Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 January 1912 — CENTENNIAL OF THE BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CENTENNIAL OF THE BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE

THE celebration in Indiana and other western states of tbs centennial of General Harrison’s victory at Tippecanoe calls to mind one of the most decisive defeats ever inflicted on the Indians, and a battle greatly important in its bearing on subsequent attitude of the flerefr war-Hke trlbeW of the northwest. It quelled the haughty spirit of these discontented hostiles, and defeated the ambitious plan, which they had almost matured, of attacking and destroying the border settlements in detail. If the Indians had been victorious, the American army would have been annihilated, and the whole extent of the defenseless frontier would have been at the mercy of sanguinary and unsparing savages, drunk with blood and maddened with the conjurations and prophecies of their medicine men. It was unquestionably one the most spirited and best fought actions recorded in the annals of Indian warfare. The numbers and weapons on either side were nearly equal; and the Indians, contrary to their usual custom, fought hand to band, and with the most desperate ferocity, displaying a boldness and reckless daring during the engagement that can only be accounted for by their reliance on the specious promises held out to them by their principal commander and <medicine man. This worthy, known to history as the Prophet and generally regarded by his followers as possessing the gift of prescience in an eminent degree, bad promised his warriors that “the Great Spirit would turn the powder of the whites into ashes, and charm their bullets, so that they they Bhould drop harmless.” He was wise enough to take no active part In the battle, notwithstanding bis prophecies of victory, and during the whole of the contest remained secure on a neighboring eminence, chanting a war, song. 2 ~~The Celebrated Tecumseh. Tecumseh, his brother, was cast in a different mold. He was a bold and skillful warrior, sagacious In council and formidable in battle. An active, daring, energetic man, but one " who preferred tact and secret management to open violence. Deeply Imbued with a hatred of the whites, against whoin he bad sworn an unrelenting enmity, full of enthusiasm and highly gifted with eloquence, he appealed with great success to the passions of the Indians, In his endeavors to rouse them to a hostile feeling against the settlers and the army. There had been no war with the Indians since their disheartening defeat by “Mad Anthony” Wayne at the Maumee Rapids in 1795. In 1806, however, Tecumseh, who had been one of the most active braves in the Maumee war, and his brother began a series of artful and daring intrigues among the Indians along the 'whole western border. His brother, the Prophet, had succeeded In obtaining so strong a bold upon the credulity of the deluded Indians that his Influence over the warriors of several powerful tribes was practically unbounded. 4 During the five years from 1806 to 1811 the situation on the northwest frontier was undoubtedly grave. The threatened Indian coalition was warmly backed by the British hi Canada, both with arms and men, openly and in secret It was fortunate for the future of the country that the most capable man for dealing with such a serious state of things was on tbe spot—William Henry Harrison, then governor of Indiana territory, that is, of the whole northwest Major General Francis Greene says of him that “we probably never had in the service a better Indian fighter or one who more thoroughly understood the Indian ‘ Harrison’s Ability. Throughout the five year’s Indian war Harrison revealed a military capacity which showed that his desire to enter the arpy was born of latent ability. With the exception of a year’s service in congress as delegate from the northwest, Harrison nad lived on the frontier for the 20 years preceding the battle of Tippecanoe. He was appointed secretary of the territory in 1797, and governor four years later. In congress be. hao procured the passing of a law relating to the sale of federal land In small parcels, to which the ' western states ascribe a large ahare of tbeir prosperity. He was sow' to plenty of scope Tor his talents and experience as soldier and statesman, in the land troubles with the Indians. The sale of lands to the United Btatos under the treaty of Greenville, in 1795, bud been disavowed by Teenmseb. and the subsequent treaties of sale effected by Har-

rison with the different tribes only served to further irritate that proud and haughty chief. - In 1809 Harrison, by the treaty of Fort Wayne, purchased from the Indian tribes two large portions of land, for which they were paid by certain annuities which they considered equivalent. Tecumseh was absent at the time on a visit to the distant tribes but, on his return some months later, he stormed and raged and threatened some of the chiefs with death for participating in the council. Harrison invited him to a council which he attended with 400 fully armed warriors. ' Tlie Fort Wayne treaty was fully explained to this haughty savage, particular stress being laid on the voluntary agreement of the chiefs who owned the lands, and their satisfaction with the compensation granted. Tecumseh violently declared that the governor lied, and his warriors Jumped up, brandishing tholr tomahawks and war clubs, and threatening Harrison with fierce menaces. His coolness and presence of mind averted an outbreak which would have resulted in the massacre of the small force at his disposal. The next day Tecumseh took his departure, saying to Harrison with ominous significance that “your great father may sit over the mountains and drink his wine, but if he continues this policy/you and I will have to fight it out” In the following year, 1811, the Indians proceeded to more open violence and assumed an attitude of mors decided hostility. Aggressions of the most atrocious nature were audaciously committed by the Indians within the limits of the territory and every day brought fresh accounts of the perpetration of those ruthless deeds of depredation and murder which always glve_.the first intimation of the approach of a savage war. The people- on the frontier became exceedingly alarmed and Harrison was Instructed to march with an armed force to the Prophet’s town, but to avoid hostilities not absolutely necessary. Eluding all ambuscades Harrison reached the vicinity of Tippecanoe, where he was met by a deputation of the Prophet’s counsellors demanding a parley. A suspension of hostilities was agreed upon and a meeting was to take place the next day between the governor and the chiefs to agree upon the terms of peace. But Harrison knew too well the treachery of his artful antagonist and encamped in a carefully selected position, taking every precaution against a night surprise. The night was dark and cloudy and soon after midnight there commenced a light fall of drizzling rain. The governor and his officers were sitting in conversation about the fire when the attack began. One the sentries discovered an Indian creeping toward him through the grass and fired. This was immediately followed by the piercing Indian war-whoop and a furious charge, so sudden and fierce that the guard In that quarter gave way, at first, to their savage assailants; but notwithstanding the severe fire they soon rallied and mainstained their ground with desperate valor. Harrison had formed his men into a hollow square, which was now determinedly attacked at every point When day broke about two" hours later the troops took the offensive, making a simultaneous charge upon the enemy on both flanks. So vigorous and determined was this attack that the enemy broke In all directions and fled from the field. Tecumseh’s Gallant End. . Tecumseh was not present at the battle of Tippecanoe, being on a visit to the southern tribes, whom he was endeavoring to unite in his combination against the Untied States. In his absence, his affairs had sustained a sharp reverse and his ambitious plans were ruined.. He Joined the English and commanded tbeir fndlan allies in the War of 1812. holding the rank of brigadier general Jointly with General Proctor, he commanded at the battle of the Thames, laying aside his sword anil uniform and . putting on his hunting dress )n the conviction that he must'fall. His Indians were driven back, and he fought desperately till he was killed. In the War of 1812 Harrison held the chief command in the northwest, with unusual discretionary powers. It was. however, Tippecanoe that gave Harrison his greatest reputation. Notwlthf tending hit distinguished services in the War of 1818, and afterwards as senator and as a foreign minister, the chief source of bis popularity was this battle with the Indians, and nearly 89 years after It the campaign song which carried him into the presidency was “Tippecanoe and Tyler too."