Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-03-18

recumseh. II is said, entertained but
little hope Of the ultimate success Of
the siege. but, having embarked up
on il, he stood manfully AT the head
OF his braves and took a leading part
in planning and executing the various
movements which were made against
the fort. During the first five days
OF the siege, more than fifteen hund-
red cannon balls and bombs were
fred by the British and the Indians.
RED HOT CANNON BALLS.
Many OF the balls were heated red
hot before being put into the cannon
and were then directed towards the
two block houses containing the am
munltion with view 10 exploding
that meterial and blowing up the
fort. While that object was not ac-
complished. the shots killed or
wounded about eighty OF the gar
rison.
Proctor, unlike Tecumseh, enter
tanned sanguine hopes Of the success
Of the enterprise against Fort, Meigs,
and flattered himself and his troops
with the prospect of rich rewards. In
the division OF the spoils which was
to follow the reduction OF the fort
and the capture Of the garrison, Gen
eral Harrison was to have been de-
livered into the hands OF Tecumseh
to deposed of at the pleasure OF that
chief. Proctor, being ignorant OF a
promise made by Tecumseh to Gen
eral Harrison at Vincennes before
the opening of the war to the effect
that white prisoners should be pro-
tected-and Tecumseh always kept
his promises-thought Harrison
would surely be burned should he
fall into Indian hands, particularly
as Tecumseh had sworn especial ven
geance against all who had fought at
rippecanoe.
SHOWED THEIR NATURE.
This is but one of the many incl
dents which betrayed the British ma
ture of British soldier, whom Brit
ish writer's in selfdefence. have mild
ly criticised. The character and the
record of Tecumseh have led Ameri-
can historians to believe that had
General Harrison been captured and
turned over to the Indian chieftain
he would have been eventually re-
stored to his friends,
During the siege of Fort Meigs Col
onel Dudley and a force of infantry
were sent by General Harrison to the
opposite side of the river to seize one
of the enemv's batteries and spike of
cannon upon it. They had just gain
ed possession Of the piece when the
British and Indians rallied in greater
force, surrounded them and forced
them to surrender. No sooner had
they laid down their arms than they
were lnercilessly attacked by the
sayages, tolnahawk and scalping
knife to the fore. Colonel Dudley,
who had been wounded duriTg the
conflict, did not escape, these death
dealing instruments OF the Indians.
He was one of the first to die. Proc
tor, although the Americans had sur
rendered themselves prisoners of
war, did not extend to them the least
protection, nor attempt to screen
them from the tomahawk. While the
bloodthirsty carnage was raging, a
laundering voice, in the Indian
tongue, was heard in the rear. 1t
was the voice of Tecumseh, who was
riding as fast as his steed could carry
him.
TECUMSEH'S WORDS.
In the words of an eye witness quot
ed by Mr.. Finley. Tecumseh drew
near to where two Indians had an
American, and were in the act Of kill
ing him. He caught one by the
throat and the other by the breast
and threw them to the ground; draw
ing his tomahawk and scalping knife,
he ran between the Americans and
the Indians, brandishing them with
the fury of mad man, and daring
any one of the hundreds that sur
rounded him to attempt to murder
another American. They all appear
ed confounded, and Immediately de-
sisted. His mind appeared rent with
passion, and he exc cailued, almost
with tears in his eyes, 20, what will
become of my Indians?'
''He then demanded in an authori-
tative tone where Proctor was, but
casting his eyes upon him at small
distance, sternly inquired why he did
not put stop to the inhuman mass
acre.
Sir said Proctor, your Indians
can not be commanded"
=" 'Begone,' retorted Tecumseh,
with the greatest disdain, you are
unfit to command; go and put on pet
ticoats.
In July, 1918, second attempt was
made on Fort Meigs, but it was of still
less effect, and after the American
victory at Fort Stevenson, the British
and Indians retired to Canada, where,
in October, Tecumseh was killed at
the battle on the Thames river. near
where London, Ont, now stands.