Native Americans, so they granted the Indians
only token aid. To many in Congress, particu-
larly the War Hawk faction of the Democratic-
Republican Party, Tecumseh’s forays to
Canada were further proof of British inten-
tions to incite frontier violence. This became
a major cause behind the ensuing War of 1812.
When war was declared against Britain in
June 1812, Tecumseh openly espoused his
support for the British. He did so against the
advice of his nephew, James Logan, who de-
clared his intention to fight for the Americans
and urged Tecumseh to remain neutral. But
the die was cast. In August, Tecumseh joined
forces with British Gen. Isaac Brockagainst
the U.S. Army under Gen. William Hull at De-
troit. On August 5, his warriors routed a mili-
tia supply column at Brownstown, inflicting
over 200 casualties with few Indian losses.
Four days later, he was himself defeated at
Maguaga by Col. James Miller but remained in
the vicinity of Detroit to harass the defenders.
Brock’s threat of an Indian massacre ulti-
mately convinced Hull to surrender on August
- Tecumseh’s warriors then fought bravely
in a number of savage encounters throughout
the Old Northwest. In January 1813, they
helped Gen. Henry Proctordestroy the army
of Gen. James Winchester at Frenchtown,
Michigan Territory, although Tecumseh was
not present and many of the wounded prison-
ers were massacred. This, in turn, led to
greater resolve on the part of Americans, es-
pecially Kentuckians, for revenge. In May
1813, Tecumseh directed Indian movements
during Proctor’s siege of Fort Meigs, Ohio,
and was instrumental in repulsing a deter-
mined sortie orchestrated by his old nemesis,
Harrison. However, he personally intervened
to prevent another massacre of prisoners and
castigated Proctor for failing to do so. The
siege failed, as did a second attempt in July,
and the restless warriors began deserting the
British army. To prevent further dissent,
Tecumseh convinced Proctor to attack Fort
Stephenson in August 1813, as he felt that a
victory would inspire his warriors. When
British troops were disastrously repulsed by
Maj. George Croghan, Proctor decided to
abandon Ohio altogether. Tecumseh had little
recourse but to follow him back to Fort
Malden, Ontario, and await developments.
On September 10, 1813, the British strate-
gic position in Canada was worsened by the
victory of Comdr. Oliver Hazard Perry on
Lake Erie. With the waterways in American
hands, Perry’s fleet next transported Harri-
son’s army to Fort Malden, and Proctor and
Tecumseh commenced retreating eastward.
The pursuit, mounted by vengeful Kentuck-
ians, gradually wore down Native American
morale, and Tecumseh goaded Proctor into
making a final stand along the Thames River
on October 5, 1813. Once the British posted
themselves out in the open, Tecumseh de-
ployed his warriors in a swamp on their flank
and awaited the American attack. Harrison, in
a surprising move, unloosed Col. Richard M.
Johnson’s cavalry, which quickly overran
Proctor’s men, prompting their surrender. The
Native Americans, by contrast, resisted
stoutly and forced the cavalry to dismount
and engage them on foot. In the course of the
fighting, Johnson was wounded but Tecumseh
was killed, an act that caused a general Indian
retreat. The Americans looked for Tecumseh’s
body, but it had been spirited away and buried
by several of his followers, so they cut razor
strips from the bodies of several warriors
whom they believed was the great chief.
Tecumseh’s passing marked the end of orga-
nized Indian resistance to white encroach-
ment east of the Mississippi River, a fight that
would not be taken up again until Black
Hawkin 1832. Although Tecumseh’s quest for
Indian unity failed, he was admired by friends
and enemies alike for his vision, eloquence,
and strength of character.Bibliography
Allen, Robert S. His Majesty’s Allies: British Indian
Policy in the Defense of Canada, 1774–1815.
Toronto: Dundurn Press, 1992; Buff, Rachel. “Tecum-
seh and Tenskwatawa: Myth, Historiography, and
Popular Memory.” Historical Reflections21, no. 2TECUMSEH