Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-04-11


fire but one Of them discovered an Indian creeping
towards him in the grass and fired This was i'm
medately followed by the Indian yell, and deSper
ate charge upon the left flank. =
The whole number killed, with those who died soon
Of their wounds, was upwards of fifty the wounded
were about double that number Governor Harri-
son himself narrowly escaped, the hair on his head
being cut By ball.
The indians left % warriors dead on the field,
and buried several others in the town, Hhch with
those who must have died Of their wounds, would
make their loss at least great as That Of the
Americans. The troops under the command Of
governor Harrison, Of every description, nmoun-
ted on the day before the battle to something more
thrn 500. The ordinary force, that had been at the
Prophets town, through the preceding summer,
wa, about $50. Bat they were joined few days
before tie action, lY all the kickapDpS Of the
Prairie, and by many bands Of Po0Witnmie' from
The Illinois river, aud that the s.. JO>Cphs Of LaEe
Michigan. They estimated their number after tHe
b1'tle, 10 have been 900 but the traders who had
gnod opportunity Of showing. made them at least
$40. and some many 1000. However it i
certain, that n victory ever before Obtained
over the n0hern ludianS, where the numbers were
any thng like equal. The number uf killed too
was greater, tLan was ever before known.
4 greater degree Of confidence and
personal attachment has rarely been found in any
army towards s commander. than existed in this ;
nor has there been many battles in which the depca-
dence OF the army on its leader was more distinctly
felt. During the Whole action Tie governor was
constantly on the lines. ard always required TO the
point which wa, most hardly pressed The rem
tJrcemantS drawn OccHS Onaiiy from the points
most secure, were conducted by himself and formed
On the spot, where their services were most wanted
The officers and men who believed that their uiti
mate success depended on his safety, warmly re-
mon,trated aGains his 80 constantly exposing him.
self. Upon one occasion as he was approaching an
angle Of tie line against which tire Indians were
advancing with horrible yells, lieut., Emerson Of
the Dragons seized tie bride Of his horse, and
earnestly enreated that he would not 20 there but
the governor putting spurs TO his horse. pushed
10 the point Of attack, where the enemy were re-
ceived with tirmness and driven back. &
The battle uf Tippncanoe has been the
subject of much speculation. both as to its object,
and the manner Of its execution and final issue
Gov. Harrison was CenSured BY sOme for not maxi
ing an attack upon the Indians. on he evening Of
the 9th November, and for not fortifyng his camp
with breast work. i vas enormously suid by
that indugin~ false security, he had suffer
ed has camp be surprised. He was also blamed
by the friends Of Col. pavc,>, for directing him
with his dragons only. 10 diSiOdLe the Indians, who
were shctCrd near the line, and doing much cXccu-
ton in safety. Many other complaints If less magni-
tuae were also made by men, who we're wise after
! :he transaction was over. There were indeed more
able generals in he the United States, vino could
tell what Ought to have been done after the battle
vas fought, than the governor had soldiers in his
army to fight it. Col. Boyd who commanded the
| regulars, wishing to mono, lie all the honor "a
! himself and hi. regiment, concluded the governor
mad not sufficiently noticed him in hi, report ana
/ nc Therefore mace >cperatc communication to the
war department and also made many round assert
/ lions re,p".ng the conduct of the mi.itil-Whici
was promptly explained, and the charges in genera
disproyed by governor Harrison. Col, Ruyd how.
ever had his plrizTu., and Of them still per.
Sist in aitrbutng the salvation Of the to him
| though all troops, regulars as well as militia, with
the exception Uf only three four individuals
united in attributiGg the victory 10 the governor
| MUSt Of the officers pujckly united in uttc>iina
lis merits. Without intending 10 iinpclch Col
Boyd with any dereict0n Of duty, We can positive
y aver, that lie did not give 4 single order, nu
perform single act that contributed iu any perccpt
bic way to the issue OF the contest. All the arrange
men'S and orders before the action and during IT.
! continuance, came direct from governor Harrison
"Atter much alteration, by which the battle 0
Iippecanoe was fought over again and fully in
vesgatcd, in all the public circles Of the western
country, the public opin.on prePomdera;cd great
Iy ia favor Of the governor All the material
accusations OF his enemies were diSprovcd and
a"er all the testimony had becn heard the CON
mon opinion seemed 10 be, that the arny had been
conducted with prudence, and that the battle had
been fought d, well as il cnJId haze been by any
general, Considering tie time and manner OF the
attack II the governor had made he attack him.
self on the evening Of the 9th, after a chief had
Informed him, that the Indians were DESTROYS 81
an accoMMod .t.on, and hal sent messenger
three days before to meet him lJr that purpos,
his conduct would have hid the appearance OIL
asaucss and Cluelty. HIS cucmic, and the op
position IN general, wou,d have yiiGci him an.