Accounts of Tippecanoe

            In the previous article, the sequence of events in the Battle of Tippecanoe was described.  Because this famous confrontation looms large in the history of Indiana and the region north of the Ohio River, it is appropriate to look at the battle in more detail.  The four following eyewitness descriptions bring the action of that early morning of November 7, 1811, clearly into focus.
            On November 18, 1811, Governor William Henry Harrison sent the following official account to the Secretary of War.
            “On the morning of the 7th I had risen at a quarter after four o’clock, and the signal for calling out the men would have been given in two minutes, when the attack commenced.  It began on our left flank. . . .The storm first fell upon Captain Barton’s company of the Fourth United State regiment, and Captain Geiger’s company of mounted riflemen, which formed the left angle of the rear line.  The fire upon these was excessively severe, and they suffered considerably before relief could be brought to them; some few Indians passed into the encampment near the angle, and one or two penetrated to some distance before they were killed.  I believe all the other companies were under arms, and tolerably formed before they were fired on. . . .In the course of a few minutes after the commencement of the attack, the first extended along the left flank, the whole of the front, the right flank, and the part of the rear line.  Upon Spencer’s mounted riflemen, and the right to Warwick’s company, which was posted on the right of the rear line, it was excessively severe; Captain Spencer and his first and second lieutenants were killed, and Captain Warwick was mortally wounded; those companies, however, still bravely maintained their posts, . . .My great object was to keep the lines entire to prevent the enemy from breaking into the camp until daylight, which would enable me to make a general and effectual charge.”
            According to Lieutenant Charles Larrabee,”. . . the manner the indians faught was desperate/thay would rush with horid yelds in bodies upon the lines/being driven back, they would remain in perfect silence for a few seconds, then would whistle (on an instrument made for this purpose) and then commence the rush again, while other would creep up close to the lines on their hands and knees, and get behind trees for their support/the companies Whitnes and Baens, dureing the time thay continued to oucupy their own ground in the line, had 12 men wounded and one killed/Major Wells took command of S(nelling’s?) and P.(rescott)s companies and with his former command charged the indians at the head of the camp/at the same time I received an order (as did Lieut Hawkins) and proceeded accordingly to support the rear line/ on my arrival the Indians had gained ground upon Spencers company, being the senior officer present, commanded and formed the companies, charged the Indians killed five and put the rest to flight/”
            Isaac Naylor, a volunteer in a company of riflemen, wrote of his experiences in the battle as follows:  “In a few minutes I heard the crack of a rifle. . .I had just time to think that some sentinel was alarmed and had fired his rifle without a real cause, when I heard the crack of another rifle, followed by an awful Indian yell all around the encampment.  In less than a miute I saw the Indians charging our line most furiously and shooting a great many rifle balls into our camp fires, throwing the live coals into the air three or four feet high.
            “At this moment my friend Warnock was shot by a rifle ball through his body.  He ran a few yards and fell dead on the ground.  Our lines were broken and a few Indians were found on the inside of the encampment.  In a few moments they were all killed.  Our lines closed up and our men in their proper places.  One Indian was killed in the back part of Captain Geiger’s tent, while he was attempting to tomahawk the Captain.
            “The sentinels, closely pursued by the Indians, came to the lines of the encampment in haste and confusion. . . .A young man, whose name was Daniel Pettit, was pursued so closely and furiously by an Indian as he was running from the guard fire to our lines, that to save his life he cocked his rifle as he ran and turning suddenly round, placed the muzzle of his gun against the body of the Indian and shot an ounce ball through him.  The Indian fired his gun at the same instant, but it being longer that Pettit’s the muzzle passed by him and set fire to a handkerchief which he had tied round his head.  The Indians made four or five most fierce charges on our lines, yelling and screaming as they advanced, shooting balls and arrows into our ranks.  At each charge they were driven back in confusion, carrying off their dead and wounded as they retreated.”
            Lieutenant George P. Peters, 4th U.S. Infantry wrote this description of his part in the battle: “I commanded the front guard consisting of Militia posted about 200 Yards in front of the Camp (42 Privates & 4 Non Coms. Officers) nothing was discovered till about half past 4 O’C’K on the morning of the 7th a Gun was fired by one of my Sentries on which the Indians immediately rose up within about [unreadable ?0] Yards from my line of Sentries and fired on my Guard as they were forming.-Killed two & wounded Several & giving their war yells rushed forward with dreadful fury.  My Guard ran (in spite of my exertions to detain them) some even leaving their Arms behind.  Thus finding myself along I seized a Rifle & Slipping behind a Tree waited the approach of the terrible enemy.  I had Scarcely taken my post when an Indian flash’d his piece at me within the distance of a rod - his rifle missing fire perhaps saved my life.  I then thought it time to discharge my Rifle at my antagonist & make Tracks for my own Safety.  The balls & arrows were whistling past me as I ran to the Camp.  The line of Militia which were formed to on the angle of the left flank in front & should have rec’d the attacks I found retreating before the Indians who rushed’d into the Center of the Camp.  I pass’d said Militia & as soon as I reached my Company (which were encamp’d in the center of the rear line - 150 Yards from the Front line) I found them form’d.  I wheeled them instantly & marched up to support the retreating Militia.  Two other Comp’ys of the Regulars were order’d to in the same manner - we pass’d the confus’d retreat & met the Indians & charg’d on them Outside of the Camp & halted at the line - during this charge I rec’d a wound in my right thigh from a Rifle Ball which pass’d about 8 inches through my flesh. . . .thus without cessation of firing we kept our ground until day light & as soon as it dawned upon us we made a general Charge upon the enemy & forced them to retreat from their lurking places - they fled in every direction before the Bayonets of the regular Troops. . . .”