The republic., 1851-08-09
Death or Tecumseh.

[Corrsspordencs Of the Nsto York Literary World j
Hon. l.. BaAplsH, Prest. N. Y. Hist. Society:
WAsAiSoToN, May s., 1851.
Sru: Popular opinion in the United States has
for many years attributed the killing of Tecum
seh 10 the late Colonel Richard M. Johnson, of Ken
tucky The brave men whom that officer led in the
attack of the Indians, fighting under the great
Shawnee Captain, took pleasure in permitting
public rumor to place the honor of this feat on the
brows Of their commander. But the truth OF his
tory requires that the name OF the real actor should
now be told.
By letter which have recently received from
the Hon. Orlando Brown, late Chief of tho Bureau
of Indian Affairs dated Frankfort, 18th April last
it is shown that the veritable actor was Jacob II
Holeman, of Kentucky, private in Captain Stu
gers company of mounted volunteers. The event
has thus been detailed to me by Mr. Holeman.
Stuger had himself been veteran Indian fighter
in ths early wars of Kentucky and perceiving that
the woots they approached were favorable ior an
Indian arnbu -cade, warned his men on entering II
70 be on the look nut The forest consisted OF young
beech trees which ut out their limbs horizontally
at five or six feet from t.e ground Brush rose up
yearly to meet them, SO thee Tue view was ihter
septed and the action of cavalr y lhpossipie'
, Col johnson determined to dism cunt three com
anies of his command, who tied thei nofSes az lht
rkirts of the wood, and leaving the o.Ncr ' lnie
counted companies at the same point as reserve
riterm by which is meant men furnishing thei'
In horses, who were, from their position, expert
cdavery art of forest warfare, with man and beast
foky armed with short rifle, OF the kind
Ned yagers. They had no swords.
captain Stugers company was one Of those dis
moulted, and entered the woods on foot. The In
diars SO completely masked by the foliage that
ttg contest essentially of personal combats,
both parties seeking the shelter of trees and covers
and fighting according to the Indian mode, in very
open order. Colonel Johnson led his men, and was
soon wounded in two places, and carried to the
rear Holeman and a companion were standing
together, when they saw two Indians rush forward,
and in the act Of firing. They themselves both
fired instantly and killed their men. His com
panion was also mortally wounded and fell. Hole
man ran up to the Indian he had shot and took a
pistol of curious workmanship out of his right hand
which lay extended as ii in the act of firing when
he fell, and retaining it, carried it to his quarters
after the close of the action.
When the battle terminated, it was rumored
that Tecumseh had been slain. General Harrison
and some British officers rode up TO Identity the
body. Harrison recognized tho chief by apecullar
tooth, which had turned blue all the others retain
ing their whteness. Hoeman mentioned the cir
cumstance of taking the pistol from that Indians
hand. He went Immediately to his camp and
brought it. The British officer (whose name he
did not know decided shat it was one of pair
formerly belonging to General Brock which that
officer had presented to Tecumseh.
Tecumseh was armed with a handsomely made
English fowling- piece, and evidently had had his
"arextended in the act to fre when the ball OF his
Antagonist pierced him. His dress could not be
distinguished from the other Indians except by its
comparative cleanness.
These particulars were narrated to me in the
War Office, few days ago, by Mr. Holeman him
self, in presence of Governor Ramsey, OF Mime
sofa, Captain Eastman, U. S. A., Mr. Wise, chlei
clerk of the Indian bureau, and several other gen.
tlcrnen. We were impressed with the entire mod
esty Of the narrator. Not word was uttered in
the vein of bonsing, or in deprecating the merits
of Others far less OF his commander, Colonel John
son. He bad in that action three balls paes through
his clothes; namely, one under his arm and two
through the skirts of his hunting shirt. He also
received ball in his cartridge-box in 'front.'
which was arrested by ball in one of his car
tridges He fired sixteen balls in that action.
1t affords me pleasure to add that Mr.. Hole
man has been appointed Indian Agent for the Ter
ritory of Utah-a mark of respect due to his intel
: ligence and worth.
Very respectfully,