The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-11-27
WHO KILLED TECUMSEH7

me slayer OF ecumSeh II was most lmpor
tant link in the chain of events that led to the
speedy termination of the late war, and although
it was for years and years admitted without dis
pute that it was Col Johnson who had given Te-
curnseh his death, yet when the bitterness of party
found 1t necessary 10 defame the war-worn and
mulllated veteran, whose wounds yet weep, and
will never cease, they dared to rob him of his
honors; and when they found the people would
not permit the injustice, they then undertook TO
rdcule him, and deprecate the effect of Tecum-
seh's death. This last effort has, however, firm
ly established the truth, and future history will
entwine the death of Tecumseh in the bays that
adorn the temples of the patriot JOHNSON.
NEwHARMoNY, INDIANA
September, 10 1912. {
SIR:-Your kind invitation on behalf of The
Stale Central Committee OF Pennsylvania, to unite
with our fellow citizens throughout the Union, in
the approaching celebration at Danvlle. of the
anniversary of the memorable battle ofthe Thames,
has been duly received. deeply regret that nv
duty as Trusee'of the State University of Indi-
ana which imneratively requires my attendance
at Bloomington, during commencement week.
Gave days only previous to your celebration y com
pels me TO torego the qualification | should have
experienced In meeting, on such an occasion, the
distinguished men who will assemble in their
midst, our valuable friend, Col. Richard NJ John
Since | have alluded to the death of Tecumseh,
by Col. JOhnSonS hand may be pardoned on
this OCCASION for abiding, in proof of fact which
nothing but party jealousy ever disputed, evidence
of the most direct cha racter, which chance ena-
bled me to procure, and which was never before,
that know of, laid before the public.
Levi Gritton, an humble farmer now living a
bout three miles east of Evansville in this State
was present, then quite youth at Winchester's
defeat; taken prisoner and carried to Maiden
and had there frequent opportunities of seeing
Tecumseh, and Of receiving at his hands, de-
gree of Kindness. not initiated by those who called
themselves the civilized allies of the Indian chief
Iecumsehs appearance then, was stamped upon
MI GrlttOn's recollection, by that which is never
forgotten, kind deeds To captive na strange land.
After time, an oath was rendered to the prison
ers al Maiden, not 10 serve again. Griiton and
two others, who refused TO take it, were hurried
to Montreal and sold for goods to a French trader
there but afieI five OF six weeks captivity, Grit
ton seized skIff descended the ST. Lawrence,
and returned by way of Buffalo. after enduring
many hardships, to his home in Mercer county,
Kentucky
There he enlisted as one of McAffee's company,
and was afterwards present at the battle of the
Thames. These particulars, and those / am "a
bont TO relate, had from his own lips, noting
them down at the time; and, after reading them
to GrItton, causing him TO append to them his sig
nature.
The young soldier, then not yet twenty -one,
was selected as one of the forlorn hope which, as
every one knows, was led up against the Indians,
IN advance of the mounted men by Col. johnson
in person. Next to Col. johnson, rode Col.
Whitley, and Immediately behind him Levi
Grtton Whitley as is well known. fell dead at
the first fire and it was Grtton who afterwards
carried home to his widow the rifle and shot
pouch Of the fallen soldier. The same fire which
killed Whitley, brought to the ground every man
Of the fororn hope, Col. Johnson and one other
excepted. Grition received wound in the left
leg, and had his horse shot from under him.
When Col. johnson turned round and saw the for
lOrn hope down he called out TO the rest of his
men, to dismount and fight the Indians after their
own fashion. Each who was not disabled then
took TO tree; and desultOry combat was kept
up for some quarter of an hour; Johnsun's men
still advancing from tree to tree, upOn the Indians
About that time it was that Grlion ho had ia
ken his station behind beech, saw Col. johnson
ride round the top of fallen tree about ten or
twelve yards in advance of him, and perceived an
Indian whom he instantly recognized as 1ecum-
sch, standing few steps from the root Of the
same tree He saw Tecumseh raise his loma.
hawk as in the act to throw, and al that moment
Col. johnson shot him with his pistol. lie saw
Tecun,seh fall and die on The same spot. Next
morning Griiion's men, knowing that he was ac
quainted with Tecumseh, induced him to 90 with
them about sunrise to the sceue Of combat, and
there they still found the body where it first fell
About the same time Anthony Shane, the half
breed interpreter who had known Tecumseh for
years, visited the body, and recognized it instant.
ly. asked Gritloni he had ever heard it doubt.
ed in the army, that Tecumseh was the Indian
shot by Col johnson. " Never" said he indio-
nantIy, no man ever doubted or disputed it,
there 1t was as well known and acknow lodged,
as that the Colonel was in the battle at all.
saw the encounter with my own eyes, and am as
certain Of it,, Of my existence" Gdtton met
his old chief, during his visit to Evansville,
whittier accompanied Col. Johnson in the autumn
Of 1870 His eyes filed with tears as he grasped
Col. Johnson's hand, and his emotion was so great
that he could not arlicnlate a word.
An interesting and authentic historical retnini-
scence. vonched for by an eye witness, who yet
survives TO confirm his story, trust II will he
deemed worthy Of record and preservation As
such had | been able 10 attend the celebration I