Frontier Tension Mounts

Before the end of 1811, the Prophet was back at Tippecanoe, the village was rebuilt, and the white settlers were once again in danger.  Tecumseh returned in early 1812 after a successful visit to the Creek, Choctaw, and Cherokee.  He talked of his long-delayed visit to Washington to discuss peace.  Tecumseh claimed that had he been in Prophetstown there would have been no Battle of Tippecanoe.

By spring of 1812, ominous events began to happen.  Two settlers were murdered within three miles of Fort Dearborn and an entire family was massacred five miles outside of Vincennes.  The frontier was in a panic, as a general uprising was thought imminent.  Farmers abandoned their farms, taking refuge in temporary forts hastily built.  Many fled to Kentucky.

Tecumseh blamed the troubles on the Potawatomi who had not joined his confederation, and continued to talk of his friendship with his "white brothers."  Still, he made no effort to visit Washington to broker peace as promised, nor did he do much to restrain his allies.  Rumor had it that he was a British sympathizer.  The commander of Fort Wayne reported to Governor Harrison in Vincennes that "if the country should have a war with Britain, it must be prepared for an Indian war as well."  The year was 1812.

Governor Harrison immediately asked to raise an army which would "scour" the Wabash territory.  The War Department hesitated for fear of driving the Indians straight to the British side.  In no part of the country was war more popular and no where did the mass of able-bodied settlers show more desire to join the fight that in the Old Northwest.

There were only five garrisoned posts between the Ohio River and the Canadian border - Fort Harrison with 50 men, Fort Wayne with 85, Fort Dearborn with 53, Fort Mackinac with 88, and Detroit with 120.  A total force of less than 400 men to defend Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and the Ohio River! 

Next time...As war develops, so do the obstacles
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Today in Pioneer History: "On May 16, 1849, New York City finally establishes a hospital for cholera before the epidemic ends, killing 5,000 people.  The poor conditions of the rapidly growing city, along with the constant influx of immigrants from around the world would eventually lead to the first street-cleaning plan,  but not before the disease visited homes of all levels of society. 

Bargaining with Tecumseh

The white frontiersmen were certainly suspicious of what seemed to be the observer - Tecumseh's peaceful settlement in central Indiana.  Daily warlike exercises were reported and rumors spread that the tribes far and wide were near rebellion.  Even Governor Harrison who didn't frighten easily, was apprehensive and called Tecumseh to conference in Vincennes.

The conference went on for two weeks where both sides showed goodwill along with firmness of mind.  Harrison himself wanted peace, orderliness, and industry.  Tecumseh had a desire to be a friend to the United States and requested that the sale of whiskey to the natives be stopped.  All seemed to be on good terms. It wasn't until Harrison negotiated the land cession of 1809 which cost the natives the last valuable hunting grounds in Indiana territory, that the powerful Wyandot joined Tecumseh's union and war was inevitable. 

Tribe after tribe in Indiana and Illinois elected Tecumseh their chief over the next two years.  Harrison called another conference in Vincennes in 1810, requesting not more than 30 natives attend - over 400 came, fully armed.  Tecumseh basically told the settlers to return to their own country. (Sound familiar?) 

"The Great Spirit had looked over a land with no whites.  It was a happy race, and belonged to them.  Only the white man had made it miserable, driving the natives from hunting grounds, over mountains, away from water.  The natives would go no further.  The only way to stop this evil was to commit to an equal right in the land.  The land should belong to all as it was at first.  No divisions " Tecumseh said. 

Harrison replied that the natives were not one tribe, but spoke six languages.  He argued that lands had been purchased, not taken,  and deferred to the President to decide.  The clash and crisis was temporarily averted.  In 1811, Tecumseh promised to visit President Madison and settle with him the issue, but first he needed to travel to southern tribes to unite them in the confederacy.

As soon as Tecumseh started south to the Creek tribes, Harrison began his preparations to end "this menace."  Troops were sent to  the new acquisitions and 24 companies of regulars were brought together at present day Terre Haute.  Purpose?  To destroy the Tippecanoe settlement.

Next time...Harrison wars with the Tribes
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Today in Pioneer History: "On May 9, 1964, Louis Armstrong, age 63 broke the Beatles stronghold on the U.S. pop charts with the #1 hit, "Hello Dolly." *My dad rejoiced!) The Beatles had held the spot for almost four straight months starting in February 1964 with "I Wanna Hold Your Hand."