expedition from Kentucky, under the command of general George + Rogers Clark. + </p> + <p> + After the peace of 1763, the Miamis having removed from the Big + Miami river, a body of Shawanoes <a id="Page_017" name= + "Page_017"></a><span class="page2">017</span> established + themselves at Lower and Upper Piqua, in Miami county, which + places, being near together, became their great head-quarters in + Ohio. Here they remained until driven off by the Kentuckians; + when they crossed over to the St. Mary's and to Wapakanotta. The + Upper Piqua is said to have contained, at one period, near four + thousand Shawanoes.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_9">[9]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + From the geographical location of the Shawanoes, it will be + perceived that they were placed under circumstances which enabled + them, with great facility, to annoy the early settlements in + Kentucky; and to attack the emigrants descending the Ohio. In + this fierce border war, which was waged upon the whites for a + number of years, and oftentimes with extreme cruelty, the + Delawares, Wyandots, Mingoes and Miamis, united: the Shawanoes, + however, were by far the most warlike and troublesome. + </p> + <p> + The Shawanoes were originally divided into twelve tribes or + bands, each of which was sub-divided into families, known as the + Eagle, the Turtle, the Panther, &c., these animals + constituting their <i>totems</i>. Of these twelve, the names of + but four tribes are preserved, the rest having become extinct, or + incorporated with them. They are, 1st. the Mequachake,—2d. + the Chillicothe,—3d. the Kiskapocoke,—4th. the Piqua. + When in council, one of these tribes is assigned to each of the + four sides of the council-house, and during the continuance of + the deliberations, the tribes retain their respective places. + They claim to have the power of distinguishing, at sight, to + which tribe an individual belongs; but to the casual observer, + there are no visible shades of difference. In each of the four + tribes, except the Mequachake, the chiefs owe their authority to + merit, but in the last named, the office is hereditary. Of the + origin of the Piqua tribe, the following tradition has been + recited:<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_10">[10]</a></span> "In ancient times, the Shawanoes + had occasion to build a large fire, and after it was burned down, + a great puffing and blowing was heard, when up rose a <a id= + "Page_018" name="Page_018"></a><span class="page2">018</span> man + from the ashes!—hence the name Piqua, which means a man + coming out of the ashes." Mequachake, signifies a perfect man. To + this tribe the priesthood is confided. The members, or rather + certain individuals of it, are alone permitted to perform the + sacrifices and other religious ceremonies of the + tribe.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_11">[11]</a></span> + The division of the tribe into bands or totems, is not peculiar + to the Shawanoes, but is common to several other nations. One of + the leading causes of its institution, was the prohibition of + marriage between those related in a remote degree of + consanguinity. Individuals are not at liberty to change their + totems, or disregard the restraint imposed by it on + intermarriages. It is stated in Tanner's narrative, that the + Indians hold it to be criminal for a man to marry a woman whose + totem is the same as his own; and they relate instances where + young men, for a violation of this rule, have been put to death + by their nearest relatives. Loskiel, in his history of the + Moravian missions, says, the Delawares and Iroquois never marry + near relatives. According to their own account, the Indian + nations were divided into tribes for the sole purpose, that no + one might, either through temptation or mistake, marry a near + relation, which is now scarcely possible, for whoever intends to + marry must take a person of a different totem. Another reason for + the institution of these totems, may be found in their influence + on the social relations of the tribe, in softening private + revenge, and preserving peace. Gallatin, on the information + derived from a former Indian agent<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_12">[12]</a></span> among the Creeks, says, "according + to the ancient custom, if an offence was committed by one or + another member of the same clan, the compensation to be made, on + account of the injury, was regulated in an amicable way by the + other members of the clan. Murder was rarely expiated in any + other way than by the death of the murderer; the nearest male + relative of the deceased was the executioner; but this being + done, as under the authority of the clan, there was no further + retaliation. If the injury was committed by some one of another + clan, it was not the injured party, but the <a id="Page_019" + name="Page_019"></a><span class="page2">019</span> clan to which + he belonged, that asked for reparation. This was rarely refused + by the clan of the offender; but in case of refusal, the injured + clan had a right to do itself justice, either by killing the + offender, in case of murder, or inflicting some other punishment + for lesser offences. This species of private war, was, by the + Creeks, called, 'to take up the sticks;' because, the punishment + generally consisted in beating the offender. At the time of the + annual corn-feast, the sticks were laid down, and could not be + again taken up for the same offence. But it seems that originally + there had been a superiority among some of the clans. That of the + Wind, had the right to take up the sticks four times, that of the + Bear twice, for the same offence; whilst those of the Tiger, of + the Wolf, of the Bird, of the Root, and of two more whose names I + do not know, could raise them but once. It is obvious that the + object of the unknown legislation, was to prevent or soften the + effects of private revenge, by transferring the power and duty + from the blood relatives to a more impartial body. The father and + his brothers, by the same mother, never could belong to the same + clan, as their son or nephew, whilst the perpetual changes, + arising from intermarriages with women of a different clan, + prevented their degenerating into distinct tribes; and checked + the natural tendency towards a subdivision of the nation into + independent communities. The institution may be considered as the + foundation of the internal policy, and the basis of the social + state of the Indians." + </p> + <p> + One mode of ascertaining the origin of the Indian tribes, and of + determining their relation to each other, as well as to other + races of mankind, is the study of their language. This has, at + different times, engaged the attention of several able + philologists, who have done much to analyze the Indian languages, + and to arrange in systematic order, the numerous dialects of this + erratic people. The results of the investigation of + one<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_13">[13]</a></span> of + the most learned and profound of these individuals, may be summed + up in the three following propositions: + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_020" name="Page_020"></a><span class= + "page2">020</span> + </p> + <p> + 1. "That the American languages in general, are rich in words and + in grammatical forms, and that in their complicated construction, + the greatest order, method and regularity prevail. + </p> + <p> + 2. "That these complicated forms, which I call <i>poly + synthetic,</i> appear to exist in all those languages, from + Greenland to Cape Horn. + </p> + <p> + 3. "That these forms appear to differ essentially from those of + the ancient and modern languages of the old hemisphere." + </p> + <p> + In a late learned dissertation<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_14">[14]</a></span> on this subject, it is stated that + in nearly the whole territory contained in the United States, and + in British and Russian America, there are only eight great + families, each speaking a distinct language, subdivided in many + instances, into a number of dialects belonging to the same stock. + These are the Eskimaux, the Athapascas (or Cheppeyans,) the Black + Feet, the Sioux, the Algonkin-Lenape, the Iroquois, the Cherokee, + and the Mobilian or Chahta-Muskhog. The Shawanoes belong to the + Algonkin-Lenape family, and speak a dialect of that language. It + bears a strong affinity to the Mohican and the Chippeway, but + more especially the Kickapoo. Valuable vocabularies of the + Shawanoe language have been given by Johnston and by Gallatin in + their contributions to the American Antiquarian Society, which + may be consulted by those disposed to prosecute the study of this + subject. + </p> + <p> + The Shawanoes have been known since the first discovery of this + country, as a restless, wandering people, averse to the pursuits + of agriculture, prone to war and the chase. They have, within + that period, successively occupied the southern shore of lake + Erie, the banks of the Ohio and Mississippi, portions of Georgia, + Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, and eastern Pennsylvania; then + again the plains of Ohio, and now the small remnant of them that + remains, are established west of Missouri and Arkansas. They have + been involved in numerous bloody wars with other tribes; and for + near half a century, resisted with a bold, ferocious spirit, and + an indomitable <a id="Page_021" name="Page_021"></a><span class= + "page2">021</span> hatred, the progress of the white settlements + in Pennsylvania, western Virginia, and especially Kentucky. The + Shawanoes have declined more rapidly in numbers<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_15">[15]</a></span> than any other + tribe of Indians known to the whites. This has been, and we + suppose justly, attributed to their wandering habits and their + continual wars. Although one of their villages is said once to + have contained four thousand souls, their present number does not + exceed eighteen hundred. They have ever been considered a + courageous, powerful and faithless race; who hare claimed for + themselves a pre-eminence not only over other tribes, but also + over the whites.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_16">[16]</a></span> Their views in regard to this + superiority were briefly set forth by one of their chiefs at a + convention held at fort Wayne, in 1803. + </p> + <p> + "The Master of Life," said he, "who was himself an Indian, made + the Shawanoes before any other of the human race; and they sprang + from his brain: he gave them all the knowledge he himself + possessed, and placed them upon the great island, and all the + other red people are descended from the Shawanoes. After he had + made the Shawanoes, he made the French and English out of his + breast, the Dutch out of his feet, and the long-knives out of his + hands. All these inferior races of men he made white and placed + them beyond the stinking lake.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_17">[17]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + "The Shawanoes for many ages continued to be masters of the + continent, using the knowledge they had received from the Great + Spirit in such a manner as to be pleasing to him, and to secure + their own happiness. In a great length of time, however, they + became corrupt, and the Master of Life told them that he would + take away from them the knowledge which they possessed, and give + it to the white people, to be restored, when by a return to good + principles they would deserve it. Many ages after that, they saw + something white approaching their shores; at first they took it + for a great bird, but they soon found it to be a monstrous <a id= + "Page_022" name="Page_022"></a><span class="page2">022</span> + canoe filled with the very people who had got the knowledge which + belonged to the Shawanoes. After these white people landed, they + were not content with having the knowledge which belonged to the + Shawanoes, but they usurped their lands also; they pretended, + indeed, to have purchased these lands; but the very goods they + gave for them, were more the property of the Indians than the + white people, because the knowledge which enabled them to + manufacture these goods actually belonged to the Shawanoes: but + these things will soon have an end. The Master of Life is about + to restore to the Shawanoes both their knowledge and their + rights, and he will trample the long knives under his feet." + </p> + <p> + It has been already stated that, for a series of years, the + several tribes of Indians residing in the territory now forming + the state of Ohio, made violent opposition to the settlement of + the whites, west of the Alleghanies. Among the most formidable of + these were the Shawanoes. The emigrants, whether male or female, + old or young, were every where met by the torch, the tomahawk and + the scalping-knife. The war-cry of the savage was echoed from + shore to shore of the beautiful Ohio, whose waters were but too + often reddened with the blood of women and children. Many of + those who escaped the perils of the river, and had reared their + log-cabins amid the cane-brakes of Kentucky, were doomed to + encounter the same ruthless foe, and fell victims to the same + unrelenting cruelty. While the feelings are shocked at these + dreadful scenes of blood and carnage, and the Indian character + rises in hideous deformity before the mind, it is not to be + forgotten that there are many mitigating circumstances to be + pleaded in behalf of the aborigines. They were an ignorant + people, educated alone for war, without the lights of + civilization, without the attributes of mercy shed abroad by the + spirit of christianity. They were contending for their homes and + their hunting grounds—the tombs of their + forefathers—the graves of their children. They saw the + gradual, but certain, encroachments of the whites upon their + lands; and they had the sagacity to perceive, that unless this + mighty wave of emigration <a id="Page_023" name= + "Page_023"></a><span class="page2">023</span> was arrested, it + would overwhelm them. They fought as savage nature will fight, + with unflinching courage and unrelenting cruelty. But it was not + alone this encroachment upon their lands, which roused their + savage passions. The wanton aggressions of the whites oftentimes + provoked the fearful retaliation of the red-man. The policy of + the United States towards the Indians has generally been of a + pacific and benevolent character; but, in carrying out that + policy, there have been many signal and inexcusable failures. The + laws enacted by congress for the protection of the rights of the + Indians, and to promote their comfort and civilization, have, in + a great variety of cases, remained a dead letter upon the statute + book. The agents of the government have often proved unfaithful, + and have looked much more to their own pecuniary interests, than + to the honest execution of the public trusts confided to them. + Nor is this all. There has ever been found upon the western + frontiers, a band of unprincipled men who have set at defiance + the laws of the United States, debauched the Indians with ardent + spirits, cheated them of their property, and then committed upon + them aggressions marked with all the cruelty and wanton bloodshed + which have distinguished the career of the savage. The history of + these aggressions would fill a volume. It is only necessary to + recall to the mind of the reader, the horrible murder of the + Conestoga Indians, in December 1763, by some Pennsylvanians; the + dark tragedy enacted on the banks of he Muskingum, at a later + period, when the Moravian Indians, at the three villages of + Schoenbrun, Salem, and Gnadenhuetten, were first disarmed and + then deliberately tomahawked by Williamson and his associates; + the unprovoked murder of the family of Logan; the assassination + of Bald Eagle, of the gallant and high-souled Cornstalk, and his + son Elinipsico: we need but recall these, from the long catalogue + of similar cases, to satisfy every candid mind, that rapine, + cruelty and a thirst for human blood are not peculiarly the + attributes of the American Indian. + </p> + <p> + But there are still other causes which have aroused and kept in + activity, the warlike passions of the Indians. They have been + successively subjected to English, <a id="Page_024" name= + "Page_024"></a><span class="page2">024</span> Dutch, French and + Spanish influence. The agents of these different powers, as well + as the emigrants from them, either from interest or a spirit of + mischievous hostility, have repeatedly prompted the Indians to + arm themselves against the United States. The great principle of + the Indian wars, for the last seventy years, has been the + preservation of their lands. On this, the French, English and + Spanish have in turn excited them to active resistance against + the expanding settlements of the whites. It was on the principle + of recovering their lands, that the French were their allies + between the commencement of hostilities with the colonies, in + 1754, and the peace of 1762; and subsequently kept up an + excitement among them until the beginning of the revolution. From + this period, the English took the place of the French, and + instigated them in a similar manner. Their views and feelings on + this point, may be gathered from their own words: + </p> + <p> + "It was we," say the Delawares, Mohicans and their kindred + tribes, "who so kindly received the Europeans on their first + arrival into our own country. We took them by the hand and bid + them welcome to sit down by our side, and live with us as + brothers; but how did they requite our kindness? They at first + asked only for a little land, on which to raise bread for their + families, and pasture for their cattle, which we freely gave + them. They saw the game in the woods, which the Great Spirit had + given us for our subsistence, and they wanted it too. They + penetrated into the woods in quest of game, they discovered spots + of land they also wanted, and because we were loth to part with + it, as we saw they had already more than they had need of, they + took it from us by force, and drove us to a great distance from + our homes."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_18">[18]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + It is matter of history, that for a period of near seventy years + after it was planted, the colony of William Penn lived in peace + and harmony with the neighboring Indians, among whom were bands + of the warlike Shawanoes. It was an observation of this venerable + and worthy man, when speaking of the Indians, that <a id= + "Page_025" name="Page_025"></a><span class="page2">025</span> "if + you do not abuse them, but let them have justice, you will win + them, when there is such a knowledge of good and evil." His kind + treatment to them was repaid by friendly offices, both to himself + and his followers. The Indians became indeed the benefactors of + the colonists. When the latter were scattered in 1682, and + without shelter or food, they were kind and attentive, and + treated them as brothers.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_19">[19]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Proud, in his History of Pennsylvania, when explaining the + aversion of the Indians to christianity, attributes it to the + character and conduct of the whites residing near or among them, + "many of whom were of the lowest rank and least informed of + mankind, who flowed in from Germany, Ireland and the jails of + Great Britain, or who had fled from the better inhabited parts of + the colony, to escape from justice." The proceedings of the + assembly of Pennsylvania show that, as early as 1722, an Indian + was barbarously killed by some whites, within the limits of the + province. The assembly proposed some measures for the governor's + consideration in regard to the affair; and mentioned the repeated + requests of the Indians, that strong liquors should not be + carried nor sold among them. In a treatise published in London, + in 1759, on the cause of the then existing difficulties between + the Indians and the colonists, we find this paragraph. "It would + be too shocking to describe the conduct and behavior of the + traders, when among the Indians; and endless to enumerate the + abuses the Indians received and bore from them, for a series of + years. Suffice it to say, that several of the tribes were, at + last, weary of bearing; and, as these traders were the persons + who were, in some part, the representatives of the English among + the Indians, and by whom they were to judge of our manners and + religion, they conceived such invincible prejudices against both, + particularly our holy religion, that when Mr. Sargeant, a + gentleman in New England, took a journey in 1741, to the + Shawanoes and some other tribes living on the Susquehanna, and + offered to instruct them in the christian religion, they rejected + <a id="Page_026" name="Page_026"></a><span class= + "page2">026</span> his offer with disdain. They reproached + Christianity. They told him the traders would lie and cheat." In + 1744, governor Thomas, in a message to the assembly of + Pennsylvania, says, "I cannot but be apprehensive that the Indian + trade, as it is now carried on, will involve us in some fatal + quarrel with the Indians. Our traders, in defiance of the laws, + carry spirituous liquors among them, and take advantage of their + inordinate appetite for it, to cheat them of their skins, and + their wampum, which is their money." In 1753 governor Hamilton + appointed Richard Peters, Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, to + hold a treaty with the Indians at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In the + report of these commissioners they say: "But in justice to these + Indians, and the promises we made them, we cannot close our + report, without taking notice, that the quantity of strong + liquors sold to these Indians, in the places of their residence, + and during their hunting season, have increased to an + inconceivable degree, so as to keep these poor creatures + continually under the force of liquors, that they are thereby + become dissolute, enfeebled and indolent when sober; and + untractable and mischievous in their liquor, always quarreling, + and often murdering one another." Some of the chiefs at this + treaty said, "these wicked whisky-sellers, when they have once + got the Indians in liquor, make them sell their very clothes from + their backs. In short, if this practice is continued, we must be + inevitably ruined; we most earnestly, therefore, beseech you to + remedy it."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_20">[20]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + This brief sketch of the early intercourse between the colonists + and the aborigines of this country, is not over-drawn, nor is it + at all inapplicable to the period which has elapsed since the + formation of the federal government. With an insatiable cupidity + and a wanton disregard of justice, have the lands and property of + the Indians been sought by citizens of the United States. The + great agent of success in this unholy business, has been ardent + spirits, by means of which their savage reason has been + overthrown, and their bad passions called into action. The class + of reckless and desperate characters, <a id="Page_027" name= + "Page_027"></a><span class="page2">027</span> described by Proud, + have hung upon the western frontiers, for the purpose of preying + upon the Indians. If government itself be not to blame, for want + of good faith towards this miserable race, is it not highly + culpable for not having, by the strong arm of physical power, + enforced the salutary laws, which from time to time, have been + enacted for their protection? Impartial posterity will, we + apprehend, answer this question in the affirmative. + </p> + <p> + The Shawanoes engaged in the war between the French and English, + which commenced in 1755, and was terminated by the peace of 10th + February, 1763. In this contest they took sides with the former, + and rendered them essential service. They committed many + depredations on the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania and + Virginia. The peace of 1763, between France and England, did not + terminate the Indian war against the colonies. The Indians were + displeased with the provisions of this treaty, especially that + which ceded the provinces of Canada to Great Britain. This + dissatisfaction was increased when the British government began + to build forts on the Susquehanna, and to repair or erect those + of Bedford, Ligonier, Pittsburg, Detroit, Presque Isle, St. + Joseph and Michilimakinac. By this movement the Indians found + themselves surrounded, on two sides, by a cordon of forts, and + were threatened with an extension of them into the very heart of + their country. They had now to choose whether they would remove + to the north and west, negociate with the British government for + the possession of their own land, or take up arms for its + defence. They chose the last alternative; and, a war of + extermination against the English residents in the western + country, and even those on the Susquehanna, was agreed upon and + speedily commenced. Many of the British traders living among the + Indians were murdered; the forts of Presque Isle, St. Joseph and + Mackinac, were taken, with a general slaughter of their + garrisons; while the forts of Bedford, Ligonier, Niagara, Detroit + and Pitt, were barely preserved from falling into their hands. + The contest was continued with resolute and daring spirit, and + with much destruction of life and property, until December, + <a id="Page_028" name="Page_028"></a><span class= + "page2">028</span> 1764, when the war was brought to a close by a + treaty at the German Flats, made between Sir William Johnston and + the hostile Indians. Soon after the conclusion of this peace the + Shawanoes became involved in a war with the Cherokees, which + continued until 1768, when, pressed hard by the united force of + the former tribe and the Delawares, the southern Indians + solicited and obtained a peace.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_21">[21]</a></span> For the ensuing six years, the + Shawanoes remained quiet, living on amicable terms with the + whites on the frontiers: in April, 1774, however, hostilities + between these parties were renewed. + </p> + <p> + It is not our purpose in the present sketch of this tribe, to + present a detail of all their conflicts with the whites; but the + "Dunmore war," (as it is generally called,) of 1774, having been + mainly prosecuted by Shawanoes, one of their distinguished chiefs + having commanded in the battle of Point Pleasant, and another, + Puckecheno, (the father of Tecumseh,) having fallen in this + engagement, would seem to render a full account of the border + feuds of this year, not out of place in the present narrative. + </p> + <p> + In the latter part of April, 1774, a report that the Indians had + stolen some horses, from the vicinity of Wheeling, alarmed the + whites who were making settlements on the Ohio below that place. + For greater safety they immediately assembled on Wheeling creek, + and learning that two Indians were with some traders above the + town, they went up the river, and without stopping to enquire as + to their guilt, deliberately put them to death. On the afternoon + of the same day, they found a party of Indians on the Ohio, below + Wheeling creek, on whom they fired, and killed several. The + Indians returned the fire and wounded one of the assailing party. + It is admitted by all the authorities on this subject, that the + two Indians killed above Wheeling, were shot by men under the + command of colonel Michael Cresap. Mr. Jefferson, in his Notes on + Virginia, states that the second attack, in which one of Logan's + family is alleged to have been killed, was also headed by <a id= + "Page_029" name="Page_029"></a><span class="page2">029</span> + Cresap; and, in this he is sustained by Doddridge, Heckewelder + and others; but it is denied by Jacob. "Pursuing these examples," + says Mr. Jefferson, "Daniel Greathouse and one Tomlinson, who + lived on the opposite side of the river from the Indians, and + were in habits of friendship with them, collected at the house of + Polk, on Cross creek, about sixteen miles from Baker's bottom, a + party of thirty-two men. Their object was to attack a hunting + party of Indians, consisting of men, women and children, at the + mouth of Yellow creek, some distance above Wheeling. They + proceeded, and when arrived near Baker's bottom they concealed + themselves, and Greathouse crossed the river to the Indian camp. + Being among them as a friend, he counted them and found them too + strong for an open attack with his force. While here, he was + cautioned by one of the women not to stay, for that the Indian + men were drinking; and having heard of Cresap's murder of their + relatives at Grave creek, were angry; and she pressed him in a + friendly manner to go home; whereupon, after inviting them to + come over and drink, he returned to Baker's, which was a tavern, + and desired that when any of them should come to his house, he + would give them as much rum as they could drink. When this plot + was ripe, and a sufficient number of them had collected at + Baker's and become intoxicated, he and his party fell on them and + massacred the whole except a little girl, whom they preserved as + a prisoner. Among them was the very woman who had saved his life + by pressing him to retire from the drunken wrath of her friends, + when he was playing the spy in their camp at Yellow creek. Either + she herself or some other one of the murdered women was the + sister of Logan; there were others of his relations who fell at + the same time. The party on the opposite side of the river, upon + hearing the report of the guns, became alarmed for their friends + at Baker's house, immediately manned two canoes and sent them + over. They were met by a <ins class="correction" title= + "Transcriber's Note: original read 'five'">fire</ins> from + Greathouse's party, as they approached the shore, which killed + some, wounded others, and obliged the remainder to return. Baker + subsequently stated, that six or eight were wounded and twelve + killed." + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_030" name="Page_030"></a><span class= + "page2">030</span> + </p> + <p> + The settlers along the frontier, satisfied that the Indians would + retaliate upon them, for these unprovoked aggressions, either + returned to the interior of the country, or gathered in forts, + and made preparation for resistance. The assembly of the colony + of Virginia being then in session, an express was sent to the + seat of government, announcing the commencement of hostilities + with the Indians, and asking assistance. In the month of May, the + excitement among the Indians was still further increased by the + murder of the Delaware sachem, "Bald Eagle," and the wounding of + "Silver Heels," a popular chief of the Shawanoe tribe. Bald Eagle + was an aged, harmless man, who was in the habit of visiting the + whites on the most friendly terms. At the period of his death, he + was returning alone, in his canoe, from a visit to the fort at + the mouth of the Kanawha. The individual who committed the + murder, having scalped him, placed the body in a sitting posture + in the canoe and suffered it to float down the stream, in which + condition it was found by the Indians. Silver Heels was returning + from Albany to the Ohio, having been to that city as the + voluntary escort of some white traders, who were fleeing from the + frontiers. He was fired upon and dangerously wounded while + crossing Big Beaver in a canoe. Such were some of the causes + which called into action the vindictive feelings of the Indians. + </p> + <p> + The distinguished Mingo chief, Logan, was roused to action by the + murder of his relatives at Yellow creek; and in the course of the + summer, led some war parties against the whites, and destroyed + several families. The Earl of Dunmore, then governor of the + colony of Virginia, made arrangements for a campaign against the + Indians, but it was not until September, that his forces were + brought into the field. He ordered three regiments to be raised + west of the Blue Ridge, the command of which was given to general + Andrew Lewis. A similar army was assembled from the interior, the + command of which the Earl assumed in person. The mouth of the + Great Kanawha was the point at which two divisions of the army + were to meet; from whence, under the command of governor Dunmore, + <a id="Page_031" name="Page_031"></a><span class= + "page2">031</span> they were to march against the Indian towns on + the north side of the Ohio. General Lewis' division amounted to + eleven hundred men, most of whom were accustomed to danger, and + with their officers, familiar with the modes of Indian warfare. + On the eleventh of September, general Lewis moved from his camp, + in the vicinity of Lewisburg, and after a march of nineteen days, + traversing a wilderness through the distance of one hundred and + sixty-five-miles, he reached the mouth of the Kanawha, and made + an encampment at that point. Here he waited several days for the + arrival of governor Dunmore, who, with the division under his + command, was to have met him at this place. Disappointed in not + hearing from Dunmore, general Lewis despatched some scouts, over + land to Pittsburg, to obtain intelligence of him. On the ninth of + October, and before the return of these scouts, an express from + Dunmore arrived in camp, with information that he had changed his + plan of operations; and intended to march directly against the + Indian towns on the Scioto; and directing general Lewis to cross + the Ohio and join him. Preparations were making to obey this + order, when, about sunrise, on the morning of the tenth, a large + body of Indians was discovered within a mile of the camp. Two + detachments were ordered out by general Lewis, to meet the enemy, + one under the command of colonel Charles Lewis, the other under + colonel Fleming. The former marched to the right, some distance + from the Ohio, the latter to the left, on the bank of that + stream. Colonel Lewis had not proceeded half a mile from the + camp, when, soon after sunrise, his front line was vigorously + attacked by the united tribes of the Shawanoes, Delawares, + Mingoes, Ioways, and some others, in number between eight hundred + and one thousand. At the commencement of the attack, colonel + Lewis received a wound, which in the course of a few hours proved + fatal: several of his men were killed at the same time, and his + division was forced to fall back. In about a minute after the + attack upon Lewis, the enemy engaged the front of the other + division, on the bank of the Ohio, and in a short time, colonel + Fleming, the leader of it, was severely wounded, and compelled + <a id="Page_032" name="Page_032"></a><span class= + "page2">032</span> to retire to the camp. Colonel Lewis' division + having now been reinforced from the camp, pressed upon the + Indians until they had fallen back in a line with Fleming's + division. During this time, it being now twelve o'clock, the + action continued with unabated severity. The close underwood, the + ravines and fallen trees, favored the Indians; and while the + bravest of their warriors fought from behind these coverts, + others were throwing their dead into the Ohio, and carrying off + their wounded. In their slow retreat, the Indians, about one + o'clock, gained a very advantageous position, from which it + appeared to our officers so difficult to dislodge them, that it + was deemed advisable to maintain the line as then formed, which + was about a mile and a quarter in length. In this position, the + action was continued, with more or less severity, until sundown, + when, night coming on, the Indians effected a safe + retreat.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_22">[22]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + McClung, in his valuable Sketches of Western Adventure, in + describing this sanguinary battle, speaks of the Indians fighting + from behind a breastwork; Stone, in his Life of Brant, says the + Indians were forced to avail themselves of a rude breastwork of + logs and brushwood, which they had taken the precaution to + construct for the occasion. There must be some mistake in regard + to this breastwork, as it is evident from the circumstances of + the case, that the Indians could not, before the battle, have + erected one so near the camp without discovery; and after the + action commenced, it was too fiercely prosecuted for a rampart of + this kind to have been thrown up. + </p> + <p> + In regard to the number killed on either side, there is no very + certain information. Doddridge, in his Notes on the Indian wars, + places the number of whites killed in this action at + seventy-five, and the wounded at one hundred and forty. Campbell, + in his History of Virginia, says the number of whites who were + killed was upwards of fifty, and that ninety were wounded, which + is probably near the truth. The Indian force engaged in this + action has been estimated by different <a id="Page_033" name= + "Page_033"></a><span class="page2">033</span> writers, at from + eight hundred to fifteen hundred men. It is probable that the + number did not exceed eight hundred. They were led on by some + bold and warlike chiefs, among them Cornstalk, Logan, Elenipsico, + Red Eagle, and Packishenoah, the last of whom was killed. + Cornstalk, the chief in command, was conspicuous for his bravery, + and animated his followers in tones which rose above the clash of + arms; and when a retreat became necessary, conducted it so + successfully and with so much delay, as to give his men an + opportunity of bearing off all their wounded and many of the + killed, whose bodies were thrown into the river. The loss of the + Indians was never ascertained. One of the historians already + quoted, speaks of it as "comparatively trifling." The character + of our troops, many of whom were experienced woods-men, familiar + with Indian fighting, the long continuance of the + action—from the rising to the going down of the + sun—the equality in numbers and position of the contending + parties, the known usage of the Indians in hiding their dead and + carrying off the wounded, the number of killed found on the + battle ground the following day, and the severe loss of the + Virginians, all forbid the idea that the loss of the enemy could + have been trifling. The Ohio and Kanawha rivers afforded them + opportunities for concealing their dead, while the plan of + retreat,—alternately giving ground and renewing the + attack,—was no doubt adopted for the purpose of gaining + time to remove the wounded across the Ohio. It is fair to assume + that the loss of the Indians was not far short of that sustained + by the whites. + </p> + <p> + All circumstances considered, this battle may be ranked among the + most memorable, and well contested, that has been fought on this + continent. The leaders, on either side, were experienced and + able, the soldiers skilful and brave. The victorious party, if + either could be so called, had as little to boast of as the + vanquished. It was alike creditable to the Anglo-Saxon and the + aboriginal arms. + </p> + <p> + After the Indians had recrossed the Ohio, they marched to the + valley of the Scioto, and encamped on the east side of that + stream, about eight miles north of <a id="Page_034" name= + "Page_034"></a><span class="page2">034</span> where Chillicothe + now stands. Here a council was held to decide upon their future + movements. Cornstalk, although true to the interests of the + Shawanoes, was the friend of peace, and had been opposed to + making the attack on the troops of general Lewis. Being + overruled, he entered into the action determined to do his duty. + He now rose in the council and demanded, "<i>What shall we do + now? The Long Knives are coming upon us by two routes. Shall we + turn out and fight them</i>?" No reply being made to his + questions, he continued, "shall we kill all our women and + children, and then fight until we are all killed ourselves?" The + chiefs were still silent. Cornstalk turned round, and striking + his tomahawk into the war-post standing in the midst of the + council, said with his characteristic energy of manner, "<i>Since + you are not inclined to fight, I will go and make peace</i>." + </p> + <p> + In the meantime the earl of Dunmore, having procured boats at + fort Pitt, descended the river to Wheeling, where the army halted + for a few days, and then proceeded down the river in about one + hundred canoes, a few keel boats and perogues, to the mouth of + Hockhocking, and from thence over land, until the army had got + within a few miles of the Shawanoe camp. Here the army halted, + and made a breastwork of fallen trees, and entrenchments of such + extent as to include about twelve acres of ground, with an + enclosure in the centre containing about one acre. This was the + citadel, which contained the markees of the earl and his superior + officers.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_23">[23]</a></span> Before the army of Dunmore had + reached this point, he had been met by messengers from the + Indians suing for peace. General Lewis, in the meantime, did not + remain inactive. The day after the battle he proceeded to bury + his dead, and to throw up a rude entrenchment around his camp, + and appoint a guard for the protection of the sick and wounded. + On the succeeding day he crossed the Ohio with his army, and + commenced his march through a trackless desert, for the Shawanoe + towns on the Scioto. Governor Dunmore, having determined to make + peace with the Indians, <a id="Page_035" name= + "Page_035"></a><span class="page2">035</span> sent an express to + general Lewis, ordering him to retreat across the Ohio. The order + was disregarded, and the march continued until the governor in + person, met the general and peremptorily repeated it. General + Lewis and his troops, burning with a desire of avenging the + Indian massacres, and the loss of their brave companions in the + late battle, reluctantly obeyed the command of Dunmore; and + turned their faces homewards. When the governor and his officers + had returned to their camp, on the following day, the treaty with + the Indians was opened. For fear of treachery, only eighteen + Indians were permitted to attend their chiefs within the + encampment, and they were required to leave their arms behind + them. The conference was commenced by Cornstalk, in a long, bold + and spirited speech, in which the white people were charged with + being the authors of the war, by their aggressions upon the + Indians at Captina and Yellow creek. Logan, the celebrated Mingo + chief, refused to attend, although willing to make peace. His + influence with the Indians made it important to secure his + concurrence in the proposed treaty. Dunmore sent a special + messenger, (colonel John Gibson,) to him. They met alone in the + woods, where Logan delivered to him his celebrated speech. + Colonel Gibson wrote it down, returned to Dunmore's camp, read + the speech in the council, and the terms of the peace were then + agreed on. What those terms were, is not fully known. No copy of + the treaty can now be found, although diligent enquiry has been + made for it. Burk, in his History of Virginia, says, that the + peace was on "condition that the lands on <i>this side of the + Ohio</i> should be for ever ceded to the whites; that their + prisoners should be delivered up, and that four hostages should + be immediately given for the faithful performance of these + conditions." Campbell, in his History of Virginia, says, the + Indians "agreed to give up their lands on this side of the Ohio, + and set at liberty their prisoners." Butler, in his History of + Kentucky, remarks that, "such a treaty appears at this day, to be + utterly beyond the advantages which could have been claimed from + Dunmore's expedition?" This is undoubtedly a reasonable + conclusion. The statement in Doddridge, <a id="Page_036" name= + "Page_036"></a><span class="page2">036</span> that "on our part + we obtained at the treaty a cessation of hostilities and a + surrender of prisoners, and nothing more," is most probably the + true version of the terms of this peace. If an important grant of + land had been obtained by this treaty, copies of it would have + been preserved in the public archives, and references in + subsequent treaties, would have been made to it; but such seems + not to have been the case. The conclusion most be, that it was + only a treaty for the cessation of hostilities and the surrender + of prisoners. + </p> + <p> + There have been various speculations as to the causes which + induced governor Dunmore to order the retreat of the army under + general Lewis, before the treaty was concluded. However desirous + of a peace, the presence of an additional force would only have + rendered that result more certain. It was believed by some of the + officers of the army, and the opinion has been held by several + writers since, that after governor Dunmore started on this + expedition, he was advised of the strong probability of a war + between Great Britain and her colonies; and that all his + subsequent measures were shaped with a reference to making the + Indians the allies of England in the expected contest. On this + supposition, his conduct in not joining general Lewis at the + mouth of the Kanawha, in risking his own detachment in the + enemy's country, and in positively forbidding the other wing of + the army from uniting with his, at camp Charlotte, has been + explained. There are certainly plausible grounds for believing + that governor Dunmore at this time, had more at heart the + interests of Great Britain than of the colonies. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the conclusion of this war, the Shawanoes, with other + tribes of the north-western Indians, took part with England in + the war with the colonies; nor did the peace of 1783 put an end + to these hostilities. The settlement of the valley of the Ohio by + the whites, was boldly and perseveringly resisted; nor was the + tomahawk buried by the Indians, until after the decisive battle + at the rapids of the Miami of the lakes, on the 20th of August, + 1794. The proximity of the Shawanoe towns to the Ohio + river—the great highway of emigration to the west—and + the facility with which <a id="Page_037" name= + "Page_037"></a><span class="page2">037</span> the infant + settlements in Kentucky could be reached, rendered this warlike + tribe an annoying and dangerous neighbor. Led on by some daring + chiefs; fighting for their favorite hunting-grounds, and + stimulated to action by British agents, the Shawanoes, for a + series of years, pressed sorely upon the new settlements; and are + supposed to have caused the destruction of more property and a + greater number of lives, than all the other tribes of the + north-west united. They participated in most of the predatory + excursions into Kentucky. They were present at the celebrated + attack on Bryant's station; they fought with their characteristic + bravery in the battle of the Blue Licks, and participated in + colonel Byrd's hostile excursion up Licking river, and the + destruction of Martin's and Riddle's stations. In turn, they were + compelled to stand on the defensive, and to encounter the gallant + Kentuckians on the north side of the Ohio. Bowman's expedition in + 1779, to the waters of Mad river; Clark's in 1780 and 1782, and + Logan's in 1786, to the same point; Edwards' in 1787, to the head + waters of the Big Miami; and Todd's in 1788, into the Scioto + valley—not to name several minor ones—were chiefly + directed against the Shawanoes; and resulted in the destruction + of two or three of their principal villages, but not without a + fierce and bloody resistance. The Shawanoes were likewise found + in hostility to the United States, in the campaigns of Harmar, + St. Clair and Wayne. They united in the treaty of Greenville, in + 1795; and with the exception of a few who fought at Tippecanoe, + remained at peace with this government until the war with Great + Britain, in 1812, in which a considerable body of them became the + allies of the latter power. Some of the tribe, however, remained + neutral in that contest, and others joined the United States, and + continued faithful until the peace of 1815. + </p> + <h3> + WEYAPIERSENWAH, OR BLUE JACKET. + </h3> + <p> + In the campaign of general Harmar, in the year 1790, Blue + Jacket—an influential Shawanoe chief—was associated + with the Miami chief, Little Turtle, in the command of the + Indians. In the battle of the 20th <a id="Page_038" name= + "Page_038"></a><span class="page2">038</span> of August 1794, + when the combined army of the Indians was defeated by general + Wayne, Blue Jacket had the chief control. The flight previous to + the battle, while the Indians were posted at Presque Isle, a + council was held, composed of chiefs from the Miamis, + Potawatimies, Delawares, Shawanoes, Chippewas, Ottawas and + Senecas—the seven nations engaged in the action. They + decided against the proposition to attack general Wayne that + night in his encampment. The expediency of meeting him the next + day then came up for consideration. Little Turtle was opposed to + this measure, but being warmly supported by Blue Jacket, it was + finally agreed upon. The former was strongly inclined to peace, + and decidedly opposed to risking a battle under the circumstances + in which the Indians were then placed. "We have beaten the + enemy," said he, "twice, under separate commanders. We cannot + expect the same good fortune always to attend us. The Americans + are now led by a chief who never sleeps. The night and the day + are alike to him; and, during all the time that he has been + marching upon our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of + our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. Think + well of it. There is something whispers me, it would be prudent + to listen to his offers of peace." The councils of Blue Jacket, + however, prevailed over the better judgment of Little Turtle. The + battle was fought and the Indians defeated. + </p> + <p> + In the month of October following this defeat, Blue Jacket + concurred in the expediency of sueing for peace, and at the head + of a deputation of chiefs, was about to bear a flag to general + Wayne, then at Greenville, when the mission was arrested by + foreign influence. Governor Simcoe, colonel McKee and the Mohawk + chief, captain John Brant, having in charge one hundred and fifty + Mohawks and Messasagoes, arrived at the rapids of the Maumee, and + invited the chiefs of the combined army to meet them at the mouth + of the Detroit river, on the 10th of October. To this Blue Jacket + assented, for the purpose of hearing what the British officers + had to propose. Governor Simcoe urged the Indians to retain their + hostile attitude towards the United <a id="Page_039" name= + "Page_039"></a><span class="page2">039</span> States. In + referring to the encroachments of the people of this country on + the Indian lands, he said, "Children: I am still of the opinion + that the Ohio is your right and title. I have given orders to the + commandant of fort Miami to fire on the Americans whenever they + make their appearance again. I will go down to Quebec, and lay + your grievances before the great man. From thence they will be + forwarded to the king, your father. Next spring you will know the + result of every thing what you and I will do." He urged the + Indians to obtain a cessation of hostilities, until the following + spring, when the English would be ready to attack the Americans, + and by driving them back across the Ohio, restore their lands to + the Indians.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_24">[24]</a></span> These counsels delayed the + conclusion of peace until the following summer. + </p> + <p> + Blue Jacket was present at the treaty of Greenville in 1795, and + conducted himself with moderation and dignity. Upon his arrival + at that place, in excuse for not having met general Wayne at an + earlier period, he said, "Brother, when I came here last winter, + I did not mean to deceive you. What I promised you I did intend + to perform. My wish to conclude a firm peace with you being + sincere, my uneasiness has been great that my people have not + come forward so soon as you could wish, or might expect. But you + must not be discouraged by these unfavorable appearances. Some of + our chiefs and warriors are here; more will arrive in a few days. + You must not, however, expect to see a great number. Yet, + notwithstanding, our nation will be well represented. Our hearts + are open and void of deceit." + </p> + <p> + On the second day of the council, Blue Jacket made a remark, + showing the relation subsisting between the Shawanoes and some + other tribes, to which allusion has been made already. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers: I hope you will not take amiss my changing my seat in + this council. You all know the Wyandots are our uncles, and the + Delawares our grandfathers, <a id="Page_040" name= + "Page_040"></a><span class="page2">040</span> and that the + Shawanoes are the elder brothers of the other nations present. It + is, therefore, proper that I should sit next my grandfathers and + uncles. I hope, younger brothers, you are all satisfied with what + your uncles said yesterday, and that I have done every thing in + my power to advise and support you." + </p> + <p> + At the conclusion of the treaty Blue Jacket rose and said: + </p> + <p> + "Elder Brother, and you, my brothers, present: you see me now + present myself as a war-chief to lay down that commission, and + place myself in the rear of my village chiefs, who for the future + will command me. Remember, brother's, you have all buried your + war hatchet. Your brothers, the Shawanoes, now do the same good + act. We must think of war no more. + </p> + <p> + "Elder Brother: you see now all the chiefs and warriors around + you, have joined in the good work of peace, which is now + accomplished. We now request you to inform our elder brother, + general Washington, of it; and of the cheerful unanimity which + has marked their determination. We wish you to enquire of him if + it would be agreeable that two chiefs from each nation should pay + him a visit, and take him by the hand; for your younger brothers + have a strong desire to see that great man and to enjoy the + pleasure of conversing with him." + </p> + <p> + We are indebted to major Galloway of Xenia, for the following + anecdote of this chief: + </p> + <p> + "In the spring of 1800, Blue Jacket and another chief, whose name + I have forgotten, boarded for several weeks at my father's, in + Green county, at the expense of a company of Kentuckians, who + engaged Blue Jacket, for a valuable consideration, to show them a + great silver mine, which tradition said was known to the Indians, + as existing on Red river, one of the head branches of the + Kentucky. A Mr. Jonathan Flack, agent of this company, had + previously spent several months among the Shawanoes, at their + towns and hunting camps, in order to induce this chief to show + this great treasure. At the time agreed on, ten or twelve of the + company came from Kentucky to meet Blue Jacket at my father's, + where a day or two was <a id="Page_041" name= + "Page_041"></a><span class="page2">041</span> spent in settling + the terms upon which he would accompany them; the crafty chief + taking his own time to deliberate on the offers made him, and + rising in his demands in proportion to their growing eagerness to + possess the knowledge which was to bring untold wealth to all the + company. At length the bargain was made; horses, goods and money + were given as presents, and the two chiefs with their squaws, + were escorted in triumph to Kentucky, where they were feasted and + caressed in the most flattering manner, and all their wants + anticipated and liberally supplied. In due time and with all + possible secrecy, they visited the region where this great mine + was said to be emboweled in the earth. Here the wily Shawanoe + spent some time in seclusion, in order to humble himself by + fastings, purifications and <i>pow-wowings</i>, with a view to + propitiate the Great Spirit; and to get His permission to + disclose the grand secret of the mine. An equivocal answer was + all the response that was given to him in his dreams; and, after + many days of fruitless toil and careful research, the mine, the + great object so devoutly sought and wished for, could not be + found. The cunning Blue Jacket, however, extricated himself with + much address from the anticipated vengeance of the disappointed + worshippers of Plutus, by charging his want of success to his + eyes, which were dimmed by reason of his old age; and by + promising to send his son on his return home, whose eyes were + young and good, and who knew the desired spot and would show it. + The son, however, never visited the scene of his father's + failure; and thus ended the adventures of the celebrated mining + company of Kentucky." + </p> + <h3> + CATAHECASSA, OR BLACK-HOOF. + </h3> + <p> + Among the celebrated chiefs of the Shawanoes, Black Hoof is + entitled to a high rank. He was born in Florida, and at the + period of the removal of a portion of that tribe to Ohio and + Pennsylvania, was old enough to recollect having bathed in the + salt water. He was present with others of his tribe, at the + defeat of Braddock, near Pittsburg, in 1755, and was engaged + <a id="Page_042" name="Page_042"></a><span class= + "page2">042</span> in all the wars in Ohio from that time until + the treaty of Greenville, in 1795. Such was the sagacity of Black + Hoof in planning his military expeditions, and such the energy + with which he executed them, that he won the confidence of his + whole nation, and was never at a loss for <i>braves</i> to fight + under his banner. "He was known far and wide, as the great + Shawanoe warrior, whose cunning, sagacity and experience were + only equalled by the fierce and desperate bravery with which he + carried into operation his military plans. Like the other + Shawanoe chiefs, he was the inveterate foe of the white man, and + held that no peace should be made, nor any negotiation attempted, + except on the condition that the whites should repass the + mountains, and leave the great plains of the west to the sole + occupancy of the native tribes. + </p> + <p> + "He was the orator of his tribe during the greater part of his + long life, and was an excellent speaker. The venerable colonel + Johnston of Piqua, to whom we are indebted for much valuable + information, describes him as the most graceful Indian he had + ever seen, and as possessing the most natural and happy faculty + of expressing his ideas. He was well versed in the traditions of + his people; no one understood better their peculiar relations to + the whites, whose settlements were gradually encroaching on them, + or could detail with more minuteness the wrongs with which his + nation was afflicted. But although a stern and uncompromising + opposition to the whites had marked his policy through a series + of forty years, and nerved his arm in a hundred battles, he + became at length convinced of the madness of an ineffectual + struggle against a vastly superior and hourly increasing foe. No + sooner had he satisfied himself of this truth, than he acted upon + it with the decision which formed a prominent trait in his + character. The temporary success of the Indians in several + engagements previous to the campaign of general Wayne, had kept + alive their expiring hopes; but their signal defeat by that + gallant officer, convinced the more reflecting of their leaders + of the desperate character of the conflict. Black Hoof was among + those who decided upon making terms with the victorious American + <a id="Page_043" name="Page_043"></a><span class= + "page2">043</span> commander; and having signed the treaty of + 1795, at Greenville, he continued faithful to his stipulations + during the remainder of his life. From that day he ceased to be + the enemy of the white man; and as he was not one who could act a + negative part, he became the firm ally and friend of those + against whom his tomahawk had been so long raised in vindictive + animosity. He was their friend, not from sympathy or conviction, + but in obedience to a necessity which left no middle course, and + under a belief that submission alone could save his tribe from + destruction; and having adopted this policy, his sagacity and + sense of honor, alike forbade a recurrence either to open war or + secret hostility. + </p> + <p> + "Black Hoof was the principal chief of the Shawanoe nation, and + possessed all the influence and authority which are usually + attached to that office, at the period when Tecumseh and his + brother the Prophet commenced their hostile operations against + the United States. Tecumseh had never been reconciled to the + whites. As sagacious and as brave as Black Hoof, and resembling + him in all the better traits of savage character, he differed + widely from that respectable chief in his political opinions. + They were both patriotic in the proper sense of the word, and + earnestly desired to preserve the remnant of their tribe from the + destruction that threatened the whole Indian race. Black Hoof, + whose long and victorious career as a warrior placed his courage + far above suspicion, submitted to what he believed inevitable, + and endeavoured to evade the effects of the storm by bending + beneath its fury; while Tecumseh, a younger man, an influential + warrior, but not a chief, with motives equally public spirited, + was, no doubt, unconsciously biassed by personal ambition, and + suffered his hatred to the white man to master every other + feeling and consideration. The one was a leader of ripened fame, + who had reached the highest place in his nation, and could afford + to retire from the active scenes of warfare; the other was a + candidate for higher honors than he had yet achieved; and both + might have been actuated by a common impulse of <a id="Page_044" + name="Page_044"></a><span class="page2">044</span> rivalry, which + induced them to espouse different opinions in opposition to each + other."<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_25">[25]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + When Tecumseh and the Prophet embarked in their scheme for the + recovery of the lands as far south as the Ohio river, it became + their interest as well as policy to enlist Black Hoof in the + enterprise; and every effort which the genius of the one and the + cunning of the other, could devise, was brought to bear upon him. + But Black Hoof continued faithful to the treaty which he had + signed at Greenville, in 1795, and by prudence and influence kept + the greater part of his tribe from joining the standard of + Tecumseh or engaging on the side of the British in the late war + with England. In that contest he became the ally of the United + States, and although he took no active part in it, he exerted a + very salutary influence over his tribe. In January, 1813, he + visited general Tapper's camp, at fort McArthur, and while there, + about ten o'clock one night, when sitting by the fire in company + with the general and several other officers, some one fired a + pistol through a hole in the wall of the hut, and shot Black Hoof + in the face: the ball entered the cheek, glanced against the + bone, and finally lodged in his neck: he fell, and for some time + was supposed to be dead, but revived, and afterwards recovered + from this severe wound. The most prompt and diligent enquiry as + to the author of this cruel and dastardly act, failed to lead to + his detection. No doubt was entertained that this attempt at + assassination was made by a white man, stimulated perhaps by no + better excuse than the memory of some actual or ideal wrong, + inflicted on some of his own race by an unknown hand of kindred + colour with that of his intended victim.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_26">[26]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Black Hoof was opposed to polygamy, and to the practice of + burning prisoners. He is reported to have lived forty years with + one wife, and to have reared a numerous family of children, who + both loved and esteemed him. His disposition was cheerful, and + his conversation sprightly and agreeable. In stature he <a id= + "Page_045" name="Page_045"></a><span class="page2">045</span> was + small, being not more than five feet eight inches in height. He + was favored with good health, and unimpaired eye sight to the + period of his death, which occurred at Wapakonatta, in the year + 1831, at the age of one hundred and ten years. + </p> + <h3> + CORNSTALK. + </h3> + <p> + The reader of these pages is already familiar with the name of + Cornstalk, "the mighty Cornstalk, sachem of the Shawanoes, and + king of the Northern Confederacy." His conduct in the memorable + battle of Point Pleasant establishes his fame as an able and + gallant warrior. He carried into that action the skill of an + accomplished general, and the heroism of a dauntless brave. + Neither a thirst for blood, nor the love of renown, ever prompted + him to arms. He was the open advocate for honorable + peace—the avowed and devoted friend of the whites. But he + loved his own people and the hunting grounds in which they + roamed; and, when his country's wrongs demanded redress, he + became the "thunderbolt of war," and avenged the aggressions upon + his tribe with energy and power. He fought, however, that peace + might reign; and, after the battle in which he so highly + distinguished himself, was the first among his associated chiefs + to propose a cessation of hostilities. While he mourned over the + inevitable doom of the Indians, he had the sagacity to perceive + that all efforts to avert it, were not only useless, but, in the + end, reacted upon them with withering influence. + </p> + <p> + He has been justly called a great and a good man. He was the + zealous friend of the Moravian missions; and warmly encouraged + every effort to ameliorate the moral and physical condition of + his people. "His noble bearing," says Mr. Withers, "his generous + and disinterested attachment to the colonies, when the thunder of + British cannon was reverberating through the land, his anxiety to + preserve the frontier of Virginia from desolation and death, (the + object of his visit to Point Pleasant,) all conspired to win for + him the esteem and respect of others; while the untimely and + perfidious manner of his death, caused a deep and lasting regret + <a id="Page_046" name="Page_046"></a><span class= + "page2">046</span> to pervade the bosoms even of those who were + enemies to his nation; and excited the just indignation of all + towards his inhuman and barbarous murderers." The strong native + powers of his mind had been more enriched by observation, travel + and intercourse with the whites, than is usual among the Indian + chiefs. He was familiarly acquainted with the topography and + geography of the north-west, even beyond the Mississippi river, + and possessed an accurate knowledge of the various treaties + between the whites and the Indian tribes of this region, and the + relative rights of each party. + </p> + <p> + At the treaty with Dunmore, he made a speech alike creditable to + his love of country and his sense of justice. He pourtrayed, in + living colors, the wrongs inflicted upon the Indians by the + colonists, and placed in strong contrast the former and present + condition of his nation, the one being happy and prosperous, the + other degraded and oppressed. He spoke in a strain of manly + boldness of the repeated perfidy of the white people; and + especially, of the unblushing dishonesty of the traders; and, + finally concluded by proposing as one of the fundamental + provisions of the treaty, that no commerce with the Indians + should be carried on for individual profit, but that honest men + should be sent among them by their white brother, with such + things as they needed, to be exchanged, at a fair price, for + their skins and furs: and still further, that no "fire-water," of + any kind, should be introduced among them, inasmuch as it + depraved his people and stimulated them to aggressions upon their + white brethren. + </p> + <p> + As an orator, the fame of Cornstalk stands high. Colonel Benjamin + Wilson, an officer in Dunmore's campaign, in 1774, who was + present at the interview (at camp Charlotte) between the chiefs + and the governor, in speaking of Cornstalk, says, "when he arose, + he was in no wise confused or daunted, but spoke in a distinct + and audible voice, without stammering or repetition, and with + peculiar emphasis. His looks, while addressing Dunmore, were + truly grand and majestic, yet graceful and attractive. I have + heard the first orators in Virginia,—Patrick Henry and + Richard Henry Lee,—but <a id="Page_047" name= + "Page_047"></a><span class="page2">047</span> never have I heard + one whose powers of delivery surpassed those of Cornstalk." + </p> + <p> + The treaty at camp Charlotte did not bring much repose to the + frontier. In the course of the two years succeeding it, new + difficulties arose between the Indians and the inhabitants of + western Virginia. Early in the spring of 1777, several tribes + joined in an offensive alliance against the latter. Cornstalk + exerted all his influence to arrest it, but in vain. Sincerely + desirous of averting war, he resolved to communicate this + condition of affairs to the Virginians, in the hope that they + might dissipate the impending war-cloud. This information he + determined to give in person. Taking with him Red Hawk, and one + other Indian, he went secretly to the fort at Point Pleasant, + with a flag of peace, and presented himself to the commander of + that post. After stating to him the object of the mission, and + fully explaining the situation of the confederate tribes and + their contemplated attack upon the whites, he remarked, in regard + to his own, "the current sets (with the Indians,) so strong + against the Americans, in consequence of the agency of the + British, that they (the Shawanoes) will float with it, I fear, in + spite of all my exertions." No sooner had this information been + given to the commander, captain Matthew Arbuckle, than he + decided, in violation of all good faith, to detain the two chiefs + as hostages, to prevent the meditated attack on the settlements. + This he did; and immediately gave information to the executive of + Virginia, who ordered additional troops to the frontier. In the + mean time, the officers in the fort held frequent conversations + with Cornstalk, whose intelligence equally surprised and pleased + them. He took pleasure in giving them minute descriptions of his + country, its rivers, prairies and lakes, its game and other + productions. One day, as he was drawing a rude map on the floor, + for the gratification of those present, a call was heard from the + opposite shore of the Ohio, which he at once recognized as the + voice of his favorite son, Elenipsico, a noble minded youth, who + had fought by his father's side in the battle of Point Pleasant. + At the request of Cornstalk, Elenipsico crossed over the river, + and joined him in the fort, <a id="Page_048" name= + "Page_048"></a><span class="page2">048</span> where they had an + affectionate and touching meeting. The son had become uneasy at + his father's long absence; and regardless of danger, had visited + this place in search of him. It happened on the following day + that two white men, belonging to the fort, crossed over the + Kanawha, upon a hunting excursion; as they were returning to + their boat, they were fired upon by some Indians in ambush, and + one of the hunters, named Gilmore, was killed, the other making + his escape. The news of this murder having reached the fort, a + party of captain Hall's men crossed the river and brought in the + body of Gilmore; whereupon the cry was raised, "let us go and + kill the Indians in the fort." An infuriated gang, with captain + Hall at their head, instantly started, and in despite of all + remonstrance, and the most solemn assurances that the murderers + of Gilmore had no connection whatever with the imprisoned chiefs, + they persisted in their cruel and bloody purpose, swearing, with + guns in their hands, that they would shoot any one who attempted + to oppose them. In the mean time, the interpreter's wife, who had + been a captive among the Indians, and had a feeling of regard for + Cornstalk and his companions, perceiving their danger, ran to the + cabin to tell them of it; and to let them know that Hall and his + party charged Elenipsico with having brought with him the Indians + who had killed Gilmore. This, however, the youthful chief denied + most positively, asserting that he came unattended by any one, + and for the single purpose of learning the fate of his father. At + this time captain Hall and his followers, in despite of the + <ins class="correction" title= + "Transcriber's Note: may be 'remonstrance'">remonstance</ins> and + command of captain Arbuckle, were approaching the cabin of the + prisoners. For a moment, Elenipsico manifested some agitation. + His father spoke and encouraged him to be calm, saying, "my son, + the Great Spirit has seen fit that we should die together, and + has sent you here to that end. It is his will, and let us submit; + it is all for the best;" and turning round to meet the assassins + at the door, was shot with seven bullets, and expired without a + groan. The momentary agitation of Elenipsico passed off, and + keeping his seat, he met his death with stern and heroic apathy. + Red Hawk manifested less resolution, and <a id="Page_049" name= + "Page_049"></a><span class="page2">049</span> made a fruitless + effort to conceal himself in the chimney of the cabin. He was + discovered and instantly shot. The fourth Indian was then slowly + and cruelly put to death. Thus terminated this dark and fearful + tragedy—leaving a foul blot on the page of history, which + all the waters of the beautiful Ohio, on whose banks it was + perpetrated, can never wash out, and the remembrance of which + will long outlive the heroic and hapless nation which gave birth + to the noble Cornstalk. + </p> + <h3> + SPEMICA-LAWBA—THE HIGH HORN, + <br /> + generally known as + <br /> + CAPTAIN LOGAN + </h3> + <p> + In September, 1786, captain Benjamin Logan, of Kentucky, led an + expedition of mounted men from that state against the Shawanoes, + on the north side of the Ohio, and destroyed the Machachac towns + on the waters of Mad river. Most of the warriors happened to be + absent from the villages when the invading army reached them. + About thirty persons were captured, chiefly women and children. + After the slight resistance which was made by the Indians had + ceased, captain Logan's men were both annoyed and endangered by + some arrows, shot among them by an invisible but not unpractised + hand. After considerable search, in the tall grass around the + camp, an Indian youth was discovered, who with his bow and a + quiver of arrows, had concealed himself in a position from which + he could successfully throw his darts against the enemy: that + intrepid boy was Logan, the subject of the present biographical + sketch. He likewise was made prisoner, and with the others + carried to Kentucky. The commander of the expedition was so much + pleased with the bold conduct of this boy, that upon returning + home, he made him a member of his own family, in which he resided + some years, until at length, at a council for the exchange of + prisoners, held on the bank of the Ohio, opposite to Maysville, + between some Shawanoe chiefs and a deputation of citizens from + Kentucky, our young hero was permitted to return to his <a id= + "Page_050" name="Page_050"></a><span class="page2">050</span> + native land. He was ever afterwards known by the name of Logan. + </p> + <p> + Of the family of this distinguished individual, we have been + enabled to glean but few particulars. In M'Afee's History of the + Late War, and in Butler's History of Kentucky, he is represented + to have been the son of Tecumseh's sister: this is manifestly an + error; there was no relationship between them, either by blood or + marriage. + </p> + <p> + Logan was a member of the Machachac tribe of the Shawanoes, and + was elevated to the rank of a civil chief on account of his many + estimable qualities, both intellectual and moral. He was a + married man, and left behind him a wife and several + children—requesting on his death bed that they might be + sent into Kentucky, and placed under the patronage of his friend, + colonel Hardin, who had married the daughter of his early patron, + captain Logan. This, however, was not done, owing to objections + interposed by the wife. The personal appearance of Logan was + remarkably good, being six feet in height, finely formed and + weighing near two hundred pounds. + </p> + <p> + From the period of his residence in Kentucky, to that of his + death, Logan was the unwavering friend of the United States. He + was extensively and favorably known on the frontier of Ohio, and + the Indiana territory; and, immediately after the declaration of + war against England in 1812, he joined the American service. He + acted as one of the guides of general Hull's army to Detroit; + and, prior to the actual investment of fort Wayne,—an + account of which will be presently given—he was employed by + the Indian agent at Piqua, on an important and delicate mission. + The Indians around fort Wayne were giving indications of a + disposition to abandon their neutrality. This rendered it + expedient that the women and children then at that point, should + be removed within the inhabited portions of Ohio. John Johnston, + the Indian agent at Piqua, knowing Logan intimately, and having + great confidence in his judgment as well as his fidelity, + selected him to perform this duty. He was accordingly furnished + with a letter to the commandant <a id="Page_051" name= + "Page_051"></a><span class="page2">051</span> of that fort, in + which assurances were given, that the persons about to be removed + might confidently rely upon the discretion and enterprise of + Logan. He proceeded on his mission, and executed it successfully: + bringing into Piqua—near one hundred miles distant from + fort Wayne—twenty-five women and children; the former, + without an exception, bearing testimony to the uniform delicacy + and kindness with which he treated them. Deeply impressed with + the dangerous responsibility of the office he had assumed, he is + said not to have slept from the time the party left fort Wayne, + until it reached Piqua. + </p> + <p> + We next hear of Logan, in connection with the memorable siege of + fort Wayne. This post, which was erected in 1794, stood at the + junction of the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, and, although + not within the limits of Ohio, its preservation was all-important + to the peace and safety of our north-western frontier. Having + been built of wood, it was, in 1812, a pile of combustible + matter. Immediately after the surrender of general Hull, in + August, 1812, the Indians, to the number of four or five hundred, + closely invested this place. The garrison at that time, including + every description of persons, amounted to less than one hundred + persons, of whom not more than sixty or seventy were capable of + performing military duty. These were commanded by captain Rhea, + an officer who, from several causes, was but ill qualified for + the Station. His lieutenants were Philip Ostrander and Daniel + Curtis, both of whom, throughout the siege, discharged their duty + in a gallant manner. + </p> + <p> + At the time of the investment of this place, there was a + considerable body of Ohio troops in the neighborhood of Piqua. + These had been ordered out by governor Meigs, for the relief of + Detroit; but, upon hearing of the surrender of that place, their + course was directed towards fort Wayne. They were, however, + almost in a state of disorganization, and manifested but little + ardor in entering upon this new duty. Perceiving this state of + things, and aware that the fort was in imminent danger, a young + man, now major William Oliver, of Cincinnati, determined upon + making <a id="Page_052" name="Page_052"></a><span class= + "page2">052</span> an effort to reach the garrison. Young Oliver + was a resident of fort Wayne, and was on his return from a visit + to Cincinnati when, at Piqua, he learned that the place was + besieged. He immediately joined a rifle company of the Ohio + militia; but seeing the tardy movements of the troops, in + advancing to the relief of the fort, he resolved in the first + place to return with all possible expedition, to Cincinnati, for + the purpose of inducing colonel Wells, of the 17th U.S. infantry, + to march his regiment to the relief of the fort; and, in the + second place, to make an effort to reach it in person, that the + garrison might be encouraged to hold out until reinforcements + should arrive. When Oliver arrived in Cincinnati, he found that + general Harrison had just crossed the Ohio, from Kentucky, and + assumed the command of the troops composing the north-western + army. He called upon the general, stated the condition of things + on the frontier, and avowed his intention of passing into the + fort in advance of the reinforcements. The general informed him + that the troops then at Cincinnati would be put in motion that + day, and marched with all practicable expedition to the invested + point. This was on the 27th of August; on the 31st Oliver + overtook the Ohio militia at the St. Mary's river. Here he + learned that Adrian and Shane, two experienced scouts, had been + sent in the direction of fort Wayne, and had returned with + information that the hostile Indians were in great force on the + route to that place. On the next day, general Thomas Worthington, + of Chillicothe, who was then on the frontier as Indian + commissioner, seeing the great importance of communicating with + the garrison, determined to unite with Oliver in the attempt to + reach it. These two enterprising individuals induced sixty-eight + of the Ohio troops and sixteen Shawanoe Indians, among whom was + Logan, to accompany them. They marched eighteen miles that day, + and camped for the night at Shane's crossing. + </p> + <p> + Next morning they again moved forward, but in the course of the + day, some thirty-six of their party abandoned the hazardous + enterprise, and returned to the main army. The remainder pursued + their route, and <a id="Page_053" name= + "Page_053"></a><span class="page2">053</span> encamped that + evening within twenty-four miles of fort Wayne. As the party was + not strong enough in its present condition to encounter the + besieging enemy, general Worthington was very reluctantly induced + to remain at this point, while Oliver, with Logan, captain Johnny + and Brighthorn, should make an effort to reach the fort. Being + well armed and mounted, they started at daybreak next morning + upon this daring adventure. Proceeding with great caution, they + came within five miles of the fort, before they observed any + fresh Indian signs. At this point the keen eye of Logan + discovered the cunning strategy of the enemy: for the purpose of + concealing their bodies, they had dug holes on either side of the + road, alternately, at such distances as to secure them from their + own fire: these were intended for night watching, in order to cut + off all communication with the fort. Here the party deemed it + advisable to leave the main road, and strike across the country + to the Maumee river, which was reached in safety at a point one + and a half miles below the fort. Having tied their horses in a + thicket, the party proceeded cautiously on foot, to ascertain + whether our troops or the Indians were in possession of the fort. + Having satisfied themselves on this point, they returned, + remounted their horses, and taking the main road, moved rapidly + to the fort. Upon reaching the gate of the esplanade, they found + it locked, and were thus compelled to pass down the river bank, + and then ascend it at the northern gate. They were favored in + doing so by the withdrawal of the hostile Indians from this + point, in carrying out a plan, then on the point of consummation, + for taking the fort by an ingenious stratagem. For several days + previous to this time, the hostile chiefs under a flag of truce, + had been holding intercourse with the garrison; and had, it is + supposed, discovered the unsoldier-like condition of the + commander. They had accordingly arranged their warriors in a + semicircle, on the west and south sides of the fort, and at no + great distance from it. Five of the chiefs, under pretence of + treating with the officers of the garrison, were to pass into the + fort, and when in council were to assassinate the subaltern + officers with pistols and knives, concealed under <a id= + "Page_054" name="Page_054"></a><span class="page2">054</span> + their blankets; and then to seize captain Rhea, who, in his + trepidation, and under a promise of personal safety, would, they + anticipated, order the gates of the fort to be thrown open for + the admission of the besiegers. The plan, thus arranged, was in + the act of being carried into execution at the moment when Oliver + and his companions reached the gate. In speaking of the opportune + approach of this party, lieutenant Curtis says, "the safe arrival + of Mr. Oliver at that particular juncture, may justly be + considered most miraculous. One hour sooner or one later, would + no doubt have been inevitable destruction both to himself and + escort: the parties of Indians who had been detached to guard the + roads and passes in different directions, having all at that + moment been called in, to aid in carrying the fort. It is + generally believed by those acquainted with the circumstances, + that not one hour, for eight days and nights preceding or + following the hour in which Mr. Oliver arrived, would have + afforded an opportunity of any probable safety." Winnemac, Five + Medals, and three other hostile chiefs, bearing the flag under + which they were to gain admittance to the fort to carry out their + treacherous intentions, were surprised by suddenly meeting at the + gate, Oliver and his companions. Coming from different directions + and screened by the angles of the fort, the parties were not + visible to each other until both were near the gate. On meeting, + they shook hands, but it was apparent that Winnemac was greatly + disconcerted; he immediately wheeled and returned to his camp, + satisfied that this accession of strength to the + garrison—the forerunner, in all probability, of a much + larger force—had defeated his scheme. The others of his + party entered the fort, and remained some little time, during + which they were given to understand that Logan and his two Indian + companions were to remain with the garrison. Oliver, in the mean + time, having written a hasty letter, describing the condition of + the fort, to general Worthington; and the Indians being equipped + with new rifles from the public stores, they prepared to leave + the fort without delay. Fortunately their movements were not + observed by the enemy, until they had actually started from the + garrison <a id="Page_055" name="Page_055"></a><span class= + "page2">055</span> gate. They now put spurs to their horses and + dashed off at full speed. The hostile Indians were instantly in + motion to intercept them; the race was a severe and perilous one, + but Logan and his companions cleared the enemy's line in safety, + and this accomplished, his loud shout of triumph rose high in the + air, and fell like music upon the ears of the beleaguered + garrison. The party reached general Worthington's camp early the + next morning, and delivered Oliver's letter to him. + Notwithstanding the perilous condition of the garrison, however, + the Ohio troops delayed moving for its relief, until they were + overtaken by general Harrison, who, with his reinforcements, was + unable to reach the fort until the twelfth. In the mean time the + Indians kept up an incessant firing, day and night, upon the + fort, killing on one occasion, two of the garrison who passed out + of the gate on police duty. Several times the buildings of the + fort were set on fire by the burning arrows which were shot upon + them, but by the vigilance of the garrison in extinguishing the + flames, a general conflagration was prevented. Some days after + the arrival of Oliver, the Indians appeared to be making + preparations for some uncommon movement, and one afternoon, just + before night-fall, succeeded in getting possession of one of the + trading houses standing near the fort. From this point they + demanded a surrender of the garrison, under a promise of + protection; and with a threat of extermination if they were + compelled to carry the fort by storm: they alleged, further, that + they had just been reinforced by a large number of warriors, some + pieces of British cannon, and artillerists to man them. Their + demand being promptly refused, they immediately closed in upon + the fort, yelling hideously, firing their guns and also a couple + of cannon. Every man in the fort capable of doing duty, now stood + at his post, having several stands of loaded arms by his side. + They were directed by the acting lieutenant, Curtis,<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_27">[27]</a></span> not to fire until + the Indians had approached within twenty-five paces of the fort: + the <a id="Page_056" name="Page_056"></a><span class= + "page2">056</span> fire was at length opened upon the entire + Indian lines, and in a manner so destructive, that in twenty + minutes the enemy retreated with the loss of eighteen of their + warriors, killed. It was discovered, subsequently, that the + cannon used on this occasion by the Indians, had been made of + wood by some British traders who were with them; one of the + pieces burst upon the first, and the other on the second, fire. + </p> + <p> + The day before general Harrison reached this place, the Indians + concentrated at a swamp, five miles south of the fort, for the + purpose of giving him battle; but after reconnoitering his force, + and finding it too strong for them, they fell back, passing by + the fort in great disorder, in the hope, it is supposed, of + drawing out the garrison, under a belief that they, (the + Indians,) had been defeated by general Harrison's army. To + promote this idea, they had, while lying at the swamp, kindled + extensive fires, that the rising volume of smoke might be + mistaken for that which usually overhangs the field of battle. + This device proving unavailing, the Indians, after a vigorous + investment, running through more than twenty days, withdrew + forever from the siege of fort Wayne. + </p> + <p> + The enterprise of young Oliver, just related, reflected the + highest credit on his bravery and patriotism: being wholly + voluntary on his part, the moral heroism of the act was only + surpassed by its fortunate results; as it prevented, in all + probability, the fall of an important frontier post, and saved + its garrison from the tomahawk and scalping knife. So hazardous + was the effort deemed, indeed, that experienced frontier's-men + endeavored to dissuade him from the undertaking; and even Logan + considered it one of great peril; but when once resolved upon, he + gallantly incurred the hazard of the deed, and showed himself + worthy of the trust reposed in him. + </p> + <p> + In November of this year, general Harrison directed Logan to take + a small party of his tribe, and reconnoitre the country in the + direction of the Rapids of the Maumee. When near this point, they + were met by a body of the enemy, superior to their own in number, + and compelled to retreat. Logan, captain Johnny and <a id= + "Page_057" name="Page_057"></a><span class="page2">057</span> + Bright-horn, who composed the party, effected their escape, to + the left wing of the army, then under the command of general + Winchester, who was duly informed of the circumstances of their + adventure. An officer of the Kentucky troops, general P., the + second in command, without the slightest ground for such a + charge, accused Logan of infidelity to our cause, and of giving + intelligence to the enemy. Indignant at this foul accusation, the + noble chief at once resolved to meet it in a manner that would + leave no doubt as to his faithfulness to the United States. He + called on his friend Oliver, and having told him of the + imputation that had been cast upon his reputation, said that he + would start from the camp next morning, and either leave his body + bleaching in the woods, or return with such trophies from the + enemy, as would relieve his character from the suspicion that had + been wantonly cast upon it by an American officer. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, on the morning of the 22d he started down the + Maumee, attended by his two faithful companions, captain Johnny + and Bright-horn. About noon, having stopped for the purpose of + taking rest, they were suddenly surprised by a party of seven of + the enemy, amongst whom were young Elliott, a half-breed, holding + a commission in the British service, and the celebrated + Potawatamie chief, Winnemac. Logan made no resistance, but with + great presence of mind, extending his hand to Winnemac, who was + an old acquaintance, proceeded to inform him, that he and his two + companions, tired of the American service, were just leaving + general Winchester's army, for the purpose of joining the + British. Winnemac, being familiar with Indian strategy, was not + satisfied with this declaration, but proceeded to disarm Logan + and his comrades, and placing his party around them, so as to + prevent their escape, started for the British camp at the foot of + the Rapids. In the course of the afternoon, Logan's address was + such as to inspire confidence in his sincerity, and induce + Winnemac to restore to him and his companions their arms. Logan + now formed the plan of attacking his captors on the first + favorable opportunity; and whilst marching along, succeeded in + communicating <a id="Page_058" name="Page_058"></a><span class= + "page2">058</span> the substance of it to captain Johnny and + Bright-horn. Their guns being already loaded, they had little + further preparation to make, than to put bullets into their + mouths, to facilitate the reloading of their arms. In carrying on + this process, captain Johnny, as he afterwards related, fearing + that the man marching by his side had observed the operation, + adroitly did away the impression by remarking, "me chaw heap + tobac." + </p> + <p> + The evening being now at hand, the British Indians determined to + encamp on the bank of Turkeyfoot creek, about twenty miles from + fort Winchester. Confiding in the idea that Logan had really + deserted the American service, a part of his captors rambled + around the place of their encampment, in search of blackhaws. + They were no sooner out of sight, than Logan gave the signal of + attack upon those who remained behind; they fired and two of the + enemy fell dead—the third, being only wounded, required a + second shot to despatch him; and in the mean time, the remainder + of the party, who were near by, returned the fire, and all of + them "treed." There being four of the enemy, and only three of + Logan's party, the latter could not watch all the movements of + their antagonists. Thus circumstanced, and during an active + fight, the fourth man of the enemy passed round until Logan was + uncovered by his tree, and shot him through the body. By this + time Logan's party had wounded two of the surviving four, which + caused them to fall back. Taking advantage of this state of + things, captain Johnny mounted Logan—now suffering the pain + of a mortal wound—and Bright-horn—also + wounded—on two of the enemy's horses, and started them for + Winchester's camp, which they reached about midnight. Captain + Johnny, having already secured the scalp of Winnemac, followed + immediately on foot, and gained the same point early on the + following morning. It was subsequently ascertained that the two + Indians of the British party, who were last wounded, died of + their wounds, making in all five out of the seven, who were slain + by Logan and his companions. + </p> + <p> + When the news of this gallant affair had spread through the camp, + and especially after it was known <a id="Page_059" name= + "Page_059"></a><span class="page2">059</span> that Logan was + mortally wounded, it created a deep and mournful sensation. No + one, it is believed, more deeply regretted the fatal catastrophe, + than the author of the charge upon Logan's integrity, which had + led to this unhappy result. + </p> + <p> + Logan's popularity was very great; indeed he was almost + universally esteemed in the army, for his fidelity to our cause, + his unquestioned bravery, and the nobleness of his nature. He + lived two or three days after reaching the camp, but in extreme + bodily agony; he was buried by the officers of the army, at fort + Winchester, with the honors of war. Previous to his death, he + related the particulars of this fatal enterprise to his friend + Oliver, declaring to him that he prized his honor more than life; + and, having now vindicated his reputation from the imputation + cast upon it, he died satisfied. In the course of this interview, + and while writhing with pain, he was observed to smile; upon + being questioned as to the cause, he replied, that when he + recalled to his mind the manner in which captain Johnny took off + the scalp of Winnemac, while at the same time dexterously + watching the movements of the enemy, he could not refrain from + laughing—an incident in savage life, which shows the + "ruling passion strong in death." It would perhaps be difficult + in the history of savage warfare, to point out an enterprise the + execution of which reflects higher credit upon the address and + daring conduct of its authors, than this does upon Logan and his + two companions. Indeed a spirit even less indomitable, a sense of + honor less acute, and a patriotic devotion to a good cause less + active, than were manifested by this gallant chieftain of the + woods, might, under other circumstances, have well conferred + immortality upon his name. + </p> + <p> + The Shawanoe nation has produced a number of distinguished + individuals, besides those who have been noticed in this brief + sketch of that people. The plan of our work does not permit a + more extended enumeration of them. When a full and faithful + history of this tribe shall be written, it will be found, we + think, that no tribe of aborigines on this continent, has given + birth to so many men, remarkable for their talents, <a id= + "Page_060" name="Page_060"></a><span class="page2">060</span> + energy of character, and military prowess, as the Shawanoe. + </p> + <p> + Under a treaty held at the rapids of the Miami of the lakes, in + 1817, by Duncan McArthur and Lewis Cass, commissioners on the + part of the United States, for extinguishing Indian titles to + lands in Ohio, the Shawanoes ceded to the government the + principal portion of their lands within the limits of this state. + After this period they resided principally on the reserve made by + them at and around Wapakanotta, on the Auglaize river. Here the + greater part of them remained, until within a few years past, + when, yielding to the pressing appeals of the government, they + sold their reserved lands to the United States, and removed west + of the Mississippi. + </p> + <p> + For a number of years prior to their final departure from Ohio, + the society of Friends, with their characteristic philanthropy + towards the Indians, maintained a mission at Wapakanotta, for the + purpose of giving instruction to the Shawanoe children, and + inducing the adults to turn their attention to agricultural + pursuits. Notwithstanding the wandering and warlike character of + this tribe, such was the success attending this effort of active + benevolence, that the Friends composing the Yearly Meetings of + Baltimore, Ohio and Indiana, still continue a similar agency + among the Shawanoes, although they are now the occupants of the + territory lying beyond the distant Arkansas. + </p> + <p> + Whether the new position west of the Mississippi, in which the + Indian tribes have been placed, will tend to promote their + civilization, arrest their deterioration in morals, or their + decline in numbers, we think extremely problematical. Should + such, however, be the happy result, it may be anticipated that + the tribe which has produced a Logan, a Cornstalk and a Tecumseh, + will be among the first to rise above the moral degradation in + which it is shrouded, and foremost to exhibit the renovating + influences of Christian civilization. + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_061" name="Page_061"></a><span class= + "page2">061</span> + </p> + <hr /> + <h1> + THE LIFE OF TECUMSEH. + </h1> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Parentage of Tecumseh—his sister Tecumapease—his + brothers Cheeseekau, Sauweeseekau, Nehasseemo, Tenskwautawa or + the Prophet, and Kumskaukau. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + There are not wanting authorities for the assertion that both the + Anglo-Saxon and Creek blood ran in the veins of + TECUMSEH.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_28">[28]</a></span> It has been stated that his + paternal grandfather was a white man, and that his mother was a + Creek. The better opinion, however, seems to be, that he was + wholly a Shawanoe. On this point we have the concurrent authority + of John Johnston, late Indian agent at Piqua; and of Stephen + Ruddell, formerly of Kentucky, who for near twenty years was a + prisoner among the Shawanoes. They both possessed ample + opportunities for ascertaining the fact, and unite in asserting + that Puckeshinwa, the father of Tecumseh, was a member of the + Kiscopoke, and Methoataske, the mother, of the Turtle tribe of + the Shawanoe nation. + </p> + <p> + The parents of Tecumseh removed from Florida to the north side of + the Ohio, about the middle of the eighteenth century. The father + rose to the rank of a chief, and fell in the celebrated battle of + the Kanawha, in 1774, leaving six sons and one daughter. Of + these, one or two were born at the south, the others within what + now constitutes the state of Ohio. They will be briefly noticed + in the order of their birth. + </p> + <p> + Cheeseekau, the eldest, is represented to have taken great pains + with his brother Tecumseh, laboring not only to make him a + distinguished warrior, but to instil into his mind a love of + truth, and a contempt for every <a id="Page_062" name= + "Page_062"></a><span class="page2">062</span> thing mean and + sordid. Cheeseekau fought by the side of his father in the battle + of Kanawha; and, some years afterwards, led a small band of + Shawanoes on a predatory expedition to the south, Tecumseh being + one of the party. While there, they joined some Cherokees, in an + attack upon a fort, garrisoned by white men. A day or two before + the attack, Cheeseekau made a speech to his followers, and + predicted that at such an hour, on a certain morning, they would + reach the fort, and that he should be shot in the forehead and + killed; but that the fort would be taken, if the party persevered + in the assault, which he urged them to do. An effort was made by + his followers to induce him to turn back, but he refused. The + attack took place at the time predicted, and Cheeseekau fell. His + last words expressed the joy he felt at dying in battle; he did + not wish, he said, to be buried at home, like an old woman, but + preferred that the fowls of the air should pick his bones. The + fall of their leader created a panic among the assaulting party, + and they suddenly retreated.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_29">[29]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Tecumapease, known also by the name of Menewaulakoosee, was a + sister worthy of her distinguished brother Tecumseh, with whom, + up to the period of his death, she was a great favorite. + Sensible, kind hearted, and uniformly exemplary in her conduct, + she obtained and exercised a remarkable degree of influence over + the females of her tribe. She was united in marriage to a + <i>brave</i>, called Wasegoboah, (stand firm,) who fell in the + battle of the Thames, fighting courageously by the side of his + brother-in-law, Tecumseh. In 1814, Tecumapease visited Quebec, in + company with some other members of her tribe, from whence, after + the close of the war between this country and England, she + returned to the neighborhood of Detroit, where, not long + afterwards, she died. Tecumseh is represented to have entertained + for her a warm affection, and to have treated her, uniformly, + with respect. He was in the habit of making her many valuable + presents. + </p> + <p> + Sauwaseekau, is supposed to have been born while his parents were + removing from the south to the Ohio. <a id="Page_063" name= + "Page_063"></a><span class="page2">063</span> Concerning him few + particulars have been preserved. He stood well as a warrior, and + was killed in battle during Wayne's campaign in 1794. + </p> + <p> + The fourth child, TECUMSEH, or the Shooting Star, is the subject + of this biography. + </p> + <p> + Of the fifth, Nehaseemo, no information has been obtained. + </p> + <p> + The two remaining children, Laulewasikaw, called after he became + a prophet Tenskwautawa, and Kumskaukau, were twins. Such is + understood to have been the statement of the former, in giving + the family pedigree. Other authorities<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_30">[30]</a></span> say that Tecumseh, + Laulewasikaw, and Kumskaukau were all three born at the same + time. The last named lived to be an old man, and died without + distinction. + </p> + <p> + Laulewasikaw, as will appear in the course of this work, lived to + attain an extraordinary degree of notoriety. He became, under the + influence of his brother Tecumseh, a powerful agent in arousing + the superstitious feelings of the north-western Indians, in that + memorable period of their history, between the year 1805, and the + battle of Tippecanoe, in 1811, which dissolved, in a great + measure, the charm by which he had successfully played upon their + passions and excited them to action. The character and + prophetical career of this individual will necessarily be fully + displayed in the progress of this work. There is, however, one + trait of his character which may be appropriately mentioned in + this place—his disposition to boast, not only of his own + standing and importance, but also of the rank and respectability + of the family to which he belonged. As an instance of this + peculiarity, and of his tact in telling a plausible tale, the + following narration may be cited. It is an ingenious mixture of + truth and fiction; and was written down by the gentleman to whom + it was related by Laulewasikaw. The language is that of the + individual to whom the narrative was made. + </p> + <p> + "His paternal grandfather, (according to his statement of the + family pedigree) was a Creek, who, at a period which is not + defined in the manuscript before <a id="Page_064" name= + "Page_064"></a><span class="page2">064</span> us, went to one of + the southern cities, either Savannah or Charleston, to hold a + council with the English governor, whose daughter was present at + some of the interviews. This young lady had conceived a violent + admiration for the Indian character; and, having determined to + bestow herself upon some 'warlike lord' of the forest, she took + this occasion to communicate her partiality to her father. The + next morning, in the council, the governor enquired of the + Indians which of them was the most expert hunter; and the + grandfather of Tecumseh, then a young and handsome man, who sat + modestly in a retired part of the room, was pointed out to him. + When the council broke up for the day, the governor asked his + daughter if she was really so partial to the Indians, as to + prefer selecting a husband from them, and finding that she + persisted in this singular predilection, he directed her + attention to the young Creek warrior, for whom, at first sight, + she avowed a decided attachment. On the following morning the + governor announced to the Creeks that his daughter was disposed + to marry one of their number; and, having pointed out the + individual, added, that his own consent would be given. The + chiefs at first very naturally doubted whether the governor was + in earnest; but upon assuring them that he was sincere, they + advised the young man to embrace the lady and her offer. He was + not so ungallant as to refuse; and having consented to the + fortune that was thus buckled on him, was immediately taken to + another apartment, where he was disrobed of his Indian costume by + a train of black servants, washed, and clad in a new suit, and + the marriage ceremony was immediately performed. + </p> + <p> + "At the close of the council the Creeks returned home, but the + young hunter remained with his wife. He amused himself in + hunting, in which he was very successful, and was accustomed to + take a couple of black servants with him, who seldom failed to + bring in large quantities of game. He lived among the whites + until his wife had borne him two daughters and a son. Upon the + birth of the latter, the governor went to see his grandson, and + was so well pleased, that he called his friends together, and + caused thirty guns to be fired. When <a id="Page_065" name= + "Page_065"></a><span class="page2">065</span> the boy was seven + or eight years old his father died, and the governor took charge + of the child, who was often visited by the Creeks. At the age of + ten or twelve, he was permitted to accompany the Indians to their + nation, where he spent some time; and two years after, he again + made a long visit to the Creeks, who then, with a few Shawanoes, + lived on a river called Pauseekoalaakee, and began to adopt their + dress and customs. They gave him an Indian name, Puckeshinwau, + which means <i>something that drops</i>; and after learning their + language, he became so much attached to the Indian life, that + when the governor sent for him he refused to return." + </p> + <p> + Such is the pleasant and artful story, narrated with solemn + gravity by Laulewasikaw, to emblazon the family pedigree by + connecting it with the governor of one of the provinces: and + here, for the present, we take our leave of the "Open Door." + </p> + <p> + The band of Shawanoes with whom Puckeshinwau and his family + emigrated to the Ohio, established themselves, in the first + place, in the valley of the Scioto, from whence they subsequently + removed to the waters of Mad River, one of the tributaries of the + Great Miami. After the death of Puckeshinwau, his wife + Methoataaskee, returned to the south, where she died at an + advanced age, among the Cherokees. She belonged to the Turtle + tribe of the Shawanoes, and her name signifies, <i>a turtle + laying eggs in the sand</i>. That she was a respectable woman, is + the testimony of those who knew her personally: that she was + naturally a superior one, may be fairly inferred from the + character of at least a part of her children. + </p> + <p> + With this brief account of an aboriginal family, highly reputable + in itself, but on which the name of Tecumseh has conferred no + small degree of distinction, we now proceed to the immediate + subject of this memoir. + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_066" name="Page_066"></a><span class= + "page2">066</span> + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER II. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Birth place of Tecumseh—destruction of the Piqua + village—early habits of Tecumseh—his first + battle—effort to abolish the burning of + prisoners—visits the Cherokees in the south—engages + in several battles—returns to Ohio in the autumn of 1790. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Some diversity of opinion has prevailed as to the birth place of + Tecumseh. It is generally supposed, and indeed is stated by + several historians to have been in the Scioto valley, near the + place where Chillicothe now stands. Such, however, is not the + fact. He was born in the valley of the Miamis, on the bank of Mad + River, a few miles below Springfield, and within the limits of + Clark county. Of this there is the most satisfactory evidence. In + the year 1805, when the Indians were assembling at Greenville, as + it was feared with some hostile intention against the frontiers, + the governor of Ohio sent Duncan McArthur and Thomas Worthington + to that place, to ascertain the object and disposition of these + Indians. Tecumseh and three other chiefs agreed to return with + these messengers to Chillicothe, then the seat of government, for + the purpose of holding a "talk" with the governor. General + McArthur, in a letter to the author of this work, under date of + 19th November, 1821, says, "When on the way from Greenville to + Chillicothe, Tecumseh pointed out to us the place where he was + born. It was in an old Shawanoe town, on the north-west side of + Mad River, about six miles below Springfield." This fact is + corroborated by Stephen Ruddell, the early and intimate associate + of Tecumseh, who states that he was "born in the neighborhood of + 'old Chillicothe,' in the year 1768." The "old Chillicothe" here + spoken of was a Shawanoe village, situated on Massie's creek, + three miles north of where Xenia now stands, and about ten or + twelve miles south of the village pointed out by Tecumseh, to + general McArthur, as the spot of his nativity. This village was + the ancient Piqua of the Shawanoes, and occupied the site on + which a small town called West Boston has since been built. The + principal part of <a id="Page_067" name= + "Page_067"></a><span class="page2">067</span> Piqua stood upon a + plain, rising fifteen or twenty feet above the river. On the + south, between the village and Mad River, there was an extensive + prairie—on the north-east some bold cliffs, terminating + near the river—on the west and south-west, level timbered + land; while on the opposite side of the stream, another prairie, + of varying width, stretched back to the high grounds. The river + sweeping by in a graceful bend—the precipitous rocky + cliffs—the undulating hills with their towering + trees—the prairies garnished with tall grass and brilliant + flowers—combined to render the situation of Piqua both + beautiful and picturesque. + </p> + <p> + At the period of its destruction, Piqua was quite populous. There + was a rude log fort within its limits, surrounded by pickets. It + was, however, sacked and burnt on the 8th of August, 1780, by an + army of one thousand men from Kentucky, after a severe and well + conducted battle with the Indians who inhabited it. All the + improvements of the Indians, including more than two hundred + acres of corn and other vegetables, then growing in their fields, + were laid waste and destroyed. The town was never afterwards + rebuilt by the Shawanoes. Its inhabitants removed to the Great + Miami river, and erected another town which they called Piqua, + after the one that had just been destroyed; and in defence of + which they had fought with the skill and valor characteristic of + their nation.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_31">[31]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + The birth of Tecumseh has been placed by some writers in the year + 1771. Ruddell states that it occurred in 1768, three years + earlier, and this, we think, is probably the true period. His + early boyhood gave promise of the renown of his maturer years. + After the death of his father, which occurred when he was in his + sixth year, he was placed under the charge of his oldest brother, + Cheeseekau, who taught him to hunt, led him to battle, and + labored zealously to imbue his mind with a love for truth, + generosity, and the practice of those cardinal Indian virtues, + courage in battle and fortitude in suffering. From his boyhood, + <a id="Page_068" name="Page_068"></a><span class= + "page2">068</span> Tecumseh seems to have had a passion for war. + His pastimes, like those of Napoleon, were generally in the + sham-battle field. He was the leader of his companions in all + their sports, and was accustomed to divide them into parties, one + of which he always headed, for the purpose of fighting mimic + battles, in which he usually distinguished himself by his + activity, strength and skill.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_32">[32]</a></span> His dexterity in the use of the + bow and arrow exceeded that of all the other Indian boys of his + tribe, by whom he was loved and respected, and over whom he + exercised unbounded influence. He was generally surrounded by a + set of companions who were ready to stand or fall by his + side.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_33">[33]</a></span> + It is stated that the first battle in which he was engaged, + occurred on Mad River, near where Dayton stands, between a party + of Kentuckians, commanded by colonel Benjamin Logan, and some + Shawanoes. At this time Tecumseh was very young, and joined the + expedition under the care of his brother, who was wounded at the + first fire. It is related by some Indian chiefs that Tecumseh, at + the commencement of the action, became frightened and + ran.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_34">[34]</a></span> + This may be true, but it is the only instance in which he was + ever known to shrink from danger, or to loose that presence of + mind for which he was ever afterwards remarkably distinguished. + </p> + <p> + The next action in which Tecumseh participated, and in which he + manifested signal prowess, was an attack made by the Indians upon + some flat boats, descending the Ohio, above Limestone, now + Maysville. The year in which it occurred is not stated, but + Tecumseh was not probably more than sixteen or seventeen years of + age. The boats were captured, and all the persons belonging to + them killed, except one, who was taken prisoner, and afterwards + burnt. Tecumseh was a silent spectator of the scene, having never + witnessed the burning of a prisoner before. After it was over, he + expressed in strong terms, his abhorrence of the act, and it was + finally concluded by the party that they <a id="Page_069" name= + "Page_069"></a><span class="page2">069</span> would never burn + any more prisoners;<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_35">[35]</a></span> and to this resolution, he + himself, and the party also, it is believed, ever afterwards + scrupulously adhered. It is not less creditable to the humanity + than to the genius of Tecumseh, that he should have taken this + noble stand, and by the force and eloquence of his appeal, have + brought his companions to the same resolution. He was then but a + boy, yet he had the independence to attack a cherished custom of + his tribe, and the power of argument to convince them, against + all their preconceived notions of right and the rules of warfare, + that the custom should be abolished. That his effort to put a + stop to this cruel and revolting rite, was not prompted by any + temporary expediency, but was the result of a humane disposition, + and a right sense of justice, is abundantly shown by his conduct + towards prisoners in after life. + </p> + <p> + The boats were owned by traders. The number of whites killed in + the engagement has not been ascertained. In the attack upon them, + Tecumseh not only behaved with great courage, but even left in + the back ground some of the oldest and bravest warriors of the + party. From this time his reputation as a brave, and his + influence over other minds, rose rapidly among the tribe to which + he belonged. + </p> + <p> + About the year 1787, Cheeseekau and Tecumseh, with a party of + Kiscopokes, one of the tribes of the Shawanoe nation, moved + westward on a hunting and predatory expedition. They made a stand + for some months on the waters of the Mississinnaway, and then + crossed over to the Mississippi, opposite the mouth of Apple + creek, where they encamped and remained for eight or nine months. + From thence they proceeded towards the Cherokee country. On their + route, while opposite fort Massac, they engaged in a buffalo + chase, during which Tecumseh was thrown from his horse, and had + his thigh broken.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_36">[36]</a></span> This accident detained them for + some months at the place where it occurred. So soon as he had + recovered, the party, headed by Cheeseekau, proceeded <a id= + "Page_070" name="Page_070"></a><span class="page2">070</span> on + their way to the country of the Cherokees, who were then at + hostilities with the whites. With that fondness for adventure and + love of war, which have ever marked the Shawanoe character, they + immediately offered assistance to their brethren of the south, + which being accepted, they joined in the contest. + </p> + <p> + The engagement in which they participated was an attack upon a + fort, the name and position of which were not known to our + informant. The Indians, it is well known are always + superstitious, and from the fact of Cheeseekau, having foretold + his death, its occurrence disheartened them, and in despite of + the influence of Tecumseh and the Cherokee leaders, who rose + above the superstition of their comrades, the attack was given + up, and a sudden retreat followed. + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh, who had left the banks of the Miami in quest of + adventures, and for the purpose of winning renown as a warrior, + told the party that he was determined not to return to his native + land, until he had achieved some act worthy of being recounted. + He accordingly selected eight or ten men and proceeded to the + nearest settlement, attacked a house, killed all the men in it, + and took the women and children prisoners. He did not immediately + retreat, but engaged in some other similar adventures. During + this expedition he was three times attacked in the night in his + encampment; but owing to his good judgment in the choice of his + camping ground, and his habitual watchfulness when in an enemy's + country, no advantage was gained over him. On one occasion, while + encamped in the edge of a cane-brake on the waters of the + Tennessee, he was assaulted by a party of whites, about thirty in + number. Tecumseh had not lain down, but was engaged at the moment + of the attack, in dressing some meat. He instantly sprang to his + feet, and ordering his small party to follow him, rushed upon his + foes with perfect fearlessness; and, having killed two, put the + whole party to flight, he losing none of his own men. + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh and his party remained at the south nearly two years, + traversing that region of country, visiting the different tribes + of Indians, and engaging in the border forays which at that + period were constantly occurring <a id="Page_071" name= + "Page_071"></a><span class="page2">071</span> between the whites + and the native possessors of the soil. He now determined to + return home, and accordingly set out with eight of his party. + They passed through western Virginia, crossed the Ohio near the + mouth of the Scioto, and visiting the Machichac towns on the head + waters of Mad River, from thence proceeded to the Auglaize, which + they reached in the fall of 1790, shortly after the defeat of + general Harmar, having been absent from Ohio upwards of three + years. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Tecumseh attacked near Big Rock by some whites under Robert + M'Clelland—severe battle with some Kentuckians on the + East Fork of the Little Miami—attack upon Tecumseh in + 1793, on the waters of Paint creek—Tecumseh present at + the attack on fort Recovery in 1794—participates in the + battle of the Rapids of the Maumee, in 1794. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + From the period of his return, until August of the following + year, 1791, Tecumseh spent his time in hunting. In the autumn of + this year, when information reached the Indians, that general St. + Clair and his army were preparing to march from fort Washington, + into their country, this chief headed a small party of spies, who + went out for the purpose of watching the movements of the + invading force.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_37">[37]</a></span> While lying on Nettle creek, a + small stream which empties into the Great Miami, general St. + Clair and his army passed out through Greenville to the head + waters of the Wabash, where he was defeated. Tecumseh, of course, + had no personal participation in this engagement, so creditable + to the valor of the Indians, and so disastrous to the arms and + renown of the United States. + </p> + <p> + In December, 1792, Tecumseh, with ten other warriors and a boy, + were encamped near Big Rock, between Loramie's creek and Piqua, + for the purpose of hunting. Early one morning, while the party + were seated round the fire, engaged in smoking, they were fired + upon by a company of whites near treble their <a id="Page_072" + name="Page_072"></a><span class="page2">072</span> number. + Tecumseh raised the war-whoop, upon which the Indians sprang to + their arms, and promptly returned the fire. He then directed the + boy to run, and in turning round a moment afterwards, perceived + that one of his men. Black Turkey, was running also. He had + already retreated to the distance of one hundred yards; yet such + was his fear of Tecumseh, he instantly obeyed the order to + return, indignantly given him, and joined in the battle. Two of + the whites were killed—one of them by Tecumseh—before + they retreated. While pursuing them Tecumseh broke the trigger of + his rifle, which induced him to give up the chase, or probably + more of the whites would have fallen. They were commanded by + Robert M'Clelland. Tecumseh lost none of his men; two of them, + however, were wounded, one of whom was Black Turkey.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_38">[38]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + In the month of March, 1792, some horses were stolen by the + Indians, from the settlements in Mason county, Kentucky. A party + of whites to the number of thirty-six, was immediately raised for + the purpose of pursuing them. It embraced Kenton, Whiteman, + M'Intire, Downing, Washburn, Calvin and several other experienced + woodsmen. The first named, Simon Kenton, a distinguished Indian + fighter, was placed in command. The trail of the Indians being + taken, it was found they had crossed the Ohio just below the + mouth of Lee's creek, which was reached by the pursuing party + towards evening. Having prepared rafts, they crossed the Ohio + that night, and encamped. Early next morning the trail was again + taken and pursued, on a north course, all day, the weather being + bad and the ground wet. On the ensuing morning twelve of the men + were unable to continue the pursuit, and were permitted to + return. The remainder followed the trail until eleven o'clock, + A.M., when a bell was heard, which they supposed indicated their + approach to the Indian camp. A halt was called, and all useless + baggage and clothing laid aside. Whiteman and two others were + sent ahead as spies, in different directions, each being followed + by a detachment of the party. <a id="Page_073" name= + "Page_073"></a><span class="page2">073</span> After moving + forward some distance, it was found that the bell was approaching + them. They halted and soon perceived a solitary Indian riding + towards them. When within one hundred and fifty yards, he was + fired at and killed. Kenton directed the spies to proceed, being + now satisfied that the camp of the Indians was near at hand. They + pushed on rapidly, and after going about four miles, found the + Indians encamped, on the south-east side of the east fork of the + Little Miami, a few miles above the place where the town of + Williamsburg has since been built. The indications of a + considerable body of Indians were so strong, that the expediency + of an attack at that hour of the day was doubted by Kenton. A + hurried council was held, in which it was determined to retire, + if it could be done without discovery, and lie concealed until + night, and then assault the camp. This plan was carried into + execution. Two of the spies were left to watch the Indians, and + ascertain whether the pursuing party had been discovered. The + others retreated for some distance and took a commanding position + on a ridge. The spies watched until night, and then reported to + their commander, that they had not been discovered by the enemy. + The men being wet and cold, they were now marched down into a + hollow, where they kindled fires, dried their clothes, and put + their rifles in order. The party was then divided into three + detachments,—Kenton commanding the right, M'Intire the + centre, and Downing the left. By agreement, the three divisions + were to move towards the camp, simultaneously, and when they had + approached as near as possible, without giving an alarm, were to + be guided in the commencement of the attack, by the fire from + Kenton's party. When Downing and his detachment had approached + close to the camp, an Indian rose upon his feet, and began to + stir up the fire, which was but dimly burning. Fearing a + discovery, Downing's party instantly shot him down. This was + followed by a general fire from the three detachments, upon the + Indians who were sleeping under some marquees and bark tents, + close upon the margin of the stream. But unfortunately, as it + proved in the sequel, Kenton's party had taken <a id="Page_074" + name="Page_074"></a><span class="page2">074</span> "Boone," as + their watch-word. This name happening to be as familiar to the + enemy as themselves, led to some confusion in the course of the + engagement. When fired upon, the Indians instead of retreating + across the stream as had been anticipated, boldly stood to their + arms, returned the fire of the assailants and rushed upon them. + They were reinforced moreover from a camp on the opposite side of + the river,<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_39">[39]</a></span> which until then, had been + unperceived by the whites. In a few minutes the Indians and the + Kentuckians were blended with each other, and the cry of "Boone," + and "Che Boone," arose simultaneously from each party. + </p> + <p> + It was after midnight when the attack was made, and there being + no moon, it was very dark. Kenton perceiving that his men were + likely to be overpowered, ordered a retreat after the attack had + lasted for a few minutes; this was continued through the + remainder of the night and part of the next day, the Indians + pursuing them, but without killing more than one of the + retreating party. The Kentuckians lost but two men, Alexander + McIntire and John Barr.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_40">[40]</a></span> The loss of the Indians was much + greater, according to the statements of some prisoners, who, + after the peace of 1795, were released and returned to Kentucky. + They related that fourteen Indians were killed, and seventeen + wounded. They stated further, that there were in the camp about + one hundred warriors, among them several chiefs of note, + including Tecumseh, Battise, Black Snake, Wolf and Chinskau; and + that the party had been formed for the purpose of annoying the + settlements in Kentucky, and attacking boats descending the Ohio + river. Kenton and his party were three days in reaching + Limestone, during two of which they were without food, and + destitute of sufficient clothing to protect them from the cold + winds and rains of March. The foregoing particulars of this + expedition are taken from the manuscript narrative of general + Benjamin Whiteman, one <a id="Page_075" name= + "Page_075"></a><span class="page2">075</span> of the early and + gallant pioneers to Kentucky, now a resident of Green county, + Ohio. + </p> + <p> + The statements of Anthony Shane and of Stephen Ruddell, touching + this action, vary in some particulars from that which has been + given above, and also from the narrative in McDonald's Sketches. + The principal difference relates to the number of Indians in the + engagement, and the loss sustained by them. They report but two + killed, and that the Indian force was less than that of the + whites. Ruddell states that at the commencement of the attack, + Tecumseh was lying by the fire, outside of the tents. When the + first gun was heard he sprang to his feet, and calling upon + Sinnamatha<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_41">[41]</a></span> to follow his example and charge, + he rushed forward, and killed one of the whites<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_42">[42]</a></span> with his war-club. + The other Indians, raising the war-whoop, seized their arms, and + rushing upon Kenton and his party, compelled them, after a severe + contest of a few minutes, to retreat. One of the Indians, in the + midst of the engagement, fell into the river, and in the effort + to get out of the water, made so much noise, that it created a + belief on the minds of the whites that a reinforcement was + crossing the stream to aid Tecumseh. This is supposed to have + hastened the order from Kenton, for his men to retreat. The + afternoon prior to the battle, one of Kenton's men, by the name + of McIntire, succeeded in catching an Indian horse, which he tied + in the rear of the camp; and, when a retreat was ordered, he + mounted and rode off. Early in the morning, Tecumseh and four of + his men set off in pursuit of the retreating party. Having fallen + upon the trail of McIntire, they pursued it for some distance, + and at length overtook him. He had struck a fire and was cooking + some meat. When McIntire discovered his pursuers, he instantly + fled at full speed. Tecumseh and two others followed, and were + fast gaining on him, when he turned and raised his gun. Two of + the Indians, who happened to be in advance of Tecumseh, sprung + behind trees, but he <a id="Page_076" name= + "Page_076"></a><span class="page2">076</span> rushed upon + McIntire and made him prisoner. He was tied and taken back to the + battle ground. Upon reaching it, Tecumseh deemed it prudent to + draw off his men, lest the whites should rally and renew the + attack. He requested some of the Indians to catch the horses, but + they, hesitating, he undertook to do it himself, assisted by one + of the party. When he returned to camp with the horses, he found + that his men had killed McIntire. At this act of cruelty to a + prisoner, he was exceedingly indignant; declaring that it was a + cowardly act to kill a man when tied and a prisoner. The conduct + of Tecumseh in this engagement, and in the events of the + following morning, is creditable alike to his courage and + humanity. Resolutely brave in battle, his arm was never uplifted + against a prisoner, nor did he suffer violence to be inflicted + upon a captive, without promptly rebuking it. + </p> + <p> + McDonald, in speaking of this action, says: + </p> + <p> + "The celebrated Tecumseh commanded the Indians. His cautious and + fearless intrepidity made him a host wherever he went. In + military tactics, night attacks are not allowable, except in + cases like this, when the assailing party are far inferior in + numbers. Sometimes in night attacks, panics and confusion are + created in the attacked party, which may render them a prey to + inferior numbers. Kenton trusted to something like this on the + present occasion, but was disappointed; for when Tecumseh was + present, his influence over the minds of his followers infused + that confidence in his tact and intrepidity, that they could only + be defeated by force of numbers." + </p> + <p> + Some time in the spring of 1793, Tecumseh and a few of his + followers, while hunting in the Scioto valley on the waters of + Paint creek, were unexpectedly attacked by a party of white men + from Mason county, Kentucky. The circumstances which led to this + skirmish were the following. Early in the spring of this year, an + express reached the settlement in Mason, that some stations had + been attacked and captured on Slate creek, in Bath county, + Kentucky, and that the Indians were returning with their + prisoners to Ohio. A party of thirty-three men was immediately + raised to cut off their <a id="Page_077" name= + "Page_077"></a><span class="page2">077</span> retreat. These were + divided into three companies, of ten men each;—Simon Kenton + commanding one,—Baker another, and James Ward the third. + The whole party crossed the Ohio river at Limestone, and aimed to + strike the Scioto above the mouth of Paint creek. After crossing + this latter stream, near where the great road from Maysville to + Chillicothe now crosses it, evening came on, and they halted for + the night. In a short time they heard a noise, and a little + examination disclosed to them that they were in the immediate + vicinity of an Indian encampment. Their horses were promptly + taken back some distance and tied, to prevent an alarm. A council + was held,—captain Baker offered to go and reconnoitre, + which being agreed to, he took one of his company and made the + examination. He found the Indians encamped on the bank of the + creek, their horses being between them and the camp of the + whites. After Baker's report was made, the party determined to + remain where they were until near daylight the next morning; and + then to make an attack in the following manner. Captain Baker and + his men were to march round and take a position on the bank of + the stream, in front of the Indian camp: captain Ward was to + occupy the ground in the rear; and captain Kenton one side, while + the river presented a barrier on the fourth, thus guarding + against a retreat of the Indians. It was further agreed that the + attack was not to commence until there was light enough to shoot + with accuracy. Before Kenton and Ward had reached the positions + they were respectively to occupy, the bark of a dog in the Indian + camp was heard, and then the report of a gun. Upon this alarm, + Baker's men instantly fired, and captains Kenton and Ward, with + their companies, raising the battle cry, rushed towards the camp. + To their surprise, they found Baker and his men in the rear, + instead of the front of the Indians, thus deranging the plan of + attack, whether from design or accident is unknown. The Indians + sent back the battle cry, retreated a few paces, and treed. It + was still too dark to fire with precision, but random shots were + made, and a terrible shouting kept up by the Indians. While the + parties were thus at bay, Tecumseh had the address <a id= + "Page_078" name="Page_078"></a><span class="page2">078</span> to + send a part of their men to the rear of the Kentuckians for the + horses; and when they had been taken to the front, which was + accomplished without discovery, the Indians mounted and effected + their escape, carrying with them John Ward, the only one of their + party who was shot. This individual, a white man, had been + captured when three-years old, on Jackson, one of the tributaries + of James river, in Virginia. He had been raised by the Indians, + among whom he had married, and reared several children. He was + the brother of James Ward, one of the leaders of this expedition, + and died of his wound a few days after the engagement, as was + subsequently ascertained. No Indian was killed in this skirmish, + and but one of the Kentuckians, Jacob Jones, a member of Baker's + detachment. No pursuit of the Indians was made from this point, + nor did they prove to be the same party who had been engaged in + the attack upon the Slate creek station.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_43">[43]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + In McDonald's Sketches, it is stated that "three Indians were + killed in this action; and that when fired upon by their + assailants, they dashed through the creek, and scattered through + the woods, like a flock of young partridges." + </p> + <p> + On these points, the worthy author of the "Sketches" has + undoubtedly been misinformed. The Indians lost but one man, John + Ward; and after having treed, maintained their ground until they + had adroitly obtained possession of their horses, and then + succeeded in making their escape, carrying off not only the + wounded man, but also the women and children who were with them + when attacked. This we learn from authorities before us, on which + reliance may be placed.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_44">[44]</a></span> By one of these, it appears that + there were but six or seven warriors in the party; and, that when + the attack was made, Tecumseh called out to them that the women + and children must be defended, and it was owing to his firmness + and influence that the assailants were kept at bay until the + horses of his party were secured, <a id="Page_079" name= + "Page_079"></a><span class="page2">079</span> and the necessary + arrangements made for a hasty retreat. + </p> + <p> + After this engagement, it is not known that Tecumseh was a party + to any warlike movement, until the summer of the following year. + He returned to the waters of the Miami, and spent his time in + hunting, for which he had a great fondness, and in which he was + generally more successful than any other member of his tribe. + </p> + <p> + After general Wayne assumed the command of the north-western + army, he caused a fort to be built on the spot where the + unfortunate defeat of his predecessor, general Arthur St. Clair, + had occurred. This fort was named Recovery. + </p> + <p> + In the summer of 1794, an attack was made upon it by a numerous + body of Indians, among whom was Tecumseh. They were accompanied + by a British officer, and some artillerists, furnished with fixed + ammunition, suited to the calibre of some field pieces which the + Indians had taken from general St. Clair, at the time of his + defeat.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_45">[45]</a></span> + In referring to this attack and the movements of general Wayne, + Withers, in his "Chronicles of Border Warfare," says: + </p> + <p> + "Before the troops marched from fort Washington, it was deemed + advisable to have an abundant supply of provisions in the + different forts in advance of this, as well for the support of + their respective garrisons, as for the subsistence of the general + army, in the event of its being driven into them, by untoward + circumstances. With this view, three hundred pack horses, laden + with flour, were sent on to fort Recovery; and as it was known + that considerable bodies of the enemy were constantly hovering + about the forts, and awaiting opportunities of cutting off any + detachments from the main army, major McMahon, with ninety + riflemen under captain Hartshorn, and fifty dragoons under + captain Taylor, was ordered on as an escort. This force was so + large as to discourage the savages from making an attack, until + they should unite their several war parties, <a id="Page_080" + name="Page_080"></a><span class="page2">080</span> and before + this could be effected, major McMahon reached the place of his + destination. + </p> + <p> + "On the 30th of July, as the escort was about leaving fort + Recovery, it was attacked by a body of one thousand Indians, in + the immediate vicinity of the fort. Captain Hartshorn had + advanced only three or four hundred yards, at the head of the + riflemen, when he was unexpectedly beset on every side. With the + most consummate bravery and good conduct, he maintained the + unequal conflict, until major McMahon, placing himself at the + head of the cavalry, charged upon the enemy, and was repulsed + with considerable loss. Major McMahon, captain Taylor and cornet + Torrey fell, upon the first onset, and many of the privates were + killed or wounded. The whole savage force being now brought to + press on captain Hartshorn, that brave officer was forced to try + and regain the fort; but the enemy interposed its strength to + prevent this movement. Lieutenant Drake and ensign Dodd, with + twenty volunteers, marched from the fort, and forcing a passage + through a column of the enemy, at the point of the bayonet, + joined the rifle corps at the instant that captain Hartshorn + received a shot which broke his thigh. Lieutenant Craig being + killed, and lieutenant Marks taken prisoner, lieutenant Drake + conducted the retreat; and while endeavoring for an instant to + hold the enemy in check, so as to enable the soldiers to bring + off their wounded captain, himself received a shot in the groin, + and the retreat was resumed, leaving captain Hartshorn on the + field. + </p> + <p> + "When the remnant of the troops came within the walls of the + fort, lieutenant Michael, who had been detached at an early + period of the battle by captain Hartshorn to the flank of the + enemy, was found to be missing, and was given up as lost; but + while his friends were deploring his unfortunate fate, he and + lieutenant Marks, who had been taken prisoner, were seen rushing + through the enemy from opposite directions, towards the fort. + They gained it safely, notwithstanding they were actively + pursued, and many shots fired at them. Lieutenant Marks had got + off by knocking down the Indian who held him prisoner; and <a id= + "Page_081" name="Page_081"></a><span class="page2">081</span> + lieutenant Michael had lost all of his party but three men." + </p> + <p> + The official letter of general Wayne giving an account of this + action, places the loss of the whites at twenty-two killed and + thirty wounded. "The enemy," continues the report, "were soon + repulsed with great slaughter, but immediately rallied and + reiterated the attack, keeping up a very heavy and constant fire, + at a more respectable distance, for the remainder of the day, + which was answered with spirit and effect by the garrison, and + that part of major McMahon's command that had regained the fort. + The savages were employed during the night (which was dark and + foggy,) in carrying off their dead by torchlight, which + occasionally drew a fire from the garrison. They nevertheless + succeeded so well, that there were but eight or ten bodies left + on the field, and those close under the influence of the fire + from the fort. The enemy again renewed the attack on the morning + of the first inst., but were ultimately compelled to retreat with + loss and disgrace from that very field, where they had upon a + former occasion, been proudly victorious." + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh fought in the decisive battle between the American + troops under general Wayne, and the combined Indian forces, which + occurred on the 20th of August, 1794, near the rapids of the + Miami of the lakes. It is not known whether he attended the + council, the evening previous to the engagement, in which the + advice of Little Turtle, the Miami chief, was overruled by the + influence of the Shawanoe chief, Blue Jacket. The former was + opposed to giving battle on the following day; the latter in + favor of it. As a <i>brave</i> of distinction, Tecumseh took the + command of a party of Shawanoes in the engagement, but had no + participation in the plan of the attack, or the mode of carrying + it into execution. At the commencement of the action, he was in + the advance guard with two of his brothers. After fighting for + some time, in attempting to load his rifle, he put in a bullet + before the powder, and was thus unable to use his gun. Being at + this moment pressed in front by some infantry, he fell back with + his party until they met another detachment of Indians. <a id= + "Page_082" name="Page_082"></a><span class="page2">082</span> + Tecumseh urged them to stand fast and fight, saying if any one + would lend him a gun, he would show them how to do it. A + fowling-piece was handed to him, with which he fought for some + time, until the Indians were again compelled to give ground. + While falling back, he met another party of Shawanoes, and + although the whites were pressing on them, he rallied the + Indians, and induced them to make a stand in a thicket. When the + infantry pressed close upon them, and had discharged their + muskets into the bushes, Tecumseh and his party returned their + fire, and then retreated, until they had joined the main body of + the Indians below the rapids of the Miami.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_46">[46]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + In this memorable action, which gave victory to the American + arms, and humbled the north-western Indians, William Henry + Harrison and Tecumseh were for the first time opposed to each + other in battle. They were both young, and indeed nearly the same + age, and both displayed that courage and gallantry which ever + afterwards signalized their brilliant and eventful lives. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Tecumseh's skill as a hunter—declines attending the + treaty of Greenville in 1795—in 1796 removed to Great + Miami—in 1798 joined a party of Delawares on White river, + Indiana—in 1799 attended a council between the whites and + Indians near Urbana—another at Chillicothe in + 1803—makes an able speech—removes with the Prophet + to Greenville, in 1805—the latter commences + prophecying—causes the death of Teteboxti, Patterson, + Coltes, and Joshua—governor Harrison's speech to the + Prophet to arrest these murderers—effort of Wells, the + U.S. Indian agent, to prevent Tecumseh and the Prophet from + assembling the Indians at Greenville—Tecumseh's speech in + reply—he attends a council at Chillicothe—speech on + that occasion—council at Springfield—Tecumseh + principal speaker and actor. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + In the spring of the year 1795, Tecumseh was established on Deer + creek, near where Urbana now stands, and engaged in his favorite + amusement of hunting. This was more as a pastime than a matter of + business. <a id="Page_083" name="Page_083"></a><span class= + "page2">083</span> The love of property was not a distinguishing + trait of his character; on the contrary, his generosity was + proverbial among his tribe. If he accumulated furs, they, or the + goods which he received in return for them, were dispensed with a + liberal hand. He loved hunting because it was a manly exercise, + fit for a <i>brave</i>; and, for the additional reason, that it + gave him the means of furnishing the aged and infirm with + wholesome and nourishing food. The skill of Tecumseh in the chase + has already been adverted to. While residing on Deer creek, an + incident occurred which greatly enhanced his reputation as a + hunter. One of his brothers, and several other Shawanoes of his + own age, proposed to bet with him, that they could each kill as + many deer, in the space of three days, as he could. Tecumseh + promptly accepted the overture. The parties took to the woods, + and at the end of the stipulated time, returned with the + evidences of their success. None of the party, except Tecumseh, + had more than twelve deer skins; he brought in upwards of + thirty—near three times as many as any of his competitors. + From this time he was generally conceded to be the greatest + hunter in the Shawanoe nation. + </p> + <p> + In the course of the summer of this year, 1795, he commenced + raising a party of his own, and began to style himself a chief. + He did not attend the treaty of Greenville, held by general + Wayne, on the 3d of August, 1795, with the hostile Indians, but + after its conclusion, Blue Jacket paid him a visit on Deer creek, + and communicated to him the terms on which peace had been + concluded. + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh remained at this place until the spring of 1796, when he + removed with his party to the Great Miami, near to Piqua, where + they raised a crop of corn. In the autumn he again changed his + place of residence, and went over to the head branches of White + Water, west of the Miami, where he and his party spent the + winter; and in the spring and summer of 1797, raised another crop + of corn. + </p> + <p> + In the year 1798, the Delawares, then residing in part, on White + river, Indiana, invited Tecumseh and his followers, to remove to + that neighborhood. Having <a id="Page_084" name= + "Page_084"></a><span class="page2">084</span> accepted this + invitation, and made the removal, he continued his head quarters + in the vicinity of that nation for several years, occupied in the + ordinary pursuits of the hunter-life—gradually extending + his influence among the Indians, and adding to the number of his + party. + </p> + <p> + In 1799, there was a council held about six miles north of the + place where Urbana now stands, between the Indians and some of + the principal settlers on Mad River, for the adjustment of + difficulties which had grown up between these parties. Tecumseh, + with other Shawanoe chiefs, attended this council. He appears to + have been the most conspicuous orator of the conference, and made + a speech on the occasion, which was much admired for its force + and eloquence. The interpreter, Dechouset, said that he found it + very difficult to translate the lofty flights of Tecumseh, + although he was as well acquainted with the Shawanoe language, as + with the French, which was his mother tongue.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_47">[47]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + We next hear of Tecumseh, under circumstances which show the + confidence reposed in him by the white settlers on the frontier. + </p> + <p> + In the month of April, 1803, Thomas Herrod, living sixteen miles + north-west of Chillicothe, was shot, tomahawked, and scalped, + near his own house. The Indians were suspected of having + committed this deed; a wanton and cruel retaliation was made upon + one of them, (guiltless no doubt of that particular crime,) and + the settlement in the Scioto valley and north-west of it, was + thrown into a state of much excitement. The Indians fled in one + direction and the whites in another. For the purpose of + ascertaining the facts in the case, and preventing further + hostilities, several patriotic citizens of Chillicothe mounted + their horses, and rode into the Indian country, where they found + Tecumseh and a body of Indians. They disavowed all knowledge of + the murder of Herrod, and stated, explicitly, that they were + peaceably inclined, and disposed to adhere to the treaty of + Greenville. Tecumseh finally agreed to return with the deputation + from Chillicothe, that he <a id="Page_085" name= + "Page_085"></a><span class="page2">085</span> might in person, + give similar assurances to the people of that place. He did so, + and a day was fixed on, when he should make an address upon the + subject. A white man, raised among the Indians, acted as + interpreter. Governor Tiffin opened the conference. "When + Tecumseh rose to speak," says an eyewitness, "as he cast his gaze + over the vast multitude, which the interesting occasion had drawn + together, he appeared one of the most dignified men I ever + beheld. While this orator of nature was speaking, the vast crowd + preserved the most profound silence. From the confident manner in + which he spoke of the intention of the Indians to adhere to the + treaty of Greenville, and live in peace and friendship with their + white brethren, he dispelled, as if by magic, the apprehensions + of the whites—the settlers returned to their deserted + farms, and business generally was resumed throughout that + region."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_48">[48]</a></span> This incident is of value, in + forming an estimate of the character of this chief: it exhibits + the confidence reposed in him by he white inhabitants on the + frontier. The declaration of no other Indian could thus have + dissipated the fears of a border war, which then pervaded the + settlement. + </p> + <p> + Some time during this year, a stout Kentuckian came to Ohio, for + the purpose of exploring the lands on Mad River, and lodged one + night at the house of captain Abner Barrett, residing on the head + waters of Buck creek. In the course of the evening, he learned + with apparent alarm, that there were some Indians encamped within + a short distance of the house. Shortly after hearing this + unwelcome intelligence, the door of captain Barrett's dwelling + was suddenly opened, and Tecumseh entered with his usual stately + air: he paused in silence, and looked around, until at length his + eye was fixed upon the stranger, who was manifesting symptoms of + alarm, and did not venture to look the stern savage in the face. + Tecumseh turned to his host, and pointing to the agitated + Kentuckian, exclaimed, "a big baby! a big baby!" He then stepped + up to him, and gently slapping him on the shoulder several times, + repeated with a contemptuous manner, the phrase "big <a id= + "Page_086" name="Page_086"></a><span class="page2">086</span> + baby! big baby!" to the great alarm of the astonished man, and to + the amusement of all present.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_49">[49]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + In the early part of the year 1805, a portion of the Shawanoe + nation, residing at the Tawa towns on the headwaters of the + Auglaize river, wishing to re-assemble their scattered people, + sent a deputation to Tecumseh and his party, (then living on + White river,) and also to a body of the same tribe upon the + Mississiniway, another tributary of the Wabash, inviting them to + remove to the Tawa towns, and join their brethren at that place. + To this proposition both parties assented; and the two bands met + at Greenville, on their way thither. There, through the influence + of Laulewasikaw, they concluded to establish themselves; and + accordingly the project of going to the Auglaize was abandoned. + Very soon afterwards, Laulewasikaw assumed the office of a + prophet; and forthwith commenced that career of cunning and + pretended sorcery, which enabled him to sway the Indian mind in a + wonderful degree, and win for himself a name on the page of + history. A concise notice of his prophetical achievements is + subjoined. While it serves to display his individual character + and endowments, it also presents an interesting and instructive + phase of aboriginal character. + </p> + <p> + It happened about this time that an old Shawanoe, named + Penagashega, or the Change of Feathers, who had for some years + been engaged in the respectable calling of a prophet, fell sick + and died. Laulewasikaw, who had marked the old man's influence + with the Indians, adroitly caught up the mantle of the dying + prophet, and assumed his sacred office. He changed his name from + Laulewasikaw, to Tenskwautawau,<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_50">[50]</a></span> meaning the Open Door, because he + undertook to point out to the Indians the new modes of life which + they should pursue. In the month of November, of this year, he + assembled a considerable number of Shawanoes, Wyandots, Ottaways + and Senecas, at Wapakonatta, on the Auglaize river, when he + unfolded to them <a id="Page_087" name= + "Page_087"></a><span class="page2">087</span> the new character + with which he was clothed, and made his first public effort in + that career of religious imposition, which, in a few years, was + felt by the remote tribes of the upper lakes, and on the broad + plains which stretch beyond the Mississippi. At this time + nothing, it is believed, was said by him in regard to the grand + confederacy of the tribes, for the recovery of their lands, which + shortly afterwards became an object of ambition with his brother; + and, in the furtherance of which he successfully exerted his + power and influence, as a prophet. In this assemblage he + declaimed against witchcraft, which many of the Indians practised + and still more believed. He pronounced that those who continued + bewitched, or exerted their arts on others, would never go to + heaven nor see the Great Spirit. He next took up the subject of + drunkenness, against which he harangued with great force; and, as + appeared subsequently, with much success. He told them that since + he had become a prophet, he went up into the clouds; that the + first place he came to was the dwelling of the Devil, and that + all who had died drunkards were there, with flames issuing out of + their mouths. He acknowledged that he had himself been a + drunkard, but that this awful scene had reformed him. Such was + the effect of his preaching against this pernicious vice, that + many of his followers became alarmed, and ceased to drink the + "fire-water," a name by which whiskey is significantly called + among the Indians. He likewise, declaimed against the custom of + Indian women intermarrying with white men, and denounced it as + one of the causes of their unhappiness. Among other doctrines of + his new code, he insisted on a community of property—a very + comfortable regulation for those, who like himself, were too + indolent to labor for the acquisition of it. A more salutary and + rational precept, and one which he enforced with considerable + energy, was the duty of the young, at all times and under all + circumstances, to support, cherish and respect the aged and + infirm. He declaimed with vehemence against all innovations in + the original dress and habits of the Indians—dwelt upon the + high claims of the Shawanoes to superiority over other tribes, + and promised <a id="Page_088" name="Page_088"></a><span class= + "page2">088</span> to all his followers, who would believe his + doctrines and practice his precepts, the comforts and happiness + which their forefathers enjoyed before they were debased by their + connection with the whites. And finally proclaimed, with much + solemnity, that he had received power from the Great Spirit, to + cure all diseases, to confound his enemies, and stay the arm of + death, in sickness, or on the battle field. + </p> + <p> + Such is the superstitious credulity of the Indians, that this + crafty impostor not only succeeded for a time, in correcting many + of the vices of his followers, but likewise influenced them to + the perpetration of outrages upon each other, shocking to + humanity. If an individual, and especially a chief, was supposed + to be hostile to his plans, or doubted the validity of his claim + to the character of a prophet, he was denounced as a witch, and + the loss of reputation, if not of life, speedily followed. Among + the first of his victims were several + Delawares,—Tatepocoshe (more generally known as Teteboxti,) + Patterson, his nephew, Coltos, an old woman, and an aged man + called Joshua. These were successively marked by the Prophet, and + doomed to be burnt alive. The tragedy was commenced with the old + woman. The Indians roasted her slowly over a fire for four days, + calling upon her frequently to deliver up her charm and medicine + bag. Just as she was dying, she exclaimed that her grandson, who + was then out hunting, had it in his possession. Messengers were + sent in pursuit of him, and when found he was tied and brought + into camp. He acknowledged that on one occasion he had borrowed + the charm of his grandmother, by means of which he had flown + through the air, over Kentucky, to the banks of the Mississippi, + and back again, between twilight and bed-time; but he insisted + that he had returned the charm to its owner; and after some + consultation, he was set at liberty. The following day, a council + was held over the case of the venerable chief Tatepocoshe, he + being present. His death was decided upon after full + deliberation; and, arrayed in his finest apparel, he calmly + assisted in building his own funeral pile, fully aware that there + was no escape from the judgment that had been passed <a id= + "Page_089" name="Page_089"></a><span class="page2">089</span> + upon him. The respect due to his whitened locks, induced his + executioners to treat him with mercy. He was deliberately + tomahawked by a young man, and his body was then placed upon the + blazing faggots and consumed. The next day, the old preacher + Joshua, met a similar fate. The wife of Tatepocoshe, and his + nephew Billy Patterson, were then brought into the council house, + and seated side by side. The latter had led an irreproachable + life, and died like a Christian, singing and praying amid the + flames which destroyed his body. While preparations were making + for the immolation of Tatepocoshe's wife, her brother, a youth of + twenty years of age, suddenly started up, took her by the hand, + and to the amazement of the council, led her out of the house. He + soon returned, and exclaiming, "the devil has come among us, + (alluding to the Prophet) and we are killing each other," he + reseated himself in the midst of the crowd. This bold step + checked the wild frenzy of the Indians, put an end to these cruel + scenes, and for a time greatly impaired the impostor's influence + among the Delawares. + </p> + <p> + The benevolent policy of the governor of Indiana Territory + (William Henry Harrison,) towards the Indian tribes, had given + him much influence over them. Early in the year 1806, and so soon + as he had heard of the movements of the Prophet, and the delusion + of the Delawares in regard to witchcraft, he sent a special + messenger to them with the following speech. Had it reached them + a little earlier, it would probably have saved the life of the + aged Tatepocoshe. + </p> + <p> + "My Children:—My heart is filled with grief, and my eyes + are dissolved in tears, at the news which has reached me. You + have been celebrated for your wisdom above all the tribes of red + people who inhabit this great island. Your fame as warriors has + extended to the remotest nations, and the wisdom of your chiefs + has gained for you the appellation of grandfathers, from all the + neighboring tribes. From what cause, then, does it proceed, that + you have departed from the wise counsels of your fathers, and + covered yourselves with guilt? My children, tread back the steps + you have taken, and endeavor to regain the straight road <a id= + "Page_090" name="Page_090"></a><span class="page2">090</span> + which you have abandoned. The dark, crooked and thorny one which + you are now pursuing, will certainly lead to endless woe and + misery. But who is this pretended prophet, who dares to speak in + the name of the Great Creator? Examine him. Is he more wise or + virtuous than you are yourselves, that he should be selected to + convey to you the orders of your God? Demand of him some proofs + at least, of his being the messenger of the Deity. If God has + really employed him, he has doubtless authorized him to perform + miracles, that he may be known and received as a prophet. If he + is really a prophet, ask of him to cause the sun to stand + still—the moon to alter its course—the rivers to + cease to flow—or the dead to rise from their graves. If he + does these things, you may then believe that he has been sent + from God. He tells you that the Great Spirit commands you to + punish with death those who deal in magic; and that he is + authorized to point them out. Wretched delusion! Is then the + Master of Life obliged to employ mortal man to punish those who + offend him? Has he not the thunder and all the powers of nature + at his command?—and could he not sweep away from the earth + a whole nation with one motion of his arm? My children: do not + believe that the great and good Creator of mankind has directed + you to destroy your own flesh; and do not doubt but that if you + pursue this abominable wickedness, his vengeance will overtake + and crush you. + </p> + <p> + "The above is addressed to you in the name of the Seventeen + Fires. I now speak to you from myself, as a friend who wishes + nothing more sincerely than to see you prosperous and happy. + Clear your eyes, I beseech you, from the mist which surrounds + them. No longer be imposed upon by the arts of an impostor. Drive + him from your town, and let peace and harmony once more prevail + amongst you. Let your poor old men and women sleep in quietness, + and banish from their minds the dreadful idea of being burnt + alive by their own friends and countrymen. I charge you to stop + your bloody career; and if you value the friendship of your great + father, the President—if you wish to preserve the good + opinion of the Seventeen Fires, <a id="Page_091" name= + "Page_091"></a><span class="page2">091</span> let me hear by the + return of the bearer, that you have determined to follow my + advice."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_51">[51]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Among the Miamis, the Prophet was less successful in establishing + an influence than with the Delawares; while over the Kickapoos he + gained, for a time, a remarkable ascendency,—greater, + indeed, than he ever established in his own tribe. Most of the + Shawanoe chiefs were opposed to him, and even complained to the + agent at fort Wayne, that his conduct was creating difficulties + among the Indians. + </p> + <p> + We have met with no evidence that Tecumseh favored the + destruction of the Delawares, whose unhappy fate has been + detailed. On the contrary, it is stated by a credible + authority,<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_52">[52]</a></span> that he was opposed to it. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the year 1806, the brothers remained at Greenville, + and were visited by many Indians from different tribes, not a few + of whom became their followers. The Prophet dreamed many + wonderful dreams; and claimed to have had many supernatural + revelations made to him. The great eclipse of the sun which + occurred in the summer of this year, a knowledge of which he had + by some means attained, enabled him to carry conviction to the + minds of many of his ignorant followers, that he was really the + earthly agent of the Great Spirit. He boldly announced to the + unbelievers, that on a certain day, he would give them proof of + his supernatural powers, by bringing darkness over the sun. When + the day and hour of the eclipse arrived, and the earth, even at + mid day, was shrouded in the gloom of twilight, the Prophet, + standing in the midst of his party, significantly pointed to the + heavens, and cried out, "did I not prophecy truly? Behold! + darkness has shrouded the sun!" It may readily be supposed that + this striking phenomenon, thus adroitly used, produced a strong + impression on the Indians, and greatly increased their belief in + the sacred character of their Prophet. + </p> + <p> + In April, 1807, Tecumseh and his brother had assembled at + Greenville about four hundred Indians, most of them highly + excited by religious fanaticism; <a id="Page_092" name= + "Page_092"></a><span class="page2">092</span> and ready, it was + feared, for any enterprise on which these brothers might be + disposed to lead them. Considerable apprehension was entertained + for the safety of the frontiers, and several fruitless efforts + were made to ascertain the ulterior objects of the leaders. + William Wells, then Indian agent at fort Wayne, despatched + Anthony Shane, a half-blood Shawanoe, with a communication to + Tecumseh and the Prophet, requesting them and two other of their + chiefs, to visit him at fort Wayne, that he might read to them a + letter which he had just received from their great father, the + President of the United States. + </p> + <p> + A council being called, Shane made known the object of his + mission. Tecumseh, without consulting with those around him, + immediately arose and said to the messenger, "go back to fort + Wayne, and tell captain Wells, that my fire is kindled on the + spot appointed by the Great Spirit above; and, if he has any + thing to communicate to me, <i>he</i> must come + <i>here</i>:—I shall expect him in six days from this + time." With this laconic, but dignified reply, the conference + ended. The agent at fort Wayne declined waiting on Tecumseh, in + person, but on the appointed day, sent Shane back to Greenville, + with a copy of the President's communication, contained in a + letter from the Secretary at War; the substance of which was, + that Tecumseh and his party being established within the limits + of the governor's purchase from the Indians, they were desired to + remove to some point beyond the boundaries agreed upon by the + treaty of Greenville; and, in case of their compliance, the + government would afford them assistance, until they were properly + established at their new post. A second council was assembled, + and the communication fully interpreted to those present. + Tecumseh felt indignant that captain Wells had not visited him in + person. He arose deeply excited, and turning to his followers, + addressed them in a long, glowing and impassioned speech, in + which he dwelt upon the injuries the Indians had received from + the whites, and especially the continued encroachments of the + latter upon the lands of the red men: "These lands," said he in + conclusion, "are ours: no one has a right to remove <a id= + "Page_093" name="Page_093"></a><span class="page2">093</span> us, + because we were the first owners; the Great Spirit above has + appointed this place for us, on which to light our fires, and + here we will remain. As to boundaries, the Great Spirit above + knows no boundaries, nor will his red people acknowledge any." + </p> + <p> + Of this speech no copy has been preserved. Shane speaks of it as + a masterpiece of Indian eloquence—bold, argumentative and + powerful. It was delivered with great vehemence, and deep + indignant feeling. After a moment's pause, Tecumseh turned to the + messenger and said, with that stately indifference of manner, + which he could so gracefully assume when in council, "if my great + father, the President of the Seventeen Fires, has any thing more + to say to me, he must send a man of note as his messenger. I will + hold no further intercourse with captain Wells." + </p> + <p> + The Prophet, who seldom lost an opportunity of vaunting himself + before his followers, then rose, and addressing captain Shane, + said, "why does not the President send to us the greatest man in + his nation? I can talk to him—I can bring darkness between + him and me—nay more, I can bring the sun under my feet, and + what white man can do this?" With this self-glorification, the + council terminated. + </p> + <p> + The excitement continued to increase, and at the close of May, it + was estimated by the agent at fort Wayne, that not less than + fifteen hundred Indians, had within a short time, passed and + repassed that fort, in making visits to the Prophet. Many of + these were from distant points on the lakes. Councils were + assembled, runners with pipes and belts of wampum, went from + tribe to tribe, and strong evidence of some uncommon movement + among the Indians became quite apparent. The British agents were + active in fomenting this excitement, and in extending the + influence of Tecumseh and his brother, whose ulterior objects + were carefully concealed from the agents of the United States, + and such Indian chiefs as were known to be friendly to our + government. + </p> + <p> + In the month of August, on the testimony of several persons + familiar with Indian affairs, then residing in the north-western + portions of the state, the Indians at fort <a id="Page_094" name= + "Page_094"></a><span class="page2">094</span> Wayne and at + Greenville, who were supposed to be under the influence of the + Prophet, amounted to between seven and eight hundred, most of + them equipped with new rifles. These facts being communicated to + the governor of Ohio, he directed his attention to the subject, + and, in the early part of September, despatched Thomas + Worthington and Duncan McArthur, to Greenville, for the purpose + of holding a conference with the Prophet and Tecumseh, and + ascertaining the object of their assembling so large a body of + Indians, within the limits of the cession of land made by them at + the treaty of 1795. These commissioners left Chillicothe on the + 8th of September, and reached Greenville on the 12th, where they + were courteously received by the Indians. They were fortunate in + securing the services of Stephen Ruddell, as their interpreter, + who had resided for seventeen years among the Indians, and was + familiar with the Shawanoe language. On the day of their arrival, + the commissioners were invited to a general council of the + Indians, at which the letter of the governor was read, and + interpreted to the Shawanoes, Potawatamies and Chippewas. This + was followed by an address from the commissioners, referring to + the past relations between the United States and the Indians, the + policy pursued towards the latter by Great Britain, and the + importance of their remaining neutral, in case of a war between + that country and the United States. On the following day, Blue + Jacket, who, it was announced, had been authorized by all the + Indians present, to speak for them, replied to the commissioners + as follows: + </p> + <p> + "Brethren—We are seated who heard you yesterday. You will + get a true relation, as far as we and our connections can give + it, who are as follows: Shawanoes, Wyandots, Potawatamies, Tawas, + Chippewas, Winnepaus, Malominese, Malockese, Secawgoes, and one + more from the north of the Chippewas. <i>Brethren</i>—you + see all these men sitting before you, who now speak to you. + </p> + <p> + "About eleven days ago we had a council, at which the tribe of + Wyandots, (the elder brother of the red people) spoke and said + God had kindled a fire and all <a id="Page_095" name= + "Page_095"></a><span class="page2">095</span> sat around it. In + this council we talked over the treaties with the French and the + Americans. The Wyandot said, the French formerly marked a line + along the Alleghany mountains, southerly, to Charleston, (S.C.) + No man was to pass it from either side. When the Americans came + to settle over the line, the English told the Indians to unite + and drive off the French, until the war came on between the + British and the Americans, when it was told them that king + George, by his officers, directed them to unite and drive the + Americans back. + </p> + <p> + "After the treaty of peace between the English and Americans, the + summer before Wayne's army came out, the English held a council + with the Indians, and told them if they would turn out and unite + as one man, they might surround the Americans like deer in a ring + of fire and destroy them all. The Wyandot spoke further in the + council. We see, said he, there is like to be war between the + English and our white brethren, the Americans. Let us unite and + consider the sufferings we have undergone, from interfering in + the wars of the English. They have often promised to help us, and + at last, when we could not withstand the army that came against + us, and went to the English fort for refuge, the English told us, + 'I cannot let you in; you are painted too much, my children.' It + was then we saw the British dealt treacherously with us. We now + see them going to war again. We do not know what they are going + to fight for. Let us, my brethren, not interfere, was the speech + of the Wyandot. + </p> + <p> + "Further, the Wyandot said, I speak to you, my little brother, + the Shawanoes at Greenville, and to you, our little brothers all + around. You appear to be at Greenville to serve the <i>Supreme + Ruler</i> of the universe. Now send forth your speeches to all + our brethren far around us, and let us unite to seek for that + which shall be for our eternal welfare, and unite ourselves in a + band of perpetual brotherhood. These, brethren, are the + sentiments of all the men who sit around you: they all adhere to + what the elder brother, the Wyandot, has said, and these are + their sentiments. It is not that they are afraid of their white + brethren, <a id="Page_096" name="Page_096"></a><span class= + "page2">096</span> but that they desire peace and harmony, and + not that their white brethren could put them to great necessity, + for their former arms were bows and arrows, by which they got + their living." + </p> + <p> + The commissioners made some explanations in reply, when they were + told that the Prophet would assign the reasons why the Indians + had settled at Greenville. "He then proceeded to inform us," says + the report, "that about three years since, he became convinced of + the error of his ways, and that he would be destroyed from the + face of the earth, if he did not amend them; that it was soon + after made known to him what he should do to be right; that from + that time he constantly preached to his red brethren the + miserable situation they were in by nature, and endeavored to + convince them that they must change their lives, live honestly, + and be just in all their dealings, kind towards one another, and + their white brethren: affectionate towards their families, put + away lying and slandering, and serve the Great Spirit in the way + he had pointed out; never think of war again; that at first the + Lord did not give them the tomahawk to go to war with one + another. His red brethren, the chiefs of the Shawanoes at Tawa + town, would not listen to him, but persecuted him. This produced + a division in the nation; those who adhered to him, separated + themselves from their brethren at Tawa town, removed with and + settled where he now was, and where he had constantly preached + the above doctrines to all the strangers who came to see them. + They did not remove to this place because it was a pretty place, + or very valuable, for it was neither; but because it was revealed + to him that the place was a proper one to establish his + doctrines; that he meant to adhere to them while he lived; they + were not his own, nor were they taught him by man, but by the + Supreme Ruler of the universe; that his future life should prove + to his white brethren the sincerity of his professions. He then + told us that six chiefs should go with us to Chillicothe." + </p> + <p> + The commissioners left Greenville entirely convinced of the + sincerity of the Prophet in his declaration of pacific intentions + towards the United <a id="Page_097" name= + "Page_097"></a><span class="page2">097</span> States.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_53">[53]</a></span> Four chiefs, + Tecumseh, Blue Jacket, Sti-agh-ta, (or Roundhead) and Panther, + accompanied them to the seat of government, for the purpose of + holding a conference with the governor; and giving him assurances + that the Indians were not assembling at Greenville for the + purpose of making war upon the frontiers. These chiefs remained + about a week in Chillicothe, in the course of which a public + council was held between them and the governor. Stephen Ruddell + acted as the interpreter. Tecumseh was the principal speaker; and + in the course of the conference, made a speech which occupied + three hours in the delivery. + </p> + <p> + His great object was to prove the nullity of the treaties under + which the whites claimed the country north and west of the Ohio. + He seemed to have a familiar knowledge of all the treaties made + with the western tribes; reviewed them in their order, and with + the most intense bitterness and scorn, denounced them as null and + void. This speech is described by one<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_54">[54]</a></span> who heard it, as possessing all + the characteristics of a high effort of oratory. The utterance of + the speaker was rapid and vehement; his manner bold and + commanding; his gestures impassioned, quick and violent, and his + countenance indicating that there was something more in his mind, + struggling for utterance, than he deemed it prudent to express. + While he fearlessly denied the validity of these <i>pretended</i> + treaties, and openly avowed his intention to resist the further + extension of the white settlements upon the Indian lands, he + disclaimed all intention of making war upon the United States. + The result was, a conviction on the part of the governor, that no + immediate danger was to be apprehended from the Indians, at + Greenville and fort Wayne; and, as a consequence, the militia + which had been called into service were ordered to be disbanded, + and the chiefs returned to their head quarters. + </p> + <p> + In the autumn of this year, a white man by the name of Myers, was + killed a few miles west of where <a id="Page_098" name= + "Page_098"></a><span class="page2">098</span> the town of Urbana + now stands, by some straggling Indians. This murder, taken in + connection with the assemblage of the Indians under Tecumseh and + the Prophet, created a great alarm on the frontier, and actually + induced many families to remove back to Kentucky, from whence + they had emigrated. A demand was made by the whites upon these + two brothers for the Indians who had committed the murder. They + denied that it was done by their party, or with their knowledge, + and declared that they did not even know who the murderers were. + The alarm continued, and some companies of militia were called + out. It was finally agreed, that a council should be held on the + subject in Springfield, for the purpose of quieting the + settlements. General Whiteman, major Moore, captain Ward and one + or two others, acted as commissioners on the part of the whites. + Two parties of Indians attended the council; one from the north, + in charge of McPherson; the other, consisting of sixty or + seventy, came from the neighborhood of fort Wayne, under the + charge of Tecumseh. Roundhead, Blackfish, and several other + chiefs, were also present. There was no friendly feeling between + these two parties, and each was willing that the blame of the + murder should be fixed upon the other. The party under McPherson, + in compliance with the wishes of the commissioners, left their + arms a few miles from Springfield. Tecumseh and his party refused + to attend the council, unless permitted to retain their arms. + After the conference was opened, it being held in a maple grove, + a little north of where Werden's hotel now stands, the + commissioners, fearing some violence, made another effort to + induce Tecumseh to lay aside his arms. This he again refused, + saying, in reply, that his tomahawk was also his pipe, and that + he might wish to use it in that capacity before their business + was closed. At this moment, a tall, lank-sided Pennsylvanian, who + was standing among the spectators, and who, perhaps, had no love + for the shining tomahawk of the self-willed chief, cautiously + approached, and handed him an old, long stemmed, dirty looking + earthen pipe, intimating, that if Tecumseh would deliver up the + fearful tomahawk, he <a id="Page_099" name= + "Page_099"></a><span class="page2">099</span> might smoke the + aforesaid pipe. The chief took it between his thumb and finger, + held it up, looked at it for a moment, then at the owner, who was + gradually receding from the point of danger, and immediately + threw it, with an indignant sneer, over his head, into the + bushes. The commissioners yielded the point, and proceeded to + business. + </p> + <p> + After a full and patient enquiry into the facts of the case, it + appeared that the murder of Myers, was the act of an individual, + and not justly chargeable upon either party of the Indians. + Several speeches were made by the chiefs, but Tecumseh was the + principal speaker. He gave a full explanation of the views of the + Prophet and himself, in calling around them a band of + Indians—disavowed all hostile intentions towards the United + States, and denied that he or those under his control had + committed any aggressions upon the whites. His manner, when + speaking, was animated, fluent and rapid, and made a strong + impression upon those present. The council terminated. In the + course of it, the two hostile parties became reconciled to each + other, and quiet was restored to the frontier. + </p> + <p> + The Indians remained in Springfield for three days, and on + several occasions amused themselves by engaging in various games + and other athletic exercises, in which Tecumseh generally proved + himself victorious. His strength, and power of muscular action, + were remarkably great, and in the opinion of those who attended + the council, corresponded with the high order of his moral and + intellectual character.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_55">[55]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_100" name="Page_100"></a><span class= + "page2">100</span> + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Governor Harrison's address to the Shawanoe chiefs at + Greenville—the Prophet's reply—his influence felt + among the remote tribes—he is visited in 1808 by great + numbers of Indians—Tecumseh and the Prophet remove to + Tippecanoe—the latter sends a speech to governor + Harrison—makes him a visit at Vincennes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The alarm caused by the assembling of the Indians at Greenville, + still continuing, governor Harrison, in the autumn of this year, + sent to the head chiefs of the Shawanoe tribe, by John Conner, + one of our Indian agents, the following address:— + </p> + <p> + "My Children—Listen to me, I speak in the name of your + father, the great chief of the Seventeen Fires. + </p> + <p> + "My children, it is now twelve years since the tomahawk, which + you had raised by the advice of your father, the king of Great + Britain, was buried at Greenville, in the presence of that great + warrior, general Wayne. + </p> + <p> + "My children, you then promised, and the Great Spirit heard it, + that you would in future live in peace and friendship with your + brothers, the Americans. You made a treaty with your father, and + one that contained a number of good things, equally beneficial to + all the tribes of red people, who were parties to it. + </p> + <p> + "My children, you promised in that treaty to acknowledge no other + father than the chief of the Seventeen Fires; and never to listen + to the proposition of any foreign nation. You promised never to + lift up the tomahawk against any of your father's children, and + to give him notice of any other tribe that intended it: your + father also promised to do something for you, particularly to + deliver to you, every year, a certain quantity of goods; to + prevent any white man from settling on your lands without your + consent, or to do you any personal injury. He promised to run a + line between your land and his, so that you might know your own; + and you were to be permitted to live and hunt upon your father's + land, as long as you behaved yourselves well. My children, which + of these articles has your father broken? You know that he has + observed <a id="Page_101" name="Page_101"></a><span class= + "page2">101</span> them all with the utmost good faith. But, my + children, have you done so? Have you not always had your ears + open to receive bad advice from the white people beyond the + lakes? + </p> + <p> + "My children, let us look back to times that are past. It has + been a long time since you called the king of Great Britain, + father. You know that it is the duty of a father to watch over + his children, to give them good advice, and to do every thing in + his power to make them happy. What has this father of yours done + for you, during the long time that you have looked up to him for + protection and advice? Are you wiser and happier than you were + before you knew him; or is your nation stronger or more + respectable? No, my children, he took you by the hand when you + were a powerful tribe; you held him fast, supposing he was your + friend, and he conducted you through paths filled with thorns and + briers, which tore your flesh and shed your blood. Your strength + was exhausted, and you could no longer follow him. Did he stay by + you in your distress, and assist and comfort you? No, he led you + into danger, and then abandoned you. He saw your blood flowing + and he would give you no bandage to tie up your wounds. This was + the conduct of the man who called himself your father. The Great + Spirit opened your eyes; you heard the voice of the chief of the + Seventeen Fires, speaking the words of peace. He called to you to + follow him; you came to him, and he once more put you on the + right way, on the broad smooth road that would have led to + happiness. But the voice of your deceiver is again heard; and + forgetful of your former sufferings, you are again listening to + him. + </p> + <p> + "My children, shut your ears, and mind him not, or he will lead + you to ruin and misery. + </p> + <p> + "My children, I have heard bad news. The sacred spot where the + great council fire was kindled, around which the Seventeen Fires + and ten tribes of their children, smoked the pipe of + peace—that very spot where the Great Spirit saw his red and + white children encircle themselves with the chain of + friendship—that place has been selected for dark and bloody + councils. + </p> + <p> + "My children, this business must be stopped. You <a id="Page_102" + name="Page_102"></a><span class="page2">102</span> have called in + a number of men from the most distant tribes, to listen to a + fool, who speaks not the words of the Great Spirit, but those of + the devil, and of the British agents. My children, your conduct + has much alarmed the white settlers near you. They desire that + you will send away those people, and if they wish to have the + impostor with them, they can carry him. Let him go to the lakes; + he can hear the British more distinctly." + </p> + <p> + At the time of the delivery of this speech, the head chiefs of + the Shawanoes were absent from Greenville. The Prophet, after + listening patiently to it, requested the interpreter to write + down the following answer, which was transmitted to the governor. + </p> + <p> + "Father,—I am very sorry that you listen to the advice of + bad birds. You have impeached me with having correspondence with + the British; and with calling and sending for the Indians from + the most distant part of the country, 'to listen to a fool that + speaks not the words of the Great Spirit, but the words of the + devil.' Father, those impeachments I deny, and say they are not + true. I never had a word with the British, and I never sent for + any Indians. They came here themselves to listen, and hear the + words of the Great Spirit. + </p> + <p> + "Father, I wish you would not listen any more to the voice of bad + birds; and you may rest assured that it is the least of our idea + to make disturbance, and we will rather try to stop any such + proceedings than to encourage them." + </p> + <p> + The appeal of the governor, as may be inferred from the evasive + and cunning answer of the Prophet, produced no change in his + measures, nor did it arrest the spread of the fanaticism among + the Indians which his incantations had set afloat. The happiness + of the Indians was the great idea which Tecumseh and his brother + promulgated among their followers as being the object of their + labors. This was to be attained by leading more virtuous lives, + by retaining their lands, and in simply doing what the government + of the United States had frequently urged upon them, effecting an + extended and friendly union of the different tribes. These + plausible reasons, backed by the superstitious belief of the + Indians in the inspired character of the <a id="Page_103" name= + "Page_103"></a><span class="page2">103</span> Prophet, and the + insidious efforts of the British agents, in fomenting discontent + among them, were sufficient to keep alive the excitement, and + even extend the circle of its influence. Thus ended the year + 1807. + </p> + <p> + The reader may learn the extraordinary success of the Prophet in + spreading his influence among the remote tribes, by a reference + to the narrative of Mr. John Tanner. This man had been taken + captive in Boone county, Kentucky, when a boy; had been raised by + the Indians, and was at this time, living among the Ojibbeways, + who reside far up the lakes. + </p> + <p> + News reached that remote tribe that a great man had arisen among + the Shawanoes, who had been favored by a revelation of the mind + and will of the Great Spirit. The messenger bearing this + information to them, seemed deeply penetrated with the sacred + character of his mission. Upon his arrival among them, he + announced himself after a mysterious silence, as the forerunner + of the great Prophet, who was shortly to shake hands with the + Ojibbeways, and explain to them more fully his inspired + character, and the new mode of life and conduct which they were + hereafter to pursue. He then gravely repeated to them the + Prophet's system of morals; and in a very solemn manner, enjoined + its observance. So strong was the impression made upon the + principal men of the Ojibbeways, that a time was appointed and a + lodge prepared for the public espousal of these doctrines. When + the Indians were assembled in the new lodge, "we saw something," + says Mr. Tanner, "carefully concealed under a blanket, in figure + and dimensions bearing some resemblance to a man. This was + accompanied by two young men, who, it was understood, attended + constantly upon it, made its bed at night, as for a man, and + slept near it. But while we remained, no one went near to it, or + raised the blanket which was spread over its unknown contents. + Four strings of mouldy and discolored beads were all the visible + insignia of this important mission. + </p> + <p> + "After a long harangue, in which the prominent features of the + new revelation were stated, and urged upon the attention of all, + the four strings of beads, which we were told were made of the + flesh of the Prophet, <a id="Page_104" name= + "Page_104"></a><span class="page2">104</span> were carried with, + much solemnity, to each man in the lodge, and he was expected to + take hold of each string at the top, and draw them gently through + his hand: This was called shaking hands with the Prophet, and was + considered as solemnly engaging to obey his injunctions, and + accept of his mission as from the Supreme. All the Indians who + touched the beads had previously killed their dogs; they gave up + their medicine bags, and showed a disposition to comply with all + that should be required of them." + </p> + <p> + The excitement among the Ojibbeways continued for some time; they + assembled in groups, their faces wearing an aspect of gloom and + anxiety, while the active sunk into indolence, and the spirit of + the bravest warriors was subdued. The influence of the Prophet, + says Mr. Tanner, "was very sensibly and painfully felt by the + remotest Ojibbeways of whom I had any knowledge: but it was not + the common impression among them, that his doctrines had any + tendency to unite them in the accomplishment of any human + purpose. For two or three years drunkenness was much less + frequent than formerly; war was less thought of; and the entire + aspect of things among them was changed by the influence of this + mission. But in time these new impressions were obliterated; + medicine-bags, flints and steels, the use of which had been + forbidden, were brought into use; dogs were reared, women and + children beaten as before; and the Shawanoe Prophet was + despised." + </p> + <p> + With the beginning of the year 1808, great numbers of Indians + came down from the lakes, on a visit to the Prophet, where they + remained until their means of subsistence were exhausted. The + governor of Indiana, with the prudence and humanity which marked + his administration, directed the agent at fort Wayne, to supply + them with provisions from the public stores at that place. This + was done, and from his intercourse with them he came to the + conclusion that they had no hostile designs against the United + States. About this time, Tecumseh made a visit to the + Mississinaway towns, the immediate object of which could not be + clearly ascertained. That it was connected with the <a id= + "Page_105" name="Page_105"></a><span class="page2">105</span> + grand scheme in which he was engaged, is probable from the fact + that the Indians of that region agreed to meet him and the + Prophet on the Wabash, in the following June, to which place he + had at this time resolved to move his party. Mr. Jouett, one of + the United States' Indian agents, apprehended that this meeting + would result in some hostile action against the frontiers; and, + as a means of preventing it, and putting an end to the influence + of the Prophet, recommended to the governor that he should be + seized and confined. The proposition, however, was not + entertained. + </p> + <p> + In the spring of this year, 1808, Tecumseh and the Prophet + removed to a tract of land granted them by the Potawatamies and + Kickapoos, on Tippecanoe, one of the tributaries of the Wabash + river. They had not been long at their new residence before it + became apparent that the Prophet had established a strong + influence over the minds of the surrounding Indians, and there + was much reason for believing that his views were hostile to the + United States. The governor still confided in the fidelity of the + Delawares and the Miamis; but he apprehended, that although + disbelievers in the Prophet's divine mission, they might be + turned from the line of duty from a fear of his temporal power. + When he had established himself upon the banks of the Tippecanoe, + the Prophet drew around him a body of northern Indians, + principally from the Potawatamies, Ottowas and Chippewas. To + this, the Miamis and Delawares had strong objections; and a + deputation of the latter was sent to the Prophet on the subject. + He refused to see them himself, but Tecumseh met them; and after + a solemn conference, they returned to their tribe with increased + apprehensions of the combination at Tippecanoe, which was now + uniting warlike sports with the performance of religious + duties.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_56">[56]</a></span> + The Delawares decided in council to arrest the progress of this + rising power, but in vain. Strong in the moral force with which + they were armed, the two brothers were not to be driven from + their purpose of planting the banner of union, which they were + now <a id="Page_106" name="Page_106"></a><span class= + "page2">106</span> holding out to the tribes, upon the waters of + the Wabash. The sacred office which the Prophet had impiously + assumed, enabled him to sway many minds, and in doing so, he was + effectively sustained by the personal presence, tact and sagacity + of his brother. From his youth, Tecumseh had been noted for the + influence which he exercised over those by whom he was + surrounded. Hence, when the chiefs of the Miamis and Delawares, + who were disbelievers in the Prophet's holy character, set out to + prevent his removal to the Wabash, Tecumseh boldly met them, and + turned them from their purpose. This was done at a moment when + the number of the Prophet's followers was greatly reduced, as we + gather from the statement of the agent, John Conner, who in the + month of June, of this year, visited his settlement on the Wabash + to reclaim some horses which had been stolen from the whites. At + this time, the Prophet had not more than forty of his own tribe + with him; and less than a hundred from others, principally + Potawatamies, Chippewas, Ottawas and Winebagoes. The Prophet + announced his intention of making a visit to governor Harrison, + for the purpose of explaining his conduct, and procuring a supply + of provisions for his followers. This, he insisted, could not be + consistently withheld from him, as the white people had always + encouraged him to preach the word of God to the Indians: and in + this holy work he was now engaged. + </p> + <p> + Some time in the month of July, the governor received a speech + from the Prophet, sent to Vincennes by a special messenger. It + was cautious, artful and pacific in its character. It deprecated + in strong terms the misrepresentations which had been circulated + in regard to the ulterior objects of the Prophet and his brother + as to the whites; and renewed the promise of an early visit. This + visit was made in the month following, and was continued for two + weeks, during which time he and the governor had frequent + interviews. In these, the Prophet, with his characteristic + plausibility, denied that his course was the result of British + influence. His sole object, he alleged, was a benevolent one + towards his red brethren; to reclaim them from the <a id= + "Page_107" name="Page_107"></a><span class="page2">107</span> + degrading vices to which they were addicted, and induce them to + cultivate a spirit of peace and friendship, not only with the + white people, but their kindred tribes. To this sacred office, he + insisted, with much earnestness, he had been specially called by + the Great Spirit. That he might the more successfully enforce the + sincerity of his views upon the mind of the governor, he took + occasion several times during the visit, to address the Indians + who had accompanied him to Vincennes, and dwelt upon the great + evils resulting to them from wars, and the use of ardent spirits. + It was apparent to the governor that the Prophet was a man of + decided talents, of great tact, and admirably qualified to play + successfully, the part he had assumed. In order to test the + extent of his influence over his followers, the governor held + conversations with them, and several times offered them whiskey, + which they invariably refused. Looking to that amelioration of + the condition of the Indians, which had long engaged his + attention, the governor began to hope that the Prophet's power + over them might be turned to advantage; and that the cause of + humanity would be benefited by sustaining rather than trying to + weaken the influence of the preacher. This impression was much + strengthened by the following speech which the Prophet delivered + to him, before the close of the visit. + </p> + <p> + "Father:—It is three years since I first began with that + system of religion which I now practice. The white people and + some of the Indians were against me; but I had no other intention + but to introduce among the Indians, those good principles of + religion which the white people profess. I was spoken badly of by + the white people, who reproached me with misleading the Indians; + but I defy them to say that I did any thing amiss. + </p> + <p> + "Father, I was told that you intended to hang me. When I heard + this, I intended to remember it, and tell my father, when I went + to see him, and relate to him the truth. + </p> + <p> + "I heard, when I settled on the Wabash, that my father, the + governor, had declared that all the land between Vincennes and + fort Wayne, was the property of <a id="Page_108" name= + "Page_108"></a><span class="page2">108</span> the Seventeen + Fires. I also heard that you wanted to know, my father, whether I + was God or man; and that you said if I was the former, I should + not steal horses. I heard this from Mr. Wells, but I believed it + originated with himself. + </p> + <p> + "The Great Spirit told me to tell the Indians that he had made + them, and made the world—that he had placed them on it to + do good, and not evil. + </p> + <p> + "I told all the red skins, that the way they were in was not + good, and that they ought to abandon it. + </p> + <p> + "That we ought to consider ourselves as one man; but we ought to + live agreeably to our several customs, the red people after their + mode, and the white people after theirs; particularly, that they + should not drink whiskey; that it was not made for them, but the + white people, who alone knew how to use it; and that it is the + cause of all the mischiefs which the Indians suffer; and that + they must always follow the directions of the Great Spirit, and + we must listen to him, as it was he that made us: determine to + listen to nothing that is bad: do not take up the tomahawk, + should it be offered by the British, or by the long knives: do + not meddle with any thing that does not belong to you, but mind + your own business, and cultivate the ground, that your women and + your children may have enough to live on. + </p> + <p> + "I now inform you, that it is our intention to live in peace with + our father and his people forever. + </p> + <p> + "My father, I have informed you what we mean to do, and I call + the Great Spirit to witness the truth of my declaration. The + religion which I have established for the last three years, has + been attended to by the different tribes of Indians in this part + of the world. Those Indians were once different people; they are + now but one: they are all determined to practice what I have + communicated to them, that has come immediately from the Great + Spirit through me. + </p> + <p> + "Brother, I speak to you as a warrior. You are one. But let us + lay aside this character, and attend to the care of our children, + that they may live in comfort and peace. We desire that you will + join us for the preservation of both red and white people. + Formerly, when <a id="Page_109" name="Page_109"></a><span class= + "page2">109</span> we lived in ignorance, we were foolish; but + now, since we listen to the voice of the Great Spirit, we are + happy. + </p> + <p> + "I have listened to what you have said to us. You have promised + to assist us: I now request you, in behalf of all the red people, + to use your exertions to prevent the sale of liquor to us. We are + all well pleased to hear you say that you will endeavor to + promote our happiness. We give you every assurance that we will + follow the dictates of the Great Spirit. + </p> + <p> + "We are all well pleased with the attention that you have showed + us; also with the good intentions of our father, the President. + If you give us a few articles, such as needles, flints, hoes, + powder, &c., we will take the animals that afford us meat, + with powder and ball." + </p> + <p> + Governor Harrison, if not deceived by the plausible pretences and + apparently candid declarations of the Prophet, was left in doubt, + whether he was really meditating hostile movements against the + United States, or only laboring, with the energy of an + enthusiast, in the good work of promoting the welfare of the + Indians. Having received a supply of provisions, the Prophet and + his followers, at the end of a fortnight, took leave of the + governor and returned to their head quarters, on the banks of the + Tippecanoe. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Tecumseh visits the Wyandots—governor Harrison's letter + about the Prophet to the Secretary at War—British + influence over the Indians—Tecumseh burns governor + Harrison's letter to the chiefs—great alarm in Indiana, + in consequence of the assemblage of the Indians at + Tippecanoe—death of Leatherlips, a Wyandot chief on a + charge of witchcraft. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + During the autumn of this year, 1808, nothing material occurred + with the Prophet and his brother, calculated to throw light upon + their conduct. The former continued his efforts to induce the + Indians to forsake their vicious habits. The latter was occupied + in visiting <a id="Page_110" name="Page_110"></a><span class= + "page2">110</span> the neighboring tribes, and quietly + strengthening his own and the Prophet's influence over them. + Early in the succeeding year, Tecumseh attended a council of + Indians, at Sandusky, when he endeavored to prevail upon the + Wyandots and Senecas to remove and join his establishment at + Tippecanoe. Among other reasons presented in favor of this + removal, he stated that the country on the Tippecanoe was better + than that occupied by these tribes; that it was remote from the + whites, and that in it they would have more game and be happier + than where they now resided. In this mission he appears not to + have been successful. The Crane, an old chief of the Wyandot + tribe, replied, that he feared he, Tecumseh, was working for no + good purpose at Tippecanoe; that they would wait a few years, and + then, if they found their red brethren at that place contented + and happy, they would probably join them.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_57">[57]</a></span> In this visit to + Sandusky, Tecumseh was accompanied by captain Lewis, a Shawanoe + chief of some note, who then engaged to go with him to the Creeks + and Cherokees, on a mission which he was contemplating, and which + was subsequently accomplished. Lewis, however, did not finally + make the visit, but permitted Jim Blue Jacket to make the tour in + his place. + </p> + <p> + In April of the year 1809, the agent of the United States at fort + Wayne, informed governor Harrison, that it had been reported to + him that the Chippewas, Potawatamies and Ottawas, were deserting + the standard of the Prophet, because they had been required to + take up arms against the whites, and to unite in an effort to + exterminate all the inhabitants of Vincennes, and those living on + the Ohio, between its mouth and Cincinnati—it being the + order of the Great Spirit; and that their own destruction would + be the consequence of a refusal. The agent did not think, + however, that hostilities were likely to ensue, as he was + informed there were not more than one hundred warriors remaining + with the Prophet. The governor, however, had information from + other sources, that although there might be but that number of + warriors at the Prophet's village, <a id="Page_111" name= + "Page_111"></a><span class="page2">111</span> there were, within + fifty miles of his head-quarters, four or five times that number, + who were devoted to him and to his cause. Under these + circumstances, he decided to organize forthwith, under previous + orders from the War department, two companies of volunteer + militia, and with them to garrison fort Knox—a post about + two miles from Vincennes—then the general depot of arms and + ammunition, for the use of the neighboring militia. The agent at + fort Wayne was accordingly directed by the governor to require + the Delaware, Miami and Potawatamie tribes, to prevent any + hostile parties of Indians from passing through their respective + territories. This they were bound to do, by a stipulation in the + treaty of Greenville. But no hostile movements, (if any had been + meditated,) were made by the Prophet, and before the close of the + month of May, most of his warriors had dispersed, and all + apprehension of an attack from the Indians was dispelled. + </p> + <p> + In the month of July, in reply to a letter from the Secretary of + War, on the subject of the defence of the north-western frontier, + governor Harrison, in reference to the Prophet, says: + </p> + <p> + "The Shawanoe Prophet and about forty followers, arrived here + about a week ago. He denies most strenuously, any participation + in the late combination to attack our settlements, which he says + was entirely confined to the tribes of the Mississippi and + Illinois rivers; and he claims the merit of having prevailed upon + them to relinquish their intentions. + </p> + <p> + "I must confess that my suspicions of his guilt have been rather + strengthened than diminished at every interview I have had with + him since his arrival. He acknowledges that he received an + invitation to war against us, from the British, last fall; and + that he was apprised of the intention of the Sacs and Foxes, + &c. early in the spring, and was warmly solicited to join in + their league. But he could give no satisfactory explanation of + his neglecting to communicate to me, circumstances so extremely + interesting to us; and towards which I had a few months before + directed his attention, and received a solemn assurance of his + cheerful compliance with the injunctions I had impressed upon + him. + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_112" name="Page_112"></a><span class= + "page2">112</span> + </p> + <p> + "The result of all my enquiries on the subject is, that the late + combination was produced by British intrigue and influence, in + anticipation of war between them and the United States. It was, + however, premature and ill-judged, and the event sufficiently + manifests a great decline in their influence, or in the talents + and address, with which they have been accustomed to manage their + Indian relations. + </p> + <p> + "The warlike and well armed tribes of the Potawatamies, Ottawas, + Chippewas, Delawares, and Miamis, I believe, neither had, nor + would have, joined in the combination; and although the + Kickapoos, whose warriors are better them those of any other + tribe, the remnant of the Wyandots excepted, are much under the + influence of the Prophet, I am persuaded that they were never + made acquainted with his intentions, if these were really hostile + to the United States." + </p> + <p> + In the latter part of the year 1809, under instructions from the + President of the United States, governor Harrison deemed the + period a favorable one to extinguish the Indian title to the + lands on the east of the Wabash, and adjoining south on the lines + established by the former treaties of fort Wayne and Grousland. A + council was accordingly held, in the latter part of September, at + fort Wayne, with the Miami, Eel river, Delaware and Potawatamie + tribes, which resulted in the purchase of the land above + mentioned. A separate treaty was made with the Kickapoos, who + confirmed the grants made at the above treaty, and also ceded + another tract. In making these treaties, governor Harrison + invited all those Indians to be present, who were considered as + having any title to the lands embraced within them. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the remainder of the year 1809, things remained quiet + with Tecumseh and the Prophet. The number of their followers was + again on the increase; and, although no overt acts of hostility + against the frontier settlements were committed, there was a + prevalent suspicion in that quarter, that the Indians entertained + sinister designs towards the whites. The events of the early part + of the year 1810, were such as to leave little doubt of the + hostile intentions of the brothers. In the <a id="Page_113" name= + "Page_113"></a><span class="page2">113</span> latter part of + April, governor Harrison was informed, upon credible authority, + that the Prophet was really instigating the Indians to acts of + hostility against the United States; and that he had under his + immediate control about four hundred warriors, chiefly composed + of Kickapoos and Winnebagoes, but embracing also some Shawanoes, + Potawatamies, Chippewas, and Ottawas. The traders among them + attributed this hostile feeling to British influence. That the + followers of the Prophet had received a supply of powder and ball + from the English agents, was generally admitted. They refused to + buy ammunition from our traders, alleging that they were + plentifully supplied from a quarter where it cost them nothing. + About the middle of May, it was ascertained that the number of + warriors with the Prophet, amounted to more than six hundred men, + and there were reasons to apprehend that his influence had + kindled a hostile feeling among several of the tribes to the west + and north of his head quarters. A meeting of Indians having been + appointed to take place about this time, on the St. Joseph's + river, governor Harrison made an appeal to them through the + Delawares, in which he forcibly pointed out the unhappy results + that would certainly follow any attack upon the United States; + and cautioned the friendly tribes, upon the dangers to which they + would be subjected, in consequence of the difficulty of + discriminating between friends and enemies, in case a war should + occur. In July the governor was authorized by the Secretary of + War, to take such steps as he might deem necessary for the + protection of the frontier; and, at the same time was informed + that some troops had been ordered to Vincennes to keep in check + the hostile Indians of that quarter. + </p> + <p> + Fresh apprehensions were now felt for the safety of the + frontiers. The Prophet, it appears, had gained over to his cause + the Wyandot tribe, whose councils had always exerted a strong + influence among the Indians. To this tribe had been committed the + preservation of the Great Belt, the symbol of union among the + tribes in their late war with the United States; and also the + original duplicate of the Greenville treaty of <a id="Page_114" + name="Page_114"></a><span class="page2">114</span> 1795. The + Prophet sent a deputation to the Wyandots requesting permission + to examine the provisions of that treaty, and artfully expressing + his astonishment that they, who had ever directed the councils of + the Indians, and who were alike renowned for their talents and + bravery, should remain passive, and see the lands of the red men + usurped by a part of that race. The Wyandots, pleased with these + flattering speeches, replied, that they had carefully preserved + the former symbol of union among the tribes; but it had remained + so long in their hands without being called for, they supposed it + was forgotten. They further replied, that weary of their present + situation, they felt desirous of seeing all the tribes united in + one great confederacy: that they would join such a union, and + labor to arrest the encroachments of the whites upon their lands, + and if possible recover those which had been unjustly taken from + them. This reply of the Wyandots was exactly suited to the + objects of the Prophet; and he lost no time in sending his + heralds with it, in every direction. The Wyandots soon afterwards + made a visit to Tippecanoe; and in passing thither, had a + conference with some of the Miami chiefs, to whom they showed the + great belt, and charged them with having joined the whites in + opposition to their red brethren. The Miamis at length concluded + to join in a visit to the Prophet, and also invited the Weas to + join with them. + </p> + <p> + About this time, the governor was informed by an aged Piankishaw, + friendly to the United States, that the Prophet had actually + formed a plan for destroying the citizens of Vincennes by a + general massacre; and that he boasted that he would walk in the + footsteps of the great Pontiac. From another source the governor + learned that there were probably three hundred Indians within + thirty miles of the Prophet's quarters; and that although their + proceedings were conducted with great secrecy, it had been + discovered that they were determined to stop the United States' + surveyors from running any lines west of the Wabash. Other + evidences of approaching hostilities were not wanting. The + Prophet, and the Kickapoos who were at his village, refused to + accept the salt which had been sent up to <a id="Page_115" name= + "Page_115"></a><span class="page2">115</span> them as a part of + their annuities, and after it had been put upon the shore, the + carriers were not only required to replace it in their boat, but + whilst doing so, were treated with rudeness, and ordered to take + the salt back to Vincennes. They were Frenchmen, or in all + probability they would have been treated still more + harshly.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_58">[58]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + In the early part of July, governor Harrison received a letter + from John Johnston, Indian agent at fort Wayne, in which he says: + </p> + <p> + "A person just arrived, who it appears has lost himself in his + route to Vincennes, affords me an opportunity of announcing to + you my return to this fort. I was delayed on my journey in + attending to the transportation of the public goods; and on my + arrival in the state of Ohio, I had learned that the Prophet's + brother had lately been at work among the Shawanoes, on the + Auglaize; and, among other things, had burned your letter + delivered to the chiefs at this place last fall. I accordingly + took Wapakonetta in my route home, assembled the chiefs, and + demanded the reason why they had suffered such an improper act to + be committed at their door. They disavowed all agency in the + transaction, and their entire disapprobation of the Prophet's + conduct; and concurring circumstances satisfied me that they were + sincere. The white persons at the town informed me that not one + of the chiefs would go into council with the Prophet's brother, + and that it was a preacher named Riddle, who took the letter to + have it interpreted, and that the brother of the Prophet took it + from his hand, and threw it into the fire, declaring, that if + governor Harrison were there, he would serve <i>him</i> so. He + told the Indians that the white people and the government were + deceiving them, and that for his part, he never would believe + them, or put any confidence in them; that he never would be quiet + until he effected his purpose; and that if he was dead, <i>the + cause</i> would not die with him. He urged the Indians to move + off to the Mississippi with him, saying, that there he would + assemble his forces. All his arguments <a id="Page_116" name= + "Page_116"></a><span class="page2">116</span> seemed to be + bottomed on the prospect of hostilities against our people. He + made no impression on the Shawanoes, and went away much + dissatisfied at their not coming into his views. I consider them + among our best friends. I indirectly encouraged their emigration + westward, and told them their annuity should follow them. They + appear determined to remain, and are much attached to the town + and the improvements, which are considerable." + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the Prophet appears in all these recent + transactions, to be the prominent individual, it is certain that + a greater one was behind the scene. In the junction of the + Wyandots with the Prophet, may be seen the result of Tecumseh's + visit to that tribe, in the previous year, at Sandusky, an + account of which has been already given. In regard to the salt + annuity, the Prophet knew not what course to pursue, until he had + consulted with his brother. Tecumseh, burning the governor's + letter, and the threat, that if he were present he should meet + the same fate, were acts in keeping with his bold character, and + well calculated to maintain his ascendancy among the Indians. + While the Prophet was nominally the head of the new party, and + undoubtedly exercised much influence by means of his supposed + supernatural power, he was but an agent, controlled and directed + by a master spirit, whose energy, address and ceaseless activity, + were all directed to the accomplishment of the grand plan to + which he had solemnly devoted his life. + </p> + <p> + The information which flowed in upon governor Harrison, from + different quarters, relative to the movements of Tecumseh and the + Prophet, and the number of their followers, were such as to + induce him to make the most active preparations to meet the + impending storm. A meeting of the citizens of Vincennes was held + on the subject, two companies of militia were called into active + service, and the rest were directed to hold themselves in + readiness for the field. Alarm-posts were established, and other + measures adopted, especially for the preservation of Vincennes, + which appeared to have been fixed upon as the first point of + attack. + </p> + <p> + Toward the close of June, Winnemac, at the head <a id="Page_117" + name="Page_117"></a><span class="page2">117</span> of a + deputation of Potawatamies, visited the governor at Vincennes, + for the purpose of informing him of the decision of a council, + held at the St. Joseph's of lake Michigan, which had been + attended by all the tribes of that quarter, and by a delegation + from the Delawares. This deputation was present for the purpose + of dissuading the Indians from joining the Prophet. The duty + appears to have been faithfully performed by them. They protested + in strong terms, against the schemes of the Prophet and his + brother, and induced, it is believed, these tribes to give up all + idea of joining them. Winnemac was directed to inform the + governor, of the determination to which they had come, and also, + to lay before him the plans of the Prophet. According to the + information before the council, Detroit, St. Louis, fort Wayne, + Chicago and Vincennes, were all to be surprised. Efforts were + making to persuade the tribes residing on the Mississippi, to + unite in the confederacy. It further appeared, that the followers + of the Prophet, drawn as they were from all the tribes, embraced + but few, if any of the peace chiefs, while not a few of the war + chiefs, or the leaders of small parties, were enrolling + themselves under his standard. Winnemac stated to the governor, + that the Prophet had actually suggested to his young men, the + expediency of murdering all the leading chiefs of the surrounding + tribes, on the plea that their own hands would never be untied + until this was done. They, he said, were the men who sold their + lands, and invited the encroachments of the whites. + </p> + <p> + About the period of Winnemac's visit, an Indian belonging to the + Iowa tribe, told general Harrison, that two years before, a + British agent visited the Prophet, and delivered a message to + him. The object was to induce the Prophet to persevere in uniting + the tribes against the United States, but not to make any hostile + movement, until the signal was given him by the British + authorities. From this Iowa, and others of his tribe, the + governor ascertained that the Prophet had been soliciting them + and other tribes on the Mississippi to join the confederacy. To + these the Prophet stated, in his plausible manner, that the + Americans were ceaselessly and silently invading the Indians, + until those <a id="Page_118" name="Page_118"></a><span class= + "page2">118</span> who had suffered most, had resolved to be + driven back no farther; and that it was the duty of the remote + tribes upon whose lands the march of civilization had not yet + pressed, to assist those who had already lost theirs, or in turn + a corresponding calamity would follow upon them. This, the + Prophet declared, he was directed by the Great Spirit of the + Indians to tell them, adding, that this Great Spirit would + utterly destroy them, if they ventured to doubt the words of his + chosen Prophet.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_59">[59]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + On the first of June, a Wyandot chief, called Leatherlips, paid + the forfeit of his life on a charge of witchcraft. General + Harrison entertained the opinion that his death was the result of + the Prophet's command, and that the party who acted as + executioners went directly from Tippecanoe, to the banks of the + Scioto, where the tragedy was enacted. Leatherlips was found + encamped upon that stream, twelve miles above Columbus. The six + Wyandots who put him to death, were headed, it is supposed, by + the chief Roundhead. An effort was made by some white men who + were present to save the life of the accused, but without + success. A council of two or three hours took place: the accusing + party spoke with warmth and bitterness of feeling: Leatherlips + was calm and dispassionate in his replies. The sentence of death, + which had been previously passed upon him, was reaffirmed. "The + prisoner then walked slowly to his camp, partook of a dinner of + jerked venison, washed and arrayed himself in his best apparel, + and afterwards painted his face. His dress was very + rich—his hair gray, and his whole appearance graceful and + commanding." When the hour for the execution had arrived, + Leatherlips shook hands in silence with the spectators. "He then + turned from his wigwam, and with a voice of surpassing strength + and melody commenced the chant of the death song. He was followed + closely by the Wyandot warriors, all timing with their slow and + measured march, the music of his wild and melancholy dirge. The + <a id="Page_119" name="Page_119"></a><span class= + "page2">119</span> white men were likewise all silent followers + in that strange procession. At the distance of seventy or eighty + yards from the camp, they came to a shallow grave, which, unknown + to the white men, had been previously prepared by the Indians. + Here the old man knelt down, and in an elevated but solemn tone + of voice, addressed his prayer to the Great Spirit. As soon as he + had finished, the captain of the Indians knelt beside him, and + prayed in a similar manner. Their prayers of course were spoken + in the Wyandot tongue. * * * * After a few moments delay, the + prisoner again sank down upon his knees and prayed as he had done + before. When he had ceased, he still continued in a kneeling + position. All the rifles belonging to the party had been left at + the wigwam. There was not a weapon of any kind to be seen at the + place of execution, and the spectators were consequently unable + to form any conjecture as to the mode of procedure, which the + executioners had determined on, for the fulfilment of their + purpose. Suddenly one of the warriors drew from beneath the + skirts of his capote, a keen, bright tomahawk—walked + rapidly up behind the chieftain—brandished the weapon on + high, for a single moment, and then struck with his whole + strength. The blow descended directly upon the crown of the head, + and the victim immediately fell prostrate. After he had lain + awhile in the agonies of death, the Indian captain directed the + attention of the white men to the drops of sweat which were + gathering upon his neck and face; remarked with much apparent + exultation, that it was conclusive proof of the sufferer's guilt. + Again the executioner advanced, and with the same weapon, + inflicted two or three additional and heavy blows. As soon as + life was entirely extinct, the body was hastily buried, with all + its apparel and decorations; and the assemblage + dispersed."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_60">[60]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + One of Mr. Heckewelder's correspondents, as quoted in his + Historical Account of the Indian Nations, makes Tarhe, better + known by the name of Crane, the leader of this party. This has + been denied; and, the letter<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_61">[61]</a></span> <a id="Page_120" name= + "Page_120"></a><span class="page2">120</span> of general Harrison + on the subject, proves quite conclusively that this celebrated + chief had nothing to do with the execution of Leatherlips. Mr. + Heckewelder's correspondent concurs in the opinion that the + original order for the death of this old man, was issued from the + head quarters of the Prophet and his brother. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Governor Harrison makes another effort to ascertain the designs + of Tecumseh and the Prophet—Tecumseh visits the governor + at Vincennes, attended by four hundred warriors—a council + is held—Tecumseh becomes deeply excited, and charges + governor Harrison with falsehood—council broken up in + disorder—renewed the next day. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + For the purpose of ascertaining more fully the designs of the + Prophet and his brother, governor Harrison now despatched two + confidential agents to their head quarters at Tippecanoe. One of + these agents, Mr. Dubois, was kindly received by the Prophet. He + stated to him that he had been sent by governor Harrison to + ascertain the reason of his hostile preparations, and of his + enmity to the United States; that his conduct had created so much + alarm, that warriors both in Kentucky and Indiana were arming for + service, and that a detachment of regular troops was then + actually on its way to Vincennes: that he was further authorized + by the governor to say, that these preparations were only for + defence; that no attempt would be made against him, until + <i>his</i> intention to commence hostilities could be doubted no + longer. The Prophet denied that he intended to make war, and + declared that on this point he had been unjustly accused: that it + was by the express commands of the Great Spirit that he had fixed + himself there; and that he was ordered to assemble the Indians at + that spot. When urged by the agent to state the grounds of his + complaints against the United States, he replied, the Indians had + been cheated of their lands; that no sale was valid unless + sanctioned by all the tribes. He was assured that the government + would <a id="Page_121" name="Page_121"></a><span class= + "page2">121</span> listen to any complaints he might have to + urge; and that it was expedient for him to go to Vincennes and + see governor Harrison on the subject. This he declined doing, + giving as a reason, that on his former visit to him, he had been + badly treated. Mr. Dubois met at the Prophet's town with some + Kickapoos, with whom he was acquainted. They seemed to regret + having joined the Prophet, and admitted that they had long + suspected that it was his wish to go to war with the United + States. War was undoubtedly his intention, but whether against + the United States or the Osage nation, they were unable to say + with certainty. Mr. Dubois, on this trip, visited the Wea and Eel + river tribes, and found them apprehensive that war would ensue, + and that they would find themselves involved in it. + </p> + <p> + The letter of general Harrison to the Secretary of War, detailing + the results of this mission, concludes with the following remarks + upon the principles long and stoutly contended for by Tecumseh, + that the Indian lands were the common property of all the tribes, + and could not be sold without the consent of all. + </p> + <p> + "The subject of allowing the Indians of this country to consider + all their lands as common property, has been frequently and + largely discussed, in my communications with your predecessor, + and in a personal interview with the late President. The treaties + made by me last fall were concluded on principles as liberal + towards the Indians, as my knowledge of the views and opinions of + the government would allow. For although great latitude of + discretion has always been given to me, I knew that the opinion + of Mr. Jefferson on the subject went so far as to assert a claim + of the United States, as lords paramount, to the lands of all + extinguished or decayed tribes, to the exclusion of all recent + settlers. Upon this principle, the Miami nation are the only + rightful claimants of all the unpurchased lands from the Ohio to + the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. But, sir, the President may + rest assured that the complaint of injury, with regard to the + sale of lands, is a mere pretence suggested to the Prophet by + British partisans and emissaries." + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_122" name="Page_122"></a><span class= + "page2">122</span> + </p> + <p> + Early in July, some of the Prophet's followers descended the + Wabash to a point below Terre Haute, and stole several horses. A + few days afterwards, governor Harrison ascertained from a party + of Indians who were on a visit to Vincennes, that the Sacs and + Foxes had taken up the hatchet, and declared themselves ready to + act with the Prophet, whenever it should be required. It was + further stated, that a Miami chief, who had just returned from + his annual visit to Malden, after receiving his usual stipend of + goods, was addressed by the British agent, Elliot, in these + words: "My son, keep your eyes fixed on me—my tomahawk is + now up—be you ready, but do not strike till I give the + signal." + </p> + <p> + About the same time, the governor, in the hope of staying the + movements of the Prophet, or at least of ascertaining the amount + of his forces, forwarded to him by a confidential interpreter, + the following speech: + </p> + <p> + "William Henry Harrison, governor and commander-in-chief of the + territory of Indiana, to the Shawanoe chief, and the Indians + assembled at Tippecanoe: + </p> + <p> + "Notwithstanding the improper language which you have used + towards me, I will endeavor to open your eyes to your true + interests. Notwithstanding what white bad men have told you, I am + not your personal enemy. You ought to know this from the manner + in which I received and treated you, on your visit to this place. + </p> + <p> + "Although I must say, that you are an enemy to the Seventeen + Fires, and that you have used the greatest exertions with other + tribes to lead them astray. In this, you have been in some + measure successful; as I am told they are ready to raise the + tomahawk against their father; yet their father, notwithstanding + his anger at their folly, is full of goodness, and is always + ready to receive into his arms those of his children who are + willing to repent, acknowledge their fault, and ask for his + forgiveness. + </p> + <p> + "There is yet but little harm done, which may be easily repaired. + The chain of friendship which united the whites with the Indians, + may be renewed, and be as strong as ever. A great deal of that + work depends <a id="Page_123" name="Page_123"></a><span class= + "page2">123</span> on you—the destiny of those who are + under your direction, depends upon the choice you may make of the + two roads which are before you. The one is large, open and + pleasant, and leads to peace, security and happiness; the other, + on the contrary, is narrow and crooked, and leads to misery and + ruin. Don't deceive yourselves; do not believe that all the + nations of Indians united, are able to resist the force of the + Seventeen Fires. I know your warriors are brave, but ours are not + less so; but what can a few brave warriors do, against the + innumerable warriors of the Seventeen Fires? Our blue coats are + more numerous than you can count; our hunters are like the leaves + of the forest, or the grains of sand on the Wabash. + </p> + <p> + "Do not think that the red coats can protect you; they are not + able to protect themselves. They do not think of going to war + with us. If they did, you would in a few moons see our flag wave + over all the forts of Canada. + </p> + <p> + "What reason have you to complain of the Seventeen Fires? have + they taken any thing from you—have they ever violated the + treaties made with the red men? You say that they purchased lands + from them who had no right to sell them: show that this is true, + and the land will be instantly restored. Show us the rightful + owners of those lands which have been purchased—let them + present themselves. The ears of your father will be opened to + your complaints, and if the lands have been purchased of those + who did not own them, they will be restored to the rightful + owners. I have full power to arrange this business; but if you + would rather carry your complaints before your great father, the + President, you shall be indulged. I will immediately take means + to send you with those chiefs which you may choose, to the city + where your father lives. Every thing necessary shall be prepared + for your journey, and means taken for your safe return." + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh was present when the interpreter delivered this speech. + The Prophet made no reply to it, but promised to send one by his + brother, who intended, in a few weeks, to make a visit to + governor Harrison. In conversation, however, with the + interpreter, the <a id="Page_124" name= + "Page_124"></a><span class="page2">124</span> Prophet strongly + disavowed the idea that he had any hostile intentions; but at the + same time declared, that it would not be practicable long to + maintain peace with the United States, unless the government + would recognize the principle, that the lands were the common + property of <i>all</i> the Indians; and cease to make any further + settlement to the north and west. "The Great Spirit" continued + he, "gave this great island to his red children; he placed the + whites on the other side of the big water; they were not + contented with their own, but came to take ours from us. They + have driven us from the sea to the lakes: we can go no further. + They have taken upon them to say, this tract belongs to the + Miamis, this to the Delawares, and so on; but the Great Spirit + intended it as the common property of us all. Our father tells + us, that we have no business upon the Wabash, the land belongs to + other tribes; but the Great Spirit ordered us to come here, and + here we will stay." He expressed himself, in the course of the + conversation, gratified with the speech which the governor had + sent him; saying, he recollected to have seen him, when a very + young man, sitting by the side of general Wayne. + </p> + <p> + Some of the Indians, then at the Prophet's town, appeared to be + alarmed at the arrival of the interpreter, and professed + themselves dissatisfied with the conduct of their leaders. + Tecumseh told him, that in making his promised visit to the + governor, he should bring with him about thirty of his principal + warriors; and as the young men were fond of attending on such + occasions, the whole number might probably be one hundred. The + Prophet added, that the governor might expect to see a still + larger number than that named by his brother. + </p> + <p> + Upon the return of the interpreter to Vincennes, the governor, + not wishing to be burthened with so large a body of Indians, + despatched a messenger to Tecumseh, requesting that he would + bring with him but a few of his followers. This request, however, + was wholly disregarded; and on the 12th of August, the chief, + attended by four hundred warriors, fully armed with tomahawks and + war-clubs, descended the Wabash to Vincennes, for <a id= + "Page_125" name="Page_125"></a><span class="page2">125</span> the + purpose of holding the proposed conference. From a family letter + written by captain Floyd, then commanding at fort Knox, three + miles above Vincennes, under date of 14th of August, 1810, the + following extract is made, referring to this visit of the + chieftain and his war-like retinue. + </p> + <p> + "Nothing new has transpired since my last letter to you, except + that the Shawanoe Indians have come; they passed this garrison, + which is three miles above Vincennes, on Sunday last, in eighty + canoes; they were all painted in the most terrific manner: they + were stopped at the garrison by me, for a short time: I examined + their canoes and found them well prepared for war, in case of an + attack. They were headed by the brother of the Prophet, + (Tecumseh) who, perhaps, is one of the finest looking men I ever + saw—about six feet high, straight, with large, fine + features, and altogether a daring, bold looking fellow. The + governor's council with them will commence to-morrow morning. He + has directed me to attend." + </p> + <p> + Governor Harrison had made arrangements for holding the council + on the portico of his own house, which had been fitted up with + seats for the occasion. Here, on the morning of the fifteenth, he + awaited the arrival of the chief, being attended by the judges of + the Supreme Court, some officers of the army, a sergeant and + twelve men, from fort Knox, and a large number of citizens. At + the appointed hour Tecumseh, supported by forty of his principal + warriors, made his appearance, the remainder of his followers + being encamped in the village and its environs. When the chief + had approached within thirty or forty yards of the house, he + suddenly stopped, as if awaiting some advances from the governor. + An interpreter was sent requesting him and his followers to take + seats on the portico. To this Tecumseh objected—he did not + think the place a suitable one for holding the conference, but + preferred that it should take place in a grove of trees,—to + which he pointed,—standing a short distance from the house. + The governor said he had no objection to the grove, except that + there were no seats in it for their accommodation. Tecumseh + replied, that constituted no objection <a id="Page_126" name= + "Page_126"></a><span class="page2">126</span> to the grove, the + earth being the most suitable place for the Indians, who loved to + repose upon the bosom of their mother. The governor yielded the + point, and the benches and chairs having been removed to the + spot, the conference was begun, the Indians being seated on the + grass. + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh opened the meeting by stating, at length, his objections + to the treaty of fort Wayne, made by governor Harrison in the + previous year; and in the course of his speech, boldly avowed the + principle of his party to be, that of resistance to every cession + of land, unless made by all the tribes, who, he contended, formed + but one nation. He admitted that he had threatened to kill the + chiefs who signed the treaty of fort Wayne; and that it was his + fixed determination not to permit the <i>village</i> chiefs, in + future, to manage their affairs, but to place the power with + which <i>they</i> had been heretofore invested, in the hands of + the war chiefs. The Americans, he said, had driven the Indians + from the sea coast, and would soon push them into the lakes; and, + while he disclaimed all intention of making war upon the United + States, he declared it to be his unalterable resolution to take a + stand, and resolutely oppose the further intrusion of the whites + upon the Indian lands. He concluded, by making a brief but + impassioned recital of the various wrongs and aggressions + inflicted by the white men upon the Indians, from the + commencement of the Revolutionary war down to the period of that + council; all of which was calculated to arouse and inflame the + minds of such of his followers as were present. + </p> + <p> + The governor rose in reply, and in examining the right of + Tecumseh and his party to make objections to the treaty of fort + Wayne, took occasion to say, that the Indians were not one + nation, having a common property in the lands. The Miamis, he + contended, were the real owners of the tract on the Wabash, ceded + by the late treaty, and the Shawanoes had no right to interfere + in the case; that upon the arrival of the whites on this + continent, they had found the Miamis in possession of this land, + the Shawanoes being then residents of Georgia, from which they + had been driven by the <a id="Page_127" name= + "Page_127"></a><span class="page2">127</span> Creeks, and that it + was ridiculous to assert that the red men constituted but one + nation; for, if such had been the intention of the Great Spirit, + he would not have put different tongues in their heads, but have + taught them all to speak the same language. + </p> + <p> + The governor having taken his seat, the interpreter commenced + explaining the speech to Tecumseh, who, after listening to a + portion of it, sprung to his feet and began to speak with great + vehemence of manner. + </p> + <p> + The governor was surprised at his violent gestures, but as he did + not understand him, thought he was making some explanation, and + suffered his attention to be drawn towards Winnemac, a friendly + Indian lying on the grass before him, who was renewing the + priming of his pistol, which he had kept concealed from the other + Indians, but in full view of the governor. His attention, + however, was again directed towards Tecumseh, by hearing general + Gibson, who was intimately acquainted with the Shawanoe language, + say to lieutenant Jennings, "those fellows intend mischief; you + had better bring up the guard." At that moment, the followers of + Tecumseh seized their tomahawks and war clubs, and sprung upon + their feet, their eyes turned upon the governor. As soon as he + could disengage himself from the armed chair in which he sat, he + rose, drew a small sword which he had by his side, and stood on + the defensive. Captain G.R. Floyd, of the army, who stood near + him, drew a dirk, and the chief Winnemac cocked his pistol. The + citizens present, were more numerous than the Indians, but were + unarmed; some of them procured clubs and brick-bats, and also + stood on the defensive. The Rev. Mr. Winans, of the Methodist + church, ran to the governor's house, got a gun, and posted + himself at the door to defend the family. During this singular + scene, no one spoke, until the guard came running up, and + appearing to be in the act of firing, the governor ordered them + not to do so. He then demanded of the interpreter, an explanation + of what had happened, who replied that Tecumseh had interrupted + him, declaring that all the governor had <a id="Page_128" name= + "Page_128"></a><span class="page2">128</span> said was + <i>false</i>; and that he and the Seventeen Fires had cheated and + imposed on the Indians.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_62">[62]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + The governor then told Tecumseh that he was a bad man, and that + he would hold no further communication with him; that as he had + come to Vincennes under the protection of a council-fire, he + might return in safety, but that he must immediately leave the + village. Here the council terminated. During the night, two + companies of militia were brought in from the country, and that + belonging to the town was also embodied. Next morning Tecumseh + requested the governor to afford him an opportunity of explaining + his conduct on the previous day—declaring, that he did not + intend to attack the governor, and that he had acted under the + advice of some of the white people. The governor consented to + another interview, it being understood that each party should + have the same armed force as on the previous day. On this + occasion, the deportment of Tecumseh was respectful and + dignified. He again denied having had any intention to make an + attack upon the governor, and declared that he had been + stimulated to the course he had taken, by two white men, who + assured him that one half of the citizens were opposed to the + governor, and willing to restore the land in question; that the + governor would soon be put out of office, and a good man sent to + fill his place, who would give up the land to the Indians. When + asked by the governor whether he intended to resist the survey of + these lands, Tecumseh replied that he and his followers were + resolutely determined to insist upon the old boundary. When he + had taken his seat, chiefs from the Wyandots, Kickapoos, + Potawatamies, Ottawas, and Winnebagoes, spoke in succession, and + distinctly avowed that they had entered into the Shawanoe + confederacy, and were determined to support the principles laid + down by their leader. The governor, in conclusion, stated that he + would make known to the President, the claims of Tecumseh and his + party, to the land in question; but that he was satisfied the + government <a id="Page_129" name="Page_129"></a><span class= + "page2">129</span> would never admit that the lands on the Wabash + were the property of any other tribes than those who occupied + them, when the white people first arrived in America; and, as the + title to these lands had been derived by purchase from those + tribes, he might rest assured that the right of the United States + would be sustained by the sword. Here the council adjourned. + </p> + <p> + On the following day, governor Harrison visited Tecumseh in his + camp, attended only by the interpreter, and was very politely + received. A long conversation ensued, in which Tecumseh again + declared that his intentions were really such as he had avowed + them to be in the council; that the policy which the United + States pursued, of purchasing lands from the Indians, he viewed + as a mighty water, ready to overflow his people; and that the + confederacy which he was forming among the tribes to prevent any + individual tribe from selling without the consent of the others, + was the dam he was erecting to resist this mighty water. He + stated further, that he should be reluctantly drawn into a war + with the United States; and that if he, the governor, would + induce the President to give up the lands lately purchased, and + agree never to make another treaty without the consent of all the + tribes, he would be their faithful ally and assist them in the + war, which he knew was about to take place with England; that he + preferred being the ally of the Seventeen Fires, but if they did + not comply with his request, he would be compelled to unite with + the British. The governor replied, that he would make known his + views to the President, but that there was no probability of + their being agreed to. "Well," said Tecumseh, "as the great chief + is to determine the matter, I hope the Great Spirit will put + sense enough into his head to induce him to give up this land: it + is true, he is so far off he will not be injured by the war; he + may sit still in his town and drink his wine, whilst you and I + will have to fight it out." This prophecy, it will be seen, was + literally fulfilled; and the great chieftain who uttered it, + attested that fulfilment with his blood. The governor, in + conclusion, proposed to Tecumseh, that in the event of + hostilities between the Indians and the United <a id="Page_130" + name="Page_130"></a><span class="page2">130</span> States, he + should use his influence to put an end to the cruel mode of + warfare which the Indians were accustomed to wage upon women and + children, or upon prisoners. To this he cheerfully assented; and, + it is due to the memory of Tecumseh to add, that he faithfully + kept his promise down to the period of his death.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_63">[63]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Whether in this council Tecumseh really meditated treachery or + only intended to intimidate the governor, must remain a matter of + conjecture. If the former, his force of four hundred well armed + warriors was sufficient to have murdered the inhabitants and + sacked the town, which at that time did not contain more than one + thousand persons, including women and children. When in the + progress of the conference, he and his forty followers sprung to + their arms, there would have been, in all probability, a + corresponding movement with the remainder of his warriors + encamped in and around the village, had he seriously contemplated + an, attack upon the governor and the inhabitants. But this does + not appear to have been the case. It is probable, therefore, that + Tecumseh, in visiting Vincennes with so large a body of + followers, expected to make a strong impression upon the whites + as to the extent of his influence among the Indians, and the + strength of his party. His movement in the council may have been + concerted for the purpose of intimidating the governor; but the + more probable supposition is, that in the excitement of the + moment, produced by the speech of the governor, he lost his + self-possession, and involuntarily placed his hand upon his + war-club, in which movement he was followed by the warriors + around him, without any previous intention of proceeding to + extremities. Whatever may have been the fact, the bold chieftain + found in governor Harrison a firmness of purpose and an + intrepidity of manner which must have convinced him that nothing + was to be gained by an effort at intimidation, however daring. + </p> + <p> + Soon after the close of this memorable council, governor <a id= + "Page_131" name="Page_131"></a><span class="page2">131</span> + Harrison made arrangements for the survey of the land purchased + at the treaty of fort Wayne, under the protection of a detachment + of soldiers. About the same time, "a young Iowa chief, whom the + governor had employed to go to the Prophet's town to gain + information, reported, on his return; that he had been told by an + old Winnebago chief, who was his relation, that the great Belt + which had been sent round to all the tribes, for the purpose of + uniting them, was returned; and he mentioned a considerable + number who had acceded to the confederacy, the object of which + was 'to confine the great water and prevent it from overflowing + them.' That the belt since its return had been sent to the + British agent, who danced for joy at seeing so many tribes had + joined against the United States. That the Prophet had sent a + speech to his confedrates not to be discouraged at the apparent + defection of some of the tribes near him; for that it was all a + sham, intended to deceive the white people; that these tribes + hated the Seventeen Fires; and that though they gave them sweet + words, they were like grass plucked up by the roots, they would + soon wither and come to nothing. The old Winnebago chief told him + with tears in his eyes, that he himself and all the village + chiefs, had been divested of their power, and that everything was + managed by the warriors, who breathed nothing but war against the + United States.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_64">[64]</a></span>" + </p> + <p> + Governor Harrison, in his address to the legislature of Indiana, + in the month of November of this year, refers to the difficulties + with the Indians at Tippecanoe; and bears testimony to the fact, + that the Prophet and Tecumseh were instigated to assume a hostile + attitude towards the United States, by British influence. He + says, + </p> + <p> + "It is with regret that I have to inform you that the harmony and + good understanding which it is so much our interest to cultivate + with our neighbors, the aborigines, have for some time past + experienced considerable interruption, and that we have indeed + been threatened with hostilities, by a combination formed under + <a id="Page_132" name="Page_132"></a><span class= + "page2">132</span> the auspices of a bold adventurer, who + pretends to act under the immediate inspiration of the Deity. His + character as a Prophet would not, however, have given him any + very dangerous influence, if he had not been assisted by the + intrigues and advice of foreign agents, and other disaffected + persons, who have for many years omitted no opportunity of + counteracting the measures of the government with regard to the + Indians, and filling their naturally jealous minds with + suspicions of the justice and integrity of our views towards + them." + </p> + <p> + That our government was sincerely desirous of preserving peace + with these disaffected Indians, appears from the following + extract of a letter from the Secretary of War, to governor + Harrison, written in the autumn of this year. "It has occurred to + me," said the Secretary, "that the surest means of securing good + behavior from this conspicuous personage and his brother, [the + Prophet and Tecumseh] would be to make them prisoners; but at + this time, more particularly, it is desirable that peace with all + the Indian tribes should be preserved; and I am instructed by the + President to express to your excellency his expectations and + confidence, that in all your arrangements, this may be + considered, (as I am confident it ever has been) a primary object + with you." + </p> + <p> + During the autumn, a Kickapoo chief visited Vincennes, and + informed the governor that the pacific professions of the Prophet + and Tecumseh were not to be relied on,—that their ultimate + designs were hostile to the United States. At the same time + governor Clark, of Missouri, forwarded to the governor of Indiana + information that the Prophet had sent belts to the tribes west of + the Mississippi, inviting them to join in a war against the + United States; and, stating that he would commence the contest by + an attack on Vincennes. Governor Clark further said, that the + Sacs had at length joined the Tippecanoe confederacy, and that a + party of them had gone to Maiden for arms and ammunition. The + Indian interpreter, at Chicago, also stated to governor Harrison, + that the tribes in that quarter were disaffected towards the + United States, and seemed determined <a id="Page_133" name= + "Page_133"></a><span class="page2">133</span> upon war. One of + the surveyors, engaged to run the lines of the new purchase, was + driven off the lands by a party of the Wea tribe, who took two of + his men prisoners: thus closed the year 1810. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Alarm on the frontier continues—a Muskoe Indian killed at + Vincennes—governor Harrison sends a pacific speech to + Tecumseh and the Prophet—the former replies to + it—in July Tecumseh visits governor Harrison at + Vincennes—disavows any intention of making war upon the + whites—explains his object in forming a union among the + tribes—governor Harrison's opinion of Tecumseh and the + Prophet—murder of the Deaf Chief—Tecumseh visits + the southern Indians. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The spring of 1811 brought with it no abatement of these border + difficulties. Early in the season, governor Harrison sent a boat + up the Wabash, loaded with salt for the Indians,—that + article constituting a part of their annuity. Five barrels were + to be left with the Prophet, for the Kickapoos and Shawanoes. + Upon the arrival of the boat at Tippecanoe, the Prophet called a + council, by which it was decided to seize the whole of the salt, + which was promptly done—word being sent back to the + governor, not to be angry at this measure, as the Prophet had two + thousand men to feed; and, had not received any salt for two + years past. There were at this time about six hundred men at + Tippecanoe; and, Tecumseh, who had been absent for some time, on + a visit to the lakes, was expected daily, with large + reinforcements. From appearances, it seemed probable that an + attack was meditated on Vincennes by these brothers, with a force + of eight hundred or one thousand warriors; a number far greater + than the governor could collect, even if he embodied all the + militia for some miles around that place. He accordingly wrote to + the Secretary of War, recommending that the 4th regiment of U.S. + troops, then at Pittsburg, under the command of colonel Boyd, + should be ordered to Vincennes; at the same time asking for + authority to <a id="Page_134" name="Page_134"></a><span class= + "page2">134</span> act offensively against the Indians, so soon + as it was found that the intentions of their leaders were + decidedly hostile towards the United States. + </p> + <p> + Under date of June 6th, governor Harrison, in a letter to the war + department, expresses the opinion that the disposition of the + Indians is far from being pacific. Wells, the agent at fort + Wayne, had visited the Prophet's town, relative to some stolen + horses, and certain Potawatamies who had committed the murders on + the Mississippi. Four of the horses were recovered, but Tecumseh + disclaimed all agency in taking them, although he acknowledged + that it was done by some of his party. Tecumseh openly avowed to + the agent his resolute determination to resist the further + encroachments of the white people. In this letter the governor + remarks, "I wish I could say the Indians were treated with + justice and propriety on all occasions by our citizens; but it is + far otherwise. They are often abused and maltreated; and it is + very rare that they obtain any satisfaction for the most + unprovoked wrongs." He proceeds to relate the circumstance of a + Muskoe Indian having been killed by an Italian innkeeper, in + Vincennes, without any just cause. The murderer, under the orders + of the governor, was apprehended, tried, but acquitted by the + jury almost without deliberation. About the same time, within + twenty miles of Vincennes, two Weas were badly wounded by a white + man without the smallest provocation. Such aggressions tended + greatly to exasperate the Indians, and to prevent them from + delivering up such of their people as committed offences against + the citizens of the United States. Such was the fact with the + Delawares, upon a demand from the governor for White Turkey, who + had robbed the house of a Mr. Vawter. The chiefs refused to + surrender him, declaring that they would never deliver up another + man until some of the whites were punished, who had murdered + their people. They, however, punished White Turkey themselves, by + putting him to death. + </p> + <p> + On the 24th of June, soon after the return of Tecumseh from his + visit to the Iroquois and Wyandots, for the purpose of increasing + his confederacy, governor <a id="Page_135" name= + "Page_135"></a><span class="page2">135</span> Harrison + transmitted to him and the Prophet, together with the other + chiefs at Tippecanoe, the following speech: + </p> + <p> + "Brothers,—Listen to me. I speak to you about matters of + importance, both to the white people and yourselves; open your + ears, therefore, and attend to what I shall say. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, this is the third year that all the white people in + this country have been alarmed at your proceedings; you threaten + us with war, you invite all the tribes to the north and west of + you to join against us. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, your warriors who have lately been here, deny this; + but I have received the information from every direction; the + tribes on the Mississippi have sent me word that you intended to + murder me, and then to commence a war upon our people. I have + also received the speech you sent to the Potawatamies and others, + to join you for that purpose; but if I had no other evidence of + your hostility to us, your seizing the salt I lately sent up the + Wabash, is sufficient. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, our citizens are alarmed, and my warriors are + preparing themselves; not to strike you, but to defend themselves + and their women and children. You shall not surprise us as you + expect to do; you are about to undertake a very rash act; as a + friend, I advise you to consider well of it; a little reflection + may save us a great deal of trouble and prevent much mischief; it + is not yet too late. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, what can be the inducement for you to undertake an + enterprise when there is so little probability of success; do you + really think that the handful of men that you have about you, are + able to contend with the Seventeen Fires, or even that the whole + of the tribes united, could contend against the Kentucky Fire + alone? + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, I am myself of the long knife fire; as soon as they + hear my voice, you will see them pouring forth their swarms of + hunting shirt men, as numerous as the musquetoes on the shores of + the Wabash; brothers, take care of their stings. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, it is not our wish to hurt you: if we did, we + certainly have power to do it; look at the number <a id= + "Page_136" name="Page_136"></a><span class="page2">136</span> of + our warriors to the east of you, above and below the Great + Miami,—to the south, on both sides of the Ohio, and below + you also. You are brave men; but what could you do against such a + multitude?—but we wish you to live in peace and happiness. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, the citizens of this country are alarmed; they must be + satisfied that you have no design to do them mischief, or they + will not lay aside their arms. You have also insulted the + government of the United States by seizing the salt that was + intended for other tribes; satisfaction must be given for that + also. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, you talk of coming to see me, attended by all your + young men; this, however, must not be so; if your intentions are + good, you have no need to bring but a few of your young men with + you. I must be plain with you; I will not suffer you to come into + our settlements with such a force. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, if you wish to satisfy us that your intentions are + good, follow the advice that I have given you before; that is, + that one or both of you should visit the President of the United + States, and lay your grievances before him. He will treat you + well, will listen to what you say, and if you can show him that + you have been injured, you will receive justice. If you will + follow my advice in this respect, it will convince the citizens + of this country and myself that you have no design to attack + them. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, with respect to the lands that were purchased last + fall, I can enter into no negotiations with you on that subject; + the affair is in the hands of the President, if you wish to go + and see him, I will supply you with the means. + </p> + <p> + "Brothers, the person who delivers this, is one of my war + officers; he is a man in whom I have entire confidence: whatever + he says to you, although it may not be contained in this paper, + you may believe comes from me. + </p> + <p> + "My friend Tecumseh! the bearer is a good man and a brave + warrior; I hope you will treat him well; you are yourself a + warrior, and all such should have esteem for each other." + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh to the governor of Indiana, in reply: + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_137" name="Page_137"></a><span class= + "page2">137</span> + </p> + <p> + "Brother, I give you a few words until I will be with you myself. + </p> + <p> + "Brother, at Vincennes, I wish you to listen to me whilst I send + you a few words, and I hope they will ease your heart; I know you + look on your young men and young women and children with pity, to + see them so much alarmed. + </p> + <p> + "Brother, I wish you now to examine what you have from me; I hope + that it will be a satisfaction to you, if your intentions are + like mine, to wash away all these bad stories that have been + circulated. I will be with you myself in eighteen days from this + day. + </p> + <p> + "Brother, we cannot say what will become of us, as the Great + Spirit has the management of us all at his will. I may be there + before the time, and may not be there until the day. I hope that + when we come together, all these bad tales will be settled; by + this I hope your young men, women and children, will be easy. I + wish you, brother, to let them know when I come to Vincennes and + see you, all will be settled in peace and happiness. + </p> + <p> + "Brother, these are only a few words to let you know that I will + be with you myself, and when I am with you I can inform you + better. + </p> + <p> + "Brother, if I find that I can be with you in less time than + eighteen days, I will send one of my young men before me, to let + you know what time I will be with you." + </p> + <p> + On the second of July, governor Harrison received information + from the executive of Illinois, that several murders had been + committed in that territory; and that there were good grounds for + believing these crimes had been perpetrated by a party of + Shawanoes. The governor had been previously informed that it was + the design of the Prophet to commence hostilities in Illinois, in + order to cover his main object—the attack on Vincennes. + Both territories were in a state of great alarm; and the + Secretary of War was officially notified, that if the general + government did not take measures to protect the inhabitants, they + were determined to protect themselves. + </p> + <p> + In a letter under date of Vincennes, 10th July, 1811, <a id= + "Page_138" name="Page_138"></a><span class="page2">138</span> + governor Harrison writes as follows to the Secretary of War. + </p> + <p> + "Captain Wilson, the officer whom I sent to the Prophet's town, + returned on Sunday last. He was well received, and treated with + particular friendship by Tecumseh. He obtained, however, no + satisfaction. The only answer given was, that in eighteen days + Tecumseh would pay me a visit for the purpose of explaining his + conduct. Upon being told that I would not suffer him to come with + so large a force, he promised to bring with him a few men only. I + shall not, however, depend upon this promise, but shall have the + river well watched by a party of scouts after the descent of the + chief, lest he should be followed by his warriors. I do not think + that this will be the case. The detection of the hostile designs + of an Indian is generally (for that time) to defeat them. The + hopes of an expedition, conducted through many hundred miles of + toil and difficulty, are abandoned frequently, upon the slightest + suspicion; their painful steps retraced, and a more favorable + moment expected. With them the surprise of an enemy bestows more + eclat upon a warrior than the most brilliant success obtained by + other means. Tecumseh has taken for his model the celebrated + Pontiac, and I am persuaded he will bear a favorable comparison, + in every respect, with that far famed warrior. If it is his + object to begin with the surprise of this place, it is impossible + that a more favorable situation could have been chosen, than the + one he occupies: it is just so far off as to be removed from + immediate observation, and yet so near as to enable him to strike + us, when the water is high, in twenty-four hours, and even when + it is low, their light canoes will come fully as fast as the + journey could be performed on horseback. The situation is in + other respects admirable for the purposes for which he has chosen + it. It is nearly central with regard to the tribes which he + wishes to unite. The water communication with lake Erie, by means + of the Wabash and Miami—with lake Michigan and the + Illinois, by the Tippecanoe, is a great convenience. It is + immediately in the centre of the back line of that fine country + which he wishes to prevent us <a id="Page_139" name= + "Page_139"></a><span class="page2">139</span> from + settling—and above all, he has immediately in his rear a + country that has been but little explored, consisting principally + of barren thickets, interspersed with swamps and lakes, into + which our cavalry could not penetrate, and our infantry, only by + slow, laborious efforts." + </p> + <p> + The promised visit of Tecumseh took place in the latter part of + July. He reached Vincennes on the 27th, attended by about three + hundred of his party, of whom thirty were women and children. The + council was opened on the 30th, in an arbor erected for the + purpose, and at the appointed time the chief made his appearance, + attended by about one hundred and seventy warriors, without guns, + but all of them having knives and tomahawks, or war clubs, and + some armed with bows and arrows. The governor, in opening the + council, made reference to the late murders in Illinois, and the + alarm which the appearance of Tecumseh, with so large an armed + force, had created among the people on the Wabash. He further + informed Tecumseh that, whilst he listened to whatever himself or + any of the chiefs had to say in regard to the late purchase of + land, he would enter into no negociation on that subject, as it + was now in the hands of the President. The governor, after + telling Tecumseh that he was at liberty to visit the President, + and hear his decision from his own mouth, adverted to the late + seizure of the salt, and demanded an explanation of it. In reply, + the chief admitted the seizure, but said he was not at home, + either this spring or the year before, when the salt boats + arrived; that it seemed impossible to please the governor: last + year he was angry, because the salt was refused, and this year + equally so, because it was taken. The council was then adjourned + until the following day. When it was again opened, a Wea chief + made a long speech, giving the history of all the treaties which + had been made by the governor and the Indian tribes; and + concluded with the remark, that he had been told that the Miami + chiefs had been forced by the Potawatamies to accede to the + treaty of fort Wayne; and that it would be proper to institute + enquiries to find out the person who had held the tomahawk over + their heads, <a id="Page_140" name="Page_140"></a><span class= + "page2">140</span> and punish him. This statement was immediately + contradicted by the governor, and also by the Miami chiefs who + were present. Anxious to bring the conference to a close, the + governor then told Tecumseh that by delivering up the two + Potawatamies who had murdered the four white men on the Missouri, + last fall, he would at once attest the sincerity of his + professions of friendship to the United States, and his desire to + preserve peace. His reply was evasive, but developed very clearly + his designs. After much trouble and difficulty he had induced, he + said, all the northern tribes to unite, and place themselves + under his direction; that the white people were unnecessarily + alarmed at his measures, which really meant nothing but peace; + that the United States had set him the example of forming a + strict union amongst all the Fires that compose their + confederacy; that the Indians did not complain of it, nor should + his white brothers complain of him for doing the same thing in + regard to the Indian tribes; that so soon as the council was + over, he was to set out on a visit to the southern tribes, to + prevail upon them to unite with those of the north. As to the + murderers, they were not at his town, and if they were, he could + not deliver them up; that they ought to be forgiven, as well as + those who had committed some murders in Illinois; that he had set + the whites an example of the forgiveness of injuries which they + ought to follow. In reply to an enquiry on the subject, he said + he hoped no attempt would be made to settle the new purchase, + before his return next spring; that a great number of Indians + were coming to settle at Tippecanoe in the autumn, and they would + need that tract as a hunting ground, and if they did no further + injury, they might kill the cattle and hogs of the white people, + which would create disturbances; that he wished every thing to + remain in its present situation until his return, when he would + visit the President, and settle all difficulties with him. The + governor made a brief reply, saying, that the moon which they + beheld (it was then night) would sooner fall to the earth, than + the President would suffer his people to be murdered with + impunity; and that he would put his warriors in petticoats, + sooner <a id="Page_141" name="Page_141"></a><span class= + "page2">141</span> than he would give up a country which he had + fairly acquired from the rightful owners. Here the council + terminated. In a day or two afterwards, attended by twenty + warriors, Tecumseh set off for the south, on a visit to the + Creeks and Choctaws. The governor was at a loss to determine the + object of Tecumseh, in taking with him to Vincennes, so large a + body of his followers. The spies said that he intended to demand + a retrocession of the late purchase, and if it was not obtained, + to seize some of the chiefs who were active in making the treaty, + in presence of the governor, and put them to death; and in case + of his interference, to have subjected him to the same fate. Many + of the neutral Indians entertained the opinion that he meditated + an attack upon Vincennes. If such was the case, his plan was + probably changed by observing the vigilance of governor Harrison + and the display of seven or eight hundred men under arms. It is + questionable, however, we think, whether Tecumseh really + meditated violence at this time. He probably wished to impress + the whites with an idea of his strength, and at the same time + gratify his ambition of moving, as a great chieftain, at the head + of a numerous retinue of warriors. + </p> + <p> + The day after the close of this council, the governor wrote to + the War Department. The following is a part of his communication. + </p> + <p> + "My letter of yesterday will inform you of the arrival and + departure of Tecumseh from this place, and of the route which he + has taken. There can be no doubt his object is to excite the + southern Indians to war against us. His mother was of the Creek + nation, and he builds much upon that circumstance towards + forwarding his views. I do not think there is any danger of + further hostility until he returns: and his absence affords a + most favorable opportunity for breaking up his confederacy, and I + have some expectations of being able to accomplish it without a + recourse to actual hostility. Tecumseh assigned the next spring + as the period of his return. I am informed, however, that he will + be back in three months. There is a Potawatamie chief here, who + says he was present when the message from the British agent was + delivered to the <a id="Page_142" name= + "Page_142"></a><span class="page2">142</span> Prophet, telling + him that the time had arrived for taking up arms, and inviting + him to send a party to Malden, to receive the necessary supplies. + This man is one of the few who preserve their independence. + </p> + <p> + "The implicit obedience and respect which the followers of + Tecumseh pay to him, is really astonishing, and more than any + other circumstance bespeaks him one of those uncommon geniuses + which spring up occasionally to produce revolutions, and overturn + the established order of things. If it were not for the vicinity + of the United States, he would, perhaps, be the founder of an + empire that would rival in glory Mexico or Peru. No difficulties + deter him. For four years he has been in constant motion. You see + him to-day on the Wabash, and in a short time hear of him on the + shores of lake Erie or Michigan, or on the banks of the + Mississippi; and wherever he goes he makes an impression + favorable to his purposes. He is now upon the last round to put a + finishing stroke to his work. I hope, however, before his return + that that part of the fabric which he considered complete, will + be demolished, and even its foundations rooted up. Although the + greater part of his followers are attached to him from principle + and affection, there are many others who follow him through fear; + and he was scarcely a mile from town, before they indulged in the + most virulent invectives against him. The Prophet is impudent and + audacious, but is deficient in judgment, talents and firmness." + </p> + <p> + The following anecdote illustrates the coolness and + self-possession of Tecumseh, not less than the implicit obedience + that was paid to his commands by his followers. + </p> + <p> + A Potawatamie, called the Deaf Chief, was present at the late + council. After it was closed, he stated to the governor, that had + he been called upon during the conference he would have + confronted Tecumseh, when he denied that his intentions towards + the United States were hostile. This declaration having been + repeated to Tecumseh, he calmly intimated to the Prophet, that + upon their return to Tippecanoe, the Deaf Chief must be disposed + of. A friend of the latter informed him of <a id="Page_143" name= + "Page_143"></a><span class="page2">143</span> his danger, but the + chief, not at all intimidated, returned to his camp, put on his + war-dress, and equipping himself with his rifle, tomahawk and + scalping knife, returned and presented himself before Tecumseh, + who was then in company with Mr. Baron, the governor's + interpreter. The Deaf Chief there reproached Tecumseh for having + ordered him to be killed, declaring that it was an act unworthy + of a warrior. "But here I am now," said he, "come and kill me." + Tecumseh making no answer, the Potawatamie heaped upon him every + term of abuse and contumely, and finally charged him with being + the slave of the red-coats, (the British.) Tecumseh, perfectly + unmoved, made no reply, but continued his conversation with Mr. + Baron, until the Deaf Chief, wearied with the effort to provoke + his antagonist to action, returned to his camp. There is some + reason for believing that the Prophet did not disobey his orders: + the Deaf Chief was never seen again at Vincennes. + </p> + <p> + Of the result of the mission of Tecumseh to the southern tribes, + we have no detailed information. Hodgson, who subsequently + travelled through this country, in his "Letters from North + America," says: + </p> + <p> + "Our host told me that he was living with his Indian wife among + the Creeks, when the celebrated Indian warrior Tecumseh, came + more than one thousand miles, from the borders of Canada, to + induce the lower Creeks, to promise to take up the hatchet in + behalf of the British, against the Americans, and the upper + Creeks whenever he should require it: that he was present at the + midnight convocation of the chiefs, which was held on that + occasion, and which terminated after a most impressive speech + from Tecumseh with a unanimous determination to take up the + hatchet whenever he should call upon them. This was at least a + year before the declaration of the last war." + </p> + <p> + In the "History of the Tribes of North America," there is an + interesting notice of this visit of Tecumseh. + </p> + <p> + "The following remarkable circumstance may serve to illustrate + the penetration, decision and boldness of this warrior chief. He + had been south, to Florida, and <a id="Page_144" name= + "Page_144"></a><span class="page2">144</span> succeeded in + instigating the Seminoles in particular, and portions of other + tribes, to unite in the war on the side of the British. He gave + out that a vessel, on a certain day, commanded by red-coats, + would be off Florida, filled with guns and ammunition, and + supplies for the use of the Indians. That no mistake might happen + in regard to the day on which the Indians were to strike, he + prepared bundles of sticks, each bundle containing the number of + sticks corresponding to the number of days that were to intervene + between the day on which they were received, and the day of the + general onset. The Indian practice is to throw away a stick every + morning; they make, therefore, no mistake in the time. These + sticks Tecumseh caused to be painted red. It was from this + circumstance that in the former Seminole war, these Indians were + called 'Red Sticks.' In all this business of mustering the + tribes, he used great caution; he supposed enquiry would be made + as to the object of his visit; that his plans might not be + suspected, he directed the Indians to reply to any questions that + might be asked about him, by saying, that he had counselled them + to cultivate the ground, abstain from ardent spirits, and live in + peace with the white people. On his return from Florida, he went + among the Creeks in Alabama, urging them to unite with the + Seminoles. Arriving at Tuckhabatchee, a Creek town on the + Tallapoosa river, he made his way to the lodge of the chief + called the Big Warrior. He explained his object, delivered his + war-talk, presented a bundle of sticks, gave a piece of wampum + and a hatchet; all which the Big Warrior took. When Tecumseh, + reading the intentions and spirit of the Big Warrior, looked him + in the eye, and pointing his finger towards his face, said: 'Your + blood is white: you have taken my talk, and the sticks, and the + wampum, and the hatchet, but you do not mean to fight: I know the + reason: you do not believe the Great Spirit has sent me: you + shall know: I leave Tuckhabatchee directly, and shall go straight + to Detroit: when I arrive there, I will stamp on the ground with + my foot, and shake down every house in Tuckhabatchee.' So saying, + he turned and left the Big Warrior in utter amazement, at <a id= + "Page_145" name="Page_145"></a><span class="page2">145</span> + both his manner and his threat, and pursued his journey. The + Indians were struck no less with his conduct than was the Big + Warrior, and began to dread the arrival of the day when the + threatened calamity would befal them. They met often and talked + over this matter, and counted the days carefully, to know the + time when Tecumseh would reach Detroit. The morning they had + fixed upon, as the period of his arrival, at last came. A mighty + rumbling was heard—the Indians all ran out of their + houses—the earth began to shake; when at last, sure enough, + every house in Tuckhabatchee was shaken down! The exclamation was + in every mouth, 'Tecumseh has got to Detroit!' The effect was + electrical. The message he had delivered to the Big Warrior was + believed, and many of the Indians took their rifles and prepared + for the war. + </p> + <p> + "The reader will not be surprised to learn, that an earthquake + had produced all this; but he will be, doubtless, that it should + happen on the very day on which Tecumseh arrived at Detroit; and, + in exact fulfilment of his threat. It was the famous earthquake + of New Madrid, on the Mississippi. We received the foregoing from + the lips of the Indians, when we were at Tuckhabatchee, in 1827, + and near the residence of the Big Warrior. The anecdote may + therefore be relied on. Tecumseh's object, doubtless was, on + seeing that he had failed, by the usual appeal to the passions, + and hopes, and war spirit of the Indians, to alarm their fears, + little dreaming, himself, that on the day named, his threat would + be executed with such punctuality and terrible fidelity." + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_146" name="Page_146"></a><span class= + "page2">146</span> + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Governor Harrison applies to the War Department for troops to + maintain peace on the frontiers—battle of Tippecanoe on + the 7th of November—its influence on the Prophet and his + followers. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + The late council at Vincennes having failed in producing any + satisfactory results, and Tecumseh having gone to the south for + the avowed purpose of extending his confederacy, the alarm among + the inhabitants of Indiana continued to increase. Public meetings + were held, and memorials forwarded to the President, invoking + protection, and requesting the removal of the Indians from the + Prophet's town; the memorialists being "fully convinced that the + formation of this combination, headed by the Shawanoe Prophet, + was a British scheme, and that the agents of that power were + constantly exciting the Indians to hostility against the United + States." The President accordingly placed the 4th regiment U.S. + infantry, commanded by colonel Boyd, and a company of riflemen, + at the disposal of governor Harrison. The Secretary of War, under + date of 20th October, 1811, in a letter to him, says: "I have + been particularly instructed by the President to communicate to + your excellency, his earnest desire that peace may, if possible, + be preserved with the Indians; and that to this end, every proper + means may be adopted. By this, it is not intended that murder or + robberies committed by them, should not meet with the punishment + due to those crimes; that the settlements should be unprotected, + or that any hostile combination should avail itself of success, + in consequence of a neglect to provide the means of resisting and + defeating it; or that the banditti under the Prophet should not + be attacked and vanquished, provided such a measure should be + rendered absolutely necessary. Circumstances conspire, at this + particular juncture, to render it peculiarly desirable that + hostilities of any kind, or to any degree, not indispensably + required, should be avoided." + </p> + <p> + On the seventh of August the governor informed the secretary that + he should call, in a peremptory manner, <a id="Page_147" name= + "Page_147"></a><span class="page2">147</span> on all the tribes, + to deliver up such of their people as had been concerned in the + murder of our citizens; that from the Miamis he should require an + absolute disavowal of all connection with the Prophet; and that + to all the tribes he would repeat the declaration, that the + United States have manifested through a series of years, the + utmost justice and generosity towards their Indian neighbors; and + have not only fulfilled all the engagements which they entered + into with them, but have spent considerable sums to civilize them + and promote their happiness; but if, under those circumstances, + any tribe should dare to take up the tomahawk against their + fathers, they must not expect the same lenity that had been shown + them at the close of the former war, but that they would either + be exterminated or driven beyond the Mississippi. + </p> + <p> + In furtherance of this plan, the governor forwarded speeches to + the different tribes, and instructed the Indian agents to use all + possible means to recall them to a sense of duty. He also wrote + to the governors of Illinois and Missouri, on the subject of the + border difficulties, in the hope that a general and simultaneous + effort might avert an appeal to arms. + </p> + <p> + In the month of September, the Prophet sent assurances to + governor Harrison of his pacific intentions, and that his demands + should be complied with; but about the same time some horses were + stolen in the neighborhood of his town, and the whites who went + in pursuit of them were fired upon by the Indians. Early in + October the governor moved, with a considerable body of troops, + towards the Prophet's town, with the expectation that a show of + hostile measures would bring about an accommodation with the + Indians of that place. On the 10th of October, one of the + sentinels around his camp was fired on by the Indians, and + severely wounded. About the same time the Prophet sent a + messenger to the chiefs of the Delaware tribe, who were friendly + to the United States, requiring, them to say whether they would + or would not join him in the war against them; that he had taken + up the tomahawk and would not lay it down but with his life, + unless their wrongs were redressed. The Delaware chiefs <a id= + "Page_148" name="Page_148"></a><span class="page2">148</span> + immediately visited the Prophet, for the purpose of dissuading + him from commencing hostilities. Under these circumstances there + seemed to be no alternative for governor Harrison, but to break + up the Prophet's establishment. On the 27th, the Delaware chiefs + returned to the camp of the governor, and reported that the + Prophet would not listen to their council, and had grossly + insulted them. While at the Prophet's town, the Indians who had + wounded the sentinel, returned. They were Shawanoes and near + friends of the Prophet; who was daily practising certain + pretended rites, by means of which he played upon the + superstitious feelings of his followers, and kept them in a state + of feverish excitement. On the 29th, a body of twenty-four Miami + chiefs were sent by governor Harrison, to make another effort + with the Prophet. They were instructed, to require that the + Winnebagoes, Potawatamies and Kickapoos, should leave him and + return to their respective tribes; that all the stolen horses in + their possession should be delivered up; that the murderers of + the whites should either be surrendered or satisfactory proof + offered that they were not under his control. These chiefs, + however, did not return, and there is reason to believe that they + were induced to join the confederacy at Tippecanoe. + </p> + <p> + On the 5th of November, 1811, governor Harrison, with about nine + hundred effective troops, composed of two hundred and fifty of + the 4th regiment U.S. infantry, one hundred and thirty + volunteers, and a body of militia, encamped within ten miles of + the Prophet's town. On the next day, when the army was within + five miles of the village, reconnoitering parties of the Indians + were seen, but they refused to hold any conversation with the + interpreters sent forward by the governor to open a communication + with them. When within a mile and a half of the town a halt was + made, for the purpose of encamping for the night. Several of the + field officers urged the governor to make an immediate assault on + the village; but this he declined, as his instructions from the + President were positive, not to attack the Indians, as long as + there was a probability of their complying with the demands of + government. Upon ascertaining, <a id="Page_149" name= + "Page_149"></a><span class="page2">149</span> however, that the + ground continued favorable for the disposition of his troops, + quite up to the town, he determined to approach still nearer to + it. In the mean time, captain Dubois, with an interpreter, was + sent forward to ascertain whether the Prophet would comply with + the terms proposed by the governor. The Indians, however, would + make no reply to these enquiries, but endeavored to cut off the + messengers from the army. When this fact was reported to the + governor, he determined to consider the Indians as enemies, and + at once march upon their town. He had proceeded but a short + distance, however, before he was met by three Indians, one of + them a principal counsellor to the Prophet, who stated that they + were sent to know why the army was marching upon their + town—that the Prophet was desirous of avoiding + hostilities—that he had sent a pacific message to governor + Harrison by the Miami and Potawatamie chiefs, but that those + chiefs had unfortunately gone down on the south side of the + Wabash, and had thus failed to meet him. Accordingly, a + suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, and the terms of peace + were to be settled on the following morning by the governor and + the chiefs. In moving the army towards the Wabash, to encamp for + the night, the Indians became again alarmed, supposing that an + attack was about to be made on the town, notwithstanding the + armistice which had just been concluded. They accordingly began + to prepare for defence, and some of them sallied out, calling + upon the advanced corps, to halt. The governor immediately rode + forward, and assured the Indians that it was not his intention to + attack them, but that he was only in search of a suitable piece + of ground on which to encamp his troops. He enquired if there was + any other water convenient besides that which the river afforded; + and an Indian, with whom he was well acquainted, answered, that + the creek which had been crossed two miles back, ran through the + prairie to the north of the village. A halt was then ordered, and + majors Piatt, Clark and Taylor, were sent to examine this creek, + as well as the river above the town, to ascertain the correctness + of the information, and decide on the best <a id="Page_150" name= + "Page_150"></a><span class="page2">150</span> ground for an + encampment. In the course of half an hour, the two latter + reported that they had found on the creek; every thing that could + be desirable in an encampment—an elevated spot, nearly + surrounded by an open prairie, with water convenient, and a + sufficiency of wood for fuel.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_65">[65]</a></span> The army was now marched to this + spot, and encamped "on a dry piece of ground, which rose about + ten feet above the level of a marshy prairie in front towards the + town; and, about twice as high above a similar prairie in the + rear; through which, near the foot of the hill, ran a small + stream clothed with willows and brush-wood. On the left of the + encampment, this bench of land became wider; on the right, it + gradually narrowed, and terminated in an abrupt point, about one + hundred and fifty yards from the right bank."<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_66">[66]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + The encampment was about three-fourths of a mile from the + Prophet's town; and orders were given, in the event of a night + attack, for each corps to maintain its position, at all hazards, + until relieved or further orders were given to it. The whole army + was kept during the night, in the military position which is + called, lying on their arms. The regular troops lay in their + tents, with their accoutrements on, and their arms by their + sides. The militia had no tents, but slept with their clothes and + pouches on, and their guns under them, to keep them dry. The + order of the encampment was the order of battle, for a night + attack; and as every man slept opposite to his post in the line, + there was nothing for the troops to do, in case of an assault, + but to rise and take their position a few steps in the rear of + the fires around which they had reposed. The guard of the night + consisted of two captain's commands of forty-two men, and four + non-commissioned officers each; and two subaltern's guards of + twenty men and non-commissioned officers each—the whole + amounting to about one hundred and thirty men, under the command + of a field officer of the day. The night was dark and cloudy, and + after midnight there was a drizzling rain. It was not anticipated + by the governor or his officers, <a id="Page_151" name= + "Page_151"></a><span class="page2">151</span> that an attack + would be made during the night: it was supposed that if the + Indians had intended to act offensively, it would have been done + on the march of the army, where situations presented themselves + that would have given the Indians a great advantage. Indeed, + within three miles of the town, the army had passed over ground + so broken and unfavorable to its march, that the position of the + troops was necessarily changed, several times, in the course of a + mile. The enemy, moreover, had fortified their town with care and + great labor, as if they intended to act alone on the defensive. + It was a favorite spot with the Indians, having long been the + scene of those mysterious rites, performed by their Prophet, and + by which they had been taught to believe that it was impregnable + to the assaults of the white man. + </p> + <p> + At four o'clock in the morning of the 7th, governor Harrison, + according to his practice, had risen, preparatory to the calling + up the troops; and was engaged, while drawing on his boots by the + fire, in conversation with general Wells, colonel Owen, and + majors Taylor and Hurst. The orderly-drum had been roused for the + purpose of giving the signal for the troops to turn out, when the + attack of the Indians suddenly commenced upon the left flank of + the camp. The whole army was instantly on its feet; the + camp-fires were extinguished; the governor mounted his horse and + proceeded to the point of attack. Several of the companies had + taken their places in the line within forty seconds from the + report of the first gun; and the whole of the troops were + prepared for action in the course of two minutes; a fact as + creditable to their own activity and bravery, as to the skill and + energy of their officers. The battle soon became general, and was + maintained on both sides with signal and even desperate valor. + The Indians advanced and retreated by the aid of a rattling + noise, made with deer hoofs, and persevered in their treacherous + attack with an apparent determination to conquer or die upon the + spot. The battle raged with unabated fury and mutual slaughter, + until daylight, when a gallant and successful charge by our + troops, drove the enemy into the swamp, and put an end to the + conflict. + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_152" name="Page_152"></a><span class= + "page2">152</span> + </p> + <p> + Prior to the assault, the Prophet had given assurances to his + followers, that in the coming contest, the Great Spirit would + render the arms of the Americans unavailing; that their bullets + would fall harmless at the feet of the Indians; that the latter + should have light in abundance, while the former would be + involved in thick darkness. Availing himself of the privilege + conferred by his peculiar office, and, perhaps, unwilling in his + own person to attest at once the rival powers of a sham prophecy + and a real American bullet, he prudently took a position on an + adjacent eminence; and, when the action began, he entered upon + the performance of certain mystic rites, at the same time singing + a war-song. In the course of the engagement, he was informed that + his men were falling: he told them to fight on,—it would + soon be as he had predicted; and then, in louder and wilder + strains, his inspiring battle-song was heard commingling with the + sharp crack of the rifle and the shrill war-whoop of his brave + but deluded followers. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the action, the Indians manifested more boldness and + perseverance than had, perhaps, ever been exhibited by them on + any former occasion. This was owing, it is <ins class= + "correction" title= + "Transcriber's Note: may be 'supposed'">supposd</ins> to the + influence of the Prophet, who by the aid of his incantations had + inspired them with a belief that they would certainly overcome + their enemy: the supposition, likewise, that they had taken the + governor's army by surprise, doubtless contributed to the + desperate character of their assaults. They were commanded by + some daring chiefs, and although their spiritual leader was not + actually in the battle, he did much to encourage his followers in + their gallant attack. Of the force of the Indians engaged, there + is no certain account. The ordinary number at the Prophet's town + during the preceding summer, was four hundred and fifty; but a + few days before the action, they had been joined by all the + Kickapoos of the prairie, and by several bands of the + Potawatamies, from the Illinois river, and the St. Joseph's of + lake Michigan. Their number on the night of the engagement was + probably between eight hundred and one thousand. Some of the + Indians who were in the action, <a id="Page_153" name= + "Page_153"></a><span class="page2">153</span> subsequently + informed the agent at fort Wayne, that there were more than a + thousand warriors in the battle, and that the number of wounded + was unusually great. In the precipitation of their retreat, they + left thirty-eight on the field; some were buried during the + engagement in their town, others no doubt died subsequently of + their wounds. The whole number of their killed, was probably not + less than fifty. + </p> + <p> + Of the army under governor Harrison, thirty-five were killed in + the action, and twenty-five died subsequently of their wounds: + the total number of killed and wounded was one hundred and + eighty-eight. Among the former were the lamented colonel Abraham + Owen and major Joseph Hamilton Davies, of Kentucky. + </p> + <p> + Both officers and men behaved with much coolness and + bravery,—qualities which, in an eminent degree, marked the + conduct of governor Harrison throughout the engagement. The peril + to which he was subjected may be inferred from the fact that a + ball passed through his stock, slightly bruising his neck; + another struck his saddle, and glancing hit his thigh; and a + third wounded the horse on which he was riding. + </p> + <p> + Peace on the frontiers was one of the happy results of this + severe and brilliant action. The tribes which had already joined + in the confederacy were dismayed; and those which had remained + neutral now decided against it. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Tecumseh returns from the south—proposes to visit the + President, but declines, because not permitted to go to + Washington at the head of a party—attends a council at + fort Wayne—proceeds to Malden and joins the + British—governor Harrison's letter to the War Department + relative to the north-west tribes. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + During the two succeeding days, the victorious army remained in + camp, for the purpose of burying the dead and taking care of the + wounded. In the mean time, colonel Wells, with the mounted + riflemen, visited the Prophet's town, and found it deserted by + all the <a id="Page_154" name="Page_154"></a><span class= + "page2">154</span> Indians except one, whose leg had been broken + in the action. The houses were mostly burnt, and the corn around + the village destroyed. On the ninth the army commenced its return + to Vincennes, having broken up or committed to the flames all + their unnecessary baggage, in order that the wagons might be used + for the transportation of the wounded. + </p> + <p> + The defeated Indians were greatly exasperated with the Prophet: + they reproached him in bitter terms for the calamity he had + brought upon them, and accused him of the murder of their friends + who had fallen in the action. It seems, that after pronouncing + some incantations over a certain composition, which he had + prepared on the night preceding the action, he assured his + followers, that by the power of his art, half of the invading + army was already dead, and the other half in a state of + distraction; and that the Indians would have little to do but + rush into their camp, and complete the work of destruction with + their tomahawks. "You are a liar," said one of the surviving + Winnebagoes to him, after the action, "for you told us that the + white people were dead or crazy, when they were all in their + senses and fought like the devil." The Prophet appeared dejected, + and sought to excuse himself on the plea that the virtue of his + composition had been lost by a circumstance of which he had no + knowledge until after the battle was over. His sacred character, + however, was so far forfeited, that the Indians actually bound + him with cords, and threatened to put him to death. After leaving + the Prophet's town, they marched about twenty miles and encamped + on the bank of Wild Cat creek. + </p> + <p> + In a letter to the war department, dated fourth of December, + governor Harrison writes: + </p> + <p> + "I have the honor to inform you that two principal chiefs of the + Kickapoos of the prairie, arrived here, bearing a flag, on the + evening before last. The account which they give of the late + confederacy under the Prophet, is as follows: The Prophet, with + his Shawanoes, is at a small Huron village, about twelve miles + from his former residence, on this side of the Wabash, where also + were twelve or fifteen Hurons. The Kickapoos are encamped near + the Tippecanoe, the Potawatamies <a id="Page_155" name= + "Page_155"></a><span class="page2">155</span> have scattered and + gone to different villages of that tribe. The Winnebagoes had all + set out on their return to their own country, excepting one chief + and nine men, who remained at their former villages. The Prophet + had sent a messenger to the Kickapoos of the prairie to request + that he might be permitted to retire to their town. This was + positively refused, and a warning sent to him not to come there. + These chiefs say that the whole of the tribes who lost warriors + in the late action, attribute their misfortune to the Prophet + alone; that they constantly reproach him with their misfortunes, + and threaten him with death; that they are all desirous of making + their peace with the United States, and will send deputations to + me for that purpose, as soon as they are informed that they will + be well received. They further say, that the Prophet's followers + were fully impressed with a belief that they could defeat us with + ease; that it was their intention to have attacked us at fort + Harrison, if we had gone no higher; that Racoon creek was then + fixed on, and finally Pine creek, and that the latter would + probably have been the place, if the usual route had not been + abandoned, and a crossing made higher up; that the attack made on + our sentinels at fort Harrison was intended to shut the door + against accommodation; that the Winnebagoes had forty warriors + killed in the action, and the Kickapoos eleven, and ten wounded. + They have never heard how many of the Potawatamies and other + tribes were killed." + </p> + <p> + With the battle of Tippecanoe, the Prophet lost his popularity + and power among the Indians. His magic wand was broken, and the + mysterious charm by means of which he had for years, played upon + the superstitious minds of this wild people, scattered through a + vast extent of country, was dissipated forever. It was not alone + to the character of his prophetic office that he was indebted for + his influence over his followers. The position which he + maintained in regard to the Indian lands, and the encroachments + of the white people upon their hunting grounds, increased his + popularity, which was likewise greatly strengthened by the + respect and deference with which the politic Tecumseh—the + master <a id="Page_156" name="Page_156"></a><span class= + "page2">156</span> spirit of his day—uniformly treated him. + He had, moreover, nimble wit, quickness of apprehension, much + cunning and a captivating eloquence of speech. These qualities + fitted him for playing his part with great success; and + sustaining for a series of years, the character of one inspired + by the Great Spirit. He was, however, rash, presumptuous and + deficient in judgment. And no sooner was he left without the + sagacious counsel and positive control of Tecumseh, than he + foolishly annihilated his own power, and suddenly crashed the + grand confederacy upon which he and his brother had expended + years of labor, and in the organization of which they had + incurred much personal peril and endured great privation. + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh returned from the south through Missouri, visited the + tribes on the Des Moins, and crossing the head waters of the + Illinois, reached the Wabash a few days after the disastrous + battle of Tippecanoe. It is believed that he made a strong + impression upon all the tribes visited by him in his extended + mission; and that he had laid the foundation of numerous + accessions to his confederacy. He reached the banks of the + Tippecanoe, just in time to witness the dispersion of his + followers, the disgrace of his brother, and the final overthrow + of the great object of his ambition, a union of all the Indian + tribes against the United States: and all this, the result of a + disregard to his positive commands. His mortification was + extreme; and it is related on good authority, that when he first + met the Prophet, he reproached him in bitter terms for having + departed from his instructions to preserve peace with the United + States at all hazards. The attempt of the Prophet to palliate his + own conduct, excited the haughty chieftain still more, and + seizing him by the hair and shaking him violently, he threatened + to take his life. + </p> + <p> + During the ensuing winter, there was peace on the frontiers. In + the month of January, 1812, Little Turtle, the celebrated Miami + chief, wrote to governor Harrison, that all the Prophet's + followers had left him, except two camps of his own tribe, and + that Tecumseh had just joined him with only eight men; from which + he concluded there was no present danger to be apprehended <a id= + "Page_157" name="Page_157"></a><span class="page2">157</span> + from them. Shortly afterwards, Tecumseh sent a message to + governor Harrison informing him of his return from the south; and + that he was now ready to make the promised visit to the + President. The governor replied, giving his permission for + Tecumseh to go to Washington, but not as the leader of any party + of Indians. The chieftain, who had been accustomed to make his + visits to Vincennes, attended by three or four hundred warriors, + all completely armed, did not choose to present himself to his + great father, the President, shorn of his power and without his + retinue. The visit was declined, and here terminated the + intercourse between him and governor Harrison. + </p> + <p> + Early in March, the peace of the frontiers was again disturbed by + Indian depredations; and in the course of this and the following + month, several families were murdered on the Wabash and Ohio + rivers. On the 15th of May, there was a grand council held at + Mississiniway, which was attended by twelve tribes of Indians. + They all professed to be in favor of peace, and condemned the + disturbances which had occurred between the Indians and the + settlers, since the battle of Tippecanoe. Tecumseh was present at + this council and spoke several times. He defied any living + creature to say that he had ever advised any one, directly or + indirectly, to make war upon the whites: it had constantly been + his misfortune, he said, to have his views misrepresented to his + white brethren, and this had been done by pretended chiefs of the + Potawatamies, who had been in the habit of selling land to the + white people, which did not belong to them. "Governor Harrison," + he continued, "made war on my people in my absence: it was the + will of God that he should do so. We hope it will please God that + the white people will let us live in peace. We will not disturb + them, neither have we done it, except when they came to our + village with the intention of destroying us. We are happy to + state to our brothers present, that the unfortunate transaction + that took place between the white people and a few of our young + men at our village, has been settled between us and governor + Harrison; and I will further state, that had I been <a id= + "Page_158" name="Page_158"></a><span class="page2">158</span> at + home, there would have been no bloodshed at that time." + </p> + <p> + In the month of June, following this council, Tecumseh made a + visit to fort Wayne, and sought an interview with the Indian + agent at that place. Misfortune had not subdued his haughty + spirit nor silenced the fearless expression of his feelings and + opinions. He still maintained the justice of his position in + regard to the ownership of the Indian lands, disavowed any + intention of making war upon the United States, and reproached + governor Harrison for having marched against his people during + his absence. The agent made a long speech to him, presenting + reasons why he should now become the friend and ally of the + United States. To this harangue, Tecumseh listened with frigid + indifference, made a few general remarks in reply, and then with + a haughty air, left the council-house, and took his departure for + Malden, where he joined the British standard. + </p> + <p> + In taking leave of that part of our subject which relates to the + confederacy of Tecumseh and the Prophet, and the principle on + which it was established, we quote, as relevant to the case, and + as an interesting piece of general history, the following letter + from governor Harrison to the Secretary of War: + </p> + <p> + <i>"Cincinnati, March 22</i>, 1814. + </p> + <p> + "Sir,—The tribes of Indians on this frontier and east of + the Mississippi, with whom the United States have been connected + by treaty, are the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoes, Miamis, + Potawatamies, Ottawas, Chippewas, Piankashaws, Kaskaskias and + Sacs. All but the two last were in the confederacy which carried + on the former Indian war against the United States, that was + terminated by the treaty of Greenville. The Kaskaskias were + parties to the treaty, but they had not been in the war. The + Wyandots are admitted by the others to be the leading tribe. They + hold the grand <i>calumet</i> which unites them and kindles the + council fire. This tribe is nearly equally divided between the + <i>Crane</i>, at Sandusky, who is the grand sachem of the nation, + and Walk-in-the-Water, at Brownstown, near <a id="Page_159" name= + "Page_159"></a><span class="page2">159</span> Detroit. They claim + the lands bounded by the settlements of this state, southwardly + and eastwardly; and by lake Erie, the Miami river, and the claim + of the Shawanoes upon the Auglaize, a branch of the latter. They + also claim the lands they live on near Detroit, but I am ignorant + to what extent. + </p> + <p> + "The Wyandots of Sahdusky have adhered to us through the war. + Their chief, the Crane, is a venerable, intelligent and upright + man. Within the tract of land claimed by the Wyandots, a number + of Senecas are settled. They broke off from their own tribe six + or eight years ago, but received a part of the annuity granted + that tribe by the United States, by sending a deputation for it + to Buffalo. The claim of the Wyandots to the lands they occupy, + is not disputed, that I know of, by any other tribe. Their + residence on it, however, is not of long standing, and the + country was certainly once the property of the Miamis. + </p> + <p> + "Passing westwardly from the Wyandots, we meet with the Shawanoe + settlement at Stony creek, a branch of the Great Miami, and at + Wapauckanata, on the Auglaize. These settlements were made + immediately after the treaty of Greenville, and with the consent + of the Miamis, whom I consider the real owners of these lands. + The chiefs of this band of Shawanoes, Blackhoof, Wolf and Lewis, + are attached to us from principle as well as interest—they + are all honest men. + </p> + <p> + "The Miamis have their principal settlement at the forks of the + Wabash, thirty miles from fort Wayne; and at Mississinaway, + thirty miles lower down. A band of them under the name of Weas, + have resided on the Wabash, sixty miles above Vincennes; and + another under the Turtle on Eel river, a branch of the Wabash, + twenty miles north-west of fort Wayne. By an artifice of Little + Turtle, these three bands were passed on general Wayne as + distinct tribes, and an annuity granted to each. The Eel river + and Weas, however, to this day call themselves Miamis, and are + recognized as such by the Mississinaway band. The Miamis, Maumees + or Tewicktowes, are the undoubted proprietors of all that + beautiful country which is watered by the Wabash and its + branches; and there is as <a id="Page_160" name= + "Page_160"></a><span class="page2">160</span> little doubt that + their claim extended at least as far east as the Scioto. They + have no tradition of removing from any other quarter of the + country; whereas all the neighboring tribes, the Piankishaws + excepted, who are a branch of the Miamis, are either intruders + upon them, or have been permitted to settle in their country. The + Wyandots emigrated first from lake Ontario, and subsequently from + lake Huron—the Delawares from Pennsylvania and + Maryland—the Shawanoes from Georgia—the Kickapoos and + Potawatamies from the country between lake Michigan and the + Mississippi—and the Ottawas and Chippewas from the + peninsula formed by lakes Michigan, Huron and St Clair, and the + strait connecting the latter with Erie. The claims of the Miamis + were bounded on the north and west by those of the Illinois + confederacy, consisting originally of five tribes, called + Kaskaskias, Cahokias, Peorians, Michiganians, and Temorais, + speaking the Miami language, and no doubt branches of that + nation. + </p> + <p> + "When I was first appointed governor of Indiana territory, these + once powerful tribes were reduced to about thirty warriors, of + whom twenty-five were Kaskaskias, four Peorians, and a single + Michiganian. There was an individual lately alive at St. Louis, + who saw the enumeration made of them by the Jesuits in the year + 1745, making the number of their warriors four thousand. A + furious war between them and the Sacs and Kickapoos, reduced them + to that miserable remnant, which had taken refuge amongst the + white people of the towns of Kaskaskias and St. Genevieve. The + Kickapoos had fixed their principal village at Peoria, upon the + south bank of the Illinois river, while the Sacs remained masters + of the country to the north. + </p> + <p> + "During the war of our Revolution, the Miamis had invited the + Kickapoos into their country to assist them against the whites, + and a considerable village was formed by that tribe on Vermillion + river, near its junction with the Wabash. After the treaty of + Greenville, the Delawares had, with the approbation of the + Miamis, removed from the mouth of the Auglaize to the head waters + of White river, a large branch of the Wabash—and the + Potawatamies, without their consent, had <a id="Page_161" name= + "Page_161"></a><span class="page2">161</span> formed two villages + upon the latter river, one at Tippecanoe, and the other at + Chippoy, twenty-five miles below. + </p> + <p> + "The Piankishaws lived in the neighborhood of Vincennes, which + was their ancient village, and claimed the lands to the mouth of + the Wabash, and to the north and west as far as the Kaskaskias + claimed. Such was the situation of the tribes, when I received + instructions from President Jefferson, shortly after his first + election, to make efforts for extinguishing the Indian claims + upon the Ohio, below the mouth of the Kentucky river, and to such + other tracts as were necessary to connect and consolidate our + settlements. It was at once determined, that the community of + interests in the lands amongst the Indian tribes, which seemed to + be recognized by the treaty of Greenville, should be objected to; + and that each individual tribe should be protected in every claim + that should appear to be founded in reason and justice. But it + was also determined, that as a measure of policy and liberality, + such tribes as lived upon any tract of land which it would be + desirable to purchase, should receive a portion of the + compensation, although the title might be exclusively in another + tribe. Upon this principle the Delawares, Shawanoes, + Potawatamies, and Kickapoos, were admitted as parties to several + of the treaties. Care was taken, however, to place the title to + such tracts as might be desirable to purchase hereafter, upon a + footing that would facilitate the procuring of them, by getting + the tribes who had no claim themselves, and who might probably + interfere, to recognize the titles of those who were ascertained + to possess them. + </p> + <p> + "This was particularly the case with regard to the lands watered + by the Wabash, which were declared to be the property of the + Miamis, with the exception of the tract occupied by the Delawares + on White river, which was to be considered the joint property of + them and the Miamis. This arrangement was very much disliked by + Tecumseh, and the banditti that he had assembled at Tippecanoe. + He complained loudly, as well of the sales that had been made, as + of the principle of considering a particular tribe as the + exclusive <a id="Page_162" name="Page_162"></a><span class= + "page2">162</span> proprietors of any part of the country, which + he said the Great Spirit had given to all his red children. + Besides the disaffected amongst the neighboring tribes, he had + brought together a considerable number of Winnebagoes and + Folsovoins, from the neighborhood of Green Bay, Sacs from the + Mississippi, and some Ottawas and Chippewas from Abercrosh on + lake Michigan. These people were better pleased with the climate + and country of the Wabash, than with that they had left. + </p> + <p> + "The Miamis resisted the pretensions of Tecumseh and his + followers for some time; but a system of terror was adopted, and + the young men were seduced by eternally placing before them a + picture of labor, and restriction as to hunting, to which the + system adopted would inevitably lead. The Potawatamies and other + tribes inhabiting the Illinois river and south of lake Michigan, + had been for a long time approaching gradually towards the + Wabash. Their country, which was never abundantly stocked with + game, was latterly almost exhausted of it. The fertile regions of + the Wabash still afforded it. It was represented, that the + progressive settlements of the whites upon that river, would soon + deprive them of their only resource, and indeed would force the + Indians of that river upon them who were already half starved. + </p> + <p> + "It is a fact, that for many years the current of emigration, as + to the tribes east of the Mississippi, has been from north to + south. This is owing to two causes; the diminution of those + animals from which the Indians procure their support; and the + pressure of the two great tribes, the Chippewas and Sioux, to the + north and west. So long ago as the treaty of Greenville, the + Potawatamies gave notice to the Miamis, that they intended to + settle upon the Wabash. They made no pretensions to the country, + and their only excuse for the intended aggression was, that they + were 'tired of eating fish and wanted meat.' It has already been + observed that the Sacs had extended themselves to the Illinois + river, and that the settlements of the Kickapoos at the Peorias + was of modern date. Previously to the commencement of the present + war, a considerable number had joined their brethren on the + Wabash. The <a id="Page_163" name="Page_163"></a><span class= + "page2">163</span> Tawas from the Des Moins river, have twice + made attempts to get a footing there. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + "The question of the title to the lands south of the Wabash, has + been thoroughly examined; every opportunity was afforded to + Tecumseh and his party to exhibit their pretensions, and they + were found to rest upon no other basis than that of their being + the common property of all the Indians. The Potawatamies and + Kickapoos have unequivocally acknowledged the Miami and Delaware + titles." + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER XI. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Tecumseh participates in the battle of + Brownstown—commands the Indians in the action near + Maguaga—present at Hull's surrender—general Brock + presents him his military sash—attack on Chicago brought + about by Tecumseh. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + On the 18th of June, 1812, the congress of the United States made + a formal declaration of war against Great Britain. This gave a + new aspect to affairs on the north-western frontier; and at the + first commencement of hostilities between these two powers, + Tecumseh was in the field, prepared for the conflict. In the + month of July, when general Hull crossed over from Detroit into + Canada, this chief, with a party of thirty Potawatamies and + Shawanoes, was at Malden. About the same time there was an + assemblage at Brownstown, opposite to Malden, of those Indians + who were inclined to neutrality in the war. A deputation was sent + to the latter place, inviting Tecumseh to attend this council. + "No," said he, indignantly, "I have taken sides with the King, my + father, and I will suffer my bones to bleach upon this shore, + before I will recross that stream to join in any council of + neutrality." In a few days he gave evidence of the sincerity of + this declaration, by personally commanding the Indians in the + first action that ensued after the declaration of + war.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_67">[67]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_164" name="Page_164"></a><span class= + "page2">164</span> + </p> + <p> + Early in August, general Hull, then in Detroit, was notified by + express that a company of Ohio volunteers, under the command of + captain Henry Brush, with provisions for the army, were near the + river Raisin, and needed an escort, as it had been ascertained + that some British and a considerable body of Indians, under the + command of Tecumseh, had crossed from Malden to Brownstown, with + a view to intercept this convoy. General Hull, after some delay, + gave a reluctant consent to the colonels of the Ohio militia, + that a detachment of troops might march to the relief of colonel + Brush. Major Van Horne, with a small body of men, started as an + escort to the mail, with orders to join captain Brush at the + river Raisin. He set off on the fourth of August, marching that + evening as far as the river De Corce. On the next day, captain + McCullough of the spies, was killed by some Indians. In the + course of the succeeding one, near Brownstown, the detachment + under major Van Horne was suddenly attacked by the Indians, who + were lying in ambush. Apprehensive of being surrounded and + entirely cut off, the major ordered a retreat, which was + continued to the river De Corce, the enemy pursuing them to that + point. Our loss was seventeen killed, besides several wounded, + who were left behind. Among the former were captains Ulry, + Gilchrist, Boersler, lieutenant Pents, and ensign Ruby. The loss + of so many officers resulted from their attempts to rally the + men. The loss of the enemy was supposed to be equal to that + sustained by major Van Horne. There were about forty British + soldiers and seventy Indians in this engagement, the latter being + commanded by Tecumseh in person. + </p> + <p> + After general Hull had ingloriously retreated from Canada, he + detached colonel Miller, with majors Van Horne and Morrison, and + a body of troops, amounting to six hundred, to make a second + effort to reach captain Brush. They were attended by some + artillerists with one six pounder and a howitzer. The detachment + marched from Detroit on the eighth, and in the afternoon of the + ninth the front guard, commanded by captain Snelling, was fired + upon by a line of British and Indians, about two miles below the + village of Maguaga. At <a id="Page_165" name= + "Page_165"></a><span class="page2">165</span> the moment of the + attack, the main body was marching in two lines, and captain + Snelling maintained his position in a gallant manner, until the + line was formed and marched to the ground he occupied, where the + whole, except the rear guard, was brought into action. The + British were entrenched behind a breast-work of logs, with the + Indians on the left covered by a thick wood. Colonel Miller + ordered his whole line to advance, and when within a short + distance of the enemy, fired upon them, and immediately followed + it up by a charge with fixed bayonets, when the whole British + line and the Indians commenced a retreat. They were vigorously + pursued for near two miles. The Indians on the left were + commanded by Tecumseh, and fought with great bravery, but were + forced to retreat. Our loss in this severe and well fought action + was ten killed and thirty-two wounded of the regular troops, and + eight killed and twenty-eight wounded of the Ohio and Michigan + militia. The full extent of the force of the enemy is not known. + There were four hundred regulars and Canadian militia, under + command of major Muir, and a considerable body of Indians under + Tecumseh. Forty of the latter were found dead on the field: + fifteen of the British regulars were killed and wounded, and four + taken prisoners. The loss of the Canadian militia and volunteers, + was never ascertained, but is supposed, from the position which + they occupied in the action, to have been considerable. Both + major Muir and Tecumseh were wounded. The bravery and good + conduct of the latter, in this engagement, are supposed to have + led to his being shortly afterwards appointed a brigadier + general, in the service of the British king. + </p> + <p> + When Detroit was captured, on the 16th of August, Tecumseh was at + the head of the Indians. After the surrender, general Brock + requested him not to allow his men to ill-treat the prisoners, to + which he replied, "no! I despise them too much to meddle with + them."<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_68">[68]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + "Tecumseh was an excellent judge of position; and not only knew, + but could point out the localities of the <a id="Page_166" name= + "Page_166"></a><span class="page2">166</span> whole country + through which he passed. His facility of communicating the + information he had acquired, was thus displayed before a + concourse of spectators. Previously to general Brock's crossing + over to Detroit, he asked him what sort of a country he should + have to pass through, in case of his proceeding farther. + Tecumseh, taking a roll of elm bark, and extending it on the + ground by means of four stones, drew forth his scalping knife, + and with the point presently etched upon the bark a plan of the + country, its hills, rivers, woods, morasses and roads; a plan + which, if not as neat, was for the purpose required, fully as + intelligible as if Arrowsmith himself had prepared it. Pleased + with this unexpected talent in Tecumseh, also by his having, with + his characteristic boldness, induced the Indians, not of his + immediate party, to cross the Detroit, prior to the embarkation + of the regulars and militia, general Brock, as soon as the + business was over, publicly took off his sash, and placed it + round the body of the chief. Tecumseh received the honor with + evident gratification; but was next day seen without his sash. + General Brock fearing something had displeased the Indian, sent + his interpreter for an explanation. The latter soon returned with + an account, that Tecumseh, not wishing to wear such a mark of + distinction, when an older, and as he said, abler warrior than + himself, was present, had transferred the sash to the Wyandot + chief, Roundhead."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_69">[69]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + On the 15th of August, the garrison of Chicago, situated in the + south-western bend of lake Michigan,—consisting of about + seventy men, with some women and children,—were attacked by + a large body of Indians, who had been lying around the fort for + some time, professing neutrality. The whole were either murdered + or taken prisoners. The garrison, under the direction of captains + Heald and Wells, having destroyed the fort and distributed the + public stores among the Indians, was about to retreat towards + fort Wayne. As the Indians around Chicago had not yet taken sides + in the war, the garrison would probably have escaped, had <a id= + "Page_167" name="Page_167"></a><span class="page2">167</span> not + Tecumseh, immediately after the attack upon major Vanhorn, at + Brownstown, sent a runner to these Indians, claiming the victory + over that officer; and conveying to them information that general + Hull had returned to Detroit; and that there was every prospect + of success over him. This intelligence reached the Indians the + night previous the evacuation of Chicago, and led them at once, + as Tecumseh had anticipated, to become the allies of the British + army. + </p> + <p> + At the period of colonel Campbell's expedition against the + Mississinaway towns, in the month of December, Tecumseh was in + that neighborhood, with about six hundred Indians, whose services + he had engaged as allies of Great Britian. He was not in the + battle of the river Raisin on the 22d of January. Had he been + present on that occasion, the known magnanimity of his character, + justifies the belief that the horrible massacre of prisoners, + which followed that action, would not have taken place. Not only + the savages, but their savage leaders, Proctor and Elliott, would + have been held in check, by a chief who, however daring and + dreadful in the hour of battle, was never known to ill-treat or + murder a prisoner. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER XII. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Siege of fort Meigs—Tecumseh commands the + Indians—acts with intrepidity—rescues the American + prisoners from the tomahawk and scalping knife, after Dudley's + defeat—reported agreement between Proctor and Tecumseh, + that general Harrison, if taken prisoner, should be delivered + to the latter to be burned. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Fort Meigs, situated on the south-east side of the Miami of the + lakes, and at the foot of the rapids of that stream, was an + octagonal enclosure, with eight block houses, picketed with + timber, and surrounded by ditches. It was two thousand five + hundred yards in circumference, and required, to garrison it with + efficiency, about two thousand men. It was constructed under the + immediate superintendence of colonel E. D. Wood, <a id="Page_168" + name="Page_168"></a><span class="page2">168</span> of the corps + of engineers, one of the most scientific and gallant officers of + the late war. This post, which was established in the spring of + 1813, was important not only for the protection of the frontiers, + but as the depot for the artillery, military stores and + provisions, necessary for the prosecution of the ensuing + campaign. These circumstances could not fail to attract the + attention of the enemy; and the commander of the American army + was not disappointed in supposing that fort Meigs would be the + first point of attack, upon the opening of the spring, by the + combined forces of Proctor and Tecumseh. + </p> + <p> + In the latter part of March, intelligence reached this post that + Proctor had issued a general order for assembling the Canadian + militia at Sandwich, on the 7th of April, to unite in an + expedition against fort Meigs. This information gave a fresh + impulse to the efforts then making to render the fort, which was + still in an unfinished state, as strong as possible. On the 8th + of April, colonel Ball arrived with two hundred dragoons; and on + the 12th general Harrison reached the fort with three hundred men + from the posts on the Auglaize and St. Mary's. Vigorous + preparations were now made for the anticipated siege. On the + 19th, a scouting party returned from the river Raisin, with three + Frenchmen, who stated that the British were still making + arrangements for an attack on this post; and were assembling a + very large Indian force. They informed general Harrison that + Tecumseh and the Prophet had reached Sandwich, with about six + hundred Indians, collected in the country between lake Michigan + and the Wabash. This intelligence removed the apprehension + entertained by the general, that the Indians intended to fall + upon the posts in his rear, while Proctor should attack fort + Meigs. On the 26th, the advance of the enemy was discovered at + the mouth of the bay; and on the 28th, the British and Indian + forces were found to be within a few miles of the fort. At this + time, only a part of the troops destined for the defence of the + place, had arrived; but the remainder, under the command of + general Green Clay, of Kentucky, were daily expected. So soon as + the fort was actually invested by the Indians, <a id="Page_169" + name="Page_169"></a><span class="page2">169</span> an express was + sent by the commander-in-chief, to inform general Clay of the + fact, and direct his subsequent movements. This dangerous + enterprise—for the Indians were already in considerable + numbers around the fort—was undertaken and successfully + executed by captain William Oliver,<span class="fnref">[A]</span> + a gallant young officer belonging to the commissary's department, + who, to a familiar acquaintance with the geography of the + country, united much knowledge of Indian warfare. Attended by a + white man and a Delaware Indian, Oliver traversed the country to + fort Findlay, thence to fort Amanda, and finally met with general + Clay at fort Winchester, on the 2d of May, and communicated to + him general Harrison's instructions. + </p> + <p> + [A] Now Major William Oliver, of Cincinnati. It is but an act of + justice to this gentleman to state that, for the voluntary + performance of this service, he refused all pecuniary + compensation. General Harrison subsequently, in a letter to major + Oliver, in relation to this service, says, "To prevent the + possibility of these orders coming to the knowledge of the enemy, + they could not be committed to writing, but must be communicated + verbally, by a confidential officer. The selection of one suited + to the performance of this important trust was a matter of no + little difficulty. To the qualities of undoubted patriotism, + moral firmness, as well as active courage, sagacity and prudence, + it was necessary that he should unite a thorough knowledge of the + country through which the troops were to pass, and of all the + localities of the position upon which they were advancing. + Without the latter, the possession of the former would be + useless, and the absence of either of the former might render the + latter not only useless, but in the highest degree mischievous. + Although there was no coincidence between the performance of this + duty and those which appertained to the department of the staff + in which you held an appointment, [the commissariat] I did not + long hesitate in fixing on you for this service."] + </p> + <p> + Soon after Oliver had started on this enterprise, the gunboats of + the enemy approached the site of old fort Miami, on the opposite + side of the river, about two miles below fort Meigs. In the + course of the ensuing night they commenced the erection of three + batteries, opposite the fort on a high bank, about three hundred + yards from the river, the intermediate space of ground being open + and partly covered with water. Two of them were gun batteries, + with four embrasures, and were situated higher up the river than + the fort; the third was a bomb battery, placed a short distance + below. Early the next morning, a fire was opened upon them from + the fort, which, to some extent, impeded the <a id="Page_170" + name="Page_170"></a><span class="page2">170</span> progress of + the works. On the morning of the 30th, the enemy, under a heavy + and somewhat fatal fire from the guns of the fort, raised and + adjusted their cannon, while at the same time, a number of boats + filled with Indians were seen crossing to the south-eastern side + of the river. + </p> + <p> + On the morning of the first of May, the British batteries were + completed; and about ten o'clock, the enemy appeared to be + adjusting their guns on certain objects in the fort. "By this + time our troops had completed a grand traverse, about twelve feet + high, upon a base of twenty feet, three hundred yards long, on + the most elevated ground through the middle of the camp, + calculated to ward off the shot of the enemy's batteries. Orders + were given for all the tents in front to be instantly removed + into its rear, which was effected in a few minutes, and that + beautiful prospect of cannonading and bombarding our lines, which + but a few moments before had excited the skill and energy of the + British engineer, was now entirely fled; and in its place nothing + was to be seen but an immense shield of earth, which entirely + obscured the whole army. Not a tent nor a single person was to be + seen. Those canvas houses, which had concealed the growth of the + traverse from the view of the enemy, were now protected and hid + in their turn. The prospect of <i>smoking us out,</i> was now at + best but very faint. But as neither general Proctor nor his + officers were yet convinced of the folly and futility of their + laborious preparations, their batteries were opened, and five + days were spent in arduous cannonading and bombarding, to bring + them to this salutary conviction. A tremendous cannonading was + kept up all the rest of the day, and shells were thrown until 11 + o'clock at night. Very little damage, however, was done in the + camp; one or two were killed, and three or four wounded; among + the latter was major Amos Stoddard, of the first regiment of + artillery, a survivor of the revolution, and an officer of much + merit. He was wounded slightly with a piece of shell, and about + ten days afterwards died with the lock-jaw. + </p> + <p> + "The fire of the enemy was returned from the fort with one + eighteen pounder with some effect, though <a id="Page_171" name= + "Page_171"></a><span class="page2">171</span> but sparingly, for + the stock of eighteen pound shot was but small, there being but + three hundred and sixty of that size in the fort when the siege + commenced; and about the same number for the twelve + pounders."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_70">[70]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Throughout the whole of the second day the firing was continued + with great spirit, but without doing much damage on either side. + General Harrison, in anticipation of a transfer of the enemy's + guns to the other side of the river, and the establishment of + batteries to play upon the centre or flanks of the camp, had + directed the construction of works calculated to resist such an + attack; and they were in a state of considerable forwardness on + the morning of the third, when, from <ins class="correction" + title="Transcriber's Note: original read 'the the'">the</ins> + bushes on the left of the fort, three field pieces and a howitzer + were suddenly opened upon the camp by the enemy. The fire was + returned with such effect, that general Proctor was soon + compelled to change his position. His batteries were again opened + on the camp from another point, but without doing much injury. On + the fourth, the fire of the enemy was renewed, but with less + energy than on the previous days, the result, it is supposed, of + a belief that their efforts to reduce the fort would fail. + General Harrison was waiting the arrival of general Clay with his + reinforcements. Late in the night of the fourth, captain Oliver, + accompanied by majors David Trimble and —— Taylor, + with fifteen Ohio militia, having left general Clay above the + rapids, started in a boat for the fort, that the commanding + general, by knowing the position of the reinforcements, might + form his plans for the ensuing day. The effort to reach the fort + under the existing circumstances was extremely dangerous. Captain + Leslie Combs had already attempted it, and failed. He had been + sent by colonel Dudley, upon his arrival at Defiance, to inform + general Harrison of the fact. With five men, the captain + approached within a mile of the fort, when he was attacked by the + Indians, and compelled to retreat after a gallant resistance, in + which nearly all his companions were killed. When Oliver drew + near the fort, the night was extremely <a id="Page_172" name= + "Page_172"></a><span class="page2">172</span> dark, and he was + only enabled to discover the spot by the spreading branches of a + solitary oak tree, standing within the fortification. The boat + was fired upon by the sentinels of the fort, but on their being + hailed by captain Oliver, no further alarm was given. After + landing and wading over a ravine filled with water, the party + groped their way to one of the gates, and were admitted. Tecumseh + and his Indians were extremely vigilant, and, at night, usually + came close to the ramparts for the purpose of annoying our + troops, as opportunity might offer. So soon as general Harrison + had received the information brought by captain Oliver and his + companions, he made his arrangements for the ensuing day. Captain + Hamilton, attended by a subaltern, was immediately despatched up + the river in a canoe with orders to general Clay. The captain met + him at daylight five miles above the fort, the boats conveying + the reinforcements having been delayed by the darkness of the + night. Captain Hamilton delivered the following order to general + Clay. "You must detach about eight hundred men from your brigade, + and land them at a point I will show you about a mile or a mile + and a half above camp Meigs. I will then conduct the detachment + to the British batteries on the left bank of the river. The + batteries must be taken, the cannon spiked, and the carriages cut + down; and the troops must then return to their boats and cross + over to the fort. The balance of your men must land on the + fort-side of the river, opposite the first landing, and fight + their way into the fort through the Indians. The route they must + take will be pointed out by a subaltern officer how with me, who + will land the canoe on the right bank of the river to point out + the landing for the boats."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_71">[71]</a></span> As soon as these orders were + received by general Clay, who was in the thirteenth boat from the + front, he directed captain Hamilton to go to colonel Dudley, with + orders to take the twelve front boats and execute the plan of the + commanding general on the left bank of the river; and to post the + subaltern with the canoe on the right bank, at the point where + <a id="Page_173" name="Page_173"></a><span class= + "page2">173</span> the remainder of the reinforcement was + directed to land. It was the design of general Harrison while the + troops under Dudley were destroying the enemy's batteries on the + north-west side of the river, and general Clay was fighting the + Indians above the fort on the south-east side, to send out a + detachment to take and spike the British guns on the south side. + </p> + <p> + General Clay ordered the five remaining boats to fall behind the + one occupied by him; but in attempting to do so, they were driven + on shore, and thus thrown half a mile into the rear. The general + kept close to the right bank, intending to land opposite to the + detachment under Dudley, but finding no guide there, and the + Indians having commenced a brisk fire on his boat, he attempted + to cross to the detachment. The current, however, was so swift, + that it soon carried him too far down for that project; he + therefore turned back, and landed on the right bank further down. + Captain Peter Dudley, with a part of his company, was in this + boat, making in the whole upwards of fifty men, who now marched + into camp without loss, amidst a shower of grape from the British + batteries and the fire of some Indians. The boat with their + baggage and four sick soldiers, was left, as the general + supposed, in the care of two men who met him at his landing, and + by whom he expected she would be brought down under the guns of + the fort. In a few minutes, however, she fell into the hands of + the Indians. The attempt which he had made to cross the river, + induced colonel Boswell, with the rear boats, to land on the + opposite side; but as soon as captain Hamilton discovered the + error under which he was acting, he instructed him to cross over + and fight his way into camp. When he arrived at the south side, + he was annoyed on landing by the Indians; and as soon as his men + were on shore, he formed them and returned the fire of the enemy; + at the same time he was directed by captain Shaw, from the + commanding general, to march in open order, through the plain, to + the fort. As there was now a large body of Indians on his flank, + general Harrison determined to send out a reinforcement from the + garrison to enable him to beat them. Accordingly, Alexander's + brigade, a part of Johnson's <a id="Page_174" name= + "Page_174"></a><span class="page2">174</span> battalion, and the + companies of captains Nearing and Dudley, were ordered to prepare + for this duty. When the Kentuckians reached the gates of the + fort, these troops were ready to join them. Having formed in + order—colonel Boswell being on the right,—they + marched against the Indians, who were superior to them in + numbers, and at the point of the bayonet, forced them into the + woods to the distance of half a mile or more. Such was the ardor + of our troops, in the pursuit, that it was difficult, especially + for the Kentucky officers, to induce their men to return. + </p> + <p> + General Harrison had now taken a position on one of the batteries + of the fort, that he might see the various movements which at + this moment claimed his attention. He soon perceived a detachment + of British and Indians passing along the edge of the woods, with + a view to reach the left and rear of the corps under Boswell: he + forthwith despatched his volunteer aid, John T. Johnston, to + recall the troops under Boswell from the pursuit. Johnston's + horse having been killed before he delivered this order, it was + repeated through major Graham, and a retreat was commenced: the + Indians promptly rallied and boldly pursued them for some + distance, killing and wounding a number of our troops. So soon as + the commanding general perceived that colonel Dudley and his + detachment had reached the batteries on the northern bank of the + river, and entered successfully upon the execution of the duty + assigned them, he ordered colonel John Miller of the regulars to + make a sortie from the fort, against the batteries which the + enemy had erected on the south side of the river. The detachment + assigned to colonel Miller, amounted to about three hundred and + fifty men, composed of the companies and parts of companies of + captains Langham, Croghan, Bradford, Nearing, Elliott, and + lieutenants Gwynne and Campbell of the regular troops; the + volunteers of Alexander's battalion; and captain Sebree's company + of Kentucky militia. Colonel Miller and his men charged upon, the + enemy, and drove them from their position; spiked the cannon at + their batteries, and secured forty-one prisoners. The force of + the enemy, thus driven and defeated, consisted of two hundred + <a id="Page_175" name="Page_175"></a><span class= + "page2">175</span> British regulars, one hundred and fifty + Canadians and about five hundred Indians, under the immediate + command of Tecumseh, in all more than double the force of the + detachment under colonel Miller. In this sortie, captain Sebree's + company of militia, was particularly distinguished. With the + intrepid bravery and reckless ardor for which the Kentucky troops + are noted, they plunged into the thickest ranks of the enemy, and + were for a time surrounded by the Indians, who gallantly pressed + upon them; but they maintained their ground, until lieutenant + Gwynne,<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_72">[72]</a></span> + of the 19th regiment, perceiving their imminent peril, boldly + charged upon the Indians, with a portion of captain Elliott's + company, and released captain Sebree and his men from their + dangerous situation. Had the force of colonel Miller been + something stronger, he would probably have captured the whole of + the enemy, then on the south side of the river. The British and + Indians suffered severely, being finally driven back and thrown + into confusion. As colonel Miller commenced his return to the + fort, the enemy rallied and pressed with great bravery upon his + rear, until he arrived near the breast-works. A considerable + number of our soldiers were left dead on the field, and several + officers were wounded. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Dudley's movements on the north side of the river, are + now to be noticed. A landing was effected by his detachment, + which was immediately marched off, through an open plain, to a + hill clothed with timber. Here the troops were formed into three + columns, colonel Dudley placing himself at the head of the right, + major Shelby leading the left, and captain Morrison, acting as + major, the centre. The distance from the place where the + detachment was formed in order, to the point to be attacked, was + near two miles. The batteries were engaged in cannonading camp + Meigs, when the column led by major Shelby, being a few hundred + yards in advance of the others, rushed at full speed upon those + having charge of the guns, and carried them without the loss of a + single man. When the British flag was cut down, the garrison of + fort Meigs shouted <a id="Page_176" name= + "Page_176"></a><span class="page2">176</span> for joy. The grand + object of the enterprise having been achieved, the general, who + was watching the movements of the detachment, made signs to them + to retreat to their boats; but to his great surprise, and in + express disobedience of the orders transmitted through colonel + Hamilton, our troops remained at the batteries, quietly looking + around, without spiking the cannon, cutting down the carriages or + destroying the magazines. This delay proved fatal to them. The + general, alarmed for their safety, now offered a very high reward + to any individual who would bear fresh orders to colonel Dudley + and his men, to return to their boats and cross over the river to + the fort. The service was undertaken by lieutenant Campbell. + "About the time when the batteries were taken a body of Indians, + lying in ambush, had fired on a party of spies under captain + Combs, who had marched down on the extreme left of the + detachment. Presently colonel Dudley gave orders to reinforce the + spies, and the greater part of the right and centre columns + rushed into the woods in confusion, with their colonel among + them—to fight the Indians, whom they routed and pursued + near two miles. The left column remained in possession of the + batteries, till the fugitive artillerists returned with a + reinforcement from the main British camp, and attacked them. Some + of them were then made prisoners, others fled to the boats, and a + part, who were rallied by the exertions of their major, marched + to the aid of colonel Dudley. The Indians had also been + reinforced, and the confusion in which major Shelby found the men + under Dudley, was so great as to amount to a cessation of + resistance; while the savages, skulking around them, continued + the work of destruction in safety. At last a retreat commenced in + disorder, but the greater part of the men were captured by the + Indians, or surrendered to the British at the batteries. The + gallant but unfortunate colonel Dudley, after being wounded, was + overtaken and despatched with the tomahawk. The number of those + who escaped and got into the fort, out of the whole detachment, + was considerably below two hundred. Had the orders which colonel + Dudley <ins class="correction" title= + "Transcriber's Note: original read 'recieved'">received,</ins> + been duly regarded, or a proper degree of judgment <a id= + "Page_177" name="Page_177"></a><span class="page2">177</span> + exercised on the occasion, the day would certainly have been an + important one for the country, and a glorious one for the army. + Every thing might have been accomplished agreeably to the wishes + and intentions of the general, with the loss of but few men. When + the approach of the detachment under Dudley was reported to + Proctor, he supposed it to be the main force of the American + army, from which he was apprehensive that he might sustain a + total defeat: he therefore recalled a large portion of his + British and Indians from the opposite shore. They did not arrive, + however, in time to partake in the contest on the north + side."<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_73">[73]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + After the fighting had ceased on the fifth, the British general + sent a flag to the fort by major Chambers, and his introduction + to general Harrison was succeeded by the following significant + dialogue: + </p> + <p> + "<i>Major Chambers.</i> General Proctor has directed me to demand + the surrender of this post. He wishes to spare the effusion of + blood. + </p> + <p> + "<i>General Harrison.</i> The demand, under present + circumstances, is a most extraordinary one. As general Proctor + did not send me a summons to surrender on his first arrival, I + had supposed that he believed me determined to do my duty. His + present message indicates an opinion of me that I am at a loss to + account for. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Major Chambers.</i> General Proctor could never think of + saying anything to wound your feelings, sir. The character of + general Harrison, as an officer, is well known. General Proctor's + force is very respectable, and there is with him a larger body of + Indians than has ever before been embodied. + </p> + <p> + "<i>General Harrison.</i> I believe I have a very correct idea of + general Proctor's force; it is not such as to create the least + apprehension for the result of the contest, whatever shape he may + be pleased hereafter to give it. Assure the general, however, + that he will never have this post <i>surrendered</i> to him upon + any terms. Should it fall into his hands, it will be in a manner + calculated to do him more honor, and to give <a id="Page_178" + name="Page_178"></a><span class="page2">178</span> him larger + claims upon the gratitude of his government than any capitulation + could possibly do." + </p> + <p> + The siege was continued, but without any very active efforts + against the fort, until the morning of the 9th of May, when the + enemy retreated down the bay, leaving behind them a quantity of + cannon balls, and other valuable articles. + </p> + <p> + The force under general Proctor amounted, as nearly as could be + ascertained, to six hundred regulars, eight hundred Canadian + militia, and about eighteen hundred Indians. The number of troops + under general Harrison, including those which arrived on the + morning of the fifth, under general Clay, was about twelve + hundred in all. The number fit for duty did not, perhaps, equal + eleven hundred. + </p> + <p> + The number of the American troops killed and massacred on the + north side of the river, was upwards of seventy. One hundred and + eighty-nine were wounded, and eighty-one killed, in the two + sorties from the fort. The loss of the British and Indians, in + killed and wounded, could never be satisfactorily ascertained. + That it was very considerable, there can be no doubt. + </p> + <p> + The enemy brought against fort Meigs a combined army of near + three thousand men, under Proctor, Elliott and Tecumseh, and + prepared, by a train of artillery, for vigorous operations. These + were prosecuted with skill and energy. The Indians, led on by the + daring Tecumseh, fought with uncommon bravery, and contributed + largely to swell the list of our killed and wounded. It is said, + that the sagacious leader of the Indian forces did not enter upon + this siege with any strong hopes of ultimate success; but having + embarked in it, he stood manfully in the post of danger, and took + an active, if not a leading part, in planning and executing the + various movements which were made against the fort. The spirit + with which these were prosecuted may be in part inferred from the + fact, that during the first five days of the siege, the enemy + fired upon the fort with their cannon, fifteen hundred + times,<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_74">[74]</a></span> + many of their balls and bombs being red-hot, and directed + specially <a id="Page_179" name="Page_179"></a><span class= + "page2">179</span> at the two block houses containing the + ammunition. These shots made no decided impression upon the + picketing of the fort, but killed or wounded about eighty of the + garrison. + </p> + <p> + It has been already stated that the distinguished leader of the + Indians, in this assault upon camp Meigs, entered upon it with no + sanguine hopes of success. His associate, general Proctor, + however, is said to have entertained a different opinion, and + flattered himself and his troops with the prospect of splendid + success and rich rewards. In case of the reduction of the fort + and the capture of its garrison, the British general intended to + assign the Michigan territory to the Prophet and his followers, + as a compensation for their services; and general Harrison was to + have been delivered into the hands of Tecumseh, to be disposed of + at the pleasure of that chief.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_75">[75]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + One of the public journals of the day<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_76">[76]</a></span> states that this proposition + originated with Proctor, and was held out as an inducement to + Tecumseh, to join in the siege. General Harrison subsequently + understood, that in case he had fallen into Proctor's hands, he + was to have been delivered to Tecumseh, to be treated as that + warrior might think proper: and in a note to Dawson's Historical + Narrative, the author of that work says, "There is no doubt that + when Proctor made the arrangement for the attack on fort Meigs + with Tecumseh, the latter insisted and the former agreed, that + general Harrison and all who fought at Tippecanoe, should be + given up to the Indians to be burned. Major Ball of the dragoons + ascertained this fact from prisoners, deserters and Indians, all + of whom agreed to its truth." Whatever may have been the actual + agreement between Proctor and Tecumseh in regard to general + Harrison and those who fought with him at Tippecanoe, it is + hardly credible that this chief had any intention of + participating in an outrage of this kind, upon the prisoners. + Tecumseh may possibly have made such an arrangement with Proctor, + and announced it to the Indians, for the purpose of exciting them + to activity and perseverance, in carrying on the siege; but that + this chief seriously meditated any such outrage, either against + general Harrison <a id="Page_180" name= + "Page_180"></a><span class="page2">180</span> or his associates, + is not to be credited but on the best authority. It will be + recollected that Tecumseh, when but a youth, succeeded by his + personal influence, in putting an end to the custom of burning + prisoners, then common among a branch of the Shawanoes. In 1810, + at a conference with general Harrison, in Vincennes, he made an + agreement that prisoners and women and children, in the event of + hostilities between the whites and the Indians, should be + protected; and there is no evidence that this compact was ever + violated by him; or indeed, that through the whole course of his + eventful life, he ever committed violence upon a prisoner, or + suffered others to do so without promptly interfering for the + captive. To suppose, then, that he really intended to permit + general Harrison, or those who fought with him on the Wabash, to + be burned, would have been at variance with the whole tenor of + his life; and particularly with his manly and magnanimous conduct + at the close of the assault upon fort Meigs. + </p> + <p> + The prisoners captured on the fifth, were, taken down to + Proctor's head-quarters and confined in fort Miami, where the + Indians were permitted to amuse, themselves by firing at the + crowd, or at any particular individual. Those whose taste led + them to inflict a more cruel and savage death, led their victims + to the gateway, where, under the eye of general Proctor and his + officers, they were coolly tomahawked and scalped. Upwards of + twenty prisoners were thus, in the course of two hours, massacred + in cold blood, by those to whom they had voluntarily surrendered. + At the same time, the chiefs of the different tribe were holding + a council to determine the fate of the remaining captives, when + Tecumseh and colonel Elliott came down from the batteries to the + scene of carnage. + </p> + <p> + A detailed account of the noble conduct of the former in regard + to these captives is contained in the following extract from a + letter,<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_77">[77]</a></span> + upon the accuracy of which reliance may be placed. The writer, + after contrasting the brave and humane Tecumseh with the cruel + and reckless Proctor, says: + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_181" name="Page_181"></a><span class= + "page2">181</span> + </p> + <p> + "The most unfortunate event of that contest, I presume you will + admit to have been the defeat of colonel Dudley. I will give you + a statement made to me by a British officer who was present. He + states, that when colonel Dudley landed his troops, Tecumseh, the + brave but unfortunate commander, was on the south side of the + river, annoying the American garrison with his Indians; and that + Proctor, with a part of his troops and a few Indians, remained on + the opposite side at the batteries. Dudley attacked him, and + pursued him two miles. During this time, Harrison had sent out a + detachment to engage Tecumseh; and that the contest with him + continued a considerable length of time, before he was informed + of what was doing on the opposite side. He immediately retreated, + swam over the river and fell in the rear of Dudley, and attacked + him with great fury. Being thus surrounded and their commander + killed, the troops marched up to the British line and + surrendered. Shortly afterwards, commenced the scene of horrors + which I dare say is yet fresh in your memory; but I shall recall + it to your recollection for reasons I will hereafter state. They + (the American troops) were huddled together in an old British + garrison, with the Indians around them, selecting such as their + fancy dictated, to glut their savage thirst for murder. And + although they had surrendered themselves prisoners of war, yet, + in violation of the customs of war, the inhuman Proctor did not + yield them the least protection, nor attempt to screen them from + the tomahawk of the Indians. Whilst this blood-thirsty carnage + was raging, a thundering voice was heard in the rear, in the + Indian tongue, when, turning round, he saw Tecumseh coming with + all the rapidity his horse could carry him, until he drew near to + where two Indians had an American, and were in the act of killing + him. He sprang from his horse, caught one by the throat and the + other by the breast, and threw them to the ground; drawing his + tomahawk and scalping knife, he ran in between the Americans and + Indians, brandishing them with the fury of a mad man, and daring + any one of the hundreds that surrounded him, to attempt to murder + another American. They all appeared <a id="Page_182" name= + "Page_182"></a><span class="page2">182</span> confounded, and + immediately desisted. His mind appeared rent with passion, and he + exclaimed almost with tears in his eyes, 'Oh! what will become of + my Indians.' He then demanded in an authoritative tone, where + Proctor was; but casting his eye upon him at a small distance, + sternly enquired why he had not put a stop to the inhuman + massacre. 'Sir,' said Proctor, 'your Indians cannot be + commanded.' 'Begone' retorted Tecumseh, with the greatest + disdain, 'you are unfit to command; go and put on petticoats.'" + </p> + <p> + This was not the only occasion on which Tecumseh openly + manifested the contempt which he felt for the character and + conduct of general Proctor. Among other instances, it is stated + by an officer of the United States' army, in a letter, under date + of 28th September, 1813,<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_78">[78]</a></span> that in a conversation between + these two commanders of the allied British army, Tecumseh said to + Proctor, "I conquer to save, and you to murder;"—an + expression founded in truth, and worthy of the magnanimous hero + from whose lips it fell. + </p> + <p> + There is another incident connected with the defeat of Dudley, + which justice to the character of Tecumseh requires should be + recorded. Shortly after he had put a stop to the horrid massacre + of the prisoners, his attention was called to a small group of + Indians occupied in looking at some object in their midst. + Colonel Elliott observed to him, "Yonder are four of your nation + who have been taken prisoners; you may take charge of them, and + dispose of them as you think proper." Tecumseh walked up to the + crowd, where he found four Shawanoes, two brothers by the name of + Perry, Big Jim, and the Soldier. "Friends," said he, "colonel + Elliott has placed you under my charge, and I will send you back + to your nation with a talk to our people." He accordingly took + them on with the army as far as the river Raisin, from which + point their return home would be less dangerous, and then + appointed two of his followers to accompany them, with some + friendly messages to the chiefs of the Shawanoe nation. They were + thus discharged under their parole, not to fight against the + British during the war. + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_183" name="Page_183"></a><span class= + "page2">183</span> + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER XIII. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Tecumseh present at the second attack on fort Meigs—his + stratagem of a sham-battle to draw out general Clay—is + posted in the Black swamp with two thousand warriors at the + time of the attack on fort Stephenson—from thence passes + by land to Malden—compels general Proctor to release an + American prisoner—threatens to desert the British + cause—urges an attack upon the American + fleet—opposes Proctor's retreat from + Malden—delivers a speech to him on that occasion. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + After abandoning the siege of fort Meigs, general Proctor and + Tecumseh returned to Malden, where the Canadian militia were + disbanded, and the Indians, who had not already left the army, + for their respective villages, were stationed at different + cantonments. The Chippewas preferred going home; the Potawatamies + were placed six miles up the river Rouge; the Miamis and Wyandots + at Brownstown and up the Detroit river, as far as Maguaga. They + were successively employed by the British commander as scouts, a + party being sent regularly, once a week, to reconnoiter fort + Meigs, and other points in that vicinity. They planted no corn + and hunted but little, being regularly supplied with provisions + from Detroit and Malden. + </p> + <p> + Early in July, the allies of the British again made their + appearance in the vicinity of fort Meigs. Dickson, an influential + Scotch trader among the Indians, having returned from the + north-west with a large body of savages, general Proctor was + urged to renew the attack on the fort, and it was accordingly + done. + </p> + <p> + Late on the evening of the 20th of July, the garrison discovered + the boats of the British army ascending the river. On the + following morning general Clay, now in command of this post, + despatched a picket guard of ten men to a point three hundred + yards below the fort, where it was surprised by the Indians, and + seven of the party either killed or captured. The combined army + of British and Indians, were soon afterwards encamped on the + north side of the river, below the old British fort Miami. For a + short time, the Indians took a position in the woods, in the rear + of the fort, from which they occasionally fired upon the + garrison, but without <a id="Page_184" name= + "Page_184"></a><span class="page2">184</span> doing any injury. + In the night, captain William Oliver, accompanied by captain + M'Cune, was sent express to general Harrison, then at Lower + Sandusky, with information that fort Meigs was again invested; + and, that the united force of the enemy did not fall far short of + five thousand men. The general directed captain M'Cune to return + to the fort, with information to the commander, that so soon as + the necessary troops could be assembled, he would march to his + relief. The general doubted, however, whether any serious attack + was meditated against the place. He believed, and the result + showed the accuracy of his judgment, that the enemy was making a + feint at the Rapids, to call his attention in that direction, + while Lower Sandusky or Cleveland, would be the real point of + assault. On the 23d Tecumseh, with about eight hundred Indians, + passed up the river, with the intention, as general Clay + supposed, of attacking fort Winchester: this movement, as was + subsequently ascertained, being also intended to deceive the + commander of the fort. On the 25th the enemy removed to the south + side of the river, and encamped behind a point of woods which + partly concealed them from the view of the garrison. This, taken + in connection with other circumstances, led general Clay to think + that an effort would be made to carry the post by assault. Early + on the morning of the 26th captain M'Cune reached the fort in + safety. In the afternoon of that day, the enemy practised a well + devised stratagem for the purpose of drawing general Clay and his + troops from their fastness. On the Sandusky road, just before + night, a heavy firing of rifles and muskets was heard: the Indian + yell broke upon the ear, and the savages were seen attacking with + great impetuosity a column of men, who were soon thrown into + confusion; they, however, rallied, and in turn the Indians gave + way. The idea flew through the fort that general Harrison was + approaching with a body of reinforcements; and the troops under + general Clay seized their arms, and with nearly all the officers + in the garrison, demanded to be led to the support of their + friends. General Clay was unable to explain the firing, but + wisely concluded, from the information received in the <a id= + "Page_185" name="Page_185"></a><span class="page2">185</span> + morning by captain M'Cune, that there could be no reinforcements + in the neighborhood of the fort. He had the prudent firmness to + resist the earnest importunity of his officers and men, to be led + to the scene of action. The enemy finding that the garrison could + not be drawn out, and a heavy shower of rain beginning to fall, + terminated their sham-battle. It was subsequently ascertained + that this was a stratagem, devised by Tecumseh, for the purpose + of decoying out a part of the force under general Clay, which was + to have been attacked and cut off by the Indians; while the + British troops were to carry the fort by storm. But for the + opportune arrival of the express in the morning of this day, and + the cool judgment of the commander, there is great reason to + suppose that this admirably planned manoeuvre would have + succeeded; which must have resulted in the total destruction of + the garrison, the combined force of the enemy, then investing + fort Meigs, being about five thousand in number, while the troops + under general Clay were but a few hundred strong. The enemy + remained around the fort but one day after the failure of this + ingenious stratagem, and on the 28th embarked with their stores, + and proceeded down the lake. + </p> + <p> + As had been anticipated by general Harrison, immediately after + the siege was raised, the British troops sailed round into + Sandusky bay, while a portion of the Indians marched across the + land, to aid in the meditated attack upon fort Stephenson, at + lower Sandusky. Tecumseh, in the mean time, with about two + thousand warriors, took a position in the great swamp, between + that point and fort Meigs, ready to encounter any reinforcement + that might have been started to the relief of general Clay, to + fall upon the camp at Seneca, or upon Upper Sandusky, according + to circumstances. The gallant defence of fort Stephenson by + captain Croghan, put a sudden stop to the offensive operations of + the army under Proctor and Tecumseh; and very shortly afterwards + transferred the scene of action to a new theatre on the Canada + shore, where these commanders were, in turn, thrown upon the + defensive. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after the signal defeat of general Proctor <a id= + "Page_186" name="Page_186"></a><span class="page2">186</span> at + fort Stephenson, he returned with the British troops to Malden by + water, while Tecumseh and his followers passed over land round + the head of lake Erie and joined him at that point. At this time, + an incident occurred which illustrates the character of Tecumseh, + while it shows the contumely with which he was accustomed to + treat general Proctor, who did not dare to disobey him. A citizen + of the United States, captain Le Croix, had fallen into the hands + of Proctor, and was secreted on board one of the British vessels, + until he could be sent down to Montreal. Tecumseh had a + particular regard for captain Le Croix, and suspected that he had + been captured. He called upon general Proctor, and in a + peremptory manner demanded if he knew any thing of his friend. He + even ordered the British general to tell him the <i>truth</i>, + adding, "If I ever detect you in a falsehood, I, with my Indians, + will immediately abandon you." The general was obliged to + acknowledge that Le Croix was in confinement. Tecumseh, in a very + imperious tone, insisted upon his immediate release. General + Proctor wrote a line stating, that the "king of the woods" + desired the release of captain Le Croix, and that he must be set + at liberty; which was done without delay.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_79">[79]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Discouraged by the want of success, and having lost all + confidence in general Proctor, Tecumseh now seriously meditated a + withdrawal from the contest. He assembled the Shawanoes, Wyandots + and Ottawas, who were under his command, and declared his + intention to them. He told them, that at the time they took up + the tomahawk and agreed to join their father, the king, they were + promised plenty of white men to fight with them; "but the number + is not now greater," said he, "than at the commencement of the + war; and we are treated by them like the dogs of snipe hunters; + we are always sent ahead to <i>start the game</i>: it is better + that we should return to our country, and let the Americans come + on and fight the British." To this proposition his followers + agreed; but the Sioux and Chippewas, discovering his intention, + went to him and insisted that <a id="Page_187" name= + "Page_187"></a><span class="page2">187</span> inasmuch as he had + first united with the British, and had been instrumental in + bringing their tribes into the alliance, he ought not to leave + them; and through their influence he was finally induced to + remain.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_80">[80]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh was on the island of Bois Blanc, in the Detroit river, + when commodore Perry made the first display of his fleet before + Malden. He appeared much pleased at the appearance of these + vessels, and assured the Indians by whom he was surrounded, that + the British fleet would soon destroy them. The Indians hastened + to the shore to witness the contest, but the harbour of Malden + presented no evidence that commodore Barclay intended to meet the + American commander. Tecumseh launched his canoe, and crossed over + to Malden to make enquiries on the subject. He called on general + Proctor, and adverting to the apparent unwillingness of commodore + Barclay to attack the American fleet, he said "a few days since, + you were boasting that you commanded the waters—why do you + not go out and meet the Americans? See yonder, they are waiting + for you, and daring you to meet them: you must and shall send out + your fleet and fight them." Upon his return to the island, he + stated to the Indians, with apparent chagrin, that "the big + canoes of their great father were not yet ready, and that the + destruction of the Americans must be delayed for a few + days."<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_81">[81]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + When the battle was finally fought, it was witnessed by the + Indians from the shore. On the day succeeding the engagement, + general Proctor said to Tecumseh, "my fleet has whipped the + Americans, but the vessels being much injured, have gone into + Put-in Bay to refit, and will be here in a few days." This + deception, however, upon the Indians, was not of long duration. + The sagacious eye of Tecumseh soon perceived indications of a + retreat from Malden, and he promptly enquired into the matter. + General Proctor informed him that he was only going to send their + valuable property up the Thames, where it would meet a + reinforcement, and be safe. Tecumseh, however, was not to be + deceived by this shallow device; and remonstrated most <a id= + "Page_188" name="Page_188"></a><span class="page2">188</span> + urgently against a retreat. He finally demanded, in the name of + all the Indians under his command, to be heard by the general, + and, on the 18th of September, delivered to him, as the + representative of their great father, the king, the following + speech: + </p> + <p> + "Father, listen to your children! you have them now all before + you. + </p> + <p> + "The war before this, our British father gave the hatchet to his + red children, when our old chiefs were alive. They are now dead. + In that war our father was thrown on his back by the Americans; + and our father took them by the hand without our knowledge; and + we are afraid that our father will do so again at this time. + </p> + <p> + "Summer before last, when I came forward with my red brethren and + was ready to take up the hatchet in favor of our British father, + we were told not to be in a hurry, that he had not yet determined + to fight the Americans. + </p> + <p> + "Listen! when war was declared, our father stood up and gave us + the tomahawk, and told us that he was then ready to strike the + Americans; that he wanted our assistance, and that he would + certainly get our lands back, which the Americans had taken from + us. + </p> + <p> + "Listen! you told us at that time, to bring forward our families + to this place, and we did so; and you promised to take care of + them, and they should want for nothing, while the men would go + and fight the enemy; that we need not trouble ourselves about the + enemy's garrisons; that we knew nothing about them, and that our + father would attend to that part of the business. You also told + your red children that you would take good care of your garrison + here, which made our hearts glad. + </p> + <p> + "Listen! when we were last at the Rapids, it is true we gave you + little assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like + ground-hogs. + </p> + <p> + "Father, listen! our fleet has gone out; we know they have + fought; we have heard the great guns; but we know nothing of what + has happened to our father with one arm.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_82">[82]</a></span> Our ships have + gone one way, and <a id="Page_189" name= + "Page_189"></a><span class="page2">189</span> we are much + astonished to see our father tying up every thing and preparing + to run away the other, without letting his red children know what + his intentions are. You always told us to remain here and take + care of our lands; it made our hearts glad to hear that was your + wish. Our great father, the king, is the head, and you represent + him. You always told us you would never draw your foot off + British ground; but now, father, we see that you are drawing + back, and we are sorry to see our father doing so without seeing + the enemy. We must compare our father's conduct to a fat dog, + that carries his tail on its back, but when affrighted, drops it + between its legs and runs off. + </p> + <p> + "Father, listen! the Americans have not yet defeated us by land; + neither are we sure that they have done so by water; <i>we, + therefore, wish to remain here and fight our enemy, should they + make their appearance.</i> If they defeat us, we will then + retreat with our father. + </p> + <p> + "At the battle of the Rapids, last war, the Americans certainly + defeated us; and when we returned to our father's fort at that + place, the gates were shut against us. We were afraid that it + would now be the case; but instead of that, we now see our + British father preparing to march out of his garrison. + </p> + <p> + "Father, you have got the arms and ammunition which our great + father sent for his red children. If you have an idea of going + away, give them to us, and you may go and welcome, for us. Our + lives are in the hands of the Great Spirit. We are determined to + defend our lands, and if it be his will, we wish to leave our + bones upon them." + </p> + <p> + General Proctor, in disregarding the advice of Tecumseh, lost his + only opportunity of making an effective resistance to the + American army. Had the troops under general Harrison been + attacked by the British and Indians at the moment of their + landing on the Canada shore, the result might have been far + different from that which was shortly afterwards witnessed on the + banks of the Thames. Of the authenticity of this able speech, + there is no doubt. It has been the cause of some surprise that it + should have been preserved by general Proctor, and translated + into English, especially <a id="Page_190" name= + "Page_190"></a><span class="page2">190</span> as it speaks of the + commander of the allied army in terms the most disrespectful. We + are enabled to state, on the authority of John Chambers, Esq. of + Washington, Kentucky, who was one of the aids of general Harrison + in the campaign of 1813, that the speech as given above, is truly + translated; and was actually <ins class="correction" title= + "Transcriber's Note: original read 'dedelivered'">delivered</ins> + to general Proctor under the circumstances above related. When + the battle of the Thames had been fought, the British commander + sought safety in flight. He was pursued by colonels Wood, + Chambers, and Todd, and three or four privates. He escaped, but + his baggage was captured. Colonel Chambers was present when his + port-folio was opened, and among the papers, a translation of + this speech was found. In remarking upon the fact subsequently, + to some of the British officers, they stated to colonel Chambers + that the speech was undoubtedly genuine; and that general Proctor + had ordered it to be translated and exhibited to his officers, + for the purpose of showing them the insolence with which he was + treated by Tecumseh, and the necessity he was under of submitting + to every species of indignity from him, to prevent that chief + from withdrawing his forces from the contest or turning his army + against the British troops. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER XIV. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Retreat of the combined British and Indian army to the river + Thames—skirmish at Chatham with the troops under general + Harrison—Tecumseh slightly wounded in the + arm—battle on the Thames on the 5th of + October—Tecumseh's death. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Shortly after the delivery of the speech quoted in the foregoing + chapter, a considerable body of Indians abandoned general + Proctor, and crossed the strait to the American shore. Tecumseh + himself again manifested a disposition to take his final leave of + the British service. Embittered by the perfidy of Proctor, his + men suffering from want of clothes and provisions, with the + prospect of a disgraceful flight before them, he was <a id= + "Page_191" name="Page_191"></a><span class="page2">191</span> + strongly inclined to withdraw with his followers; and leave the + American general to chastise in a summary manner those who had so + repeatedly deceived him and his Indian followers. The Sioux and + Chippewas, however, again objected to this course. <i>They</i> + could not, they said, withdraw, and there was no other leader but + Tecumseh, in whom they placed confidence: they insisted that he + was the person who had originally induced them to join the + British, and that he ought not to desert them in the present + extremity. Tecumseh, in reply to this remonstrance remarked, that + the battlefield had no terrors for him; he feared not death, and + if they insisted upon it, he would remain with them. + </p> + <p> + General Proctor now proposed to the Indians to remove their women + and children to McGee's, opposite the river Rouge, where they + would be furnished with their winter's clothing and the necessary + supplies of food. To this proposition, Tecumseh yielded a + reluctant assent; doubting, as he did, the truth of the + statement. When they were about to start, he observed to young + Jim Blue-Jacket, "we are now going to follow the British, and I + feel well assured, that we shall never return." When they arrived + at McGee's, Tecumseh found that there were no stores provided for + them, as had been represented. Proctor made excuses; and again + pledged himself to the Indians, that if they would go with him to + the Thames, they would there find an abundance of every thing + needful to supply their wants; besides a reinforcement of British + troops, and a fort ready for their reception.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_83">[83]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + The retreat was continued towards the Thames. On the second of + October, when the army had reached Dalson's farm, Proctor and + Tecumseh, attended by a small guard, returned to examine the + ground at a place called Chatham, where a deep, unfordable creek + falls into the Thames. They were riding together in a gig, and + after making the necessary examination, the ground was approved + of; and general Proctor remarked, upon that spot they would + either defeat general Harrison or there lay their bones. With + this determination Tecumseh <a id="Page_192" name= + "Page_192"></a><span class="page2">192</span> was highly pleased, + and said, "it was a good place, and when he should look at the + two streams, they would remind him of the Wabash and the + Tippecanoe." Perhaps no better position could have been chosen + for meeting the American army than this place presented. The + allied force of British and Indians, had they made a stand upon + it, would have been protected in front by a deep unfordable + stream, while their right flank would have been covered by the + Thames, and their left by a swamp. But general Proctor changed + his mind; and leaving Tecumseh with a body of Indians to defend + the passage of the stream, moved forward with the main army. + Tecumseh made a prompt and judicious arrangement of his forces; + but it is said that his Indians, in the skirmish which ensued, + did not sustain their previous reputation as warriors. It is + probable, however, that their leader did not intend to make any + decided resistance to the American troops at this point, not + being willing that general Proctor and his army should escape a + meeting with the enemy. In this action Tecumseh was slightly + wounded in the arm by a ball. General Harrison, in his official + report of this affair, says: + </p> + <p> + "Below a place called Chatham, and four miles above Dalson's, is + the third unfordable branch of the Thames: the bridge over its + mouth had been taken up by the Indians, as well as that at + M'Gregor's mills, one mile above—several hundred of the + Indians remained to dispute our passage, and upon the arrival of + the advanced guard, commenced a heavy fire from the opposite bank + of the creek, as well as that of the river. Believing that the + whole force of the enemy was there, I halted the army, formed in + order of battle, and brought up our two six pounders, to cover + the party that were ordered to repair the bridge. A few shot from + these pieces soon drove off the Indians, and enabled us in two + hours to repair the bridge and cross the troops. Colonel + Johnson's mounted regiment being upon the right of the army, had + seized the remains of the bridge at the mills, under a heavy fire + from the Indians. Our loss upon this occasion was two killed, and + three or four wounded; that of the enemy was ascertained <a id= + "Page_193" name="Page_193"></a><span class="page2">193</span> to + be considerably greater. A house near the bridge, containing a + very considerable number of muskets, had been set on fire; but it + was extinguished by our troops and the arms saved." + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh and his party overtook they main army near the Moravian + towns, situated on the north side of the Thames. Here he resolved + that he would retreat no further; and the ground being favorable + for forming the line of battle, he communicated his determination + to general Proctor, and compelled him, as there is every reason + for believing, to put an end to his retreat, and prepare for + meeting the pursuing army. After the Indians were posted in the + swamp, in the position occupied by them during the battle, + Tecumseh remarked to the chiefs by whom he was surrounded, + "brother warriors! we are now about to enter into an engagement + from which I shall never come out—my body will remain on + the field of battle." He then unbuckled his sword, and placing it + in the hands of one of them, said, "when my son becomes a noted + warrior, and able to wield a sword, give this to him." He then + laid aside his British military dress, and took his place in the + line, clothed only in the ordinary deer-skin hunting + shirt.<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_84">[84]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + The position selected by the enemy was eminently judicious. The + British troops, amounting to eight or nine hundred, were posted + with their left upon the river, which was unfordable at that + point; their right extended to and across a swamp, and united + them with the Indians, under Tecumseh, amounting to near eighteen + hundred. The British artillery was placed in the road along the + margin of the river, near to the left of their line. At from two + to three hundred yards from the river, a swamp extends nearly + parallel to it, the intermediate ground being dry. This position + of the enemy, with his flank protected on the left by the river + and on the right by the swamp, filled with Indians, being such as + to prevent the wings from being turned, general Harrison made + arrangements to concentrate his forces against the British line. + The first division, under <a id="Page_194" name= + "Page_194"></a><span class="page2">194</span> major general + Henry, was formed in three lines at one hundred yards from each + other; the front line consisting of Trotter's brigade, the second + of Chiles', and the reserve of King's brigade. These lines were + in front of, and parallel to, the British troops. The second + division, under major general Desha, composed of Allen's and + Caldwell's brigades, was formed <i>en potence</i>, or at right + angles to the first division. Governor Shelby, as senior major + general of the Kentucky troops, was posted at this crotchet, + formed between the first and second divisions. Colonel Simrall's + regiment of light infantry was formed in reserve, obliquely to + the first division, and covering the rear of the front division; + and, after much reflection as to the disposition to be made of + colonel Johnson's mounted troops, they were directed, as soon as + the front line advanced, to take ground to the left, and forming + upon that flank, to endeavor to turn the right of the Indians. A + detachment of regular troops, of the 26th United States infantry, + under colonel Paul, occupied the space between the road and the + river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's artillery; and, + simultaneously with this movement, forty friendly Indians were to + pass under the bank of the stream to the rear of the British + line, and by their fire and war-cry, induce the enemy to think + their own Indians were turning against them. At the same time, + colonel Wood had been instructed to make preparations for using + the enemy's artillery, and to rake their own line by a flank + fire. By refusing the left or second division, the Indians were + kept <i>in the air</i>, that is, in a position in which they + would be useless. It will be seen, as the commander anticipated, + that they waited in their position the advance of the second + division, while the British left was contending with the American + right. Johnson's corps consisted of nine hundred men, and the + five brigades under governor Shelby amounted to near eighteen + hundred, in all, not exceeding two thousand seven hundred men. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of these arrangements, and just as the order was + about to be given to the front line to advance, at the head of + which general Harrison had placed himself with his staff, colonel + Wood approached <a id="Page_195" name="Page_195"></a><span class= + "page2">195</span> him with intelligence, that having + reconnoitered the enemy, he had ascertained the singular fact, + that the British lines, instead of the usual close order, were + drawn up at <i>open order</i>. This fact at once induced general + Harrison to adopt the novel expedient of charging the British + lines with Johnson's mounted regiment. "I was within a few feet + of him," says the gallant colonel John O'Fallon, "when the report + of colonel Wood was made, and he instantly remarked, that he + would make a novel movement by ordering colonel Johnson's mounted + regiment to charge the British line of regulars, which, thus + drawn up, contrary to the habits and usages of that description + of troops, always accustomed to <i>the touch</i>, could be easily + penetrated and thrown into confusion, by a spirited charge of + colonel Johnson's regiment." This determination was presently + made known to the colonel, who was directed to draw up his + regiment in close column, with its right fifty yards from the + road—that it might be partially protected by the trees from + the artillery—its left upon the swamp, and to charge at + full speed upon the enemy. + </p> + <p> + At this juncture, general Harrison, with his aids-de-camp, + attended likewise by general Cass and commodore Perry, advanced + from the right of the front line of infantry, to the right of the + front column of mounted troops, led by colonel James Johnson. The + general, personally, gave the direction for the charge to be + made. "When the right battalion of the mounted men received the + first fire of the British, the horses in the front column + recoiled; another fire was given by the enemy, but our column + getting in motion, broke through the enemy with irresistible + force. In one minute the contest was over. The British officers + seeing no prospect of reducing their disordered ranks to order, + and seeing the advance of the infantry, and our mounted men + wheeling upon them and pouring in a destructive fire, immediately + surrendered."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_85">[85]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Colonel Richard M. Johnson, by the extension of his line, was + brought in contact with the Indians, upon whom he gallantly + charged, but was unfortunately severely <a id="Page_196" name= + "Page_196"></a><span class="page2">196</span> wounded by the + first fire of the enemy, and was immediately taken off the field, + not, however, it has been stated, until he had despatched an + Indian by a pistol shot. The fire of the Indians having made some + impression upon Johnson's men, and upon the left of Trotter's + brigade, general Harrison despatched an order to governor Shelby + to bring up Simrall's regiment to reinforce the point pressed by + the Indians; and then the general passed to the left, to + superintend the operations in that quarter. The governor, + however, had anticipated the wishes of his commander, being in + the act of leading up the regiment, when the order reached him. + He and the general met near the crochet, where after a severe + contest of several minutes, the battle finally ceased. The + particulars of the charge made by colonel Johnson on the Indians, + are thus given by an intelligent officer<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_86">[86]</a></span> of his corps. In a + letter to the late governor Wickliffe of Kentucky, under date of + Frankfort, September 7, 1840, he says: + </p> + <p> + "I was at the head or right of my company, on horseback, waiting + orders, at about fifty or sixty yards from the line of the enemy. + Colonel Johnson rode up and explained to me the mode of attack, + and said in substance, 'captain Davidson, I am directed by + general Harrison to charge and break through the Indian line, and + form in the rear. My brother James will charge in like manner + through the British line at the same time. The sound of the + trumpet will be the signal for the charge.' In a few minutes the + trumpet sounded, and the word 'charge' was given by colonel + Johnson. The colonel charged within a few paces of me. We struck + the Indian line obliquely, and when we approached within ten or + fifteen yards of their line, the Indians poured in a heavy fire + upon us, killing ten or fifteen of our men and several horses, + and wounded colonel Johnson very severely. He immediately + retired. Doctor Theobald, of Lexington, (I think) aided him off." + </p> + <p> + The loss of the Americans in this battle was about twenty killed + and between thirty and forty wounded. The British had eighteen + killed and twenty-six wounded. The <a id="Page_197" name= + "Page_197"></a><span class="page2">197</span> Indians left on the + ground between fifty and sixty killed; and, estimating the usual + proportion for the wounded, it was probably more than double that + number. + </p> + <p> + The British official account of this action is not before us. In + a general order under date of Montreal, November 21, 1813, the + adjutant general of the English forces, bears testimony to the + good conduct of the Indian warriors, who gallantly maintained the + conflict under the brave chief Tecumseh. This tribute to the + Indians and their leader is well merited. Had general Proctor and + his troops fought with the same valor that marked the conduct of + Tecumseh and his men, the results of the day would have been far + more creditable to the British arms. It has already been stated + that Tecumseh entered this battle with a strong conviction on his + mind that he should not survive it. Further flight he deemed + disgraceful, while the hope of victory in the impending action, + was feeble and distant. He, however, heroically resolved to + achieve the latter or die in the effort. With this determination, + he took his stand among his followers, raised the war-cry and + boldly met the enemy. From the commencement of the attack on the + Indian line, his voice was distinctly heard by his followers, + animating them to deeds worthy of the race to which they + belonged. When that well known voice was heard no longer above + the din of arms, the battle ceased. The British troops having + already surrendered, and the gallant leader of the Indians having + fallen, they gave up the contest and fled. A short distance from + where Tecumseh fell, the body of his friend and brother-in-law, + Wasegoboah, was found. They had often fought side by side, and + now, in front of their men, bravely battling the enemy, they side + by side closed their mortal career.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_87">[87]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + James, a British historian,<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_88">[88]</a></span> in his account of the battle of + the Thames, makes the following remarks upon the character and + personal appearance of Tecumseh. + </p> + <p> + "Thus fell the Indian warrior Tecumseh, in the 44th year of his + age. He was of the Shawanoe tribe, five <a id="Page_198" name= + "Page_198"></a><span class="page2">198</span> feet ten inches + high, and with more than the usual stoutness, possessed all the + agility and perseverance of the Indian character. His carriage + was dignified, his eye penetrating, his countenance, which even + in death, betrayed the indications of a lofty spirit, rather of + the sterner cast. Had he not possessed a certain austerity of + manners, he could never have controlled the wayward passions of + those who followed him to battle. He was of a silent habit; but + when his eloquence became roused into action by the reiterated + encroachments of the Americans, his strong intellect could supply + him with a flow of oratory that enabled him, as he governed in + the field, so to prescribe in the council. Those who consider + that in all territorial questions, the ablest diplomatists of the + United States are sent to negociate with the Indians, will + readily appreciate the loss sustained by the latter in the death + of their champion. * * * * Such a man was the unlettered savage, + Tecumseh, and such a man have the Indians lost forever. He has + left a son, who, when his father fell, was about seventeen years + old, and fought by his side. The prince regent, in 1814, out of + respect to the memory of the old, sent out as a present to the + young, Tecumseh, a handsome sword. Unfortunately, however, for + the Indian cause and country, faint are the prospects that + Tecumseh the son, will ever equal, in wisdom or prowess, Tecumseh + the father." + </p> + <p> + Mr. James (p. 295,) asserts, that Tecumseh was not only scalped, + but that his body was actually <i>flayed</i>, and the skin + converted into razor-straps by the Kentuckians. We fear there is + too much truth in this statement. It is confirmed by the + testimony of several American officers and privates, who were in + the battle of the Thames. It is painful to make an admission of + this kind, but truth forbids the suppression of a fact, when + fairly established, however revolting to the feelings of + humanity, or degrading to a people. That there was any general + participation of our troops in this inhuman and revolting deed, + is not for a moment to be supposed. That it was the act of a few + vulgar and brutish individuals, is, we think, just as certain, as + that the great mass of the army were shocked at its perpetration. + It <a id="Page_199" name="Page_199"></a><span class= + "page2">199</span> is to be regretted that the names of the + persons who committed this outrage have not been preserved, that + their conduct on this occasion might have been held up to + universal condemnation. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER XV. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Critical examination of the question "who killed + Tecumseh?"—colonel R.M. Johnson's claim considered. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Tecumseh was a determined and subtle enemy of the United States, + and during the palmy days of his bold career, wielded an + influence over the north-western Indians which belonged to no + other chief. His death was consequently an important circumstance + in relation to the peace and safety of the frontiers. But whether + he fell by a pistol shot from a field officer, or a rifle ball + from a private soldier, however interesting as a matter of + personal history, is certainly not one of national importance. + Nevertheless, the question by whose hands he fell, has engaged + public attention to some considerable extent ever since the + memorable battle of the Thames. Its discussion has not been + confined to the immediate friends of the several aspirants for + the honor of having slain this distinguished warrior; it has + enlivened the political canvass, and the halls of legislation; + occupied the columns of journals and magazines, and filled no + inconsiderable space on the pages of American and British + histories. Under such circumstances, and as directly connected + with the present biography, a fair presentation of all the + testimony bearing on the case will now be attempted. It may at + least gratify the public curiosity, if it do not definitively + settle the long pending question in relation to the actual + <i>slayer of Tecumseh</i>. + </p> + <p> + M'Affee, in his History of the Late War, says, Tecumseh "was + found among the dead, at the point where colonel Johnson had + charged upon the enemy, in person, and it is generally believed, + that this celebrated <a id="Page_200" name= + "Page_200"></a><span class="page2">200</span> chief fell by the + hand of the colonel. It is certain that the latter killed the + Indian with his pistol, who shot him through his hand, at the + very spot where Tecumseh lay; but another dead body lay at the + same place, and Mr. King, a soldier in captain Davidson's + company, had the honor of killing one of them." + </p> + <p> + Brown, in his history of the same war, says, that "colonel + Johnson, after receiving four wounds, perceived the daring + Tecumseh commanding and attempting to rally his savage force; + when he instantly put his horse towards him, and was shot by + Tecumseh in the hand, as he approached him. Tecumseh advanced + with a drawn weapon, a sword or tomahawk, at which instant the + colonel, having reserved his fire, shot his ferocious antagonist + dead at his feet; and that too, at the moment he was almost + fainting with the loss of blood and the anguish of five wounds." + </p> + <p> + The statement of Shawbeneh, a Potawatamie chief, lately published + in the "Chicago Democrat," goes to prove that Tecumseh was + wounded in the neck; and telling his warriors that he must die, + rushed forward to kill colonel Johnson. Shawbeneh saw him fall, + having been shot by the colonel, just as his arm had reached the + necessary height to strike the fatal blow. Shawbeneh says that + colonel Johnson was riding a large white horse, with occasionally + a jet black spot. He further states that Tecumseh's body was not + mutilated by the American troops. + </p> + <p> + The testimony of another Potawatamie chief, Chamblee, as + furnished us by captain Robert Anderson, of the U.S. army, is to + this effect: + </p> + <p> + He saw Tecumseh engaged in a personal rencontre with a soldier + armed with a musket; that the latter made a thrust at the chief, + who caught the bayonet under his arm, where he held it, and was + in the act of striking his opponent with his tomahawk, when a + horseman rode up, and shot Tecumseh dead with a pistol. The + horseman had a red feather, (plume) in his hat, and was mounted + on a spotted or red-roan horse; he further says, that he saw the + body of Tecumseh a day or two after the battle, and that it was + not mutilated. + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_201" name="Page_201"></a><span class= + "page2">201</span> + </p> + <p> + In a work entitled "History of the Indian Tribes of North + America," there is the following note: + </p> + <p> + "A Potawatamie chief was thus questioned: Were you at the battle + of the Thames? Yes. Did you know Tecumseh? Yes. Were you near him + in the fight? Yes. Did you see him fall? Yes. Who shot him? Don't + know. Did you see the man that shot him? Yes. What sort of + looking man was he? Short, thick man. What color was the horse he + rode? Most white. How do you know this man shot Tecumseh? I saw + the man ride up—saw his horse get tangled in some + bushes—when the horse was most still, I saw Tecumseh level + his rifle at the man and shoot—the man shook on his + horse—soon the horse got out of the bushes, and the man + spurred him up—horse came slow—Tecumseh right before + him—man's left hand hung down—just as he got near, + Tecumseh lifted his tomahawk and was going to throw it, when the + man shot him with a short gun (pistol)—Tecumseh fell dead + and we all ran." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Garrett Wall, of Kentucky, who participated in the battle of + the Thames, says: + </p> + <p> + " —— The men by this time had collected in groups; + and it was remarked that colonel R. M. Johnson was dead, but I + contradicted the report; also, that the great Indian commander, + Tecumseh, was slain; I asked by what authority? I was told that + Anthony Shane, who had known him from a small boy, said so, and + had seen him among the slain. In a short time I saw Shane with a + small group of men, walking towards a dead Indian; as he + approached the body, I asked him if he knew that Indian. He said + it was, in his opinion, Tecumseh; but he could tell better if the + blood was taken from his face. I examined the Indian. He was shot + in the left side of the breast with several balls or buck shot, + all entering near and above the left nipple. There was also a + wound in his head, too small for a rifle ball to make." + </p> + <p> + Atwater, in his History of Ohio, remarks, that two Winnebago + chiefs, Four-Legs and Carymaunee, told him, that Tecumseh, at the + commencement of the battle of the Thames, lay with his warriors + in a thicket of <a id="Page_202" name="Page_202"></a><span class= + "page2">202</span> underbrush on the left of the American army, + and that they were, at no period of the battle, out of their + covert—that no officer was seen between them and the + American troops—that Tecumseh fell the very first fire of + the Kentucky dragoons, pierced by thirty bullets, and was carried + four or five miles into the thick woods and there buried by the + warriors, who told the story of his fate. + </p> + <p> + In 1838, a writer in the Baltimore American published Black + Hawk's account of the fall of Tecumseh. It is as follows: + </p> + <p> + " —— Shortly after this, the Indian spies came in and + gave word of the near approach of the Americans. Tecumseh + immediately posted his men in the edge of a swamp, which flanked + the British line, placing himself at their head. I was a little + to his right with a small party of Sauks. It was not long before + the Americans made their appearance; they did not perceive us at + first, hid as we were by the undergrowth, but we soon let them + know where we were, by pouring in one or two vollies as they were + forming into line to oppose the British. They faltered a little; + but very soon we perceived a large body of horse (colonel + Johnson's regiment of mounted Kentuckians) preparing to charge + upon us in the swamp. They came bravely on; yet we never stirred + until they were so close that we could see the flints in their + guns, when Tecumseh, springing to his feet, gave the Shawanoe + war-cry, and discharged his rifle. This was the signal for us to + commence the battle, but it did not last long; the Americans + answered the shout, returning our fire, and at the first + discharge of their guns, I saw Tecumseh stagger forwards over a + fallen tree, near which he was standing, letting his rifle drop + at his feet. As soon as the Indians discovered that he was + killed, a sudden fear came over them, and thinking the Great + Spirit was angry, they fought no longer, and were quickly put to + flight. That night we returned to bury our dead; and search for + the body of Tecumseh. He was found lying where he had first + fallen; a bullet had struck him above the hip, and his skull had + been broken by the butt end of the gun of some soldier, who had + found him, perhaps, when life <a id="Page_203" name= + "Page_203"></a><span class="page2">203</span> was not yet quite + gone. With the exception of these wounds, his body was untouched: + lying near him was a large fine looking Potawatamie, who had been + killed, decked off in his plumes and war-paint, whom the + Americans no doubt had taken for Tecumseh for he was scalped and + every particle of skin flayed from his body. Tecumseh himself had + no ornaments about, his person, save a British medal. During the + night, we buried our dead, and brought off the body of Tecumseh, + although we were in sight of the fires of the American camp." + </p> + <p> + James, a British historian,<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_89">[89]</a></span> after describing the battle of the + Thames, remarks: + </p> + <p> + "It seems extraordinary that general Harrison should have omitted + to mention in his letter, the death of a chief, whose fall + contributed so largely to break down the Indian spirit, and to + give peace and security to the whole north-western frontier of + the United States. Tecumseh, although he had received a musket + ball in the left arm, was still seeking the hottest of the fire, + when he encountered colonel Richard M. Johnson, member of + congress from Kentucky. Just as the chief, having discharged his + rifle, was rushing forward with his tomahawk, he received a ball + in the head from the colonel's pistol. Thus fell the Indian + warrior, Tecumseh, in the forty-fourth year of his age. * * * * + The body of Tecumseh was recognized, not only by the British + officers, who were prisoners, but by commodore Perry, and several + American officers." + </p> + <p> + This writer adds, that Tecumseh was scalped and his body flayed + by the Kentuckians. + </p> + <p> + In Butler's History of Kentucky, there is a letter from the + reverend Obediah B. Brown, of Washington city, then a clerk in + the general post-office, under date of 18th September, 1834, in + which the writer says, in substance: + </p> + <p> + That colonel Johnson, while leading the advance upon the left + wing of the Indians, saw an Indian commander, who appeared to be + a rallying point for his <a id="Page_204" name= + "Page_204"></a><span class="page2">204</span> savage companions, + and whose costume indicated the superiority of his rank; that + colonel Johnson, sitting upon his horse, covered with wounds and + very feint with the loss of blood, and having a pistol in his + right hand loaded with a ball and three buck-shot, thought that + the fate of the battle depended upon killing this formidable + chief, and he accordingly rode round a fallen tree for this + purpose; that the chief, perceiving his approach, levelled his + rifle and shot the colonel in the left hand; that the colonel + continued to advance upon him, and at the moment when the Indian + was raising his tomahawk, shot him dead with his pistol; that + this deed spread consternation among the savages, and with + hideous yells, they began from that point their retreat; that as + soon as the battle ended, the Indian killed by colonel Johnson + was recognized as Tecumseh; and before the colonel had so far + recovered from the effects of his wounds as to be able to speak, + word ran through the army that he had killed Tecumseh; and + finally, that a medal was taken from the body which was known to + have been presented to this chief by the British government. Mr. + Brown further states, that a conversation which he had with + Anthony Shane, some years since, strengthened his belief that + Tecumseh fell by the hand of colonel Johnson; that Shane told him + he went, after the battle, to the spot where it was reported the + colonel had killed an Indian, and there he saw the dead body of + Tecumseh, and that he must have been killed by a horseman, as a + ball and three buck-shot had entered the breast and passed + downwards; that he could not be mistaken as to the body of + Tecumseh, as he had a remarkable scar upon his thigh, which, upon + examination, was found as he had described it. + </p> + <p> + By recurring to the foregoing statements, it will be seen that + eight Indians have borne testimony in relation to the death of + Tecumseh. Of these, four assert that he was killed by the first + fire from the American line; and four that he fell by the hands + of a horseman, some time after the commencement of the action. + One of these witnesses states that Tecumseh was shot in the neck; + another, that he was hit above or in the eyes; <a id="Page_205" + name="Page_205"></a><span class="page2">205</span> two others + that he was killed by a ball in the hip; and again two others, + that he was pierced by thirty bullets on the first fire of our + troops. Three of these witnesses testify that the body of the + fallen chief was mutilated by taking the skin from off the thigh, + and three that it was not. One of them saw the body the day after + the action, lying on the battle ground; a second bears witness + that it was buried on the spot the night of the battle; and a + third, that it was carried four or five miles into the woods, and + there interred. A further examination of the testimony will show + that these eight witnesses concur but in one single + point,—that Tecumseh was killed in the battle of the + Thames. As to the nature of his wounds, the mutilation of his + body, the time when, the spot where, and by whose hands, he fell, + these various statements are wholly irreconcilable with each + other, and leave the main question involved in additional doubt + and obscurity. + </p> + <p> + As the claim of colonel Johnson to the honor of having killed + Tecumseh, has been recently and earnestly urged upon the public + consideration, we propose, even at the risk of some repetition, + to examine in detail the testimony which bears upon this point. + </p> + <p> + It will be recollected that the Potawatamie chief, whose + narrative is quoted from the "History of the Indian Tribes of + North America," testifies that Tecumseh met his death by a wound + above or in the eyes; and, that upon his fall the Indians ran. If + these statements be true, Tecumseh could not have been killed by + colonel Johnson, as will be satisfactorily established in the + course of this examination. + </p> + <p> + Shawbeneh, another Potawatamie chief, states that Tecumseh was + mortally wounded in the neck, before he rushed upon the + individual who killed him. All the other witnesses, except one, + say that Tecumseh remained stationary, and that the horseman who + fired the fatal shot, advanced upon him. + </p> + <p> + Chamblee, the third Potawatamie who testifies in the case, states + that Tecumseh was engaged in a personal conflict with a soldier + armed with a musket, when a horseman, on a spotted horse, rode up + and shot him <a id="Page_206" name="Page_206"></a><span class= + "page2">206</span> dead with a pistol. This account is not + sustained by any other witness. + </p> + <p> + Captain M'Affee, who belonged to the mounted regiment, and who + has written a history of the late war, says, it is <i>generally + believed that Tecumseh fell by the hand of colonel Johnson</i>; + but the historian candidly admits that there was another dead + Indian at the spot where Tecumseh lay, and that Mr. King, of + captain Davidson's company, killed one of them. It May be + questioned whether there is or ever has been any <i>general + belief</i>,—whatever vague reports may have been + circulated,—that colonel Johnson killed this chief; but + even if such were the case, it does not by any means establish + the allegation. + </p> + <p> + Brown, another historian of the late war, says, in general terms, + that Tecumseh advanced upon the colonel with a sword or tomahawk, + and that the colonel shot him dead. Tecumseh wore no sword in + that action, nor did he advance upon colonel Johnson. Mr. Brown + cites no authorities for his loose and general statements. + </p> + <p> + Garrett Wall testifies that he went to the spot where he was told + colonel Johnson had fought, and there questioned Anthony Shane + about the dead Indian before them. Shane remarked that he could + tell better whether it was Tecumseh, if the blood was washed from + the face. It does not appear that this was done, nor that Shane + became satisfied as to the identity of the dead Indian. Mr. Wall + infers that Tecumseh fell by a shot from colonel Johnson, because + it was so reported, and because they both led their warriors to + the charge, and the desire of victory brought them together. Mr. + Wall cites no evidence to prove that the body over which Shane + was doubting, fell by the colonel—a link in the chain of + testimony, altogether important in making out his case. + </p> + <p> + The Rev. Obediah B. Brown, however, at Washington, is by far the + most precise in his statements, of all the witnesses. But it is + proper, before entering upon the examination of his testimony, to + state that he was not at the battle of the Thames; and that his + letter, in regard to Tecumseh's death, was written in 1834, more + <a id="Page_207" name="Page_207"></a><span class= + "page2">207</span> than twenty years after the action was fought, + and upon the eve of a political campaign, in which his friend, + colonel Johnson, was an aspirant for a high and honorable office. + Mr. Brown, it is further proper to add, derived his information + from "several persons," but he has inadvertently omitted the + names of all but one. + </p> + <p> + He commences by saying, that colonel Johnson saw an Indian known + to be a chief by his costume. Now it has been already shown that + Tecumseh entered the action dressed in the plain deer-skin garb + of his tribe, having nothing about him which would indicate his + rank. The colonel thought, continues Mr. B., that the fate of the + day depended upon the fall of this chief. The question might be + asked whether the thoughts of colonel Johnson, at this particular + juncture, became known to the witness by a logical process of + ratiocination, or by a direct personal communication from his + distinguished friend? He states further, that the colonel rode up + within a few feet of the chief, received his fire, and then shot + him dead with his pistol. This act, says the witness, caused the + savages to retreat in consternation: now, the fact is well + established, that the Indians, at this very point, fought bravely + for twenty or twenty-five minutes after colonel Johnson was + compelled, by his wounds, to leave the scene of action: it is + further stated by Mr. B. that before the colonel was so far + recovered from his wounds, as to be able to speak, it ran through + the army that he had killed Tecumseh. Mr. Wall, who was in the + action, says, that after colonel Johnson had retired from the + contest, and was lifted from his horse, he said to those around + him, "my brave men, the battle continues, leave me, and do not + return until you bring me an account of the victory." Thus it + would seem that the colonel, within a few minutes after receiving + his last wound, was giving orders to his men, and in the mean + time, according to Mr. B., "word ran through the army that he had + killed Tecumseh." This is more remarkable, when it is + recollected, that the only person, except the commanding general, + who could identify the fallen chief, was Anthony Shane, and he + was in a different part of the field, (on the bank <a id= + "Page_208" name="Page_208"></a><span class="page2">208</span> of + the Thames) and did not visit this part of the line until the + action was entirely over! The witness further states, that no + other chief of high rank was killed in this part of the line, but + Tecumseh. Anthony Shane says that Tecumseh's brother-in-law, and + principal chief, Wasegoboah, was killed ten or fifteen steps from + where Tecumseh fell. Black Hawk also testifies, that near + Tecumseh, there was lying a large, fine looking Potawatamie, + decked off in his plumes and war-paint, whom the Americans + mistook for Tecumseh. Mr. B. says that a medal was taken from the + body of the Indian killed by colonel Johnson, which was known to + have been presented by the British government to Tecumseh. Where + is the authority for this? When Shane was examining the body, and + so much in doubt whether it was Tecumseh as to require the blood + to be washed from the face, before he could decide with + certainty, where was this medal, which of itself would have + settled the question of identity? It is singular, that neither + Shane nor Wall speaks of a medal. Mr. B. says that Tecumseh was + killed by a ball and three buckshot, fired by a horseman, and as + colonel Johnson was the only person in that part of the battle + who fought on horseback, his pistols being loaded with a ball and + three buckshot, settles the question, that the colonel killed + Tecumseh. Again, the question may be asked, how Mr. B. knows the + fact as to the manner in which these pistols were loaded? And if + they were so loaded, who can say whether the chief was killed by + this shot, the wound in the eyes, that in the neck, or the one in + the hip? But again; colonel Johnson was not the only person who + fought on horseback in this part of the battle. He led a "forlorn + hope" of twenty men, all mounted; while on his left was + Davidson's company of one hundred and forty men, also on + horseback. Mr. Wall, who was one of the "forlorn hope," says, + "the fighting became very severe, each party mingling with the + other." Finally, Mr. B. closes his testimony with the remark, + that it was well known and acknowledged, by the British and + Indians, at the time, that Tecumseh received his death from the + hand of colonel Johnson, as appears by James' History of <a id= + "Page_209" name="Page_209"></a><span class="page2">209</span> the + Late War. It is stated by the historian here cited, that colonel + Johnson shot Tecumseh in the head—that the body was + recognized not only by the British officers who were prisoners, + but by commodore Perry and several other American officers: Mr. + James also expresses his surprise that general Harrison should + have omitted, in his official letter to the War Department, to + mention the death of this chief. Now, we have the authority of + several American officers, of high rank, for stating, that these + British officers were not, on the evening of the day on which the + action was fought, in that part of the line where Tecumseh fell; + and that early on the ensuing morning, they were taken to a house + two miles below the battle ground, and from thence to Detroit, + without returning to the scene of their defeat, Mr. James is, + therefore, incorrect on this point, as he certainly is, in saying + that commodore Perry and other American officers recognized the + body of Tecumseh. The commodore had never seen this chief prior + to the afternoon of the battle in which he fell. General + Harrison, it is believed, was the only American officer in the + engagement, who had a personal knowledge of Tecumseh. The day + after the battle, the general, attended by several of his + officers, visited the battle ground. The body of the Indian, + supposed to be that of Tecumseh, was pointed out to him, but + owing to its swollen condition, he was unable to say whether it + was Tecumseh, or a Potawatamie chief, who usually visited + Vincennes in company with him: he felt confident it was one of + the two, but further than this could not pronounce with + certainty. Mr. James and Anthony Shane are Mr. Brown's chief + witnesses. The first states that Tecumseh was shot with a musket + ball in the arm, and finally killed by a ball in the head from + colonel Johnson's pistol: the second testifies that he fell by a + ball and three buckshot which entered his left breast, and that + he was wounded in no other part: the former says that Tecumseh's + body was literally flayed—the latter, that only a small + piece of skin was cut from one of his thighs.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_90">[90]</a></span> It remains <a id= + "Page_210" name="Page_210"></a><span class="page2">210</span> for + Mr. Brown to reconcile these glaring discrepancies in the + testimony of his own witnesses. If this dissection of Mr. Brown's + elaborated letter, presents him more in the light of the partizan + advocate than that of the faithful historian, we are not + responsible for it; and if he has failed to establish the fact + that colonel Johnson killed Tecumseh, he must probably look for + the reason of that failure in the weakness of his claims, rather + than in any lack of zeal in advocating the colonel's cause. + </p> + <p> + Our analysis of the testimony which has at different times been + brought before the public, tending to establish the supposition + that Tecumseh fell by the hands of colonel Johnson, is now + closed; and we think it will be admitted, in reviewing the case, + that the claims of the colonel have not been satisfactorily + established, either by direct or circumstantial evidence. But we + have further testimony to offer on this point. + </p> + <p> + It is proved by a number of witnesses, and among them several who + are relied upon to establish the fact, that colonel Johnson + killed Tecumseh, that upon the fall of this chief, the action + ceased and the Indians fled. + </p> + <p> + Even the reverend Mr. Brown admits such to have been the case. + Now, we propose to show that colonel Johnson was wounded and + retired from the scene of action at its commencement; and that + the contest lasted for twenty or thirty minutes afterwards. As to + the first point, captain Davidson, who was by the side of colonel + Johnson, says, "We struck the Indian line obliquely, and when we + approached within ten or fifteen yards of their line, the Indians + poured in a heavy fire upon us, killing ten or fifteen of our men + and several horses, and wounding colonel Johnson very severely. + He immediately retired."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_91">[91]</a></span> Colonel Ambrose Dudley says, "As I + passed to the left, near the crochet, after the firing had ceased + on the right, I met colonel R.M. Johnson passing diagonally from + the swamp towards the line of infantry, and spoke with him. He + said he was badly wounded, his gray mare bleeding profusely in + several places. The battle continued with the Indians <a id= + "Page_211" name="Page_211"></a><span class="page2">211</span> on + the left. The infantry, with some of colonel R. M. Johnson's + troops mixed up promiscuously with them, continued the battle for + half an hour after colonel Johnson was disabled and had ceased to + command his men."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_92">[92]</a></span> Doctor S. Theobald, of Lexington, + Kentucky, one of the surgeons to the mounted regiment, says, + "colonel Johnson was wounded in the onset of the battle. I had + the honor to compose one of his 'forlorn hope,' and followed him + in the charge. It is impossible, under such circumstances, to + estimate time with precision; but I know the period was a very + brief one from the firing of the first guns, which indeed was + tremendously heavy, till colonel Johnson approached me covered + with wounds, but still mounted. I think he said to me, I am + severely wounded, which way shall I go? That I replied, follow + me, which he did: and I conducted him directly across the swamp, + on the margin of which we had charged, and to the point where + doctor Mitchell, surgeon-general of Shelby's corps, was + stationed. Some one hundred and fifty or two hundred yards in the + rear, colonel Johnson was taken from his horse. He appeared faint + and much exhausted. I asked him if he would have water, to which + he answered, yes. I cast about immediately for some, but there + was none at hand, nor any thing that I could see to bring it in, + better than a common funnel, which I saw lying on the ground, and + which I seized and ran to the river, (Thames) a distance probably + of one hundred yards or more; and closing the extremity of the + funnel with my finger, made use of it as a cup, from which I gave + him drink. In a few minutes after this, Garret Wall, who also + composed one of the 'forlorn hope,' and was thrown from his horse + in the charge, came and solicited me to return with him to the + ground on which we had charged, to aid him in recovering his lost + saddle-bags. I assented. We crossed the narrow swamp, to which I + have before alluded, and had not progressed far, before we came + to the body of one of our men who had been killed, and who I + recognized as Mansfield, of captain Stucker's company: a little + further, <a id="Page_212" name="Page_212"></a><span class= + "page2">212</span> that of Scott, of Coleman's company; and + progressing some forty or fifty steps (it may have been more,) in + advance of that, we found our venerable and brave old comrade, + colonel Whitley, who was also of the 'forlorn hope.' Near him, in + a moment, I well remember to have noticed, with a feeling and + exclamation of exultation, the body of an Indian; and some twenty + or thirty steps in advance of this, another Indian, which last + was afterwards designated as the body of Tecumseh. I distinctly + recollect, that as we returned to make this search, the firing + was still kept up some distance off on our left"<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_93">[93]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Testimony on these points might be multiplied, but could add + nothing to the force of that which is here cited. The letter of + Dr. Theobald is conclusive as to the time when colonel Johnson + was wounded, and the period during which the action continued + after he retired from the battle ground. It seems the colonel was + disabled at the beginning of the action with the Indians, and + immediately rode from the field; that the action lasted for near + half an hour; that Tecumseh fell at or near the close of it; and + that he could not, therefore, have fallen by the hand of colonel + Johnson. Whether the leader of the "forlorn hope" can claim the + credit of having actually killed an Indian chief on this + memorable day, is not the immediate question before us: that he + acted with dauntless bravery, in promptly charging the Indian + line, during the brief period which he remained unwounded, is + universally admitted; but that he is entitled to the honor, (if + such it may be called,) of having personally slain the gifted + "king of the woods," will not be so readily conceded. + </p> + <p> + James, the British historian, from whose "Military Occurrences" + we have already quoted, having charged general Harrison with + designedly omitting, in his official report, all reference to the + death of Tecumseh, leaves the inference to be drawn by the + reader, that the omission was prompted by a feeling of envy + towards colonel Johnson, who had done the deed. It is due to the + cause of truth, not less than to the reputation of the <a id= + "Page_213" name="Page_213"></a><span class="page2">213</span> + American commander, that this charge should be impartially + examined. It is true, that the official account of the battle of + the Thames does not mention the death of Tecumseh, and the + propriety of this omission will be sufficiently obvious from the + following narrative. + </p> + <p> + General Harrison and Anthony Shane, so far as it is known, were + the only persons in the American army who were personally + acquainted with Tecumseh. It is possible that some of the + friendly Indians, commanded by Shane, may have known him; but it + does not appear that any of them undertook to identify the body + after the battle was over. Shane was under the impression, on the + evening of the action, that he had found the body of Tecumseh + among the slain; but, as Mr. Wall testifies, expressed himself + with caution. General Harrison himself was not, on the following + day, enabled to identify with certainty the body of this chief, + as appears from the testimony of a member of the general's + military family, which we here quote, as having a direct bearing + on the question under consideration: + </p> + <p> + "I am authorised," says colonel Charles S. Todd,<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_94">[94]</a></span> "by several + officers of general Harrison's staff, who were in the battle of + the Thames, to state most unequivocally their belief, that the + general neither knew nor could have known the fact of the death + of Tecumseh, at the date of his letter to the war department. It + was the uncertainty which prevailed, as to the fact of Tecumseh's + being killed, that prevented any notice of it in his report. On + the next day after the battle, general Harrison, in company with + commodore Perry and other officers, examined the body of an + Indian supposed to be Tecumseh; but from its swollen and + mutilated condition, he was unable to decide whether it was that + chief or a Potawatamie who usually visited him at Vincennes, in + company with Tecumseh; and I repeat most unhesitatingly, that + neither commodore Perry nor any officer in the American army, + excepting general Harrison, had ever seen Tecumseh previously to + the battle; and even though he had recognized the body which he + <a id="Page_214" name="Page_214"></a><span class= + "page2">214</span> examined to be that of the celebrated chief, + it was manifestly impossible that he could have known whether he + was killed by Johnson's corps, or by that part of the infantry + which participated in the action. No official or other + satisfactory report of his death, was made to him by those + engaged on that part of the battle ground where he fell. It was + not until after the return of the army to Detroit, and after the + date of general Harrison's despatches,<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_95">[95]</a></span> that it was + ascertained from the enemy, that Tecumseh was <i>certainly</i> + killed; and even then the opinion of the army was divided as to + the person by whose hands he fell. Some claimed the credit of it + for colonel Whitley, some for colonel Johnson; but others, + constituting a majority, including governor Shelby, entertained + the opinion that he fell by a shot from David King, a private in + captain Davidson's company, from Lincoln county, Kentucky. In + this state of the case, even had the fact of Tecumseh's death + been fully ascertained, at the date of general Harrison's letter, + it would have been manifestly unjust, not to say impracticable, + for the commander-in-chief to have expressed an opinion as to the + particular individual to whose personal prowess his death was to + be attributed."<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_96">[96]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + In taking leave of this branch of our subject, it may be + remarked, that the strong terms of approbation in which general + Harrison, in his official account of the battle of the Thames, + speaks of the bravery and bearing of colonel Johnson in the + conflict, should have shielded him from the suspicion that any + unkind feeling towards that officer was allowed to sway his + judgment in the preparation of his report. + </p> + <p> + We now proceed to give some testimony in favor of other + individuals, whose friends have claimed for them the credit of + having slain Tecumseh. It has been already stated, that before + our army left the field of battle, it was reported and believed + by many of the troops, <a id="Page_215" name= + "Page_215"></a><span class="page2">215</span> that colonel + Whitley, of Johnson's corps of mounted men, had killed the Indian + commander in the action of the Thames. The only testimony, in + confirmation of this report, which has fallen under our + observation, is contained in the two following communications. + The first is a letter from Mr. Abraham Scribner, now of + Greenville, Ohio, under date of September 8th, 1840. The writer + says—"I had never seen Tecumseh, until the body was shown + to me on the battle ground on the river Thames: by whose hand he + fell must always be a matter of uncertainty. My own opinion was, + the day after the battle, and is yet, that Tecumseh fell by a + ball from the rifle of colonel Whitley, an old Indian fighter: + two balls passed through colonel Whitley's head, at the moment + that Tecumseh fell; he (colonel Whitley,) was seen to take aim at + the Indian said to be Tecumseh, and his rifle was found empty." + </p> + <p> + The second is from colonel Ambrose Dudley, of Cincinnati, under + date of 24th February, 1841, and is in the following words: + </p> + <p> + "The morning after the battle of the Thames, in company with + several other persons, I walked over the ground, to see the + bodies of those who had been slain in the engagement. After + passing from the river a considerable distance, and the latter + part of the way along what was termed a swamp, viewing the slain + of the British army, we came to a place where some half a dozen + persons were standing, and three dead Indians were lying close + together. One of the spectators remarked, that he had witnessed + that part of the engagement which led to the death of these three + Indians and two of our troops, whose bodies had been removed the + evening before for burial. He proceeded to point out the position + of the slain as they lay upon the ground, with that of our men. + He said old colonel Whitley rode up to the body of a tree, which + lay before him, and behind which lay an Indian: he (the Indian,) + attempted to fire, but from some cause did not succeed, and then + Whitley instantly shot him. This Indian was recognized by one of + the persons present as Tecumseh: the next Indian was pointed out + as having killed Whitley; then the position of another of our + troops who killed <a id="Page_216" name= + "Page_216"></a><span class="page2">216</span> that Indian, and + the Indian who killed him, with the position of the man who shot + the third Indian—making three Indians and two Americans who + had fallen on a very small space of ground. From the manner of + the narrator, and the facts related at the time, I did not doubt + the truth of his statement, nor have I ever had any reason to + doubt it since. The Indian pointed out as Tecumseh, was wearing a + bandage over a wound in the arm, and as it was known that + Tecumseh had been slightly wounded in the arm the day before, + while defending the passage of a creek, my conviction was + strengthened by this circumstance, that the body before us was + that of Tecumseh." + </p> + <p> + The reader will decide for himself how far this testimony + sustains the plea that has been raised for colonel Whitley. It is + certainly clear and to the point, and presents a plausible case + in support of his claim. + </p> + <p> + Mr. David King is the other individual to whom reference has been + made as entitled to the credit of having killed the great + Shawanoe chief. He was a private in captain James Davidson's + company of mounted men, belonging to Johnson's corps. The + statement given below in support of King's claim, was written by + the editor of the Frankfort (Ky.) Commentator, and published in + that journal in 1831. It is given on the authority of captain + Davidson and his brother, two highly respectable citizens of + Kentucky, both of whom belonged to colonel Johnson's mounted + regiment, and were in the battle of the Thames. We have omitted + the first part of this statement as irrelevant to the point in + issue. + </p> + <p> + "While these things were acting in this part of the field, and + towards the close of the action, which did not last + long—for though much was done, it was done + quickly—when the enemy was somewhat thinned and + considerably scattered, and our men were scattered amongst them, + Clark, one of the men mentioned above, suddenly called out to his + comrade, David King, to 'take care of the Indian that was near to + him.' The warrior turned upon Clark; at the same instant, King + fired at him with Whitley's gun, and lodged the two balls which + he knew it was loaded with, in the chieftain's <a id="Page_217" + name="Page_217"></a><span class="page2">217</span> + breast—for when Whitley fell, King threw away his own gun, + and took the better one and the powder horn of the old Indian + fighter. The Indian droped upon King's + fire:—'Whoop—by G——' exclaimed King, 'he + was every inch a soldier. I have killed one d——d + yellow bugger,' and passed on. Giles saw this occurrence as well + as Clark, and so did Von Treece—they were all together. + From the commencement of the fight, the voice of an Indian + commander had been distinctly heard and observed by our soldiers. + About this time it ceased, and was heard no more: <i>Tecumseh was + dead.</i> Presently a cry of '<i>how! how!</i>' was raised among + the Indians; upon which they turned and fled, pursued by our + soldiers. + </p> + <p> + "Upon the return of the volunteers from the pursuit, King + proposed to Sam Davidson, his friend and relative, and to other + comrades, to go round with him by the spot where he had killed + the Indian, because he wanted to get his fine leggins. They had + noticed a particular tree and a log, near to which the Indian + fell. They found the tree without difficulty, but the body was + not discovered quite so readily; but King insisted that it must + be somewhere thereabouts. Sam Davidson first discovered it. It + was lying behind a tree, face downward. '<i>Here he is</i>,' said + Davidson, 'but I see no wound upon him.' '<i>Roll him over</i>,' + said King, 'and if it is my Indian, you will find two bullet + holes in his left breast.' It was done; and there were the two + bullet holes, an inch apart, just below the left pap—the + same, no doubt, where King's balls had entered. The Indian, from + his dress, was evidently a chief. His fanciful leggins, (King's + main object in hunting out the body,) his party-colored worsted + sash, his pistols, his two dirks, all his dress and equipments, + were the <i>undisputed</i> spoils of King. He kept one of the + dirks, the sash, and moccasins for himself; the rest he + distributed as presents among his messmates. + </p> + <p> + "Now, <i>it was this very Indian</i>, which was afterwards + identified by those who had known him, as TECUMSEH—<i>this + and no other</i>." + </p> + <p> + This testimony, coming as it does from a highly respectable + quarter, would seem to be conclusive in favor <a id="Page_218" + name="Page_218"></a><span class="page2">218</span> of the claim + of King. It contains, however, statements which, if true, greatly + weaken its force; and, indeed, in our opinion, dissipate at once + the idea that the Indian killed by King was Tecumseh. The + narrative states that "the Indian, from his dress, was evidently + a chief. His fanciful leggins, his party-colored worsted sash, + his pistols, his two dirks, all his dress and equipments, were + the undisputed spoils of King." Now, if there be any one fact + connected with the fall of Tecumseh which is fully and fairly + established upon unimpeachable authority, it is, that he entered + the battle of the Thames, dressed in the ordinary deerskin garb + of his tribe. There was nothing in his clothes, arms or + ornaments, indicating him to have been a chief. On this point the + testimony of Anthony Shane is explicit; and his statement is + confirmed by colonel Baubee of the British army, who was + familiarly acquainted with Tecumseh. This officer, the morning + after the action, stated to one of the aids of general Harrison, + that he saw Tecumseh just before the battle commenced, and that + he was clothed in his usual plain deer-skin dress, and in that + garb took his position in the Indian line, where he heroically + met his fate. The testimony in favor of Mr. King's claim, while + it proves very satisfactorily that he killed an Indian, is + equally conclusive, we think, in establishing the fact that that + Indian was not the renowned Tecumseh. + </p> + <p> + With the statement of one other person, upon this vexed question, + we shall take our final leave of it. Major William Oliver, of + Cincinnati, in a communication to the author, under date of 23d + December, 1840, says:— + </p> + <p> + "In 1819, I lodged with Anthony Shane, at what was then called + 'the Second Crossing of the St. Mary's.' I had known Shane + intimately for a long time, indeed, from my first settlement at + fort Wayne, in 1806. In speaking of the battle of the Thames, and + the fall of Tecumseh, he said, the most authentic information he + had obtained upon this point, was from two brothers of his wife, + who were in the battle, and near the person of Tecumseh when he + fell. They stated, in positive terms, that Tecumseh was shot by a + private of the Kentucky <a id="Page_219" name= + "Page_219"></a><span class="page2">219</span> troops; and Shane + seemed so well satisfied with the truth of their statement, that + he informed me it was entitled to belief." + </p> + <p> + To John Johnston, of Piqua, late Indian agent, and others, Shane, + at this early period, expressed the opinion that Tecumseh did not + fall by the hands of the commander of the mounted regiment. The + reader of this volume will recollect, that long subsequent to the + period when these opinions were expressed, and upon the eve of a + political campaign, in which colonel R.M. Johnson was a candidate + for a high and honorable office, Anthony Shane is represented by + the reverend O.B. Brown, as having stated to him his belief, that + Tecumseh did meet his death by a shot from the colonel. Shane, + who, we believe, is now deceased, sustained, through life, a + character for integrity. Whether, in his latter years, his memory + had failed him, by which he was led to express these + contradictory opinions, or whether Mr. Brown misunderstood the + import of his language, when talking upon this matter, we shall + not undertake to decide. The reader who feels an interest in the + point at issue will settle the question for himself, whether, + under the peculiar circumstances of the case, the early or late + declarations of Shane were the genuine expression of his belief + on this subject. + </p> + <h2 class="chp"> + CHAPTER XVI. + </h2> + <blockquote> + <p> + Mr. Jefferson's opinion of the Prophet—brief sketch of + his character—anecdotes of Tecumseh—a review of the + great principles of his plan of union among the + tribes—general summary of his life and character. + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + Mr. Jefferson, in a letter to John Adams,<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_97">[97]</a></span> says: "The Wabash + Prophet is more rogue than fool, if to be a rogue is not the + greatest of all follies. He rose to notice while I was in the + administration, and became, of course, a proper subject for me. + The inquiry was <a id="Page_220" name="Page_220"></a><span class= + "page2">220</span> made with diligence. His declared object was + the reformation of his red brethren, and their return to their + pristine manner of living. He pretended to be in constant + communication with the Great Spirit; that he was instructed by + Him to make known to the Indians that they were created by Him + distinct from the whites, of different natures, for different + purposes, and placed under different circumstances, adapted to + their nature and destinies; that they must return from all the + ways of the whites to the habits and opinions of their + forefathers; they must not eat the flesh of hogs, of bullocks, of + sheep, &c., the deer and buffalo having been created for + their food; they must not make bread of wheat, but of Indian + corn; they must not wear linen nor woollen, but dress like their + fathers, in the skins and furs of animals; they must not drink + ardent spirits; and I do not remember whether he extended his + inhibitions to the gun and gunpowder, in favor of the bow and + arrow. I concluded, from all this, that he was a visionary, + enveloped in their antiquities, and vainly endeavoring to lead + back his brethren to the fancied beatitudes of their golden age. + I thought there was little danger of his making many proselytes + from the habits and comforts they had learned from the whites, to + the hardships and privations of savagism, and no great harm if he + did. We let him go on, therefore, unmolested. But his followers + increased until the British thought him worth corrupting, and + found him corruptible. I suppose his views were then changed; but + his proceedings in consequence of them, were after I left the + administration, and are, therefore, unknown to me; nor have I + ever been informed what were the particular acts on his part, + which produced an actual commencement of hostilities on ours. I + have no doubt, however, that his subsequent proceedings are but a + chapter apart, like that of Henry and Lord Liverpool, in the book + of the Kings of England." + </p> + <p> + Mr. Jefferson's account of the Prophet's "budget of reform," is + correct as far as it goes: it embraced, however, many other + matters, looking to the amelioration of savage life. Whatever may + have been his original object, in the promulgation of his new + code of ethics, <a id="Page_221" name="Page_221"></a><span class= + "page2">221</span> there is enough, we think, in the character + and conduct of this individual to warrant the opinion, that he + was really desirous of doing good to his race; and, that with + many foibles, and some positive vices, he was not destitute of + benevolent and generous feelings. That in assuming the character + of a prophet, he had, in connection with his brother, ulterior + objects in view, is not to be doubted. It so happened, that the + adoption of his doctrines was calculated to promote harmony among + the tribes; and this was the very foundation of the grand + confederacy, to which he and Tecumseh were zealously devoting the + energies of their minds. + </p> + <p> + After the premature and, to the Indians, disastrous battle of + Tippecanoe, the Prophet began to fall into obscurity. The result + of that action materially diminished the wide spread influence + which he had attained over his countrymen. The incantations, by + means of which he had played upon their imaginations, and swayed + their conduct, lost their potency. The inspired messenger of the + Great Spirit, as he openly proclaimed himself, had boldly + promised his followers an easy victory over their enemies. A + battle was fought—the Indians were defeated—and the + gory form of many a gallant, but credulous "brave," attested that + the renowned Prophet had lost, amid the carnage of that nocturnal + conflict, his office and his power. + </p> + <p> + At the time when this battle was fought, Tecumseh was on a + mission to the southern Indians, with the view of extending his + warlike confederacy. He had left instructions with the Prophet, + to avoid any hostile collision with the whites; and from the + deference which the latter usually paid to the wishes of the + former, it is not probable that the battle would have occurred, + had not extraneous influence been brought to bear upon the + leader. The reason assigned by the Prophet to his brother, for + this attack upon the army under general Harrison, is not known; + but some of the Indians who were in this engagement, subsequently + stated that the Winnebagoes forced on the battle contrary to the + wishes of the Prophet. This is not improbable; yet, admitting it + to be true, if he had taken a bold and decided stand against the + measure, it might, in all probability, have <a id="Page_222" + name="Page_222"></a><span class="page2">222</span> been + prevented. The influence of the Prophet, however, even at this + time, was manifestly on the wane, and some of his followers were + beginning to leave his camp. He doubtless felt that it was + necessary to do something to sustain himself: a signal victory + over the whites would accomplish this end; and hence he consented + the more readily, to the wishes of the Winnebagoes, that an + attack should be made, in the hope that it would prove + successful. + </p> + <p> + Within a few months after this battle, war was declared against + England by the United States. Tecumseh and the Prophet, + discouraged in regard to their union of the tribes, decided on + joining the British standard. The love of fighting, however, was + not a remarkable trait of the Prophet's character. He won no + military laurels during the continuance of that war; and although + in the vicinity of the Moravian town on the 5th of October, 1813, + he did not choose to participate in the action at the Thames. + After the return of peace, he resided in the neighborhood of + Malden for some time, and finally returned to Ohio: from whence, + with a band of Shawanoes, he removed west of the Mississippi, + where he resided until the period of his death, which occurred in + the year 1834. It is stated, in a foreign periodical,<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_98">[98]</a></span> that the British + government allowed him a pension from the year 1813, to the close + of his life. + </p> + <p> + In forming an estimate of the Prophet's character, it seems + unjust to hold him responsible for all the numerous aggressions + which were committed by his followers upon the property and + persons of the whites. His first proselytes were from the most + worthless and vicious portion of the tribes from which they were + drawn. "The young men especially, who gathered about him, like + the young men who brought on the war of King Philip, were wrought + up until the master spirit himself, lost his control over them; + and to make the matter worse, most of them were of such a + character in the first instance, that horse stealing and house + breaking were as easy to them as breathing. Like the refugees + <a id="Page_223" name="Page_223"></a><span class= + "page2">223</span> of Romulus, they were outcasts, vagabonds and + criminals; in a great degree brought together by the novelty of + the preacher's reputation, by curiosity to hear his doctrines, by + the fascination of extreme credulity, by restlessness, by + resentment against the whites, and by poverty and unpopularity at + home."<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_99">[99]</a></span> + To preserve an influence over such a body of men, to use them + successfully as propagandists of his new doctrines, and, at the + same time, prevent their aggressions upon the whites, who were + oftentimes themselves the aggressors, required no small degree of + talent; and called into activity the utmost powers of the + Prophet's mind. In addition to these adverse circumstances, he + had to encounter the opposition of all the influential chiefs in + the surrounding tribes; and a still more formidable adversary in + the poverty and extreme want of provisions, which, on several + occasions, threatened the total disruption of his party, and + undoubtedly led to many of the thefts and murders on the + frontiers, of which loud and frequent complaints were made by the + agents of the United States. In a word, difficulties of various + kinds were constantly recurring, which required the most + ceaseless vigilance and the shrewdest sagacity on the part of the + two brothers to obviate or overcome. The Prophet had a clear + head, if not an honest heart; courteous and insinuating in his + address, with a quick wit and a fluent tongue, he seldom came out + of any conference without rising in the estimation of those who + composed it. He was no warrior, and from the fact of his never + having engaged in a battle, the presumption has been raised that + he was wanting in physical courage. With that of cowardice, the + charge of cruelty has been associated, from the cold-blooded and + deliberate manner in which he put to death several of those who + were suspected of having exercised an influence adverse to his + plans, or calculated to lessen the value of the inspired + character which he had assumed. Finally, it may be said of him, + that he was a vain, loquacious and cunning man, of indolent + habits and doubtful principles. Plausible but deceitful, prone to + deal in the marvellous, <a id="Page_224" name= + "Page_224"></a><span class="page2">224</span> quick of + apprehension, affluent in pretexts, winning and eloquent, if not + powerful in debate, the Prophet was peculiarly fitted to play the + impostor, and to excite into strong action, the credulous + fanaticism of the stern race to which he belonged. Few men, in + any age of the world, have risen more rapidly into extended + notoriety; wielded, for the time being, a more extraordinary + degree of moral influence, or sunk more suddenly into obscurity, + than the Prophet. + </p> + <p> + TECUMSEH was near six feet in stature, with a compact, muscular + frame, capable of great physical endurance. His head was of a + moderate size, with a forehead full and high; his nose slightly + aquiline, teeth large and regular, eyes black, penetrating and + overhung with heavy arched brows, which increased the uniformly + grave and severe expression of his countenance. He is represented + by those who knew him, to have been a remarkably fine looking + man, always plain but neat in his dress, and of a commanding + personal presence. His portrait, it is believed, was never + painted, owing probably to his strong prejudices against the + whites. + </p> + <p> + In the private and social life of Tecumseh there were many things + worthy of notice. He was opposed, on principle, to polygamy, a + practice almost universal among his countrymen. He was married + but once; and this union, which took place at the age of + twenty-eight, is said to have been more in compliance with the + wishes of others than in obedience to the unbiassed impulse of + his feelings or the dictates of his judgment. Mamate, his wife, + was older than himself, and possessed few personal or mental + qualities calculated to excite admiration. A son, called + Pugeshashenwa, (a panther in the act of seizing its prey,) was + the only fruit of this union. The mother died soon after his + birth, and he was left to the care of his aunt, + Tecumapease.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_100">[100]</a></span> This son is now residing with + the Shawanoes west of the Mississippi, but is not distinguished + for talents, or renowned as a warrior. The British government, + however, since the death of Tecumseh, has recognized its <a id= + "Page_225" name="Page_225"></a><span class="page2">225</span> + obligations to the father by the extension of an annual stipend + to the son. + </p> + <p> + From his boyhood, Tecumseh was remarkable for temperance and the + strictest integrity. He was hospitable, generous and humane; and + these traits were acknowledged in his character long before he + rose to distinction, or had conceived the project of that union + of the tribes, on which the energies of his manhood were + fruitlessly expended. He was, says an intelligent Shawanoe, who + had known him from childhood, kind and attentive to the aged and + infirm, looking personally to their comfort, repairing their + frail wigwams when winter approached, giving them skins for + moccasins and clothing, and sharing with them the choicest game + which the woods and the seasons afforded. Nor were these acts of + kindness bestowed exclusively on those of rank or reputation. On + the contrary, he made it his business to search out the humblest + objects of charity, and in a quick, unostentatious manner, + relieve their wants. + </p> + <p> + The moral and intellectual qualities of Tecumseh place him above + the age and the race in which his lot was cast. "From the + earliest period of his life," says Mr. Johnston, the late Indian + agent at Piqua, "Tecumseh was distinguished for virtue, for a + strict adherence to truth, honor, and integrity. He was + sober<span class="fnref"><a href="#Footnote_101">[101]</a></span> + and abstemious, never indulging in the use of liquor nor eating + to excess." Another respectable individual,<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_102">[102]</a></span> who resided for + near twenty years as a prisoner among the Shawanoes, and part of + that time in the family of Tecumseh, writes to us, "I know of no + <i>peculiarity</i> about him that gained him popularity. His + talents, rectitude of deportment, and friendly disposition, + commanded the respect and regard of all about him. In short, I + consider him a very great as well as a very good man, who, had he + enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, would have done + honor to any age or any nation." + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh had, however, no education, beyond that <a id="Page_226" + name="Page_226"></a><span class="page2">226</span> which the + traditions of his race, and his own power of observation and + reflection, afforded him. He rarely mingled with the whites, and + very seldom attempted to speak their language, of which his + knowledge was extremely limited and superficial. + </p> + <p> + When Burns, the poet, was suddenly transferred from his plough in + Ayrshire to the polished circles of Edinburg, his ease of manner, + and nice observance of the rules of good-breeding, excited much + surprise, and became the theme of frequent conversation. The same + thing has been remarked of Tecumseh: whether seated at the tables + of generals McArthur and Worthington, as he was during the + council at Chillicothe in 1807, or brought in contact with + British officers of the highest rank, his manners were entirely + free from vulgarity and coarseness: he was uniformly + self-possessed, and with the tact and ease of deportment which + marked the poet of the heart, and which are falsely supposed to + be the result of civilization and refinement only, he readily + accommodated himself to the novelties of his new position, and + seemed more amused than annoyed by them. + </p> + <p> + The humanity of his character has been already portrayed in the + pages of this work. His early efforts to abolish the practice of + burning prisoners—then common among the Indians—and + the merciful protection which he otherwise invariably showed to + captives, whether taken by himself or his companions, need no + commendation at our hands. Rising above the prejudices and + customs of his people, even when those prejudices and customs + were tacitly sanctioned by the officers and agents of Great + Britain, Tecumseh was never known to offer violence to prisoners, + nor to permit it in others. So strong was his sense of honor, and + so sensitive his feelings of humanity, on this point, that even + frontier women and children, throughout the wide space in which + his character was known, felt secure from the tomahawk of the + hostile Indians, if Tecumseh was in the camp. A striking instance + of this confidence is presented in the following anecdote. The + British and Indians were encamped near the river Raisin; and + while holding a talk within eighty or one hundred yards of Mrs. + Ruland's house, some Sauks and Winnebagoes <a id="Page_227" name= + "Page_227"></a><span class="page2">227</span> entered her + dwelling, and began to plunder it. She immediately sent her + little daughter, eight or nine years old, requesting Tecumseh to + come to her assistance. The child ran to the council house, and + pulling Tecumseh (who was then speaking) by the skirt of his + hunting-shirt, said to him, "Come to our house—there are + bad Indians there." Without waiting to close his speech, the + chief started for the house in a fast walk. On entering, he was + met by two or three Indians dragging a trunk towards the door: he + seized his tomahawk and levelled one of them at a blow: they + prepared for resistance, but no sooner did they hear the cry, + "dogs! I am Tecumseh!" than under the flash of his indignant eye, + they fled from the house: and "you," said Tecumseh, turning to + some British officers, "are <i>worse</i> than dogs, to break your + faith with prisoners." The officers expressed their regrets to + Mrs. Ruland, and offered to place a guard around the house: this + she declined, observing, that so long as that man, pointing to + Tecumseh, was near them, she felt safe.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_103">[103]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + Tecumseh entertained a high and proper sense of personal + character—was equally bold in defending his own conduct, + and condemning that which was reprehensible in others. In 1811, + he abandoned his intention of visiting the President, because he + was not permitted to march to Washington at the head of a party + of his warriors. As an officer in the British army, he never lost + sight of the dignity of his rank, nor suffered any act of + injustice towards those under his command to pass without + resenting it. On one occasion, while the combined British and + Indian forces were quartered at Malden, there was a scarcity of + provisions, the commissary's department being supplied with salt + beef only, which was issued to the British soldiers, while horse + flesh was given to the Indians. Upon learning this fact, Tecumseh + promptly called on general Proctor, remonstrated against the + injustice of the measure, and complained, indignantly, of the + insult thus offered to himself and his men. The British general + appeared indifferent to what was said; whereupon, the chief + <a id="Page_228" name="Page_228"></a><span class= + "page2">228</span> struck the hilt of Proctor's sword with his + hand, then touched the handle of his own tomahawk, and sternly + remarked, "You are Proctor—I am Tecumseh;" intimating, that + if justice was not done to the Indians, the affair must be + settled by a personal rencontre between the two commanders. + General Proctor prudently yielded the point.<span class= + "fnref"><a href="#Footnote_104">[104]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + But few of the numerous speeches made by Tecumseh have been + preserved. Tradition speaks in exalted terms of several efforts + of this kind, of which no record was made. All bore evidence of + the high order of his intellectual powers. They were uniformly + forcible, sententious and argumentative; always dignified, + frequently impassioned and powerful. He indulged neither in + sophism nor circumlocution, but with bold and manly frankness, + gave utterance to his honest opinions. Mr. Ruddell, who knew him + long and intimately, says, that "he was naturally eloquent, very + fluent, graceful in his gestures, but not in the habit of using + many; that there was neither vehemence nor violence in his style + of delivery, but that his eloquence always made a strong + impression on his hearers." Dr. Hunt, of Clark county, Ohio, has + remarked, that the first time he heard Henry Clay make a speech, + his manner reminded him, very forcibly, of that of Tecumseh, in + the council at Springfield, in the year 1807, on which occasion + he made one of his happiest efforts. + </p> + <p> + Our present minister to France, Mr. Cass, has said, with his + usual discrimination, that "the character of Tecumseh, in + whatever light it may be viewed, must be regarded as remarkable + in the highest degree. That he proved himself worthy of his rank + as a general officer in the army of his Britannic majesty, or + even of his reputation as a great warrior among all the Indians + of the north-west, is, indeed, a small title to distinction. + Bravery is a savage virtue, and the Shawanoes are a brave people: + too many of the American nation have ascertained this fact by + experience. His oratory speaks more for his genius. It was the + utterance of a great mind roused by the strongest motives of + which human <a id="Page_229" name="Page_229"></a><span class= + "page2">229</span> nature is susceptible; and developing a power + and a labor of reason, which commanded the admiration of the + civilized, as justly as the confidence and pride of the savage." + There was one subject, far better calculated than all others, to + call forth his intellectual energies, and exhibit the peculiar + fascination of his oratory. "When he spoke to his brethren on the + glorious theme that animated all his actions, his fine + countenance lighted up, his firm and erect frame swelled with + deep emotion, which his own stern dignity could scarcely repress; + every feature and gesture had its meaning, and language flowed + tumultuously and swiftly, from the fountains of his soul." + </p> + <p> + Another writer, Judge Hall, long resident in the west, and + devoted to the study of aboriginal history, has thus summed up + the character of this chief: + </p> + <p> + "At this period the celebrated Tecumseh appeared upon the scene. + He was called the Napoleon of the west; and so far as that title + was deserved by splendid genius, unwavering courage, untiring + perseverance, boldness of conception and promptitude of action, + it was fairly bestowed upon this accomplished savage. He rose + from obscurity to the command of a tribe to which he was alien by + birth. He was, by turns, the orator, the warrior and the + politician; and in each of these capacities, towered above all + with whom he came in contact. As is often the case with great + minds, one master passion filled his heart, prompted all his + designs, and gave to his life its character. This was hatred to + the whites, and, like Hannibal, he had sworn that it should be + perpetual. He entertained the same vast project of uniting the + scattered tribes of the west into one grand confederacy, which + had been acted on by King Philip and Little Turtle. He wished to + extinguish all distinctions of tribe and language, to bury all + feuds, and to combine the power and the prejudices of all, in + defence of the rights and possessions of the whole, as the + aboriginal occupants of the country." + </p> + <p> + It may be truly said, that what Hannibal was to the Romans, + Tecumseh became to the people of the United States. From his + boyhood to the hour when he fell, nobly battling for the rights + of his people, he fostered <a id="Page_230" name= + "Page_230"></a><span class="page2">230</span> an invincible + hatred to the whites. On one occasion, he was heard to declare, + that he could not look upon the face of a white man, without + feeling the flesh crawl upon his bones. This hatred was not + confined, however, to the Americans. Circumstances made him the + ally of the British, and induced him to fight under their + standard, but he neither loved nor respected them. He well + understood their policy; they could not deceive his sagacious + mind; he knew that their professions of regard for the Indians + were hollow, and that when instigating him and his people to + hostilities against the United States, the agents of Britain had + far less anxiety about the rights of the Indians, than the + injuries which, through their instrumentality, might be inflicted + upon the rising republic. This feeling towards the whites, and + especially to the people of the United States, had a deeper + foundation than mere prejudice or self-interest. Tecumseh was a + patriot, and his love of country made him a statesman and a + warrior. He saw his race driven from their native land, and + scattered like withered leaves in an autumnal blast; he beheld + their morals debased, their independence destroyed, their means + of subsistence cut off, new and strange customs introduced, + diseases multiplied, ruin and desolation around and among them; + he looked for the cause of these evils and believed he had found + it in the flood of white immigration which, having surmounted the + towering Alleghenies, was spreading itself over the hunting + grounds of Kentucky, and along the banks of the Scioto, the Miami + and the Wabash, whose waters, from time immemorial, had reflected + the smoke of the rude but populous villages of his ancestors. As + a statesman, he studied the subject, and, having satisfied + himself that justice was on the side of his countrymen, he tasked + the powers of his expansive mind, to find a remedy for the mighty + evil which threatened their total extermination. + </p> + <p> + The original, natural right of the Indians to the occupancy and + possession of their lands, has been recognized by the laws of + congress, and solemnly sanctioned by the highest judicial + tribunal of the United States. On this principle, there is no + disagreement between our <a id="Page_231" name= + "Page_231"></a><span class="page2">231</span> government and the + Indian nations by whom this country was originally + inhabited.<span class="fnref"><a href= + "#Footnote_105">[105]</a></span> + </p> + <p> + In the acquisition of these lands, however, our government has + held that its title was perfect when it had purchased of the + tribe in actual possession. It seems, indeed, to have gone + farther and admitted, that a tribe might acquire lands by + conquest which it did not occupy, as in the case of the Iroquois, + and sell the same to us; and, that the title thus acquired, would + be valid. Thus we have recognized the principles of international + law as operative between the Indians and us on this particular + point, while on some others, as in not <i>allowing</i> them to + sell to individuals, and giving them tracts used as hunting + grounds by other tribes beyond the Mississippi, we have treated + them as savage hordes, not sufficiently advanced in civilization + to be admitted into the family of nations. Our claim to forbid + their selling to individuals, and our guarantying to tribes who + would not sell to us in our corporate capacity, portions of + country occupied as hunting grounds, by more distant tribes, can + only be based on the right of discovery, taken in connection with + a right conferred by our superior civilization; and seems never + in fact to have been fully acknowledged by them. It was not, at + least, admitted by Tecumseh. His doctrine seems to have been that + we acquired no rights over the Indians or their country either by + discovery or superior civilization; and that the possession and + jurisdiction can only be obtained by conquest or negociation. In + regard to the latter, he held that purchase from a single tribe, + although at the time sojourners on the lands sold, was not valid + as it respected other tribes. That no particular portion of the + country belonged to the tribe then within its limits—though + in reference to other tribes, its title was perfect; that is, + possession excluded other tribes, and would exclude them forever; + but did not confer on the tribe having it, the right to sell the + soil to us; for that was the common property of all the tribes + who were near enough to occupy or hunt upon it, in the event of + its being at any time vacated, <a id="Page_232" name= + "Page_232"></a><span class="page2">232</span> and could only be + vacated by <i>the consent of the whole</i>. As a conclusion from + these premises, he insisted that certain sales made in the west + were invalid, and protested against new ones on any other than + his own principles. + </p> + <p> + It must be acknowledged that these views have much plausibility, + not to grant to them any higher merit. If the Indians had been in + a nomadic instead of a hunter state, and in summer had driven + their flocks to the Allegheny mountains—in winter to the + banks of the Wabash and Tennessee rivers, it could scarcely be + denied that each tribe would have had an interest in the whole + region between, and as much right as any other tribe to be heard + on a question of sale. The Indians were not shepherds, wandering + <i>with</i> their flocks of sheep and cattle in quest of new + pastures, but hunters, roaming after deer and bison, and changing + their location, as the pursuit from year to year, or from age to + age, might require. We do not perceive a difference in principle + in the two cases; and while we admit the difficulty of acquiring + their territory on the plan of Tecumseh, we feel bound also to + admit, that as far as its preservation to themselves was + concerned, his was the only effective method. + </p> + <p> + In its support he displayed in council the sound and logical + eloquence for which he was distinguished—in war the prowess + which raised him into the highest rank of Indian heroes. + </p> + <p> + At what period of his life he first resolved upon making an + effort to stop the progress of the whites west of the mountains, + is not certainly known. It was probably several years anterior to + the open avowal of his plan of union, which occurred in 1805 or + '6. The work before him was herculean in character, and beset + with difficulties on every side; but these only quickened into + more tireless activity his genius and his patriotic resolution. + To unite the tribes as he proposed, prejudices must be overcome, + their original manners and customs re-established, the use of + ardent spirits utterly abandoned, and finally, all intercourse + with the whites cut off. Here was a field for the display of the + highest moral and intellectual powers. He had already gained + <a id="Page_233" name="Page_233"></a><span class= + "page2">233</span> the reputation of a brave and sagacious + warrior, a cool headed, upright and wise counsellor. He was + neither a war nor a peace chief, and yet he wielded the power and + influence of both. The time had now arrived for action. To win + savage attention, some bold and striking movement was necessary. + He imparted his plan to his brother, a smart, cunning and pliable + fellow, who adroitly and quickly prepared himself for the part he + was appointed to play, in this great drama of savage life. + Tecumseh well understood, that excessive superstition is every + where a prominent trait in the Indian character, and readily + availed himself of it. Suddenly, his brother begins to dream + dreams, and see visions, he is an inspired Prophet, favored with + a divine commission from the Great Spirit; the power of life and + death is placed in his hands; he is the appointed agent for + preserving the property and lands of the Indians, and for + restoring them to their original, happy condition. He commences + his sacred work; the public mind is aroused; unbelief gradually + gives way; credulity and wild fanaticism begin to spread in + circles, widening and deepening until the fame of the Prophet, + and the divine character of his mission, have reached the frozen + shores of the lakes, and overrun the broad plains which stretch + far beyond the Mississippi. Pilgrims from remote tribes, seek, + with fear and trembling, the head-quarters of the mighty Prophet. + Proselytes are multiplied, and his followers increase in number. + Even Tecumseh becomes a believer, and, seizing upon the golden + opportunity, he mingles with the pilgrims, wins them by his + address, and, on their return, sends a knowledge of his plan of + concert and union to the most distant tribes. And now commenced + those bodily and mental labors of Tecumseh, which were never + intermitted for the space of five years. During the whole of this + period, we have seen that his life was one of ceaseless activity. + He traveled, he argued, he commanded: to-day, his persuasive + voice was listened to by the Wyandots, on the plains of + Sandusky—to-morrow, his commands were issued on the banks + of the Wabash—anon, he was paddling his bark canoe across + the Mississippi; now, boldly confronting the governor of Indiana + territory in the council-house <a id="Page_234" name= + "Page_234"></a><span class="page2">234</span> at Viacennes, and + now carrying his banner of union among the Creeks and Cherokees + of the south. He was neither intoxicated by success, nor + discouraged by failure; and, but for the desperate conflict at + Tippecanoe, would have established the most formidable and + extended combination of Indians, that has ever been witnessed on + this continent That he could have been successful in arresting + the progress of the whites, or in making the Ohio river the + boundary between them and the Indians of the north-west, even if + that battle had not been fought, is not to be supposed. The + ultimate failure of his plan was inevitable from the + circumstances of the case. The wonder is not that he did not + succeed, but that he was enabled to accomplish so much. His + genius should neither be tested by the magnitude of his scheme, + nor the failure in its execution, but by the extraordinary + success that crowned his patriotic labors. These labors were + suddenly terminated in the hour when the prospect of perfecting + the grand confederacy was brightest. By the battle of + Tippecanoe—fought in violation of his positive commands and + during his absence to the south,—the great object of his + ambition was frustrated, the golden bowl was broken at the + fountain; that ardent enthusiasm which for years had sustained + him, in the hour of peril and privation, was extinguished. His + efforts were paralyzed, but not his hostility to the United + States. He joined the standard of their enemy, and fought beneath + it with his wonted skill and heroism. At length the contest on + the Thames was at hand. Indignant at the want of courage or + military skill, which prompted the commander of the British + forces to shrink from meeting the American army on the shore of + lake Erie, he sternly refused to retreat beyond the Moravian + towns. There, at the head of his warriors, he took his stand, + resolved, as he solemnly declared, to be victorious, or leave his + body upon the field of battle, a prey to the wolf and the + vulture. The result has been told. The Thames is consecrated + forever, by the bones of the illustrious Shawanoe statesman, + warrior and patriot, which repose upon its bank. + </p> + <p> + In whatever aspect the genius and character of Tecumseh may be + viewed, they present the evidence of <a id="Page_235" name= + "Page_235"></a><span class="page2">235</span> his having been a + remarkable man; and, to repeat the language of a distinguished + statesman and general, who knew him long and intimately, who has + often met him in the council and on the field of battle, we may + venture to pronounce him, one of those uncommon geniuses which + spring up occasionally to produce revolutions, and overturn the + established order of things; and, who, but for the power of the + United States, would, perhaps, have been the founder of an empire + which would have rivalled that of Mexico or Peru. + </p> + <hr /> + <h2> + Footnotes + </h2> + <div class="note"> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_1" id="Footnote_1"></a>[1] History of the + Indian Tribes of North America, by James Hall and J. L. + McKinney, a valuable work, containing one hundred and twenty + richly colored portraits of Indian chiefs. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_2" id="Footnote_2"></a>[2] "This treaty," + says Voltaire, "was the first made between those people (the + Indians) and the Christians, that was not ratified with an + oath, and that was never broken." + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_3" id="Footnote_3"></a>[3] Proud's History of + Pennsylvania. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_4" id="Footnote_4"></a>[4] Colden. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_5" id="Footnote_5"></a>[5] Morse's Report. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_6" id="Footnote_6"></a>[6] I Vol. Trans. + Amer. Antiquarian Society. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_7" id="Footnote_7"></a>[7] The Shawanoes call + the Mohicans their <i>elder brother</i>, and the Delawares + their <i>grandfather</i>. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_8" id="Footnote_8"></a>[8] Chapman + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_9" id="Footnote_9"></a>[9] John Johnston. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_10" id="Footnote_10"></a>[10] Stephen + Ruddell's manuscript account of the Shawanoes, in possession of + the author. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_11" id="Footnote_11"></a>[11] John Johnston. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_12" id="Footnote_12"></a>[12] Mitchell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_13" id="Footnote_13"></a>[13] Mr. Duponceau. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_14" id="Footnote_14"></a>[14] Mr. Gallatin. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_15" id="Footnote_15"></a>[15] John Johnston. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_16" id="Footnote_16"></a>[16] General + Harrison considers the Shawanoes, Delawares and Miamis, as much + superior to the other tribes of the west. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_17" id="Footnote_17"></a>[17] Atlantic Ocean. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_18" id="Footnote_18"></a>[18] Heckewelder's + historical account of the Indians. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_19" id="Footnote_19"></a>[19] Clarkson's Life + of Penn. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_20" id="Footnote_20"></a>[20] Proud's History + of Pennsylvania. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_21" id="Footnote_21"></a>[21] Thatcher's + Indian Biography. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_22" id="Footnote_22"></a>[22] Official + Report, xii. vol., Niles Register. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_23" id="Footnote_23"></a>[23] Doddridge's + Indian Wars. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_24" id="Footnote_24"></a>[24] Amer. State + Papers, vol. 5, p. 529. Stone's Life of Brant, vol. 2, p.392. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_25" id="Footnote_25"></a>[25] History of the + Indian Tribes of N. America. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_26" id="Footnote_26"></a>[26] James Galloway. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_27" id="Footnote_27"></a>[27] Captain Rhea, + by common consent, was suspended for incapacity, and lieutenant + Ostrander was on the sick list. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_28" id="Footnote_28"></a>[28] The Indian + orthography of this name is Tecumthà, but the public have been + so long under a different impression, that no attempt has been + made in this work to restore the original reading. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_29" id="Footnote_29"></a>[29] Stephen + Ruddell's manuscript narrative. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_30" id="Footnote_30"></a>[30] John Johnston + and Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_31" id="Footnote_31"></a>[31] For this sketch + of Piqua, the author is chiefly indebted to his venerable + friend, Major James Galloway, of Xenia, Ohio. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_32" id="Footnote_32"></a>[32] Stephen + Ruddell's MS. account. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_33" id="Footnote_33"></a>[33] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_34" id="Footnote_34"></a>[34] A similar + statement is made in regard to the first battle of the + celebrated Red Jacket. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_35" id="Footnote_35"></a>[35] Stephen + Ruddell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_36" id="Footnote_36"></a>[36] Shane thinks + both thighs were broken, Ruddell says but one. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_37" id="Footnote_37"></a>[37] Stephen + Ruddell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_38" id="Footnote_38"></a>[38] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_39" id="Footnote_39"></a>[39] M'Donald, in + his interesting "Biographical Sketches," of some of the western + pioneers, says this "second line of tents" was on the lower + bottom of the creek and not on the opposite side of it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_40" id="Footnote_40"></a>[40] The father of + the late Major William Barr, for many years a citizen of + Cincinnati. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_41" id="Footnote_41"></a>[41] Or Big Fish, + the name by which Stephen Ruddell, then fighting with Tecumseh, + was called. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_42" id="Footnote_42"></a>[42] John Barr, + referred to in a preceding note. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_43" id="Footnote_43"></a>[43] For the + foregoing details of this little expedition, the author is + indebted to captain James Ward, of Mason county, Kentucky, who + commanded one of the detachments on this occasion. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_44" id="Footnote_44"></a>[44] Anthony Shane. + Stephen Ruddell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_45" id="Footnote_45"></a>[45] For this fact + see general Harrison's Address on the 50th Anniversary of the + first settlement of Ohio. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_46" id="Footnote_46"></a>[46] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_47" id="Footnote_47"></a>[47] James Galloway, + of Xenia. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_48" id="Footnote_48"></a>[48] Colonel John + M'Donald. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_49" id="Footnote_49"></a>[49] James Galloway. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_50" id="Footnote_50"></a>[50] In the + remaining pages of this work this person will be called the + Prophet, the name by which he is most generally known. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_51" id="Footnote_51"></a>[51] Quoted from + Dawson's Historical Narrative of the civil and military + services of William Henry Harrison. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_52" id="Footnote_52"></a>[52] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_53" id="Footnote_53"></a>[53] See Report of + Commissioners to governor Kirker, 22d Sept. 1807, published in + the United States Gazette, for that year. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_54" id="Footnote_54"></a>[54] John A. Fulton, + formerly mayor of Chillicothe, communicated by general James T. + Worthington. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_55" id="Footnote_55"></a>[55] Dr. Hunt. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_56" id="Footnote_56"></a>[56] Governor + Harrison's Correspondence with the War Department. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_57" id="Footnote_57"></a>[57] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_58" id="Footnote_58"></a>[58] Governor + Harrison's letters to the War Department. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_59" id="Footnote_59"></a>[59] General + Harrison's official correspondence—Dawson's Historical + Narrative. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_60" id="Footnote_60"></a>[60] Mr. Otway + Curry, in the Hesperian for May, 1838. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_61" id="Footnote_61"></a>[61] Published in + the Hesperian for July, 1838. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_62" id="Footnote_62"></a>[62] Dawson's + Historical Narrative. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_63" id="Footnote_63"></a>[63] In Marshall's + History of Kentucky, vol. 2. p. 482, there is a speech quoted + as having been delivered by Tecumseh at this council. We are + authorised, on the best authority, to say that it is a sheer + fabrication. No such speech was delivered by him at the + council. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_64" id="Footnote_64"></a>[64] Dawson's + Historical Narrative. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_65" id="Footnote_65"></a>[65] M'Afee's + History of the Late War. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_66" id="Footnote_66"></a>[66] Ibid. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_67" id="Footnote_67"></a>[67] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_68" id="Footnote_68"></a>[68] Book of the + Indians, by S.G. Drake. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_69" id="Footnote_69"></a>[69] James' Military + Occurrences of the Late War. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_70" id="Footnote_70"></a>[70] M'Affee. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_71" id="Footnote_71"></a>[71] M'Affee. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_72" id="Footnote_72"></a>[72] Major David + Gwynne, now of Cincinnati. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_73" id="Footnote_73"></a>[73] M'Affee. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_74" id="Footnote_74"></a>[74] Brown's History + of the Late War. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_75" id="Footnote_75"></a>[75] M'Affee. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_76" id="Footnote_76"></a>[76] The Chillicothe + Fredonian. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_77" id="Footnote_77"></a>[77] This letter is + from Mr. Wm. G. Ewing, formerly of Piqua, O., and is addressed, + under date of May 2d, 1818, to John H. James, Esq. now of + Urbana. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_78" id="Footnote_78"></a>[78] Niles' + Register. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_79" id="Footnote_79"></a>[79] Alden + Collection. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_80" id="Footnote_80"></a>[80] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_81" id="Footnote_81"></a>[81] Ibid. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_82" id="Footnote_82"></a>[82] Commodore + Barclay, who had lost an arm in some previous battle. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_83" id="Footnote_83"></a>[83] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_84" id="Footnote_84"></a>[84] Anthony Shane, + and colonel Baubee of the British army. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_85" id="Footnote_85"></a>[85] Official + Despatch. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_86" id="Footnote_86"></a>[86] Captain James + Davidson, of Kentucky.—See Cincinnati Republican. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_87" id="Footnote_87"></a>[87] Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_88" id="Footnote_88"></a>[88] Military + Occurrences of the Late War. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_89" id="Footnote_89"></a>[89] "Military + Occurrences of the Late War between Great Britain and the + United States, by William James, 2 vols. London, 1818." + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_90" id="Footnote_90"></a>[90] See James + Military Occurrences, and Anthony Shane's Narrative. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_91" id="Footnote_91"></a>[91] Cincinnati + Republican, 30th September, 1840 + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_92" id="Footnote_92"></a>[92] See Cincinnati + Republican, 30th September, 1840. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_93" id="Footnote_93"></a>[93] Dr. Theobald's + letter, dated 27th November, 1840, in possession of the author + of this work. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_94" id="Footnote_94"></a>[94] One of the aids + of general Harrison, and inspector-general of the United States + army, during the late war. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_95" id="Footnote_95"></a>[95] Early on the + 7th, general Harrison left the army under the command of + governor Shelby, and returned to Detroit. His report of the + battle, was dated on the 9th. The army did not reach Sandwich, + opposite Detroit, until the 10th. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_96" id="Footnote_96"></a>[96] See Louisville + Journal. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_97" id="Footnote_97"></a>[97] Jefferson's + Correspondence, vol. 10. p. 171. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_98" id="Footnote_98"></a>[98] The United + Service Journal—London. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_99" id="Footnote_99"></a>[99] North American + Review. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_100" id="Footnote_100"></a>[100] + Recollections of John Johnston, and Anthony Shane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_101" id="Footnote_101"></a>[101] Major James + Galloway, of Xenia, states, that on one occasion, while + Tecumseh was quite young, he saw him intoxicated. This is the + only aberration of the kind, which we have heard charged upon + him. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_102" id="Footnote_102"></a>[102] Mr. Stephen + Ruddell. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_103" id="Footnote_103"></a>[103] On the + authority of colonel John Ruland. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_104" id="Footnote_104"></a>[104] On the + authority of the Rev. Wm. H. Raper. + </p> + <p> + <a name="Footnote_105" id="Footnote_105"></a>[105] 6 Wheaton's + Reports, 515. + </p> + </div> + <h2 class="chp"> + THE END. + </h2> + <p> + <a id="Page_236" name="Page_236"></a><span class= + "page2">236</span> + </p> + <p> + <a id="Page_237" name="Page_237"></a><span class= + "page2">237</span> + </p> + <p> + E. MORGAN & CO. + </p> + <p> + BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS. + </p> + <p> + Publishers, Printers and Binders, + </p> + <p> + No. 131 Main Street, + </p> + <p> + Cincinnati. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + They have in their Printing establishment a careful and + experienced Superintendent, and five POWER PRESSES in good order, + propelled by water, each of which can throw off daily, five + thousand impressions; and have also superior facilities for + drying and pressing sheets as fast as printed. + </p> + <p> + The style of Printing done on their Power Presses can be seen by + examining Judge M'Lean's Reports, Howard's Reports, Cincinnati in + 1841, and the Life of Tecumseh;—the Eclectic Series of + School Books, and Music books, published by Truman & + Smith;—the Family Magazine, a large 8vo. with many plates, + and the Political Text-book, a small 32mo., published by J.A. + James &, Co.;—the Farmer and Gardener, the Texian + Emigrant, and Watts' Psalms and Hymns, published by George + Conclin. + </p> + <p> + E.M. & Co. have also an extensive BINDERY, with a first rate + Ruling Machine, under the charge of a skillful workman; and, in + addition to binding and re-binding books in any manner that may + be wanted, are prepared to make every description of BLANK BOOKS, + ruled to any pattern, and bound in the neatest and most + substantial manner. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Life of Tecumseh, and of His Brother the Prophet + With a Historical Sketch of the Shawanoe Indians + + +Author: Benjamin Drake + +Release Date: April 8, 2005 [eBook #15581] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF TECUMSEH, AND OF HIS +BROTHER THE PROPHET*** + + +E-text prepared by Wallace McLean, Leonard Johnson, and the Project +Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net) + + + +LIFE OF TECUMSEH, AND OF HIS BROTHER THE PROPHET; + +With a Historical Sketch of the Shawanoe Indians + +by + +BENJAMIN DRAKE + +Author of _The Life of Black Hawk_, _Tales from the Queen City_, &c. &c. + +Cincinnati: +Printed and Published by E. Morgan & Co. +Stereotyped by J.A. James, +Cincinnati. + +1841 + + + + + + + +PREFACE + + +Many years have elapsed since the author of this volume determined to +write the life of TECUMSEH and of his brother the PROPHET, and actually +commenced the collection of the materials for its accomplishment. From +various causes, the completion of the task has been postponed until the +present time. This delay, however, has probably proved beneficial to +the work, as many interesting incidents in the lives of these +individuals are now embraced in its pages, which could not have been +included had it been put to press at an earlier period. + +In the preparation of this volume, the author's attention was drawn, to +some extent, to the history of the Shawanoe tribe of Indians: and he +has accordingly prefixed to the main work, a brief historical narrative +of this wandering and warlike nation, with biographical sketches of +several of its most distinguished chiefs. + +The author is under lasting obligations to a number of gentlemen +residing in different sections of the country, for the substantial +assistance which they have kindly afforded him in the collection of the +matter embraced in this volume. Other sources of information have not, +however, been neglected. All the histories, magazines and journals +within the reach of the author, containing notices of the subjects of +this memoir, have been carefully consulted. By application at the +proper department at Washington, copies of the numerous letters written +by general Harrison to the Secretary of War in the years 1808, '9, '10, +'11, '12 and '13, were obtained, and have been found of much value in +the preparation of this work. As governor of Indiana territory, +superintendant of Indian affairs, and afterwards commander-in-chief of +the north-western army, the writer of those letters possessed +opportunities of knowing Tecumseh and the Prophet enjoyed by no other +individuals. + +In addition to these several sources of information, the author has +personally, at different times, visited the frontiers of Ohio and +Indiana, for the purpose of conversing with the Indians and the +pioneers of that region, who happened to be acquainted with Tecumseh +and his brother; and by these visits, has been enabled to enrich his +narrative with some amusing and valuable anecdotes. + +In the general accuracy of his work the author feels considerable +confidence: in its merit, as a literary production, very little. Every +line of it having been written while suffering under the depressing +influence of ill health, he has only aimed at a simple narrative style, +without any reference to the graces of a polished composition. B.D. + +Cincinnati, 1841. + + + + +CONTENTS. + +HISTORY OF THE SHAWANOE INDIANS + +CATAHECASSA, or BLACK-HOOF + +CORNSTALK + +SPEMICA-LAWBA, the HIGH HORN; or, CAPTAIN LOGAN + + + +THE LIFE OF TECUMSEH. + +CHAPTER I. + +Parentage of Tecumseh--his sister Tecumapease--his brother Cheeseekan, +Sauweeseekau, Nehasseemo, Tenskwautawa or the Prophet, and +Kumakauka + +CHAPTER II. + +Birth place of Tecumseh--destruction of the Piqua village--early habits +of Tecumseh--his first battle--effort to abolish the burning of +prisoners--visits the Cherokees in the south--engages in several +battles--returns to Ohio in the autumn of 1790 + +CHAPTER III. + +Tecumseh attacked near Big Rock by some whites under Robert +M'Clelland--severe battle with some Kentuckians on the East Fork of the +Little Miami--attack upon Tecumseh in 1793, on the waters of Paint +creek--Tecumseh present at the attack on fort Recovery in +1794--participates in the battle of the Rapids of the Maumee, in +1794 + +CHAPTER IV. + +Tecumseh's skill as a hunter--declines attending the treaty of +Greenville in 1796--in 1796 removed to Great Miami--in 1798 joined a +party of Delawares on White river, Indiana--in 1799 attended a council +between the whites and Indians near Urbana--another at Chillicothe in +1803--makes an able speech--removes with the Prophet to Greenville, in +1805--the latter commences prophecying--causes the death of Teteboxti, +Patterson, Coltos, and Joshua--governor Harrison's speech to the +Prophet to arrest these murderers--effort of Wells the U.S. Indian +agent to prevent Tecumseh and the Prophet from assembling the Indians +at Greenville--Tecumseh's speech in reply--he attends a council at +Chillicothe--speech on that occasion--council at Springfield--Tecumseh +principal speaker and actor + +CHAPTER V. + +Governor Harrison's address to the Shawanoe chiefs at Greenville--the +Prophet's reply--his influence felt among the remote tribes--he is +visited in 1808 by great numbers of Indians--Tecumseh and the Prophet +remove to Tippecanoe--the latter sends a speech to governor +Harrison--makes him a visit at Vincennes + +CHAPTER VI. + +Tecumseh visits the Wyandots--governor Harrison's letter about the +Prophet to the Secretary of War--British influence over the +Indians--Tecumseh burns governor Harrison's letter to the chiefs--great +alarm in Indiana, in consequence of the assemblage of the Indians at +Tippecanoe--death of Leatherlips, a Wyandot chief, on a charge of +witchcraft + +CHAPTER VII. + +Governor Harrison makes another effort to ascertain the designs of +Tecumseh and the Prophet--Tecumseh visits the governor at Vincennes, +attended by four hundred warriors--a council is held--Tecumseh becomes +deeply excited, and charges governor Harrison with falsehood--council +broken up in disorder--renewed the next day + +CHAPTER VIII. + +Alarm on the frontier continues--a Muskoe Indian killed at +Vincennes--governor Harrison sends a pacific speech to Tecumseh and the +Prophet--the former replies to it--in July Tecumseh visits governor +Harrison at Vincennes--disavows any intention of making war upon the +whites--explains his object in forming a union among the +tribes--governor Harrison's opinion of Tecumseh and the Prophet--murder +of the Deaf Chief--Tecumseh visits the southern Indians + +CHAPTER IX. + +Governor Harrison applies to the War Department for troops to maintain +peace on the frontiers--battle of Tippecanoe on the 7th of +November--its influence on the Prophet and his followers + +CHAPTER X. + +Tecumseh returns from the south--proposes to visit the President, but +declines, because not permitted to go to Washington at the head of a +party--attends a council at fort Wayne--proceeds to Malden and joins +the British--governor Harrison's letter to the War Department relative +to the north-west tribes + +CHAPTER XI. + +Tecumseh participates in the battle of Brownstown--commands the Indians +in the action near Maguaga--present at Hull's surrender--general Brock +presents him his military sash--attack on Chicago brought about by +Tecumseh + +CHAPTER XII. + +Siege of fort Meigs--Tecumseh commands the Indians--acts with +intrepidity--rescues the American prisoners from the tomahawk and +scalping knife, after Dudley's defeat--reported agreement between +Proctor and Tecumseh, that general Harrison, if taken prisoner, should +be delivered to the latter to be burned + +CHAPTER XIII. + +Tecumseh present at the second attack on fort Meigs--his stratagem of a +sham-battle to draw out general Clay--is posted in the Black Swamp with +two thousand warriors at the time of the attack on fort +Stephenson--from thence passes by land to Malden--compels general +Proctor to release an American prisoner--threatens to desert the +British cause--urges an attack upon the American fleet--opposes +Proctor's retreat from Malden--delivers a speech to him on that +occasion + +CHAPTER XIV. + +Retreat of the combined British and Indian army to the river +Thames--skirmish at Chatham with the troops under general +Harrison--Tecumseh slightly wounded in the arm--battle on the Thames on +the 5th of October--Tecumseh's death + +CHAPTER XV. + +Critical examination of the question "who killed Tecumseh?"--colonel +R.M. Johnson's claim considered + +CHAPTER XVI. + +Mr. Jefferson's opinion of the Prophet--brief sketch of his +character--anecdotes of Tecumseh--a review of the great principles of +his plan of union among the tribes--general summary of his life and +character + + + + +HISTORY + +OF THE + +SHAWANOE INDIANS. + + +There is a tradition among the Shawanoes, in regard to their origin, +which is said to be peculiar to that tribe. While most of the +aborigines of this country believe that their respective races came out +of holes in the earth at different places on this continent, the +Shawanoes alone claim, that their ancestors once inhabited a foreign +land; but having determined to leave it, they assembled their people +and marched to the sea shore. Here, under the guidance of a leader of +the Turtle tribe, one of their twelve original subdivisions, they +walked into the sea, the waters of which immediately parted, and they +passed in safety along the bottom of the ocean, until they reached this +island.[A] + +[Footnote A: History of the Indian Tribes of North America, by James +Hall and J. L. McKinney, a valuable work, containing one hundred and +twenty richly colored portraits of Indian chiefs.] + +The Shawanoes have been known by different names. The Iroquois, +according to Colden's history of the "Five Nations," gave them the +appellation of Satanas. The Delawares, says Gallatin, in his synopsis +of the Indian tribes, call them Shawaneu, which means _southern_. The +French writers mention them under the name of Chaouanons; and +occasionally they are denominated Massawomees. + +The orthography of the word by which they are generally designated, is +not very well settled. It has been written Shawanos, Sawanos, Shawaneu, +Shawnees and Shawanoes, which last method of spelling the word, will be +followed in the pages of this work. + +The original seats of the Shawanoes have been placed in different +sections of the country. This has doubtless been owing to their very +erratic disposition. Of their history, prior to the year 1680, but +little is known. The earliest mention of them by any writer whose work +has fallen under our observation, was in the beginning of the +seventeenth century. Mr. Jefferson, in his "Notes on Virginia," says +that when captain John Smith first arrived in America a fierce war was +raging against the allied Mohicans, residing on Long Island, and the +Shawanoes on the Susquehanna, and to the westward of that river, by the +Iroquois. Captain Smith first landed on this continent in April, 1607. +In the following year, 1608, he penetrated down the Susquehanna to the +mouth of it, where he met six or seven of their canoes, filled with +warriors, about to attack their enemy in the rear. De Laet, in 1632, in +his enumeration of the different tribes, on either side of the Delaware +river, mentions the Shawanoes.--Charlevoix speaks of them under the +name of Chaouanons, as neighbors and allies in 1672, of the Andastes, +an Iroquois tribe, living south of the Senecas. Whether any of the +Shawanoes were present at the treaty[A] made in 1682, under the +celebrated Kensington elm, between William Penn and the Indians, does +not positively appear from any authorities before us; that such, +however, was the fact, may be fairly inferred, from the circumstance +that at a conference between the Indians and governor Keith, in 1722, +the Shawanoes exhibited a copy of this treaty written on parchment. + +[Footnote A: "This treaty," says Voltaire, "was the first made between +those people (the Indians) and the Christians, that was not ratified +with an oath, and that was never broken."] + +To the succeeding one made at Philadelphia, in February, 1701, the +Shawanoes were parties, being represented on that occasion, by their +chiefs, Wopatha, Lemoytungh and Pemoyajagh.[A] More than fifty years +afterward, a manuscript copy of this treaty of commerce and friendship, +was in the possession of the Shawanoes of Ohio, and was exhibited by +them. In 1684, the Iroquois, when complained of by the French for +having attacked the Miamis, justified their conduct on the-ground, that +they had invited the Santanas (Shawanoes) into the country, for the +purpose of making war upon them.[B] The Sauks and Foxes, whose +residence was originally on the St. Lawrence, claim the Shawanoes as +belonging to the same stock with themselves, and retain traditional +accounts of their emigration to the south.[C] In the "History of the +Indian Tribes of North America," when speaking of the Shawanoes, the +authors say, "their manners, customs and language indicate a northern +origin; and, upwards of two centuries ago, they held the country south +of Lake Erie. They were the first tribe which felt the force and +yielded to the superiority of the Iroquois. Conquered by these, they +migrated to the south, and from fear or favor, were allowed to take +possession of a region upon the Savannah river; but what part of that +stream, whether in Georgia or Florida, is not known; it is presumed the +former." Mr. Gallatin speaks of the final defeat of the Shawanoes and +their allies, in a war with the Five Nations, as having taken place in +the year 1672. This same writer, who has carefully studied the language +of the aborigines, considers the Shawanoes as belonging to the Lenape +tribes of the north. From these various authorities, it is apparent +that the Shawanoes belonged originally to the Algonkin-Lenape nation; +and that during the three first quarters of the seventeenth century, +they were found in eastern Pennsylvania, on the St. Lawrence, and the +southern shore of Lake Erie; and generally at war with some of the +neighboring tribes. Whether their dispersion, which is supposed to have +taken place about the year 1672, drove them all to the south side of +the Ohio, does not very satisfactorily appear. + +[Footnote A: Proud's History of Pennsylvania.] + +[Footnote B: Colden.] + +[Footnote C: Morse's Report.] + +Subsequently to this period, the Shawanoes were found on the Ohio river +below the Wabash, in Kentucky, Georgia and the Carolinas. Lawson, in +his history of Carolina in 1708, speaks of the Savanoes, removing from +the Mississippi to one of the rivers of South Carolina. Gallatin quotes +an authority which sustains Lawson, and which establishes the fact that +at a very early period in the history of the south, there was a +Shawanoe settlement on the head waters of the Catawba or Santee, and +probably of the Yadkin. From another authority it appears, that for a +time the Shawanoes had a station on the Savannah river, above Augusta; +and Adair, who refers to the war between the Shawanoes and Cherokees, +saw a body of the former in the wilderness, who, after having wandered +for some time in the woods, were then returning to the Creek country. +According to John Johnston,[A] a large party of the Shawanoes, who +originally lived north of the Ohio, had for some cause emigrated as far +south as the Suwanoe river, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico. From +thence they returned, under the direction of a chief named Black Hoof, +about the middle of the last century, to Ohio. It is supposed that this +tribe gave name to the Suwanoe river, in 1750, by which name the +Cumberland was also known, when Doctor Walker, (of Virginia) visited +Kentucky. + +[Footnote A: I Vol. Trans. Amer. Antiquarian Society.] + +Of the causes which led the Shawanoes to abandon the south, but little +is known beyond what may be gleaned from their traditions. Heckewelder, +in his contributions to the American Philosophical Society, says, "they +were a restless people, delighting in wars, in which they were +constantly engaged with some of the surrounding nations. At last their +neighbors, tired of being continually harassed by them, formed a league +for their destruction. The Shawanoes finding themselves thus +dangerously situated, asked to be permitted to leave the country, which +was granted to them; and they immediately removed to the Ohio. Here +their main body settled, and then sent messengers to their elder +brother,[A] the Mohicans, requesting them to intercede for them with +their grandfather, the Lenni Lenape, to take them under his protection. +This the Mohicans willingly did, and even sent a body of their own +people to conduct their younger brother into the country of the +Delawares. The Shawanoes finding themselves safe under the protection +of their grandfather, did not choose to proceed to the eastward, but +many of them remained on the Ohio, some of whom settled as far up that +river as the long island, above which the French afterwards built fort +Duquesne, on the spot where Pittsburg now stands. Those who proceeded +farther, were accompanied by their chief, named Gachgawatschiqua, and +settled principally at and about the forks of the Delaware, between +that and the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill; and some, even +on the spot where Philadelphia now stands; others were conducted by the +Mohicans into their own country, where they intermarried with them and +became one people. When those settled near the Delaware had multiplied, +they returned to Wyoming on the Susquehannah, where they resided for a +great number of years." + +[Footnote A: The Shawanoes call the Mohicans their _elder brother_, and +the Delawares their _grandfather_.] + +Chapman, in his history of Wyoming, states, that after the Shawanoes +were driven from Georgia and Florida, they built a town at the mouth of +the Wabash, and established themselves in it. They then applied to the +Delawares for some territory on which to reside. When granted, a +council was held to consider the propriety of accepting the offer of +the Delawares. On this question the Shawanoes divided--part of them +remained on the Wabash,--the others, composing chiefly the Piqua tribe, +formed a settlement in the forks of the Delaware. Alter a time, a +disagreement arose between them and the Delawares, which induced the +former to remove to the valley of the Wyoming, on the Susquehannah, on +the west bank of which they built a town, and lived in repose many +years. Subsequently to the treaty held at Philadelphia, in 1742, +between the governor and the Six Nations, the Delawares were driven +from that part of Pennsylvania; and a portion of them also removed to +the Wyoming valley, then in possession of the Shawanoes, and secured +the quiet occupancy of a part of it; built a town on the east bank of +the river, which they called Waughwauwame, where they lived for some +time, on terms of amity with their new neighbors. + +During the summer of 1742, count Zinzendorf of Saxony, came to America +on a religious mission, connected with the ancient church of the United +Brethren. Having heard of the Shawanoes at Wyoming, he determined to +make an effort to introduce Christianity among them. He accordingly +made them a visit, but did not meet with a cordial reception. The +Shawanoes supposed that the missionary was in pursuit of their lands; +and a party of them determined to assassinate him privately, for fear +of exciting other Indians to hostility. The attempt upon his life was +made, but strangely defeated. Chapman relates the manner of it, which +he obtained from a companion of the count, who did not publish it in +his memoirs, lest the United Brethren might suppose that the subsequent +conversion of the Shawanoes was the result of their superstition. It is +as follows: + +"Zinzendorf was alone in his tent, seated upon a bundle of dry weeds, +which composed his bed, and engaged in writing, when the assassins +approached to execute their bloody commission. It was night, and the +cool air of September had rendered a small fire necessary for his +comfort and convenience. A curtain, formed of a blanket, and hung upon +pins, was the only guard to his tent. The heat of this small fire had +aroused a large rattlesnake, which lay in the weeds not far from it; +and the reptile, to enjoy it the more effectually, had crawled slowly +into the tent, and passed over one of his legs, undiscovered. Without, +all was still and quiet, except the gentle murmur of the river, at the +rapids about a mile below. At this moment, the Indians softly +approached the door of his tent and slightly removing the curtain, +contemplated the venerable man, too deeply engaged in the subject of +his thoughts to notice either their approach, or the snake which lay +before him. At a sight like this, even the heart of the savages shrunk +from the idea of committing so horrid an act; and, quitting the spot, +they hastily returned to the town, and informed their companions, that +the Great Spirit protected the white man, for they had found him with +no door but a blanket, and had seen a large rattlesnake crawl over his +legs without attempting to injure him. This circumstance, together with +the arrival soon afterwards of Conrad Weizer, the interpreter, procured +the count the friendship of the Indians, and probably induced some of +them to embrace Christianity." + +When the war between the French and the English occurred in 1754, the +Shawanoes on the Ohio took sides with the former; but the appeal to +those residing at Wyoming to do the same, was ineffectual. The +influence of the count's missionary efforts had made them averse to +war. But an event which happened soon afterward, disturbed the peace of +their settlement, and finally led to their removal from the valley. +Occasional difficulties of a transient nature, had arisen between the +Delawares and the Shawanoes at Wyoming. An unkind feeling, produced by +trifling local causes, had grown up between the two tribes. At length a +childish dispute about the possession of a harmless grasshopper, +brought on a bloody battle; and a final separation of the two parties +soon followed. One day, while most of the Delaware men were absent on a +hunting excursion, the women of that tribe went out to gather wild +fruits on the margin of the river, below their village. Here they met a +number of Shawanoe women and their children, who had crossed the stream +in their canoes, and were similarly engaged. One of the Shawanoe +children having caught a large grasshopper, a dispute arose with some +of the Delaware children, in regard to the possession of it. In this +quarrel, as was natural, the mothers soon became involved. The Delaware +women contended for the possession of the grasshopper on the ground +that the Shawanoes possessed no privileges on that side of the river. A +resort to violence ensued, and the Shawanoe women being in the +minority, were speedily driven to their canoes, and compelled to seek +safety by flight to their own bank of the stream. Here the matter +rested until the return of the hunters, when the Shawanoes, in order to +avenge the indignity offered to their women, armed themselves for +battle. When they attempted to cross the river, they found the +Delawares duly prepared to receive them and oppose their landing. The +battle commenced while the Shawanoes were still in their canoes, but +they at length effected a landing, which was followed by a general and +destructive engagement. The Shawanoes having lost a number of their +warriors before reaching the shore, were too much weakened to sustain +the battle for any length of time. After the loss of nearly one half +their party, they were compelled to fly to their own side of the river. +Many of the Delawares were killed. Shortly after this disastrous +contest, the Shawanoes quietly abandoned their village, and removed +westward to the banks of the Ohio.[A] + +[Footnote A: Chapman] + +After the Shawanoes of Pennsylvania had fallen back upon the waters of +the Ohio, they spread themselves from the Alleghenies as far westward +as the Big Miami. One of their villages was seventeen miles below +Pittsburg: it was called Log's Town, and was visited by Croghan, in +1765. Another, named Lowertown, also visited by the same traveler, +stood just below the mouth of the Scioto. It was subsequently carried +away by a great flood in that river, which overflowed the site of the +town, and compelled the Indians to escape in their canoes. They +afterwards built a new town on the opposite side of the river, but soon +abandoned it, and removed to the plains of the Scioto and Paint creek, +where they established themselves, on the north fork of the latter +stream. They had also several other villages of considerable size in +the Miami valley. One was "Chillicothe," standing near the mouth of +Massie's creek, three miles north of Xenia. Another, called Piqua, and +memorable as the birth place of TECUMSEH, the subject of our present +narrative, stands upon the north-west side of Mad river, about seven +miles below Springfield, in Clark county. Both of these villages were +destroyed in 1780, by an expedition from Kentucky, under the command of +general George Rogers Clark. + +After the peace of 1763, the Miamis having removed from the Big Miami +river, a body of Shawanoes established themselves at Lower and Upper +Piqua, in Miami county, which places, being near together, became their +great head-quarters in Ohio. Here they remained until driven off by the +Kentuckians; when they crossed over to the St. Mary's and to +Wapakanotta. The Upper Piqua is said to have contained, at one period, +near four thousand Shawanoes.[A] + +[Footnote A: John Johnston.] + +From the geographical location of the Shawanoes, it will be perceived +that they were placed under circumstances which enabled them, with +great facility, to annoy the early settlements in Kentucky; and to +attack the emigrants descending the Ohio. In this fierce border war, +which was waged upon the whites for a number of years, and oftentimes +with extreme cruelty, the Delawares, Wyandots, Mingoes and Miamis, +united: the Shawanoes, however, were by far the most warlike and +troublesome. + +The Shawanoes were originally divided into twelve tribes or bands, each +of which was sub-divided into families, known as the Eagle, the Turtle, +the Panther, &c., these animals constituting their _totems_. Of these +twelve, the names of but four tribes are preserved, the rest having +become extinct, or incorporated with them. They are, 1st. the +Mequachake,--2d. the Chillicothe,--3d. the Kiskapocoke,--4th. the +Piqua. When in council, one of these tribes is assigned to each of the +four sides of the council-house, and during the continuance of the +deliberations, the tribes retain their respective places. They claim to +have the power of distinguishing, at sight, to which tribe an +individual belongs; but to the casual observer, there are no visible +shades of difference. In each of the four tribes, except the +Mequachake, the chiefs owe their authority to merit, but in the last +named, the office is hereditary. Of the origin of the Piqua tribe, the +following tradition has been recited:[A] "In ancient times, the +Shawanoes had occasion to build a large fire, and after it was burned +down, a great puffing and blowing was heard, when up rose a man from +the ashes!--hence the name Piqua, which means a man coming out of the +ashes." Mequachake, signifies a perfect man. To this tribe the +priesthood is confided. The members, or rather certain individuals of +it, are alone permitted to perform the sacrifices and other religious +ceremonies of the tribe.[B] The division of the tribe into bands or +totems, is not peculiar to the Shawanoes, but is common to several +other nations. One of the leading causes of its institution, was the +prohibition of marriage between those related in a remote degree of +consanguinity. Individuals are not at liberty to change their totems, +or disregard the restraint imposed by it on intermarriages. It is +stated in Tanner's narrative, that the Indians hold it to be criminal +for a man to marry a woman whose totem is the same as his own; and they +relate instances where young men, for a violation of this rule, have +been put to death by their nearest relatives. Loskiel, in his history +of the Moravian missions, says, the Delawares and Iroquois never marry +near relatives. According to their own account, the Indian nations were +divided into tribes for the sole purpose, that no one might, either +through temptation or mistake, marry a near relation, which is now +scarcely possible, for whoever intends to marry must take a person of a +different totem. Another reason for the institution of these totems, +may be found in their influence on the social relations of the tribe, +in softening private revenge, and preserving peace. Gallatin, on the +information derived from a former Indian agent[C] among the Creeks, +says, "according to the ancient custom, if an offence was committed by +one or another member of the same clan, the compensation to be made, on +account of the injury, was regulated in an amicable way by the other +members of the clan. Murder was rarely expiated in any other way than +by the death of the murderer; the nearest male relative of the deceased +was the executioner; but this being done, as under the authority of the +clan, there was no further retaliation. If the injury was committed by +some one of another clan, it was not the injured party, but the clan to +which he belonged, that asked for reparation. This was rarely refused +by the clan of the offender; but in case of refusal, the injured clan +had a right to do itself justice, either by killing the offender, in +case of murder, or inflicting some other punishment for lesser +offences. This species of private war, was, by the Creeks, called, 'to +take up the sticks;' because, the punishment generally consisted in +beating the offender. At the time of the annual corn-feast, the sticks +were laid down, and could not be again taken up for the same offence. +But it seems that originally there had been a superiority among some of +the clans. That of the Wind, had the right to take up the sticks four +times, that of the Bear twice, for the same offence; whilst those of +the Tiger, of the Wolf, of the Bird, of the Root, and of two more whose +names I do not know, could raise them but once. It is obvious that the +object of the unknown legislation, was to prevent or soften the effects +of private revenge, by transferring the power and duty from the blood +relatives to a more impartial body. The father and his brothers, by the +same mother, never could belong to the same clan, as their son or +nephew, whilst the perpetual changes, arising from intermarriages with +women of a different clan, prevented their degenerating into distinct +tribes; and checked the natural tendency towards a subdivision of the +nation into independent communities. The institution may be considered +as the foundation of the internal policy, and the basis of the social +state of the Indians." + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell's manuscript account of the Shawanoes, in +possession of the author.] + +[Footnote B: John Johnston.] + +[Footnote C: Mitchell.] + +One mode of ascertaining the origin of the Indian tribes, and of +determining their relation to each other, as well as to other races of +mankind, is the study of their language. This has, at different times, +engaged the attention of several able philologists, who have done much +to analyze the Indian languages, and to arrange in systematic order, +the numerous dialects of this erratic people. The results of the +investigation of one[A] of the most learned and profound of these +individuals, may be summed up in the three following propositions: + +1. "That the American languages in general, are rich in words and in +grammatical forms, and that in their complicated construction, the +greatest order, method and regularity prevail. + +2. "That these complicated forms, which I call _poly synthetic,_ appear +to exist in all those languages, from Greenland to Cape Horn. + +3. "That these forms appear to differ essentially from those of the +ancient and modern languages of the old hemisphere." + +[Footnote A: Mr. Duponceau.] + +In a late learned dissertation[A] on this subject, it is stated that in +nearly the whole territory contained in the United States, and in +British and Russian America, there are only eight great families, each +speaking a distinct language, subdivided in many instances, into a +number of dialects belonging to the same stock. These are the Eskimaux, +the Athapascas (or Cheppeyans,) the Black Feet, the Sioux, the +Algonkin-Lenape, the Iroquois, the Cherokee, and the Mobilian or +Chahta-Muskhog. The Shawanoes belong to the Algonkin-Lenape family, and +speak a dialect of that language. It bears a strong affinity to the +Mohican and the Chippeway, but more especially the Kickapoo. Valuable +vocabularies of the Shawanoe language have been given by Johnston and +by Gallatin in their contributions to the American Antiquarian Society, +which may be consulted by those disposed to prosecute the study of this +subject. + +[Footnote A: Mr. Gallatin.] + +The Shawanoes have been known since the first discovery of this +country, as a restless, wandering people, averse to the pursuits of +agriculture, prone to war and the chase. They have, within that period, +successively occupied the southern shore of lake Erie, the banks of the +Ohio and Mississippi, portions of Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, +Kentucky, and eastern Pennsylvania; then again the plains of Ohio, and +now the small remnant of them that remains, are established west of +Missouri and Arkansas. They have been involved in numerous bloody wars +with other tribes; and for near half a century, resisted with a bold, +ferocious spirit, and an indomitable hatred, the progress of the white +settlements in Pennsylvania, western Virginia, and especially Kentucky. +The Shawanoes have declined more rapidly in numbers[A] than any other +tribe of Indians known to the whites. This has been, and we suppose +justly, attributed to their wandering habits and their continual wars. +Although one of their villages is said once to have contained four +thousand souls, their present number does not exceed eighteen hundred. +They have ever been considered a courageous, powerful and faithless +race; who hare claimed for themselves a pre-eminence not only over +other tribes, but also over the whites.[B] Their views in regard to +this superiority were briefly set forth by one of their chiefs at a +convention held at fort Wayne, in 1803. + +[Footnote A: John Johnston.] + +[Footnote B: General Harrison considers the Shawanoes, Delawares and +Miamis, as much superior to the other tribes of the west.] + +"The Master of Life," said he, "who was himself an Indian, made the +Shawanoes before any other of the human race; and they sprang from his +brain: he gave them all the knowledge he himself possessed, and placed +them upon the great island, and all the other red people are descended +from the Shawanoes. After he had made the Shawanoes, he made the French +and English out of his breast, the Dutch out of his feet, and the +long-knives out of his hands. All these inferior races of men he made +white and placed them beyond the stinking lake.[A] + +"The Shawanoes for many ages continued to be masters of the continent, +using the knowledge they had received from the Great Spirit in such a +manner as to be pleasing to him, and to secure their own happiness. In +a great length of time, however, they became corrupt, and the Master of +Life told them that he would take away from them the knowledge which +they possessed, and give it to the white people, to be restored, when +by a return to good principles they would deserve it. Many ages after +that, they saw something white approaching their shores; at first they +took it for a great bird, but they soon found it to be a monstrous +canoe filled with the very people who had got the knowledge which +belonged to the Shawanoes. After these white people landed, they were +not content with having the knowledge which belonged to the Shawanoes, +but they usurped their lands also; they pretended, indeed, to have +purchased these lands; but the very goods they gave for them, were more +the property of the Indians than the white people, because the +knowledge which enabled them to manufacture these goods actually +belonged to the Shawanoes: but these things will soon have an end. The +Master of Life is about to restore to the Shawanoes both their +knowledge and their rights, and he will trample the long knives under +his feet." + +[Footnote A: Atlantic Ocean.] + +It has been already stated that, for a series of years, the several +tribes of Indians residing in the territory now forming the state of +Ohio, made violent opposition to the settlement of the whites, west of +the Alleghanies. Among the most formidable of these were the Shawanoes. +The emigrants, whether male or female, old or young, were every where +met by the torch, the tomahawk and the scalping-knife. The war-cry of +the savage was echoed from shore to shore of the beautiful Ohio, whose +waters were but too often reddened with the blood of women and +children. Many of those who escaped the perils of the river, and had +reared their log-cabins amid the cane-brakes of Kentucky, were doomed +to encounter the same ruthless foe, and fell victims to the same +unrelenting cruelty. While the feelings are shocked at these dreadful +scenes of blood and carnage, and the Indian character rises in hideous +deformity before the mind, it is not to be forgotten that there are +many mitigating circumstances to be pleaded in behalf of the +aborigines. They were an ignorant people, educated alone for war, +without the lights of civilization, without the attributes of mercy +shed abroad by the spirit of christianity. They were contending for +their homes and their hunting grounds--the tombs of their +forefathers--the graves of their children. They saw the gradual, but +certain, encroachments of the whites upon their lands; and they had the +sagacity to perceive, that unless this mighty wave of emigration was +arrested, it would overwhelm them. They fought as savage nature will +fight, with unflinching courage and unrelenting cruelty. But it was not +alone this encroachment upon their lands, which roused their savage +passions. The wanton aggressions of the whites oftentimes provoked the +fearful retaliation of the red-man. The policy of the United States +towards the Indians has generally been of a pacific and benevolent +character; but, in carrying out that policy, there have been many +signal and inexcusable failures. The laws enacted by congress for the +protection of the rights of the Indians, and to promote their comfort +and civilization, have, in a great variety of cases, remained a dead +letter upon the statute book. The agents of the government have often +proved unfaithful, and have looked much more to their own pecuniary +interests, than to the honest execution of the public trusts confided +to them. Nor is this all. There has ever been found upon the western +frontiers, a band of unprincipled men who have set at defiance the laws +of the United States, debauched the Indians with ardent spirits, +cheated them of their property, and then committed upon them +aggressions marked with all the cruelty and wanton bloodshed which have +distinguished the career of the savage. The history of these +aggressions would fill a volume. It is only necessary to recall to the +mind of the reader, the horrible murder of the Conestoga Indians, in +December 1763, by some Pennsylvanians; the dark tragedy enacted on the +banks of he Muskingum, at a later period, when the Moravian Indians, at +the three villages of Schoenbrun, Salem, and Gnadenhuetten, were first +disarmed and then deliberately tomahawked by Williamson and his +associates; the unprovoked murder of the family of Logan; the +assassination of Bald Eagle, of the gallant and high-souled Cornstalk, +and his son Elinipsico: we need but recall these, from the long +catalogue of similar cases, to satisfy every candid mind, that rapine, +cruelty and a thirst for human blood are not peculiarly the attributes +of the American Indian. + +But there are still other causes which have aroused and kept in +activity, the warlike passions of the Indians. They have been +successively subjected to English, Dutch, French and Spanish influence. +The agents of these different powers, as well as the emigrants from +them, either from interest or a spirit of mischievous hostility, have +repeatedly prompted the Indians to arm themselves against the United +States. The great principle of the Indian wars, for the last seventy +years, has been the preservation of their lands. On this, the French, +English and Spanish have in turn excited them to active resistance +against the expanding settlements of the whites. It was on the +principle of recovering their lands, that the French were their allies +between the commencement of hostilities with the colonies, in 1754, and +the peace of 1762; and subsequently kept up an excitement among them +until the beginning of the revolution. From this period, the English +took the place of the French, and instigated them in a similar manner. +Their views and feelings on this point, may be gathered from their own +words: + +"It was we," say the Delawares, Mohicans and their kindred tribes, "who +so kindly received the Europeans on their first arrival into our own +country. We took them by the hand and bid them welcome to sit down by +our side, and live with us as brothers; but how did they requite our +kindness? They at first asked only for a little land, on which to raise +bread for their families, and pasture for their cattle, which we freely +gave them. They saw the game in the woods, which the Great Spirit had +given us for our subsistence, and they wanted it too. They penetrated +into the woods in quest of game, they discovered spots of land they +also wanted, and because we were loth to part with it, as we saw they +had already more than they had need of, they took it from us by force, +and drove us to a great distance from our homes."[A] + +[Footnote A: Heckewelder's historical account of the Indians.] + +It is matter of history, that for a period of near seventy years after +it was planted, the colony of William Penn lived in peace and harmony +with the neighboring Indians, among whom were bands of the warlike +Shawanoes. It was an observation of this venerable and worthy man, when +speaking of the Indians, that "if you do not abuse them, but let them +have justice, you will win them, when there is such a knowledge of good +and evil." His kind treatment to them was repaid by friendly offices, +both to himself and his followers. The Indians became indeed the +benefactors of the colonists. When the latter were scattered in 1682, +and without shelter or food, they were kind and attentive, and treated +them as brothers.[A] + +[Footnote A: Clarkson's Life of Penn.] + +Proud, in his History of Pennsylvania, when explaining the aversion of +the Indians to christianity, attributes it to the character and conduct +of the whites residing near or among them, "many of whom were of the +lowest rank and least informed of mankind, who flowed in from Germany, +Ireland and the jails of Great Britain, or who had fled from the better +inhabited parts of the colony, to escape from justice." The proceedings +of the assembly of Pennsylvania show that, as early as 1722, an Indian +was barbarously killed by some whites, within the limits of the +province. The assembly proposed some measures for the governor's +consideration in regard to the affair; and mentioned the repeated +requests of the Indians, that strong liquors should not be carried nor +sold among them. In a treatise published in London, in 1759, on the +cause of the then existing difficulties between the Indians and the +colonists, we find this paragraph. "It would be too shocking to +describe the conduct and behavior of the traders, when among the +Indians; and endless to enumerate the abuses the Indians received and +bore from them, for a series of years. Suffice it to say, that several +of the tribes were, at last, weary of bearing; and, as these traders +were the persons who were, in some part, the representatives of the +English among the Indians, and by whom they were to judge of our +manners and religion, they conceived such invincible prejudices against +both, particularly our holy religion, that when Mr. Sargeant, a +gentleman in New England, took a journey in 1741, to the Shawanoes and +some other tribes living on the Susquehanna, and offered to instruct +them in the christian religion, they rejected his offer with disdain. +They reproached Christianity. They told him the traders would lie and +cheat." In 1744, governor Thomas, in a message to the assembly of +Pennsylvania, says, "I cannot but be apprehensive that the Indian +trade, as it is now carried on, will involve us in some fatal quarrel +with the Indians. Our traders, in defiance of the laws, carry +spirituous liquors among them, and take advantage of their inordinate +appetite for it, to cheat them of their skins, and their wampum, which +is their money." In 1753 governor Hamilton appointed Richard Peters, +Isaac Norris and Benjamin Franklin, to hold a treaty with the Indians +at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In the report of these commissioners they +say: "But in justice to these Indians, and the promises we made them, +we cannot close our report, without taking notice, that the quantity of +strong liquors sold to these Indians, in the places of their residence, +and during their hunting season, have increased to an inconceivable +degree, so as to keep these poor creatures continually under the force +of liquors, that they are thereby become dissolute, enfeebled and +indolent when sober; and untractable and mischievous in their liquor, +always quarreling, and often murdering one another." Some of the chiefs +at this treaty said, "these wicked whisky-sellers, when they have once +got the Indians in liquor, make them sell their very clothes from their +backs. In short, if this practice is continued, we must be inevitably +ruined; we most earnestly, therefore, beseech you to remedy it."[A] + +[Footnote A: Proud's History of Pennsylvania.] + +This brief sketch of the early intercourse between the colonists and +the aborigines of this country, is not over-drawn, nor is it at all +inapplicable to the period which has elapsed since the formation of the +federal government. With an insatiable cupidity and a wanton disregard +of justice, have the lands and property of the Indians been sought by +citizens of the United States. The great agent of success in this +unholy business, has been ardent spirits, by means of which their +savage reason has been overthrown, and their bad passions called into +action. The class of reckless and desperate characters, described by +Proud, have hung upon the western frontiers, for the purpose of preying +upon the Indians. If government itself be not to blame, for want of +good faith towards this miserable race, is it not highly culpable for +not having, by the strong arm of physical power, enforced the salutary +laws, which from time to time, have been enacted for their protection? +Impartial posterity will, we apprehend, answer this question in the +affirmative. + +The Shawanoes engaged in the war between the French and English, which +commenced in 1755, and was terminated by the peace of 10th February, +1763. In this contest they took sides with the former, and rendered +them essential service. They committed many depredations on the +frontier settlements of Pennsylvania and Virginia. The peace of 1763, +between France and England, did not terminate the Indian war against +the colonies. The Indians were displeased with the provisions of this +treaty, especially that which ceded the provinces of Canada to Great +Britain. This dissatisfaction was increased when the British government +began to build forts on the Susquehanna, and to repair or erect those +of Bedford, Ligonier, Pittsburg, Detroit, Presque Isle, St. Joseph and +Michilimakinac. By this movement the Indians found themselves +surrounded, on two sides, by a cordon of forts, and were threatened +with an extension of them into the very heart of their country. They +had now to choose whether they would remove to the north and west, +negociate with the British government for the possession of their own +land, or take up arms for its defence. They chose the last alternative; +and, a war of extermination against the English residents in the +western country, and even those on the Susquehanna, was agreed upon and +speedily commenced. Many of the British traders living among the +Indians were murdered; the forts of Presque Isle, St. Joseph and +Mackinac, were taken, with a general slaughter of their garrisons; +while the forts of Bedford, Ligonier, Niagara, Detroit and Pitt, were +barely preserved from falling into their hands. The contest was +continued with resolute and daring spirit, and with much destruction of +life and property, until December, 1764, when the war was brought to a +close by a treaty at the German Flats, made between Sir William +Johnston and the hostile Indians. Soon after the conclusion of this +peace the Shawanoes became involved in a war with the Cherokees, which +continued until 1768, when, pressed hard by the united force of the +former tribe and the Delawares, the southern Indians solicited and +obtained a peace.[A] For the ensuing six years, the Shawanoes remained +quiet, living on amicable terms with the whites on the frontiers: in +April, 1774, however, hostilities between these parties were renewed. + +[Footnote A: Thatcher's Indian Biography.] + +It is not our purpose in the present sketch of this tribe, to present a +detail of all their conflicts with the whites; but the "Dunmore war," +(as it is generally called,) of 1774, having been mainly prosecuted by +Shawanoes, one of their distinguished chiefs having commanded in the +battle of Point Pleasant, and another, Puckecheno, (the father of +Tecumseh,) having fallen in this engagement, would seem to render a +full account of the border feuds of this year, not out of place in the +present narrative. + +In the latter part of April, 1774, a report that the Indians had stolen +some horses, from the vicinity of Wheeling, alarmed the whites who were +making settlements on the Ohio below that place. For greater safety +they immediately assembled on Wheeling creek, and learning that two +Indians were with some traders above the town, they went up the river, +and without stopping to enquire as to their guilt, deliberately put +them to death. On the afternoon of the same day, they found a party of +Indians on the Ohio, below Wheeling creek, on whom they fired, and +killed several. The Indians returned the fire and wounded one of the +assailing party. It is admitted by all the authorities on this subject, +that the two Indians killed above Wheeling, were shot by men under the +command of colonel Michael Cresap. Mr. Jefferson, in his Notes on +Virginia, states that the second attack, in which one of Logan's family +is alleged to have been killed, was also headed by Cresap; and, in this +he is sustained by Doddridge, Heckewelder and others; but it is denied +by Jacob. "Pursuing these examples," says Mr. Jefferson, "Daniel +Greathouse and one Tomlinson, who lived on the opposite side of the +river from the Indians, and were in habits of friendship with them, +collected at the house of Polk, on Cross creek, about sixteen miles +from Baker's bottom, a party of thirty-two men. Their object was to +attack a hunting party of Indians, consisting of men, women and +children, at the mouth of Yellow creek, some distance above Wheeling. +They proceeded, and when arrived near Baker's bottom they concealed +themselves, and Greathouse crossed the river to the Indian camp. Being +among them as a friend, he counted them and found them too strong for +an open attack with his force. While here, he was cautioned by one of +the women not to stay, for that the Indian men were drinking; and +having heard of Cresap's murder of their relatives at Grave creek, were +angry; and she pressed him in a friendly manner to go home; whereupon, +after inviting them to come over and drink, he returned to Baker's, +which was a tavern, and desired that when any of them should come to +his house, he would give them as much rum as they could drink. When +this plot was ripe, and a sufficient number of them had collected at +Baker's and become intoxicated, he and his party fell on them and +massacred the whole except a little girl, whom they preserved as a +prisoner. Among them was the very woman who had saved his life by +pressing him to retire from the drunken wrath of her friends, when he +was playing the spy in their camp at Yellow creek. Either she herself +or some other one of the murdered women was the sister of Logan; there +were others of his relations who fell at the same time. The party on +the opposite side of the river, upon hearing the report of the guns, +became alarmed for their friends at Baker's house, immediately manned +two canoes and sent them over. They were met by a fire from +Greathouse's party, as they approached the shore, which killed some, +wounded others, and obliged the remainder to return. Baker subsequently +stated, that six or eight were wounded and twelve killed." + +The settlers along the frontier, satisfied that the Indians would +retaliate upon them, for these unprovoked aggressions, either returned +to the interior of the country, or gathered in forts, and made +preparation for resistance. The assembly of the colony of Virginia +being then in session, an express was sent to the seat of government, +announcing the commencement of hostilities with the Indians, and asking +assistance. In the month of May, the excitement among the Indians was +still further increased by the murder of the Delaware sachem, "Bald +Eagle," and the wounding of "Silver Heels," a popular chief of the +Shawanoe tribe. Bald Eagle was an aged, harmless man, who was in the +habit of visiting the whites on the most friendly terms. At the period +of his death, he was returning alone, in his canoe, from a visit to the +fort at the mouth of the Kanawha. The individual who committed the +murder, having scalped him, placed the body in a sitting posture in the +canoe and suffered it to float down the stream, in which condition it +was found by the Indians. Silver Heels was returning from Albany to the +Ohio, having been to that city as the voluntary escort of some white +traders, who were fleeing from the frontiers. He was fired upon and +dangerously wounded while crossing Big Beaver in a canoe. Such were +some of the causes which called into action the vindictive feelings of +the Indians. + +The distinguished Mingo chief, Logan, was roused to action by the +murder of his relatives at Yellow creek; and in the course of the +summer, led some war parties against the whites, and destroyed several +families. The Earl of Dunmore, then governor of the colony of Virginia, +made arrangements for a campaign against the Indians, but it was not +until September, that his forces were brought into the field. He +ordered three regiments to be raised west of the Blue Ridge, the +command of which was given to general Andrew Lewis. A similar army was +assembled from the interior, the command of which the Earl assumed in +person. The mouth of the Great Kanawha was the point at which two +divisions of the army were to meet; from whence, under the command of +governor Dunmore, they were to march against the Indian towns on the +north side of the Ohio. General Lewis' division amounted to eleven +hundred men, most of whom were accustomed to danger, and with their +officers, familiar with the modes of Indian warfare. On the eleventh of +September, general Lewis moved from his camp, in the vicinity of +Lewisburg, and after a march of nineteen days, traversing a wilderness +through the distance of one hundred and sixty-five-miles, he reached +the mouth of the Kanawha, and made an encampment at that point. Here he +waited several days for the arrival of governor Dunmore, who, with the +division under his command, was to have met him at this place. +Disappointed in not hearing from Dunmore, general Lewis despatched some +scouts, over land to Pittsburg, to obtain intelligence of him. On the +ninth of October, and before the return of these scouts, an express +from Dunmore arrived in camp, with information that he had changed his +plan of operations; and intended to march directly against the Indian +towns on the Scioto; and directing general Lewis to cross the Ohio and +join him. Preparations were making to obey this order, when, about +sunrise, on the morning of the tenth, a large body of Indians was +discovered within a mile of the camp. Two detachments were ordered out +by general Lewis, to meet the enemy, one under the command of colonel +Charles Lewis, the other under colonel Fleming. The former marched to +the right, some distance from the Ohio, the latter to the left, on the +bank of that stream. Colonel Lewis had not proceeded half a mile from +the camp, when, soon after sunrise, his front line was vigorously +attacked by the united tribes of the Shawanoes, Delawares, Mingoes, +Ioways, and some others, in number between eight hundred and one +thousand. At the commencement of the attack, colonel Lewis received a +wound, which in the course of a few hours proved fatal: several of his +men were killed at the same time, and his division was forced to fall +back. In about a minute after the attack upon Lewis, the enemy engaged +the front of the other division, on the bank of the Ohio, and in a +short time, colonel Fleming, the leader of it, was severely wounded, +and compelled to retire to the camp. Colonel Lewis' division having now +been reinforced from the camp, pressed upon the Indians until they had +fallen back in a line with Fleming's division. During this time, it +being now twelve o'clock, the action continued with unabated severity. +The close underwood, the ravines and fallen trees, favored the Indians; +and while the bravest of their warriors fought from behind these +coverts, others were throwing their dead into the Ohio, and carrying +off their wounded. In their slow retreat, the Indians, about one +o'clock, gained a very advantageous position, from which it appeared to +our officers so difficult to dislodge them, that it was deemed +advisable to maintain the line as then formed, which was about a mile +and a quarter in length. In this position, the action was continued, +with more or less severity, until sundown, when, night coming on, the +Indians effected a safe retreat.[A] + +[Footnote A: Official Report, xii. vol., Niles Register.] + +McClung, in his valuable Sketches of Western Adventure, in describing +this sanguinary battle, speaks of the Indians fighting from behind a +breastwork; Stone, in his Life of Brant, says the Indians were forced +to avail themselves of a rude breastwork of logs and brushwood, which +they had taken the precaution to construct for the occasion. There must +be some mistake in regard to this breastwork, as it is evident from the +circumstances of the case, that the Indians could not, before the +battle, have erected one so near the camp without discovery; and after +the action commenced, it was too fiercely prosecuted for a rampart of +this kind to have been thrown up. + +In regard to the number killed on either side, there is no very certain +information. Doddridge, in his Notes on the Indian wars, places the +number of whites killed in this action at seventy-five, and the wounded +at one hundred and forty. Campbell, in his History of Virginia, says +the number of whites who were killed was upwards of fifty, and that +ninety were wounded, which is probably near the truth. The Indian force +engaged in this action has been estimated by different writers, at from +eight hundred to fifteen hundred men. It is probable that the number +did not exceed eight hundred. They were led on by some bold and warlike +chiefs, among them Cornstalk, Logan, Elenipsico, Red Eagle, and +Packishenoah, the last of whom was killed. Cornstalk, the chief in +command, was conspicuous for his bravery, and animated his followers in +tones which rose above the clash of arms; and when a retreat became +necessary, conducted it so successfully and with so much delay, as to +give his men an opportunity of bearing off all their wounded and many +of the killed, whose bodies were thrown into the river. The loss of the +Indians was never ascertained. One of the historians already quoted, +speaks of it as "comparatively trifling." The character of our troops, +many of whom were experienced woods-men, familiar with Indian fighting, +the long continuance of the action--from the rising to the going down +of the sun--the equality in numbers and position of the contending +parties, the known usage of the Indians in hiding their dead and +carrying off the wounded, the number of killed found on the battle +ground the following day, and the severe loss of the Virginians, all +forbid the idea that the loss of the enemy could have been trifling. +The Ohio and Kanawha rivers afforded them opportunities for concealing +their dead, while the plan of retreat,--alternately giving ground and +renewing the attack,--was no doubt adopted for the purpose of gaining +time to remove the wounded across the Ohio. It is fair to assume that +the loss of the Indians was not far short of that sustained by the +whites. + +All circumstances considered, this battle may be ranked among the most +memorable, and well contested, that has been fought on this continent. +The leaders, on either side, were experienced and able, the soldiers +skilful and brave. The victorious party, if either could be so called, +had as little to boast of as the vanquished. It was alike creditable to +the Anglo-Saxon and the aboriginal arms. + +After the Indians had recrossed the Ohio, they marched to the valley of +the Scioto, and encamped on the east side of that stream, about eight +miles north of where Chillicothe now stands. Here a council was held to +decide upon their future movements. Cornstalk, although true to the +interests of the Shawanoes, was the friend of peace, and had been +opposed to making the attack on the troops of general Lewis. Being +overruled, he entered into the action determined to do his duty. He now +rose in the council and demanded, "_What shall we do now? The Long +Knives are coming upon us by two routes. Shall we turn out and fight +them_?" No reply being made to his questions, he continued, "shall we +kill all our women and children, and then fight until we are all killed +ourselves?" The chiefs were still silent. Cornstalk turned round, and +striking his tomahawk into the war-post standing in the midst of the +council, said with his characteristic energy of manner, "_Since you are +not inclined to fight, I will go and make peace_." + +In the meantime the earl of Dunmore, having procured boats at fort +Pitt, descended the river to Wheeling, where the army halted for a few +days, and then proceeded down the river in about one hundred canoes, a +few keel boats and perogues, to the mouth of Hockhocking, and from +thence over land, until the army had got within a few miles of the +Shawanoe camp. Here the army halted, and made a breastwork of fallen +trees, and entrenchments of such extent as to include about twelve +acres of ground, with an enclosure in the centre containing about one +acre. This was the citadel, which contained the markees of the earl and +his superior officers.[A] Before the army of Dunmore had reached this +point, he had been met by messengers from the Indians suing for peace. +General Lewis, in the meantime, did not remain inactive. The day after +the battle he proceeded to bury his dead, and to throw up a rude +entrenchment around his camp, and appoint a guard for the protection of +the sick and wounded. On the succeeding day he crossed the Ohio with +his army, and commenced his march through a trackless desert, for the +Shawanoe towns on the Scioto. Governor Dunmore, having determined to +make peace with the Indians, sent an express to general Lewis, ordering +him to retreat across the Ohio. The order was disregarded, and the +march continued until the governor in person, met the general and +peremptorily repeated it. General Lewis and his troops, burning with a +desire of avenging the Indian massacres, and the loss of their brave +companions in the late battle, reluctantly obeyed the command of +Dunmore; and turned their faces homewards. When the governor and his +officers had returned to their camp, on the following day, the treaty +with the Indians was opened. For fear of treachery, only eighteen +Indians were permitted to attend their chiefs within the encampment, +and they were required to leave their arms behind them. The conference +was commenced by Cornstalk, in a long, bold and spirited speech, in +which the white people were charged with being the authors of the war, +by their aggressions upon the Indians at Captina and Yellow creek. +Logan, the celebrated Mingo chief, refused to attend, although willing +to make peace. His influence with the Indians made it important to +secure his concurrence in the proposed treaty. Dunmore sent a special +messenger, (colonel John Gibson,) to him. They met alone in the woods, +where Logan delivered to him his celebrated speech. Colonel Gibson +wrote it down, returned to Dunmore's camp, read the speech in the +council, and the terms of the peace were then agreed on. What those +terms were, is not fully known. No copy of the treaty can now be found, +although diligent enquiry has been made for it. Burk, in his History of +Virginia, says, that the peace was on "condition that the lands on +_this side of the Ohio_ should be for ever ceded to the whites; that +their prisoners should be delivered up, and that four hostages should +be immediately given for the faithful performance of these conditions." +Campbell, in his History of Virginia, says, the Indians "agreed to give +up their lands on this side of the Ohio, and set at liberty their +prisoners." Butler, in his History of Kentucky, remarks that, "such a +treaty appears at this day, to be utterly beyond the advantages which +could have been claimed from Dunmore's expedition?" This is undoubtedly +a reasonable conclusion. The statement in Doddridge, that "on our part +we obtained at the treaty a cessation of hostilities and a surrender of +prisoners, and nothing more," is most probably the true version of the +terms of this peace. If an important grant of land had been obtained by +this treaty, copies of it would have been preserved in the public +archives, and references in subsequent treaties, would have been made +to it; but such seems not to have been the case. The conclusion most +be, that it was only a treaty for the cessation of hostilities and the +surrender of prisoners. + +[Footnote A: Doddridge's Indian Wars.] + +There have been various speculations as to the causes which induced +governor Dunmore to order the retreat of the army under general Lewis, +before the treaty was concluded. However desirous of a peace, the +presence of an additional force would only have rendered that result +more certain. It was believed by some of the officers of the army, and +the opinion has been held by several writers since, that after governor +Dunmore started on this expedition, he was advised of the strong +probability of a war between Great Britain and her colonies; and that +all his subsequent measures were shaped with a reference to making the +Indians the allies of England in the expected contest. On this +supposition, his conduct in not joining general Lewis at the mouth of +the Kanawha, in risking his own detachment in the enemy's country, and +in positively forbidding the other wing of the army from uniting with +his, at camp Charlotte, has been explained. There are certainly +plausible grounds for believing that governor Dunmore at this time, had +more at heart the interests of Great Britain than of the colonies. + +Soon after the conclusion of this war, the Shawanoes, with other tribes +of the north-western Indians, took part with England in the war with +the colonies; nor did the peace of 1783 put an end to these +hostilities. The settlement of the valley of the Ohio by the whites, +was boldly and perseveringly resisted; nor was the tomahawk buried by +the Indians, until after the decisive battle at the rapids of the Miami +of the lakes, on the 20th of August, 1794. The proximity of the +Shawanoe towns to the Ohio river--the great highway of emigration to +the west--and the facility with which the infant settlements in +Kentucky could be reached, rendered this warlike tribe an annoying and +dangerous neighbor. Led on by some daring chiefs; fighting for their +favorite hunting-grounds, and stimulated to action by British agents, +the Shawanoes, for a series of years, pressed sorely upon the new +settlements; and are supposed to have caused the destruction of more +property and a greater number of lives, than all the other tribes of +the north-west united. They participated in most of the predatory +excursions into Kentucky. They were present at the celebrated attack on +Bryant's station; they fought with their characteristic bravery in the +battle of the Blue Licks, and participated in colonel Byrd's hostile +excursion up Licking river, and the destruction of Martin's and +Riddle's stations. In turn, they were compelled to stand on the +defensive, and to encounter the gallant Kentuckians on the north side +of the Ohio. Bowman's expedition in 1779, to the waters of Mad river; +Clark's in 1780 and 1782, and Logan's in 1786, to the same point; +Edwards' in 1787, to the head waters of the Big Miami; and Todd's in +1788, into the Scioto valley--not to name several minor ones--were +chiefly directed against the Shawanoes; and resulted in the destruction +of two or three of their principal villages, but not without a fierce +and bloody resistance. The Shawanoes were likewise found in hostility +to the United States, in the campaigns of Harmar, St. Clair and Wayne. +They united in the treaty of Greenville, in 1795; and with the +exception of a few who fought at Tippecanoe, remained at peace with +this government until the war with Great Britain, in 1812, in which a +considerable body of them became the allies of the latter power. Some +of the tribe, however, remained neutral in that contest, and others +joined the United States, and continued faithful until the peace of +1815. + + +WEYAPIERSENWAH, OR BLUE JACKET. + +In the campaign of general Harmar, in the year 1790, Blue Jacket--an +influential Shawanoe chief--was associated with the Miami chief, Little +Turtle, in the command of the Indians. In the battle of the 20th of +August 1794, when the combined army of the Indians was defeated by +general Wayne, Blue Jacket had the chief control. The flight previous +to the battle, while the Indians were posted at Presque Isle, a council +was held, composed of chiefs from the Miamis, Potawatimies, Delawares, +Shawanoes, Chippewas, Ottawas and Senecas--the seven nations engaged in +the action. They decided against the proposition to attack general +Wayne that night in his encampment. The expediency of meeting him the +next day then came up for consideration. Little Turtle was opposed to +this measure, but being warmly supported by Blue Jacket, it was finally +agreed upon. The former was strongly inclined to peace, and decidedly +opposed to risking a battle under the circumstances in which the +Indians were then placed. "We have beaten the enemy," said he, "twice, +under separate commanders. We cannot expect the same good fortune +always to attend us. The Americans are now led by a chief who never +sleeps. The night and the day are alike to him; and, during all the +time that he has been marching upon our villages, notwithstanding the +watchfulness of our young men, we have never been able to surprise him. +Think well of it. There is something whispers me, it would be prudent +to listen to his offers of peace." The councils of Blue Jacket, +however, prevailed over the better judgment of Little Turtle. The +battle was fought and the Indians defeated. + +In the month of October following this defeat, Blue Jacket concurred in +the expediency of sueing for peace, and at the head of a deputation of +chiefs, was about to bear a flag to general Wayne, then at Greenville, +when the mission was arrested by foreign influence. Governor Simcoe, +colonel McKee and the Mohawk chief, captain John Brant, having in +charge one hundred and fifty Mohawks and Messasagoes, arrived at the +rapids of the Maumee, and invited the chiefs of the combined army to +meet them at the mouth of the Detroit river, on the 10th of October. To +this Blue Jacket assented, for the purpose of hearing what the British +officers had to propose. Governor Simcoe urged the Indians to retain +their hostile attitude towards the United States. In referring to the +encroachments of the people of this country on the Indian lands, he +said, "Children: I am still of the opinion that the Ohio is your right +and title. I have given orders to the commandant of fort Miami to fire +on the Americans whenever they make their appearance again. I will go +down to Quebec, and lay your grievances before the great man. From +thence they will be forwarded to the king, your father. Next spring you +will know the result of every thing what you and I will do." He urged +the Indians to obtain a cessation of hostilities, until the following +spring, when the English would be ready to attack the Americans, and by +driving them back across the Ohio, restore their lands to the +Indians.[A] These counsels delayed the conclusion of peace until the +following summer. + +[Footnote A: Amer. State Papers, vol. 5, p. 529. Stone's Life of Brant, +vol. 2, p.392.] + +Blue Jacket was present at the treaty of Greenville in 1795, and +conducted himself with moderation and dignity. Upon his arrival at that +place, in excuse for not having met general Wayne at an earlier period, +he said, "Brother, when I came here last winter, I did not mean to +deceive you. What I promised you I did intend to perform. My wish to +conclude a firm peace with you being sincere, my uneasiness has been +great that my people have not come forward so soon as you could wish, +or might expect. But you must not be discouraged by these unfavorable +appearances. Some of our chiefs and warriors are here; more will arrive +in a few days. You must not, however, expect to see a great number. +Yet, notwithstanding, our nation will be well represented. Our hearts +are open and void of deceit." + +On the second day of the council, Blue Jacket made a remark, showing +the relation subsisting between the Shawanoes and some other tribes, to +which allusion has been made already. + +"Brothers: I hope you will not take amiss my changing my seat in this +council. You all know the Wyandots are our uncles, and the Delawares +our grandfathers, and that the Shawanoes are the elder brothers of the +other nations present. It is, therefore, proper that I should sit next +my grandfathers and uncles. I hope, younger brothers, you are all +satisfied with what your uncles said yesterday, and that I have done +every thing in my power to advise and support you." + +At the conclusion of the treaty Blue Jacket rose and said: + +"Elder Brother, and you, my brothers, present: you see me now present +myself as a war-chief to lay down that commission, and place myself in +the rear of my village chiefs, who for the future will command me. +Remember, brother's, you have all buried your war hatchet. Your +brothers, the Shawanoes, now do the same good act. We must think of war +no more. + +"Elder Brother: you see now all the chiefs and warriors around you, +have joined in the good work of peace, which is now accomplished. We +now request you to inform our elder brother, general Washington, of it; +and of the cheerful unanimity which has marked their determination. We +wish you to enquire of him if it would be agreeable that two chiefs +from each nation should pay him a visit, and take him by the hand; for +your younger brothers have a strong desire to see that great man and to +enjoy the pleasure of conversing with him." + +We are indebted to major Galloway of Xenia, for the following anecdote +of this chief: + +"In the spring of 1800, Blue Jacket and another chief, whose name I +have forgotten, boarded for several weeks at my father's, in Green +county, at the expense of a company of Kentuckians, who engaged Blue +Jacket, for a valuable consideration, to show them a great silver mine, +which tradition said was known to the Indians, as existing on Red +river, one of the head branches of the Kentucky. A Mr. Jonathan Flack, +agent of this company, had previously spent several months among the +Shawanoes, at their towns and hunting camps, in order to induce this +chief to show this great treasure. At the time agreed on, ten or twelve +of the company came from Kentucky to meet Blue Jacket at my father's, +where a day or two was spent in settling the terms upon which he would +accompany them; the crafty chief taking his own time to deliberate on +the offers made him, and rising in his demands in proportion to their +growing eagerness to possess the knowledge which was to bring untold +wealth to all the company. At length the bargain was made; horses, +goods and money were given as presents, and the two chiefs with their +squaws, were escorted in triumph to Kentucky, where they were feasted +and caressed in the most flattering manner, and all their wants +anticipated and liberally supplied. In due time and with all possible +secrecy, they visited the region where this great mine was said to be +emboweled in the earth. Here the wily Shawanoe spent some time in +seclusion, in order to humble himself by fastings, purifications and +_pow-wowings_, with a view to propitiate the Great Spirit; and to get +His permission to disclose the grand secret of the mine. An equivocal +answer was all the response that was given to him in his dreams; and, +after many days of fruitless toil and careful research, the mine, the +great object so devoutly sought and wished for, could not be found. The +cunning Blue Jacket, however, extricated himself with much address from +the anticipated vengeance of the disappointed worshippers of Plutus, by +charging his want of success to his eyes, which were dimmed by reason +of his old age; and by promising to send his son on his return home, +whose eyes were young and good, and who knew the desired spot and would +show it. The son, however, never visited the scene of his father's +failure; and thus ended the adventures of the celebrated mining company +of Kentucky." + + +CATAHECASSA, OR BLACK-HOOF. + +Among the celebrated chiefs of the Shawanoes, Black Hoof is entitled to +a high rank. He was born in Florida, and at the period of the removal +of a portion of that tribe to Ohio and Pennsylvania, was old enough to +recollect having bathed in the salt water. He was present with others +of his tribe, at the defeat of Braddock, near Pittsburg, in 1755, and +was engaged in all the wars in Ohio from that time until the treaty of +Greenville, in 1795. Such was the sagacity of Black Hoof in planning +his military expeditions, and such the energy with which he executed +them, that he won the confidence of his whole nation, and was never at +a loss for _braves_ to fight under his banner. "He was known far and +wide, as the great Shawanoe warrior, whose cunning, sagacity and +experience were only equalled by the fierce and desperate bravery with +which he carried into operation his military plans. Like the other +Shawanoe chiefs, he was the inveterate foe of the white man, and held +that no peace should be made, nor any negotiation attempted, except on +the condition that the whites should repass the mountains, and leave +the great plains of the west to the sole occupancy of the native +tribes. + +"He was the orator of his tribe during the greater part of his long +life, and was an excellent speaker. The venerable colonel Johnston of +Piqua, to whom we are indebted for much valuable information, describes +him as the most graceful Indian he had ever seen, and as possessing the +most natural and happy faculty of expressing his ideas. He was well +versed in the traditions of his people; no one understood better their +peculiar relations to the whites, whose settlements were gradually +encroaching on them, or could detail with more minuteness the wrongs +with which his nation was afflicted. But although a stern and +uncompromising opposition to the whites had marked his policy through a +series of forty years, and nerved his arm in a hundred battles, he +became at length convinced of the madness of an ineffectual struggle +against a vastly superior and hourly increasing foe. No sooner had he +satisfied himself of this truth, than he acted upon it with the +decision which formed a prominent trait in his character. The temporary +success of the Indians in several engagements previous to the campaign +of general Wayne, had kept alive their expiring hopes; but their signal +defeat by that gallant officer, convinced the more reflecting of their +leaders of the desperate character of the conflict. Black Hoof was +among those who decided upon making terms with the victorious American +commander; and having signed the treaty of 1795, at Greenville, he +continued faithful to his stipulations during the remainder of his +life. From that day he ceased to be the enemy of the white man; and as +he was not one who could act a negative part, he became the firm ally +and friend of those against whom his tomahawk had been so long raised +in vindictive animosity. He was their friend, not from sympathy or +conviction, but in obedience to a necessity which left no middle +course, and under a belief that submission alone could save his tribe +from destruction; and having adopted this policy, his sagacity and +sense of honor, alike forbade a recurrence either to open war or secret +hostility. + +"Black Hoof was the principal chief of the Shawanoe nation, and +possessed all the influence and authority which are usually attached to +that office, at the period when Tecumseh and his brother the Prophet +commenced their hostile operations against the United States. Tecumseh +had never been reconciled to the whites. As sagacious and as brave as +Black Hoof, and resembling him in all the better traits of savage +character, he differed widely from that respectable chief in his +political opinions. They were both patriotic in the proper sense of the +word, and earnestly desired to preserve the remnant of their tribe from +the destruction that threatened the whole Indian race. Black Hoof, +whose long and victorious career as a warrior placed his courage far +above suspicion, submitted to what he believed inevitable, and +endeavoured to evade the effects of the storm by bending beneath its +fury; while Tecumseh, a younger man, an influential warrior, but not a +chief, with motives equally public spirited, was, no doubt, +unconsciously biassed by personal ambition, and suffered his hatred to +the white man to master every other feeling and consideration. The one +was a leader of ripened fame, who had reached the highest place in his +nation, and could afford to retire from the active scenes of warfare; +the other was a candidate for higher honors than he had yet achieved; +and both might have been actuated by a common impulse of rivalry, which +induced them to espouse different opinions in opposition to each +other."[A] + +[Footnote A: History of the Indian Tribes of N. America.] + +When Tecumseh and the Prophet embarked in their scheme for the recovery +of the lands as far south as the Ohio river, it became their interest +as well as policy to enlist Black Hoof in the enterprise; and every +effort which the genius of the one and the cunning of the other, could +devise, was brought to bear upon him. But Black Hoof continued faithful +to the treaty which he had signed at Greenville, in 1795, and by +prudence and influence kept the greater part of his tribe from joining +the standard of Tecumseh or engaging on the side of the British in the +late war with England. In that contest he became the ally of the United +States, and although he took no active part in it, he exerted a very +salutary influence over his tribe. In January, 1813, he visited general +Tapper's camp, at fort McArthur, and while there, about ten o'clock one +night, when sitting by the fire in company with the general and several +other officers, some one fired a pistol through a hole in the wall of +the hut, and shot Black Hoof in the face: the ball entered the cheek, +glanced against the bone, and finally lodged in his neck: he fell, and +for some time was supposed to be dead, but revived, and afterwards +recovered from this severe wound. The most prompt and diligent enquiry +as to the author of this cruel and dastardly act, failed to lead to his +detection. No doubt was entertained that this attempt at assassination +was made by a white man, stimulated perhaps by no better excuse than +the memory of some actual or ideal wrong, inflicted on some of his own +race by an unknown hand of kindred colour with that of his intended +victim.[A] + +[Footnote A: James Galloway.] + +Black Hoof was opposed to polygamy, and to the practice of burning +prisoners. He is reported to have lived forty years with one wife, and +to have reared a numerous family of children, who both loved and +esteemed him. His disposition was cheerful, and his conversation +sprightly and agreeable. In stature he was small, being not more than +five feet eight inches in height. He was favored with good health, and +unimpaired eye sight to the period of his death, which occurred at +Wapakonatta, in the year 1831, at the age of one hundred and ten years. + + +CORNSTALK. + +The reader of these pages is already familiar with the name of +Cornstalk, "the mighty Cornstalk, sachem of the Shawanoes, and king of +the Northern Confederacy." His conduct in the memorable battle of Point +Pleasant establishes his fame as an able and gallant warrior. He +carried into that action the skill of an accomplished general, and the +heroism of a dauntless brave. Neither a thirst for blood, nor the love +of renown, ever prompted him to arms. He was the open advocate for +honorable peace--the avowed and devoted friend of the whites. But he +loved his own people and the hunting grounds in which they roamed; and, +when his country's wrongs demanded redress, he became the "thunderbolt +of war," and avenged the aggressions upon his tribe with energy and +power. He fought, however, that peace might reign; and, after the +battle in which he so highly distinguished himself, was the first among +his associated chiefs to propose a cessation of hostilities. While he +mourned over the inevitable doom of the Indians, he had the sagacity to +perceive that all efforts to avert it, were not only useless, but, in +the end, reacted upon them with withering influence. + +He has been justly called a great and a good man. He was the zealous +friend of the Moravian missions; and warmly encouraged every effort to +ameliorate the moral and physical condition of his people. "His noble +bearing," says Mr. Withers, "his generous and disinterested attachment +to the colonies, when the thunder of British cannon was reverberating +through the land, his anxiety to preserve the frontier of Virginia from +desolation and death, (the object of his visit to Point Pleasant,) all +conspired to win for him the esteem and respect of others; while the +untimely and perfidious manner of his death, caused a deep and lasting +regret to pervade the bosoms even of those who were enemies to his +nation; and excited the just indignation of all towards his inhuman and +barbarous murderers." The strong native powers of his mind had been +more enriched by observation, travel and intercourse with the whites, +than is usual among the Indian chiefs. He was familiarly acquainted +with the topography and geography of the north-west, even beyond the +Mississippi river, and possessed an accurate knowledge of the various +treaties between the whites and the Indian tribes of this region, and +the relative rights of each party. + +At the treaty with Dunmore, he made a speech alike creditable to his +love of country and his sense of justice. He pourtrayed, in living +colors, the wrongs inflicted upon the Indians by the colonists, and +placed in strong contrast the former and present condition of his +nation, the one being happy and prosperous, the other degraded and +oppressed. He spoke in a strain of manly boldness of the repeated +perfidy of the white people; and especially, of the unblushing +dishonesty of the traders; and, finally concluded by proposing as one +of the fundamental provisions of the treaty, that no commerce with the +Indians should be carried on for individual profit, but that honest men +should be sent among them by their white brother, with such things as +they needed, to be exchanged, at a fair price, for their skins and +furs: and still further, that no "fire-water," of any kind, should be +introduced among them, inasmuch as it depraved his people and +stimulated them to aggressions upon their white brethren. + +As an orator, the fame of Cornstalk stands high. Colonel Benjamin +Wilson, an officer in Dunmore's campaign, in 1774, who was present at +the interview (at camp Charlotte) between the chiefs and the governor, +in speaking of Cornstalk, says, "when he arose, he was in no wise +confused or daunted, but spoke in a distinct and audible voice, without +stammering or repetition, and with peculiar emphasis. His looks, while +addressing Dunmore, were truly grand and majestic, yet graceful and +attractive. I have heard the first orators in Virginia,--Patrick Henry +and Richard Henry Lee,--but never have I heard one whose powers of +delivery surpassed those of Cornstalk." + +The treaty at camp Charlotte did not bring much repose to the frontier. +In the course of the two years succeeding it, new difficulties arose +between the Indians and the inhabitants of western Virginia. Early in +the spring of 1777, several tribes joined in an offensive alliance +against the latter. Cornstalk exerted all his influence to arrest it, +but in vain. Sincerely desirous of averting war, he resolved to +communicate this condition of affairs to the Virginians, in the hope +that they might dissipate the impending war-cloud. This information he +determined to give in person. Taking with him Red Hawk, and one other +Indian, he went secretly to the fort at Point Pleasant, with a flag of +peace, and presented himself to the commander of that post. After +stating to him the object of the mission, and fully explaining the +situation of the confederate tribes and their contemplated attack upon +the whites, he remarked, in regard to his own, "the current sets (with +the Indians,) so strong against the Americans, in consequence of the +agency of the British, that they (the Shawanoes) will float with it, I +fear, in spite of all my exertions." No sooner had this information +been given to the commander, captain Matthew Arbuckle, than he decided, +in violation of all good faith, to detain the two chiefs as hostages, +to prevent the meditated attack on the settlements. This he did; and +immediately gave information to the executive of Virginia, who ordered +additional troops to the frontier. In the mean time, the officers in +the fort held frequent conversations with Cornstalk, whose intelligence +equally surprised and pleased them. He took pleasure in giving them +minute descriptions of his country, its rivers, prairies and lakes, its +game and other productions. One day, as he was drawing a rude map on +the floor, for the gratification of those present, a call was heard +from the opposite shore of the Ohio, which he at once recognized as the +voice of his favorite son, Elenipsico, a noble minded youth, who had +fought by his father's side in the battle of Point Pleasant. At the +request of Cornstalk, Elenipsico crossed over the river, and joined him +in the fort, where they had an affectionate and touching meeting. The +son had become uneasy at his father's long absence; and regardless of +danger, had visited this place in search of him. It happened on the +following day that two white men, belonging to the fort, crossed over +the Kanawha, upon a hunting excursion; as they were returning to their +boat, they were fired upon by some Indians in ambush, and one of the +hunters, named Gilmore, was killed, the other making his escape. The +news of this murder having reached the fort, a party of captain Hall's +men crossed the river and brought in the body of Gilmore; whereupon the +cry was raised, "let us go and kill the Indians in the fort." An +infuriated gang, with captain Hall at their head, instantly started, +and in despite of all remonstrance, and the most solemn assurances that +the murderers of Gilmore had no connection whatever with the imprisoned +chiefs, they persisted in their cruel and bloody purpose, swearing, +with guns in their hands, that they would shoot any one who attempted +to oppose them. In the mean time, the interpreter's wife, who had been +a captive among the Indians, and had a feeling of regard for Cornstalk +and his companions, perceiving their danger, ran to the cabin to tell +them of it; and to let them know that Hall and his party charged +Elenipsico with having brought with him the Indians who had killed +Gilmore. This, however, the youthful chief denied most positively, +asserting that he came unattended by any one, and for the single +purpose of learning the fate of his father. At this time captain Hall +and his followers, in despite of the remonstance and command of captain +Arbuckle, were approaching the cabin of the prisoners. For a moment, +Elenipsico manifested some agitation. His father spoke and encouraged +him to be calm, saying, "my son, the Great Spirit has seen fit that we +should die together, and has sent you here to that end. It is his will, +and let us submit; it is all for the best;" and turning round to meet +the assassins at the door, was shot with seven bullets, and expired +without a groan. The momentary agitation of Elenipsico passed off, and +keeping his seat, he met his death with stern and heroic apathy. Red +Hawk manifested less resolution, and made a fruitless effort to conceal +himself in the chimney of the cabin. He was discovered and instantly +shot. The fourth Indian was then slowly and cruelly put to death. Thus +terminated this dark and fearful tragedy--leaving a foul blot on the +page of history, which all the waters of the beautiful Ohio, on whose +banks it was perpetrated, can never wash out, and the remembrance of +which will long outlive the heroic and hapless nation which gave birth +to the noble Cornstalk. + + +SPEMICA-LAWBA--THE HIGH HORN, + +generally known as + +CAPTAIN LOGAN + +In September, 1786, captain Benjamin Logan, of Kentucky, led an +expedition of mounted men from that state against the Shawanoes, on the +north side of the Ohio, and destroyed the Machachac towns on the waters +of Mad river. Most of the warriors happened to be absent from the +villages when the invading army reached them. About thirty persons were +captured, chiefly women and children. After the slight resistance which +was made by the Indians had ceased, captain Logan's men were both +annoyed and endangered by some arrows, shot among them by an invisible +but not unpractised hand. After considerable search, in the tall grass +around the camp, an Indian youth was discovered, who with his bow and a +quiver of arrows, had concealed himself in a position from which he +could successfully throw his darts against the enemy: that intrepid boy +was Logan, the subject of the present biographical sketch. He likewise +was made prisoner, and with the others carried to Kentucky. The +commander of the expedition was so much pleased with the bold conduct +of this boy, that upon returning home, he made him a member of his own +family, in which he resided some years, until at length, at a council +for the exchange of prisoners, held on the bank of the Ohio, opposite +to Maysville, between some Shawanoe chiefs and a deputation of citizens +from Kentucky, our young hero was permitted to return to his native +land. He was ever afterwards known by the name of Logan. + +Of the family of this distinguished individual, we have been enabled to +glean but few particulars. In M'Afee's History of the Late War, and in +Butler's History of Kentucky, he is represented to have been the son of +Tecumseh's sister: this is manifestly an error; there was no +relationship between them, either by blood or marriage. + +Logan was a member of the Machachac tribe of the Shawanoes, and was +elevated to the rank of a civil chief on account of his many estimable +qualities, both intellectual and moral. He was a married man, and left +behind him a wife and several children--requesting on his death bed +that they might be sent into Kentucky, and placed under the patronage +of his friend, colonel Hardin, who had married the daughter of his +early patron, captain Logan. This, however, was not done, owing to +objections interposed by the wife. The personal appearance of Logan was +remarkably good, being six feet in height, finely formed and weighing +near two hundred pounds. + +From the period of his residence in Kentucky, to that of his death, +Logan was the unwavering friend of the United States. He was +extensively and favorably known on the frontier of Ohio, and the +Indiana territory; and, immediately after the declaration of war +against England in 1812, he joined the American service. He acted as +one of the guides of general Hull's army to Detroit; and, prior to the +actual investment of fort Wayne,--an account of which will be presently +given--he was employed by the Indian agent at Piqua, on an important +and delicate mission. The Indians around fort Wayne were giving +indications of a disposition to abandon their neutrality. This rendered +it expedient that the women and children then at that point, should be +removed within the inhabited portions of Ohio. John Johnston, the +Indian agent at Piqua, knowing Logan intimately, and having great +confidence in his judgment as well as his fidelity, selected him to +perform this duty. He was accordingly furnished with a letter to the +commandant of that fort, in which assurances were given, that the +persons about to be removed might confidently rely upon the discretion +and enterprise of Logan. He proceeded on his mission, and executed it +successfully: bringing into Piqua--near one hundred miles distant from +fort Wayne--twenty-five women and children; the former, without an +exception, bearing testimony to the uniform delicacy and kindness with +which he treated them. Deeply impressed with the dangerous +responsibility of the office he had assumed, he is said not to have +slept from the time the party left fort Wayne, until it reached Piqua. + +We next hear of Logan, in connection with the memorable siege of fort +Wayne. This post, which was erected in 1794, stood at the junction of +the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, and, although not within the +limits of Ohio, its preservation was all-important to the peace and +safety of our north-western frontier. Having been built of wood, it +was, in 1812, a pile of combustible matter. Immediately after the +surrender of general Hull, in August, 1812, the Indians, to the number +of four or five hundred, closely invested this place. The garrison at +that time, including every description of persons, amounted to less +than one hundred persons, of whom not more than sixty or seventy were +capable of performing military duty. These were commanded by captain +Rhea, an officer who, from several causes, was but ill qualified for +the Station. His lieutenants were Philip Ostrander and Daniel Curtis, +both of whom, throughout the siege, discharged their duty in a gallant +manner. + +At the time of the investment of this place, there was a considerable +body of Ohio troops in the neighborhood of Piqua. These had been +ordered out by governor Meigs, for the relief of Detroit; but, upon +hearing of the surrender of that place, their course was directed +towards fort Wayne. They were, however, almost in a state of +disorganization, and manifested but little ardor in entering upon this +new duty. Perceiving this state of things, and aware that the fort was +in imminent danger, a young man, now major William Oliver, of +Cincinnati, determined upon making an effort to reach the garrison. +Young Oliver was a resident of fort Wayne, and was on his return from a +visit to Cincinnati when, at Piqua, he learned that the place was +besieged. He immediately joined a rifle company of the Ohio militia; +but seeing the tardy movements of the troops, in advancing to the +relief of the fort, he resolved in the first place to return with all +possible expedition, to Cincinnati, for the purpose of inducing colonel +Wells, of the 17th U.S. infantry, to march his regiment to the relief +of the fort; and, in the second place, to make an effort to reach it in +person, that the garrison might be encouraged to hold out until +reinforcements should arrive. When Oliver arrived in Cincinnati, he +found that general Harrison had just crossed the Ohio, from Kentucky, +and assumed the command of the troops composing the north-western army. +He called upon the general, stated the condition of things on the +frontier, and avowed his intention of passing into the fort in advance +of the reinforcements. The general informed him that the troops then at +Cincinnati would be put in motion that day, and marched with all +practicable expedition to the invested point. This was on the 27th of +August; on the 31st Oliver overtook the Ohio militia at the St. Mary's +river. Here he learned that Adrian and Shane, two experienced scouts, +had been sent in the direction of fort Wayne, and had returned with +information that the hostile Indians were in great force on the route +to that place. On the next day, general Thomas Worthington, of +Chillicothe, who was then on the frontier as Indian commissioner, +seeing the great importance of communicating with the garrison, +determined to unite with Oliver in the attempt to reach it. These two +enterprising individuals induced sixty-eight of the Ohio troops and +sixteen Shawanoe Indians, among whom was Logan, to accompany them. They +marched eighteen miles that day, and camped for the night at Shane's +crossing. + +Next morning they again moved forward, but in the course of the day, +some thirty-six of their party abandoned the hazardous enterprise, and +returned to the main army. The remainder pursued their route, and +encamped that evening within twenty-four miles of fort Wayne. As the +party was not strong enough in its present condition to encounter the +besieging enemy, general Worthington was very reluctantly induced to +remain at this point, while Oliver, with Logan, captain Johnny and +Brighthorn, should make an effort to reach the fort. Being well armed +and mounted, they started at daybreak next morning upon this daring +adventure. Proceeding with great caution, they came within five miles +of the fort, before they observed any fresh Indian signs. At this point +the keen eye of Logan discovered the cunning strategy of the enemy: for +the purpose of concealing their bodies, they had dug holes on either +side of the road, alternately, at such distances as to secure them from +their own fire: these were intended for night watching, in order to cut +off all communication with the fort. Here the party deemed it advisable +to leave the main road, and strike across the country to the Maumee +river, which was reached in safety at a point one and a half miles +below the fort. Having tied their horses in a thicket, the party +proceeded cautiously on foot, to ascertain whether our troops or the +Indians were in possession of the fort. Having satisfied themselves on +this point, they returned, remounted their horses, and taking the main +road, moved rapidly to the fort. Upon reaching the gate of the +esplanade, they found it locked, and were thus compelled to pass down +the river bank, and then ascend it at the northern gate. They were +favored in doing so by the withdrawal of the hostile Indians from this +point, in carrying out a plan, then on the point of consummation, for +taking the fort by an ingenious stratagem. For several days previous to +this time, the hostile chiefs under a flag of truce, had been holding +intercourse with the garrison; and had, it is supposed, discovered the +unsoldier-like condition of the commander. They had accordingly +arranged their warriors in a semicircle, on the west and south sides of +the fort, and at no great distance from it. Five of the chiefs, under +pretence of treating with the officers of the garrison, were to pass +into the fort, and when in council were to assassinate the subaltern +officers with pistols and knives, concealed under their blankets; and +then to seize captain Rhea, who, in his trepidation, and under a +promise of personal safety, would, they anticipated, order the gates of +the fort to be thrown open for the admission of the besiegers. The +plan, thus arranged, was in the act of being carried into execution at +the moment when Oliver and his companions reached the gate. In speaking +of the opportune approach of this party, lieutenant Curtis says, "the +safe arrival of Mr. Oliver at that particular juncture, may justly be +considered most miraculous. One hour sooner or one later, would no +doubt have been inevitable destruction both to himself and escort: the +parties of Indians who had been detached to guard the roads and passes +in different directions, having all at that moment been called in, to +aid in carrying the fort. It is generally believed by those acquainted +with the circumstances, that not one hour, for eight days and nights +preceding or following the hour in which Mr. Oliver arrived, would have +afforded an opportunity of any probable safety." Winnemac, Five Medals, +and three other hostile chiefs, bearing the flag under which they were +to gain admittance to the fort to carry out their treacherous +intentions, were surprised by suddenly meeting at the gate, Oliver and +his companions. Coming from different directions and screened by the +angles of the fort, the parties were not visible to each other until +both were near the gate. On meeting, they shook hands, but it was +apparent that Winnemac was greatly disconcerted; he immediately wheeled +and returned to his camp, satisfied that this accession of strength to +the garrison--the forerunner, in all probability, of a much larger +force--had defeated his scheme. The others of his party entered the +fort, and remained some little time, during which they were given to +understand that Logan and his two Indian companions were to remain with +the garrison. Oliver, in the mean time, having written a hasty letter, +describing the condition of the fort, to general Worthington; and the +Indians being equipped with new rifles from the public stores, they +prepared to leave the fort without delay. Fortunately their movements +were not observed by the enemy, until they had actually started from +the garrison gate. They now put spurs to their horses and dashed off at +full speed. The hostile Indians were instantly in motion to intercept +them; the race was a severe and perilous one, but Logan and his +companions cleared the enemy's line in safety, and this accomplished, +his loud shout of triumph rose high in the air, and fell like music +upon the ears of the beleaguered garrison. The party reached general +Worthington's camp early the next morning, and delivered Oliver's +letter to him. Notwithstanding the perilous condition of the garrison, +however, the Ohio troops delayed moving for its relief, until they were +overtaken by general Harrison, who, with his reinforcements, was unable +to reach the fort until the twelfth. In the mean time the Indians kept +up an incessant firing, day and night, upon the fort, killing on one +occasion, two of the garrison who passed out of the gate on police +duty. Several times the buildings of the fort were set on fire by the +burning arrows which were shot upon them, but by the vigilance of the +garrison in extinguishing the flames, a general conflagration was +prevented. Some days after the arrival of Oliver, the Indians appeared +to be making preparations for some uncommon movement, and one +afternoon, just before night-fall, succeeded in getting possession of +one of the trading houses standing near the fort. From this point they +demanded a surrender of the garrison, under a promise of protection; +and with a threat of extermination if they were compelled to carry the +fort by storm: they alleged, further, that they had just been +reinforced by a large number of warriors, some pieces of British +cannon, and artillerists to man them. Their demand being promptly +refused, they immediately closed in upon the fort, yelling hideously, +firing their guns and also a couple of cannon. Every man in the fort +capable of doing duty, now stood at his post, having several stands of +loaded arms by his side. They were directed by the acting lieutenant, +Curtis,[A] not to fire until the Indians had approached within +twenty-five paces of the fort: the fire was at length opened upon the +entire Indian lines, and in a manner so destructive, that in twenty +minutes the enemy retreated with the loss of eighteen of their +warriors, killed. It was discovered, subsequently, that the cannon used +on this occasion by the Indians, had been made of wood by some British +traders who were with them; one of the pieces burst upon the first, and +the other on the second, fire. + +[Footnote A: Captain Rhea, by common consent, was suspended for +incapacity, and lieutenant Ostrander was on the sick list.] + +The day before general Harrison reached this place, the Indians +concentrated at a swamp, five miles south of the fort, for the purpose +of giving him battle; but after reconnoitering his force, and finding +it too strong for them, they fell back, passing by the fort in great +disorder, in the hope, it is supposed, of drawing out the garrison, +under a belief that they, (the Indians,) had been defeated by general +Harrison's army. To promote this idea, they had, while lying at the +swamp, kindled extensive fires, that the rising volume of smoke might +be mistaken for that which usually overhangs the field of battle. This +device proving unavailing, the Indians, after a vigorous investment, +running through more than twenty days, withdrew forever from the siege +of fort Wayne. + +The enterprise of young Oliver, just related, reflected the highest +credit on his bravery and patriotism: being wholly voluntary on his +part, the moral heroism of the act was only surpassed by its fortunate +results; as it prevented, in all probability, the fall of an important +frontier post, and saved its garrison from the tomahawk and scalping +knife. So hazardous was the effort deemed, indeed, that experienced +frontier's-men endeavored to dissuade him from the undertaking; and +even Logan considered it one of great peril; but when once resolved +upon, he gallantly incurred the hazard of the deed, and showed himself +worthy of the trust reposed in him. + +In November of this year, general Harrison directed Logan to take a +small party of his tribe, and reconnoitre the country in the direction +of the Rapids of the Maumee. When near this point, they were met by a +body of the enemy, superior to their own in number, and compelled to +retreat. Logan, captain Johnny and Bright-horn, who composed the party, +effected their escape, to the left wing of the army, then under the +command of general Winchester, who was duly informed of the +circumstances of their adventure. An officer of the Kentucky troops, +general P., the second in command, without the slightest ground for +such a charge, accused Logan of infidelity to our cause, and of giving +intelligence to the enemy. Indignant at this foul accusation, the noble +chief at once resolved to meet it in a manner that would leave no doubt +as to his faithfulness to the United States. He called on his friend +Oliver, and having told him of the imputation that had been cast upon +his reputation, said that he would start from the camp next morning, +and either leave his body bleaching in the woods, or return with such +trophies from the enemy, as would relieve his character from the +suspicion that had been wantonly cast upon it by an American officer. + +Accordingly, on the morning of the 22d he started down the Maumee, +attended by his two faithful companions, captain Johnny and +Bright-horn. About noon, having stopped for the purpose of taking rest, +they were suddenly surprised by a party of seven of the enemy, amongst +whom were young Elliott, a half-breed, holding a commission in the +British service, and the celebrated Potawatamie chief, Winnemac. Logan +made no resistance, but with great presence of mind, extending his hand +to Winnemac, who was an old acquaintance, proceeded to inform him, that +he and his two companions, tired of the American service, were just +leaving general Winchester's army, for the purpose of joining the +British. Winnemac, being familiar with Indian strategy, was not +satisfied with this declaration, but proceeded to disarm Logan and his +comrades, and placing his party around them, so as to prevent their +escape, started for the British camp at the foot of the Rapids. In the +course of the afternoon, Logan's address was such as to inspire +confidence in his sincerity, and induce Winnemac to restore to him and +his companions their arms. Logan now formed the plan of attacking his +captors on the first favorable opportunity; and whilst marching along, +succeeded in communicating the substance of it to captain Johnny and +Bright-horn. Their guns being already loaded, they had little further +preparation to make, than to put bullets into their mouths, to +facilitate the reloading of their arms. In carrying on this process, +captain Johnny, as he afterwards related, fearing that the man marching +by his side had observed the operation, adroitly did away the +impression by remarking, "me chaw heap tobac." + +The evening being now at hand, the British Indians determined to encamp +on the bank of Turkeyfoot creek, about twenty miles from fort +Winchester. Confiding in the idea that Logan had really deserted the +American service, a part of his captors rambled around the place of +their encampment, in search of blackhaws. They were no sooner out of +sight, than Logan gave the signal of attack upon those who remained +behind; they fired and two of the enemy fell dead--the third, being +only wounded, required a second shot to despatch him; and in the mean +time, the remainder of the party, who were near by, returned the fire, +and all of them "treed." There being four of the enemy, and only three +of Logan's party, the latter could not watch all the movements of their +antagonists. Thus circumstanced, and during an active fight, the fourth +man of the enemy passed round until Logan was uncovered by his tree, +and shot him through the body. By this time Logan's party had wounded +two of the surviving four, which caused them to fall back. Taking +advantage of this state of things, captain Johnny mounted Logan--now +suffering the pain of a mortal wound--and Bright-horn--also wounded--on +two of the enemy's horses, and started them for Winchester's camp, +which they reached about midnight. Captain Johnny, having already +secured the scalp of Winnemac, followed immediately on foot, and gained +the same point early on the following morning. It was subsequently +ascertained that the two Indians of the British party, who were last +wounded, died of their wounds, making in all five out of the seven, who +were slain by Logan and his companions. + +When the news of this gallant affair had spread through the camp, and +especially after it was known that Logan was mortally wounded, it +created a deep and mournful sensation. No one, it is believed, more +deeply regretted the fatal catastrophe, than the author of the charge +upon Logan's integrity, which had led to this unhappy result. + +Logan's popularity was very great; indeed he was almost universally +esteemed in the army, for his fidelity to our cause, his unquestioned +bravery, and the nobleness of his nature. He lived two or three days +after reaching the camp, but in extreme bodily agony; he was buried by +the officers of the army, at fort Winchester, with the honors of war. +Previous to his death, he related the particulars of this fatal +enterprise to his friend Oliver, declaring to him that he prized his +honor more than life; and, having now vindicated his reputation from +the imputation cast upon it, he died satisfied. In the course of this +interview, and while writhing with pain, he was observed to smile; upon +being questioned as to the cause, he replied, that when he recalled to +his mind the manner in which captain Johnny took off the scalp of +Winnemac, while at the same time dexterously watching the movements of +the enemy, he could not refrain from laughing--an incident in savage +life, which shows the "ruling passion strong in death." It would +perhaps be difficult in the history of savage warfare, to point out an +enterprise the execution of which reflects higher credit upon the +address and daring conduct of its authors, than this does upon Logan +and his two companions. Indeed a spirit even less indomitable, a sense +of honor less acute, and a patriotic devotion to a good cause less +active, than were manifested by this gallant chieftain of the woods, +might, under other circumstances, have well conferred immortality upon +his name. + +The Shawanoe nation has produced a number of distinguished individuals, +besides those who have been noticed in this brief sketch of that +people. The plan of our work does not permit a more extended +enumeration of them. When a full and faithful history of this tribe +shall be written, it will be found, we think, that no tribe of +aborigines on this continent, has given birth to so many men, +remarkable for their talents, energy of character, and military +prowess, as the Shawanoe. + +Under a treaty held at the rapids of the Miami of the lakes, in 1817, +by Duncan McArthur and Lewis Cass, commissioners on the part of the +United States, for extinguishing Indian titles to lands in Ohio, the +Shawanoes ceded to the government the principal portion of their lands +within the limits of this state. After this period they resided +principally on the reserve made by them at and around Wapakanotta, on +the Auglaize river. Here the greater part of them remained, until +within a few years past, when, yielding to the pressing appeals of the +government, they sold their reserved lands to the United States, and +removed west of the Mississippi. + +For a number of years prior to their final departure from Ohio, the +society of Friends, with their characteristic philanthropy towards the +Indians, maintained a mission at Wapakanotta, for the purpose of giving +instruction to the Shawanoe children, and inducing the adults to turn +their attention to agricultural pursuits. Notwithstanding the wandering +and warlike character of this tribe, such was the success attending +this effort of active benevolence, that the Friends composing the +Yearly Meetings of Baltimore, Ohio and Indiana, still continue a +similar agency among the Shawanoes, although they are now the occupants +of the territory lying beyond the distant Arkansas. + +Whether the new position west of the Mississippi, in which the Indian +tribes have been placed, will tend to promote their civilization, +arrest their deterioration in morals, or their decline in numbers, we +think extremely problematical. Should such, however, be the happy +result, it may be anticipated that the tribe which has produced a +Logan, a Cornstalk and a Tecumseh, will be among the first to rise +above the moral degradation in which it is shrouded, and foremost to +exhibit the renovating influences of Christian civilization. + + + + +THE LIFE OF TECUMSEH. + +CHAPTER I. + + Parentage of Tecumseh--his sister Tecumapease--his brothers + Cheeseekau, Sauweeseekau, Nehasseemo, Tenskwautawa or the Prophet, + and Kumskaukau. + + +There are not wanting authorities for the assertion that both the +Anglo-Saxon and Creek blood ran in the veins of TECUMSEH.[A] It has +been stated that his paternal grandfather was a white man, and that his +mother was a Creek. The better opinion, however, seems to be, that he +was wholly a Shawanoe. On this point we have the concurrent authority +of John Johnston, late Indian agent at Piqua; and of Stephen Ruddell, +formerly of Kentucky, who for near twenty years was a prisoner among +the Shawanoes. They both possessed ample opportunities for ascertaining +the fact, and unite in asserting that Puckeshinwa, the father of +Tecumseh, was a member of the Kiscopoke, and Methoataske, the mother, +of the Turtle tribe of the Shawanoe nation. + +[Footnote A: The Indian orthography of this name is Tecumtha, but the +public have been so long under a different impression, that no attempt +has been made in this work to restore the original reading.] + +The parents of Tecumseh removed from Florida to the north side of the +Ohio, about the middle of the eighteenth century. The father rose to +the rank of a chief, and fell in the celebrated battle of the Kanawha, +in 1774, leaving six sons and one daughter. Of these, one or two were +born at the south, the others within what now constitutes the state of +Ohio. They will be briefly noticed in the order of their birth. + +Cheeseekau, the eldest, is represented to have taken great pains with +his brother Tecumseh, laboring not only to make him a distinguished +warrior, but to instil into his mind a love of truth, and a contempt +for every thing mean and sordid. Cheeseekau fought by the side of his +father in the battle of Kanawha; and, some years afterwards, led a +small band of Shawanoes on a predatory expedition to the south, +Tecumseh being one of the party. While there, they joined some +Cherokees, in an attack upon a fort, garrisoned by white men. A day or +two before the attack, Cheeseekau made a speech to his followers, and +predicted that at such an hour, on a certain morning, they would reach +the fort, and that he should be shot in the forehead and killed; but +that the fort would be taken, if the party persevered in the assault, +which he urged them to do. An effort was made by his followers to +induce him to turn back, but he refused. The attack took place at the +time predicted, and Cheeseekau fell. His last words expressed the joy +he felt at dying in battle; he did not wish, he said, to be buried at +home, like an old woman, but preferred that the fowls of the air should +pick his bones. The fall of their leader created a panic among the +assaulting party, and they suddenly retreated.[A] + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell's manuscript narrative.] + +Tecumapease, known also by the name of Menewaulakoosee, was a sister +worthy of her distinguished brother Tecumseh, with whom, up to the +period of his death, she was a great favorite. Sensible, kind hearted, +and uniformly exemplary in her conduct, she obtained and exercised a +remarkable degree of influence over the females of her tribe. She was +united in marriage to a _brave_, called Wasegoboah, (stand firm,) who +fell in the battle of the Thames, fighting courageously by the side of +his brother-in-law, Tecumseh. In 1814, Tecumapease visited Quebec, in +company with some other members of her tribe, from whence, after the +close of the war between this country and England, she returned to the +neighborhood of Detroit, where, not long afterwards, she died. Tecumseh +is represented to have entertained for her a warm affection, and to +have treated her, uniformly, with respect. He was in the habit of +making her many valuable presents. + +Sauwaseekau, is supposed to have been born while his parents were +removing from the south to the Ohio. Concerning him few particulars +have been preserved. He stood well as a warrior, and was killed in +battle during Wayne's campaign in 1794. + +The fourth child, TECUMSEH, or the Shooting Star, is the subject of +this biography. + +Of the fifth, Nehaseemo, no information has been obtained. + +The two remaining children, Laulewasikaw, called after he became a +prophet Tenskwautawa, and Kumskaukau, were twins. Such is understood to +have been the statement of the former, in giving the family pedigree. +Other authorities[A] say that Tecumseh, Laulewasikaw, and Kumskaukau +were all three born at the same time. The last named lived to be an old +man, and died without distinction. + +[Footnote A: John Johnston and Anthony Shane.] + +Laulewasikaw, as will appear in the course of this work, lived to +attain an extraordinary degree of notoriety. He became, under the +influence of his brother Tecumseh, a powerful agent in arousing the +superstitious feelings of the north-western Indians, in that memorable +period of their history, between the year 1805, and the battle of +Tippecanoe, in 1811, which dissolved, in a great measure, the charm by +which he had successfully played upon their passions and excited them +to action. The character and prophetical career of this individual will +necessarily be fully displayed in the progress of this work. There is, +however, one trait of his character which may be appropriately +mentioned in this place--his disposition to boast, not only of his own +standing and importance, but also of the rank and respectability of the +family to which he belonged. As an instance of this peculiarity, and of +his tact in telling a plausible tale, the following narration may be +cited. It is an ingenious mixture of truth and fiction; and was written +down by the gentleman to whom it was related by Laulewasikaw. The +language is that of the individual to whom the narrative was made. + +"His paternal grandfather, (according to his statement of the family +pedigree) was a Creek, who, at a period which is not defined in the +manuscript before us, went to one of the southern cities, either +Savannah or Charleston, to hold a council with the English governor, +whose daughter was present at some of the interviews. This young lady +had conceived a violent admiration for the Indian character; and, +having determined to bestow herself upon some 'warlike lord' of the +forest, she took this occasion to communicate her partiality to her +father. The next morning, in the council, the governor enquired of the +Indians which of them was the most expert hunter; and the grandfather +of Tecumseh, then a young and handsome man, who sat modestly in a +retired part of the room, was pointed out to him. When the council +broke up for the day, the governor asked his daughter if she was really +so partial to the Indians, as to prefer selecting a husband from them, +and finding that she persisted in this singular predilection, he +directed her attention to the young Creek warrior, for whom, at first +sight, she avowed a decided attachment. On the following morning the +governor announced to the Creeks that his daughter was disposed to +marry one of their number; and, having pointed out the individual, +added, that his own consent would be given. The chiefs at first very +naturally doubted whether the governor was in earnest; but upon +assuring them that he was sincere, they advised the young man to +embrace the lady and her offer. He was not so ungallant as to refuse; +and having consented to the fortune that was thus buckled on him, was +immediately taken to another apartment, where he was disrobed of his +Indian costume by a train of black servants, washed, and clad in a new +suit, and the marriage ceremony was immediately performed. + +"At the close of the council the Creeks returned home, but the young +hunter remained with his wife. He amused himself in hunting, in which +he was very successful, and was accustomed to take a couple of black +servants with him, who seldom failed to bring in large quantities of +game. He lived among the whites until his wife had borne him two +daughters and a son. Upon the birth of the latter, the governor went to +see his grandson, and was so well pleased, that he called his friends +together, and caused thirty guns to be fired. When the boy was seven or +eight years old his father died, and the governor took charge of the +child, who was often visited by the Creeks. At the age of ten or +twelve, he was permitted to accompany the Indians to their nation, +where he spent some time; and two years after, he again made a long +visit to the Creeks, who then, with a few Shawanoes, lived on a river +called Pauseekoalaakee, and began to adopt their dress and customs. +They gave him an Indian name, Puckeshinwau, which means _something that +drops_; and after learning their language, he became so much attached +to the Indian life, that when the governor sent for him he refused to +return." + +Such is the pleasant and artful story, narrated with solemn gravity by +Laulewasikaw, to emblazon the family pedigree by connecting it with the +governor of one of the provinces: and here, for the present, we take +our leave of the "Open Door." + +The band of Shawanoes with whom Puckeshinwau and his family emigrated +to the Ohio, established themselves, in the first place, in the valley +of the Scioto, from whence they subsequently removed to the waters of +Mad River, one of the tributaries of the Great Miami. After the death +of Puckeshinwau, his wife Methoataaskee, returned to the south, where +she died at an advanced age, among the Cherokees. She belonged to the +Turtle tribe of the Shawanoes, and her name signifies, _a turtle laying +eggs in the sand_. That she was a respectable woman, is the testimony +of those who knew her personally: that she was naturally a superior +one, may be fairly inferred from the character of at least a part of +her children. + +With this brief account of an aboriginal family, highly reputable in +itself, but on which the name of Tecumseh has conferred no small degree +of distinction, we now proceed to the immediate subject of this memoir. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + + Birth place of Tecumseh--destruction of the Piqua village--early + habits of Tecumseh--his first battle--effort to abolish the burning + of prisoners--visits the Cherokees in the south--engages in several + battles--returns to Ohio in the autumn of 1790. + + +Some diversity of opinion has prevailed as to the birth place of +Tecumseh. It is generally supposed, and indeed is stated by several +historians to have been in the Scioto valley, near the place where +Chillicothe now stands. Such, however, is not the fact. He was born in +the valley of the Miamis, on the bank of Mad River, a few miles below +Springfield, and within the limits of Clark county. Of this there is +the most satisfactory evidence. In the year 1805, when the Indians were +assembling at Greenville, as it was feared with some hostile intention +against the frontiers, the governor of Ohio sent Duncan McArthur and +Thomas Worthington to that place, to ascertain the object and +disposition of these Indians. Tecumseh and three other chiefs agreed to +return with these messengers to Chillicothe, then the seat of +government, for the purpose of holding a "talk" with the governor. +General McArthur, in a letter to the author of this work, under date of +19th November, 1821, says, "When on the way from Greenville to +Chillicothe, Tecumseh pointed out to us the place where he was born. It +was in an old Shawanoe town, on the north-west side of Mad River, about +six miles below Springfield." This fact is corroborated by Stephen +Ruddell, the early and intimate associate of Tecumseh, who states that +he was "born in the neighborhood of 'old Chillicothe,' in the year +1768." The "old Chillicothe" here spoken of was a Shawanoe village, +situated on Massie's creek, three miles north of where Xenia now +stands, and about ten or twelve miles south of the village pointed out +by Tecumseh, to general McArthur, as the spot of his nativity. This +village was the ancient Piqua of the Shawanoes, and occupied the site +on which a small town called West Boston has since been built. The +principal part of Piqua stood upon a plain, rising fifteen or twenty +feet above the river. On the south, between the village and Mad River, +there was an extensive prairie--on the north-east some bold cliffs, +terminating near the river--on the west and south-west, level timbered +land; while on the opposite side of the stream, another prairie, of +varying width, stretched back to the high grounds. The river sweeping +by in a graceful bend--the precipitous rocky cliffs--the undulating +hills with their towering trees--the prairies garnished with tall grass +and brilliant flowers--combined to render the situation of Piqua both +beautiful and picturesque. + +At the period of its destruction, Piqua was quite populous. There was a +rude log fort within its limits, surrounded by pickets. It was, +however, sacked and burnt on the 8th of August, 1780, by an army of one +thousand men from Kentucky, after a severe and well conducted battle +with the Indians who inhabited it. All the improvements of the Indians, +including more than two hundred acres of corn and other vegetables, +then growing in their fields, were laid waste and destroyed. The town +was never afterwards rebuilt by the Shawanoes. Its inhabitants removed +to the Great Miami river, and erected another town which they called +Piqua, after the one that had just been destroyed; and in defence of +which they had fought with the skill and valor characteristic of their +nation.[A] + +[Footnote A: For this sketch of Piqua, the author is chiefly indebted +to his venerable friend, Major James Galloway, of Xenia, Ohio.] + +The birth of Tecumseh has been placed by some writers in the year 1771. +Ruddell states that it occurred in 1768, three years earlier, and this, +we think, is probably the true period. His early boyhood gave promise +of the renown of his maturer years. After the death of his father, +which occurred when he was in his sixth year, he was placed under the +charge of his oldest brother, Cheeseekau, who taught him to hunt, led +him to battle, and labored zealously to imbue his mind with a love for +truth, generosity, and the practice of those cardinal Indian virtues, +courage in battle and fortitude in suffering. From his boyhood, +Tecumseh seems to have had a passion for war. His pastimes, like those +of Napoleon, were generally in the sham-battle field. He was the leader +of his companions in all their sports, and was accustomed to divide +them into parties, one of which he always headed, for the purpose of +fighting mimic battles, in which he usually distinguished himself by +his activity, strength and skill.[A] His dexterity in the use of the +bow and arrow exceeded that of all the other Indian boys of his tribe, +by whom he was loved and respected, and over whom he exercised +unbounded influence. He was generally surrounded by a set of companions +who were ready to stand or fall by his side.[B] It is stated that the +first battle in which he was engaged, occurred on Mad River, near where +Dayton stands, between a party of Kentuckians, commanded by colonel +Benjamin Logan, and some Shawanoes. At this time Tecumseh was very +young, and joined the expedition under the care of his brother, who was +wounded at the first fire. It is related by some Indian chiefs that +Tecumseh, at the commencement of the action, became frightened and +ran.[C] This may be true, but it is the only instance in which he was +ever known to shrink from danger, or to loose that presence of mind for +which he was ever afterwards remarkably distinguished. + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell's MS. account.] + +[Footnote B: Anthony Shane.] + +[Footnote C: A similar statement is made in regard to the first battle +of the celebrated Red Jacket.] + +The next action in which Tecumseh participated, and in which he +manifested signal prowess, was an attack made by the Indians upon some +flat boats, descending the Ohio, above Limestone, now Maysville. The +year in which it occurred is not stated, but Tecumseh was not probably +more than sixteen or seventeen years of age. The boats were captured, +and all the persons belonging to them killed, except one, who was taken +prisoner, and afterwards burnt. Tecumseh was a silent spectator of the +scene, having never witnessed the burning of a prisoner before. After +it was over, he expressed in strong terms, his abhorrence of the act, +and it was finally concluded by the party that they would never burn +any more prisoners;[A] and to this resolution, he himself, and the +party also, it is believed, ever afterwards scrupulously adhered. It is +not less creditable to the humanity than to the genius of Tecumseh, +that he should have taken this noble stand, and by the force and +eloquence of his appeal, have brought his companions to the same +resolution. He was then but a boy, yet he had the independence to +attack a cherished custom of his tribe, and the power of argument to +convince them, against all their preconceived notions of right and the +rules of warfare, that the custom should be abolished. That his effort +to put a stop to this cruel and revolting rite, was not prompted by any +temporary expediency, but was the result of a humane disposition, and a +right sense of justice, is abundantly shown by his conduct towards +prisoners in after life. + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell.] + +The boats were owned by traders. The number of whites killed in the +engagement has not been ascertained. In the attack upon them, Tecumseh +not only behaved with great courage, but even left in the back ground +some of the oldest and bravest warriors of the party. From this time +his reputation as a brave, and his influence over other minds, rose +rapidly among the tribe to which he belonged. + +About the year 1787, Cheeseekau and Tecumseh, with a party of +Kiscopokes, one of the tribes of the Shawanoe nation, moved westward on +a hunting and predatory expedition. They made a stand for some months +on the waters of the Mississinnaway, and then crossed over to the +Mississippi, opposite the mouth of Apple creek, where they encamped and +remained for eight or nine months. From thence they proceeded towards +the Cherokee country. On their route, while opposite fort Massac, they +engaged in a buffalo chase, during which Tecumseh was thrown from his +horse, and had his thigh broken.[A] This accident detained them for +some months at the place where it occurred. So soon as he had +recovered, the party, headed by Cheeseekau, proceeded on their way to +the country of the Cherokees, who were then at hostilities with the +whites. With that fondness for adventure and love of war, which have +ever marked the Shawanoe character, they immediately offered assistance +to their brethren of the south, which being accepted, they joined in +the contest. + +[Footnote A: Shane thinks both thighs were broken, Ruddell says but +one.] + +The engagement in which they participated was an attack upon a fort, +the name and position of which were not known to our informant. The +Indians, it is well known are always superstitious, and from the fact +of Cheeseekau, having foretold his death, its occurrence disheartened +them, and in despite of the influence of Tecumseh and the Cherokee +leaders, who rose above the superstition of their comrades, the attack +was given up, and a sudden retreat followed. + +Tecumseh, who had left the banks of the Miami in quest of adventures, +and for the purpose of winning renown as a warrior, told the party that +he was determined not to return to his native land, until he had +achieved some act worthy of being recounted. He accordingly selected +eight or ten men and proceeded to the nearest settlement, attacked a +house, killed all the men in it, and took the women and children +prisoners. He did not immediately retreat, but engaged in some other +similar adventures. During this expedition he was three times attacked +in the night in his encampment; but owing to his good judgment in the +choice of his camping ground, and his habitual watchfulness when in an +enemy's country, no advantage was gained over him. On one occasion, +while encamped in the edge of a cane-brake on the waters of the +Tennessee, he was assaulted by a party of whites, about thirty in +number. Tecumseh had not lain down, but was engaged at the moment of +the attack, in dressing some meat. He instantly sprang to his feet, and +ordering his small party to follow him, rushed upon his foes with +perfect fearlessness; and, having killed two, put the whole party to +flight, he losing none of his own men. + +Tecumseh and his party remained at the south nearly two years, +traversing that region of country, visiting the different tribes of +Indians, and engaging in the border forays which at that period were +constantly occurring between the whites and the native possessors of +the soil. He now determined to return home, and accordingly set out +with eight of his party. They passed through western Virginia, crossed +the Ohio near the mouth of the Scioto, and visiting the Machichac towns +on the head waters of Mad River, from thence proceeded to the Auglaize, +which they reached in the fall of 1790, shortly after the defeat of +general Harmar, having been absent from Ohio upwards of three years. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + + Tecumseh attacked near Big Rock by some whites under Robert + M'Clelland--severe battle with some Kentuckians on the East Fork of + the Little Miami--attack upon Tecumseh in 1793, on the waters of + Paint creek--Tecumseh present at the attack on fort Recovery in + 1794--participates in the battle of the Rapids of the Maumee, in + 1794. + + +From the period of his return, until August of the following year, +1791, Tecumseh spent his time in hunting. In the autumn of this year, +when information reached the Indians, that general St. Clair and his +army were preparing to march from fort Washington, into their country, +this chief headed a small party of spies, who went out for the purpose +of watching the movements of the invading force.[A] While lying on +Nettle creek, a small stream which empties into the Great Miami, +general St. Clair and his army passed out through Greenville to the +head waters of the Wabash, where he was defeated. Tecumseh, of course, +had no personal participation in this engagement, so creditable to the +valor of the Indians, and so disastrous to the arms and renown of the +United States. + +[Footnote A: Stephen Ruddell.] + +In December, 1792, Tecumseh, with ten other warriors and a boy, were +encamped near Big Rock, between Loramie's creek and Piqua, for the +purpose of hunting. Early one morning, while the party were seated +round the fire, engaged in smoking, they were fired upon by a company +of whites near treble their number. Tecumseh raised the war-whoop, upon +which the Indians sprang to their arms, and promptly returned the fire. +He then directed the boy to run, and in turning round a moment +afterwards, perceived that one of his men. Black Turkey, was running +also. He had already retreated to the distance of one hundred yards; +yet such was his fear of Tecumseh, he instantly obeyed the order to +return, indignantly given him, and joined in the battle. Two of the +whites were killed--one of them by Tecumseh--before they retreated. +While pursuing them Tecumseh broke the trigger of his rifle, which +induced him to give up the chase, or probably more of the whites would +have fallen. They were commanded by Robert M'Clelland. Tecumseh lost +none of his men; two of them, however, were wounded, one of whom was +Black Turkey.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +In the month of March, 1792, some horses were stolen by the Indians, +from the settlements in Mason county, Kentucky. A party of whites to +the number of thirty-six, was immediately raised for the purpose of +pursuing them. It embraced Kenton, Whiteman, M'Intire, Downing, +Washburn, Calvin and several other experienced woodsmen. The first +named, Simon Kenton, a distinguished Indian fighter, was placed in +command. The trail of the Indians being taken, it was found they had +crossed the Ohio just below the mouth of Lee's creek, which was reached +by the pursuing party towards evening. Having prepared rafts, they +crossed the Ohio that night, and encamped. Early next morning the trail +was again taken and pursued, on a north course, all day, the weather +being bad and the ground wet. On the ensuing morning twelve of the men +were unable to continue the pursuit, and were permitted to return. The +remainder followed the trail until eleven o'clock, A.M., when a bell +was heard, which they supposed indicated their approach to the Indian +camp. A halt was called, and all useless baggage and clothing laid +aside. Whiteman and two others were sent ahead as spies, in different +directions, each being followed by a detachment of the party. After +moving forward some distance, it was found that the bell was +approaching them. They halted and soon perceived a solitary Indian +riding towards them. When within one hundred and fifty yards, he was +fired at and killed. Kenton directed the spies to proceed, being now +satisfied that the camp of the Indians was near at hand. They pushed on +rapidly, and after going about four miles, found the Indians encamped, +on the south-east side of the east fork of the Little Miami, a few +miles above the place where the town of Williamsburg has since been +built. The indications of a considerable body of Indians were so +strong, that the expediency of an attack at that hour of the day was +doubted by Kenton. A hurried council was held, in which it was +determined to retire, if it could be done without discovery, and lie +concealed until night, and then assault the camp. This plan was carried +into execution. Two of the spies were left to watch the Indians, and +ascertain whether the pursuing party had been discovered. The others +retreated for some distance and took a commanding position on a ridge. +The spies watched until night, and then reported to their commander, +that they had not been discovered by the enemy. The men being wet and +cold, they were now marched down into a hollow, where they kindled +fires, dried their clothes, and put their rifles in order. The party +was then divided into three detachments,--Kenton commanding the right, +M'Intire the centre, and Downing the left. By agreement, the three +divisions were to move towards the camp, simultaneously, and when they +had approached as near as possible, without giving an alarm, were to be +guided in the commencement of the attack, by the fire from Kenton's +party. When Downing and his detachment had approached close to the +camp, an Indian rose upon his feet, and began to stir up the fire, +which was but dimly burning. Fearing a discovery, Downing's party +instantly shot him down. This was followed by a general fire from the +three detachments, upon the Indians who were sleeping under some +marquees and bark tents, close upon the margin of the stream. But +unfortunately, as it proved in the sequel, Kenton's party had taken +"Boone," as their watch-word. This name happening to be as familiar to +the enemy as themselves, led to some confusion in the course of the +engagement. When fired upon, the Indians instead of retreating across +the stream as had been anticipated, boldly stood to their arms, +returned the fire of the assailants and rushed upon them. They were +reinforced moreover from a camp on the opposite side of the river,[A] +which until then, had been unperceived by the whites. In a few minutes +the Indians and the Kentuckians were blended with each other, and the +cry of "Boone," and "Che Boone," arose simultaneously from each party. + +[Footnote A: M'Donald, in his interesting "Biographical Sketches," of +some of the western pioneers, says this "second line of tents" was on +the lower bottom of the creek and not on the opposite side of it.] + +It was after midnight when the attack was made, and there being no +moon, it was very dark. Kenton perceiving that his men were likely to +be overpowered, ordered a retreat after the attack had lasted for a few +minutes; this was continued through the remainder of the night and part +of the next day, the Indians pursuing them, but without killing more +than one of the retreating party. The Kentuckians lost but two men, +Alexander McIntire and John Barr.[A] The loss of the Indians was much +greater, according to the statements of some prisoners, who, after the +peace of 1795, were released and returned to Kentucky. They related +that fourteen Indians were killed, and seventeen wounded. They stated +further, that there were in the camp about one hundred warriors, among +them several chiefs of note, including Tecumseh, Battise, Black Snake, +Wolf and Chinskau; and that the party had been formed for the purpose +of annoying the settlements in Kentucky, and attacking boats descending +the Ohio river. Kenton and his party were three days in reaching +Limestone, during two of which they were without food, and destitute of +sufficient clothing to protect them from the cold winds and rains of +March. The foregoing particulars of this expedition are taken from the +manuscript narrative of general Benjamin Whiteman, one of the early and +gallant pioneers to Kentucky, now a resident of Green county, Ohio. + +[Footnote A: The father of the late Major William Barr, for many years +a citizen of Cincinnati.] + +The statements of Anthony Shane and of Stephen Ruddell, touching this +action, vary in some particulars from that which has been given above, +and also from the narrative in McDonald's Sketches. The principal +difference relates to the number of Indians in the engagement, and the +loss sustained by them. They report but two killed, and that the Indian +force was less than that of the whites. Ruddell states that at the +commencement of the attack, Tecumseh was lying by the fire, outside of +the tents. When the first gun was heard he sprang to his feet, and +calling upon Sinnamatha[A] to follow his example and charge, he rushed +forward, and killed one of the whites[B] with his war-club. The other +Indians, raising the war-whoop, seized their arms, and rushing upon +Kenton and his party, compelled them, after a severe contest of a few +minutes, to retreat. One of the Indians, in the midst of the +engagement, fell into the river, and in the effort to get out of the +water, made so much noise, that it created a belief on the minds of the +whites that a reinforcement was crossing the stream to aid Tecumseh. +This is supposed to have hastened the order from Kenton, for his men to +retreat. The afternoon prior to the battle, one of Kenton's men, by the +name of McIntire, succeeded in catching an Indian horse, which he tied +in the rear of the camp; and, when a retreat was ordered, he mounted +and rode off. Early in the morning, Tecumseh and four of his men set +off in pursuit of the retreating party. Having fallen upon the trail of +McIntire, they pursued it for some distance, and at length overtook +him. He had struck a fire and was cooking some meat. When McIntire +discovered his pursuers, he instantly fled at full speed. Tecumseh and +two others followed, and were fast gaining on him, when he turned and +raised his gun. Two of the Indians, who happened to be in advance of +Tecumseh, sprung behind trees, but he rushed upon McIntire and made him +prisoner. He was tied and taken back to the battle ground. Upon +reaching it, Tecumseh deemed it prudent to draw off his men, lest the +whites should rally and renew the attack. He requested some of the +Indians to catch the horses, but they, hesitating, he undertook to do +it himself, assisted by one of the party. When he returned to camp with +the horses, he found that his men had killed McIntire. At this act of +cruelty to a prisoner, he was exceedingly indignant; declaring that it +was a cowardly act to kill a man when tied and a prisoner. The conduct +of Tecumseh in this engagement, and in the events of the following +morning, is creditable alike to his courage and humanity. Resolutely +brave in battle, his arm was never uplifted against a prisoner, nor did +he suffer violence to be inflicted upon a captive, without promptly +rebuking it. + +[Footnote A: Or Big Fish, the name by which Stephen Ruddell, then +fighting with Tecumseh, was called.] + +[Footnote B: John Barr, referred to in a preceding note.] + +McDonald, in speaking of this action, says: + +"The celebrated Tecumseh commanded the Indians. His cautious and +fearless intrepidity made him a host wherever he went. In military +tactics, night attacks are not allowable, except in cases like this, +when the assailing party are far inferior in numbers. Sometimes in +night attacks, panics and confusion are created in the attacked party, +which may render them a prey to inferior numbers. Kenton trusted to +something like this on the present occasion, but was disappointed; for +when Tecumseh was present, his influence over the minds of his +followers infused that confidence in his tact and intrepidity, that +they could only be defeated by force of numbers." + +Some time in the spring of 1793, Tecumseh and a few of his followers, +while hunting in the Scioto valley on the waters of Paint creek, were +unexpectedly attacked by a party of white men from Mason county, +Kentucky. The circumstances which led to this skirmish were the +following. Early in the spring of this year, an express reached the +settlement in Mason, that some stations had been attacked and captured +on Slate creek, in Bath county, Kentucky, and that the Indians were +returning with their prisoners to Ohio. A party of thirty-three men was +immediately raised to cut off their retreat. These were divided into +three companies, of ten men each;--Simon Kenton commanding one,--Baker +another, and James Ward the third. The whole party crossed the Ohio +river at Limestone, and aimed to strike the Scioto above the mouth of +Paint creek. After crossing this latter stream, near where the great +road from Maysville to Chillicothe now crosses it, evening came on, and +they halted for the night. In a short time they heard a noise, and a +little examination disclosed to them that they were in the immediate +vicinity of an Indian encampment. Their horses were promptly taken back +some distance and tied, to prevent an alarm. A council was +held,--captain Baker offered to go and reconnoitre, which being agreed +to, he took one of his company and made the examination. He found the +Indians encamped on the bank of the creek, their horses being between +them and the camp of the whites. After Baker's report was made, the +party determined to remain where they were until near daylight the next +morning; and then to make an attack in the following manner. Captain +Baker and his men were to march round and take a position on the bank +of the stream, in front of the Indian camp: captain Ward was to occupy +the ground in the rear; and captain Kenton one side, while the river +presented a barrier on the fourth, thus guarding against a retreat of +the Indians. It was further agreed that the attack was not to commence +until there was light enough to shoot with accuracy. Before Kenton and +Ward had reached the positions they were respectively to occupy, the +bark of a dog in the Indian camp was heard, and then the report of a +gun. Upon this alarm, Baker's men instantly fired, and captains Kenton +and Ward, with their companies, raising the battle cry, rushed towards +the camp. To their surprise, they found Baker and his men in the rear, +instead of the front of the Indians, thus deranging the plan of attack, +whether from design or accident is unknown. The Indians sent back the +battle cry, retreated a few paces, and treed. It was still too dark to +fire with precision, but random shots were made, and a terrible +shouting kept up by the Indians. While the parties were thus at bay, +Tecumseh had the address to send a part of their men to the rear of the +Kentuckians for the horses; and when they had been taken to the front, +which was accomplished without discovery, the Indians mounted and +effected their escape, carrying with them John Ward, the only one of +their party who was shot. This individual, a white man, had been +captured when three-years old, on Jackson, one of the tributaries of +James river, in Virginia. He had been raised by the Indians, among whom +he had married, and reared several children. He was the brother of +James Ward, one of the leaders of this expedition, and died of his +wound a few days after the engagement, as was subsequently ascertained. +No Indian was killed in this skirmish, and but one of the Kentuckians, +Jacob Jones, a member of Baker's detachment. No pursuit of the Indians +was made from this point, nor did they prove to be the same party who +had been engaged in the attack upon the Slate creek station.[A] + +[Footnote A: For the foregoing details of this little expedition, the +author is indebted to captain James Ward, of Mason county, Kentucky, +who commanded one of the detachments on this occasion.] + +In McDonald's Sketches, it is stated that "three Indians were killed in +this action; and that when fired upon by their assailants, they dashed +through the creek, and scattered through the woods, like a flock of +young partridges." + +On these points, the worthy author of the "Sketches" has undoubtedly +been misinformed. The Indians lost but one man, John Ward; and after +having treed, maintained their ground until they had adroitly obtained +possession of their horses, and then succeeded in making their escape, +carrying off not only the wounded man, but also the women and children +who were with them when attacked. This we learn from authorities before +us, on which reliance may be placed.[A] By one of these, it appears +that there were but six or seven warriors in the party; and, that when +the attack was made, Tecumseh called out to them that the women and +children must be defended, and it was owing to his firmness and +influence that the assailants were kept at bay until the horses of his +party were secured, and the necessary arrangements made for a hasty +retreat. + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane. Stephen Ruddell.] + +After this engagement, it is not known that Tecumseh was a party to any +warlike movement, until the summer of the following year. He returned +to the waters of the Miami, and spent his time in hunting, for which he +had a great fondness, and in which he was generally more successful +than any other member of his tribe. + +After general Wayne assumed the command of the north-western army, he +caused a fort to be built on the spot where the unfortunate defeat of +his predecessor, general Arthur St. Clair, had occurred. This fort was +named Recovery. + +In the summer of 1794, an attack was made upon it by a numerous body of +Indians, among whom was Tecumseh. They were accompanied by a British +officer, and some artillerists, furnished with fixed ammunition, suited +to the calibre of some field pieces which the Indians had taken from +general St. Clair, at the time of his defeat.[A] In referring to this +attack and the movements of general Wayne, Withers, in his "Chronicles +of Border Warfare," says: + +"Before the troops marched from fort Washington, it was deemed +advisable to have an abundant supply of provisions in the different +forts in advance of this, as well for the support of their respective +garrisons, as for the subsistence of the general army, in the event of +its being driven into them, by untoward circumstances. With this view, +three hundred pack horses, laden with flour, were sent on to fort +Recovery; and as it was known that considerable bodies of the enemy +were constantly hovering about the forts, and awaiting opportunities of +cutting off any detachments from the main army, major McMahon, with +ninety riflemen under captain Hartshorn, and fifty dragoons under +captain Taylor, was ordered on as an escort. This force was so large as +to discourage the savages from making an attack, until they should +unite their several war parties, and before this could be effected, +major McMahon reached the place of his destination. + +"On the 30th of July, as the escort was about leaving fort Recovery, it +was attacked by a body of one thousand Indians, in the immediate +vicinity of the fort. Captain Hartshorn had advanced only three or four +hundred yards, at the head of the riflemen, when he was unexpectedly +beset on every side. With the most consummate bravery and good conduct, +he maintained the unequal conflict, until major McMahon, placing +himself at the head of the cavalry, charged upon the enemy, and was +repulsed with considerable loss. Major McMahon, captain Taylor and +cornet Torrey fell, upon the first onset, and many of the privates were +killed or wounded. The whole savage force being now brought to press on +captain Hartshorn, that brave officer was forced to try and regain the +fort; but the enemy interposed its strength to prevent this movement. +Lieutenant Drake and ensign Dodd, with twenty volunteers, marched from +the fort, and forcing a passage through a column of the enemy, at the +point of the bayonet, joined the rifle corps at the instant that +captain Hartshorn received a shot which broke his thigh. Lieutenant +Craig being killed, and lieutenant Marks taken prisoner, lieutenant +Drake conducted the retreat; and while endeavoring for an instant to +hold the enemy in check, so as to enable the soldiers to bring off +their wounded captain, himself received a shot in the groin, and the +retreat was resumed, leaving captain Hartshorn on the field. + +"When the remnant of the troops came within the walls of the fort, +lieutenant Michael, who had been detached at an early period of the +battle by captain Hartshorn to the flank of the enemy, was found to be +missing, and was given up as lost; but while his friends were deploring +his unfortunate fate, he and lieutenant Marks, who had been taken +prisoner, were seen rushing through the enemy from opposite directions, +towards the fort. They gained it safely, notwithstanding they were +actively pursued, and many shots fired at them. Lieutenant Marks had +got off by knocking down the Indian who held him prisoner; and +lieutenant Michael had lost all of his party but three men." + +[Footnote A: For this fact see general Harrison's Address on the 50th +Anniversary of the first settlement of Ohio.] + +The official letter of general Wayne giving an account of this action, +places the loss of the whites at twenty-two killed and thirty wounded. +"The enemy," continues the report, "were soon repulsed with great +slaughter, but immediately rallied and reiterated the attack, keeping +up a very heavy and constant fire, at a more respectable distance, for +the remainder of the day, which was answered with spirit and effect by +the garrison, and that part of major McMahon's command that had +regained the fort. The savages were employed during the night (which +was dark and foggy,) in carrying off their dead by torchlight, which +occasionally drew a fire from the garrison. They nevertheless succeeded +so well, that there were but eight or ten bodies left on the field, and +those close under the influence of the fire from the fort. The enemy +again renewed the attack on the morning of the first inst., but were +ultimately compelled to retreat with loss and disgrace from that very +field, where they had upon a former occasion, been proudly victorious." + +Tecumseh fought in the decisive battle between the American troops +under general Wayne, and the combined Indian forces, which occurred on +the 20th of August, 1794, near the rapids of the Miami of the lakes. It +is not known whether he attended the council, the evening previous to +the engagement, in which the advice of Little Turtle, the Miami chief, +was overruled by the influence of the Shawanoe chief, Blue Jacket. The +former was opposed to giving battle on the following day; the latter in +favor of it. As a _brave_ of distinction, Tecumseh took the command of +a party of Shawanoes in the engagement, but had no participation in the +plan of the attack, or the mode of carrying it into execution. At the +commencement of the action, he was in the advance guard with two of his +brothers. After fighting for some time, in attempting to load his +rifle, he put in a bullet before the powder, and was thus unable to use +his gun. Being at this moment pressed in front by some infantry, he +fell back with his party until they met another detachment of Indians. +Tecumseh urged them to stand fast and fight, saying if any one would +lend him a gun, he would show them how to do it. A fowling-piece was +handed to him, with which he fought for some time, until the Indians +were again compelled to give ground. While falling back, he met another +party of Shawanoes, and although the whites were pressing on them, he +rallied the Indians, and induced them to make a stand in a thicket. +When the infantry pressed close upon them, and had discharged their +muskets into the bushes, Tecumseh and his party returned their fire, +and then retreated, until they had joined the main body of the Indians +below the rapids of the Miami.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +In this memorable action, which gave victory to the American arms, and +humbled the north-western Indians, William Henry Harrison and Tecumseh +were for the first time opposed to each other in battle. They were both +young, and indeed nearly the same age, and both displayed that courage +and gallantry which ever afterwards signalized their brilliant and +eventful lives. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + + Tecumseh's skill as a hunter--declines attending the treaty of + Greenville in 1795--in 1796 removed to Great Miami--in 1798 joined a + party of Delawares on White river, Indiana--in 1799 attended a + council between the whites and Indians near Urbana--another at + Chillicothe in 1803--makes an able speech--removes with the Prophet + to Greenville, in 1805--the latter commences prophecying--causes the + death of Teteboxti, Patterson, Coltes, and Joshua--governor + Harrison's speech to the Prophet to arrest these murderers--effort of + Wells, the U.S. Indian agent, to prevent Tecumseh and the Prophet + from assembling the Indians at Greenville--Tecumseh's speech in + reply--he attends a council at Chillicothe--speech on that + occasion--council at Springfield--Tecumseh principal speaker and + actor. + + +In the spring of the year 1795, Tecumseh was established on Deer creek, +near where Urbana now stands, and engaged in his favorite amusement of +hunting. This was more as a pastime than a matter of business. The love +of property was not a distinguishing trait of his character; on the +contrary, his generosity was proverbial among his tribe. If he +accumulated furs, they, or the goods which he received in return for +them, were dispensed with a liberal hand. He loved hunting because it +was a manly exercise, fit for a _brave_; and, for the additional +reason, that it gave him the means of furnishing the aged and infirm +with wholesome and nourishing food. The skill of Tecumseh in the chase +has already been adverted to. While residing on Deer creek, an incident +occurred which greatly enhanced his reputation as a hunter. One of his +brothers, and several other Shawanoes of his own age, proposed to bet +with him, that they could each kill as many deer, in the space of three +days, as he could. Tecumseh promptly accepted the overture. The parties +took to the woods, and at the end of the stipulated time, returned with +the evidences of their success. None of the party, except Tecumseh, had +more than twelve deer skins; he brought in upwards of thirty--near +three times as many as any of his competitors. From this time he was +generally conceded to be the greatest hunter in the Shawanoe nation. + +In the course of the summer of this year, 1795, he commenced raising a +party of his own, and began to style himself a chief. He did not attend +the treaty of Greenville, held by general Wayne, on the 3d of August, +1795, with the hostile Indians, but after its conclusion, Blue Jacket +paid him a visit on Deer creek, and communicated to him the terms on +which peace had been concluded. + +Tecumseh remained at this place until the spring of 1796, when he +removed with his party to the Great Miami, near to Piqua, where they +raised a crop of corn. In the autumn he again changed his place of +residence, and went over to the head branches of White Water, west of +the Miami, where he and his party spent the winter; and in the spring +and summer of 1797, raised another crop of corn. + +In the year 1798, the Delawares, then residing in part, on White river, +Indiana, invited Tecumseh and his followers, to remove to that +neighborhood. Having accepted this invitation, and made the removal, he +continued his head quarters in the vicinity of that nation for several +years, occupied in the ordinary pursuits of the hunter-life--gradually +extending his influence among the Indians, and adding to the number of +his party. + +In 1799, there was a council held about six miles north of the place +where Urbana now stands, between the Indians and some of the principal +settlers on Mad River, for the adjustment of difficulties which had +grown up between these parties. Tecumseh, with other Shawanoe chiefs, +attended this council. He appears to have been the most conspicuous +orator of the conference, and made a speech on the occasion, which was +much admired for its force and eloquence. The interpreter, Dechouset, +said that he found it very difficult to translate the lofty flights of +Tecumseh, although he was as well acquainted with the Shawanoe +language, as with the French, which was his mother tongue.[A] + +[Footnote A: James Galloway, of Xenia.] + +We next hear of Tecumseh, under circumstances which show the confidence +reposed in him by the white settlers on the frontier. + +In the month of April, 1803, Thomas Herrod, living sixteen miles +north-west of Chillicothe, was shot, tomahawked, and scalped, near his +own house. The Indians were suspected of having committed this deed; a +wanton and cruel retaliation was made upon one of them, (guiltless no +doubt of that particular crime,) and the settlement in the Scioto +valley and north-west of it, was thrown into a state of much +excitement. The Indians fled in one direction and the whites in +another. For the purpose of ascertaining the facts in the case, and +preventing further hostilities, several patriotic citizens of +Chillicothe mounted their horses, and rode into the Indian country, +where they found Tecumseh and a body of Indians. They disavowed all +knowledge of the murder of Herrod, and stated, explicitly, that they +were peaceably inclined, and disposed to adhere to the treaty of +Greenville. Tecumseh finally agreed to return with the deputation from +Chillicothe, that he might in person, give similar assurances to the +people of that place. He did so, and a day was fixed on, when he should +make an address upon the subject. A white man, raised among the +Indians, acted as interpreter. Governor Tiffin opened the conference. +"When Tecumseh rose to speak," says an eyewitness, "as he cast his gaze +over the vast multitude, which the interesting occasion had drawn +together, he appeared one of the most dignified men I ever beheld. +While this orator of nature was speaking, the vast crowd preserved the +most profound silence. From the confident manner in which he spoke of +the intention of the Indians to adhere to the treaty of Greenville, and +live in peace and friendship with their white brethren, he dispelled, +as if by magic, the apprehensions of the whites--the settlers returned +to their deserted farms, and business generally was resumed throughout +that region."[A] This incident is of value, in forming an estimate of +the character of this chief: it exhibits the confidence reposed in him +by he white inhabitants on the frontier. The declaration of no other +Indian could thus have dissipated the fears of a border war, which then +pervaded the settlement. + +[Footnote A: Colonel John M'Donald.] + +Some time during this year, a stout Kentuckian came to Ohio, for the +purpose of exploring the lands on Mad River, and lodged one night at +the house of captain Abner Barrett, residing on the head waters of Buck +creek. In the course of the evening, he learned with apparent alarm, +that there were some Indians encamped within a short distance of the +house. Shortly after hearing this unwelcome intelligence, the door of +captain Barrett's dwelling was suddenly opened, and Tecumseh entered +with his usual stately air: he paused in silence, and looked around, +until at length his eye was fixed upon the stranger, who was +manifesting symptoms of alarm, and did not venture to look the stern +savage in the face. Tecumseh turned to his host, and pointing to the +agitated Kentuckian, exclaimed, "a big baby! a big baby!" He then +stepped up to him, and gently slapping him on the shoulder several +times, repeated with a contemptuous manner, the phrase "big baby! big +baby!" to the great alarm of the astonished man, and to the amusement +of all present.[A] + +[Footnote A: James Galloway.] + +In the early part of the year 1805, a portion of the Shawanoe nation, +residing at the Tawa towns on the headwaters of the Auglaize river, +wishing to re-assemble their scattered people, sent a deputation to +Tecumseh and his party, (then living on White river,) and also to a +body of the same tribe upon the Mississiniway, another tributary of the +Wabash, inviting them to remove to the Tawa towns, and join their +brethren at that place. To this proposition both parties assented; and +the two bands met at Greenville, on their way thither. There, through +the influence of Laulewasikaw, they concluded to establish themselves; +and accordingly the project of going to the Auglaize was abandoned. +Very soon afterwards, Laulewasikaw assumed the office of a prophet; and +forthwith commenced that career of cunning and pretended sorcery, which +enabled him to sway the Indian mind in a wonderful degree, and win for +himself a name on the page of history. A concise notice of his +prophetical achievements is subjoined. While it serves to display his +individual character and endowments, it also presents an interesting +and instructive phase of aboriginal character. + +It happened about this time that an old Shawanoe, named Penagashega, or +the Change of Feathers, who had for some years been engaged in the +respectable calling of a prophet, fell sick and died. Laulewasikaw, who +had marked the old man's influence with the Indians, adroitly caught up +the mantle of the dying prophet, and assumed his sacred office. He +changed his name from Laulewasikaw, to Tenskwautawau,[A] meaning the +Open Door, because he undertook to point out to the Indians the new +modes of life which they should pursue. In the month of November, of +this year, he assembled a considerable number of Shawanoes, Wyandots, +Ottaways and Senecas, at Wapakonatta, on the Auglaize river, when he +unfolded to them the new character with which he was clothed, and made +his first public effort in that career of religious imposition, which, +in a few years, was felt by the remote tribes of the upper lakes, and +on the broad plains which stretch beyond the Mississippi. At this time +nothing, it is believed, was said by him in regard to the grand +confederacy of the tribes, for the recovery of their lands, which +shortly afterwards became an object of ambition with his brother; and, +in the furtherance of which he successfully exerted his power and +influence, as a prophet. In this assemblage he declaimed against +witchcraft, which many of the Indians practised and still more +believed. He pronounced that those who continued bewitched, or exerted +their arts on others, would never go to heaven nor see the Great +Spirit. He next took up the subject of drunkenness, against which he +harangued with great force; and, as appeared subsequently, with much +success. He told them that since he had become a prophet, he went up +into the clouds; that the first place he came to was the dwelling of +the Devil, and that all who had died drunkards were there, with flames +issuing out of their mouths. He acknowledged that he had himself been a +drunkard, but that this awful scene had reformed him. Such was the +effect of his preaching against this pernicious vice, that many of his +followers became alarmed, and ceased to drink the "fire-water," a name +by which whiskey is significantly called among the Indians. He +likewise, declaimed against the custom of Indian women intermarrying +with white men, and denounced it as one of the causes of their +unhappiness. Among other doctrines of his new code, he insisted on a +community of property--a very comfortable regulation for those, who +like himself, were too indolent to labor for the acquisition of it. A +more salutary and rational precept, and one which he enforced with +considerable energy, was the duty of the young, at all times and under +all circumstances, to support, cherish and respect the aged and infirm. +He declaimed with vehemence against all innovations in the original +dress and habits of the Indians--dwelt upon the high claims of the +Shawanoes to superiority over other tribes, and promised to all his +followers, who would believe his doctrines and practice his precepts, +the comforts and happiness which their forefathers enjoyed before they +were debased by their connection with the whites. And finally +proclaimed, with much solemnity, that he had received power from the +Great Spirit, to cure all diseases, to confound his enemies, and stay +the arm of death, in sickness, or on the battle field. + +[Footnote A: In the remaining pages of this work this person will be +called the Prophet, the name by which he is most generally known.] + +Such is the superstitious credulity of the Indians, that this crafty +impostor not only succeeded for a time, in correcting many of the vices +of his followers, but likewise influenced them to the perpetration of +outrages upon each other, shocking to humanity. If an individual, and +especially a chief, was supposed to be hostile to his plans, or doubted +the validity of his claim to the character of a prophet, he was +denounced as a witch, and the loss of reputation, if not of life, +speedily followed. Among the first of his victims were several +Delawares,--Tatepocoshe (more generally known as Teteboxti,) Patterson, +his nephew, Coltos, an old woman, and an aged man called Joshua. These +were successively marked by the Prophet, and doomed to be burnt alive. +The tragedy was commenced with the old woman. The Indians roasted her +slowly over a fire for four days, calling upon her frequently to +deliver up her charm and medicine bag. Just as she was dying, she +exclaimed that her grandson, who was then out hunting, had it in his +possession. Messengers were sent in pursuit of him, and when found he +was tied and brought into camp. He acknowledged that on one occasion he +had borrowed the charm of his grandmother, by means of which he had +flown through the air, over Kentucky, to the banks of the Mississippi, +and back again, between twilight and bed-time; but he insisted that he +had returned the charm to its owner; and after some consultation, he +was set at liberty. The following day, a council was held over the case +of the venerable chief Tatepocoshe, he being present. His death was +decided upon after full deliberation; and, arrayed in his finest +apparel, he calmly assisted in building his own funeral pile, fully +aware that there was no escape from the judgment that had been passed +upon him. The respect due to his whitened locks, induced his +executioners to treat him with mercy. He was deliberately tomahawked by +a young man, and his body was then placed upon the blazing faggots and +consumed. The next day, the old preacher Joshua, met a similar fate. +The wife of Tatepocoshe, and his nephew Billy Patterson, were then +brought into the council house, and seated side by side. The latter had +led an irreproachable life, and died like a Christian, singing and +praying amid the flames which destroyed his body. While preparations +were making for the immolation of Tatepocoshe's wife, her brother, a +youth of twenty years of age, suddenly started up, took her by the +hand, and to the amazement of the council, led her out of the house. He +soon returned, and exclaiming, "the devil has come among us, (alluding +to the Prophet) and we are killing each other," he reseated himself in +the midst of the crowd. This bold step checked the wild frenzy of the +Indians, put an end to these cruel scenes, and for a time greatly +impaired the impostor's influence among the Delawares. + +The benevolent policy of the governor of Indiana Territory (William +Henry Harrison,) towards the Indian tribes, had given him much +influence over them. Early in the year 1806, and so soon as he had +heard of the movements of the Prophet, and the delusion of the +Delawares in regard to witchcraft, he sent a special messenger to them +with the following speech. Had it reached them a little earlier, it +would probably have saved the life of the aged Tatepocoshe. + +"My Children:--My heart is filled with grief, and my eyes are dissolved +in tears, at the news which has reached me. You have been celebrated +for your wisdom above all the tribes of red people who inhabit this +great island. Your fame as warriors has extended to the remotest +nations, and the wisdom of your chiefs has gained for you the +appellation of grandfathers, from all the neighboring tribes. From what +cause, then, does it proceed, that you have departed from the wise +counsels of your fathers, and covered yourselves with guilt? My +children, tread back the steps you have taken, and endeavor to regain +the straight road which you have abandoned. The dark, crooked and +thorny one which you are now pursuing, will certainly lead to endless +woe and misery. But who is this pretended prophet, who dares to speak +in the name of the Great Creator? Examine him. Is he more wise or +virtuous than you are yourselves, that he should be selected to convey +to you the orders of your God? Demand of him some proofs at least, of +his being the messenger of the Deity. If God has really employed him, +he has doubtless authorized him to perform miracles, that he may be +known and received as a prophet. If he is really a prophet, ask of him +to cause the sun to stand still--the moon to alter its course--the +rivers to cease to flow--or the dead to rise from their graves. If he +does these things, you may then believe that he has been sent from God. +He tells you that the Great Spirit commands you to punish with death +those who deal in magic; and that he is authorized to point them out. +Wretched delusion! Is then the Master of Life obliged to employ mortal +man to punish those who offend him? Has he not the thunder and all the +powers of nature at his command?--and could he not sweep away from the +earth a whole nation with one motion of his arm? My children: do not +believe that the great and good Creator of mankind has directed you to +destroy your own flesh; and do not doubt but that if you pursue this +abominable wickedness, his vengeance will overtake and crush you. + +"The above is addressed to you in the name of the Seventeen Fires. I +now speak to you from myself, as a friend who wishes nothing more +sincerely than to see you prosperous and happy. Clear your eyes, I +beseech you, from the mist which surrounds them. No longer be imposed +upon by the arts of an impostor. Drive him from your town, and let +peace and harmony once more prevail amongst you. Let your poor old men +and women sleep in quietness, and banish from their minds the dreadful +idea of being burnt alive by their own friends and countrymen. I charge +you to stop your bloody career; and if you value the friendship of your +great father, the President--if you wish to preserve the good opinion +of the Seventeen Fires, let me hear by the return of the bearer, that +you have determined to follow my advice."[A] + +[Footnote A: Quoted from Dawson's Historical Narrative of the civil and +military services of William Henry Harrison.] + +Among the Miamis, the Prophet was less successful in establishing an +influence than with the Delawares; while over the Kickapoos he gained, +for a time, a remarkable ascendency,--greater, indeed, than he ever +established in his own tribe. Most of the Shawanoe chiefs were opposed +to him, and even complained to the agent at fort Wayne, that his +conduct was creating difficulties among the Indians. + +We have met with no evidence that Tecumseh favored the destruction of +the Delawares, whose unhappy fate has been detailed. On the contrary, +it is stated by a credible authority,[A] that he was opposed to it. + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +Throughout the year 1806, the brothers remained at Greenville, and were +visited by many Indians from different tribes, not a few of whom became +their followers. The Prophet dreamed many wonderful dreams; and claimed +to have had many supernatural revelations made to him. The great +eclipse of the sun which occurred in the summer of this year, a +knowledge of which he had by some means attained, enabled him to carry +conviction to the minds of many of his ignorant followers, that he was +really the earthly agent of the Great Spirit. He boldly announced to +the unbelievers, that on a certain day, he would give them proof of his +supernatural powers, by bringing darkness over the sun. When the day +and hour of the eclipse arrived, and the earth, even at mid day, was +shrouded in the gloom of twilight, the Prophet, standing in the midst +of his party, significantly pointed to the heavens, and cried out, "did +I not prophecy truly? Behold! darkness has shrouded the sun!" It may +readily be supposed that this striking phenomenon, thus adroitly used, +produced a strong impression on the Indians, and greatly increased +their belief in the sacred character of their Prophet. + +In April, 1807, Tecumseh and his brother had assembled at Greenville +about four hundred Indians, most of them highly excited by religious +fanaticism; and ready, it was feared, for any enterprise on which these +brothers might be disposed to lead them. Considerable apprehension was +entertained for the safety of the frontiers, and several fruitless +efforts were made to ascertain the ulterior objects of the leaders. +William Wells, then Indian agent at fort Wayne, despatched Anthony +Shane, a half-blood Shawanoe, with a communication to Tecumseh and the +Prophet, requesting them and two other of their chiefs, to visit him at +fort Wayne, that he might read to them a letter which he had just +received from their great father, the President of the United States. + +A council being called, Shane made known the object of his mission. +Tecumseh, without consulting with those around him, immediately arose +and said to the messenger, "go back to fort Wayne, and tell captain +Wells, that my fire is kindled on the spot appointed by the Great +Spirit above; and, if he has any thing to communicate to me, _he_ must +come _here_:--I shall expect him in six days from this time." With this +laconic, but dignified reply, the conference ended. The agent at fort +Wayne declined waiting on Tecumseh, in person, but on the appointed +day, sent Shane back to Greenville, with a copy of the President's +communication, contained in a letter from the Secretary at War; the +substance of which was, that Tecumseh and his party being established +within the limits of the governor's purchase from the Indians, they +were desired to remove to some point beyond the boundaries agreed upon +by the treaty of Greenville; and, in case of their compliance, the +government would afford them assistance, until they were properly +established at their new post. A second council was assembled, and the +communication fully interpreted to those present. Tecumseh felt +indignant that captain Wells had not visited him in person. He arose +deeply excited, and turning to his followers, addressed them in a long, +glowing and impassioned speech, in which he dwelt upon the injuries the +Indians had received from the whites, and especially the continued +encroachments of the latter upon the lands of the red men: "These +lands," said he in conclusion, "are ours: no one has a right to remove +us, because we were the first owners; the Great Spirit above has +appointed this place for us, on which to light our fires, and here we +will remain. As to boundaries, the Great Spirit above knows no +boundaries, nor will his red people acknowledge any." + +Of this speech no copy has been preserved. Shane speaks of it as a +masterpiece of Indian eloquence--bold, argumentative and powerful. It +was delivered with great vehemence, and deep indignant feeling. After a +moment's pause, Tecumseh turned to the messenger and said, with that +stately indifference of manner, which he could so gracefully assume +when in council, "if my great father, the President of the Seventeen +Fires, has any thing more to say to me, he must send a man of note as +his messenger. I will hold no further intercourse with captain Wells." + +The Prophet, who seldom lost an opportunity of vaunting himself before +his followers, then rose, and addressing captain Shane, said, "why does +not the President send to us the greatest man in his nation? I can talk +to him--I can bring darkness between him and me--nay more, I can bring +the sun under my feet, and what white man can do this?" With this +self-glorification, the council terminated. + +The excitement continued to increase, and at the close of May, it was +estimated by the agent at fort Wayne, that not less than fifteen +hundred Indians, had within a short time, passed and repassed that +fort, in making visits to the Prophet. Many of these were from distant +points on the lakes. Councils were assembled, runners with pipes and +belts of wampum, went from tribe to tribe, and strong evidence of some +uncommon movement among the Indians became quite apparent. The British +agents were active in fomenting this excitement, and in extending the +influence of Tecumseh and his brother, whose ulterior objects were +carefully concealed from the agents of the United States, and such +Indian chiefs as were known to be friendly to our government. + +In the month of August, on the testimony of several persons familiar +with Indian affairs, then residing in the north-western portions of the +state, the Indians at fort Wayne and at Greenville, who were supposed +to be under the influence of the Prophet, amounted to between seven and +eight hundred, most of them equipped with new rifles. These facts being +communicated to the governor of Ohio, he directed his attention to the +subject, and, in the early part of September, despatched Thomas +Worthington and Duncan McArthur, to Greenville, for the purpose of +holding a conference with the Prophet and Tecumseh, and ascertaining +the object of their assembling so large a body of Indians, within the +limits of the cession of land made by them at the treaty of 1795. These +commissioners left Chillicothe on the 8th of September, and reached +Greenville on the 12th, where they were courteously received by the +Indians. They were fortunate in securing the services of Stephen +Ruddell, as their interpreter, who had resided for seventeen years +among the Indians, and was familiar with the Shawanoe language. On the +day of their arrival, the commissioners were invited to a general +council of the Indians, at which the letter of the governor was read, +and interpreted to the Shawanoes, Potawatamies and Chippewas. This was +followed by an address from the commissioners, referring to the past +relations between the United States and the Indians, the policy pursued +towards the latter by Great Britain, and the importance of their +remaining neutral, in case of a war between that country and the United +States. On the following day, Blue Jacket, who, it was announced, had +been authorized by all the Indians present, to speak for them, replied +to the commissioners as follows: + +"Brethren--We are seated who heard you yesterday. You will get a true +relation, as far as we and our connections can give it, who are as +follows: Shawanoes, Wyandots, Potawatamies, Tawas, Chippewas, +Winnepaus, Malominese, Malockese, Secawgoes, and one more from the +north of the Chippewas. _Brethren_--you see all these men sitting +before you, who now speak to you. + +"About eleven days ago we had a council, at which the tribe of +Wyandots, (the elder brother of the red people) spoke and said God had +kindled a fire and all sat around it. In this council we talked over +the treaties with the French and the Americans. The Wyandot said, the +French formerly marked a line along the Alleghany mountains, southerly, +to Charleston, (S.C.) No man was to pass it from either side. When the +Americans came to settle over the line, the English told the Indians to +unite and drive off the French, until the war came on between the +British and the Americans, when it was told them that king George, by +his officers, directed them to unite and drive the Americans back. + +"After the treaty of peace between the English and Americans, the +summer before Wayne's army came out, the English held a council with +the Indians, and told them if they would turn out and unite as one man, +they might surround the Americans like deer in a ring of fire and +destroy them all. The Wyandot spoke further in the council. We see, +said he, there is like to be war between the English and our white +brethren, the Americans. Let us unite and consider the sufferings we +have undergone, from interfering in the wars of the English. They have +often promised to help us, and at last, when we could not withstand the +army that came against us, and went to the English fort for refuge, the +English told us, 'I cannot let you in; you are painted too much, my +children.' It was then we saw the British dealt treacherously with us. +We now see them going to war again. We do not know what they are going +to fight for. Let us, my brethren, not interfere, was the speech of the +Wyandot. + +"Further, the Wyandot said, I speak to you, my little brother, the +Shawanoes at Greenville, and to you, our little brothers all around. +You appear to be at Greenville to serve the _Supreme Ruler_ of the +universe. Now send forth your speeches to all our brethren far around +us, and let us unite to seek for that which shall be for our eternal +welfare, and unite ourselves in a band of perpetual brotherhood. These, +brethren, are the sentiments of all the men who sit around you: they +all adhere to what the elder brother, the Wyandot, has said, and these +are their sentiments. It is not that they are afraid of their white +brethren, but that they desire peace and harmony, and not that their +white brethren could put them to great necessity, for their former arms +were bows and arrows, by which they got their living." + +The commissioners made some explanations in reply, when they were told +that the Prophet would assign the reasons why the Indians had settled +at Greenville. "He then proceeded to inform us," says the report, "that +about three years since, he became convinced of the error of his ways, +and that he would be destroyed from the face of the earth, if he did +not amend them; that it was soon after made known to him what he should +do to be right; that from that time he constantly preached to his red +brethren the miserable situation they were in by nature, and endeavored +to convince them that they must change their lives, live honestly, and +be just in all their dealings, kind towards one another, and their +white brethren: affectionate towards their families, put away lying and +slandering, and serve the Great Spirit in the way he had pointed out; +never think of war again; that at first the Lord did not give them the +tomahawk to go to war with one another. His red brethren, the chiefs of +the Shawanoes at Tawa town, would not listen to him, but persecuted +him. This produced a division in the nation; those who adhered to him, +separated themselves from their brethren at Tawa town, removed with and +settled where he now was, and where he had constantly preached the +above doctrines to all the strangers who came to see them. They did not +remove to this place because it was a pretty place, or very valuable, +for it was neither; but because it was revealed to him that the place +was a proper one to establish his doctrines; that he meant to adhere to +them while he lived; they were not his own, nor were they taught him by +man, but by the Supreme Ruler of the universe; that his future life +should prove to his white brethren the sincerity of his professions. He +then told us that six chiefs should go with us to Chillicothe." + +The commissioners left Greenville entirely convinced of the sincerity +of the Prophet in his declaration of pacific intentions towards the +United States.[A] Four chiefs, Tecumseh, Blue Jacket, Sti-agh-ta, (or +Roundhead) and Panther, accompanied them to the seat of government, for +the purpose of holding a conference with the governor; and giving him +assurances that the Indians were not assembling at Greenville for the +purpose of making war upon the frontiers. These chiefs remained about a +week in Chillicothe, in the course of which a public council was held +between them and the governor. Stephen Ruddell acted as the +interpreter. Tecumseh was the principal speaker; and in the course of +the conference, made a speech which occupied three hours in the +delivery. + +[Footnote A: See Report of Commissioners to governor Kirker, 22d Sept. +1807, published in the United States Gazette, for that year.] + +His great object was to prove the nullity of the treaties under which +the whites claimed the country north and west of the Ohio. He seemed to +have a familiar knowledge of all the treaties made with the western +tribes; reviewed them in their order, and with the most intense +bitterness and scorn, denounced them as null and void. This speech is +described by one[A] who heard it, as possessing all the characteristics +of a high effort of oratory. The utterance of the speaker was rapid and +vehement; his manner bold and commanding; his gestures impassioned, +quick and violent, and his countenance indicating that there was +something more in his mind, struggling for utterance, than he deemed it +prudent to express. While he fearlessly denied the validity of these +_pretended_ treaties, and openly avowed his intention to resist the +further extension of the white settlements upon the Indian lands, he +disclaimed all intention of making war upon the United States. The +result was, a conviction on the part of the governor, that no immediate +danger was to be apprehended from the Indians, at Greenville and fort +Wayne; and, as a consequence, the militia which had been called into +service were ordered to be disbanded, and the chiefs returned to their +head quarters. + +[Footnote A: John A. Fulton, formerly mayor of Chillicothe, +communicated by general James T. Worthington.] + +In the autumn of this year, a white man by the name of Myers, was +killed a few miles west of where the town of Urbana now stands, by some +straggling Indians. This murder, taken in connection with the +assemblage of the Indians under Tecumseh and the Prophet, created a +great alarm on the frontier, and actually induced many families to +remove back to Kentucky, from whence they had emigrated. A demand was +made by the whites upon these two brothers for the Indians who had +committed the murder. They denied that it was done by their party, or +with their knowledge, and declared that they did not even know who the +murderers were. The alarm continued, and some companies of militia were +called out. It was finally agreed, that a council should be held on the +subject in Springfield, for the purpose of quieting the settlements. +General Whiteman, major Moore, captain Ward and one or two others, +acted as commissioners on the part of the whites. Two parties of +Indians attended the council; one from the north, in charge of +McPherson; the other, consisting of sixty or seventy, came from the +neighborhood of fort Wayne, under the charge of Tecumseh. Roundhead, +Blackfish, and several other chiefs, were also present. There was no +friendly feeling between these two parties, and each was willing that +the blame of the murder should be fixed upon the other. The party under +McPherson, in compliance with the wishes of the commissioners, left +their arms a few miles from Springfield. Tecumseh and his party refused +to attend the council, unless permitted to retain their arms. After the +conference was opened, it being held in a maple grove, a little north +of where Werden's hotel now stands, the commissioners, fearing some +violence, made another effort to induce Tecumseh to lay aside his arms. +This he again refused, saying, in reply, that his tomahawk was also his +pipe, and that he might wish to use it in that capacity before their +business was closed. At this moment, a tall, lank-sided Pennsylvanian, +who was standing among the spectators, and who, perhaps, had no love +for the shining tomahawk of the self-willed chief, cautiously +approached, and handed him an old, long stemmed, dirty looking earthen +pipe, intimating, that if Tecumseh would deliver up the fearful +tomahawk, he might smoke the aforesaid pipe. The chief took it between +his thumb and finger, held it up, looked at it for a moment, then at +the owner, who was gradually receding from the point of danger, and +immediately threw it, with an indignant sneer, over his head, into the +bushes. The commissioners yielded the point, and proceeded to business. + +After a full and patient enquiry into the facts of the case, it +appeared that the murder of Myers, was the act of an individual, and +not justly chargeable upon either party of the Indians. Several +speeches were made by the chiefs, but Tecumseh was the principal +speaker. He gave a full explanation of the views of the Prophet and +himself, in calling around them a band of Indians--disavowed all +hostile intentions towards the United States, and denied that he or +those under his control had committed any aggressions upon the whites. +His manner, when speaking, was animated, fluent and rapid, and made a +strong impression upon those present. The council terminated. In the +course of it, the two hostile parties became reconciled to each other, +and quiet was restored to the frontier. + +The Indians remained in Springfield for three days, and on several +occasions amused themselves by engaging in various games and other +athletic exercises, in which Tecumseh generally proved himself +victorious. His strength, and power of muscular action, were remarkably +great, and in the opinion of those who attended the council, +corresponded with the high order of his moral and intellectual +character.[A] + +[Footnote A: Dr. Hunt.] + + + + +CHAPTER V. + + Governor Harrison's address to the Shawanoe chiefs at Greenville--the + Prophet's reply--his influence felt among the remote tribes--he is + visited in 1808 by great numbers of Indians--Tecumseh and the Prophet + remove to Tippecanoe--the latter sends a speech to governor + Harrison--makes him a visit at Vincennes. + + +The alarm caused by the assembling of the Indians at Greenville, still +continuing, governor Harrison, in the autumn of this year, sent to the +head chiefs of the Shawanoe tribe, by John Conner, one of our Indian +agents, the following address:-- + +"My Children--Listen to me, I speak in the name of your father, the +great chief of the Seventeen Fires. + +"My children, it is now twelve years since the tomahawk, which you had +raised by the advice of your father, the king of Great Britain, was +buried at Greenville, in the presence of that great warrior, general +Wayne. + +"My children, you then promised, and the Great Spirit heard it, that +you would in future live in peace and friendship with your brothers, +the Americans. You made a treaty with your father, and one that +contained a number of good things, equally beneficial to all the tribes +of red people, who were parties to it. + +"My children, you promised in that treaty to acknowledge no other +father than the chief of the Seventeen Fires; and never to listen to +the proposition of any foreign nation. You promised never to lift up +the tomahawk against any of your father's children, and to give him +notice of any other tribe that intended it: your father also promised +to do something for you, particularly to deliver to you, every year, a +certain quantity of goods; to prevent any white man from settling on +your lands without your consent, or to do you any personal injury. He +promised to run a line between your land and his, so that you might +know your own; and you were to be permitted to live and hunt upon your +father's land, as long as you behaved yourselves well. My children, +which of these articles has your father broken? You know that he has +observed them all with the utmost good faith. But, my children, have +you done so? Have you not always had your ears open to receive bad +advice from the white people beyond the lakes? + +"My children, let us look back to times that are past. It has been a +long time since you called the king of Great Britain, father. You know +that it is the duty of a father to watch over his children, to give +them good advice, and to do every thing in his power to make them +happy. What has this father of yours done for you, during the long time +that you have looked up to him for protection and advice? Are you wiser +and happier than you were before you knew him; or is your nation +stronger or more respectable? No, my children, he took you by the hand +when you were a powerful tribe; you held him fast, supposing he was +your friend, and he conducted you through paths filled with thorns and +briers, which tore your flesh and shed your blood. Your strength was +exhausted, and you could no longer follow him. Did he stay by you in +your distress, and assist and comfort you? No, he led you into danger, +and then abandoned you. He saw your blood flowing and he would give you +no bandage to tie up your wounds. This was the conduct of the man who +called himself your father. The Great Spirit opened your eyes; you +heard the voice of the chief of the Seventeen Fires, speaking the words +of peace. He called to you to follow him; you came to him, and he once +more put you on the right way, on the broad smooth road that would have +led to happiness. But the voice of your deceiver is again heard; and +forgetful of your former sufferings, you are again listening to him. + +"My children, shut your ears, and mind him not, or he will lead you to +ruin and misery. + +"My children, I have heard bad news. The sacred spot where the great +council fire was kindled, around which the Seventeen Fires and ten +tribes of their children, smoked the pipe of peace--that very spot +where the Great Spirit saw his red and white children encircle +themselves with the chain of friendship--that place has been selected +for dark and bloody councils. + +"My children, this business must be stopped. You have called in a +number of men from the most distant tribes, to listen to a fool, who +speaks not the words of the Great Spirit, but those of the devil, and +of the British agents. My children, your conduct has much alarmed the +white settlers near you. They desire that you will send away those +people, and if they wish to have the impostor with them, they can carry +him. Let him go to the lakes; he can hear the British more distinctly." + +At the time of the delivery of this speech, the head chiefs of the +Shawanoes were absent from Greenville. The Prophet, after listening +patiently to it, requested the interpreter to write down the following +answer, which was transmitted to the governor. + +"Father,--I am very sorry that you listen to the advice of bad birds. +You have impeached me with having correspondence with the British; and +with calling and sending for the Indians from the most distant part of +the country, 'to listen to a fool that speaks not the words of the +Great Spirit, but the words of the devil.' Father, those impeachments I +deny, and say they are not true. I never had a word with the British, +and I never sent for any Indians. They came here themselves to listen, +and hear the words of the Great Spirit. + +"Father, I wish you would not listen any more to the voice of bad +birds; and you may rest assured that it is the least of our idea to +make disturbance, and we will rather try to stop any such proceedings +than to encourage them." + +The appeal of the governor, as may be inferred from the evasive and +cunning answer of the Prophet, produced no change in his measures, nor +did it arrest the spread of the fanaticism among the Indians which his +incantations had set afloat. The happiness of the Indians was the great +idea which Tecumseh and his brother promulgated among their followers +as being the object of their labors. This was to be attained by leading +more virtuous lives, by retaining their lands, and in simply doing what +the government of the United States had frequently urged upon them, +effecting an extended and friendly union of the different tribes. These +plausible reasons, backed by the superstitious belief of the Indians in +the inspired character of the Prophet, and the insidious efforts of the +British agents, in fomenting discontent among them, were sufficient to +keep alive the excitement, and even extend the circle of its influence. +Thus ended the year 1807. + +The reader may learn the extraordinary success of the Prophet in +spreading his influence among the remote tribes, by a reference to the +narrative of Mr. John Tanner. This man had been taken captive in Boone +county, Kentucky, when a boy; had been raised by the Indians, and was +at this time, living among the Ojibbeways, who reside far up the lakes. + +News reached that remote tribe that a great man had arisen among the +Shawanoes, who had been favored by a revelation of the mind and will of +the Great Spirit. The messenger bearing this information to them, +seemed deeply penetrated with the sacred character of his mission. Upon +his arrival among them, he announced himself after a mysterious +silence, as the forerunner of the great Prophet, who was shortly to +shake hands with the Ojibbeways, and explain to them more fully his +inspired character, and the new mode of life and conduct which they +were hereafter to pursue. He then gravely repeated to them the +Prophet's system of morals; and in a very solemn manner, enjoined its +observance. So strong was the impression made upon the principal men of +the Ojibbeways, that a time was appointed and a lodge prepared for the +public espousal of these doctrines. When the Indians were assembled in +the new lodge, "we saw something," says Mr. Tanner, "carefully +concealed under a blanket, in figure and dimensions bearing some +resemblance to a man. This was accompanied by two young men, who, it +was understood, attended constantly upon it, made its bed at night, as +for a man, and slept near it. But while we remained, no one went near +to it, or raised the blanket which was spread over its unknown +contents. Four strings of mouldy and discolored beads were all the +visible insignia of this important mission. + +"After a long harangue, in which the prominent features of the new +revelation were stated, and urged upon the attention of all, the four +strings of beads, which we were told were made of the flesh of the +Prophet, were carried with, much solemnity, to each man in the lodge, +and he was expected to take hold of each string at the top, and draw +them gently through his hand: This was called shaking hands with the +Prophet, and was considered as solemnly engaging to obey his +injunctions, and accept of his mission as from the Supreme. All the +Indians who touched the beads had previously killed their dogs; they +gave up their medicine bags, and showed a disposition to comply with +all that should be required of them." + +The excitement among the Ojibbeways continued for some time; they +assembled in groups, their faces wearing an aspect of gloom and +anxiety, while the active sunk into indolence, and the spirit of the +bravest warriors was subdued. The influence of the Prophet, says Mr. +Tanner, "was very sensibly and painfully felt by the remotest +Ojibbeways of whom I had any knowledge: but it was not the common +impression among them, that his doctrines had any tendency to unite +them in the accomplishment of any human purpose. For two or three years +drunkenness was much less frequent than formerly; war was less thought +of; and the entire aspect of things among them was changed by the +influence of this mission. But in time these new impressions were +obliterated; medicine-bags, flints and steels, the use of which had +been forbidden, were brought into use; dogs were reared, women and +children beaten as before; and the Shawanoe Prophet was despised." + +With the beginning of the year 1808, great numbers of Indians came down +from the lakes, on a visit to the Prophet, where they remained until +their means of subsistence were exhausted. The governor of Indiana, +with the prudence and humanity which marked his administration, +directed the agent at fort Wayne, to supply them with provisions from +the public stores at that place. This was done, and from his +intercourse with them he came to the conclusion that they had no +hostile designs against the United States. About this time, Tecumseh +made a visit to the Mississinaway towns, the immediate object of which +could not be clearly ascertained. That it was connected with the grand +scheme in which he was engaged, is probable from the fact that the +Indians of that region agreed to meet him and the Prophet on the +Wabash, in the following June, to which place he had at this time +resolved to move his party. Mr. Jouett, one of the United States' +Indian agents, apprehended that this meeting would result in some +hostile action against the frontiers; and, as a means of preventing it, +and putting an end to the influence of the Prophet, recommended to the +governor that he should be seized and confined. The proposition, +however, was not entertained. + +In the spring of this year, 1808, Tecumseh and the Prophet removed to a +tract of land granted them by the Potawatamies and Kickapoos, on +Tippecanoe, one of the tributaries of the Wabash river. They had not +been long at their new residence before it became apparent that the +Prophet had established a strong influence over the minds of the +surrounding Indians, and there was much reason for believing that his +views were hostile to the United States. The governor still confided in +the fidelity of the Delawares and the Miamis; but he apprehended, that +although disbelievers in the Prophet's divine mission, they might be +turned from the line of duty from a fear of his temporal power. When he +had established himself upon the banks of the Tippecanoe, the Prophet +drew around him a body of northern Indians, principally from the +Potawatamies, Ottowas and Chippewas. To this, the Miamis and Delawares +had strong objections; and a deputation of the latter was sent to the +Prophet on the subject. He refused to see them himself, but Tecumseh +met them; and after a solemn conference, they returned to their tribe +with increased apprehensions of the combination at Tippecanoe, which +was now uniting warlike sports with the performance of religious +duties.[A] The Delawares decided in council to arrest the progress of +this rising power, but in vain. Strong in the moral force with which +they were armed, the two brothers were not to be driven from their +purpose of planting the banner of union, which they were now holding +out to the tribes, upon the waters of the Wabash. The sacred office +which the Prophet had impiously assumed, enabled him to sway many +minds, and in doing so, he was effectively sustained by the personal +presence, tact and sagacity of his brother. From his youth, Tecumseh +had been noted for the influence which he exercised over those by whom +he was surrounded. Hence, when the chiefs of the Miamis and Delawares, +who were disbelievers in the Prophet's holy character, set out to +prevent his removal to the Wabash, Tecumseh boldly met them, and turned +them from their purpose. This was done at a moment when the number of +the Prophet's followers was greatly reduced, as we gather from the +statement of the agent, John Conner, who in the month of June, of this +year, visited his settlement on the Wabash to reclaim some horses which +had been stolen from the whites. At this time, the Prophet had not more +than forty of his own tribe with him; and less than a hundred from +others, principally Potawatamies, Chippewas, Ottawas and Winebagoes. +The Prophet announced his intention of making a visit to governor +Harrison, for the purpose of explaining his conduct, and procuring a +supply of provisions for his followers. This, he insisted, could not be +consistently withheld from him, as the white people had always +encouraged him to preach the word of God to the Indians: and in this +holy work he was now engaged. + +[Footnote A: Governor Harrison's Correspondence with the War +Department.] + +Some time in the month of July, the governor received a speech from the +Prophet, sent to Vincennes by a special messenger. It was cautious, +artful and pacific in its character. It deprecated in strong terms the +misrepresentations which had been circulated in regard to the ulterior +objects of the Prophet and his brother as to the whites; and renewed +the promise of an early visit. This visit was made in the month +following, and was continued for two weeks, during which time he and +the governor had frequent interviews. In these, the Prophet, with his +characteristic plausibility, denied that his course was the result of +British influence. His sole object, he alleged, was a benevolent one +towards his red brethren; to reclaim them from the degrading vices to +which they were addicted, and induce them to cultivate a spirit of +peace and friendship, not only with the white people, but their kindred +tribes. To this sacred office, he insisted, with much earnestness, he +had been specially called by the Great Spirit. That he might the more +successfully enforce the sincerity of his views upon the mind of the +governor, he took occasion several times during the visit, to address +the Indians who had accompanied him to Vincennes, and dwelt upon the +great evils resulting to them from wars, and the use of ardent spirits. +It was apparent to the governor that the Prophet was a man of decided +talents, of great tact, and admirably qualified to play successfully, +the part he had assumed. In order to test the extent of his influence +over his followers, the governor held conversations with them, and +several times offered them whiskey, which they invariably refused. +Looking to that amelioration of the condition of the Indians, which had +long engaged his attention, the governor began to hope that the +Prophet's power over them might be turned to advantage; and that the +cause of humanity would be benefited by sustaining rather than trying +to weaken the influence of the preacher. This impression was much +strengthened by the following speech which the Prophet delivered to +him, before the close of the visit. + +"Father:--It is three years since I first began with that system of +religion which I now practice. The white people and some of the Indians +were against me; but I had no other intention but to introduce among +the Indians, those good principles of religion which the white people +profess. I was spoken badly of by the white people, who reproached me +with misleading the Indians; but I defy them to say that I did any +thing amiss. + +"Father, I was told that you intended to hang me. When I heard this, I +intended to remember it, and tell my father, when I went to see him, +and relate to him the truth. + +"I heard, when I settled on the Wabash, that my father, the governor, +had declared that all the land between Vincennes and fort Wayne, was +the property of the Seventeen Fires. I also heard that you wanted to +know, my father, whether I was God or man; and that you said if I was +the former, I should not steal horses. I heard this from Mr. Wells, but +I believed it originated with himself. + +"The Great Spirit told me to tell the Indians that he had made them, +and made the world--that he had placed them on it to do good, and not +evil. + +"I told all the red skins, that the way they were in was not good, and +that they ought to abandon it. + +"That we ought to consider ourselves as one man; but we ought to live +agreeably to our several customs, the red people after their mode, and +the white people after theirs; particularly, that they should not drink +whiskey; that it was not made for them, but the white people, who alone +knew how to use it; and that it is the cause of all the mischiefs which +the Indians suffer; and that they must always follow the directions of +the Great Spirit, and we must listen to him, as it was he that made us: +determine to listen to nothing that is bad: do not take up the +tomahawk, should it be offered by the British, or by the long knives: +do not meddle with any thing that does not belong to you, but mind your +own business, and cultivate the ground, that your women and your +children may have enough to live on. + +"I now inform you, that it is our intention to live in peace with our +father and his people forever. + +"My father, I have informed you what we mean to do, and I call the +Great Spirit to witness the truth of my declaration. The religion which +I have established for the last three years, has been attended to by +the different tribes of Indians in this part of the world. Those +Indians were once different people; they are now but one: they are all +determined to practice what I have communicated to them, that has come +immediately from the Great Spirit through me. + +"Brother, I speak to you as a warrior. You are one. But let us lay +aside this character, and attend to the care of our children, that they +may live in comfort and peace. We desire that you will join us for the +preservation of both red and white people. Formerly, when we lived in +ignorance, we were foolish; but now, since we listen to the voice of +the Great Spirit, we are happy. + +"I have listened to what you have said to us. You have promised to +assist us: I now request you, in behalf of all the red people, to use +your exertions to prevent the sale of liquor to us. We are all well +pleased to hear you say that you will endeavor to promote our +happiness. We give you every assurance that we will follow the dictates +of the Great Spirit. + +"We are all well pleased with the attention that you have showed us; +also with the good intentions of our father, the President. If you give +us a few articles, such as needles, flints, hoes, powder, &c., we will +take the animals that afford us meat, with powder and ball." + +Governor Harrison, if not deceived by the plausible pretences and +apparently candid declarations of the Prophet, was left in doubt, +whether he was really meditating hostile movements against the United +States, or only laboring, with the energy of an enthusiast, in the good +work of promoting the welfare of the Indians. Having received a supply +of provisions, the Prophet and his followers, at the end of a +fortnight, took leave of the governor and returned to their head +quarters, on the banks of the Tippecanoe. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + + Tecumseh visits the Wyandots--governor Harrison's letter about the + Prophet to the Secretary at War--British influence over the + Indians--Tecumseh burns governor Harrison's letter to the + chiefs--great alarm in Indiana, in consequence of the assemblage of + the Indians at Tippecanoe--death of Leatherlips, a Wyandot chief on a + charge of witchcraft. + + +During the autumn of this year, 1808, nothing material occurred with +the Prophet and his brother, calculated to throw light upon their +conduct. The former continued his efforts to induce the Indians to +forsake their vicious habits. The latter was occupied in visiting the +neighboring tribes, and quietly strengthening his own and the Prophet's +influence over them. Early in the succeeding year, Tecumseh attended a +council of Indians, at Sandusky, when he endeavored to prevail upon the +Wyandots and Senecas to remove and join his establishment at +Tippecanoe. Among other reasons presented in favor of this removal, he +stated that the country on the Tippecanoe was better than that occupied +by these tribes; that it was remote from the whites, and that in it +they would have more game and be happier than where they now resided. +In this mission he appears not to have been successful. The Crane, an +old chief of the Wyandot tribe, replied, that he feared he, Tecumseh, +was working for no good purpose at Tippecanoe; that they would wait a +few years, and then, if they found their red brethren at that place +contented and happy, they would probably join them.[A] In this visit to +Sandusky, Tecumseh was accompanied by captain Lewis, a Shawanoe chief +of some note, who then engaged to go with him to the Creeks and +Cherokees, on a mission which he was contemplating, and which was +subsequently accomplished. Lewis, however, did not finally make the +visit, but permitted Jim Blue Jacket to make the tour in his place. + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +In April of the year 1809, the agent of the United States at fort +Wayne, informed governor Harrison, that it had been reported to him +that the Chippewas, Potawatamies and Ottawas, were deserting the +standard of the Prophet, because they had been required to take up arms +against the whites, and to unite in an effort to exterminate all the +inhabitants of Vincennes, and those living on the Ohio, between its +mouth and Cincinnati--it being the order of the Great Spirit; and that +their own destruction would be the consequence of a refusal. The agent +did not think, however, that hostilities were likely to ensue, as he +was informed there were not more than one hundred warriors remaining +with the Prophet. The governor, however, had information from other +sources, that although there might be but that number of warriors at +the Prophet's village, there were, within fifty miles of his +head-quarters, four or five times that number, who were devoted to him +and to his cause. Under these circumstances, he decided to organize +forthwith, under previous orders from the War department, two companies +of volunteer militia, and with them to garrison fort Knox--a post about +two miles from Vincennes--then the general depot of arms and +ammunition, for the use of the neighboring militia. The agent at fort +Wayne was accordingly directed by the governor to require the Delaware, +Miami and Potawatamie tribes, to prevent any hostile parties of Indians +from passing through their respective territories. This they were bound +to do, by a stipulation in the treaty of Greenville. But no hostile +movements, (if any had been meditated,) were made by the Prophet, and +before the close of the month of May, most of his warriors had +dispersed, and all apprehension of an attack from the Indians was +dispelled. + +In the month of July, in reply to a letter from the Secretary of War, +on the subject of the defence of the north-western frontier, governor +Harrison, in reference to the Prophet, says: + +"The Shawanoe Prophet and about forty followers, arrived here about a +week ago. He denies most strenuously, any participation in the late +combination to attack our settlements, which he says was entirely +confined to the tribes of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers; and he +claims the merit of having prevailed upon them to relinquish their +intentions. + +"I must confess that my suspicions of his guilt have been rather +strengthened than diminished at every interview I have had with him +since his arrival. He acknowledges that he received an invitation to +war against us, from the British, last fall; and that he was apprised +of the intention of the Sacs and Foxes, &c. early in the spring, and +was warmly solicited to join in their league. But he could give no +satisfactory explanation of his neglecting to communicate to me, +circumstances so extremely interesting to us; and towards which I had a +few months before directed his attention, and received a solemn +assurance of his cheerful compliance with the injunctions I had +impressed upon him. + +"The result of all my enquiries on the subject is, that the late +combination was produced by British intrigue and influence, in +anticipation of war between them and the United States. It was, +however, premature and ill-judged, and the event sufficiently manifests +a great decline in their influence, or in the talents and address, with +which they have been accustomed to manage their Indian relations. + +"The warlike and well armed tribes of the Potawatamies, Ottawas, +Chippewas, Delawares, and Miamis, I believe, neither had, nor would +have, joined in the combination; and although the Kickapoos, whose +warriors are better them those of any other tribe, the remnant of the +Wyandots excepted, are much under the influence of the Prophet, I am +persuaded that they were never made acquainted with his intentions, if +these were really hostile to the United States." + +In the latter part of the year 1809, under instructions from the +President of the United States, governor Harrison deemed the period a +favorable one to extinguish the Indian title to the lands on the east +of the Wabash, and adjoining south on the lines established by the +former treaties of fort Wayne and Grousland. A council was accordingly +held, in the latter part of September, at fort Wayne, with the Miami, +Eel river, Delaware and Potawatamie tribes, which resulted in the +purchase of the land above mentioned. A separate treaty was made with +the Kickapoos, who confirmed the grants made at the above treaty, and +also ceded another tract. In making these treaties, governor Harrison +invited all those Indians to be present, who were considered as having +any title to the lands embraced within them. + +Throughout the remainder of the year 1809, things remained quiet with +Tecumseh and the Prophet. The number of their followers was again on +the increase; and, although no overt acts of hostility against the +frontier settlements were committed, there was a prevalent suspicion in +that quarter, that the Indians entertained sinister designs towards the +whites. The events of the early part of the year 1810, were such as to +leave little doubt of the hostile intentions of the brothers. In the +latter part of April, governor Harrison was informed, upon credible +authority, that the Prophet was really instigating the Indians to acts +of hostility against the United States; and that he had under his +immediate control about four hundred warriors, chiefly composed of +Kickapoos and Winnebagoes, but embracing also some Shawanoes, +Potawatamies, Chippewas, and Ottawas. The traders among them attributed +this hostile feeling to British influence. That the followers of the +Prophet had received a supply of powder and ball from the English +agents, was generally admitted. They refused to buy ammunition from our +traders, alleging that they were plentifully supplied from a quarter +where it cost them nothing. About the middle of May, it was ascertained +that the number of warriors with the Prophet, amounted to more than six +hundred men, and there were reasons to apprehend that his influence had +kindled a hostile feeling among several of the tribes to the west and +north of his head quarters. A meeting of Indians having been appointed +to take place about this time, on the St. Joseph's river, governor +Harrison made an appeal to them through the Delawares, in which he +forcibly pointed out the unhappy results that would certainly follow +any attack upon the United States; and cautioned the friendly tribes, +upon the dangers to which they would be subjected, in consequence of +the difficulty of discriminating between friends and enemies, in case a +war should occur. In July the governor was authorized by the Secretary +of War, to take such steps as he might deem necessary for the +protection of the frontier; and, at the same time was informed that +some troops had been ordered to Vincennes to keep in check the hostile +Indians of that quarter. + +Fresh apprehensions were now felt for the safety of the frontiers. The +Prophet, it appears, had gained over to his cause the Wyandot tribe, +whose councils had always exerted a strong influence among the Indians. +To this tribe had been committed the preservation of the Great Belt, +the symbol of union among the tribes in their late war with the United +States; and also the original duplicate of the Greenville treaty of +1795. The Prophet sent a deputation to the Wyandots requesting +permission to examine the provisions of that treaty, and artfully +expressing his astonishment that they, who had ever directed the +councils of the Indians, and who were alike renowned for their talents +and bravery, should remain passive, and see the lands of the red men +usurped by a part of that race. The Wyandots, pleased with these +flattering speeches, replied, that they had carefully preserved the +former symbol of union among the tribes; but it had remained so long in +their hands without being called for, they supposed it was forgotten. +They further replied, that weary of their present situation, they felt +desirous of seeing all the tribes united in one great confederacy: that +they would join such a union, and labor to arrest the encroachments of +the whites upon their lands, and if possible recover those which had +been unjustly taken from them. This reply of the Wyandots was exactly +suited to the objects of the Prophet; and he lost no time in sending +his heralds with it, in every direction. The Wyandots soon afterwards +made a visit to Tippecanoe; and in passing thither, had a conference +with some of the Miami chiefs, to whom they showed the great belt, and +charged them with having joined the whites in opposition to their red +brethren. The Miamis at length concluded to join in a visit to the +Prophet, and also invited the Weas to join with them. + +About this time, the governor was informed by an aged Piankishaw, +friendly to the United States, that the Prophet had actually formed a +plan for destroying the citizens of Vincennes by a general massacre; +and that he boasted that he would walk in the footsteps of the great +Pontiac. From another source the governor learned that there were +probably three hundred Indians within thirty miles of the Prophet's +quarters; and that although their proceedings were conducted with great +secrecy, it had been discovered that they were determined to stop the +United States' surveyors from running any lines west of the Wabash. +Other evidences of approaching hostilities were not wanting. The +Prophet, and the Kickapoos who were at his village, refused to accept +the salt which had been sent up to them as a part of their annuities, +and after it had been put upon the shore, the carriers were not only +required to replace it in their boat, but whilst doing so, were treated +with rudeness, and ordered to take the salt back to Vincennes. They +were Frenchmen, or in all probability they would have been treated +still more harshly.[A] + +[Footnote A: Governor Harrison's letters to the War Department.] + +In the early part of July, governor Harrison received a letter from +John Johnston, Indian agent at fort Wayne, in which he says: + +"A person just arrived, who it appears has lost himself in his route to +Vincennes, affords me an opportunity of announcing to you my return to +this fort. I was delayed on my journey in attending to the +transportation of the public goods; and on my arrival in the state of +Ohio, I had learned that the Prophet's brother had lately been at work +among the Shawanoes, on the Auglaize; and, among other things, had +burned your letter delivered to the chiefs at this place last fall. I +accordingly took Wapakonetta in my route home, assembled the chiefs, +and demanded the reason why they had suffered such an improper act to +be committed at their door. They disavowed all agency in the +transaction, and their entire disapprobation of the Prophet's conduct; +and concurring circumstances satisfied me that they were sincere. The +white persons at the town informed me that not one of the chiefs would +go into council with the Prophet's brother, and that it was a preacher +named Riddle, who took the letter to have it interpreted, and that the +brother of the Prophet took it from his hand, and threw it into the +fire, declaring, that if governor Harrison were there, he would serve +_him_ so. He told the Indians that the white people and the government +were deceiving them, and that for his part, he never would believe +them, or put any confidence in them; that he never would be quiet until +he effected his purpose; and that if he was dead, _the cause_ would not +die with him. He urged the Indians to move off to the Mississippi with +him, saying, that there he would assemble his forces. All his arguments +seemed to be bottomed on the prospect of hostilities against our +people. He made no impression on the Shawanoes, and went away much +dissatisfied at their not coming into his views. I consider them among +our best friends. I indirectly encouraged their emigration westward, +and told them their annuity should follow them. They appear determined +to remain, and are much attached to the town and the improvements, +which are considerable." + +Notwithstanding the Prophet appears in all these recent transactions, +to be the prominent individual, it is certain that a greater one was +behind the scene. In the junction of the Wyandots with the Prophet, may +be seen the result of Tecumseh's visit to that tribe, in the previous +year, at Sandusky, an account of which has been already given. In +regard to the salt annuity, the Prophet knew not what course to pursue, +until he had consulted with his brother. Tecumseh, burning the +governor's letter, and the threat, that if he were present he should +meet the same fate, were acts in keeping with his bold character, and +well calculated to maintain his ascendancy among the Indians. While the +Prophet was nominally the head of the new party, and undoubtedly +exercised much influence by means of his supposed supernatural power, +he was but an agent, controlled and directed by a master spirit, whose +energy, address and ceaseless activity, were all directed to the +accomplishment of the grand plan to which he had solemnly devoted his +life. + +The information which flowed in upon governor Harrison, from different +quarters, relative to the movements of Tecumseh and the Prophet, and +the number of their followers, were such as to induce him to make the +most active preparations to meet the impending storm. A meeting of the +citizens of Vincennes was held on the subject, two companies of militia +were called into active service, and the rest were directed to hold +themselves in readiness for the field. Alarm-posts were established, +and other measures adopted, especially for the preservation of +Vincennes, which appeared to have been fixed upon as the first point of +attack. + +Toward the close of June, Winnemac, at the head of a deputation of +Potawatamies, visited the governor at Vincennes, for the purpose of +informing him of the decision of a council, held at the St. Joseph's of +lake Michigan, which had been attended by all the tribes of that +quarter, and by a delegation from the Delawares. This deputation was +present for the purpose of dissuading the Indians from joining the +Prophet. The duty appears to have been faithfully performed by them. +They protested in strong terms, against the schemes of the Prophet and +his brother, and induced, it is believed, these tribes to give up all +idea of joining them. Winnemac was directed to inform the governor, of +the determination to which they had come, and also, to lay before him +the plans of the Prophet. According to the information before the +council, Detroit, St. Louis, fort Wayne, Chicago and Vincennes, were +all to be surprised. Efforts were making to persuade the tribes +residing on the Mississippi, to unite in the confederacy. It further +appeared, that the followers of the Prophet, drawn as they were from +all the tribes, embraced but few, if any of the peace chiefs, while not +a few of the war chiefs, or the leaders of small parties, were +enrolling themselves under his standard. Winnemac stated to the +governor, that the Prophet had actually suggested to his young men, the +expediency of murdering all the leading chiefs of the surrounding +tribes, on the plea that their own hands would never be untied until +this was done. They, he said, were the men who sold their lands, and +invited the encroachments of the whites. + +About the period of Winnemac's visit, an Indian belonging to the Iowa +tribe, told general Harrison, that two years before, a British agent +visited the Prophet, and delivered a message to him. The object was to +induce the Prophet to persevere in uniting the tribes against the +United States, but not to make any hostile movement, until the signal +was given him by the British authorities. From this Iowa, and others of +his tribe, the governor ascertained that the Prophet had been +soliciting them and other tribes on the Mississippi to join the +confederacy. To these the Prophet stated, in his plausible manner, that +the Americans were ceaselessly and silently invading the Indians, until +those who had suffered most, had resolved to be driven back no farther; +and that it was the duty of the remote tribes upon whose lands the +march of civilization had not yet pressed, to assist those who had +already lost theirs, or in turn a corresponding calamity would follow +upon them. This, the Prophet declared, he was directed by the Great +Spirit of the Indians to tell them, adding, that this Great Spirit +would utterly destroy them, if they ventured to doubt the words of his +chosen Prophet.[A] + +[Footnote A: General Harrison's official correspondence--Dawson's +Historical Narrative.] + +On the first of June, a Wyandot chief, called Leatherlips, paid the +forfeit of his life on a charge of witchcraft. General Harrison +entertained the opinion that his death was the result of the Prophet's +command, and that the party who acted as executioners went directly +from Tippecanoe, to the banks of the Scioto, where the tragedy was +enacted. Leatherlips was found encamped upon that stream, twelve miles +above Columbus. The six Wyandots who put him to death, were headed, it +is supposed, by the chief Roundhead. An effort was made by some white +men who were present to save the life of the accused, but without +success. A council of two or three hours took place: the accusing party +spoke with warmth and bitterness of feeling: Leatherlips was calm and +dispassionate in his replies. The sentence of death, which had been +previously passed upon him, was reaffirmed. "The prisoner then walked +slowly to his camp, partook of a dinner of jerked venison, washed and +arrayed himself in his best apparel, and afterwards painted his face. +His dress was very rich--his hair gray, and his whole appearance +graceful and commanding." When the hour for the execution had arrived, +Leatherlips shook hands in silence with the spectators. "He then turned +from his wigwam, and with a voice of surpassing strength and melody +commenced the chant of the death song. He was followed closely by the +Wyandot warriors, all timing with their slow and measured march, the +music of his wild and melancholy dirge. The white men were likewise all +silent followers in that strange procession. At the distance of seventy +or eighty yards from the camp, they came to a shallow grave, which, +unknown to the white men, had been previously prepared by the Indians. +Here the old man knelt down, and in an elevated but solemn tone of +voice, addressed his prayer to the Great Spirit. As soon as he had +finished, the captain of the Indians knelt beside him, and prayed in a +similar manner. Their prayers of course were spoken in the Wyandot +tongue. * * * * After a few moments delay, the prisoner again sank +down upon his knees and prayed as he had done before. When he had +ceased, he still continued in a kneeling position. All the rifles +belonging to the party had been left at the wigwam. There was not a +weapon of any kind to be seen at the place of execution, and the +spectators were consequently unable to form any conjecture as to the +mode of procedure, which the executioners had determined on, for the +fulfilment of their purpose. Suddenly one of the warriors drew from +beneath the skirts of his capote, a keen, bright tomahawk--walked +rapidly up behind the chieftain--brandished the weapon on high, for a +single moment, and then struck with his whole strength. The blow +descended directly upon the crown of the head, and the victim +immediately fell prostrate. After he had lain awhile in the agonies of +death, the Indian captain directed the attention of the white men to +the drops of sweat which were gathering upon his neck and face; +remarked with much apparent exultation, that it was conclusive proof of +the sufferer's guilt. Again the executioner advanced, and with the same +weapon, inflicted two or three additional and heavy blows. As soon as +life was entirely extinct, the body was hastily buried, with all its +apparel and decorations; and the assemblage dispersed."[A] + +[Footnote A: Mr. Otway Curry, in the Hesperian for May, 1838.] + +One of Mr. Heckewelder's correspondents, as quoted in his Historical +Account of the Indian Nations, makes Tarhe, better known by the name of +Crane, the leader of this party. This has been denied; and, the +letter[A] of general Harrison on the subject, proves quite conclusively +that this celebrated chief had nothing to do with the execution of +Leatherlips. Mr. Heckewelder's correspondent concurs in the opinion +that the original order for the death of this old man, was issued from +the head quarters of the Prophet and his brother. + +[Footnote A: Published in the Hesperian for July, 1838.] + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + + Governor Harrison makes another effort to ascertain the designs of + Tecumseh and the Prophet--Tecumseh visits the governor at Vincennes, + attended by four hundred warriors--a council is held--Tecumseh + becomes deeply excited, and charges governor Harrison with + falsehood--council broken up in disorder--renewed the next day. + + +For the purpose of ascertaining more fully the designs of the Prophet +and his brother, governor Harrison now despatched two confidential +agents to their head quarters at Tippecanoe. One of these agents, Mr. +Dubois, was kindly received by the Prophet. He stated to him that he +had been sent by governor Harrison to ascertain the reason of his +hostile preparations, and of his enmity to the United States; that his +conduct had created so much alarm, that warriors both in Kentucky and +Indiana were arming for service, and that a detachment of regular +troops was then actually on its way to Vincennes: that he was further +authorized by the governor to say, that these preparations were only +for defence; that no attempt would be made against him, until _his_ +intention to commence hostilities could be doubted no longer. The +Prophet denied that he intended to make war, and declared that on this +point he had been unjustly accused: that it was by the express commands +of the Great Spirit that he had fixed himself there; and that he was +ordered to assemble the Indians at that spot. When urged by the agent +to state the grounds of his complaints against the United States, he +replied, the Indians had been cheated of their lands; that no sale was +valid unless sanctioned by all the tribes. He was assured that the +government would listen to any complaints he might have to urge; and +that it was expedient for him to go to Vincennes and see governor +Harrison on the subject. This he declined doing, giving as a reason, +that on his former visit to him, he had been badly treated. Mr. Dubois +met at the Prophet's town with some Kickapoos, with whom he was +acquainted. They seemed to regret having joined the Prophet, and +admitted that they had long suspected that it was his wish to go to war +with the United States. War was undoubtedly his intention, but whether +against the United States or the Osage nation, they were unable to say +with certainty. Mr. Dubois, on this trip, visited the Wea and Eel river +tribes, and found them apprehensive that war would ensue, and that they +would find themselves involved in it. + +The letter of general Harrison to the Secretary of War, detailing the +results of this mission, concludes with the following remarks upon the +principles long and stoutly contended for by Tecumseh, that the Indian +lands were the common property of all the tribes, and could not be sold +without the consent of all. + +"The subject of allowing the Indians of this country to consider all +their lands as common property, has been frequently and largely +discussed, in my communications with your predecessor, and in a +personal interview with the late President. The treaties made by me +last fall were concluded on principles as liberal towards the Indians, +as my knowledge of the views and opinions of the government would +allow. For although great latitude of discretion has always been given +to me, I knew that the opinion of Mr. Jefferson on the subject went so +far as to assert a claim of the United States, as lords paramount, to +the lands of all extinguished or decayed tribes, to the exclusion of +all recent settlers. Upon this principle, the Miami nation are the only +rightful claimants of all the unpurchased lands from the Ohio to the +Illinois and Mississippi rivers. But, sir, the President may rest +assured that the complaint of injury, with regard to the sale of lands, +is a mere pretence suggested to the Prophet by British partisans and +emissaries." + +Early in July, some of the Prophet's followers descended the Wabash to +a point below Terre Haute, and stole several horses. A few days +afterwards, governor Harrison ascertained from a party of Indians who +were on a visit to Vincennes, that the Sacs and Foxes had taken up the +hatchet, and declared themselves ready to act with the Prophet, +whenever it should be required. It was further stated, that a Miami +chief, who had just returned from his annual visit to Malden, after +receiving his usual stipend of goods, was addressed by the British +agent, Elliot, in these words: "My son, keep your eyes fixed on me--my +tomahawk is now up--be you ready, but do not strike till I give the +signal." + +About the same time, the governor, in the hope of staying the movements +of the Prophet, or at least of ascertaining the amount of his forces, +forwarded to him by a confidential interpreter, the following speech: + +"William Henry Harrison, governor and commander-in-chief of the +territory of Indiana, to the Shawanoe chief, and the Indians assembled +at Tippecanoe: + +"Notwithstanding the improper language which you have used towards me, +I will endeavor to open your eyes to your true interests. +Notwithstanding what white bad men have told you, I am not your +personal enemy. You ought to know this from the manner in which I +received and treated you, on your visit to this place. + +"Although I must say, that you are an enemy to the Seventeen Fires, and +that you have used the greatest exertions with other tribes to lead +them astray. In this, you have been in some measure successful; as I am +told they are ready to raise the tomahawk against their father; yet +their father, notwithstanding his anger at their folly, is full of +goodness, and is always ready to receive into his arms those of his +children who are willing to repent, acknowledge their fault, and ask +for his forgiveness. + +"There is yet but little harm done, which may be easily repaired. The +chain of friendship which united the whites with the Indians, may be +renewed, and be as strong as ever. A great deal of that work depends on +you--the destiny of those who are under your direction, depends upon +the choice you may make of the two roads which are before you. The one +is large, open and pleasant, and leads to peace, security and +happiness; the other, on the contrary, is narrow and crooked, and leads +to misery and ruin. Don't deceive yourselves; do not believe that all +the nations of Indians united, are able to resist the force of the +Seventeen Fires. I know your warriors are brave, but ours are not less +so; but what can a few brave warriors do, against the innumerable +warriors of the Seventeen Fires? Our blue coats are more numerous than +you can count; our hunters are like the leaves of the forest, or the +grains of sand on the Wabash. + +"Do not think that the red coats can protect you; they are not able to +protect themselves. They do not think of going to war with us. If they +did, you would in a few moons see our flag wave over all the forts of +Canada. + +"What reason have you to complain of the Seventeen Fires? have they +taken any thing from you--have they ever violated the treaties made +with the red men? You say that they purchased lands from them who had +no right to sell them: show that this is true, and the land will be +instantly restored. Show us the rightful owners of those lands which +have been purchased--let them present themselves. The ears of your +father will be opened to your complaints, and if the lands have been +purchased of those who did not own them, they will be restored to the +rightful owners. I have full power to arrange this business; but if you +would rather carry your complaints before your great father, the +President, you shall be indulged. I will immediately take means to send +you with those chiefs which you may choose, to the city where your +father lives. Every thing necessary shall be prepared for your journey, +and means taken for your safe return." + +Tecumseh was present when the interpreter delivered this speech. The +Prophet made no reply to it, but promised to send one by his brother, +who intended, in a few weeks, to make a visit to governor Harrison. In +conversation, however, with the interpreter, the Prophet strongly +disavowed the idea that he had any hostile intentions; but at the same +time declared, that it would not be practicable long to maintain peace +with the United States, unless the government would recognize the +principle, that the lands were the common property of _all_ the +Indians; and cease to make any further settlement to the north and +west. "The Great Spirit" continued he, "gave this great island to his +red children; he placed the whites on the other side of the big water; +they were not contented with their own, but came to take ours from us. +They have driven us from the sea to the lakes: we can go no further. +They have taken upon them to say, this tract belongs to the Miamis, +this to the Delawares, and so on; but the Great Spirit intended it as +the common property of us all. Our father tells us, that we have no +business upon the Wabash, the land belongs to other tribes; but the +Great Spirit ordered us to come here, and here we will stay." He +expressed himself, in the course of the conversation, gratified with +the speech which the governor had sent him; saying, he recollected to +have seen him, when a very young man, sitting by the side of general +Wayne. + +Some of the Indians, then at the Prophet's town, appeared to be alarmed +at the arrival of the interpreter, and professed themselves +dissatisfied with the conduct of their leaders. Tecumseh told him, that +in making his promised visit to the governor, he should bring with him +about thirty of his principal warriors; and as the young men were fond +of attending on such occasions, the whole number might probably be one +hundred. The Prophet added, that the governor might expect to see a +still larger number than that named by his brother. + +Upon the return of the interpreter to Vincennes, the governor, not +wishing to be burthened with so large a body of Indians, despatched a +messenger to Tecumseh, requesting that he would bring with him but a +few of his followers. This request, however, was wholly disregarded; +and on the 12th of August, the chief, attended by four hundred +warriors, fully armed with tomahawks and war-clubs, descended the +Wabash to Vincennes, for the purpose of holding the proposed +conference. From a family letter written by captain Floyd, then +commanding at fort Knox, three miles above Vincennes, under date of +14th of August, 1810, the following extract is made, referring to this +visit of the chieftain and his war-like retinue. + +"Nothing new has transpired since my last letter to you, except that +the Shawanoe Indians have come; they passed this garrison, which is +three miles above Vincennes, on Sunday last, in eighty canoes; they +were all painted in the most terrific manner: they were stopped at the +garrison by me, for a short time: I examined their canoes and found +them well prepared for war, in case of an attack. They were headed by +the brother of the Prophet, (Tecumseh) who, perhaps, is one of the +finest looking men I ever saw--about six feet high, straight, with +large, fine features, and altogether a daring, bold looking fellow. The +governor's council with them will commence to-morrow morning. He has +directed me to attend." + +Governor Harrison had made arrangements for holding the council on the +portico of his own house, which had been fitted up with seats for the +occasion. Here, on the morning of the fifteenth, he awaited the arrival +of the chief, being attended by the judges of the Supreme Court, some +officers of the army, a sergeant and twelve men, from fort Knox, and a +large number of citizens. At the appointed hour Tecumseh, supported by +forty of his principal warriors, made his appearance, the remainder of +his followers being encamped in the village and its environs. When the +chief had approached within thirty or forty yards of the house, he +suddenly stopped, as if awaiting some advances from the governor. An +interpreter was sent requesting him and his followers to take seats on +the portico. To this Tecumseh objected--he did not think the place a +suitable one for holding the conference, but preferred that it should +take place in a grove of trees,--to which he pointed,--standing a short +distance from the house. The governor said he had no objection to the +grove, except that there were no seats in it for their accommodation. +Tecumseh replied, that constituted no objection to the grove, the earth +being the most suitable place for the Indians, who loved to repose upon +the bosom of their mother. The governor yielded the point, and the +benches and chairs having been removed to the spot, the conference was +begun, the Indians being seated on the grass. + +Tecumseh opened the meeting by stating, at length, his objections to +the treaty of fort Wayne, made by governor Harrison in the previous +year; and in the course of his speech, boldly avowed the principle of +his party to be, that of resistance to every cession of land, unless +made by all the tribes, who, he contended, formed but one nation. He +admitted that he had threatened to kill the chiefs who signed the +treaty of fort Wayne; and that it was his fixed determination not to +permit the _village_ chiefs, in future, to manage their affairs, but to +place the power with which _they_ had been heretofore invested, in the +hands of the war chiefs. The Americans, he said, had driven the Indians +from the sea coast, and would soon push them into the lakes; and, while +he disclaimed all intention of making war upon the United States, he +declared it to be his unalterable resolution to take a stand, and +resolutely oppose the further intrusion of the whites upon the Indian +lands. He concluded, by making a brief but impassioned recital of the +various wrongs and aggressions inflicted by the white men upon the +Indians, from the commencement of the Revolutionary war down to the +period of that council; all of which was calculated to arouse and +inflame the minds of such of his followers as were present. + +The governor rose in reply, and in examining the right of Tecumseh and +his party to make objections to the treaty of fort Wayne, took occasion +to say, that the Indians were not one nation, having a common property +in the lands. The Miamis, he contended, were the real owners of the +tract on the Wabash, ceded by the late treaty, and the Shawanoes had no +right to interfere in the case; that upon the arrival of the whites on +this continent, they had found the Miamis in possession of this land, +the Shawanoes being then residents of Georgia, from which they had been +driven by the Creeks, and that it was ridiculous to assert that the red +men constituted but one nation; for, if such had been the intention of +the Great Spirit, he would not have put different tongues in their +heads, but have taught them all to speak the same language. + +The governor having taken his seat, the interpreter commenced +explaining the speech to Tecumseh, who, after listening to a portion of +it, sprung to his feet and began to speak with great vehemence of +manner. + +The governor was surprised at his violent gestures, but as he did not +understand him, thought he was making some explanation, and suffered +his attention to be drawn towards Winnemac, a friendly Indian lying on +the grass before him, who was renewing the priming of his pistol, which +he had kept concealed from the other Indians, but in full view of the +governor. His attention, however, was again directed towards Tecumseh, +by hearing general Gibson, who was intimately acquainted with the +Shawanoe language, say to lieutenant Jennings, "those fellows intend +mischief; you had better bring up the guard." At that moment, the +followers of Tecumseh seized their tomahawks and war clubs, and sprung +upon their feet, their eyes turned upon the governor. As soon as he +could disengage himself from the armed chair in which he sat, he rose, +drew a small sword which he had by his side, and stood on the +defensive. Captain G.R. Floyd, of the army, who stood near him, drew a +dirk, and the chief Winnemac cocked his pistol. The citizens present, +were more numerous than the Indians, but were unarmed; some of them +procured clubs and brick-bats, and also stood on the defensive. The +Rev. Mr. Winans, of the Methodist church, ran to the governor's house, +got a gun, and posted himself at the door to defend the family. During +this singular scene, no one spoke, until the guard came running up, and +appearing to be in the act of firing, the governor ordered them not to +do so. He then demanded of the interpreter, an explanation of what had +happened, who replied that Tecumseh had interrupted him, declaring that +all the governor had said was _false_; and that he and the Seventeen +Fires had cheated and imposed on the Indians.[A] + +[Footnote A: Dawson's Historical Narrative.] + +The governor then told Tecumseh that he was a bad man, and that he +would hold no further communication with him; that as he had come to +Vincennes under the protection of a council-fire, he might return in +safety, but that he must immediately leave the village. Here the +council terminated. During the night, two companies of militia were +brought in from the country, and that belonging to the town was also +embodied. Next morning Tecumseh requested the governor to afford him an +opportunity of explaining his conduct on the previous day--declaring, +that he did not intend to attack the governor, and that he had acted +under the advice of some of the white people. The governor consented to +another interview, it being understood that each party should have the +same armed force as on the previous day. On this occasion, the +deportment of Tecumseh was respectful and dignified. He again denied +having had any intention to make an attack upon the governor, and +declared that he had been stimulated to the course he had taken, by two +white men, who assured him that one half of the citizens were opposed +to the governor, and willing to restore the land in question; that the +governor would soon be put out of office, and a good man sent to fill +his place, who would give up the land to the Indians. When asked by the +governor whether he intended to resist the survey of these lands, +Tecumseh replied that he and his followers were resolutely determined +to insist upon the old boundary. When he had taken his seat, chiefs +from the Wyandots, Kickapoos, Potawatamies, Ottawas, and Winnebagoes, +spoke in succession, and distinctly avowed that they had entered into +the Shawanoe confederacy, and were determined to support the principles +laid down by their leader. The governor, in conclusion, stated that he +would make known to the President, the claims of Tecumseh and his +party, to the land in question; but that he was satisfied the +government would never admit that the lands on the Wabash were the +property of any other tribes than those who occupied them, when the +white people first arrived in America; and, as the title to these lands +had been derived by purchase from those tribes, he might rest assured +that the right of the United States would be sustained by the sword. +Here the council adjourned. + +On the following day, governor Harrison visited Tecumseh in his camp, +attended only by the interpreter, and was very politely received. A +long conversation ensued, in which Tecumseh again declared that his +intentions were really such as he had avowed them to be in the council; +that the policy which the United States pursued, of purchasing lands +from the Indians, he viewed as a mighty water, ready to overflow his +people; and that the confederacy which he was forming among the tribes +to prevent any individual tribe from selling without the consent of the +others, was the dam he was erecting to resist this mighty water. He +stated further, that he should be reluctantly drawn into a war with the +United States; and that if he, the governor, would induce the President +to give up the lands lately purchased, and agree never to make another +treaty without the consent of all the tribes, he would be their +faithful ally and assist them in the war, which he knew was about to +take place with England; that he preferred being the ally of the +Seventeen Fires, but if they did not comply with his request, he would +be compelled to unite with the British. The governor replied, that he +would make known his views to the President, but that there was no +probability of their being agreed to. "Well," said Tecumseh, "as the +great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great Spirit will +put sense enough into his head to induce him to give up this land: it +is true, he is so far off he will not be injured by the war; he may sit +still in his town and drink his wine, whilst you and I will have to +fight it out." This prophecy, it will be seen, was literally fulfilled; +and the great chieftain who uttered it, attested that fulfilment with +his blood. The governor, in conclusion, proposed to Tecumseh, that in +the event of hostilities between the Indians and the United States, he +should use his influence to put an end to the cruel mode of warfare +which the Indians were accustomed to wage upon women and children, or +upon prisoners. To this he cheerfully assented; and, it is due to the +memory of Tecumseh to add, that he faithfully kept his promise down to +the period of his death.[A] + +[Footnote A: In Marshall's History of Kentucky, vol. 2. p. 482, there +is a speech quoted as having been delivered by Tecumseh at this +council. We are authorised, on the best authority, to say that it is a +sheer fabrication. No such speech was delivered by him at the council.] + +Whether in this council Tecumseh really meditated treachery or only +intended to intimidate the governor, must remain a matter of +conjecture. If the former, his force of four hundred well armed +warriors was sufficient to have murdered the inhabitants and sacked the +town, which at that time did not contain more than one thousand +persons, including women and children. When in the progress of the +conference, he and his forty followers sprung to their arms, there +would have been, in all probability, a corresponding movement with the +remainder of his warriors encamped in and around the village, had he +seriously contemplated an, attack upon the governor and the +inhabitants. But this does not appear to have been the case. It is +probable, therefore, that Tecumseh, in visiting Vincennes with so large +a body of followers, expected to make a strong impression upon the +whites as to the extent of his influence among the Indians, and the +strength of his party. His movement in the council may have been +concerted for the purpose of intimidating the governor; but the more +probable supposition is, that in the excitement of the moment, produced +by the speech of the governor, he lost his self-possession, and +involuntarily placed his hand upon his war-club, in which movement he +was followed by the warriors around him, without any previous intention +of proceeding to extremities. Whatever may have been the fact, the bold +chieftain found in governor Harrison a firmness of purpose and an +intrepidity of manner which must have convinced him that nothing was to +be gained by an effort at intimidation, however daring. + +Soon after the close of this memorable council, governor Harrison made +arrangements for the survey of the land purchased at the treaty of fort +Wayne, under the protection of a detachment of soldiers. About the same +time, "a young Iowa chief, whom the governor had employed to go to the +Prophet's town to gain information, reported, on his return; that he +had been told by an old Winnebago chief, who was his relation, that the +great Belt which had been sent round to all the tribes, for the purpose +of uniting them, was returned; and he mentioned a considerable number +who had acceded to the confederacy, the object of which was 'to confine +the great water and prevent it from overflowing them.' That the belt +since its return had been sent to the British agent, who danced for joy +at seeing so many tribes had joined against the United States. That the +Prophet had sent a speech to his confedrates not to be discouraged at +the apparent defection of some of the tribes near him; for that it was +all a sham, intended to deceive the white people; that these tribes +hated the Seventeen Fires; and that though they gave them sweet words, +they were like grass plucked up by the roots, they would soon wither +and come to nothing. The old Winnebago chief told him with tears in his +eyes, that he himself and all the village chiefs, had been divested of +their power, and that everything was managed by the warriors, who +breathed nothing but war against the United States.[A]" + +[Footnote A: Dawson's Historical Narrative.] + +Governor Harrison, in his address to the legislature of Indiana, in the +month of November of this year, refers to the difficulties with the +Indians at Tippecanoe; and bears testimony to the fact, that the +Prophet and Tecumseh were instigated to assume a hostile attitude +towards the United States, by British influence. He says, + +"It is with regret that I have to inform you that the harmony and good +understanding which it is so much our interest to cultivate with our +neighbors, the aborigines, have for some time past experienced +considerable interruption, and that we have indeed been threatened with +hostilities, by a combination formed under the auspices of a bold +adventurer, who pretends to act under the immediate inspiration of the +Deity. His character as a Prophet would not, however, have given him +any very dangerous influence, if he had not been assisted by the +intrigues and advice of foreign agents, and other disaffected persons, +who have for many years omitted no opportunity of counteracting the +measures of the government with regard to the Indians, and filling +their naturally jealous minds with suspicions of the justice and +integrity of our views towards them." + +That our government was sincerely desirous of preserving peace with +these disaffected Indians, appears from the following extract of a +letter from the Secretary of War, to governor Harrison, written in the +autumn of this year. "It has occurred to me," said the Secretary, "that +the surest means of securing good behavior from this conspicuous +personage and his brother, [the Prophet and Tecumseh] would be to make +them prisoners; but at this time, more particularly, it is desirable +that peace with all the Indian tribes should be preserved; and I am +instructed by the President to express to your excellency his +expectations and confidence, that in all your arrangements, this may be +considered, (as I am confident it ever has been) a primary object with +you." + +During the autumn, a Kickapoo chief visited Vincennes, and informed the +governor that the pacific professions of the Prophet and Tecumseh were +not to be relied on,--that their ultimate designs were hostile to the +United States. At the same time governor Clark, of Missouri, forwarded +to the governor of Indiana information that the Prophet had sent belts +to the tribes west of the Mississippi, inviting them to join in a war +against the United States; and, stating that he would commence the +contest by an attack on Vincennes. Governor Clark further said, that +the Sacs had at length joined the Tippecanoe confederacy, and that a +party of them had gone to Maiden for arms and ammunition. The Indian +interpreter, at Chicago, also stated to governor Harrison, that the +tribes in that quarter were disaffected towards the United States, and +seemed determined upon war. One of the surveyors, engaged to run the +lines of the new purchase, was driven off the lands by a party of the +Wea tribe, who took two of his men prisoners: thus closed the year +1810. + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + + Alarm on the frontier continues--a Muskoe Indian killed at + Vincennes--governor Harrison sends a pacific speech to Tecumseh and + the Prophet--the former replies to it--in July Tecumseh visits + governor Harrison at Vincennes--disavows any intention of making war + upon the whites--explains his object in forming a union among the + tribes--governor Harrison's opinion of Tecumseh and the + Prophet--murder of the Deaf Chief--Tecumseh visits the southern + Indians. + + +The spring of 1811 brought with it no abatement of these border +difficulties. Early in the season, governor Harrison sent a boat up the +Wabash, loaded with salt for the Indians,--that article constituting a +part of their annuity. Five barrels were to be left with the Prophet, +for the Kickapoos and Shawanoes. Upon the arrival of the boat at +Tippecanoe, the Prophet called a council, by which it was decided to +seize the whole of the salt, which was promptly done--word being sent +back to the governor, not to be angry at this measure, as the Prophet +had two thousand men to feed; and, had not received any salt for two +years past. There were at this time about six hundred men at +Tippecanoe; and, Tecumseh, who had been absent for some time, on a +visit to the lakes, was expected daily, with large reinforcements. From +appearances, it seemed probable that an attack was meditated on +Vincennes by these brothers, with a force of eight hundred or one +thousand warriors; a number far greater than the governor could +collect, even if he embodied all the militia for some miles around that +place. He accordingly wrote to the Secretary of War, recommending that +the 4th regiment of U.S. troops, then at Pittsburg, under the command +of colonel Boyd, should be ordered to Vincennes; at the same time +asking for authority to act offensively against the Indians, so soon as +it was found that the intentions of their leaders were decidedly +hostile towards the United States. + +Under date of June 6th, governor Harrison, in a letter to the war +department, expresses the opinion that the disposition of the Indians +is far from being pacific. Wells, the agent at fort Wayne, had visited +the Prophet's town, relative to some stolen horses, and certain +Potawatamies who had committed the murders on the Mississippi. Four of +the horses were recovered, but Tecumseh disclaimed all agency in taking +them, although he acknowledged that it was done by some of his party. +Tecumseh openly avowed to the agent his resolute determination to +resist the further encroachments of the white people. In this letter +the governor remarks, "I wish I could say the Indians were treated with +justice and propriety on all occasions by our citizens; but it is far +otherwise. They are often abused and maltreated; and it is very rare +that they obtain any satisfaction for the most unprovoked wrongs." He +proceeds to relate the circumstance of a Muskoe Indian having been +killed by an Italian innkeeper, in Vincennes, without any just cause. +The murderer, under the orders of the governor, was apprehended, tried, +but acquitted by the jury almost without deliberation. About the same +time, within twenty miles of Vincennes, two Weas were badly wounded by +a white man without the smallest provocation. Such aggressions tended +greatly to exasperate the Indians, and to prevent them from delivering +up such of their people as committed offences against the citizens of +the United States. Such was the fact with the Delawares, upon a demand +from the governor for White Turkey, who had robbed the house of a Mr. +Vawter. The chiefs refused to surrender him, declaring that they would +never deliver up another man until some of the whites were punished, +who had murdered their people. They, however, punished White Turkey +themselves, by putting him to death. + +On the 24th of June, soon after the return of Tecumseh from his visit +to the Iroquois and Wyandots, for the purpose of increasing his +confederacy, governor Harrison transmitted to him and the Prophet, +together with the other chiefs at Tippecanoe, the following speech: + +"Brothers,--Listen to me. I speak to you about matters of importance, +both to the white people and yourselves; open your ears, therefore, and +attend to what I shall say. + +"Brothers, this is the third year that all the white people in this +country have been alarmed at your proceedings; you threaten us with +war, you invite all the tribes to the north and west of you to join +against us. + +"Brothers, your warriors who have lately been here, deny this; but I +have received the information from every direction; the tribes on the +Mississippi have sent me word that you intended to murder me, and then +to commence a war upon our people. I have also received the speech you +sent to the Potawatamies and others, to join you for that purpose; but +if I had no other evidence of your hostility to us, your seizing the +salt I lately sent up the Wabash, is sufficient. + +"Brothers, our citizens are alarmed, and my warriors are preparing +themselves; not to strike you, but to defend themselves and their women +and children. You shall not surprise us as you expect to do; you are +about to undertake a very rash act; as a friend, I advise you to +consider well of it; a little reflection may save us a great deal of +trouble and prevent much mischief; it is not yet too late. + +"Brothers, what can be the inducement for you to undertake an +enterprise when there is so little probability of success; do you +really think that the handful of men that you have about you, are able +to contend with the Seventeen Fires, or even that the whole of the +tribes united, could contend against the Kentucky Fire alone? + +"Brothers, I am myself of the long knife fire; as soon as they hear my +voice, you will see them pouring forth their swarms of hunting shirt +men, as numerous as the musquetoes on the shores of the Wabash; +brothers, take care of their stings. + +"Brothers, it is not our wish to hurt you: if we did, we certainly have +power to do it; look at the number of our warriors to the east of you, +above and below the Great Miami,--to the south, on both sides of the +Ohio, and below you also. You are brave men; but what could you do +against such a multitude?--but we wish you to live in peace and +happiness. + +"Brothers, the citizens of this country are alarmed; they must be +satisfied that you have no design to do them mischief, or they will not +lay aside their arms. You have also insulted the government of the +United States by seizing the salt that was intended for other tribes; +satisfaction must be given for that also. + +"Brothers, you talk of coming to see me, attended by all your young +men; this, however, must not be so; if your intentions are good, you +have no need to bring but a few of your young men with you. I must be +plain with you; I will not suffer you to come into our settlements with +such a force. + +"Brothers, if you wish to satisfy us that your intentions are good, +follow the advice that I have given you before; that is, that one or +both of you should visit the President of the United States, and lay +your grievances before him. He will treat you well, will listen to what +you say, and if you can show him that you have been injured, you will +receive justice. If you will follow my advice in this respect, it will +convince the citizens of this country and myself that you have no +design to attack them. + +"Brothers, with respect to the lands that were purchased last fall, I +can enter into no negotiations with you on that subject; the affair is +in the hands of the President, if you wish to go and see him, I will +supply you with the means. + +"Brothers, the person who delivers this, is one of my war officers; he +is a man in whom I have entire confidence: whatever he says to you, +although it may not be contained in this paper, you may believe comes +from me. + +"My friend Tecumseh! the bearer is a good man and a brave warrior; I +hope you will treat him well; you are yourself a warrior, and all such +should have esteem for each other." + +Tecumseh to the governor of Indiana, in reply: + +"Brother, I give you a few words until I will be with you myself. + +"Brother, at Vincennes, I wish you to listen to me whilst I send you a +few words, and I hope they will ease your heart; I know you look on +your young men and young women and children with pity, to see them so +much alarmed. + +"Brother, I wish you now to examine what you have from me; I hope that +it will be a satisfaction to you, if your intentions are like mine, to +wash away all these bad stories that have been circulated. I will be +with you myself in eighteen days from this day. + +"Brother, we cannot say what will become of us, as the Great Spirit has +the management of us all at his will. I may be there before the time, +and may not be there until the day. I hope that when we come together, +all these bad tales will be settled; by this I hope your young men, +women and children, will be easy. I wish you, brother, to let them know +when I come to Vincennes and see you, all will be settled in peace and +happiness. + +"Brother, these are only a few words to let you know that I will be +with you myself, and when I am with you I can inform you better. + +"Brother, if I find that I can be with you in less time than eighteen +days, I will send one of my young men before me, to let you know what +time I will be with you." + +On the second of July, governor Harrison received information from the +executive of Illinois, that several murders had been committed in that +territory; and that there were good grounds for believing these crimes +had been perpetrated by a party of Shawanoes. The governor had been +previously informed that it was the design of the Prophet to commence +hostilities in Illinois, in order to cover his main object--the attack +on Vincennes. Both territories were in a state of great alarm; and the +Secretary of War was officially notified, that if the general +government did not take measures to protect the inhabitants, they were +determined to protect themselves. + +In a letter under date of Vincennes, 10th July, 1811, governor Harrison +writes as follows to the Secretary of War. + +"Captain Wilson, the officer whom I sent to the Prophet's town, +returned on Sunday last. He was well received, and treated with +particular friendship by Tecumseh. He obtained, however, no +satisfaction. The only answer given was, that in eighteen days Tecumseh +would pay me a visit for the purpose of explaining his conduct. Upon +being told that I would not suffer him to come with so large a force, +he promised to bring with him a few men only. I shall not, however, +depend upon this promise, but shall have the river well watched by a +party of scouts after the descent of the chief, lest he should be +followed by his warriors. I do not think that this will be the case. +The detection of the hostile designs of an Indian is generally (for +that time) to defeat them. The hopes of an expedition, conducted +through many hundred miles of toil and difficulty, are abandoned +frequently, upon the slightest suspicion; their painful steps retraced, +and a more favorable moment expected. With them the surprise of an +enemy bestows more eclat upon a warrior than the most brilliant success +obtained by other means. Tecumseh has taken for his model the +celebrated Pontiac, and I am persuaded he will bear a favorable +comparison, in every respect, with that far famed warrior. If it is his +object to begin with the surprise of this place, it is impossible that +a more favorable situation could have been chosen, than the one he +occupies: it is just so far off as to be removed from immediate +observation, and yet so near as to enable him to strike us, when the +water is high, in twenty-four hours, and even when it is low, their +light canoes will come fully as fast as the journey could be performed +on horseback. The situation is in other respects admirable for the +purposes for which he has chosen it. It is nearly central with regard +to the tribes which he wishes to unite. The water communication with +lake Erie, by means of the Wabash and Miami--with lake Michigan and the +Illinois, by the Tippecanoe, is a great convenience. It is immediately +in the centre of the back line of that fine country which he wishes to +prevent us from settling--and above all, he has immediately in his rear +a country that has been but little explored, consisting principally of +barren thickets, interspersed with swamps and lakes, into which our +cavalry could not penetrate, and our infantry, only by slow, laborious +efforts." + +The promised visit of Tecumseh took place in the latter part of July. +He reached Vincennes on the 27th, attended by about three hundred of +his party, of whom thirty were women and children. The council was +opened on the 30th, in an arbor erected for the purpose, and at the +appointed time the chief made his appearance, attended by about one +hundred and seventy warriors, without guns, but all of them having +knives and tomahawks, or war clubs, and some armed with bows and +arrows. The governor, in opening the council, made reference to the +late murders in Illinois, and the alarm which the appearance of +Tecumseh, with so large an armed force, had created among the people on +the Wabash. He further informed Tecumseh that, whilst he listened to +whatever himself or any of the chiefs had to say in regard to the late +purchase of land, he would enter into no negociation on that subject, +as it was now in the hands of the President. The governor, after +telling Tecumseh that he was at liberty to visit the President, and +hear his decision from his own mouth, adverted to the late seizure of +the salt, and demanded an explanation of it. In reply, the chief +admitted the seizure, but said he was not at home, either this spring +or the year before, when the salt boats arrived; that it seemed +impossible to please the governor: last year he was angry, because the +salt was refused, and this year equally so, because it was taken. The +council was then adjourned until the following day. When it was again +opened, a Wea chief made a long speech, giving the history of all the +treaties which had been made by the governor and the Indian tribes; and +concluded with the remark, that he had been told that the Miami chiefs +had been forced by the Potawatamies to accede to the treaty of fort +Wayne; and that it would be proper to institute enquiries to find out +the person who had held the tomahawk over their heads, and punish him. +This statement was immediately contradicted by the governor, and also +by the Miami chiefs who were present. Anxious to bring the conference +to a close, the governor then told Tecumseh that by delivering up the +two Potawatamies who had murdered the four white men on the Missouri, +last fall, he would at once attest the sincerity of his professions of +friendship to the United States, and his desire to preserve peace. His +reply was evasive, but developed very clearly his designs. After much +trouble and difficulty he had induced, he said, all the northern tribes +to unite, and place themselves under his direction; that the white +people were unnecessarily alarmed at his measures, which really meant +nothing but peace; that the United States had set him the example of +forming a strict union amongst all the Fires that compose their +confederacy; that the Indians did not complain of it, nor should his +white brothers complain of him for doing the same thing in regard to +the Indian tribes; that so soon as the council was over, he was to set +out on a visit to the southern tribes, to prevail upon them to unite +with those of the north. As to the murderers, they were not at his +town, and if they were, he could not deliver them up; that they ought +to be forgiven, as well as those who had committed some murders in +Illinois; that he had set the whites an example of the forgiveness of +injuries which they ought to follow. In reply to an enquiry on the +subject, he said he hoped no attempt would be made to settle the new +purchase, before his return next spring; that a great number of Indians +were coming to settle at Tippecanoe in the autumn, and they would need +that tract as a hunting ground, and if they did no further injury, they +might kill the cattle and hogs of the white people, which would create +disturbances; that he wished every thing to remain in its present +situation until his return, when he would visit the President, and +settle all difficulties with him. The governor made a brief reply, +saying, that the moon which they beheld (it was then night) would +sooner fall to the earth, than the President would suffer his people to +be murdered with impunity; and that he would put his warriors in +petticoats, sooner than he would give up a country which he had fairly +acquired from the rightful owners. Here the council terminated. In a +day or two afterwards, attended by twenty warriors, Tecumseh set off +for the south, on a visit to the Creeks and Choctaws. The governor was +at a loss to determine the object of Tecumseh, in taking with him to +Vincennes, so large a body of his followers. The spies said that he +intended to demand a retrocession of the late purchase, and if it was +not obtained, to seize some of the chiefs who were active in making the +treaty, in presence of the governor, and put them to death; and in case +of his interference, to have subjected him to the same fate. Many of +the neutral Indians entertained the opinion that he meditated an attack +upon Vincennes. If such was the case, his plan was probably changed by +observing the vigilance of governor Harrison and the display of seven +or eight hundred men under arms. It is questionable, however, we think, +whether Tecumseh really meditated violence at this time. He probably +wished to impress the whites with an idea of his strength, and at the +same time gratify his ambition of moving, as a great chieftain, at the +head of a numerous retinue of warriors. + +The day after the close of this council, the governor wrote to the War +Department. The following is a part of his communication. + +"My letter of yesterday will inform you of the arrival and departure of +Tecumseh from this place, and of the route which he has taken. There +can be no doubt his object is to excite the southern Indians to war +against us. His mother was of the Creek nation, and he builds much upon +that circumstance towards forwarding his views. I do not think there is +any danger of further hostility until he returns: and his absence +affords a most favorable opportunity for breaking up his confederacy, +and I have some expectations of being able to accomplish it without a +recourse to actual hostility. Tecumseh assigned the next spring as the +period of his return. I am informed, however, that he will be back in +three months. There is a Potawatamie chief here, who says he was +present when the message from the British agent was delivered to the +Prophet, telling him that the time had arrived for taking up arms, and +inviting him to send a party to Malden, to receive the necessary +supplies. This man is one of the few who preserve their independence. + +"The implicit obedience and respect which the followers of Tecumseh pay +to him, is really astonishing, and more than any other circumstance +bespeaks him one of those uncommon geniuses which spring up +occasionally to produce revolutions, and overturn the established order +of things. If it were not for the vicinity of the United States, he +would, perhaps, be the founder of an empire that would rival in glory +Mexico or Peru. No difficulties deter him. For four years he has been +in constant motion. You see him to-day on the Wabash, and in a short +time hear of him on the shores of lake Erie or Michigan, or on the +banks of the Mississippi; and wherever he goes he makes an impression +favorable to his purposes. He is now upon the last round to put a +finishing stroke to his work. I hope, however, before his return that +that part of the fabric which he considered complete, will be +demolished, and even its foundations rooted up. Although the greater +part of his followers are attached to him from principle and affection, +there are many others who follow him through fear; and he was scarcely +a mile from town, before they indulged in the most virulent invectives +against him. The Prophet is impudent and audacious, but is deficient in +judgment, talents and firmness." + +The following anecdote illustrates the coolness and self-possession of +Tecumseh, not less than the implicit obedience that was paid to his +commands by his followers. + +A Potawatamie, called the Deaf Chief, was present at the late council. +After it was closed, he stated to the governor, that had he been called +upon during the conference he would have confronted Tecumseh, when he +denied that his intentions towards the United States were hostile. This +declaration having been repeated to Tecumseh, he calmly intimated to +the Prophet, that upon their return to Tippecanoe, the Deaf Chief must +be disposed of. A friend of the latter informed him of his danger, but +the chief, not at all intimidated, returned to his camp, put on his +war-dress, and equipping himself with his rifle, tomahawk and scalping +knife, returned and presented himself before Tecumseh, who was then in +company with Mr. Baron, the governor's interpreter. The Deaf Chief +there reproached Tecumseh for having ordered him to be killed, +declaring that it was an act unworthy of a warrior. "But here I am +now," said he, "come and kill me." Tecumseh making no answer, the +Potawatamie heaped upon him every term of abuse and contumely, and +finally charged him with being the slave of the red-coats, (the +British.) Tecumseh, perfectly unmoved, made no reply, but continued his +conversation with Mr. Baron, until the Deaf Chief, wearied with the +effort to provoke his antagonist to action, returned to his camp. There +is some reason for believing that the Prophet did not disobey his +orders: the Deaf Chief was never seen again at Vincennes. + +Of the result of the mission of Tecumseh to the southern tribes, we +have no detailed information. Hodgson, who subsequently travelled +through this country, in his "Letters from North America," says: + +"Our host told me that he was living with his Indian wife among the +Creeks, when the celebrated Indian warrior Tecumseh, came more than one +thousand miles, from the borders of Canada, to induce the lower Creeks, +to promise to take up the hatchet in behalf of the British, against the +Americans, and the upper Creeks whenever he should require it: that he +was present at the midnight convocation of the chiefs, which was held +on that occasion, and which terminated after a most impressive speech +from Tecumseh with a unanimous determination to take up the hatchet +whenever he should call upon them. This was at least a year before the +declaration of the last war." + +In the "History of the Tribes of North America," there is an +interesting notice of this visit of Tecumseh. + +"The following remarkable circumstance may serve to illustrate the +penetration, decision and boldness of this warrior chief. He had been +south, to Florida, and succeeded in instigating the Seminoles in +particular, and portions of other tribes, to unite in the war on the +side of the British. He gave out that a vessel, on a certain day, +commanded by red-coats, would be off Florida, filled with guns and +ammunition, and supplies for the use of the Indians. That no mistake +might happen in regard to the day on which the Indians were to strike, +he prepared bundles of sticks, each bundle containing the number of +sticks corresponding to the number of days that were to intervene +between the day on which they were received, and the day of the general +onset. The Indian practice is to throw away a stick every morning; they +make, therefore, no mistake in the time. These sticks Tecumseh caused +to be painted red. It was from this circumstance that in the former +Seminole war, these Indians were called 'Red Sticks.' In all this +business of mustering the tribes, he used great caution; he supposed +enquiry would be made as to the object of his visit; that his plans +might not be suspected, he directed the Indians to reply to any +questions that might be asked about him, by saying, that he had +counselled them to cultivate the ground, abstain from ardent spirits, +and live in peace with the white people. On his return from Florida, he +went among the Creeks in Alabama, urging them to unite with the +Seminoles. Arriving at Tuckhabatchee, a Creek town on the Tallapoosa +river, he made his way to the lodge of the chief called the Big +Warrior. He explained his object, delivered his war-talk, presented a +bundle of sticks, gave a piece of wampum and a hatchet; all which the +Big Warrior took. When Tecumseh, reading the intentions and spirit of +the Big Warrior, looked him in the eye, and pointing his finger towards +his face, said: 'Your blood is white: you have taken my talk, and the +sticks, and the wampum, and the hatchet, but you do not mean to fight: +I know the reason: you do not believe the Great Spirit has sent me: you +shall know: I leave Tuckhabatchee directly, and shall go straight to +Detroit: when I arrive there, I will stamp on the ground with my foot, +and shake down every house in Tuckhabatchee.' So saying, he turned and +left the Big Warrior in utter amazement, at both his manner and his +threat, and pursued his journey. The Indians were struck no less with +his conduct than was the Big Warrior, and began to dread the arrival of +the day when the threatened calamity would befal them. They met often +and talked over this matter, and counted the days carefully, to know +the time when Tecumseh would reach Detroit. The morning they had fixed +upon, as the period of his arrival, at last came. A mighty rumbling was +heard--the Indians all ran out of their houses--the earth began to +shake; when at last, sure enough, every house in Tuckhabatchee was +shaken down! The exclamation was in every mouth, 'Tecumseh has got to +Detroit!' The effect was electrical. The message he had delivered to +the Big Warrior was believed, and many of the Indians took their rifles +and prepared for the war. + +"The reader will not be surprised to learn, that an earthquake had +produced all this; but he will be, doubtless, that it should happen on +the very day on which Tecumseh arrived at Detroit; and, in exact +fulfilment of his threat. It was the famous earthquake of New Madrid, +on the Mississippi. We received the foregoing from the lips of the +Indians, when we were at Tuckhabatchee, in 1827, and near the residence +of the Big Warrior. The anecdote may therefore be relied on. Tecumseh's +object, doubtless was, on seeing that he had failed, by the usual +appeal to the passions, and hopes, and war spirit of the Indians, to +alarm their fears, little dreaming, himself, that on the day named, his +threat would be executed with such punctuality and terrible fidelity." + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + + Governor Harrison applies to the War Department for troops to + maintain peace on the frontiers--battle of Tippecanoe on the 7th of + November--its influence on the Prophet and his followers. + + +The late council at Vincennes having failed in producing any +satisfactory results, and Tecumseh having gone to the south for the +avowed purpose of extending his confederacy, the alarm among the +inhabitants of Indiana continued to increase. Public meetings were +held, and memorials forwarded to the President, invoking protection, +and requesting the removal of the Indians from the Prophet's town; the +memorialists being "fully convinced that the formation of this +combination, headed by the Shawanoe Prophet, was a British scheme, and +that the agents of that power were constantly exciting the Indians to +hostility against the United States." The President accordingly placed +the 4th regiment U.S. infantry, commanded by colonel Boyd, and a +company of riflemen, at the disposal of governor Harrison. The +Secretary of War, under date of 20th October, 1811, in a letter to him, +says: "I have been particularly instructed by the President to +communicate to your excellency, his earnest desire that peace may, if +possible, be preserved with the Indians; and that to this end, every +proper means may be adopted. By this, it is not intended that murder or +robberies committed by them, should not meet with the punishment due to +those crimes; that the settlements should be unprotected, or that any +hostile combination should avail itself of success, in consequence of a +neglect to provide the means of resisting and defeating it; or that the +banditti under the Prophet should not be attacked and vanquished, +provided such a measure should be rendered absolutely necessary. +Circumstances conspire, at this particular juncture, to render it +peculiarly desirable that hostilities of any kind, or to any degree, +not indispensably required, should be avoided." + +On the seventh of August the governor informed the secretary that he +should call, in a peremptory manner, on all the tribes, to deliver up +such of their people as had been concerned in the murder of our +citizens; that from the Miamis he should require an absolute disavowal +of all connection with the Prophet; and that to all the tribes he would +repeat the declaration, that the United States have manifested through +a series of years, the utmost justice and generosity towards their +Indian neighbors; and have not only fulfilled all the engagements which +they entered into with them, but have spent considerable sums to +civilize them and promote their happiness; but if, under those +circumstances, any tribe should dare to take up the tomahawk against +their fathers, they must not expect the same lenity that had been shown +them at the close of the former war, but that they would either be +exterminated or driven beyond the Mississippi. + +In furtherance of this plan, the governor forwarded speeches to the +different tribes, and instructed the Indian agents to use all possible +means to recall them to a sense of duty. He also wrote to the governors +of Illinois and Missouri, on the subject of the border difficulties, in +the hope that a general and simultaneous effort might avert an appeal +to arms. + +In the month of September, the Prophet sent assurances to governor +Harrison of his pacific intentions, and that his demands should be +complied with; but about the same time some horses were stolen in the +neighborhood of his town, and the whites who went in pursuit of them +were fired upon by the Indians. Early in October the governor moved, +with a considerable body of troops, towards the Prophet's town, with +the expectation that a show of hostile measures would bring about an +accommodation with the Indians of that place. On the 10th of October, +one of the sentinels around his camp was fired on by the Indians, and +severely wounded. About the same time the Prophet sent a messenger to +the chiefs of the Delaware tribe, who were friendly to the United +States, requiring, them to say whether they would or would not join him +in the war against them; that he had taken up the tomahawk and would +not lay it down but with his life, unless their wrongs were redressed. +The Delaware chiefs immediately visited the Prophet, for the purpose of +dissuading him from commencing hostilities. Under these circumstances +there seemed to be no alternative for governor Harrison, but to break +up the Prophet's establishment. On the 27th, the Delaware chiefs +returned to the camp of the governor, and reported that the Prophet +would not listen to their council, and had grossly insulted them. While +at the Prophet's town, the Indians who had wounded the sentinel, +returned. They were Shawanoes and near friends of the Prophet; who was +daily practising certain pretended rites, by means of which he played +upon the superstitious feelings of his followers, and kept them in a +state of feverish excitement. On the 29th, a body of twenty-four Miami +chiefs were sent by governor Harrison, to make another effort with the +Prophet. They were instructed, to require that the Winnebagoes, +Potawatamies and Kickapoos, should leave him and return to their +respective tribes; that all the stolen horses in their possession +should be delivered up; that the murderers of the whites should either +be surrendered or satisfactory proof offered that they were not under +his control. These chiefs, however, did not return, and there is reason +to believe that they were induced to join the confederacy at +Tippecanoe. + +On the 5th of November, 1811, governor Harrison, with about nine +hundred effective troops, composed of two hundred and fifty of the 4th +regiment U.S. infantry, one hundred and thirty volunteers, and a body +of militia, encamped within ten miles of the Prophet's town. On the +next day, when the army was within five miles of the village, +reconnoitering parties of the Indians were seen, but they refused to +hold any conversation with the interpreters sent forward by the +governor to open a communication with them. When within a mile and a +half of the town a halt was made, for the purpose of encamping for the +night. Several of the field officers urged the governor to make an +immediate assault on the village; but this he declined, as his +instructions from the President were positive, not to attack the +Indians, as long as there was a probability of their complying with the +demands of government. Upon ascertaining, however, that the ground +continued favorable for the disposition of his troops, quite up to the +town, he determined to approach still nearer to it. In the mean time, +captain Dubois, with an interpreter, was sent forward to ascertain +whether the Prophet would comply with the terms proposed by the +governor. The Indians, however, would make no reply to these enquiries, +but endeavored to cut off the messengers from the army. When this fact +was reported to the governor, he determined to consider the Indians as +enemies, and at once march upon their town. He had proceeded but a +short distance, however, before he was met by three Indians, one of +them a principal counsellor to the Prophet, who stated that they were +sent to know why the army was marching upon their town--that the +Prophet was desirous of avoiding hostilities--that he had sent a +pacific message to governor Harrison by the Miami and Potawatamie +chiefs, but that those chiefs had unfortunately gone down on the south +side of the Wabash, and had thus failed to meet him. Accordingly, a +suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, and the terms of peace were +to be settled on the following morning by the governor and the chiefs. +In moving the army towards the Wabash, to encamp for the night, the +Indians became again alarmed, supposing that an attack was about to be +made on the town, notwithstanding the armistice which had just been +concluded. They accordingly began to prepare for defence, and some of +them sallied out, calling upon the advanced corps, to halt. The +governor immediately rode forward, and assured the Indians that it was +not his intention to attack them, but that he was only in search of a +suitable piece of ground on which to encamp his troops. He enquired if +there was any other water convenient besides that which the river +afforded; and an Indian, with whom he was well acquainted, answered, +that the creek which had been crossed two miles back, ran through the +prairie to the north of the village. A halt was then ordered, and +majors Piatt, Clark and Taylor, were sent to examine this creek, as +well as the river above the town, to ascertain the correctness of the +information, and decide on the best ground for an encampment. In the +course of half an hour, the two latter reported that they had found on +the creek; every thing that could be desirable in an encampment--an +elevated spot, nearly surrounded by an open prairie, with water +convenient, and a sufficiency of wood for fuel.[A] The army was now +marched to this spot, and encamped "on a dry piece of ground, which +rose about ten feet above the level of a marshy prairie in front +towards the town; and, about twice as high above a similar prairie in +the rear; through which, near the foot of the hill, ran a small stream +clothed with willows and brush-wood. On the left of the encampment, +this bench of land became wider; on the right, it gradually narrowed, +and terminated in an abrupt point, about one hundred and fifty yards +from the right bank."[B] + +[Footnote A: M'Afee's History of the Late War.] + +[Footnote B: Ibid.] + +The encampment was about three-fourths of a mile from the Prophet's +town; and orders were given, in the event of a night attack, for each +corps to maintain its position, at all hazards, until relieved or +further orders were given to it. The whole army was kept during the +night, in the military position which is called, lying on their arms. +The regular troops lay in their tents, with their accoutrements on, and +their arms by their sides. The militia had no tents, but slept with +their clothes and pouches on, and their guns under them, to keep them +dry. The order of the encampment was the order of battle, for a night +attack; and as every man slept opposite to his post in the line, there +was nothing for the troops to do, in case of an assault, but to rise +and take their position a few steps in the rear of the fires around +which they had reposed. The guard of the night consisted of two +captain's commands of forty-two men, and four non-commissioned officers +each; and two subaltern's guards of twenty men and non-commissioned +officers each--the whole amounting to about one hundred and thirty men, +under the command of a field officer of the day. The night was dark and +cloudy, and after midnight there was a drizzling rain. It was not +anticipated by the governor or his officers, that an attack would be +made during the night: it was supposed that if the Indians had intended +to act offensively, it would have been done on the march of the army, +where situations presented themselves that would have given the Indians +a great advantage. Indeed, within three miles of the town, the army had +passed over ground so broken and unfavorable to its march, that the +position of the troops was necessarily changed, several times, in the +course of a mile. The enemy, moreover, had fortified their town with +care and great labor, as if they intended to act alone on the +defensive. It was a favorite spot with the Indians, having long been +the scene of those mysterious rites, performed by their Prophet, and by +which they had been taught to believe that it was impregnable to the +assaults of the white man. + +At four o'clock in the morning of the 7th, governor Harrison, according +to his practice, had risen, preparatory to the calling up the troops; +and was engaged, while drawing on his boots by the fire, in +conversation with general Wells, colonel Owen, and majors Taylor and +Hurst. The orderly-drum had been roused for the purpose of giving the +signal for the troops to turn out, when the attack of the Indians +suddenly commenced upon the left flank of the camp. The whole army was +instantly on its feet; the camp-fires were extinguished; the governor +mounted his horse and proceeded to the point of attack. Several of the +companies had taken their places in the line within forty seconds from +the report of the first gun; and the whole of the troops were prepared +for action in the course of two minutes; a fact as creditable to their +own activity and bravery, as to the skill and energy of their officers. +The battle soon became general, and was maintained on both sides with +signal and even desperate valor. The Indians advanced and retreated by +the aid of a rattling noise, made with deer hoofs, and persevered in +their treacherous attack with an apparent determination to conquer or +die upon the spot. The battle raged with unabated fury and mutual +slaughter, until daylight, when a gallant and successful charge by our +troops, drove the enemy into the swamp, and put an end to the conflict. + +Prior to the assault, the Prophet had given assurances to his +followers, that in the coming contest, the Great Spirit would render +the arms of the Americans unavailing; that their bullets would fall +harmless at the feet of the Indians; that the latter should have light +in abundance, while the former would be involved in thick darkness. +Availing himself of the privilege conferred by his peculiar office, +and, perhaps, unwilling in his own person to attest at once the rival +powers of a sham prophecy and a real American bullet, he prudently took +a position on an adjacent eminence; and, when the action began, he +entered upon the performance of certain mystic rites, at the same time +singing a war-song. In the course of the engagement, he was informed +that his men were falling: he told them to fight on,--it would soon be +as he had predicted; and then, in louder and wilder strains, his +inspiring battle-song was heard commingling with the sharp crack of the +rifle and the shrill war-whoop of his brave but deluded followers. + +Throughout the action, the Indians manifested more boldness and +perseverance than had, perhaps, ever been exhibited by them on any +former occasion. This was owing, it is supposd, to the influence of the +Prophet, who by the aid of his incantations had inspired them with a +belief that they would certainly overcome their enemy: the supposition, +likewise, that they had taken the governor's army by surprise, +doubtless contributed to the desperate character of their assaults. +They were commanded by some daring chiefs, and although their spiritual +leader was not actually in the battle, he did much to encourage his +followers in their gallant attack. Of the force of the Indians engaged, +there is no certain account. The ordinary number at the Prophet's town +during the preceding summer, was four hundred and fifty; but a few days +before the action, they had been joined by all the Kickapoos of the +prairie, and by several bands of the Potawatamies, from the Illinois +river, and the St. Joseph's of lake Michigan. Their number on the night +of the engagement was probably between eight hundred and one thousand. +Some of the Indians who were in the action, subsequently informed the +agent at fort Wayne, that there were more than a thousand warriors in +the battle, and that the number of wounded was unusually great. In the +precipitation of their retreat, they left thirty-eight on the field; +some were buried during the engagement in their town, others no doubt +died subsequently of their wounds. The whole number of their killed, +was probably not less than fifty. + +Of the army under governor Harrison, thirty-five were killed in the +action, and twenty-five died subsequently of their wounds: the total +number of killed and wounded was one hundred and eighty-eight. Among +the former were the lamented colonel Abraham Owen and major Joseph +Hamilton Davies, of Kentucky. + +Both officers and men behaved with much coolness and +bravery,--qualities which, in an eminent degree, marked the conduct of +governor Harrison throughout the engagement. The peril to which he was +subjected may be inferred from the fact that a ball passed through his +stock, slightly bruising his neck; another struck his saddle, and +glancing hit his thigh; and a third wounded the horse on which he was +riding. + +Peace on the frontiers was one of the happy results of this severe and +brilliant action. The tribes which had already joined in the +confederacy were dismayed; and those which had remained neutral now +decided against it. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + + Tecumseh returns from the south--proposes to visit the President, but + declines, because not permitted to go to Washington at the head of a + party--attends a council at fort Wayne--proceeds to Malden and joins + the British--governor Harrison's letter to the War Department + relative to the north-west tribes. + + +During the two succeeding days, the victorious army remained in camp, +for the purpose of burying the dead and taking care of the wounded. In +the mean time, colonel Wells, with the mounted riflemen, visited the +Prophet's town, and found it deserted by all the Indians except one, +whose leg had been broken in the action. The houses were mostly burnt, +and the corn around the village destroyed. On the ninth the army +commenced its return to Vincennes, having broken up or committed to the +flames all their unnecessary baggage, in order that the wagons might be +used for the transportation of the wounded. + +The defeated Indians were greatly exasperated with the Prophet: they +reproached him in bitter terms for the calamity he had brought upon +them, and accused him of the murder of their friends who had fallen in +the action. It seems, that after pronouncing some incantations over a +certain composition, which he had prepared on the night preceding the +action, he assured his followers, that by the power of his art, half of +the invading army was already dead, and the other half in a state of +distraction; and that the Indians would have little to do but rush into +their camp, and complete the work of destruction with their tomahawks. +"You are a liar," said one of the surviving Winnebagoes to him, after +the action, "for you told us that the white people were dead or crazy, +when they were all in their senses and fought like the devil." The +Prophet appeared dejected, and sought to excuse himself on the plea +that the virtue of his composition had been lost by a circumstance of +which he had no knowledge until after the battle was over. His sacred +character, however, was so far forfeited, that the Indians actually +bound him with cords, and threatened to put him to death. After leaving +the Prophet's town, they marched about twenty miles and encamped on the +bank of Wild Cat creek. + +In a letter to the war department, dated fourth of December, governor +Harrison writes: + +"I have the honor to inform you that two principal chiefs of the +Kickapoos of the prairie, arrived here, bearing a flag, on the evening +before last. The account which they give of the late confederacy under +the Prophet, is as follows: The Prophet, with his Shawanoes, is at a +small Huron village, about twelve miles from his former residence, on +this side of the Wabash, where also were twelve or fifteen Hurons. The +Kickapoos are encamped near the Tippecanoe, the Potawatamies have +scattered and gone to different villages of that tribe. The Winnebagoes +had all set out on their return to their own country, excepting one +chief and nine men, who remained at their former villages. The Prophet +had sent a messenger to the Kickapoos of the prairie to request that he +might be permitted to retire to their town. This was positively +refused, and a warning sent to him not to come there. These chiefs say +that the whole of the tribes who lost warriors in the late action, +attribute their misfortune to the Prophet alone; that they constantly +reproach him with their misfortunes, and threaten him with death; that +they are all desirous of making their peace with the United States, and +will send deputations to me for that purpose, as soon as they are +informed that they will be well received. They further say, that the +Prophet's followers were fully impressed with a belief that they could +defeat us with ease; that it was their intention to have attacked us at +fort Harrison, if we had gone no higher; that Racoon creek was then +fixed on, and finally Pine creek, and that the latter would probably +have been the place, if the usual route had not been abandoned, and a +crossing made higher up; that the attack made on our sentinels at fort +Harrison was intended to shut the door against accommodation; that the +Winnebagoes had forty warriors killed in the action, and the Kickapoos +eleven, and ten wounded. They have never heard how many of the +Potawatamies and other tribes were killed." + +With the battle of Tippecanoe, the Prophet lost his popularity and +power among the Indians. His magic wand was broken, and the mysterious +charm by means of which he had for years, played upon the superstitious +minds of this wild people, scattered through a vast extent of country, +was dissipated forever. It was not alone to the character of his +prophetic office that he was indebted for his influence over his +followers. The position which he maintained in regard to the Indian +lands, and the encroachments of the white people upon their hunting +grounds, increased his popularity, which was likewise greatly +strengthened by the respect and deference with which the politic +Tecumseh--the master spirit of his day--uniformly treated him. He had, +moreover, nimble wit, quickness of apprehension, much cunning and a +captivating eloquence of speech. These qualities fitted him for playing +his part with great success; and sustaining for a series of years, the +character of one inspired by the Great Spirit. He was, however, rash, +presumptuous and deficient in judgment. And no sooner was he left +without the sagacious counsel and positive control of Tecumseh, than he +foolishly annihilated his own power, and suddenly crashed the grand +confederacy upon which he and his brother had expended years of labor, +and in the organization of which they had incurred much personal peril +and endured great privation. + +Tecumseh returned from the south through Missouri, visited the tribes +on the Des Moins, and crossing the head waters of the Illinois, reached +the Wabash a few days after the disastrous battle of Tippecanoe. It is +believed that he made a strong impression upon all the tribes visited +by him in his extended mission; and that he had laid the foundation of +numerous accessions to his confederacy. He reached the banks of the +Tippecanoe, just in time to witness the dispersion of his followers, +the disgrace of his brother, and the final overthrow of the great +object of his ambition, a union of all the Indian tribes against the +United States: and all this, the result of a disregard to his positive +commands. His mortification was extreme; and it is related on good +authority, that when he first met the Prophet, he reproached him in +bitter terms for having departed from his instructions to preserve +peace with the United States at all hazards. The attempt of the Prophet +to palliate his own conduct, excited the haughty chieftain still more, +and seizing him by the hair and shaking him violently, he threatened to +take his life. + +During the ensuing winter, there was peace on the frontiers. In the +month of January, 1812, Little Turtle, the celebrated Miami chief, +wrote to governor Harrison, that all the Prophet's followers had left +him, except two camps of his own tribe, and that Tecumseh had just +joined him with only eight men; from which he concluded there was no +present danger to be apprehended from them. Shortly afterwards, +Tecumseh sent a message to governor Harrison informing him of his +return from the south; and that he was now ready to make the promised +visit to the President. The governor replied, giving his permission for +Tecumseh to go to Washington, but not as the leader of any party of +Indians. The chieftain, who had been accustomed to make his visits to +Vincennes, attended by three or four hundred warriors, all completely +armed, did not choose to present himself to his great father, the +President, shorn of his power and without his retinue. The visit was +declined, and here terminated the intercourse between him and governor +Harrison. + +Early in March, the peace of the frontiers was again disturbed by +Indian depredations; and in the course of this and the following month, +several families were murdered on the Wabash and Ohio rivers. On the +15th of May, there was a grand council held at Mississiniway, which was +attended by twelve tribes of Indians. They all professed to be in favor +of peace, and condemned the disturbances which had occurred between the +Indians and the settlers, since the battle of Tippecanoe. Tecumseh was +present at this council and spoke several times. He defied any living +creature to say that he had ever advised any one, directly or +indirectly, to make war upon the whites: it had constantly been his +misfortune, he said, to have his views misrepresented to his white +brethren, and this had been done by pretended chiefs of the +Potawatamies, who had been in the habit of selling land to the white +people, which did not belong to them. "Governor Harrison," he +continued, "made war on my people in my absence: it was the will of God +that he should do so. We hope it will please God that the white people +will let us live in peace. We will not disturb them, neither have we +done it, except when they came to our village with the intention of +destroying us. We are happy to state to our brothers present, that the +unfortunate transaction that took place between the white people and a +few of our young men at our village, has been settled between us and +governor Harrison; and I will further state, that had I been at home, +there would have been no bloodshed at that time." + +In the month of June, following this council, Tecumseh made a visit to +fort Wayne, and sought an interview with the Indian agent at that +place. Misfortune had not subdued his haughty spirit nor silenced the +fearless expression of his feelings and opinions. He still maintained +the justice of his position in regard to the ownership of the Indian +lands, disavowed any intention of making war upon the United States, +and reproached governor Harrison for having marched against his people +during his absence. The agent made a long speech to him, presenting +reasons why he should now become the friend and ally of the United +States. To this harangue, Tecumseh listened with frigid indifference, +made a few general remarks in reply, and then with a haughty air, left +the council-house, and took his departure for Malden, where he joined +the British standard. + +In taking leave of that part of our subject which relates to the +confederacy of Tecumseh and the Prophet, and the principle on which it +was established, we quote, as relevant to the case, and as an +interesting piece of general history, the following letter from +governor Harrison to the Secretary of War: + +_"Cincinnati, March 22_, 1814. + +"Sir,--The tribes of Indians on this frontier and east of the +Mississippi, with whom the United States have been connected by treaty, +are the Wyandots, Delawares, Shawanoes, Miamis, Potawatamies, Ottawas, +Chippewas, Piankashaws, Kaskaskias and Sacs. All but the two last were +in the confederacy which carried on the former Indian war against the +United States, that was terminated by the treaty of Greenville. The +Kaskaskias were parties to the treaty, but they had not been in the +war. The Wyandots are admitted by the others to be the leading tribe. +They hold the grand _calumet_ which unites them and kindles the council +fire. This tribe is nearly equally divided between the _Crane_, at +Sandusky, who is the grand sachem of the nation, and Walk-in-the-Water, +at Brownstown, near Detroit. They claim the lands bounded by the +settlements of this state, southwardly and eastwardly; and by lake +Erie, the Miami river, and the claim of the Shawanoes upon the +Auglaize, a branch of the latter. They also claim the lands they live +on near Detroit, but I am ignorant to what extent. + +"The Wyandots of Sahdusky have adhered to us through the war. Their +chief, the Crane, is a venerable, intelligent and upright man. Within +the tract of land claimed by the Wyandots, a number of Senecas are +settled. They broke off from their own tribe six or eight years ago, +but received a part of the annuity granted that tribe by the United +States, by sending a deputation for it to Buffalo. The claim of the +Wyandots to the lands they occupy, is not disputed, that I know of, by +any other tribe. Their residence on it, however, is not of long +standing, and the country was certainly once the property of the +Miamis. + +"Passing westwardly from the Wyandots, we meet with the Shawanoe +settlement at Stony creek, a branch of the Great Miami, and at +Wapauckanata, on the Auglaize. These settlements were made immediately +after the treaty of Greenville, and with the consent of the Miamis, +whom I consider the real owners of these lands. The chiefs of this band +of Shawanoes, Blackhoof, Wolf and Lewis, are attached to us from +principle as well as interest--they are all honest men. + +"The Miamis have their principal settlement at the forks of the Wabash, +thirty miles from fort Wayne; and at Mississinaway, thirty miles lower +down. A band of them under the name of Weas, have resided on the +Wabash, sixty miles above Vincennes; and another under the Turtle on +Eel river, a branch of the Wabash, twenty miles north-west of fort +Wayne. By an artifice of Little Turtle, these three bands were passed +on general Wayne as distinct tribes, and an annuity granted to each. +The Eel river and Weas, however, to this day call themselves Miamis, +and are recognized as such by the Mississinaway band. The Miamis, +Maumees or Tewicktowes, are the undoubted proprietors of all that +beautiful country which is watered by the Wabash and its branches; and +there is as little doubt that their claim extended at least as far east +as the Scioto. They have no tradition of removing from any other +quarter of the country; whereas all the neighboring tribes, the +Piankishaws excepted, who are a branch of the Miamis, are either +intruders upon them, or have been permitted to settle in their country. +The Wyandots emigrated first from lake Ontario, and subsequently from +lake Huron--the Delawares from Pennsylvania and Maryland--the Shawanoes +from Georgia--the Kickapoos and Potawatamies from the country between +lake Michigan and the Mississippi--and the Ottawas and Chippewas from +the peninsula formed by lakes Michigan, Huron and St Clair, and the +strait connecting the latter with Erie. The claims of the Miamis were +bounded on the north and west by those of the Illinois confederacy, +consisting originally of five tribes, called Kaskaskias, Cahokias, +Peorians, Michiganians, and Temorais, speaking the Miami language, and +no doubt branches of that nation. + +"When I was first appointed governor of Indiana territory, these once +powerful tribes were reduced to about thirty warriors, of whom +twenty-five were Kaskaskias, four Peorians, and a single Michiganian. +There was an individual lately alive at St. Louis, who saw the +enumeration made of them by the Jesuits in the year 1745, making the +number of their warriors four thousand. A furious war between them and +the Sacs and Kickapoos, reduced them to that miserable remnant, which +had taken refuge amongst the white people of the towns of Kaskaskias +and St. Genevieve. The Kickapoos had fixed their principal village at +Peoria, upon the south bank of the Illinois river, while the Sacs +remained masters of the country to the north. + +"During the war of our Revolution, the Miamis had invited the Kickapoos +into their country to assist them against the whites, and a +considerable village was formed by that tribe on Vermillion river, near +its junction with the Wabash. After the treaty of Greenville, the +Delawares had, with the approbation of the Miamis, removed from the +mouth of the Auglaize to the head waters of White river, a large branch +of the Wabash--and the Potawatamies, without their consent, had formed +two villages upon the latter river, one at Tippecanoe, and the other at +Chippoy, twenty-five miles below. + +"The Piankishaws lived in the neighborhood of Vincennes, which was +their ancient village, and claimed the lands to the mouth of the +Wabash, and to the north and west as far as the Kaskaskias claimed. +Such was the situation of the tribes, when I received instructions from +President Jefferson, shortly after his first election, to make efforts +for extinguishing the Indian claims upon the Ohio, below the mouth of +the Kentucky river, and to such other tracts as were necessary to +connect and consolidate our settlements. It was at once determined, +that the community of interests in the lands amongst the Indian tribes, +which seemed to be recognized by the treaty of Greenville, should be +objected to; and that each individual tribe should be protected in +every claim that should appear to be founded in reason and justice. But +it was also determined, that as a measure of policy and liberality, +such tribes as lived upon any tract of land which it would be desirable +to purchase, should receive a portion of the compensation, although the +title might be exclusively in another tribe. Upon this principle the +Delawares, Shawanoes, Potawatamies, and Kickapoos, were admitted as +parties to several of the treaties. Care was taken, however, to place +the title to such tracts as might be desirable to purchase hereafter, +upon a footing that would facilitate the procuring of them, by getting +the tribes who had no claim themselves, and who might probably +interfere, to recognize the titles of those who were ascertained to +possess them. + +"This was particularly the case with regard to the lands watered by the +Wabash, which were declared to be the property of the Miamis, with the +exception of the tract occupied by the Delawares on White river, which +was to be considered the joint property of them and the Miamis. This +arrangement was very much disliked by Tecumseh, and the banditti that +he had assembled at Tippecanoe. He complained loudly, as well of the +sales that had been made, as of the principle of considering a +particular tribe as the exclusive proprietors of any part of the +country, which he said the Great Spirit had given to all his red +children. Besides the disaffected amongst the neighboring tribes, he +had brought together a considerable number of Winnebagoes and +Folsovoins, from the neighborhood of Green Bay, Sacs from the +Mississippi, and some Ottawas and Chippewas from Abercrosh on lake +Michigan. These people were better pleased with the climate and country +of the Wabash, than with that they had left. + +"The Miamis resisted the pretensions of Tecumseh and his followers for +some time; but a system of terror was adopted, and the young men were +seduced by eternally placing before them a picture of labor, and +restriction as to hunting, to which the system adopted would inevitably +lead. The Potawatamies and other tribes inhabiting the Illinois river +and south of lake Michigan, had been for a long time approaching +gradually towards the Wabash. Their country, which was never abundantly +stocked with game, was latterly almost exhausted of it. The fertile +regions of the Wabash still afforded it. It was represented, that the +progressive settlements of the whites upon that river, would soon +deprive them of their only resource, and indeed would force the Indians +of that river upon them who were already half starved. + +"It is a fact, that for many years the current of emigration, as to the +tribes east of the Mississippi, has been from north to south. This is +owing to two causes; the diminution of those animals from which the +Indians procure their support; and the pressure of the two great +tribes, the Chippewas and Sioux, to the north and west. So long ago as +the treaty of Greenville, the Potawatamies gave notice to the Miamis, +that they intended to settle upon the Wabash. They made no pretensions +to the country, and their only excuse for the intended aggression was, +that they were 'tired of eating fish and wanted meat.' It has already +been observed that the Sacs had extended themselves to the Illinois +river, and that the settlements of the Kickapoos at the Peorias was of +modern date. Previously to the commencement of the present war, a +considerable number had joined their brethren on the Wabash. The Tawas +from the Des Moins river, have twice made attempts to get a footing +there. + + * * * * * + +"The question of the title to the lands south of the Wabash, has been +thoroughly examined; every opportunity was afforded to Tecumseh and his +party to exhibit their pretensions, and they were found to rest upon no +other basis than that of their being the common property of all the +Indians. The Potawatamies and Kickapoos have unequivocally acknowledged +the Miami and Delaware titles." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + + Tecumseh participates in the battle of Brownstown--commands the + Indians in the action near Maguaga--present at Hull's + surrender--general Brock presents him his military sash--attack on + Chicago brought about by Tecumseh. + + +On the 18th of June, 1812, the congress of the United States made a +formal declaration of war against Great Britain. This gave a new aspect +to affairs on the north-western frontier; and at the first commencement +of hostilities between these two powers, Tecumseh was in the field, +prepared for the conflict. In the month of July, when general Hull +crossed over from Detroit into Canada, this chief, with a party of +thirty Potawatamies and Shawanoes, was at Malden. About the same time +there was an assemblage at Brownstown, opposite to Malden, of those +Indians who were inclined to neutrality in the war. A deputation was +sent to the latter place, inviting Tecumseh to attend this council. +"No," said he, indignantly, "I have taken sides with the King, my +father, and I will suffer my bones to bleach upon this shore, before I +will recross that stream to join in any council of neutrality." In a +few days he gave evidence of the sincerity of this declaration, by +personally commanding the Indians in the first action that ensued after +the declaration of war.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +Early in August, general Hull, then in Detroit, was notified by express +that a company of Ohio volunteers, under the command of captain Henry +Brush, with provisions for the army, were near the river Raisin, and +needed an escort, as it had been ascertained that some British and a +considerable body of Indians, under the command of Tecumseh, had +crossed from Malden to Brownstown, with a view to intercept this +convoy. General Hull, after some delay, gave a reluctant consent to the +colonels of the Ohio militia, that a detachment of troops might march +to the relief of colonel Brush. Major Van Horne, with a small body of +men, started as an escort to the mail, with orders to join captain +Brush at the river Raisin. He set off on the fourth of August, marching +that evening as far as the river De Corce. On the next day, captain +McCullough of the spies, was killed by some Indians. In the course of +the succeeding one, near Brownstown, the detachment under major Van +Horne was suddenly attacked by the Indians, who were lying in ambush. +Apprehensive of being surrounded and entirely cut off, the major +ordered a retreat, which was continued to the river De Corce, the enemy +pursuing them to that point. Our loss was seventeen killed, besides +several wounded, who were left behind. Among the former were captains +Ulry, Gilchrist, Boersler, lieutenant Pents, and ensign Ruby. The loss +of so many officers resulted from their attempts to rally the men. The +loss of the enemy was supposed to be equal to that sustained by major +Van Horne. There were about forty British soldiers and seventy Indians +in this engagement, the latter being commanded by Tecumseh in person. + +After general Hull had ingloriously retreated from Canada, he detached +colonel Miller, with majors Van Horne and Morrison, and a body of +troops, amounting to six hundred, to make a second effort to reach +captain Brush. They were attended by some artillerists with one six +pounder and a howitzer. The detachment marched from Detroit on the +eighth, and in the afternoon of the ninth the front guard, commanded by +captain Snelling, was fired upon by a line of British and Indians, +about two miles below the village of Maguaga. At the moment of the +attack, the main body was marching in two lines, and captain Snelling +maintained his position in a gallant manner, until the line was formed +and marched to the ground he occupied, where the whole, except the rear +guard, was brought into action. The British were entrenched behind a +breast-work of logs, with the Indians on the left covered by a thick +wood. Colonel Miller ordered his whole line to advance, and when within +a short distance of the enemy, fired upon them, and immediately +followed it up by a charge with fixed bayonets, when the whole British +line and the Indians commenced a retreat. They were vigorously pursued +for near two miles. The Indians on the left were commanded by Tecumseh, +and fought with great bravery, but were forced to retreat. Our loss in +this severe and well fought action was ten killed and thirty-two +wounded of the regular troops, and eight killed and twenty-eight +wounded of the Ohio and Michigan militia. The full extent of the force +of the enemy is not known. There were four hundred regulars and +Canadian militia, under command of major Muir, and a considerable body +of Indians under Tecumseh. Forty of the latter were found dead on the +field: fifteen of the British regulars were killed and wounded, and +four taken prisoners. The loss of the Canadian militia and volunteers, +was never ascertained, but is supposed, from the position which they +occupied in the action, to have been considerable. Both major Muir and +Tecumseh were wounded. The bravery and good conduct of the latter, in +this engagement, are supposed to have led to his being shortly +afterwards appointed a brigadier general, in the service of the British +king. + +When Detroit was captured, on the 16th of August, Tecumseh was at the +head of the Indians. After the surrender, general Brock requested him +not to allow his men to ill-treat the prisoners, to which he replied, +"no! I despise them too much to meddle with them."[A] + +[Footnote A: Book of the Indians, by S.G. Drake.] + +"Tecumseh was an excellent judge of position; and not only knew, but +could point out the localities of the whole country through which he +passed. His facility of communicating the information he had acquired, +was thus displayed before a concourse of spectators. Previously to +general Brock's crossing over to Detroit, he asked him what sort of a +country he should have to pass through, in case of his proceeding +farther. Tecumseh, taking a roll of elm bark, and extending it on the +ground by means of four stones, drew forth his scalping knife, and with +the point presently etched upon the bark a plan of the country, its +hills, rivers, woods, morasses and roads; a plan which, if not as neat, +was for the purpose required, fully as intelligible as if Arrowsmith +himself had prepared it. Pleased with this unexpected talent in +Tecumseh, also by his having, with his characteristic boldness, induced +the Indians, not of his immediate party, to cross the Detroit, prior to +the embarkation of the regulars and militia, general Brock, as soon as +the business was over, publicly took off his sash, and placed it round +the body of the chief. Tecumseh received the honor with evident +gratification; but was next day seen without his sash. General Brock +fearing something had displeased the Indian, sent his interpreter for +an explanation. The latter soon returned with an account, that +Tecumseh, not wishing to wear such a mark of distinction, when an +older, and as he said, abler warrior than himself, was present, had +transferred the sash to the Wyandot chief, Roundhead."[A] + +[Footnote A: James' Military Occurrences of the Late War.] + +On the 15th of August, the garrison of Chicago, situated in the +south-western bend of lake Michigan,--consisting of about seventy men, +with some women and children,--were attacked by a large body of +Indians, who had been lying around the fort for some time, professing +neutrality. The whole were either murdered or taken prisoners. The +garrison, under the direction of captains Heald and Wells, having +destroyed the fort and distributed the public stores among the Indians, +was about to retreat towards fort Wayne. As the Indians around Chicago +had not yet taken sides in the war, the garrison would probably have +escaped, had not Tecumseh, immediately after the attack upon major +Vanhorn, at Brownstown, sent a runner to these Indians, claiming the +victory over that officer; and conveying to them information that +general Hull had returned to Detroit; and that there was every prospect +of success over him. This intelligence reached the Indians the night +previous the evacuation of Chicago, and led them at once, as Tecumseh +had anticipated, to become the allies of the British army. + +At the period of colonel Campbell's expedition against the +Mississinaway towns, in the month of December, Tecumseh was in that +neighborhood, with about six hundred Indians, whose services he had +engaged as allies of Great Britian. He was not in the battle of the +river Raisin on the 22d of January. Had he been present on that +occasion, the known magnanimity of his character, justifies the belief +that the horrible massacre of prisoners, which followed that action, +would not have taken place. Not only the savages, but their savage +leaders, Proctor and Elliott, would have been held in check, by a chief +who, however daring and dreadful in the hour of battle, was never known +to ill-treat or murder a prisoner. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + + Siege of fort Meigs--Tecumseh commands the Indians--acts with + intrepidity--rescues the American prisoners from the tomahawk and + scalping knife, after Dudley's defeat--reported agreement between + Proctor and Tecumseh, that general Harrison, if taken prisoner, + should be delivered to the latter to be burned. + + +Fort Meigs, situated on the south-east side of the Miami of the lakes, +and at the foot of the rapids of that stream, was an octagonal +enclosure, with eight block houses, picketed with timber, and +surrounded by ditches. It was two thousand five hundred yards in +circumference, and required, to garrison it with efficiency, about two +thousand men. It was constructed under the immediate superintendence of +colonel E. D. Wood, of the corps of engineers, one of the most +scientific and gallant officers of the late war. This post, which was +established in the spring of 1813, was important not only for the +protection of the frontiers, but as the depot for the artillery, +military stores and provisions, necessary for the prosecution of the +ensuing campaign. These circumstances could not fail to attract the +attention of the enemy; and the commander of the American army was not +disappointed in supposing that fort Meigs would be the first point of +attack, upon the opening of the spring, by the combined forces of +Proctor and Tecumseh. + +In the latter part of March, intelligence reached this post that +Proctor had issued a general order for assembling the Canadian militia +at Sandwich, on the 7th of April, to unite in an expedition against +fort Meigs. This information gave a fresh impulse to the efforts then +making to render the fort, which was still in an unfinished state, as +strong as possible. On the 8th of April, colonel Ball arrived with two +hundred dragoons; and on the 12th general Harrison reached the fort +with three hundred men from the posts on the Auglaize and St. Mary's. +Vigorous preparations were now made for the anticipated siege. On the +19th, a scouting party returned from the river Raisin, with three +Frenchmen, who stated that the British were still making arrangements +for an attack on this post; and were assembling a very large Indian +force. They informed general Harrison that Tecumseh and the Prophet had +reached Sandwich, with about six hundred Indians, collected in the +country between lake Michigan and the Wabash. This intelligence removed +the apprehension entertained by the general, that the Indians intended +to fall upon the posts in his rear, while Proctor should attack fort +Meigs. On the 26th, the advance of the enemy was discovered at the +mouth of the bay; and on the 28th, the British and Indian forces were +found to be within a few miles of the fort. At this time, only a part +of the troops destined for the defence of the place, had arrived; but +the remainder, under the command of general Green Clay, of Kentucky, +were daily expected. So soon as the fort was actually invested by the +Indians, an express was sent by the commander-in-chief, to inform +general Clay of the fact, and direct his subsequent movements. This +dangerous enterprise--for the Indians were already in considerable +numbers around the fort--was undertaken and successfully executed by +captain William Oliver,[A] a gallant young officer belonging to the +commissary's department, who, to a familiar acquaintance with the +geography of the country, united much knowledge of Indian warfare. +Attended by a white man and a Delaware Indian, Oliver traversed the +country to fort Findlay, thence to fort Amanda, and finally met with +general Clay at fort Winchester, on the 2d of May, and communicated to +him general Harrison's instructions. + +[Footnote A: Now Major William Oliver, of Cincinnati. It is but an act +of justice to this gentleman to state that, for the voluntary +performance of this service, he refused all pecuniary compensation. +General Harrison subsequently, in a letter to major Oliver, in relation +to this service, says, "To prevent the possibility of these orders +coming to the knowledge of the enemy, they could not be committed to +writing, but must be communicated verbally, by a confidential officer. +The selection of one suited to the performance of this important trust +was a matter of no little difficulty. To the qualities of undoubted +patriotism, moral firmness, as well as active courage, sagacity and +prudence, it was necessary that he should unite a thorough knowledge of +the country through which the troops were to pass, and of all the +localities of the position upon which they were advancing. Without the +latter, the possession of the former would be useless, and the absence +of either of the former might render the latter not only useless, but +in the highest degree mischievous. Although there was no coincidence +between the performance of this duty and those which appertained to the +department of the staff in which you held an appointment, [the +commissariat] I did not long hesitate in fixing on you for this +service."] + +Soon after Oliver had started on this enterprise, the gunboats of the +enemy approached the site of old fort Miami, on the opposite side of +the river, about two miles below fort Meigs. In the course of the +ensuing night they commenced the erection of three batteries, opposite +the fort on a high bank, about three hundred yards from the river, the +intermediate space of ground being open and partly covered with water. +Two of them were gun batteries, with four embrasures, and were situated +higher up the river than the fort; the third was a bomb battery, placed +a short distance below. Early the next morning, a fire was opened upon +them from the fort, which, to some extent, impeded the progress of the +works. On the morning of the 30th, the enemy, under a heavy and +somewhat fatal fire from the guns of the fort, raised and adjusted +their cannon, while at the same time, a number of boats filled with +Indians were seen crossing to the south-eastern side of the river. + +On the morning of the first of May, the British batteries were +completed; and about ten o'clock, the enemy appeared to be adjusting +their guns on certain objects in the fort. "By this time our troops had +completed a grand traverse, about twelve feet high, upon a base of +twenty feet, three hundred yards long, on the most elevated ground +through the middle of the camp, calculated to ward off the shot of the +enemy's batteries. Orders were given for all the tents in front to be +instantly removed into its rear, which was effected in a few minutes, +and that beautiful prospect of cannonading and bombarding our lines, +which but a few moments before had excited the skill and energy of the +British engineer, was now entirely fled; and in its place nothing was +to be seen but an immense shield of earth, which entirely obscured the +whole army. Not a tent nor a single person was to be seen. Those canvas +houses, which had concealed the growth of the traverse from the view of +the enemy, were now protected and hid in their turn. The prospect of +_smoking us out,_ was now at best but very faint. But as neither +general Proctor nor his officers were yet convinced of the folly and +futility of their laborious preparations, their batteries were opened, +and five days were spent in arduous cannonading and bombarding, to +bring them to this salutary conviction. A tremendous cannonading was +kept up all the rest of the day, and shells were thrown until 11 +o'clock at night. Very little damage, however, was done in the camp; +one or two were killed, and three or four wounded; among the latter was +major Amos Stoddard, of the first regiment of artillery, a survivor of +the revolution, and an officer of much merit. He was wounded slightly +with a piece of shell, and about ten days afterwards died with the +lock-jaw. + +"The fire of the enemy was returned from the fort with one eighteen +pounder with some effect, though but sparingly, for the stock of +eighteen pound shot was but small, there being but three hundred and +sixty of that size in the fort when the siege commenced; and about the +same number for the twelve pounders."[A] + +[Footnote A: M'Affee.] + +Throughout the whole of the second day the firing was continued with +great spirit, but without doing much damage on either side. General +Harrison, in anticipation of a transfer of the enemy's guns to the +other side of the river, and the establishment of batteries to play +upon the centre or flanks of the camp, had directed the construction of +works calculated to resist such an attack; and they were in a state of +considerable forwardness on the morning of the third, when, from the +bushes on the left of the fort, three field pieces and a howitzer were +suddenly opened upon the camp by the enemy. The fire was returned with +such effect, that general Proctor was soon compelled to change his +position. His batteries were again opened on the camp from another +point, but without doing much injury. On the fourth, the fire of the +enemy was renewed, but with less energy than on the previous days, the +result, it is supposed, of a belief that their efforts to reduce the +fort would fail. General Harrison was waiting the arrival of general +Clay with his reinforcements. Late in the night of the fourth, captain +Oliver, accompanied by majors David Trimble and ---- Taylor, with +fifteen Ohio militia, having left general Clay above the rapids, +started in a boat for the fort, that the commanding general, by knowing +the position of the reinforcements, might form his plans for the +ensuing day. The effort to reach the fort under the existing +circumstances was extremely dangerous. Captain Leslie Combs had already +attempted it, and failed. He had been sent by colonel Dudley, upon his +arrival at Defiance, to inform general Harrison of the fact. With five +men, the captain approached within a mile of the fort, when he was +attacked by the Indians, and compelled to retreat after a gallant +resistance, in which nearly all his companions were killed. When Oliver +drew near the fort, the night was extremely dark, and he was only +enabled to discover the spot by the spreading branches of a solitary +oak tree, standing within the fortification. The boat was fired upon by +the sentinels of the fort, but on their being hailed by captain Oliver, +no further alarm was given. After landing and wading over a ravine +filled with water, the party groped their way to one of the gates, and +were admitted. Tecumseh and his Indians were extremely vigilant, and, +at night, usually came close to the ramparts for the purpose of +annoying our troops, as opportunity might offer. So soon as general +Harrison had received the information brought by captain Oliver and his +companions, he made his arrangements for the ensuing day. Captain +Hamilton, attended by a subaltern, was immediately despatched up the +river in a canoe with orders to general Clay. The captain met him at +daylight five miles above the fort, the boats conveying the +reinforcements having been delayed by the darkness of the night. +Captain Hamilton delivered the following order to general Clay. "You +must detach about eight hundred men from your brigade, and land them at +a point I will show you about a mile or a mile and a half above camp +Meigs. I will then conduct the detachment to the British batteries on +the left bank of the river. The batteries must be taken, the cannon +spiked, and the carriages cut down; and the troops must then return to +their boats and cross over to the fort. The balance of your men must +land on the fort-side of the river, opposite the first landing, and +fight their way into the fort through the Indians. The route they must +take will be pointed out by a subaltern officer how with me, who will +land the canoe on the right bank of the river to point out the landing +for the boats."[A] As soon as these orders were received by general +Clay, who was in the thirteenth boat from the front, he directed +captain Hamilton to go to colonel Dudley, with orders to take the +twelve front boats and execute the plan of the commanding general on +the left bank of the river; and to post the subaltern with the canoe on +the right bank, at the point where the remainder of the reinforcement +was directed to land. It was the design of general Harrison while the +troops under Dudley were destroying the enemy's batteries on the +north-west side of the river, and general Clay was fighting the Indians +above the fort on the south-east side, to send out a detachment to take +and spike the British guns on the south side. + +[Footnote A: M'Affee.] + +General Clay ordered the five remaining boats to fall behind the one +occupied by him; but in attempting to do so, they were driven on shore, +and thus thrown half a mile into the rear. The general kept close to +the right bank, intending to land opposite to the detachment under +Dudley, but finding no guide there, and the Indians having commenced a +brisk fire on his boat, he attempted to cross to the detachment. The +current, however, was so swift, that it soon carried him too far down +for that project; he therefore turned back, and landed on the right +bank further down. Captain Peter Dudley, with a part of his company, +was in this boat, making in the whole upwards of fifty men, who now +marched into camp without loss, amidst a shower of grape from the +British batteries and the fire of some Indians. The boat with their +baggage and four sick soldiers, was left, as the general supposed, in +the care of two men who met him at his landing, and by whom he expected +she would be brought down under the guns of the fort. In a few minutes, +however, she fell into the hands of the Indians. The attempt which he +had made to cross the river, induced colonel Boswell, with the rear +boats, to land on the opposite side; but as soon as captain Hamilton +discovered the error under which he was acting, he instructed him to +cross over and fight his way into camp. When he arrived at the south +side, he was annoyed on landing by the Indians; and as soon as his men +were on shore, he formed them and returned the fire of the enemy; at +the same time he was directed by captain Shaw, from the commanding +general, to march in open order, through the plain, to the fort. As +there was now a large body of Indians on his flank, general Harrison +determined to send out a reinforcement from the garrison to enable him +to beat them. Accordingly, Alexander's brigade, a part of Johnson's +battalion, and the companies of captains Nearing and Dudley, were +ordered to prepare for this duty. When the Kentuckians reached the +gates of the fort, these troops were ready to join them. Having formed +in order--colonel Boswell being on the right,--they marched against the +Indians, who were superior to them in numbers, and at the point of the +bayonet, forced them into the woods to the distance of half a mile or +more. Such was the ardor of our troops, in the pursuit, that it was +difficult, especially for the Kentucky officers, to induce their men to +return. + +General Harrison had now taken a position on one of the batteries of +the fort, that he might see the various movements which at this moment +claimed his attention. He soon perceived a detachment of British and +Indians passing along the edge of the woods, with a view to reach the +left and rear of the corps under Boswell: he forthwith despatched his +volunteer aid, John T. Johnston, to recall the troops under Boswell +from the pursuit. Johnston's horse having been killed before he +delivered this order, it was repeated through major Graham, and a +retreat was commenced: the Indians promptly rallied and boldly pursued +them for some distance, killing and wounding a number of our troops. So +soon as the commanding general perceived that colonel Dudley and his +detachment had reached the batteries on the northern bank of the river, +and entered successfully upon the execution of the duty assigned them, +he ordered colonel John Miller of the regulars to make a sortie from +the fort, against the batteries which the enemy had erected on the +south side of the river. The detachment assigned to colonel Miller, +amounted to about three hundred and fifty men, composed of the +companies and parts of companies of captains Langham, Croghan, +Bradford, Nearing, Elliott, and lieutenants Gwynne and Campbell of the +regular troops; the volunteers of Alexander's battalion; and captain +Sebree's company of Kentucky militia. Colonel Miller and his men +charged upon, the enemy, and drove them from their position; spiked the +cannon at their batteries, and secured forty-one prisoners. The force +of the enemy, thus driven and defeated, consisted of two hundred +British regulars, one hundred and fifty Canadians and about five +hundred Indians, under the immediate command of Tecumseh, in all more +than double the force of the detachment under colonel Miller. In this +sortie, captain Sebree's company of militia, was particularly +distinguished. With the intrepid bravery and reckless ardor for which +the Kentucky troops are noted, they plunged into the thickest ranks of +the enemy, and were for a time surrounded by the Indians, who gallantly +pressed upon them; but they maintained their ground, until lieutenant +Gwynne,[A] of the 19th regiment, perceiving their imminent peril, +boldly charged upon the Indians, with a portion of captain Elliott's +company, and released captain Sebree and his men from their dangerous +situation. Had the force of colonel Miller been something stronger, he +would probably have captured the whole of the enemy, then on the south +side of the river. The British and Indians suffered severely, being +finally driven back and thrown into confusion. As colonel Miller +commenced his return to the fort, the enemy rallied and pressed with +great bravery upon his rear, until he arrived near the breast-works. A +considerable number of our soldiers were left dead on the field, and +several officers were wounded. + +[Footnote A: Major David Gwynne, now of Cincinnati.] + +Colonel Dudley's movements on the north side of the river, are now to +be noticed. A landing was effected by his detachment, which was +immediately marched off, through an open plain, to a hill clothed with +timber. Here the troops were formed into three columns, colonel Dudley +placing himself at the head of the right, major Shelby leading the +left, and captain Morrison, acting as major, the centre. The distance +from the place where the detachment was formed in order, to the point +to be attacked, was near two miles. The batteries were engaged in +cannonading camp Meigs, when the column led by major Shelby, being a +few hundred yards in advance of the others, rushed at full speed upon +those having charge of the guns, and carried them without the loss of a +single man. When the British flag was cut down, the garrison of fort +Meigs shouted for joy. The grand object of the enterprise having been +achieved, the general, who was watching the movements of the +detachment, made signs to them to retreat to their boats; but to his +great surprise, and in express disobedience of the orders transmitted +through colonel Hamilton, our troops remained at the batteries, quietly +looking around, without spiking the cannon, cutting down the carriages +or destroying the magazines. This delay proved fatal to them. The +general, alarmed for their safety, now offered a very high reward to +any individual who would bear fresh orders to colonel Dudley and his +men, to return to their boats and cross over the river to the fort. The +service was undertaken by lieutenant Campbell. "About the time when the +batteries were taken a body of Indians, lying in ambush, had fired on a +party of spies under captain Combs, who had marched down on the extreme +left of the detachment. Presently colonel Dudley gave orders to +reinforce the spies, and the greater part of the right and centre +columns rushed into the woods in confusion, with their colonel among +them--to fight the Indians, whom they routed and pursued near two +miles. The left column remained in possession of the batteries, till +the fugitive artillerists returned with a reinforcement from the main +British camp, and attacked them. Some of them were then made prisoners, +others fled to the boats, and a part, who were rallied by the exertions +of their major, marched to the aid of colonel Dudley. The Indians had +also been reinforced, and the confusion in which major Shelby found the +men under Dudley, was so great as to amount to a cessation of +resistance; while the savages, skulking around them, continued the work +of destruction in safety. At last a retreat commenced in disorder, but +the greater part of the men were captured by the Indians, or +surrendered to the British at the batteries. The gallant but +unfortunate colonel Dudley, after being wounded, was overtaken and +despatched with the tomahawk. The number of those who escaped and got +into the fort, out of the whole detachment, was considerably below two +hundred. Had the orders which colonel Dudley received, been duly +regarded, or a proper degree of judgment exercised on the occasion, the +day would certainly have been an important one for the country, and a +glorious one for the army. Every thing might have been accomplished +agreeably to the wishes and intentions of the general, with the loss of +but few men. When the approach of the detachment under Dudley was +reported to Proctor, he supposed it to be the main force of the +American army, from which he was apprehensive that he might sustain a +total defeat: he therefore recalled a large portion of his British and +Indians from the opposite shore. They did not arrive, however, in time +to partake in the contest on the north side."[A] + +[Footnote A: M'Affee.] + +After the fighting had ceased on the fifth, the British general sent a +flag to the fort by major Chambers, and his introduction to general +Harrison was succeeded by the following significant dialogue: + +"_Major Chambers._ General Proctor has directed me to demand the +surrender of this post. He wishes to spare the effusion of blood. + +"_General Harrison._ The demand, under present circumstances, is a most +extraordinary one. As general Proctor did not send me a summons to +surrender on his first arrival, I had supposed that he believed me +determined to do my duty. His present message indicates an opinion of +me that I am at a loss to account for. + +"_Major Chambers._ General Proctor could never think of saying anything +to wound your feelings, sir. The character of general Harrison, as an +officer, is well known. General Proctor's force is very respectable, +and there is with him a larger body of Indians than has ever before +been embodied. + +"_General Harrison._ I believe I have a very correct idea of general +Proctor's force; it is not such as to create the least apprehension for +the result of the contest, whatever shape he may be pleased hereafter +to give it. Assure the general, however, that he will never have this +post _surrendered_ to him upon any terms. Should it fall into his +hands, it will be in a manner calculated to do him more honor, and to +give him larger claims upon the gratitude of his government than any +capitulation could possibly do." + +The siege was continued, but without any very active efforts against +the fort, until the morning of the 9th of May, when the enemy retreated +down the bay, leaving behind them a quantity of cannon balls, and other +valuable articles. + +The force under general Proctor amounted, as nearly as could be +ascertained, to six hundred regulars, eight hundred Canadian militia, +and about eighteen hundred Indians. The number of troops under general +Harrison, including those which arrived on the morning of the fifth, +under general Clay, was about twelve hundred in all. The number fit for +duty did not, perhaps, equal eleven hundred. + +The number of the American troops killed and massacred on the north +side of the river, was upwards of seventy. One hundred and eighty-nine +were wounded, and eighty-one killed, in the two sorties from the fort. +The loss of the British and Indians, in killed and wounded, could never +be satisfactorily ascertained. That it was very considerable, there can +be no doubt. + +The enemy brought against fort Meigs a combined army of near three +thousand men, under Proctor, Elliott and Tecumseh, and prepared, by a +train of artillery, for vigorous operations. These were prosecuted with +skill and energy. The Indians, led on by the daring Tecumseh, fought +with uncommon bravery, and contributed largely to swell the list of our +killed and wounded. It is said, that the sagacious leader of the Indian +forces did not enter upon this siege with any strong hopes of ultimate +success; but having embarked in it, he stood manfully in the post of +danger, and took an active, if not a leading part, in planning and +executing the various movements which were made against the fort. The +spirit with which these were prosecuted may be in part inferred from +the fact, that during the first five days of the siege, the enemy fired +upon the fort with their cannon, fifteen hundred times,[A] many of +their balls and bombs being red-hot, and directed specially at the two +block houses containing the ammunition. These shots made no decided +impression upon the picketing of the fort, but killed or wounded about +eighty of the garrison. + +[Footnote A: Brown's History of the Late War.] + +It has been already stated that the distinguished leader of the +Indians, in this assault upon camp Meigs, entered upon it with no +sanguine hopes of success. His associate, general Proctor, however, is +said to have entertained a different opinion, and flattered himself and +his troops with the prospect of splendid success and rich rewards. In +case of the reduction of the fort and the capture of its garrison, the +British general intended to assign the Michigan territory to the +Prophet and his followers, as a compensation for their services; and +general Harrison was to have been delivered into the hands of Tecumseh, +to be disposed of at the pleasure of that chief.[A] + +[Footnote A: M'Affee.] + +One of the public journals of the day[A] states that this proposition +originated with Proctor, and was held out as an inducement to Tecumseh, +to join in the siege. General Harrison subsequently understood, that in +case he had fallen into Proctor's hands, he was to have been delivered +to Tecumseh, to be treated as that warrior might think proper: and in a +note to Dawson's Historical Narrative, the author of that work says, +"There is no doubt that when Proctor made the arrangement for the +attack on fort Meigs with Tecumseh, the latter insisted and the former +agreed, that general Harrison and all who fought at Tippecanoe, should +be given up to the Indians to be burned. Major Ball of the dragoons +ascertained this fact from prisoners, deserters and Indians, all of +whom agreed to its truth." Whatever may have been the actual agreement +between Proctor and Tecumseh in regard to general Harrison and those +who fought with him at Tippecanoe, it is hardly credible that this +chief had any intention of participating in an outrage of this kind, +upon the prisoners. Tecumseh may possibly have made such an arrangement +with Proctor, and announced it to the Indians, for the purpose of +exciting them to activity and perseverance, in carrying on the siege; +but that this chief seriously meditated any such outrage, either +against general Harrison or his associates, is not to be credited but +on the best authority. It will be recollected that Tecumseh, when but a +youth, succeeded by his personal influence, in putting an end to the +custom of burning prisoners, then common among a branch of the +Shawanoes. In 1810, at a conference with general Harrison, in +Vincennes, he made an agreement that prisoners and women and children, +in the event of hostilities between the whites and the Indians, should +be protected; and there is no evidence that this compact was ever +violated by him; or indeed, that through the whole course of his +eventful life, he ever committed violence upon a prisoner, or suffered +others to do so without promptly interfering for the captive. To +suppose, then, that he really intended to permit general Harrison, or +those who fought with him on the Wabash, to be burned, would have been +at variance with the whole tenor of his life; and particularly with his +manly and magnanimous conduct at the close of the assault upon fort +Meigs. + +[Footnote A: The Chillicothe Fredonian.] + +The prisoners captured on the fifth, were, taken down to Proctor's +head-quarters and confined in fort Miami, where the Indians were +permitted to amuse, themselves by firing at the crowd, or at any +particular individual. Those whose taste led them to inflict a more +cruel and savage death, led their victims to the gateway, where, under +the eye of general Proctor and his officers, they were coolly +tomahawked and scalped. Upwards of twenty prisoners were thus, in the +course of two hours, massacred in cold blood, by those to whom they had +voluntarily surrendered. At the same time, the chiefs of the different +tribe were holding a council to determine the fate of the remaining +captives, when Tecumseh and colonel Elliott came down from the +batteries to the scene of carnage. + +A detailed account of the noble conduct of the former in regard to +these captives is contained in the following extract from a letter,[A] +upon the accuracy of which reliance may be placed. The writer, after +contrasting the brave and humane Tecumseh with the cruel and reckless +Proctor, says: + +"The most unfortunate event of that contest, I presume you will admit +to have been the defeat of colonel Dudley. I will give you a statement +made to me by a British officer who was present. He states, that when +colonel Dudley landed his troops, Tecumseh, the brave but unfortunate +commander, was on the south side of the river, annoying the American +garrison with his Indians; and that Proctor, with a part of his troops +and a few Indians, remained on the opposite side at the batteries. +Dudley attacked him, and pursued him two miles. During this time, +Harrison had sent out a detachment to engage Tecumseh; and that the +contest with him continued a considerable length of time, before he was +informed of what was doing on the opposite side. He immediately +retreated, swam over the river and fell in the rear of Dudley, and +attacked him with great fury. Being thus surrounded and their commander +killed, the troops marched up to the British line and surrendered. +Shortly afterwards, commenced the scene of horrors which I dare say is +yet fresh in your memory; but I shall recall it to your recollection +for reasons I will hereafter state. They (the American troops) were +huddled together in an old British garrison, with the Indians around +them, selecting such as their fancy dictated, to glut their savage +thirst for murder. And although they had surrendered themselves +prisoners of war, yet, in violation of the customs of war, the inhuman +Proctor did not yield them the least protection, nor attempt to screen +them from the tomahawk of the Indians. Whilst this blood-thirsty +carnage was raging, a thundering voice was heard in the rear, in the +Indian tongue, when, turning round, he saw Tecumseh coming with all the +rapidity his horse could carry him, until he drew near to where two +Indians had an American, and were in the act of killing him. He sprang +from his horse, caught one by the throat and the other by the breast, +and threw them to the ground; drawing his tomahawk and scalping knife, +he ran in between the Americans and Indians, brandishing them with the +fury of a mad man, and daring any one of the hundreds that surrounded +him, to attempt to murder another American. They all appeared +confounded, and immediately desisted. His mind appeared rent with +passion, and he exclaimed almost with tears in his eyes, 'Oh! what will +become of my Indians.' He then demanded in an authoritative tone, where +Proctor was; but casting his eye upon him at a small distance, sternly +enquired why he had not put a stop to the inhuman massacre. 'Sir,' said +Proctor, 'your Indians cannot be commanded.' 'Begone' retorted +Tecumseh, with the greatest disdain, 'you are unfit to command; go and +put on petticoats.'" + +[Footnote A: This letter is from Mr. Wm. G. Ewing, formerly of Piqua, +O., and is addressed, under date of May 2d, 1818, to John H. James, +Esq. now of Urbana.] + +This was not the only occasion on which Tecumseh openly manifested the +contempt which he felt for the character and conduct of general +Proctor. Among other instances, it is stated by an officer of the +United States' army, in a letter, under date of 28th September, +1813,[A] that in a conversation between these two commanders of the +allied British army, Tecumseh said to Proctor, "I conquer to save, and +you to murder;"--an expression founded in truth, and worthy of the +magnanimous hero from whose lips it fell. + +[Footnote A: Niles' Register.] + +There is another incident connected with the defeat of Dudley, which +justice to the character of Tecumseh requires should be recorded. +Shortly after he had put a stop to the horrid massacre of the +prisoners, his attention was called to a small group of Indians +occupied in looking at some object in their midst. Colonel Elliott +observed to him, "Yonder are four of your nation who have been taken +prisoners; you may take charge of them, and dispose of them as you +think proper." Tecumseh walked up to the crowd, where he found four +Shawanoes, two brothers by the name of Perry, Big Jim, and the Soldier. +"Friends," said he, "colonel Elliott has placed you under my charge, +and I will send you back to your nation with a talk to our people." He +accordingly took them on with the army as far as the river Raisin, from +which point their return home would be less dangerous, and then +appointed two of his followers to accompany them, with some friendly +messages to the chiefs of the Shawanoe nation. They were thus +discharged under their parole, not to fight against the British during +the war. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + + Tecumseh present at the second attack on fort Meigs--his stratagem of + a sham-battle to draw out general Clay--is posted in the Black swamp + with two thousand warriors at the time of the attack on fort + Stephenson--from thence passes by land to Malden--compels general + Proctor to release an American prisoner--threatens to desert the + British cause--urges an attack upon the American fleet--opposes + Proctor's retreat from Malden--delivers a speech to him on that + occasion. + + +After abandoning the siege of fort Meigs, general Proctor and Tecumseh +returned to Malden, where the Canadian militia were disbanded, and the +Indians, who had not already left the army, for their respective +villages, were stationed at different cantonments. The Chippewas +preferred going home; the Potawatamies were placed six miles up the +river Rouge; the Miamis and Wyandots at Brownstown and up the Detroit +river, as far as Maguaga. They were successively employed by the +British commander as scouts, a party being sent regularly, once a week, +to reconnoiter fort Meigs, and other points in that vicinity. They +planted no corn and hunted but little, being regularly supplied with +provisions from Detroit and Malden. + +Early in July, the allies of the British again made their appearance in +the vicinity of fort Meigs. Dickson, an influential Scotch trader among +the Indians, having returned from the north-west with a large body of +savages, general Proctor was urged to renew the attack on the fort, and +it was accordingly done. + +Late on the evening of the 20th of July, the garrison discovered the +boats of the British army ascending the river. On the following morning +general Clay, now in command of this post, despatched a picket guard of +ten men to a point three hundred yards below the fort, where it was +surprised by the Indians, and seven of the party either killed or +captured. The combined army of British and Indians, were soon +afterwards encamped on the north side of the river, below the old +British fort Miami. For a short time, the Indians took a position in +the woods, in the rear of the fort, from which they occasionally fired +upon the garrison, but without doing any injury. In the night, captain +William Oliver, accompanied by captain M'Cune, was sent express to +general Harrison, then at Lower Sandusky, with information that fort +Meigs was again invested; and, that the united force of the enemy did +not fall far short of five thousand men. The general directed captain +M'Cune to return to the fort, with information to the commander, that +so soon as the necessary troops could be assembled, he would march to +his relief. The general doubted, however, whether any serious attack +was meditated against the place. He believed, and the result showed the +accuracy of his judgment, that the enemy was making a feint at the +Rapids, to call his attention in that direction, while Lower Sandusky +or Cleveland, would be the real point of assault. On the 23d Tecumseh, +with about eight hundred Indians, passed up the river, with the +intention, as general Clay supposed, of attacking fort Winchester: this +movement, as was subsequently ascertained, being also intended to +deceive the commander of the fort. On the 25th the enemy removed to the +south side of the river, and encamped behind a point of woods which +partly concealed them from the view of the garrison. This, taken in +connection with other circumstances, led general Clay to think that an +effort would be made to carry the post by assault. Early on the morning +of the 26th captain M'Cune reached the fort in safety. In the afternoon +of that day, the enemy practised a well devised stratagem for the +purpose of drawing general Clay and his troops from their fastness. On +the Sandusky road, just before night, a heavy firing of rifles and +muskets was heard: the Indian yell broke upon the ear, and the savages +were seen attacking with great impetuosity a column of men, who were +soon thrown into confusion; they, however, rallied, and in turn the +Indians gave way. The idea flew through the fort that general Harrison +was approaching with a body of reinforcements; and the troops under +general Clay seized their arms, and with nearly all the officers in the +garrison, demanded to be led to the support of their friends. General +Clay was unable to explain the firing, but wisely concluded, from the +information received in the morning by captain M'Cune, that there could +be no reinforcements in the neighborhood of the fort. He had the +prudent firmness to resist the earnest importunity of his officers and +men, to be led to the scene of action. The enemy finding that the +garrison could not be drawn out, and a heavy shower of rain beginning +to fall, terminated their sham-battle. It was subsequently ascertained +that this was a stratagem, devised by Tecumseh, for the purpose of +decoying out a part of the force under general Clay, which was to have +been attacked and cut off by the Indians; while the British troops were +to carry the fort by storm. But for the opportune arrival of the +express in the morning of this day, and the cool judgment of the +commander, there is great reason to suppose that this admirably planned +manoeuvre would have succeeded; which must have resulted in the total +destruction of the garrison, the combined force of the enemy, then +investing fort Meigs, being about five thousand in number, while the +troops under general Clay were but a few hundred strong. The enemy +remained around the fort but one day after the failure of this +ingenious stratagem, and on the 28th embarked with their stores, and +proceeded down the lake. + +As had been anticipated by general Harrison, immediately after the +siege was raised, the British troops sailed round into Sandusky bay, +while a portion of the Indians marched across the land, to aid in the +meditated attack upon fort Stephenson, at lower Sandusky. Tecumseh, in +the mean time, with about two thousand warriors, took a position in the +great swamp, between that point and fort Meigs, ready to encounter any +reinforcement that might have been started to the relief of general +Clay, to fall upon the camp at Seneca, or upon Upper Sandusky, +according to circumstances. The gallant defence of fort Stephenson by +captain Croghan, put a sudden stop to the offensive operations of the +army under Proctor and Tecumseh; and very shortly afterwards +transferred the scene of action to a new theatre on the Canada shore, +where these commanders were, in turn, thrown upon the defensive. + +Immediately after the signal defeat of general Proctor at fort +Stephenson, he returned with the British troops to Malden by water, +while Tecumseh and his followers passed over land round the head of +lake Erie and joined him at that point. At this time, an incident +occurred which illustrates the character of Tecumseh, while it shows +the contumely with which he was accustomed to treat general Proctor, +who did not dare to disobey him. A citizen of the United States, +captain Le Croix, had fallen into the hands of Proctor, and was +secreted on board one of the British vessels, until he could be sent +down to Montreal. Tecumseh had a particular regard for captain Le +Croix, and suspected that he had been captured. He called upon general +Proctor, and in a peremptory manner demanded if he knew any thing of +his friend. He even ordered the British general to tell him the +_truth_, adding, "If I ever detect you in a falsehood, I, with my +Indians, will immediately abandon you." The general was obliged to +acknowledge that Le Croix was in confinement. Tecumseh, in a very +imperious tone, insisted upon his immediate release. General Proctor +wrote a line stating, that the "king of the woods" desired the release +of captain Le Croix, and that he must be set at liberty; which was done +without delay.[A] + +[Footnote A: Alden Collection.] + +Discouraged by the want of success, and having lost all confidence in +general Proctor, Tecumseh now seriously meditated a withdrawal from the +contest. He assembled the Shawanoes, Wyandots and Ottawas, who were +under his command, and declared his intention to them. He told them, +that at the time they took up the tomahawk and agreed to join their +father, the king, they were promised plenty of white men to fight with +them; "but the number is not now greater," said he, "than at the +commencement of the war; and we are treated by them like the dogs of +snipe hunters; we are always sent ahead to _start the game_: it is +better that we should return to our country, and let the Americans come +on and fight the British." To this proposition his followers agreed; +but the Sioux and Chippewas, discovering his intention, went to him and +insisted that inasmuch as he had first united with the British, and had +been instrumental in bringing their tribes into the alliance, he ought +not to leave them; and through their influence he was finally induced +to remain.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +Tecumseh was on the island of Bois Blanc, in the Detroit river, when +commodore Perry made the first display of his fleet before Malden. He +appeared much pleased at the appearance of these vessels, and assured +the Indians by whom he was surrounded, that the British fleet would +soon destroy them. The Indians hastened to the shore to witness the +contest, but the harbour of Malden presented no evidence that commodore +Barclay intended to meet the American commander. Tecumseh launched his +canoe, and crossed over to Malden to make enquiries on the subject. He +called on general Proctor, and adverting to the apparent unwillingness +of commodore Barclay to attack the American fleet, he said "a few days +since, you were boasting that you commanded the waters--why do you not +go out and meet the Americans? See yonder, they are waiting for you, +and daring you to meet them: you must and shall send out your fleet and +fight them." Upon his return to the island, he stated to the Indians, +with apparent chagrin, that "the big canoes of their great father were +not yet ready, and that the destruction of the Americans must be +delayed for a few days."[A] + +[Footnote A: Ibid.] + +When the battle was finally fought, it was witnessed by the Indians +from the shore. On the day succeeding the engagement, general Proctor +said to Tecumseh, "my fleet has whipped the Americans, but the vessels +being much injured, have gone into Put-in Bay to refit, and will be +here in a few days." This deception, however, upon the Indians, was not +of long duration. The sagacious eye of Tecumseh soon perceived +indications of a retreat from Malden, and he promptly enquired into the +matter. General Proctor informed him that he was only going to send +their valuable property up the Thames, where it would meet a +reinforcement, and be safe. Tecumseh, however, was not to be deceived +by this shallow device; and remonstrated most urgently against a +retreat. He finally demanded, in the name of all the Indians under his +command, to be heard by the general, and, on the 18th of September, +delivered to him, as the representative of their great father, the +king, the following speech: + +"Father, listen to your children! you have them now all before you. + +"The war before this, our British father gave the hatchet to his red +children, when our old chiefs were alive. They are now dead. In that +war our father was thrown on his back by the Americans; and our father +took them by the hand without our knowledge; and we are afraid that our +father will do so again at this time. + +"Summer before last, when I came forward with my red brethren and was +ready to take up the hatchet in favor of our British father, we were +told not to be in a hurry, that he had not yet determined to fight the +Americans. + +"Listen! when war was declared, our father stood up and gave us the +tomahawk, and told us that he was then ready to strike the Americans; +that he wanted our assistance, and that he would certainly get our +lands back, which the Americans had taken from us. + +"Listen! you told us at that time, to bring forward our families to +this place, and we did so; and you promised to take care of them, and +they should want for nothing, while the men would go and fight the +enemy; that we need not trouble ourselves about the enemy's garrisons; +that we knew nothing about them, and that our father would attend to +that part of the business. You also told your red children that you +would take good care of your garrison here, which made our hearts glad. + +"Listen! when we were last at the Rapids, it is true we gave you little +assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like ground-hogs. + +"Father, listen! our fleet has gone out; we know they have fought; we +have heard the great guns; but we know nothing of what has happened to +our father with one arm.[A] Our ships have gone one way, and we are +much astonished to see our father tying up every thing and preparing to +run away the other, without letting his red children know what his +intentions are. You always told us to remain here and take care of our +lands; it made our hearts glad to hear that was your wish. Our great +father, the king, is the head, and you represent him. You always told +us you would never draw your foot off British ground; but now, father, +we see that you are drawing back, and we are sorry to see our father +doing so without seeing the enemy. We must compare our father's conduct +to a fat dog, that carries his tail on its back, but when affrighted, +drops it between its legs and runs off. + +"Father, listen! the Americans have not yet defeated us by land; +neither are we sure that they have done so by water; _we, therefore, +wish to remain here and fight our enemy, should they make their +appearance._ If they defeat us, we will then retreat with our father. + +"At the battle of the Rapids, last war, the Americans certainly +defeated us; and when we returned to our father's fort at that place, +the gates were shut against us. We were afraid that it would now be the +case; but instead of that, we now see our British father preparing to +march out of his garrison. + +"Father, you have got the arms and ammunition which our great father +sent for his red children. If you have an idea of going away, give them +to us, and you may go and welcome, for us. Our lives are in the hands +of the Great Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands, and if it +be his will, we wish to leave our bones upon them." + +[Footnote A: Commodore Barclay, who had lost an arm in some previous +battle.] + +General Proctor, in disregarding the advice of Tecumseh, lost his only +opportunity of making an effective resistance to the American army. Had +the troops under general Harrison been attacked by the British and +Indians at the moment of their landing on the Canada shore, the result +might have been far different from that which was shortly afterwards +witnessed on the banks of the Thames. Of the authenticity of this able +speech, there is no doubt. It has been the cause of some surprise that +it should have been preserved by general Proctor, and translated into +English, especially as it speaks of the commander of the allied army in +terms the most disrespectful. We are enabled to state, on the authority +of John Chambers, Esq. of Washington, Kentucky, who was one of the aids +of general Harrison in the campaign of 1813, that the speech as given +above, is truly translated; and was actually delivered to general +Proctor under the circumstances above related. When the battle of the +Thames had been fought, the British commander sought safety in flight. +He was pursued by colonels Wood, Chambers, and Todd, and three or four +privates. He escaped, but his baggage was captured. Colonel Chambers +was present when his port-folio was opened, and among the papers, a +translation of this speech was found. In remarking upon the fact +subsequently, to some of the British officers, they stated to colonel +Chambers that the speech was undoubtedly genuine; and that general +Proctor had ordered it to be translated and exhibited to his officers, +for the purpose of showing them the insolence with which he was treated +by Tecumseh, and the necessity he was under of submitting to every +species of indignity from him, to prevent that chief from withdrawing +his forces from the contest or turning his army against the British +troops. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + + Retreat of the combined British and Indian army to the river + Thames--skirmish at Chatham with the troops under general + Harrison--Tecumseh slightly wounded in the arm--battle on the Thames + on the 5th of October--Tecumseh's death. + + +Shortly after the delivery of the speech quoted in the foregoing +chapter, a considerable body of Indians abandoned general Proctor, and +crossed the strait to the American shore. Tecumseh himself again +manifested a disposition to take his final leave of the British +service. Embittered by the perfidy of Proctor, his men suffering from +want of clothes and provisions, with the prospect of a disgraceful +flight before them, he was strongly inclined to withdraw with his +followers; and leave the American general to chastise in a summary +manner those who had so repeatedly deceived him and his Indian +followers. The Sioux and Chippewas, however, again objected to this +course. _They_ could not, they said, withdraw, and there was no other +leader but Tecumseh, in whom they placed confidence: they insisted that +he was the person who had originally induced them to join the British, +and that he ought not to desert them in the present extremity. +Tecumseh, in reply to this remonstrance remarked, that the battlefield +had no terrors for him; he feared not death, and if they insisted upon +it, he would remain with them. + +General Proctor now proposed to the Indians to remove their women and +children to McGee's, opposite the river Rouge, where they would be +furnished with their winter's clothing and the necessary supplies of +food. To this proposition, Tecumseh yielded a reluctant assent; +doubting, as he did, the truth of the statement. When they were about +to start, he observed to young Jim Blue-Jacket, "we are now going to +follow the British, and I feel well assured, that we shall never +return." When they arrived at McGee's, Tecumseh found that there were +no stores provided for them, as had been represented. Proctor made +excuses; and again pledged himself to the Indians, that if they would +go with him to the Thames, they would there find an abundance of every +thing needful to supply their wants; besides a reinforcement of British +troops, and a fort ready for their reception.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +The retreat was continued towards the Thames. On the second of October, +when the army had reached Dalson's farm, Proctor and Tecumseh, attended +by a small guard, returned to examine the ground at a place called +Chatham, where a deep, unfordable creek falls into the Thames. They +were riding together in a gig, and after making the necessary +examination, the ground was approved of; and general Proctor remarked, +upon that spot they would either defeat general Harrison or there lay +their bones. With this determination Tecumseh was highly pleased, and +said, "it was a good place, and when he should look at the two streams, +they would remind him of the Wabash and the Tippecanoe." Perhaps no +better position could have been chosen for meeting the American army +than this place presented. The allied force of British and Indians, had +they made a stand upon it, would have been protected in front by a deep +unfordable stream, while their right flank would have been covered by +the Thames, and their left by a swamp. But general Proctor changed his +mind; and leaving Tecumseh with a body of Indians to defend the passage +of the stream, moved forward with the main army. Tecumseh made a prompt +and judicious arrangement of his forces; but it is said that his +Indians, in the skirmish which ensued, did not sustain their previous +reputation as warriors. It is probable, however, that their leader did +not intend to make any decided resistance to the American troops at +this point, not being willing that general Proctor and his army should +escape a meeting with the enemy. In this action Tecumseh was slightly +wounded in the arm by a ball. General Harrison, in his official report +of this affair, says: + +"Below a place called Chatham, and four miles above Dalson's, is the +third unfordable branch of the Thames: the bridge over its mouth had +been taken up by the Indians, as well as that at M'Gregor's mills, one +mile above--several hundred of the Indians remained to dispute our +passage, and upon the arrival of the advanced guard, commenced a heavy +fire from the opposite bank of the creek, as well as that of the river. +Believing that the whole force of the enemy was there, I halted the +army, formed in order of battle, and brought up our two six pounders, +to cover the party that were ordered to repair the bridge. A few shot +from these pieces soon drove off the Indians, and enabled us in two +hours to repair the bridge and cross the troops. Colonel Johnson's +mounted regiment being upon the right of the army, had seized the +remains of the bridge at the mills, under a heavy fire from the +Indians. Our loss upon this occasion was two killed, and three or four +wounded; that of the enemy was ascertained to be considerably greater. +A house near the bridge, containing a very considerable number of +muskets, had been set on fire; but it was extinguished by our troops +and the arms saved." + +Tecumseh and his party overtook they main army near the Moravian towns, +situated on the north side of the Thames. Here he resolved that he +would retreat no further; and the ground being favorable for forming +the line of battle, he communicated his determination to general +Proctor, and compelled him, as there is every reason for believing, to +put an end to his retreat, and prepare for meeting the pursuing army. +After the Indians were posted in the swamp, in the position occupied by +them during the battle, Tecumseh remarked to the chiefs by whom he was +surrounded, "brother warriors! we are now about to enter into an +engagement from which I shall never come out--my body will remain on +the field of battle." He then unbuckled his sword, and placing it in +the hands of one of them, said, "when my son becomes a noted warrior, +and able to wield a sword, give this to him." He then laid aside his +British military dress, and took his place in the line, clothed only in +the ordinary deer-skin hunting shirt.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane, and colonel Baubee of the British army.] + +The position selected by the enemy was eminently judicious. The British +troops, amounting to eight or nine hundred, were posted with their left +upon the river, which was unfordable at that point; their right +extended to and across a swamp, and united them with the Indians, under +Tecumseh, amounting to near eighteen hundred. The British artillery was +placed in the road along the margin of the river, near to the left of +their line. At from two to three hundred yards from the river, a swamp +extends nearly parallel to it, the intermediate ground being dry. This +position of the enemy, with his flank protected on the left by the +river and on the right by the swamp, filled with Indians, being such as +to prevent the wings from being turned, general Harrison made +arrangements to concentrate his forces against the British line. The +first division, under major general Henry, was formed in three lines at +one hundred yards from each other; the front line consisting of +Trotter's brigade, the second of Chiles', and the reserve of King's +brigade. These lines were in front of, and parallel to, the British +troops. The second division, under major general Desha, composed of +Allen's and Caldwell's brigades, was formed _en potence_, or at right +angles to the first division. Governor Shelby, as senior major general +of the Kentucky troops, was posted at this crotchet, formed between the +first and second divisions. Colonel Simrall's regiment of light +infantry was formed in reserve, obliquely to the first division, and +covering the rear of the front division; and, after much reflection as +to the disposition to be made of colonel Johnson's mounted troops, they +were directed, as soon as the front line advanced, to take ground to +the left, and forming upon that flank, to endeavor to turn the right of +the Indians. A detachment of regular troops, of the 26th United States +infantry, under colonel Paul, occupied the space between the road and +the river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's artillery; and, +simultaneously with this movement, forty friendly Indians were to pass +under the bank of the stream to the rear of the British line, and by +their fire and war-cry, induce the enemy to think their own Indians +were turning against them. At the same time, colonel Wood had been +instructed to make preparations for using the enemy's artillery, and to +rake their own line by a flank fire. By refusing the left or second +division, the Indians were kept _in the air_, that is, in a position in +which they would be useless. It will be seen, as the commander +anticipated, that they waited in their position the advance of the +second division, while the British left was contending with the +American right. Johnson's corps consisted of nine hundred men, and the +five brigades under governor Shelby amounted to near eighteen hundred, +in all, not exceeding two thousand seven hundred men. + +In the midst of these arrangements, and just as the order was about to +be given to the front line to advance, at the head of which general +Harrison had placed himself with his staff, colonel Wood approached him +with intelligence, that having reconnoitered the enemy, he had +ascertained the singular fact, that the British lines, instead of the +usual close order, were drawn up at _open order_. This fact at once +induced general Harrison to adopt the novel expedient of charging the +British lines with Johnson's mounted regiment. "I was within a few feet +of him," says the gallant colonel John O'Fallon, "when the report of +colonel Wood was made, and he instantly remarked, that he would make a +novel movement by ordering colonel Johnson's mounted regiment to charge +the British line of regulars, which, thus drawn up, contrary to the +habits and usages of that description of troops, always accustomed to +_the touch_, could be easily penetrated and thrown into confusion, by a +spirited charge of colonel Johnson's regiment." This determination was +presently made known to the colonel, who was directed to draw up his +regiment in close column, with its right fifty yards from the +road--that it might be partially protected by the trees from the +artillery--its left upon the swamp, and to charge at full speed upon +the enemy. + +At this juncture, general Harrison, with his aids-de-camp, attended +likewise by general Cass and commodore Perry, advanced from the right +of the front line of infantry, to the right of the front column of +mounted troops, led by colonel James Johnson. The general, personally, +gave the direction for the charge to be made. "When the right battalion +of the mounted men received the first fire of the British, the horses +in the front column recoiled; another fire was given by the enemy, but +our column getting in motion, broke through the enemy with irresistible +force. In one minute the contest was over. The British officers seeing +no prospect of reducing their disordered ranks to order, and seeing the +advance of the infantry, and our mounted men wheeling upon them and +pouring in a destructive fire, immediately surrendered."[A] + +[Footnote A: Official Despatch.] + +Colonel Richard M. Johnson, by the extension of his line, was brought +in contact with the Indians, upon whom he gallantly charged, but was +unfortunately severely wounded by the first fire of the enemy, and was +immediately taken off the field, not, however, it has been stated, +until he had despatched an Indian by a pistol shot. The fire of the +Indians having made some impression upon Johnson's men, and upon the +left of Trotter's brigade, general Harrison despatched an order to +governor Shelby to bring up Simrall's regiment to reinforce the point +pressed by the Indians; and then the general passed to the left, to +superintend the operations in that quarter. The governor, however, had +anticipated the wishes of his commander, being in the act of leading up +the regiment, when the order reached him. He and the general met near +the crochet, where after a severe contest of several minutes, the +battle finally ceased. The particulars of the charge made by colonel +Johnson on the Indians, are thus given by an intelligent officer[A] of +his corps. In a letter to the late governor Wickliffe of Kentucky, +under date of Frankfort, September 7, 1840, he says: + +"I was at the head or right of my company, on horseback, waiting +orders, at about fifty or sixty yards from the line of the enemy. +Colonel Johnson rode up and explained to me the mode of attack, and +said in substance, 'captain Davidson, I am directed by general Harrison +to charge and break through the Indian line, and form in the rear. My +brother James will charge in like manner through the British line at +the same time. The sound of the trumpet will be the signal for the +charge.' In a few minutes the trumpet sounded, and the word 'charge' +was given by colonel Johnson. The colonel charged within a few paces of +me. We struck the Indian line obliquely, and when we approached within +ten or fifteen yards of their line, the Indians poured in a heavy fire +upon us, killing ten or fifteen of our men and several horses, and +wounded colonel Johnson very severely. He immediately retired. Doctor +Theobald, of Lexington, (I think) aided him off." + +[Footnote A: Captain James Davidson, of Kentucky.--See Cincinnati +Republican.] + +The loss of the Americans in this battle was about twenty killed and +between thirty and forty wounded. The British had eighteen killed and +twenty-six wounded. The Indians left on the ground between fifty and +sixty killed; and, estimating the usual proportion for the wounded, it +was probably more than double that number. + +The British official account of this action is not before us. In a +general order under date of Montreal, November 21, 1813, the adjutant +general of the English forces, bears testimony to the good conduct of +the Indian warriors, who gallantly maintained the conflict under the +brave chief Tecumseh. This tribute to the Indians and their leader is +well merited. Had general Proctor and his troops fought with the same +valor that marked the conduct of Tecumseh and his men, the results of +the day would have been far more creditable to the British arms. It has +already been stated that Tecumseh entered this battle with a strong +conviction on his mind that he should not survive it. Further flight he +deemed disgraceful, while the hope of victory in the impending action, +was feeble and distant. He, however, heroically resolved to achieve the +latter or die in the effort. With this determination, he took his stand +among his followers, raised the war-cry and boldly met the enemy. From +the commencement of the attack on the Indian line, his voice was +distinctly heard by his followers, animating them to deeds worthy of +the race to which they belonged. When that well known voice was heard +no longer above the din of arms, the battle ceased. The British troops +having already surrendered, and the gallant leader of the Indians +having fallen, they gave up the contest and fled. A short distance from +where Tecumseh fell, the body of his friend and brother-in-law, +Wasegoboah, was found. They had often fought side by side, and now, in +front of their men, bravely battling the enemy, they side by side +closed their mortal career.[A] + +[Footnote A: Anthony Shane.] + +James, a British historian,[A] in his account of the battle of the +Thames, makes the following remarks upon the character and personal +appearance of Tecumseh. + +"Thus fell the Indian warrior Tecumseh, in the 44th year of his age. He +was of the Shawanoe tribe, five feet ten inches high, and with more +than the usual stoutness, possessed all the agility and perseverance of +the Indian character. His carriage was dignified, his eye penetrating, +his countenance, which even in death, betrayed the indications of a +lofty spirit, rather of the sterner cast. Had he not possessed a +certain austerity of manners, he could never have controlled the +wayward passions of those who followed him to battle. He was of a +silent habit; but when his eloquence became roused into action by the +reiterated encroachments of the Americans, his strong intellect could +supply him with a flow of oratory that enabled him, as he governed in +the field, so to prescribe in the council. Those who consider that in +all territorial questions, the ablest diplomatists of the United States +are sent to negociate with the Indians, will readily appreciate the +loss sustained by the latter in the death of their champion. * * * * +Such a man was the unlettered savage, Tecumseh, and such a man have the +Indians lost forever. He has left a son, who, when his father fell, was +about seventeen years old, and fought by his side. The prince regent, +in 1814, out of respect to the memory of the old, sent out as a present +to the young, Tecumseh, a handsome sword. Unfortunately, however, for +the Indian cause and country, faint are the prospects that Tecumseh the +son, will ever equal, in wisdom or prowess, Tecumseh the father." + +[Footnote A: Military Occurrences of the Late War.] + +Mr. James (p. 295,) asserts, that Tecumseh was not only scalped, but +that his body was actually _flayed_, and the skin converted into +razor-straps by the Kentuckians. We fear there is too much truth in +this statement. It is confirmed by the testimony of several American +officers and privates, who were in the battle of the Thames. It is +painful to make an admission of this kind, but truth forbids the +suppression of a fact, when fairly established, however revolting to +the feelings of humanity, or degrading to a people. That there was any +general participation of our troops in this inhuman and revolting deed, +is not for a moment to be supposed. That it was the act of a few vulgar +and brutish individuals, is, we think, just as certain, as that the +great mass of the army were shocked at its perpetration. It is to be +regretted that the names of the persons who committed this outrage have +not been preserved, that their conduct on this occasion might have been +held up to universal condemnation. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + + Critical examination of the question "who killed Tecumseh?"--colonel + R. M. Johnson's claim considered. + + +Tecumseh was a determined and subtle enemy of the United States, and +during the palmy days of his bold career, wielded an influence over the +north-western Indians which belonged to no other chief. His death was +consequently an important circumstance in relation to the peace and +safety of the frontiers. But whether he fell by a pistol shot from a +field officer, or a rifle ball from a private soldier, however +interesting as a matter of personal history, is certainly not one of +national importance. Nevertheless, the question by whose hands he fell, +has engaged public attention to some considerable extent ever since the +memorable battle of the Thames. Its discussion has not been confined to +the immediate friends of the several aspirants for the honor of having +slain this distinguished warrior; it has enlivened the political +canvass, and the halls of legislation; occupied the columns of journals +and magazines, and filled no inconsiderable space on the pages of +American and British histories. Under such circumstances, and as +directly connected with the present biography, a fair presentation of +all the testimony bearing on the case will now be attempted. It may at +least gratify the public curiosity, if it do not definitively settle +the long pending question in relation to the actual _slayer of +Tecumseh_. + +M'Affee, in his History of the Late War, says, Tecumseh "was found +among the dead, at the point where colonel Johnson had charged upon the +enemy, in person, and it is generally believed, that this celebrated +chief fell by the hand of the colonel. It is certain that the latter +killed the Indian with his pistol, who shot him through his hand, at +the very spot where Tecumseh lay; but another dead body lay at the same +place, and Mr. King, a soldier in captain Davidson's company, had the +honor of killing one of them." + +Brown, in his history of the same war, says, that "colonel Johnson, +after receiving four wounds, perceived the daring Tecumseh commanding +and attempting to rally his savage force; when he instantly put his +horse towards him, and was shot by Tecumseh in the hand, as he +approached him. Tecumseh advanced with a drawn weapon, a sword or +tomahawk, at which instant the colonel, having reserved his fire, shot +his ferocious antagonist dead at his feet; and that too, at the moment +he was almost fainting with the loss of blood and the anguish of five +wounds." + +The statement of Shawbeneh, a Potawatamie chief, lately published in +the "Chicago Democrat," goes to prove that Tecumseh was wounded in the +neck; and telling his warriors that he must die, rushed forward to kill +colonel Johnson. Shawbeneh saw him fall, having been shot by the +colonel, just as his arm had reached the necessary height to strike the +fatal blow. Shawbeneh says that colonel Johnson was riding a large +white horse, with occasionally a jet black spot. He further states that +Tecumseh's body was not mutilated by the American troops. + +The testimony of another Potawatamie chief, Chamblee, as furnished us +by captain Robert Anderson, of the U.S. army, is to this effect: + +He saw Tecumseh engaged in a personal rencontre with a soldier armed +with a musket; that the latter made a thrust at the chief, who caught +the bayonet under his arm, where he held it, and was in the act of +striking his opponent with his tomahawk, when a horseman rode up, and +shot Tecumseh dead with a pistol. The horseman had a red feather, +(plume) in his hat, and was mounted on a spotted or red-roan horse; he +further says, that he saw the body of Tecumseh a day or two after the +battle, and that it was not mutilated. + +In a work entitled "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," +there is the following note: + +"A Potawatamie chief was thus questioned: Were you at the battle of the +Thames? Yes. Did you know Tecumseh? Yes. Were you near him in the +fight? Yes. Did you see him fall? Yes. Who shot him? Don't know. Did +you see the man that shot him? Yes. What sort of looking man was he? +Short, thick man. What color was the horse he rode? Most white. How do +you know this man shot Tecumseh? I saw the man ride up--saw his horse +get tangled in some bushes--when the horse was most still, I saw +Tecumseh level his rifle at the man and shoot--the man shook on his +horse--soon the horse got out of the bushes, and the man spurred him +up--horse came slow--Tecumseh right before him--man's left hand hung +down--just as he got near, Tecumseh lifted his tomahawk and was going +to throw it, when the man shot him with a short gun (pistol)--Tecumseh +fell dead and we all ran." + +Mr. Garrett Wall, of Kentucky, who participated in the battle of the +Thames, says: + +" ---- The men by this time had collected in groups; and it was remarked +that colonel R. M. Johnson was dead, but I contradicted the report; +also, that the great Indian commander, Tecumseh, was slain; I asked by +what authority? I was told that Anthony Shane, who had known him from a +small boy, said so, and had seen him among the slain. In a short time I +saw Shane with a small group of men, walking towards a dead Indian; as +he approached the body, I asked him if he knew that Indian. He said it +was, in his opinion, Tecumseh; but he could tell better if the blood +was taken from his face. I examined the Indian. He was shot in the left +side of the breast with several balls or buck shot, all entering near +and above the left nipple. There was also a wound in his head, too +small for a rifle ball to make." + +Atwater, in his History of Ohio, remarks, that two Winnebago chiefs, +Four-Legs and Carymaunee, told him, that Tecumseh, at the commencement +of the battle of the Thames, lay with his warriors in a thicket of +underbrush on the left of the American army, and that they were, at no +period of the battle, out of their covert--that no officer was seen +between them and the American troops--that Tecumseh fell the very first +fire of the Kentucky dragoons, pierced by thirty bullets, and was +carried four or five miles into the thick woods and there buried by the +warriors, who told the story of his fate. + +In 1838, a writer in the Baltimore American published Black Hawk's +account of the fall of Tecumseh. It is as follows: + +" ---- Shortly after this, the Indian spies came in and gave word of the +near approach of the Americans. Tecumseh immediately posted his men in +the edge of a swamp, which flanked the British line, placing himself at +their head. I was a little to his right with a small party of Sauks. It +was not long before the Americans made their appearance; they did not +perceive us at first, hid as we were by the undergrowth, but we soon +let them know where we were, by pouring in one or two vollies as they +were forming into line to oppose the British. They faltered a little; +but very soon we perceived a large body of horse (colonel Johnson's +regiment of mounted Kentuckians) preparing to charge upon us in the +swamp. They came bravely on; yet we never stirred until they were so +close that we could see the flints in their guns, when Tecumseh, +springing to his feet, gave the Shawanoe war-cry, and discharged his +rifle. This was the signal for us to commence the battle, but it did +not last long; the Americans answered the shout, returning our fire, +and at the first discharge of their guns, I saw Tecumseh stagger +forwards over a fallen tree, near which he was standing, letting his +rifle drop at his feet. As soon as the Indians discovered that he was +killed, a sudden fear came over them, and thinking the Great Spirit was +angry, they fought no longer, and were quickly put to flight. That +night we returned to bury our dead; and search for the body of +Tecumseh. He was found lying where he had first fallen; a bullet had +struck him above the hip, and his skull had been broken by the butt end +of the gun of some soldier, who had found him, perhaps, when life was +not yet quite gone. With the exception of these wounds, his body was +untouched: lying near him was a large fine looking Potawatamie, who had +been killed, decked off in his plumes and war-paint, whom the Americans +no doubt had taken for Tecumseh for he was scalped and every particle +of skin flayed from his body. Tecumseh himself had no ornaments about, +his person, save a British medal. During the night, we buried our dead, +and brought off the body of Tecumseh, although we were in sight of the +fires of the American camp." + +James, a British historian,[A] after describing the battle of the +Thames, remarks: + +"It seems extraordinary that general Harrison should have omitted to +mention in his letter, the death of a chief, whose fall contributed so +largely to break down the Indian spirit, and to give peace and security +to the whole north-western frontier of the United States. Tecumseh, +although he had received a musket ball in the left arm, was still +seeking the hottest of the fire, when he encountered colonel Richard M. +Johnson, member of congress from Kentucky. Just as the chief, having +discharged his rifle, was rushing forward with his tomahawk, he +received a ball in the head from the colonel's pistol. Thus fell the +Indian warrior, Tecumseh, in the forty-fourth year of his age. * * * * +The body of Tecumseh was recognized, not only by the British officers, +who were prisoners, but by commodore Perry, and several American +officers." + +[Footnote A; "Military Occurrences of the Late War between Great +Britain and the United States, by William James, 2 vols. London, +1818."] + +This writer adds, that Tecumseh was scalped and his body flayed by the +Kentuckians. + +In Butler's History of Kentucky, there is a letter from the reverend +Obediah B. Brown, of Washington city, then a clerk in the general +post-office, under date of 18th September, 1834, in which the writer +says, in substance: + +That colonel Johnson, while leading the advance upon the left wing of +the Indians, saw an Indian commander, who appeared to be a rallying +point for his savage companions, and whose costume indicated the +superiority of his rank; that colonel Johnson, sitting upon his horse, +covered with wounds and very feint with the loss of blood, and having a +pistol in his right hand loaded with a ball and three buck-shot, +thought that the fate of the battle depended upon killing this +formidable chief, and he accordingly rode round a fallen tree for this +purpose; that the chief, perceiving his approach, levelled his rifle +and shot the colonel in the left hand; that the colonel continued to +advance upon him, and at the moment when the Indian was raising his +tomahawk, shot him dead with his pistol; that this deed spread +consternation among the savages, and with hideous yells, they began +from that point their retreat; that as soon as the battle ended, the +Indian killed by colonel Johnson was recognized as Tecumseh; and before +the colonel had so far recovered from the effects of his wounds as to +be able to speak, word ran through the army that he had killed +Tecumseh; and finally, that a medal was taken from the body which was +known to have been presented to this chief by the British government. +Mr. Brown further states, that a conversation which he had with Anthony +Shane, some years since, strengthened his belief that Tecumseh fell by +the hand of colonel Johnson; that Shane told him he went, after the +battle, to the spot where it was reported the colonel had killed an +Indian, and there he saw the dead body of Tecumseh, and that he must +have been killed by a horseman, as a ball and three buck-shot had +entered the breast and passed downwards; that he could not be mistaken +as to the body of Tecumseh, as he had a remarkable scar upon his thigh, +which, upon examination, was found as he had described it. + +By recurring to the foregoing statements, it will be seen that eight +Indians have borne testimony in relation to the death of Tecumseh. Of +these, four assert that he was killed by the first fire from the +American line; and four that he fell by the hands of a horseman, some +time after the commencement of the action. One of these witnesses +states that Tecumseh was shot in the neck; another, that he was hit +above or in the eyes; two others that he was killed by a ball in the +hip; and again two others, that he was pierced by thirty bullets on the +first fire of our troops. Three of these witnesses testify that the +body of the fallen chief was mutilated by taking the skin from off the +thigh, and three that it was not. One of them saw the body the day +after the action, lying on the battle ground; a second bears witness +that it was buried on the spot the night of the battle; and a third, +that it was carried four or five miles into the woods, and there +interred. A further examination of the testimony will show that these +eight witnesses concur but in one single point,--that Tecumseh was +killed in the battle of the Thames. As to the nature of his wounds, the +mutilation of his body, the time when, the spot where, and by whose +hands, he fell, these various statements are wholly irreconcilable with +each other, and leave the main question involved in additional doubt +and obscurity. + +As the claim of colonel Johnson to the honor of having killed Tecumseh, +has been recently and earnestly urged upon the public consideration, we +propose, even at the risk of some repetition, to examine in detail the +testimony which bears upon this point. + +It will be recollected that the Potawatamie chief, whose narrative is +quoted from the "History of the Indian Tribes of North America," +testifies that Tecumseh met his death by a wound above or in the eyes; +and, that upon his fall the Indians ran. If these statements be true, +Tecumseh could not have been killed by colonel Johnson, as will be +satisfactorily established in the course of this examination. + +Shawbeneh, another Potawatamie chief, states that Tecumseh was mortally +wounded in the neck, before he rushed upon the individual who killed +him. All the other witnesses, except one, say that Tecumseh remained +stationary, and that the horseman who fired the fatal shot, advanced +upon him. + +Chamblee, the third Potawatamie who testifies in the case, states that +Tecumseh was engaged in a personal conflict with a soldier armed with a +musket, when a horseman, on a spotted horse, rode up and shot him dead +with a pistol. This account is not sustained by any other witness. + +Captain M'Affee, who belonged to the mounted regiment, and who has +written a history of the late war, says, it is _generally believed that +Tecumseh fell by the hand of colonel Johnson_; but the historian +candidly admits that there was another dead Indian at the spot where +Tecumseh lay, and that Mr. King, of captain Davidson's company, killed +one of them. It May be questioned whether there is or ever has been any +_general belief_,--whatever vague reports may have been +circulated,--that colonel Johnson killed this chief; but even if such +were the case, it does not by any means establish the allegation. + +Brown, another historian of the late war, says, in general terms, that +Tecumseh advanced upon the colonel with a sword or tomahawk, and that +the colonel shot him dead. Tecumseh wore no sword in that action, nor +did he advance upon colonel Johnson. Mr. Brown cites no authorities for +his loose and general statements. + +Garrett Wall testifies that he went to the spot where he was told +colonel Johnson had fought, and there questioned Anthony Shane about +the dead Indian before them. Shane remarked that he could tell better +whether it was Tecumseh, if the blood was washed from the face. It does +not appear that this was done, nor that Shane became satisfied as to +the identity of the dead Indian. Mr. Wall infers that Tecumseh fell by +a shot from colonel Johnson, because it was so reported, and because +they both led their warriors to the charge, and the desire of victory +brought them together. Mr. Wall cites no evidence to prove that the +body over which Shane was doubting, fell by the colonel--a link in the +chain of testimony, altogether important in making out his case. + +The Rev. Obediah B. Brown, however, at Washington, is by far the most +precise in his statements, of all the witnesses. But it is proper, +before entering upon the examination of his testimony, to state that he +was not at the battle of the Thames; and that his letter, in regard to +Tecumseh's death, was written in 1834, more than twenty years after the +action was fought, and upon the eve of a political campaign, in which +his friend, colonel Johnson, was an aspirant for a high and honorable +office. Mr. Brown, it is further proper to add, derived his information +from "several persons," but he has inadvertently omitted the names of +all but one. + +He commences by saying, that colonel Johnson saw an Indian known to be +a chief by his costume. Now it has been already shown that Tecumseh +entered the action dressed in the plain deer-skin garb of his tribe, +having nothing about him which would indicate his rank. The colonel +thought, continues Mr. B., that the fate of the day depended upon the +fall of this chief. The question might be asked whether the thoughts of +colonel Johnson, at this particular juncture, became known to the +witness by a logical process of ratiocination, or by a direct personal +communication from his distinguished friend? He states further, that +the colonel rode up within a few feet of the chief, received his fire, +and then shot him dead with his pistol. This act, says the witness, +caused the savages to retreat in consternation: now, the fact is well +established, that the Indians, at this very point, fought bravely for +twenty or twenty-five minutes after colonel Johnson was compelled, by +his wounds, to leave the scene of action: it is further stated by Mr. +B. that before the colonel was so far recovered from his wounds, as to +be able to speak, it ran through the army that he had killed Tecumseh. +Mr. Wall, who was in the action, says, that after colonel Johnson had +retired from the contest, and was lifted from his horse, he said to +those around him, "my brave men, the battle continues, leave me, and do +not return until you bring me an account of the victory." Thus it would +seem that the colonel, within a few minutes after receiving his last +wound, was giving orders to his men, and in the mean time, according to +Mr. B., "word ran through the army that he had killed Tecumseh." This +is more remarkable, when it is recollected, that the only person, +except the commanding general, who could identify the fallen chief, was +Anthony Shane, and he was in a different part of the field, (on the +bank of the Thames) and did not visit this part of the line until the +action was entirely over! The witness further states, that no other +chief of high rank was killed in this part of the line, but Tecumseh. +Anthony Shane says that Tecumseh's brother-in-law, and principal chief, +Wasegoboah, was killed ten or fifteen steps from where Tecumseh fell. +Black Hawk also testifies, that near Tecumseh, there was lying a large, +fine looking Potawatamie, decked off in his plumes and war-paint, whom +the Americans mistook for Tecumseh. Mr. B. says that a medal was taken +from the body of the Indian killed by colonel Johnson, which was known +to have been presented by the British government to Tecumseh. Where is +the authority for this? When Shane was examining the body, and so much +in doubt whether it was Tecumseh as to require the blood to be washed +from the face, before he could decide with certainty, where was this +medal, which of itself would have settled the question of identity? It +is singular, that neither Shane nor Wall speaks of a medal. Mr. B. says +that Tecumseh was killed by a ball and three buckshot, fired by a +horseman, and as colonel Johnson was the only person in that part of +the battle who fought on horseback, his pistols being loaded with a +ball and three buckshot, settles the question, that the colonel killed +Tecumseh. Again, the question may be asked, how Mr. B. knows the fact +as to the manner in which these pistols were loaded? And if they were +so loaded, who can say whether the chief was killed by this shot, the +wound in the eyes, that in the neck, or the one in the hip? But again; +colonel Johnson was not the only person who fought on horseback in this +part of the battle. He led a "forlorn hope" of twenty men, all mounted; +while on his left was Davidson's company of one hundred and forty men, +also on horseback. Mr. Wall, who was one of the "forlorn hope," says, +"the fighting became very severe, each party mingling with the other." +Finally, Mr. B. closes his testimony with the remark, that it was well +known and acknowledged, by the British and Indians, at the time, that +Tecumseh received his death from the hand of colonel Johnson, as +appears by James' History of the Late War. It is stated by the +historian here cited, that colonel Johnson shot Tecumseh in the +head--that the body was recognized not only by the British officers who +were prisoners, but by commodore Perry and several other American +officers: Mr. James also expresses his surprise that general Harrison +should have omitted, in his official letter to the War Department, to +mention the death of this chief. Now, we have the authority of several +American officers, of high rank, for stating, that these British +officers were not, on the evening of the day on which the action was +fought, in that part of the line where Tecumseh fell; and that early on +the ensuing morning, they were taken to a house two miles below the +battle ground, and from thence to Detroit, without returning to the +scene of their defeat, Mr. James is, therefore, incorrect on this +point, as he certainly is, in saying that commodore Perry and other +American officers recognized the body of Tecumseh. The commodore had +never seen this chief prior to the afternoon of the battle in which he +fell. General Harrison, it is believed, was the only American officer +in the engagement, who had a personal knowledge of Tecumseh. The day +after the battle, the general, attended by several of his officers, +visited the battle ground. The body of the Indian, supposed to be that +of Tecumseh, was pointed out to him, but owing to its swollen +condition, he was unable to say whether it was Tecumseh, or a +Potawatamie chief, who usually visited Vincennes in company with him: +he felt confident it was one of the two, but further than this could +not pronounce with certainty. Mr. James and Anthony Shane are Mr. +Brown's chief witnesses. The first states that Tecumseh was shot with a +musket ball in the arm, and finally killed by a ball in the head from +colonel Johnson's pistol: the second testifies that he fell by a ball +and three buckshot which entered his left breast, and that he was +wounded in no other part: the former says that Tecumseh's body was +literally flayed--the latter, that only a small piece of skin was cut +from one of his thighs.[A] It remains for Mr. Brown to reconcile these +glaring discrepancies in the testimony of his own witnesses. If this +dissection of Mr. Brown's elaborated letter, presents him more in the +light of the partizan advocate than that of the faithful historian, we +are not responsible for it; and if he has failed to establish the fact +that colonel Johnson killed Tecumseh, he must probably look for the +reason of that failure in the weakness of his claims, rather than in +any lack of zeal in advocating the colonel's cause. + +[Footnote A: See James Military Occurrences, and Anthony Shane's +Narrative.] + +Our analysis of the testimony which has at different times been brought +before the public, tending to establish the supposition that Tecumseh +fell by the hands of colonel Johnson, is now closed; and we think it +will be admitted, in reviewing the case, that the claims of the colonel +have not been satisfactorily established, either by direct or +circumstantial evidence. But we have further testimony to offer on this +point. + +It is proved by a number of witnesses, and among them several who are +relied upon to establish the fact, that colonel Johnson killed +Tecumseh, that upon the fall of this chief, the action ceased and the +Indians fled. + +Even the reverend Mr. Brown admits such to have been the case. Now, we +propose to show that colonel Johnson was wounded and retired from the +scene of action at its commencement; and that the contest lasted for +twenty or thirty minutes afterwards. As to the first point, captain +Davidson, who was by the side of colonel Johnson, says, "We struck the +Indian line obliquely, and when we approached within ten or fifteen +yards of their line, the Indians poured in a heavy fire upon us, +killing ten or fifteen of our men and several horses, and wounding +colonel Johnson very severely. He immediately retired."[A] Colonel +Ambrose Dudley says, "As I passed to the left, near the crochet, after +the firing had ceased on the right, I met colonel R.M. Johnson passing +diagonally from the swamp towards the line of infantry, and spoke with +him. He said he was badly wounded, his gray mare bleeding profusely in +several places. The battle continued with the Indians on the left. The +infantry, with some of colonel R. M. Johnson's troops mixed up +promiscuously with them, continued the battle for half an hour after +colonel Johnson was disabled and had ceased to command his men."[B] +Doctor S. Theobald, of Lexington, Kentucky, one of the surgeons to the +mounted regiment, says, "colonel Johnson was wounded in the onset of +the battle. I had the honor to compose one of his 'forlorn hope,' and +followed him in the charge. It is impossible, under such circumstances, +to estimate time with precision; but I know the period was a very brief +one from the firing of the first guns, which indeed was tremendously +heavy, till colonel Johnson approached me covered with wounds, but +still mounted. I think he said to me, I am severely wounded, which way +shall I go? That I replied, follow me, which he did: and I conducted +him directly across the swamp, on the margin of which we had charged, +and to the point where doctor Mitchell, surgeon-general of Shelby's +corps, was stationed. Some one hundred and fifty or two hundred yards +in the rear, colonel Johnson was taken from his horse. He appeared +faint and much exhausted. I asked him if he would have water, to which +he answered, yes. I cast about immediately for some, but there was none +at hand, nor any thing that I could see to bring it in, better than a +common funnel, which I saw lying on the ground, and which I seized and +ran to the river, (Thames) a distance probably of one hundred yards or +more; and closing the extremity of the funnel with my finger, made use +of it as a cup, from which I gave him drink. In a few minutes after +this, Garret Wall, who also composed one of the 'forlorn hope,' and was +thrown from his horse in the charge, came and solicited me to return +with him to the ground on which we had charged, to aid him in +recovering his lost saddle-bags. I assented. We crossed the narrow +swamp, to which I have before alluded, and had not progressed far, +before we came to the body of one of our men who had been killed, and +who I recognized as Mansfield, of captain Stucker's company: a little +further, that of Scott, of Coleman's company; and progressing some +forty or fifty steps (it may have been more,) in advance of that, we +found our venerable and brave old comrade, colonel Whitley, who was +also of the 'forlorn hope.' Near him, in a moment, I well remember to +have noticed, with a feeling and exclamation of exultation, the body of +an Indian; and some twenty or thirty steps in advance of this, another +Indian, which last was afterwards designated as the body of Tecumseh. I +distinctly recollect, that as we returned to make this search, the +firing was still kept up some distance off on our left"[C] + +[Footnote A: Cincinnati Republican, 30th September, 1840] + +[Footnote B: See Cincinnati Republican, 30th September, 1840. ] + +[Footnote C: Dr. Theobald's letter, dated 27th November, 1840, in +possession of the author of this work.] + +Testimony on these points might be multiplied, but could add nothing to +the force of that which is here cited. The letter of Dr. Theobald is +conclusive as to the time when colonel Johnson was wounded, and the +period during which the action continued after he retired from the +battle ground. It seems the colonel was disabled at the beginning of +the action with the Indians, and immediately rode from the field; that +the action lasted for near half an hour; that Tecumseh fell at or near +the close of it; and that he could not, therefore, have fallen by the +hand of colonel Johnson. Whether the leader of the "forlorn hope" can +claim the credit of having actually killed an Indian chief on this +memorable day, is not the immediate question before us: that he acted +with dauntless bravery, in promptly charging the Indian line, during +the brief period which he remained unwounded, is universally admitted; +but that he is entitled to the honor, (if such it may be called,) of +having personally slain the gifted "king of the woods," will not be so +readily conceded. + +James, the British historian, from whose "Military Occurrences" we have +already quoted, having charged general Harrison with designedly +omitting, in his official report, all reference to the death of +Tecumseh, leaves the inference to be drawn by the reader, that the +omission was prompted by a feeling of envy towards colonel Johnson, who +had done the deed. It is due to the cause of truth, not less than to +the reputation of the American commander, that this charge should be +impartially examined. It is true, that the official account of the +battle of the Thames does not mention the death of Tecumseh, and the +propriety of this omission will be sufficiently obvious from the +following narrative. + +General Harrison and Anthony Shane, so far as it is known, were the +only persons in the American army who were personally acquainted with +Tecumseh. It is possible that some of the friendly Indians, commanded +by Shane, may have known him; but it does not appear that any of them +undertook to identify the body after the battle was over. Shane was +under the impression, on the evening of the action, that he had found +the body of Tecumseh among the slain; but, as Mr. Wall testifies, +expressed himself with caution. General Harrison himself was not, on +the following day, enabled to identify with certainty the body of this +chief, as appears from the testimony of a member of the general's +military family, which we here quote, as having a direct bearing on the +question under consideration: + +"I am authorised," says colonel Charles S. Todd,[A] "by several +officers of general Harrison's staff, who were in the battle of the +Thames, to state most unequivocally their belief, that the general +neither knew nor could have known the fact of the death of Tecumseh, at +the date of his letter to the war department. It was the uncertainty +which prevailed, as to the fact of Tecumseh's being killed, that +prevented any notice of it in his report. On the next day after the +battle, general Harrison, in company with commodore Perry and other +officers, examined the body of an Indian supposed to be Tecumseh; but +from its swollen and mutilated condition, he was unable to decide +whether it was that chief or a Potawatamie who usually visited him at +Vincennes, in company with Tecumseh; and I repeat most unhesitatingly, +that neither commodore Perry nor any officer in the American army, +excepting general Harrison, had ever seen Tecumseh previously to the +battle; and even though he had recognized the body which he examined to +be that of the celebrated chief, it was manifestly impossible that he +could have known whether he was killed by Johnson's corps, or by that +part of the infantry which participated in the action. No official or +other satisfactory report of his death, was made to him by those +engaged on that part of the battle ground where he fell. It was not +until after the return of the army to Detroit, and after the date of +general Harrison's despatches,[B] that it was ascertained from the +enemy, that Tecumseh was _certainly_ killed; and even then the opinion +of the army was divided as to the person by whose hands he fell. Some +claimed the credit of it for colonel Whitley, some for colonel Johnson; +but others, constituting a majority, including governor Shelby, +entertained the opinion that he fell by a shot from David King, a +private in captain Davidson's company, from Lincoln county, Kentucky. +In this state of the case, even had the fact of Tecumseh's death been +fully ascertained, at the date of general Harrison's letter, it would +have been manifestly unjust, not to say impracticable, for the +commander-in-chief to have expressed an opinion as to the particular +individual to whose personal prowess his death was to be +attributed."[C] + +[Footnote A: One of the aids of general Harrison, and inspector-general +of the United States army, during the late war.] + +[Footnote B: Early on the 7th, general Harrison left the army under the +command of governor Shelby, and returned to Detroit. His report of the +battle, was dated on the 9th. The army did not reach Sandwich, opposite +Detroit, until the 10th.] + +[Footnote C: See Louisville Journal.] + +In taking leave of this branch of our subject, it may be remarked, that +the strong terms of approbation in which general Harrison, in his +official account of the battle of the Thames, speaks of the bravery and +bearing of colonel Johnson in the conflict, should have shielded him +from the suspicion that any unkind feeling towards that officer was +allowed to sway his judgment in the preparation of his report. + +We now proceed to give some testimony in favor of other individuals, +whose friends have claimed for them the credit of having slain +Tecumseh. It has been already stated, that before our army left the +field of battle, it was reported and believed by many of the troops, +that colonel Whitley, of Johnson's corps of mounted men, had killed the +Indian commander in the action of the Thames. The only testimony, in +confirmation of this report, which has fallen under our observation, is +contained in the two following communications. The first is a letter +from Mr. Abraham Scribner, now of Greenville, Ohio, under date of +September 8th, 1840. The writer says--"I had never seen Tecumseh, until +the body was shown to me on the battle ground on the river Thames: by +whose hand he fell must always be a matter of uncertainty. My own +opinion was, the day after the battle, and is yet, that Tecumseh fell +by a ball from the rifle of colonel Whitley, an old Indian fighter: two +balls passed through colonel Whitley's head, at the moment that +Tecumseh fell; he (colonel Whitley,) was seen to take aim at the Indian +said to be Tecumseh, and his rifle was found empty." + +The second is from colonel Ambrose Dudley, of Cincinnati, under date of +24th February, 1841, and is in the following words: + +"The morning after the battle of the Thames, in company with several +other persons, I walked over the ground, to see the bodies of those who +had been slain in the engagement. After passing from the river a +considerable distance, and the latter part of the way along what was +termed a swamp, viewing the slain of the British army, we came to a +place where some half a dozen persons were standing, and three dead +Indians were lying close together. One of the spectators remarked, that +he had witnessed that part of the engagement which led to the death of +these three Indians and two of our troops, whose bodies had been +removed the evening before for burial. He proceeded to point out the +position of the slain as they lay upon the ground, with that of our +men. He said old colonel Whitley rode up to the body of a tree, which +lay before him, and behind which lay an Indian: he (the Indian,) +attempted to fire, but from some cause did not succeed, and then +Whitley instantly shot him. This Indian was recognized by one of the +persons present as Tecumseh: the next Indian was pointed out as having +killed Whitley; then the position of another of our troops who killed +that Indian, and the Indian who killed him, with the position of the +man who shot the third Indian--making three Indians and two Americans +who had fallen on a very small space of ground. From the manner of the +narrator, and the facts related at the time, I did not doubt the truth +of his statement, nor have I ever had any reason to doubt it since. The +Indian pointed out as Tecumseh, was wearing a bandage over a wound in +the arm, and as it was known that Tecumseh had been slightly wounded in +the arm the day before, while defending the passage of a creek, my +conviction was strengthened by this circumstance, that the body before +us was that of Tecumseh." + +The reader will decide for himself how far this testimony sustains the +plea that has been raised for colonel Whitley. It is certainly clear +and to the point, and presents a plausible case in support of his +claim. + +Mr. David King is the other individual to whom reference has been made +as entitled to the credit of having killed the great Shawanoe chief. He +was a private in captain James Davidson's company of mounted men, +belonging to Johnson's corps. The statement given below in support of +King's claim, was written by the editor of the Frankfort (Ky.) +Commentator, and published in that journal in 1831. It is given on the +authority of captain Davidson and his brother, two highly respectable +citizens of Kentucky, both of whom belonged to colonel Johnson's +mounted regiment, and were in the battle of the Thames. We have omitted +the first part of this statement as irrelevant to the point in issue. + +"While these things were acting in this part of the field, and towards +the close of the action, which did not last long--for though much was +done, it was done quickly--when the enemy was somewhat thinned and +considerably scattered, and our men were scattered amongst them, Clark, +one of the men mentioned above, suddenly called out to his comrade, +David King, to 'take care of the Indian that was near to him.' The +warrior turned upon Clark; at the same instant, King fired at him with +Whitley's gun, and lodged the two balls which he knew it was loaded +with, in the chieftain's breast--for when Whitley fell, King threw away +his own gun, and took the better one and the powder horn of the old +Indian fighter. The Indian droped upon King's fire:--'Whoop--by G----' +exclaimed King, 'he was every inch a soldier. I have killed one d----d +yellow bugger,' and passed on. Giles saw this occurrence as well as +Clark, and so did Von Treece--they were all together. From the +commencement of the fight, the voice of an Indian commander had been +distinctly heard and observed by our soldiers. About this time it +ceased, and was heard no more: _Tecumseh was dead._ Presently a cry of +'_how! how!_' was raised among the Indians; upon which they turned and +fled, pursued by our soldiers. + +"Upon the return of the volunteers from the pursuit, King proposed to +Sam Davidson, his friend and relative, and to other comrades, to go +round with him by the spot where he had killed the Indian, because he +wanted to get his fine leggins. They had noticed a particular tree and +a log, near to which the Indian fell. They found the tree without +difficulty, but the body was not discovered quite so readily; but King +insisted that it must be somewhere thereabouts. Sam Davidson first +discovered it. It was lying behind a tree, face downward. '_Here he +is_,' said Davidson, 'but I see no wound upon him.' '_Roll him over_,' +said King, 'and if it is my Indian, you will find two bullet holes in +his left breast.' It was done; and there were the two bullet holes, an +inch apart, just below the left pap--the same, no doubt, where King's +balls had entered. The Indian, from his dress, was evidently a chief. +His fanciful leggins, (King's main object in hunting out the body,) his +party-colored worsted sash, his pistols, his two dirks, all his dress +and equipments, were the _undisputed_ spoils of King. He kept one of +the dirks, the sash, and moccasins for himself; the rest he distributed +as presents among his messmates. + +"Now, _it was this very Indian_, which was afterwards identified by +those who had known him, as TECUMSEH--_this and no other_." + +This testimony, coming as it does from a highly respectable quarter, +would seem to be conclusive in favor of the claim of King. It contains, +however, statements which, if true, greatly weaken its force; and, +indeed, in our opinion, dissipate at once the idea that the Indian +killed by King was Tecumseh. The narrative states that "the Indian, +from his dress, was evidently a chief. His fanciful leggins, his +party-colored worsted sash, his pistols, his two dirks, all his dress +and equipments, were the undisputed spoils of King." Now, if there be +any one fact connected with the fall of Tecumseh which is fully and +fairly established upon unimpeachable authority, it is, that he entered +the battle of the Thames, dressed in the ordinary deerskin garb of his +tribe. There was nothing in his clothes, arms or ornaments, indicating +him to have been a chief. On this point the testimony of Anthony Shane +is explicit; and his statement is confirmed by colonel Baubee of the +British army, who was familiarly acquainted with Tecumseh. This +officer, the morning after the action, stated to one of the aids of +general Harrison, that he saw Tecumseh just before the battle +commenced, and that he was clothed in his usual plain deer-skin dress, +and in that garb took his position in the Indian line, where he +heroically met his fate. The testimony in favor of Mr. King's claim, +while it proves very satisfactorily that he killed an Indian, is +equally conclusive, we think, in establishing the fact that that Indian +was not the renowned Tecumseh. + +With the statement of one other person, upon this vexed question, we +shall take our final leave of it. Major William Oliver, of Cincinnati, +in a communication to the author, under date of 23d December, 1840, +says:-- + +"In 1819, I lodged with Anthony Shane, at what was then called 'the +Second Crossing of the St. Mary's.' I had known Shane intimately for a +long time, indeed, from my first settlement at fort Wayne, in 1806. In +speaking of the battle of the Thames, and the fall of Tecumseh, he +said, the most authentic information he had obtained upon this point, +was from two brothers of his wife, who were in the battle, and near the +person of Tecumseh when he fell. They stated, in positive terms, that +Tecumseh was shot by a private of the Kentucky troops; and Shane seemed +so well satisfied with the truth of their statement, that he informed +me it was entitled to belief." + +To John Johnston, of Piqua, late Indian agent, and others, Shane, at +this early period, expressed the opinion that Tecumseh did not fall by +the hands of the commander of the mounted regiment. The reader of this +volume will recollect, that long subsequent to the period when these +opinions were expressed, and upon the eve of a political campaign, in +which colonel R.M. Johnson was a candidate for a high and honorable +office, Anthony Shane is represented by the reverend O.B. Brown, as +having stated to him his belief, that Tecumseh did meet his death by a +shot from the colonel. Shane, who, we believe, is now deceased, +sustained, through life, a character for integrity. Whether, in his +latter years, his memory had failed him, by which he was led to express +these contradictory opinions, or whether Mr. Brown misunderstood the +import of his language, when talking upon this matter, we shall not +undertake to decide. The reader who feels an interest in the point at +issue will settle the question for himself, whether, under the peculiar +circumstances of the case, the early or late declarations of Shane were +the genuine expression of his belief on this subject. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + + Mr. Jefferson's opinion of the Prophet--brief sketch of his + character--anecdotes of Tecumseh--a review of the great principles of + his plan of union among the tribes--general summary of his life and + character. + + +Mr. Jefferson, in a letter to John Adams,[A] says: "The Wabash Prophet +is more rogue than fool, if to be a rogue is not the greatest of all +follies. He rose to notice while I was in the administration, and +became, of course, a proper subject for me. The inquiry was made with +diligence. His declared object was the reformation of his red brethren, +and their return to their pristine manner of living. He pretended to be +in constant communication with the Great Spirit; that he was instructed +by Him to make known to the Indians that they were created by Him +distinct from the whites, of different natures, for different purposes, +and placed under different circumstances, adapted to their nature and +destinies; that they must return from all the ways of the whites to the +habits and opinions of their forefathers; they must not eat the flesh +of hogs, of bullocks, of sheep, &c., the deer and buffalo having been +created for their food; they must not make bread of wheat, but of +Indian corn; they must not wear linen nor woollen, but dress like their +fathers, in the skins and furs of animals; they must not drink ardent +spirits; and I do not remember whether he extended his inhibitions to +the gun and gunpowder, in favor of the bow and arrow. I concluded, from +all this, that he was a visionary, enveloped in their antiquities, and +vainly endeavoring to lead back his brethren to the fancied beatitudes +of their golden age. I thought there was little danger of his making +many proselytes from the habits and comforts they had learned from the +whites, to the hardships and privations of savagism, and no great harm +if he did. We let him go on, therefore, unmolested. But his followers +increased until the British thought him worth corrupting, and found him +corruptible. I suppose his views were then changed; but his proceedings +in consequence of them, were after I left the administration, and are, +therefore, unknown to me; nor have I ever been informed what were the +particular acts on his part, which produced an actual commencement of +hostilities on ours. I have no doubt, however, that his subsequent +proceedings are but a chapter apart, like that of Henry and Lord +Liverpool, in the book of the Kings of England." + +[Footnote A: Jefferson's Correspondence, vol. 10. p. 171.] + +Mr. Jefferson's account of the Prophet's "budget of reform," is correct +as far as it goes: it embraced, however, many other matters, looking to +the amelioration of savage life. Whatever may have been his original +object, in the promulgation of his new code of ethics, there is enough, +we think, in the character and conduct of this individual to warrant +the opinion, that he was really desirous of doing good to his race; +and, that with many foibles, and some positive vices, he was not +destitute of benevolent and generous feelings. That in assuming the +character of a prophet, he had, in connection with his brother, +ulterior objects in view, is not to be doubted. It so happened, that +the adoption of his doctrines was calculated to promote harmony among +the tribes; and this was the very foundation of the grand confederacy, +to which he and Tecumseh were zealously devoting the energies of their +minds. + +After the premature and, to the Indians, disastrous battle of +Tippecanoe, the Prophet began to fall into obscurity. The result of +that action materially diminished the wide spread influence which he +had attained over his countrymen. The incantations, by means of which +he had played upon their imaginations, and swayed their conduct, lost +their potency. The inspired messenger of the Great Spirit, as he openly +proclaimed himself, had boldly promised his followers an easy victory +over their enemies. A battle was fought--the Indians were defeated--and +the gory form of many a gallant, but credulous "brave," attested that +the renowned Prophet had lost, amid the carnage of that nocturnal +conflict, his office and his power. + +At the time when this battle was fought, Tecumseh was on a mission to +the southern Indians, with the view of extending his warlike +confederacy. He had left instructions with the Prophet, to avoid any +hostile collision with the whites; and from the deference which the +latter usually paid to the wishes of the former, it is not probable +that the battle would have occurred, had not extraneous influence been +brought to bear upon the leader. The reason assigned by the Prophet to +his brother, for this attack upon the army under general Harrison, is +not known; but some of the Indians who were in this engagement, +subsequently stated that the Winnebagoes forced on the battle contrary +to the wishes of the Prophet. This is not improbable; yet, admitting it +to be true, if he had taken a bold and decided stand against the +measure, it might, in all probability, have been prevented. The +influence of the Prophet, however, even at this time, was manifestly on +the wane, and some of his followers were beginning to leave his camp. +He doubtless felt that it was necessary to do something to sustain +himself: a signal victory over the whites would accomplish this end; +and hence he consented the more readily, to the wishes of the +Winnebagoes, that an attack should be made, in the hope that it would +prove successful. + +Within a few months after this battle, war was declared against England +by the United States. Tecumseh and the Prophet, discouraged in regard +to their union of the tribes, decided on joining the British standard. +The love of fighting, however, was not a remarkable trait of the +Prophet's character. He won no military laurels during the continuance +of that war; and although in the vicinity of the Moravian town on the +5th of October, 1813, he did not choose to participate in the action at +the Thames. After the return of peace, he resided in the neighborhood +of Malden for some time, and finally returned to Ohio: from whence, +with a band of Shawanoes, he removed west of the Mississippi, where he +resided until the period of his death, which occurred in the year 1834. +It is stated, in a foreign periodical,[A] that the British government +allowed him a pension from the year 1813, to the close of his life. + +[Footnote A: The United Service Journal--London.] + +In forming an estimate of the Prophet's character, it seems unjust to +hold him responsible for all the numerous aggressions which were +committed by his followers upon the property and persons of the whites. +His first proselytes were from the most worthless and vicious portion +of the tribes from which they were drawn. "The young men especially, +who gathered about him, like the young men who brought on the war of +King Philip, were wrought up until the master spirit himself, lost his +control over them; and to make the matter worse, most of them were of +such a character in the first instance, that horse stealing and house +breaking were as easy to them as breathing. Like the refugees of +Romulus, they were outcasts, vagabonds and criminals; in a great degree +brought together by the novelty of the preacher's reputation, by +curiosity to hear his doctrines, by the fascination of extreme +credulity, by restlessness, by resentment against the whites, and by +poverty and unpopularity at home."[A] To preserve an influence over +such a body of men, to use them successfully as propagandists of his +new doctrines, and, at the same time, prevent their aggressions upon +the whites, who were oftentimes themselves the aggressors, required no +small degree of talent; and called into activity the utmost powers of +the Prophet's mind. In addition to these adverse circumstances, he had +to encounter the opposition of all the influential chiefs in the +surrounding tribes; and a still more formidable adversary in the +poverty and extreme want of provisions, which, on several occasions, +threatened the total disruption of his party, and undoubtedly led to +many of the thefts and murders on the frontiers, of which loud and +frequent complaints were made by the agents of the United States. In a +word, difficulties of various kinds were constantly recurring, which +required the most ceaseless vigilance and the shrewdest sagacity on the +part of the two brothers to obviate or overcome. The Prophet had a +clear head, if not an honest heart; courteous and insinuating in his +address, with a quick wit and a fluent tongue, he seldom came out of +any conference without rising in the estimation of those who composed +it. He was no warrior, and from the fact of his never having engaged in +a battle, the presumption has been raised that he was wanting in +physical courage. With that of cowardice, the charge of cruelty has +been associated, from the cold-blooded and deliberate manner in which +he put to death several of those who were suspected of having exercised +an influence adverse to his plans, or calculated to lessen the value of +the inspired character which he had assumed. Finally, it may be said of +him, that he was a vain, loquacious and cunning man, of indolent habits +and doubtful principles. Plausible but deceitful, prone to deal in the +marvellous, quick of apprehension, affluent in pretexts, winning and +eloquent, if not powerful in debate, the Prophet was peculiarly fitted +to play the impostor, and to excite into strong action, the credulous +fanaticism of the stern race to which he belonged. Few men, in any age +of the world, have risen more rapidly into extended notoriety; wielded, +for the time being, a more extraordinary degree of moral influence, or +sunk more suddenly into obscurity, than the Prophet. + +[Footnote A: North American Review.] + +TECUMSEH was near six feet in stature, with a compact, muscular frame, +capable of great physical endurance. His head was of a moderate size, +with a forehead full and high; his nose slightly aquiline, teeth large +and regular, eyes black, penetrating and overhung with heavy arched +brows, which increased the uniformly grave and severe expression of his +countenance. He is represented by those who knew him, to have been a +remarkably fine looking man, always plain but neat in his dress, and of +a commanding personal presence. His portrait, it is believed, was never +painted, owing probably to his strong prejudices against the whites. + +In the private and social life of Tecumseh there were many things +worthy of notice. He was opposed, on principle, to polygamy, a practice +almost universal among his countrymen. He was married but once; and +this union, which took place at the age of twenty-eight, is said to +have been more in compliance with the wishes of others than in +obedience to the unbiassed impulse of his feelings or the dictates of +his judgment. Mamate, his wife, was older than himself, and possessed +few personal or mental qualities calculated to excite admiration. A +son, called Pugeshashenwa, (a panther in the act of seizing its prey,) +was the only fruit of this union. The mother died soon after his birth, +and he was left to the care of his aunt, Tecumapease.[A] This son is +now residing with the Shawanoes west of the Mississippi, but is not +distinguished for talents, or renowned as a warrior. The British +government, however, since the death of Tecumseh, has recognized its +obligations to the father by the extension of an annual stipend to the +son. + +[Footnote A: Recollections of John Johnston, and Anthony Shane.] + +From his boyhood, Tecumseh was remarkable for temperance and the +strictest integrity. He was hospitable, generous and humane; and these +traits were acknowledged in his character long before he rose to +distinction, or had conceived the project of that union of the tribes, +on which the energies of his manhood were fruitlessly expended. He was, +says an intelligent Shawanoe, who had known him from childhood, kind +and attentive to the aged and infirm, looking personally to their +comfort, repairing their frail wigwams when winter approached, giving +them skins for moccasins and clothing, and sharing with them the +choicest game which the woods and the seasons afforded. Nor were these +acts of kindness bestowed exclusively on those of rank or reputation. +On the contrary, he made it his business to search out the humblest +objects of charity, and in a quick, unostentatious manner, relieve +their wants. + +The moral and intellectual qualities of Tecumseh place him above the +age and the race in which his lot was cast. "From the earliest period +of his life," says Mr. Johnston, the late Indian agent at Piqua, +"Tecumseh was distinguished for virtue, for a strict adherence to +truth, honor, and integrity. He was sober[A] and abstemious, never +indulging in the use of liquor nor eating to excess." Another +respectable individual,[B] who resided for near twenty years as a +prisoner among the Shawanoes, and part of that time in the family of +Tecumseh, writes to us, "I know of no _peculiarity_ about him that +gained him popularity. His talents, rectitude of deportment, and +friendly disposition, commanded the respect and regard of all about +him. In short, I consider him a very great as well as a very good man, +who, had he enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, would have +done honor to any age or any nation." + +[Footnote A: Major James Galloway, of Xenia, states, that on one +occasion, while Tecumseh was quite young, he saw him intoxicated. This +is the only aberration of the kind, which we have heard charged upon +him.] + +[Footnote B: Mr. Stephen Ruddell.] + +Tecumseh had, however, no education, beyond that which the traditions +of his race, and his own power of observation and reflection, afforded +him. He rarely mingled with the whites, and very seldom attempted to +speak their language, of which his knowledge was extremely limited and +superficial. + +When Burns, the poet, was suddenly transferred from his plough in +Ayrshire to the polished circles of Edinburg, his ease of manner, and +nice observance of the rules of good-breeding, excited much surprise, +and became the theme of frequent conversation. The same thing has been +remarked of Tecumseh: whether seated at the tables of generals McArthur +and Worthington, as he was during the council at Chillicothe in 1807, +or brought in contact with British officers of the highest rank, his +manners were entirely free from vulgarity and coarseness: he was +uniformly self-possessed, and with the tact and ease of deportment +which marked the poet of the heart, and which are falsely supposed to +be the result of civilization and refinement only, he readily +accommodated himself to the novelties of his new position, and seemed +more amused than annoyed by them. + +The humanity of his character has been already portrayed in the pages +of this work. His early efforts to abolish the practice of burning +prisoners--then common among the Indians--and the merciful protection +which he otherwise invariably showed to captives, whether taken by +himself or his companions, need no commendation at our hands. Rising +above the prejudices and customs of his people, even when those +prejudices and customs were tacitly sanctioned by the officers and +agents of Great Britain, Tecumseh was never known to offer violence to +prisoners, nor to permit it in others. So strong was his sense of +honor, and so sensitive his feelings of humanity, on this point, that +even frontier women and children, throughout the wide space in which +his character was known, felt secure from the tomahawk of the hostile +Indians, if Tecumseh was in the camp. A striking instance of this +confidence is presented in the following anecdote. The British and +Indians were encamped near the river Raisin; and while holding a talk +within eighty or one hundred yards of Mrs. Ruland's house, some Sauks +and Winnebagoes entered her dwelling, and began to plunder it. She +immediately sent her little daughter, eight or nine years old, +requesting Tecumseh to come to her assistance. The child ran to the +council house, and pulling Tecumseh (who was then speaking) by the +skirt of his hunting-shirt, said to him, "Come to our house--there are +bad Indians there." Without waiting to close his speech, the chief +started for the house in a fast walk. On entering, he was met by two or +three Indians dragging a trunk towards the door: he seized his tomahawk +and levelled one of them at a blow: they prepared for resistance, but +no sooner did they hear the cry, "dogs! I am Tecumseh!" than under the +flash of his indignant eye, they fled from the house: and "you," said +Tecumseh, turning to some British officers, "are _worse_ than dogs, to +break your faith with prisoners." The officers expressed their regrets +to Mrs. Ruland, and offered to place a guard around the house: this she +declined, observing, that so long as that man, pointing to Tecumseh, +was near them, she felt safe.[A] + +[Footnote A: On the authority of colonel John Ruland.] + +Tecumseh entertained a high and proper sense of personal character--was +equally bold in defending his own conduct, and condemning that which +was reprehensible in others. In 1811, he abandoned his intention of +visiting the President, because he was not permitted to march to +Washington at the head of a party of his warriors. As an officer in the +British army, he never lost sight of the dignity of his rank, nor +suffered any act of injustice towards those under his command to pass +without resenting it. On one occasion, while the combined British and +Indian forces were quartered at Malden, there was a scarcity of +provisions, the commissary's department being supplied with salt beef +only, which was issued to the British soldiers, while horse flesh was +given to the Indians. Upon learning this fact, Tecumseh promptly called +on general Proctor, remonstrated against the injustice of the measure, +and complained, indignantly, of the insult thus offered to himself and +his men. The British general appeared indifferent to what was said; +whereupon, the chief struck the hilt of Proctor's sword with his hand, +then touched the handle of his own tomahawk, and sternly remarked, "You +are Proctor--I am Tecumseh;" intimating, that if justice was not done +to the Indians, the affair must be settled by a personal rencontre +between the two commanders. General Proctor prudently yielded the +point.[A] + +[Footnote A: On the authority of the Rev. Wm. H. Raper.] + +But few of the numerous speeches made by Tecumseh have been preserved. +Tradition speaks in exalted terms of several efforts of this kind, of +which no record was made. All bore evidence of the high order of his +intellectual powers. They were uniformly forcible, sententious and +argumentative; always dignified, frequently impassioned and powerful. +He indulged neither in sophism nor circumlocution, but with bold and +manly frankness, gave utterance to his honest opinions. Mr. Ruddell, +who knew him long and intimately, says, that "he was naturally +eloquent, very fluent, graceful in his gestures, but not in the habit +of using many; that there was neither vehemence nor violence in his +style of delivery, but that his eloquence always made a strong +impression on his hearers." Dr. Hunt, of Clark county, Ohio, has +remarked, that the first time he heard Henry Clay make a speech, his +manner reminded him, very forcibly, of that of Tecumseh, in the council +at Springfield, in the year 1807, on which occasion he made one of his +happiest efforts. + +Our present minister to France, Mr. Cass, has said, with his usual +discrimination, that "the character of Tecumseh, in whatever light it +may be viewed, must be regarded as remarkable in the highest degree. +That he proved himself worthy of his rank as a general officer in the +army of his Britannic majesty, or even of his reputation as a great +warrior among all the Indians of the north-west, is, indeed, a small +title to distinction. Bravery is a savage virtue, and the Shawanoes are +a brave people: too many of the American nation have ascertained this +fact by experience. His oratory speaks more for his genius. It was the +utterance of a great mind roused by the strongest motives of which +human nature is susceptible; and developing a power and a labor of +reason, which commanded the admiration of the civilized, as justly as +the confidence and pride of the savage." There was one subject, far +better calculated than all others, to call forth his intellectual +energies, and exhibit the peculiar fascination of his oratory. "When he +spoke to his brethren on the glorious theme that animated all his +actions, his fine countenance lighted up, his firm and erect frame +swelled with deep emotion, which his own stern dignity could scarcely +repress; every feature and gesture had its meaning, and language flowed +tumultuously and swiftly, from the fountains of his soul." + +Another writer, Judge Hall, long resident in the west, and devoted to +the study of aboriginal history, has thus summed up the character of +this chief: + +"At this period the celebrated Tecumseh appeared upon the scene. He was +called the Napoleon of the west; and so far as that title was deserved +by splendid genius, unwavering courage, untiring perseverance, boldness +of conception and promptitude of action, it was fairly bestowed upon +this accomplished savage. He rose from obscurity to the command of a +tribe to which he was alien by birth. He was, by turns, the orator, the +warrior and the politician; and in each of these capacities, towered +above all with whom he came in contact. As is often the case with great +minds, one master passion filled his heart, prompted all his designs, +and gave to his life its character. This was hatred to the whites, and, +like Hannibal, he had sworn that it should be perpetual. He entertained +the same vast project of uniting the scattered tribes of the west into +one grand confederacy, which had been acted on by King Philip and +Little Turtle. He wished to extinguish all distinctions of tribe and +language, to bury all feuds, and to combine the power and the +prejudices of all, in defence of the rights and possessions of the +whole, as the aboriginal occupants of the country." + +It may be truly said, that what Hannibal was to the Romans, Tecumseh +became to the people of the United States. From his boyhood to the hour +when he fell, nobly battling for the rights of his people, he fostered +an invincible hatred to the whites. On one occasion, he was heard to +declare, that he could not look upon the face of a white man, without +feeling the flesh crawl upon his bones. This hatred was not confined, +however, to the Americans. Circumstances made him the ally of the +British, and induced him to fight under their standard, but he neither +loved nor respected them. He well understood their policy; they could +not deceive his sagacious mind; he knew that their professions of +regard for the Indians were hollow, and that when instigating him and +his people to hostilities against the United States, the agents of +Britain had far less anxiety about the rights of the Indians, than the +injuries which, through their instrumentality, might be inflicted upon +the rising republic. This feeling towards the whites, and especially to +the people of the United States, had a deeper foundation than mere +prejudice or self-interest. Tecumseh was a patriot, and his love of +country made him a statesman and a warrior. He saw his race driven from +their native land, and scattered like withered leaves in an autumnal +blast; he beheld their morals debased, their independence destroyed, +their means of subsistence cut off, new and strange customs introduced, +diseases multiplied, ruin and desolation around and among them; he +looked for the cause of these evils and believed he had found it in the +flood of white immigration which, having surmounted the towering +Alleghenies, was spreading itself over the hunting grounds of Kentucky, +and along the banks of the Scioto, the Miami and the Wabash, whose +waters, from time immemorial, had reflected the smoke of the rude but +populous villages of his ancestors. As a statesman, he studied the +subject, and, having satisfied himself that justice was on the side of +his countrymen, he tasked the powers of his expansive mind, to find a +remedy for the mighty evil which threatened their total extermination. + +The original, natural right of the Indians to the occupancy and +possession of their lands, has been recognized by the laws of congress, +and solemnly sanctioned by the highest judicial tribunal of the United +States. On this principle, there is no disagreement between our +government and the Indian nations by whom this country was originally +inhabited.[A] + +[Footnote A: 6 Wheaton's Reports, 515.] + +In the acquisition of these lands, however, our government has held +that its title was perfect when it had purchased of the tribe in actual +possession. It seems, indeed, to have gone farther and admitted, that a +tribe might acquire lands by conquest which it did not occupy, as in +the case of the Iroquois, and sell the same to us; and, that the title +thus acquired, would be valid. Thus we have recognized the principles +of international law as operative between the Indians and us on this +particular point, while on some others, as in not _allowing_ them to +sell to individuals, and giving them tracts used as hunting grounds by +other tribes beyond the Mississippi, we have treated them as savage +hordes, not sufficiently advanced in civilization to be admitted into +the family of nations. Our claim to forbid their selling to +individuals, and our guarantying to tribes who would not sell to us in +our corporate capacity, portions of country occupied as hunting +grounds, by more distant tribes, can only be based on the right of +discovery, taken in connection with a right conferred by our superior +civilization; and seems never in fact to have been fully acknowledged +by them. It was not, at least, admitted by Tecumseh. His doctrine seems +to have been that we acquired no rights over the Indians or their +country either by discovery or superior civilization; and that the +possession and jurisdiction can only be obtained by conquest or +negociation. In regard to the latter, he held that purchase from a +single tribe, although at the time sojourners on the lands sold, was +not valid as it respected other tribes. That no particular portion of +the country belonged to the tribe then within its limits--though in +reference to other tribes, its title was perfect; that is, possession +excluded other tribes, and would exclude them forever; but did not +confer on the tribe having it, the right to sell the soil to us; for +that was the common property of all the tribes who were near enough to +occupy or hunt upon it, in the event of its being at any time vacated, +and could only be vacated by _the consent of the whole_. As a +conclusion from these premises, he insisted that certain sales made in +the west were invalid, and protested against new ones on any other than +his own principles. + +It must be acknowledged that these views have much plausibility, not to +grant to them any higher merit. If the Indians had been in a nomadic +instead of a hunter state, and in summer had driven their flocks to the +Allegheny mountains--in winter to the banks of the Wabash and Tennessee +rivers, it could scarcely be denied that each tribe would have had an +interest in the whole region between, and as much right as any other +tribe to be heard on a question of sale. The Indians were not +shepherds, wandering _with_ their flocks of sheep and cattle in quest +of new pastures, but hunters, roaming after deer and bison, and +changing their location, as the pursuit from year to year, or from age +to age, might require. We do not perceive a difference in principle in +the two cases; and while we admit the difficulty of acquiring their +territory on the plan of Tecumseh, we feel bound also to admit, that as +far as its preservation to themselves was concerned, his was the only +effective method. + +In its support he displayed in council the sound and logical eloquence +for which he was distinguished--in war the prowess which raised him +into the highest rank of Indian heroes. + +At what period of his life he first resolved upon making an effort to +stop the progress of the whites west of the mountains, is not certainly +known. It was probably several years anterior to the open avowal of his +plan of union, which occurred in 1805 or '6. The work before him was +herculean in character, and beset with difficulties on every side; but +these only quickened into more tireless activity his genius and his +patriotic resolution. To unite the tribes as he proposed, prejudices +must be overcome, their original manners and customs re-established, +the use of ardent spirits utterly abandoned, and finally, all +intercourse with the whites cut off. Here was a field for the display +of the highest moral and intellectual powers. He had already gained the +reputation of a brave and sagacious warrior, a cool headed, upright and +wise counsellor. He was neither a war nor a peace chief, and yet he +wielded the power and influence of both. The time had now arrived for +action. To win savage attention, some bold and striking movement was +necessary. He imparted his plan to his brother, a smart, cunning and +pliable fellow, who adroitly and quickly prepared himself for the part +he was appointed to play, in this great drama of savage life. Tecumseh +well understood, that excessive superstition is every where a prominent +trait in the Indian character, and readily availed himself of it. +Suddenly, his brother begins to dream dreams, and see visions, he is an +inspired Prophet, favored with a divine commission from the Great +Spirit; the power of life and death is placed in his hands; he is the +appointed agent for preserving the property and lands of the Indians, +and for restoring them to their original, happy condition. He commences +his sacred work; the public mind is aroused; unbelief gradually gives +way; credulity and wild fanaticism begin to spread in circles, widening +and deepening until the fame of the Prophet, and the divine character +of his mission, have reached the frozen shores of the lakes, and +overrun the broad plains which stretch far beyond the Mississippi. +Pilgrims from remote tribes, seek, with fear and trembling, the +head-quarters of the mighty Prophet. Proselytes are multiplied, and his +followers increase in number. Even Tecumseh becomes a believer, and, +seizing upon the golden opportunity, he mingles with the pilgrims, wins +them by his address, and, on their return, sends a knowledge of his +plan of concert and union to the most distant tribes. And now commenced +those bodily and mental labors of Tecumseh, which were never +intermitted for the space of five years. During the whole of this +period, we have seen that his life was one of ceaseless activity. He +traveled, he argued, he commanded: to-day, his persuasive voice was +listened to by the Wyandots, on the plains of Sandusky--to-morrow, his +commands were issued on the banks of the Wabash--anon, he was paddling +his bark canoe across the Mississippi; now, boldly confronting the +governor of Indiana territory in the council-house at Viacennes, and +now carrying his banner of union among the Creeks and Cherokees of the +south. He was neither intoxicated by success, nor discouraged by +failure; and, but for the desperate conflict at Tippecanoe, would have +established the most formidable and extended combination of Indians, +that has ever been witnessed on this continent That he could have been +successful in arresting the progress of the whites, or in making the +Ohio river the boundary between them and the Indians of the north-west, +even if that battle had not been fought, is not to be supposed. The +ultimate failure of his plan was inevitable from the circumstances of +the case. The wonder is not that he did not succeed, but that he was +enabled to accomplish so much. His genius should neither be tested by +the magnitude of his scheme, nor the failure in its execution, but by +the extraordinary success that crowned his patriotic labors. These +labors were suddenly terminated in the hour when the prospect of +perfecting the grand confederacy was brightest. By the battle of +Tippecanoe--fought in violation of his positive commands and during his +absence to the south,--the great object of his ambition was frustrated, +the golden bowl was broken at the fountain; that ardent enthusiasm +which for years had sustained him, in the hour of peril and privation, +was extinguished. His efforts were paralyzed, but not his hostility to +the United States. He joined the standard of their enemy, and fought +beneath it with his wonted skill and heroism. At length the contest on +the Thames was at hand. Indignant at the want of courage or military +skill, which prompted the commander of the British forces to shrink +from meeting the American army on the shore of lake Erie, he sternly +refused to retreat beyond the Moravian towns. There, at the head of his +warriors, he took his stand, resolved, as he solemnly declared, to be +victorious, or leave his body upon the field of battle, a prey to the +wolf and the vulture. The result has been told. The Thames is +consecrated forever, by the bones of the illustrious Shawanoe +statesman, warrior and patriot, which repose upon its bank. + +In whatever aspect the genius and character of Tecumseh may be viewed, +they present the evidence of his having been a remarkable man; and, to +repeat the language of a distinguished statesman and general, who knew +him long and intimately, who has often met him in the council and on +the field of battle, we may venture to pronounce him, one of those +uncommon geniuses which spring up occasionally to produce revolutions, +and overturn the established order of things; and, who, but for the +power of the United States, would, perhaps, have been the founder of an +empire which would have rivalled that of Mexico or Peru. + + + + +THE END. + + + + +E. MORGAN & CO. + +BOOKSELLERS & STATIONERS. + +Publishers, Printers and Binders, + +No. 131 Main Street, + +Cincinnati. + + * * * * * + +They have in their Printing establishment a careful and experienced +Superintendent, and five POWER PRESSES in good order, propelled by +water, each of which can throw off daily, five thousand impressions; +and have also superior facilities for drying and pressing sheets as +fast as printed. + +The style of Printing done on their Power Presses can be seen by +examining Judge M'Lean's Reports, Howard's Reports, Cincinnati in 1841, +and the Life of Tecumseh;--the Eclectic Series of School Books, and +Music books, published by Truman & Smith;--the Family Magazine, a large +8vo. with many plates, and the Political Text-book, a small 32mo., +published by J.A. 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