464. So alarming were the accounts of Tecumseh's movements, that government finally instructed Gen. Harrison to march against the Prophet's town and destroy it unless a satisfactory treaty was signed. Volunteers were raised for the expedition. Early in November, 1811, the U. S. army approached the Tippecanoe. It was met by Indian ambassadors, who expressed a strong desire for peace, and promised that the Prophet would the next day sign the required treaty. That night the men lay encamped in order of battle. About two hours before dawn [November 7], one of the sentinels espied something moving in the grass, and fired. The discharge was answered by the terrible war-whoop of the Indians, who had crept up to surprise the sleeping army, and now with rifle and tomahawk rushed to the very doors of the tents. Not one in twenty of Gen. Harrison's men had been in battle before, but they stood their ground like heroes. Fierce and repeated charges were made by the Red

INDIANS CONCEALED IN THE GRASS OF THE WET PRAIRIE

PLAN OF THE BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE.

Men, whom the pretended Prophet had inspired with extraordinary courage; but each time they were repulsed. Har

prediction fulfilled? 464. What instructions were issued by government in 1811? Early in November, 1811, where were Harrison and his army? By whom were they met? How did they pass the night? What took place two hours before dawn? What is said of Gen. Harrison's men? [See Map.-Where were the Indians concealed? On what treek was the battle? How high was the bluff occupied by the Americans? What

1811]

BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE.

343

rison hastened from point to point, exhorting his men to keed an unbroken line till daylight should enable them to drive the savages from their position.

The wounds inflicted by the Indians were unusually painful, in consequence, as it was afterwards found, of their having chewed their bullets, and thus given them a rough surface, which tore the flesh and caused poignant torture. Every charge of the savages was followed by fearful screams from the wounded. Still the troops maintained their line. Gen. Harrison, though marked for special aim, escaped with no further injury than the loss of a lock of hair, cut off by a bullet. At last the wished-for dawn appeared. The assailants were soon dislodged from their cover, and pursued to a neighboring swamp. They left 40 dead upon the field; the Americans lost 62 killed, and 126 more or less injured. Gen. Harrison, as tender-hearted as he was prudent and brave, carefully ministered to the wounded, and shared his stores with his men, who for a time had no food but horseflesh. The Prophet's town was destroyed, and the victorious army returned to Vincennes. The defeat of Tippecanoe was a severe blow to Tecumseh. In hazarding a battle during his absence, the Prophet disobeyed his direct commands, and thus forfeited his confidence; nor did the Indians any longer believe in the sacred character of one whose predictions and promises had proved utterly false.

465. The twelfth Congress of the United States met November 4, 1811. It contained many already distinguished as statesmen, and others destined to become so. John C. Calhoun, of South Carolina, appeared for the first time in the house of representatives; Henry Clay, of Kentucky, was elected speaker. Congress without delay prepared for war with England. It was resolved to enlist 25,000 regulars and

general commanded near the point first attacked ?] Describe the charges of the Red Men. What did Harrison exhort his men to do? What is said of the wounds inflicted in this battle? What was the cause of this? What injury did Gen. Harrison receive? On the appearance of dawn, what was done? What was the loss on each side? How did Gen. Harrison treat his men? What did the victorious army then do? What effect had this defeat on the Prophet's standing? 465. When did the twelfth Congress meet? What new members made their appearance? What measures were taken, in

50,000 volunteers; and the respective states were directed to arm and equip their proportion of 100,000 militia for the defence of the coast and frontier. Import duties generally were doubled, and a loan of $11,000,000 was authorized.

While the country was anxiously waiting for Great Britain's final response, Louisiana was admitted as the seventeenth state of the Union [April 8, 1812], and the Territory of Missouri was organized, with St. Louis as its capital. Soon after the answer of the British ministry arrived. They would abandon no measures, however injurious or offensive to the United States, which the war with France made it their interest to employ. All hope of peace was now laid aside. Clay, Calhoun, and others, took the ground that further submission would be incompatible with the honor of America. Accordingly, war was declared by a vote of 79 to 49 in the house, and 19 to 13 in the senate. On the 18th of June, 1812, President Madison signed the bill, and war was formally proclaimed the following day.

CHAPTER V.

MADISON'S ADMINISTRATION (CONTINUED), 1812.

466. On the declaration of war, Gen. Dearborn, of Massachusetts, was appointed commander-in-chief of the American army. His force consisted mostly of New York militia, stationed at Plattsburg and on the Niagara frontier. Twelve hundred Ohio volunteers, raised while the question of war was still under discussion, together with 300 regulars, were placed under the command of Gen. William Hull, whose revolutionary services entitled him to the confidence of his countrymen.

Gen. Hull had been governor of Michigan

anticipation of war? When was Louisiana admitted? What territory was crganized? What answer did the British ministry finally make to the demands of America? What ground was taken by Clay, Calhoun, and others? When and by how large majoritics was war declared?

466. Who was appointed commander-in-chief of the American army? Of what did his force mainly consist? To whom was the command of the northwestern army in

1812]

HULL'S INVASION OF CANADA.

345

from the time of its organization as a territory in 1805; and his representations, as well as the hope of stopping the machinations of British agents and the Indian outrages which they had caused, led the U. S. government to project an invasion of Canada as the first step in the campaign. Hull hastened to Dayton, Ohio, to take command of his men, and led them by slow and laborious marches through the wilderness towards Detroit. He soon realized that this small force was totally inadequate to the object proposed; and the men, on their side, became equally convinced of the inefficiency of their commander.

The

467. Gen. Hull had expected that war would be declared, but by some mismanagement no news of that event reached him till some time after it was known to the British. very day he received the intelligence, a boat containing his baggage, stores, official papers, &c., was captured by the enemy. On the 9th of July, Hull received instructions to proceed with the invasion of Canada; and three days afterwards he crossed to Sandwich, on the British side of the Detroit River. With an insignificant force, containing but 300 men that had seen

service, his only chance of success lay in marching on the enemies' posts before the Canadian militia could be armed for their defence. Hull's course, however, was just the opposite. Every movement was

Thamesk

Moravian owns

trusted? Of whom did it consist? What office did Gen. Hull hold? Through his representations, what did the U. S. government project? Where did Hull go to take command of his men? On the road to Detroit, what did they mutually find? 467. What was the first loss on the part of the Americans? By what was it caused? On the 9th of July, what instructions did Hull receive? Three days afterwards what did he do?

characterized by indecision and delay. By the time the American general was ready to attack Malden, the first British fort that lay before him, it was strongly garrisoned with regulars and militia. New difficulties now arose. Tecumseh called his warriors to the field, and joined the British army. Supplies were cut off, and the invaders suffered for food. An intercepted letter stated that all the Indians of the North were preparing for a descent on the United States. Gen. Dearborn had agreed with the governor of Canada to suspend hostilities except on that part of the frontier occupied by Hull; and Gen. Brock, thus released from the necessity of defending Niagara, was hastening with reinforcements to the relief of Malden. Hull was not the man to hazard an attack with all these dangers before him. Hastily retreating, he abandoned the Canada shore and returned to Detroit.

468. Mackinaw was at this time one of the most exposed posts belonging to the United States. It was a great emporium for furs, traders from Albany and Montreal resorting thither at certain seasons to buy from the Indians the products of their traps and rifles. Before the feeble garrison at this place had heard that war was declared, they were attacked by a force of British and Indians, and obliged to surrender.

469. No sooner had Gen. Brock reached Malden and assumed command of the whole British army, than he led his forces to Sandwich, and prepared to attack Detroit. Tecumseh was the only one acquainted with the surrounding country, and the British commander called on him for information. Spreading a piece of elm bark on the ground, he drew his knife and without hesitation sketched an accurate plan of the whole region, with its hills, rivers, roads, and marshes. Brock was so pleased with this ready display of talent that he took a sash from his person and bound it round the waist of his ally. About this time, Tecumseh was

made a general in the British army.

What new difficulties 468. What is said of

What would have been his only chance of success? What course did he pursue? What was the state of Malden by the time he was ready to attack it? now arose to embarrass him? What did they lead him to do? Mackinaw? Give an account of its capture. 469. What was Gen. Brock's first step, on