Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1840-02-01


This simple account of the motives
which Influenced Governor Harrison in
the performance of an act of magnani-
his biographer. 1t shows heart warm
with the finest feelings Of humanity, and
is in consonance with the whole tenor Of
his life, in which we find no act of iras-
chile precipitation, military violence, or
selfish revenge. The COMMANDMENTS
chief Of an army was not exalted SO
high in his own estimation, as TO forget
the feelings Of the man; and he could
pity the wretchedness Of poor negro,
though that negro was an assassin en-
ployed by savages to take his life.
1t appeared afterwards that another
plan for his assassination had been laid
by the prophet. Two Winnebago lndi-
ans had engaged to execute this detesta-
BILE plan. A council was to have been
held with the governor, attended with
all the usual forms. The prophet and his
chief men were to conced all disputed
points, and the suspicion of the Ameri-
cans lulled by submission. The two
bravocs, who had devoted themselves to
death. were to rush upon the governor
at an unguarded moment, and instantly
despatch him. At this signal, the war
rIors were to rush from an ambuscade,
and raising the terrific war-whoop, to at
tack our army during the confusion and
dismay occasioned by the loss of its COM
mander. Had this plan been persever-
ed in the governor would probably have
fallen, whatever might have been the
fate OF the army. But it was probably
too daring for the genius of the prophet,
who, when he came to take counsel of
his pillow, might have reflected that his
own person would be exposed in its exc
cution. On the night preceding the day
when this plan was to have been put in
action, he suddenly changed his mind,
and ordered the attack, telling his men
that the Great Spirit had appeared to him
and promised him success-and Ben, the
negro, was sent into camp TO murder the
governor before the attack, or at its COM
mencement.
The battle Of Tippecanoe was one of
the most decisive engagements that ever
was fought between the Indians and the
whites. The numbers on either side
were nearly equal; the place and time
of attack were chosen by the Indians,
who were the assailants; and who not on
ly sought to surprise our troops, but
fought with an audacity unprecedented
in the annals of savage warfare. Lay
ing aside the usual cunning and caution
of their peculiar system of tactics, which
teaches them to avoid exposure, and to
strike by stealth, they boldly rushed up
on the American troops, and fought hand
to hand with the most desperate ferocity
They were not only completely beaten,
but their loss was unusually great.
The high sense ntertaned by the gov
eminent Of the Importance Of this victo-
ry, is emphatically expressed in mes
sage from the President to Congress, da-
ted December f8, 1911. "While it is
deeply to be Iamentcd," says Mr.. Madi-
son, shat so many valuable lives have
been lost in the action which took place
tisfaction the dauntless spirit and forti-
tude VIGOROUSLY displayed by every de-
scription of troops engaged, as well as
the collected irmness which distinguish
ed their commander, on an occasion re-
curing the utmost exertion of valor and
discipline.
II was no mean achievement which
could extort from the justice of the mild
and upright Madison, compliment ex-
pressed in terms Of such decided appro-
baton.
The immediate results of this gallant |
victory were highly honorable to the |
commander in-chief, and beneficial to the |
country. The frontier became quiet |
the farmer resumed his labors, and the |
mother could press her infant to her bo-
som, without shuddering at the thought
of the moment when its blood might be |
shed in her presence. As the intelli-
gence spread rapidly from tribe TO tribe,
the terror of our arms pervaded the In
dian country, and the numerous warriors
of that wide region of wilderness assem-
bled hastily around their respective coun-
ci-fres, to deliberate on the measures
which policy might dictate in such
crisis. Some of the tribes had openly,
and other secretly, participated in the
hostile schemes of Tecumthe and the
prophet; while others had stood aloof,
awaiting the issue of the approaching
contest, and prepared to congratulate the
party that might be victorious Had
Harrison been beaten, the triumphat
bands of Tecumthe, reinforced by his
hitherto neutral, would have been pour
ed upon the settlements, the tomahawk
would have been bathed in blood, and the
whole frontier have been lighted up with
the dreadful glare the confagration.
The decisive blow which Harrison had
struck against the Indian power, at once
determined the doubts Of the wavering,
and quelIed the rising spirit of discon-
tent. As far as it was possible to impress
The minds Of these tickle barbarians, the
n do ~ ~