The Prophet

In 1761 the tension among the Indians in the Old Northwest was increasing.  The appearance of a "prophet" among the Delawares, calling for all Indian races to purge itself of foreign influences and to unite to drive the white man from the land,  came forth.  The leadership of the great revolt fell upon Pontiac, who lived on a wooded island in Lake St. Clair outside the fortifications of Detroit.

Pontiac, principal chief of the Ottawa tribe, was made head of a powerful confederation of Ottawas, Ojibwas and Potawatomi in 1763.  He was respected from the Ohio to the Mississippi.  During the winter of 1763, his plans secretly passes from Indian nation to Indian nation throughout the Old Northwest and beyond. Upside down wampam belts and reddened tomahawks were the symbols of war.

In April of 1763, the tribes were summoned to a great council on the shores of Ecorces, below Detroit where Pontiac proclaimed the will of the "Master of Life" as revealed to him.  Algonquin and Senecas from the Iroquois confederacy pledged their support. 

A simultaneous attack, timed by a change in the moon, was planned on English forts and settlements throughout the Old Northwest.  The tribes would attack the nearest settlement to them, and Detroit belonged to Pontiac himself.  Four days prior to the planned attacks, Pontiac and 40 of his warriors visited Detroit to claim their undying friendship to the Great Father across the water.  The new commander, Major Gladwyn, had heard of trouble through his Ottawa girlfriend according to legend.

Pontiac saw that the whole garrison was under arms and was told by Gladwyn that they were training exercises.  After trying to talk peace, Pontiac was refused entrance and left.  On May 7th, the ruse was up and hostilities began in earnest. 

For six months the settlement was besieged.  There was little actual fighting and loss of life was insignificant.  The French refused to offer the Indians assistance, and in October Pontiac humbly sought peace again. 

Meanwhile a reign of terror spread...next time
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Today in Pioneer History:  "On January 14, 1639, in Hartford, Connecticut, the first constitution in the American colonies, the 'Fundamental Orders' was adopted by representatives of Wethersfield, Windsor and Hartford."

New Direction

With the New Year, we are starting a new topic...going back to my roots in the Midwest, historically known as the The Old Northwest.  Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Kentucky.  Feel free to offer your comments, but remember that comments are moderated for spam and must be on topic.  So let's get started! Ed. Note

In 1760 the vast country lying south of the Great Lakes, between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers was open for settlement after the English defeated the French.  The area became known as The Old Northwest.  With that said, four regions still remained under French control.

The French still controlled the east bank of the Mississippi River below St.Louis with a cluster of forts, missions, and trading posts that extended from Canada to Louisiana.  Secondly, the French held the Illinois Territory around St. Louis, near modern day Ottawa, Illinois which LaSalle had founded on the summit of "Starved Rock" in 1682.  Thirdly, was the valley of the Wabash where Vincennes had become the seat of the colony in the 18th century.  Lastly, the French controlled the western end of Lake Erie where Detroit, founded by Cadillac in 1701 had stood against the British for the last 50 years.

Troops, under Major Robert Rogers were dispatched to take possession of the lands remaining in French hands.  Rogers was a hero of the northern frontier and lead his band of "rangers" in 15 whaleboats down the St. Lawrence to Detroit.  At the mouth of the Cuyahoga River near present day Cleveland, he met a band of Indian chiefs under their chief Pontiac.

After satisfying the chiefs of the journey's intentions, they were allowed to continue to Detroit.  They arrived in the little town of Detroit where they found the French commander, Beletre.  At the moment, Beletre was interested in making trouble with the Wyandots, and Potawatomi Indians and wasn't concerned with Rogers and his rangers. Beletre's attempt failed, he laid down his arms, left the city in disgrace, and was taken as prisoner down the river.  The French fleur-de-lis was taken down and the English flag was raised. After 50 years, Detroit was in British hands.

The story continues next time...
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Today in Pioneer History: "On January 8, 1877, outnumbered, low on ammunition, and forced to use outdated weapons to defend themselves, Crazy Horse and his warriors fight their final losing battle against the U.S. Cavalry in Montana.