The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1912-01-13

United States under the treaty OF
Greenville. in 1895. had been dis
avowed by Tecumseh. and the subse-
quent treaties of sale effected by Har.
rison with the different tribes only
served to further irritate that proud
and naughty chief. the result being
constant intrigues on his part to Gust
the whites. Harrison had adopted a
consistent conciliatory policy. apply
ing himself especially to improving
the condition of the Indians.
In 1909 Harrison. by the treaty OF
Fort Wayne. purchased from the In
dian tribes two large portions OF
land, for which they were paid by Ger.
tain annuities which they considered
a satisfactory equivalent. Tecumseh
was absent at the time on a visit TO
the distant tribes but. on his return
some months later. he stormed and
ragged and threatened some OF the
chiefs with death for participating In
the council Harrison invited him to
council which he attended with 400
fully armed warriors. The Fort
Wayne treaty was fully explained to
this naughty savage. particular stress
being laid on the voluntary agree
ment of the chiefs who owned the
lands. and their satisfaction with the
compensation granted Tecnmseh
violently declared that the governor
lied. and lis warriors jumped up,
brandishing their tomahawks and war
clubs. and threatening Harrison with
fierce menaces His GOODNESS and
presence of mind averted an out
break which would have resulted In
the massacre of the small force at his
disposal. The. next day Tecumseh
took his departure. saying to Harr'-
son with ominous significance that
your great father may sit over the
mountains and drink his wine. but II
he continues this policy. you and l
will have to fight It out"
In the following year. 1911. the In
dams proceeded to more oren viot-
ence and assumed an attitude OF more
decided hostility. Aggressions OF the
most atrocious nature were auda-
ciously committed by the Indians
within the limits OF the territory and
every day brought fresh accounts OF
the preparation Of those ruthless
deeds of depreciation and murder
which always give the first intima-
tion OF the approach OF savage war.
The people on the frontier became
exceedingly alarmed and Harrison
was instructed to march with an
armed force to the Prophet's town.
but to avoid hostilities not absolutely
necessary.
Eluding all ambuscades Harrison
reached the vicinity of Tippecanoe'
where he was met by d.putation OF
tie Prophets councillors demanding
parley A suspension OF hostilities
was agreed upon and meeting was
to take place the next day between
the governor and the chiefs to agree
upon the terms Of peace. But Harrt'
son knew too we'll the treachery OF
his artful antagonist and encamped in
+, carefully selected position. taking
every precaution against night sur
prise
The night was dark and cloudy and
soon after midnight there commenced
| light fall OF drizzling rain The
governor and his officers were sitting
in conversation about the fire when
| the attack began. One OF the sen
tries discovered an Indian creeping
! toward him through the grass and
fred This was Immediately follow
| ed by the piercing indian war-whoor
and a furious charge. SO sudden and
/ fierce that the guard In that quarter
gave way. at first. TO their savage as
| sailants: but notwithSt landing the Sc
we're fire they soon rallied and main
! TENED their ground with desperate
valor. Harrison had formed his mer
! into hollow square. which was nov
determinedly attacked at every point
!, When day broke about two hours lat
| err the troops took the offensive. max
| ing a simultaneous charge upon the
epemys on both TANKS So vigorous
and determined was this attack that
the enemy broke in all directions ant
] fed from the field.
Tecumseh's Gallant End.
Tecumseh was not present at thu
battle OF Tippecanoe. being on v'st
to the southern tribes. whom he wal
! endeavorng to unite In his combine
tion against the United States In al!
absence. his affairs had sustained
sharp reverse and his ambitious plan'
| we're ruined He Joined the English
and commanded their indian allies II
/ the War Of 1912. holding the rank o
| hrigadser general Jointly with Gen
| eral Proctor he commanded at thu
| battle of the Thames. laying aside hi
sword and uniform and putting OF
| his hunting dress IN the conviction
that he must fall His Indians were
driven back and he fought desperate
" till he was killed
In the War of 1912 Harrison he'll
the chief command in the northwest
with unusual discretionary powers
| I, was however. Tiprecanoe fha
gave Harrison his greatest reputa
/ tion Not witnstanding his distinguish
ed services in the War of 1872. ant
| afterwards as senator and as for
e{gn minister the chief source Of hi
ropuearity was this battle with ih'
Indians. and nearly 30 years after !
the campaign song which carried hin
into the presidency was "TipPecano'