Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1842-05-20
For The Carroll Free Press.
The BattEeult round of
TippecanOe.

There nre few scenes in the West
ern country so full Of interest to the
stranger as the Battle ground OF Tippe.
canoe. He who looks upon the pa ge
OF his country's history as the bright
heraIdry OF a young and vigorous Re-
public; and whose bosom sweIls at the
recital Of these glorious deeds of daring
bravery which distinguished our West
ern wars, cannot look unfeeIrgy on
this interesting spot. His mind wanders
back 10 those days OF privalon and
hardship which we've endured by the
Western Rangers, in their attempts to
Queli the naughty souls of the slVage
bodarers; and chords of memory and
feeling are touched, to which language
is incapable OF giving expression. An
hour and haI(s pleasant ride from
the agreeable little village of La Fay.
cite, Qndiana) on the Wabash river,
will place you on the spot; and you
will always find some one in the neigh
bnrhood, who will accompany you over
the ground, and point out to YOU the
position OF the troops, during The battle !;
the point OF first attack by the enemy
the rock upon whrch Dawes feIl and
expired; and the grave ot the 'slen.-
On the 2Olh OF May, 1888, visited The
battle ground n company with an ell
deTly gentleman and his son. from Lou.
isville, Kentucky. 1t was clear, calm
day; AID, after pleasant ride from
La Fayelte, we hated upon the me mo-
rabe spot. Many of those who eII be.
meath the rife FIRE of the dark eyed
POltowstrimies, and The blood thirs y
Shawnees, had been the intimate TRENDS
of Mr.. H, nay companion lie
spoke OF their manly virtues with
warmth and energy; and tear (Urrow
ed down the old mans cheek, as he
gazed upon the rude grave that cover
ed their remains,
The incidents Of The bat are pretty
generally known TO the hackwoodsmen
but If a sketch, gathered from one O.
the actors Of the scene, can be OF any
interest to the reader OF this imperIec
outline, there can be no improperly il
rehearsing it again.
General HARRISON, with his forces
consisting OF few hundred mounted
Kentucky Rangers, and large numbe
OF foot soldiers, arrived on the eVenn!
previous TO the engagement, al the pro
o,tln ha haI Ia.
ground The few Indians that tht
troops found here, manifested dispo
sItInn to treat with General HARRISON
aud pointed out 10 him the spo'. .-oJ
which the battle was subsequently Tough
-asa proper place Tor his encampmenD
where, they promised, the chIeI Of ;h
band should wait upon hm Oh the fol
lowing morning to form treaty. Ma
ny Of The officers doubted the faith {
the indians, aud inclined 10 the opino
that another suitable and approprat
spot should be selected for the encamp
.nent Of the troops and soldiers. How
ever, the site was favorable one; Ou
troops were mueh faIgued from con
tined forced march for several days
and, after making the necessary precal
tionary arrangements, the tents weI
struck, and the camp fires kjndled.
On either side Of The encampmenl
slight declIviIy. al the base OF which
fork Of the TIppecanoe creek meandere
slowly ihro' the silent and desolale pra
rie, and united a hundred yards or s
below the encampment. The sodIe
slept with their rAes in their arms,
Iheir hope OF success and protection
prepared to fghl al the word shou
the Indians prove treacherous aud a
tempt an attack be(Ore moHnlng, Bu
alas! how lite did many Of our bra,
soldiers think, as they lay there
solemn rest. unconscious, than beIO
the light Of another morning shou
break In upon them, they would the
be sleeping the sleep that hath no "
king" Before daylight the Indians a.
Vsnced in large body, and arrang
themselves, unperceved, beneath Il
brow OF the encampment hill, on 6o
sides. A sentinel. at the extreme re
OF The camp was fred upon iomahaw
n cd and scAIped before the a arm h
aroused the camp. HARRIS N shout
TO his men-"lo arms'' arm<H b
the favorable situation which the On
q my had attained, prevented he fire
the whites from beng at ali dpsh u
tive; while, on every side where 4
ave could distinguish from the darkne
nG the morning were falling the brave
Of our men, gruan'ng ln all the agonl
Of death and mental suffering Dele
everywhere in gIariUg coors stared Il
white men in the face; and the ch
look Of death was settling on eve