Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1838-12-20

lei them know where we were by pouring
in one or two vollcys as they were form
ing into line to oppo the British. They
, laItered little, but very soon we perce-
we'd large body Of horse (Col. JohnJon's
regiment of mounted Kentuckians) pre-
pairing 10 charge upon us in the swamp
They came bravely on, yet we never STIR
red until they were so close that we could
see the f1ints in their guns, when Tecum-
sch, springing TO his feet, gave the Shaw
nee war cry, and discharged his rifle.
This was the signal for us TO commence
the fight but it did not last long; the A.
mericans answered the shout, returning
our fire, and at the first discharge oflheir
guns | saw Tecumseh stagger forwards
over fallen tree near which he was
standing, letting his rifle drop at his feet.
As soon as the Indians discovered 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 Te-
cumseh He was found lying where he
had first fallen; a bullet had struck him
above the lip, and his skull had been bro
ken by the but end of the gun of some SOL
der, 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, however, was
large fine looking Potawattlmie, 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
hayed from his body.* Tecumseh him
self had no ornaments about his person,
save British medal. During the night
we buried our dead, and brought offthe bo-
DIV Of Tecumseh, although we were within
sight of the fires oil the American camp"
This is somewhat different from the ac-
count which is commonly given OF Fecum-
seh's death, yet | believe 1t to be true; for
after hearing Black Hawk relate it, |
heard it corroborated by one Of the Pota-
watume chiefs mentioned by him. as
ked him if he had ever fought against the
whites after the death of Tecumseh lie
said not-that he returned home 10 his
village on the Mississippi, at the mouth Of
Rock river, and there he remained until
driven away by the whites IN the year
1889. The wish to hold possession Of
this village was the cause of The war
which he waged against the whites during
that year. He told me that he never wish
ed to fight, that he was made to do so;
that the whites killed his warriors when
they went with white flag to beg par
lev, and that after this was done, he thought
they intended to kill him at all events, and
and therefore he would die like a warrior.
In speaking OF his defeat, he said it was
what he expected; that he did not mlndit,
but what hurt him more than any thing
else, was our government degrading him
in the eyes OF his own people, and setting
another chief (Keukuck) over him. This
degradation he appeared to feel very SEN
sibIy,-stIl he continued to possess all his
naive pride. One instance that came I'M
der my observation, | recollect well, in
which it was strongly displayed. He
happened to be in small town in loway
on the same day in which party of dra-
roons, under Capt. - arrived, and IN
oaying q visit to friend with whom he
always partook Of u meal, whenever he
STONED at the village, he met with the
can,nin, who had been invited TO dine
Rack Hawk remained, also expecting the
| usual invitation to stay and eat with them,
, INT when the dinner was ready, the host
: took him aside, and told him the captain,
/. or rather the white mans Chief was TO
f dine with him that day, and he must wait
f mill they had finished, The old chlel s
0 eve nlistencd with anger as he answered
him. raising the iorehnger of one hand to
n his breast 10 represent the olfcer-"l
q know the white man is chief, but :" ell
|. evatinp the finger of the other hand lar
above his head, "was chief and led my
l. warriors 10 the fight long before his mo-
/. thor knew him. Your meat--my dogs
;. should not cal il" Saying this, he gath
D cred the folds Of his blanket about MN,
g and stalked off, looking as proudly us II
G he still walked over ground that ne couiu
d call ''my olcn."
i Black Hawk possessed, to great &c,
l. gree, one fine trait which 1t is not uSuol
a for US to concede to the lndIan-KlnunesS
IS and affection for his wife. lie never hau
e hn, one. and with her he lived tor upwards
!? oc forty wears; they had several chi'orehi
e threo If whom still survive, two sons anu :
u = daughter. The eldest son is now one OF
y the most promising young braves OF VIC. i,
: nation, and bids fair TO be one OF us I,,GS.
y noble men. The daughter is slil qus.e ,
d young, and is considered to be be. .n ,sib@ mos
- beautiful maiden belonging to her 'rloe'
n lie has now departed on his long jour
~ have seen myself in Kentucky pieces piece no. o.
II this skin, tanned, and displayed as haylme
" t -" 10 Tecumseh | have never, no"otoi,'