The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1931-10-30


Early in 1911, however, it became apparent
that hostilities would soon open. The United
States and Great Britain the verge Of
war. British spies and AGENTS were busy among
the Indians seeking to win them to the English
cause and the savages were making numerous
attacks the frontier settlements. In this
emergency the President ordered Harrison to
prepare for action, militia from Ohio and Ken
lucky and Indiana were called into service and
placed under his command. But he was ordered
not to assume the offensive unless it was abso-
lutely necessary. Harrison however, was inclined
to disregard these orders. Tecumseh was then
busy with his plans for the Indian confederation
among the tribes of the South But large num-
bers of warriors from the various northern
tribes had assembled at The Prophets Town on
the banks of the Tippecanoe river in Indiana.
Indian outrages increasing and Harrison
decided that the time had come for him to act.
When it became known that he intended to
march against The Prophets Town. volunteers
from all over the west began pouring into Harri-
sons camp at Vincennes. By the first of NOvem-
Der his force consisted of nine companies of reg
ulars, eight companies of Indiana militia and
dragons. three companies of mounted rifiemen,
mostly from Kentucky, and a small company of
scouts to cover his advance. Harrison had
learned well his lessons in Indiana fighting from
Wayne and would not make the mistake that st.
Clair did.
After a march of five days Harrison with his
army of approximately LOO men reached the
vicinity of The Prophets Town not far from the
present city of Lafayette, Ind On the night OF
November he pitched his camp piece of
high ground surrounded by swamp. He in
tended to hold a conference with The Prophet
the next morning. Fearful of treachery by the
Shawnee leader Harrison posted strong guard
under experienced officers about his camp and
and bayOnets fixed.
Harrison's experience in Indian warfare had
taught him that it was a wise precaution to
awaken his men early in the morning so as to
be prepared in case the Indians should attack.
He had just arisen at about four o'clock in the
morning and pulling on his boots when a
shot broke the stiffness of the early morning.
1t was followed moment later by a voey of
shots. One of the sentries had discovered a
number of Indian warriors creeping through the
underbrush towards him. He Immediately fired
and his shot opened the battle The Indians
Immediately charged but Harrisons men were
ready for them. The line of militia wavered and
threatened to break and run but the regulars
stood firm and soon there was fighting on
every side.
Harrison rode up and down the line on a
white horse, encouraging his men and giving
them a fine example of GOODNESS under fire. The
charge or the IndlanS was met by q Wtherlng
fire from the deadly squirrel rifles Of the Ken
tuckians. They fell back but came on again a
few minutes later. Again Harrisons men
poured in deadly volley and as the savages
wavered and halted the Americans charged with
the bayonet The Prophets braves broke and
ran in every direction. The fierce little battle had
lasted less than two hours but in that time near
ly 200 of Harrison's army were killed or wOund-
ed. The losses of the Indians were never learned
but they were probably equally heavy.
The battle of Tippecanoe had far-reaching re-
! suits. 1t not only broke up the confederacy
which Tecumseh had nearly completed Blu it also
which Tecumseh had nearly completed but it also
united force of Indians their allies in the COM
ing war with the Americans Had Harrison
suffered the fate of ST. Clair the War of 1912
might have had a different ending But
it is certain that another Indian triumph
would have delayed white settlement in this re-
gion many years The battle also had i'm
portant political results 1t made Harrison a
popular hero and in 1910 when the Wings saw
that they had chance to win the Presidency
after the panic year of 1897 had weakened the
Democratic party. they persuaded Harrison TO
become their candidate. The slogan of Zip
pecanoe and Tyler too" and the symbols of the
lob cabin, the coon skin and the hard cider bar
rel proved to be potent ones and Harrison was
vept into the White House on a wave of pop
enthusiasm.
.a b. Western Newspaper Union,