Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-01
TECUNIsEH IS DEAD.
Samuel Baker, the Veteran Of 1912,
Saw Him Die.
Franz the Cincinnati Times star.

COLUMBUS, o., July 26.-TO continue
my conversation with samuel Baker, the
Jackson county veteran. AS is natural
with old soldiers, Mr.. Baker delights to
| tell of his experiences in the war OF l6l2.
He had marched from Pennsylvania
| through ONO TO the shores OF Lake Erie.
he was with HarrisOn's command at
Fort Megs and relates graphically now
Gen. Proctor and Iecumseh stOrmed that
frontier block house and drove our forces
out, At Lundy's Lane Mr.. Baker was
an active fighter. His horse was killed
by an lS-pound shot and ne himself suf-
| fered broken shoulder when the beast
fell with him. In this fight Quartermaster
MCCrea was shot in the head. His skull
was fractured and part OF 1T hung down
over his eyes. Our veteran was ordered
to take the wounded officer to the rear.
ION the way Drs. Scili and Horner met
US" he said. "McCrea recognized them
and at once pleaded that be might return
to the battle field and finish his duty.
But, poor fellow, he never lived to hght
again. l was appointed Quartcrmaster
TO succeed him when We reached Fort
Erie" said Mr.. Baker. Yes, | was <
spectator OF Perry's Lake Erie victory. II
was sept. 10. We were all anxious Tor
the result, as the chances were much
against Perry. But he Won, as the world
Knows"
alt made him a famous figure" l re-
marked.
Yes, and spoiled him., said Mr.. Baker.
II have often talked with Perry and
fluud him remarkably clever man. But
success turned his head. lie became dis
sipated and reckless later on"
And you were in the battle Of the
Thames"'
"Yts. that was
WHERE TECCMsEU WAS KILLED.
He had found his last dttcn and made his
last fight. If you are familiar with the
history Of that battle, you know
that the British Gen. Proctor was
coward. He fed from his command
during the fight, leaving his officers aud
men to fight it out. Tecumseh had 300
Indians in ambush. When the red coats
had retreated and we thought our victory
won, TeCumseh's devils came up with
| whoOps and yell5, first dischSrging their
rifles and then plunged among US tor a
hand-tO-hand fight. | remember as If 1t
was yesterday seeing Tocumoeh brandish
his IOmahawk, and jump at one OF our
men with tiendish activity and a glare of
hate In his eyes. just then tall officer
dashed up, folio we'd by a'Iot Of Kentucky
soldiers. 1t was Col. Richard NJ. John
son, of Kentucky. He took deliberate
aim at TeCumseh, and the chief fell.
Then our victory was easy The red
devils fled, and we all gathered around
the yet warm body OF the noted Indian.
The blood was oOZnQ out of a bullet
wound in his breast, and was soaking the
sash which he wore indicating his rank
as Major General in the British army
There was doubt as usual to his identity,
but Col. Miller, who had led the success
full charge at LuDdy's Lane, oame up and
SAID:
"'LoOk at his right leg. Tecumseh was
shot in the calf at Fort Megs. See if
there is scar
''Sure enough, as we took off the leggins
there WAS the scar, and every body re-
Joiced. Col. Johnson WAS congratulated
on relieving the nation of such an enemy
! But JOhnson mOdestly doubted mis- honor.
He admitted firing at tue chief and saw
| him fall at once. But in the constant
fire of battle no one knew who had fired a
fatal shot. | sometimes thought that
| johnson never wanted to claim the honor,
! lest the followers Of Tecumseh would,
with Indian deviltry and sneaking, select
some Of their number to murder john
! sons family at home. Years atterward, in
! Washington, Col. johnson admitted that
| he was, no doubt, the slayer. but he did
not care to talk of it. Perhaps he felt
sorry TO have killed even an Indian.
dian l killed, and there was no doubt of
my doing II" and Mr.. Baker related the
| incident with considerable pride.
lone day while hunting with cOmpan-
ion we saw tall Indian rise up out OF
| the brush and look about him. l aimed
at him, and my friend said:
BAKER, take good aim
81 did, and the redskln went down like
a log. Now, here Is a strip Tecumseh's
flesh. It's old and used up, but il is gen
uIne."
Think of IT, dear reader, a strip of dried
skin, which was once rubbed and
Tecumseh cuticle which Mir. Baker has
kept tor many years. He told that the
kentuckians skinned the body and di-
Vided up the skin as trophies.
NV hen did you quit the army r"
"ln 1914. Toward that time | received
paper from C1ambersburg, telling OF
the British attack on Washington and
the burning OF the buildings. IL was the
| first news we had, aud Gen. Brown, our
commander, hearing that had the paper,
| sent for NE. He was terribly excited
when he read the news, and, jumping up,
! declared:
If had been there with my army I
! would have strewed the plain with red
coats before | would nave allowed them
to burn our capltol.''
IN CIVIL LIFE
Mr.. Baker enjoyed the friendship OF ali the
! great men AT " ashlngtOn save one-John
Randolph, of kOauOke-whom be de.
scribss as the Roscoe COnkling OF til at day.
He was a brilliant man. SAID Mr.
Baker, but he was too naughty. Every one
hated him and he hated every body.
wanted to meet him, but he prevented an