The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-11-08

Northwestern Indians being formed by
two Shawnee brothers, born of a Creek
woman al birth, known as Tecunlseh
and the Prophet. TecumSeh this sum-
mer went south to enlist his mothers
people, the Creeks and allied tribes in
his project, and his brother, the
Prophet, a religious fanatic, proceeded
to play the mischief with all his plans.
Before these were ripe the latter gath
cred at his village, a short distance
above the present battle-ground, body
of Indians so large as to constitute in
Harrison'S opinion a menace to the
Territory, and he marched up the
river with 900 men to give them bat
tie and dispense them He had two
battalions of regulars, the rest being
volunteers from Ohio. Kentucky, and
the Territory, but trained Indian fight
ers and well aware of what was at
stake
Asked for a Pariey.
When he arrived on the evening
of November 6, the Prophet sent
message asking for a pariey, which
being granted, he proposed an armis-
tice until next day, SOlemnly promis-
ing TO take no advantage of it. Har-
rison consented and encampej for the
night on this oak ridge, which had
been pointed out by the Prophet as
suitable for the purpose. Bue he was
not a second Braddock to be caught by
Indian wileS, and, suspecting treach-
cry, ordered every man to sleep on his
arms, and in such order that on
springing up he would fall naturally
into place in the ranks. A double line
OF sent1neis was placed around the
camp and the army slept. The night
was black as ErebUs, and one may
imagine the strain on the nerves OF.
the lone sentinels pacing their beats.
peering into the thickets, straining
their ears to catch the faintest sounds
all the more alive to danger because
they were veterans in Indian warfare
and knew the habits of their dtsky
foes.
The Prophet meantime was not idle.
As soon as night fell he called his
men about him. brought out a Dre-
tended magic bowl and string of holy
beans. and holding the latter in his
right hand, and flaming medicine
torch in the other, he commanded
every brave to come forward. touch
the beans, and become invulnerable
and invincible. This done he made
them register VOW to exterminate-
the white man, frenzied them with
war songs and dances, and launched
them, band of religious fanatics. on
the sleeping foe.
Indians Struck at q a. m.
They struck at four. the darkest
hour just before dawn
stephen Mars, i sentinel on the
northwest angle of the camp, heard
twlg snap, the splash of a foot in
burnets Creek, a smothered ugh OF
a savage. fired his gun TO alarm the
n MI 81 Cd -,
was overtaken and Drained before
reaching it, scores of the heetest
braves having been detailed to Green
upon the sentinelS and dispatch them
before they could give the alarm. Tt
was enough. however The alarm
mad Deen given, and in an instant
every man was on his feet and in his
place Then ensued a combat such
as seldom had been seen before. for
IN moment the savages were in the
camp, and ahand to hand conflict be-
gan. The rangers fired at the flash OF
an enemyS gun, they went in with
cIuOOed musketS when the foe could
be distinguished in the dim light OF
the camp fire and when two bodies
came together in the darkness they
phed the trusty hunting knife or
lomahaWk. Many dusky soul that
night went over to the happy hunting
grounds in spite of holy beans and
lamentations. Not one that entered
the camp got out alive Many of the
oravest of the brave among teh
whites also bit the dust. For some
time the issue was doubtful. but as
soon as day broke the aim OF the rife
men and the discipline of the regulars
told. and the savaseS broke and fed
scattering in all directions Harrison
was drawing on his boots when the
alarm came and at once made sucn
dispositions and bore himself so well
as to add greatly to the reputation he
had already ACQUIRED in many
strenuous campaign.