Tippecanoe controversy

            “The undersigned Field officers during the action at Tippecanoe the morning of the 7th inst. Desirous of stating their opinion with respect to the conduct of the Commander in Chief on that occasion, do hereby certify, that the Governor was calm and deliberate--that his orders were precise and distinct--that he performed duties that might have been devolved on subordinates--that he directed and marched reinforcements to points where aid was necessary and posted them himself--that he never avoided the post of danger.  That the victory was obtained by his vigilance and activity--In a word that his conduct in every respect was worthy the General and the soldier.”  A statement signed two weeks after the Battle of Tippecanoe by five militia officers and one Regular Army officer.
            In the Battle of Tippecanoe, the American army of approximately 300 regular Army soldiers and 700 Indiana militia and Kentucky volunteers led by Governor William Henry Harrison survived a determined predawn surprise attack by warriors on November 7, 1811.  Although Harrison’s 180 dead and wounded amounted to almost a fifth of his force, the soldiers drove off the warriors after more than two hours of desperate fighting and were left in possession of the field.
            Harrison soon found that his actions during the campaign were the subject of both strong criticism and great praise.  His critics, many of them political enemies, claimed that he had not taken proper precautions to defend against an attack that should have been anticipated.  Specifically, they indicated that a better campsite should have been selected, all the soldiers should have been kept awake at their posts, a breastwork should have been built around the camp, and that there should not have been any fires inside the lines to silhouette the troops once the battle began.  Those individuals supporting Harrison maintained that sufficient preparations had been made prior to the attack and stressed that he had provided effective and courageous leadership during the battle.
            The ensuing controversy was further heightened by the rivalry that normally existed between professional troops and citizen soldiers.  In general, Regular Army troops were usually more dependable than militia or volunteers, due partly to more frequent training and much harsher discipline.  At the Battle of Tippecanoe, some of the militia initially had been thrown into confusion by the surprise attack, but apparently the majority fought bravely and well.
            Harrison’s political opponents decided to give the major credit in the fighting to the Regular Army soldiers and their leader, Colonel John P. Boyd, who had been second-in-command to Harrison in the campaign.  Boyd possessed a highly unusual background, having served as an officer and soldier-of-fortune in India for two decades before returning to the United States.  Harrison’s prior active military experience had consisted of serving as aide-de-camp to General Anthony Wayne during the Indian campaigns of the 1790s before resigning from the Regular Army in 1798 to pursue a political career.  Since territorial governors were in charge of the militia, Boyd and the Regulars had been placed under Harrison’s overall command by the War Department for the Tippecanoe campaign.
            In his letter to the Secretary of War the day after the battle on November 8, Harrison had claimed an important victory over the Indians and lauded the action of his army, saying “The behavior of both regular and Militia Troops was such as would have done honor to Veterans.”  In another letter to the Secretary on November 18, Harrison had been unstinting in his praise of Boyd, stating “The Col. throughout the action manifested equal zeal and bravery in carrying into execution my orders, in keeping the men to their posts & exhorting them to fight with valour.”
            On November 19, the day after the troops returned to Vincennes, the following statement was addressed to Harrison:  “Sir-The house of representatives of the Indiana territory in their own name, and in behalf of their constituents, most cordially reciprocate the congratulations of your excellency on the glorious result of the late sanguinary conflict with the Shawanoe prophet, and the tribes of Indians confederated with him:  when we see displayed in behalf of our country not only the consummate abilities of the general, but the heroism of the man; and where we take into view the benefits which must result to that country, from those exertions; we cannot for a moment withhold our need of applause.”
            Perhaps actuated by the omission of any mention of the Regulars or himself in the above statement, Colonel Boyd wrote the following Regimental Order to his troops the next day:  “Fourth Regiment you have closed a campaign brilliant in success and highly advantageous to your country, in which you are no less distinguished for the intrepid bravery of the Privates than for the gallant spirit and proud honour of the officers.  The Glories you have gained on the morning of the 7th inst., when your camp was surprised shall be recorded in time’s eternal tablet, and no suspension of praise shall silence your just merits, my Brothers.  Your conduct on that day can never be effaced from my gratitude, your contempt of danger and determined courage saved the camp and to you the candid militia ascribe the glorious victory obtained.  It shall be my duty to make your merits known to the honorable Secretary (of War).”
            A small group of individuals, including some of Harrison’s political opponents, met on November 25 and issued the following statement:  “Colonel Jno. P. Boyd, 4th Reg. U.S. Inf. Sir, Permit us to convey to you and through you to the officers and men of the Regiment you command the exalted sense we entertain of the masterly and spirited conduct which you have displayed in the engagement with the Indians at Tippicanoe and to express the gratitude which fills our hearts for so many lives which your gallant exertions have contributed to preserve.  Your near departure from this country prevent a more general and public manifestation of these sentiments, which are not peculiar to ourselves; we find them universally entertained, and those grave regular’s expressions repeated with enthusiasm by that spirited but untutored Militia who witnessed and emulated your cool intrepidity, evince at once the importance of the service you have rendered and the warmth of their gratitude.”