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Harrison, on learning this, resolved to treat them as enemies, considering this act of aggression a sufficient justification under his orders. He was preparing for an attack on them, when he was met by three chiefs, who came to avow, on the Indians' behalf, a disposition for peace. A suspension of hostilities till the next day was agreed upon, and Harrison moved his army above the town, and, with his usual judgment, selected an encampment possessing every advantage of position, together with a full supply of wood and water for the

men.

It was during this night that the treacherous savages held a council, and, in open violation of their compact, resolved to attack the camp of Harrison before the break of day.

Before proceeding to a description of the celebrated battle which followed this resolution, we will pause to relate an incident which occurred this night, and which fully illustrates the humanity and benevolence of Harrison's heart. Let those, if any there be, who affect to dread his military character, read this and reflect.

Ben, a negro who belonged to the camp, deserted and went over to the Indians, and entered into a conspiracy to assassinate Governor Harrison, at the time the savages commenced their attack. Being apprehended whilst lurking about the Governor's marqué, waiting an opportunity to accomplish this foul deed, he was tried by a court-martial and sentenced to be shot. The execution of this sentence was delayed for a short time, in consequence of the troops being engaged in fortifying the camp. In the mean time, the negro was put into Indian stocks—that is, a log split open, notches cut into it to fit the culprit's legs, the upper piece then laid on, and the whole firmly staked into the ground. The Governor interposed, and pardoned the culprit. The reason assigned by him for his clemency, was as follows:-"The fact was, that I began to pity him, and could not screw myself up to the point of giving the fatal order. If he had been out of my sight, he would have been executed. The poor wretch lay confined before my fire, his face receiving the rain that occasionally fell, and his eyes constantly turned upon me, as if

imploring mercy. I could not withstand the appeal, and I determined to give him another chance for his life." This act of magnanimous lenity displays, in bright colours, the goodness of Harrison's heart, and proves that no elevation of rank could cause him to forget the feelings of his fellow-men: resentment, if it dwelt in his bosom, yielded to the pleading of mercy.

After the treaty for a suspension of hostilities with the savages, the men busied themselves in fortifying the camp. This done, they retired to rest. Throughout the multitude who had lately been so active and busy, not a sound was heard, save that of the sentinel as he paced his lonely round. The moon was overcast with clouds, and an occasional dropping of rain denoted an approaching convulsion of the elements. All was as silent as the grave, when a single shot was heard, and immediately the dreadful war-whoop arose in the quarter whence it proceeded.

Harrison, who had already risen, mounted the first horse he could procure, and rode directly to the point of attack. The guard had already been driven in by the savages, but Harrison, with undaunted heroism, rallied his men, received the foe at the point of the bayonet, and drove them back.

In a short time, the troops were marshalled in order of battle, and a most deadly conflict raged until the dawn of day. Major Davis fell mortally wounded, as did also Colonel Isaac White. The savages fought with all the fury of religious fanaticism, but every effort against our troops was promptly met and gallantly repulsed. At length the Governor succeeded in breaking the enemy's left wing, and immediately after, with Cook and Larrabe's companies, he charged their right, and put their main body to flight, and thus terminated the battle.

The battle at Tippecanoe was one of the most important conflicts which ever occurred between the Indians and the whites. The forces on either side were nearly equal. The Indians, however, chose the time, place and mode of attack; and yet, notwithstanding, by the gallantry and courage of Governor Harrison, they were defeated.

The high sense entertained by the government of the conduct of the officers and soldiers in this conflict is expressed in a message from the President to Congress, dated December 18, 1811.—“While it is deeply to be lamented," says Mr. Madison," that so many valuable lives have been lost in the action, which took place on the 9th ult., Congress will see with satisfaction the dauntless spirit and fortitude victoriously displayed by every description of troops engaged, as well as the collected firmness which distinguished their commander, on an occasion requiring the utmost exertion of valour and discipline."

Resolutions were also passed by the Legislatures of Indiana and Kentucky, of a similar purport. The following is the resolution of the latter body:

"Resolved, that in the late campaign against the Indians on the Wabash, Governor William Henry Harrison has, in the opinion of this Legislature, behaved like a hero, a patriot, and a general; and that for his cool, deliberate, skilful, and gallant conduct in the late battle of Tippecanoe, he deserves the warmest thanks of the nation."

The thanks thus conferred were well merited, as nothing could exceed the daring with which he exposed his person, at those points where the battle raged most hotly.

In some instances this exposure was so great as to demand the interference of his officers-a circumstance which has happened to no other officer of whom we have ever read, except Washington at Long Island. The following instance is given by McAffee. In speaking of his services during the combat, he says:

"The reinforcements drawn occasionally from the points most secure, were conducted by himself and formed on the spot where their services were most wanted. The officers and men, who believed that their ultimate success depended on his safety, warmly remonstrated against his so constantly exposing himself. Upon one occasion, as he was approaching an angle of the line, against which the Indians were advancing with horrible yells, Lieutenant Emerson, of the Dragoons, seized the bridle of his horse, and earnestly entreated that he

would not go there; but the governor, putting spurs to his horse, pushed on to the point of attack, where the enemy were received with firmness, and driven back."

The effect of the victory of Tippecanoe, was the immediate dispersion of the hostile bands of barbarians, who had heretofore hung on the western frontier. The various tribes denounced Tecumseh, and disclaimed all connection with him, and shortly afterwards sent eighty deputies to Governor Harrison, to treat for peace, on the terms of total submission. Far different would have been the scene had the Prophet triumphed-towns would have been sacked, hamlets burned, and the peaceful tenement of the settler offered up a sacrifice to savage fury.

CHAPTER II.

General Hull surrenders his Army to General Brock without a Battle-His Trial -His Sentence-Pardoned by the President-His Name is struck from the Rolls of the Army.

"The better part of valour is-discretion."

At least General Hull, as well as Falstaff, appears to have been of that opinion; but every general rule has its exceptions in such matters, and Congress did not agree with him.

On the 16th of August, General Hull, Governor of Michigan, who had been sent at the head of about 2500 men to Detroit, with a view of putting an end to Indian hostilities in that country, surrendered his army to General Brock, without a battle, and with it the fort at Detroit.

The sensations produced by this occurrence throughout the United States, and particularly in the Western country, can scarcely be described. So entirely unprepared was the public mind for this extraordinary event, that no one could believe it to have taken place, until communicated from an official

source.

In his official despatch, Hull took great pains to free his conduct from censure. Among the reasons for his surrender, and those which determined him to that course, he assigned

the want of provision to sustain the siege, the expected reinforcements of the enemy, and the savage ferocity of the Indians, should he ultimately be obliged to capitulate.

The government, however, not being satisfied with his excuses, ordered a court-martial, before which he was charged with treason, cowardice, and unofficer-like conduct. On the first charge the court declined giving an opinion: on the two last he was sentenced to death, but was recommended to mercy, in consequence of his revolutionary services, and his advanced age. The sentence was remitted by the president; but his name was ordered to be struck from the rolls of the army.

A chapter without a battle is rather an anomaly in our work; but for this we are indebted to the defection of General Hull.

CHAPTER III.

The Constitution captures the Guerriere-Great Damage to the GuerriereShe is set on Fire and blown up-Effects of this brilliant Victory on the American People.

"Bis vincit, qui se vincit in victoria."

"I will board her, though she chide as loud

As thunder, when the clouds in autumn crack."

THE Constitution, commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, put to sea from Boston, on the 2d of September. On the 19th, a vessel hove in sight, and a chase instantly commenced. It was soon discovered to be the Guerriere, one of the best frigates in the British navy, and which seemed not averse to the rencontre, as she backed her maintop-sail, waiting for the Constitution to come down. This was a most desirable occurrence to our brave tars, as this frigate had for some time been in search of an American frigate, having given a formal challenge to all our vessels of the same class. She had at one of her mast-heads a flag, on which her name was inscribed in large characters, by way of gasconade, and on

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