Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-07-21

COT. JouNsoN DID kill TEcuMszH-Cpl.
Johnson has at hast, we believe for the first
time, publicly confessed The splt impeachment,
and laid claim to the honor Of killing Tccum-
sch. In the late speech delivered by tie gal
liant Colonel at Springfield, (Ill.) his descrip-
ton of the conflict is thus reported:-
r"Col. Johnson said, that at his age il was
wrong to put on any false modesiy and as he
had been called upon 10 relate that portion of
the fight which took place with the Indians, he
would endeavor to do so. The Indians were
400 strong, commanded by Tecumseh, one of
the bravest warriors that ever drew breaih.-
lie was a sort Of Washington among the In
dians-that is, they looked upon him as we
look upon Washington. The Indians were in
ambush on the other side Of what we were in-
formed was an impossible swamp; bnt Just be-
lore the battle came on, a narrow passage
across the swamp was discovered. Knowing
we'll the Indian character, determined To push
forward with about twenty men, in order to
draw forth the entire Indian tire, so that the
remainder of the regiment might rush forward
upon them while their rifles were empty
/ Having promised the wives, mothers and sis
tiers ii my men, before left Kentucky, that I
would place their husbands, sons and brothers
IN no hazard which ! was unwilling to share
myself, put myself at the head of these TWEEN
Z ~ men, and we advanced upon the covert in
which knew the Indians were cnnceale,l.-
/ The moment we came in view, we received the
whole Indian fire. Nineteen of nv twenty
men dropped in the field. | felt that was Sc
verely wounded. The mare rode staggered,
and fell To her knees she had fifteen balls in
her, as was afterwards ascertained but the
noble animal recovered her feet by a touch of
the rein. I waited but lew moments when
the remainder Of the troops came up, and we
pushed forward on the Indians, whn instantly
retTeaied. noticed an Indian chief among
/ them, who succeeded in rallying them three
different times. This thought would en-
deavor to prevent because il was BY this time
known 10 the Indians that their allies, the
British had surrendered. advanced singiy
upon him, keeping my right arm close by my
side, and covered by the swamp; he took To
tree and from thence deliberately fired upon
me. Although previously had four balls ia
me, this last wound was more aculely painful
than all Of them. His ball struck me on the
knuckle Of my left hand, passed through my
hand, and came out just above the wrist |
ran my left ann through the briie rein, for my
hand instantly swelled and became useless.-
/ The Indian surprising he had mortally wound
ed me, came out from behind the tree, and adj
I vanced upon me with uplIfted tomahawk.-
When he had come within NV mares length
OF me, ! drew my pistol and instantly fired,
ndNlhg utdu ann upon htHl. Tie irli, and Inc
Indians shortly after surrendered or had fed
My pistol had one ball and three buckshot in
ii, and the body Of the Indian was fund to
have ball through his Indy, and three buck
shot in different parts of his breast and head.
| THUS fell Tecunseh, cried out some one OF
the audience.
Col. johnson said he did not know that il
was Tecumseh at that lime. Circumstances
have since rendered this matter Of certainty.
No intelligent man, we believe, now preiends
TO doubt the facl.''
| This historical narrative was listened 10 with
absorbing interest by the vast multitude, who,
at the conclusion, gave vent 10 their feelings in
a shout that (says The paper from which we
quoie) might have walked The dead. Before he
concluded his speech, Col. Johnson took occa-
sion to do justice 10 the memory of his brave
commander, Gen. Harrison.