Battle of Tippecanoe

Battle of Tippecanoe. .

On the 16th instant, a boat loaded with the brave fellows who were wounded in the action of the 7th arrived at this place from Fort Harrison, and on the 17th another from the same place – On Sunday last the Governor arrived with the army at Busseron, about 20 miles above this. … The regular troops and the militia of this county came on to this place and Fort Knox. The latter have been discharged. The former are quartered in the town and in the fort. … Every account that we have received confirms … that the victory which they have gained was complete and decisive, although purchased with the loss of many valuable lives. – Vincennes Western Sun, November 23, 1811

, The Battle of Tippecanoe, November 7, 1811, was one of the most famous engagements on the American frontier. Governor Harrison's army arrived at Prophet's Town on November 6. Harrison had come to disperse the inhabitants of the town, by force if necessary, but he preferred not to start the fight. He therefore accepted the Prophet's suggestion that he camp on nearby Burnett's Creek and hold a council the next day., Harrison knew that an attack was possible. He ordered his men to lie down in ranks and sleep on their guns to keep their powder dry, ready to spring up in the event of an attack. In spite of this, the camp was almost overrun in the fierce pre-dawn attack. The Americans rallied and drove back several attacks., After a two-and-a-half-hour battle, the Indians withdrew and the Army was in possession of the field and claimed victory. Sixty-two of the 1,000 soldiers died as a result of the battle. The Indians, with approximately 500 warriors, left forty of their dead on the field. Others were probably carried off by the retreating warriors.