In the face of the rise of the United States, North American Indians have made two choices.
One is obedience. Embrace white culture, emulate European and American customs, and strive to integrate into mainstream American society. From eating and dressing to thinking and acting, do red-skinned Americans. Chiefs like the "Black Hoof" and the five civilized tribes were once famous;
The second is resistance. Sticking to traditional beliefs, maintaining old habits, trying to preserve Indian tribal lands, "Pontiac" anti-British, "Blue Jacket" anti-American, and even the later famous "seat cattle" and "crazy horses" are all the same. The farthest practitioner, Tecumseh, had hoped to establish an all-Indian union across North America, that is, to establish an Indian nation.
Who chose the right one? Who represents the fundamental interests of ordinary North American Native Americans?
As time passed, history did not leave a perfect answer, only the personal experiences of countless Indians remained there—the obedient and rebellious people entered the reservation, the silent land of North America. Let's move on to the story of the Indian hero, Tkumse.
U.S. military preemptive strike:
It was September 1811, and more than 1,000 American troops had assembled and begun to march, targeting the town of Indian Prophet.
The radical governor of the U.S. Indiana Territory, Harrison decided to "purge" native Indians and clear the way for northwest territorial expansion. By the time he made up his mind, the Treaty of Greenville had turned into a piece of waste paper.
The sweet words of "forever forge friendship and hand in hand" are still in the ears, and the Natives must remember that "the United States has waived its claim to indigenous peoples' lands outside the Ohio Treaty Line."
The peace treaty that had barely lasted for 16 years on the surface was not a dead end, the Americans hated it, the Indians doubted it, and now the war could finally burn the magnificent writing to ashes with a fierce fire, and bury all the laborious and time-consuming false snakes by the way.
The Indian leader, Tqumsai, was thousands of miles away, struggling to form a grand Indian confederation, and during the long journey he tried to lobby every tribe he encountered, he did not care about him. Left behind in the town of Prophet is Tenskwatawa, the younger brother of the so-called "Prophet".
(Tekkumsai on the left and prophets on the right.) When he was young, the prophet shot an arrow and injured his own eye, and he was unsuccessful as a hunter and physician, and later became a religious leader. The two brothers differ in many places. ）
As a religious leader who revived Indian culture, the younger brother was instrumental in promoting miracles and witch hunts. But Tqumsai understands the depths of this, even if the younger brother comes back from the dead and predicts the eclipse, those means have only deceived the world and cannot deceive the guns. The prophet's brother Mo, who had no chicken power, said that the rifle even used the traditional bow and arrow to use the bad rope. Therefore, before leaving, Tqumsee deliberately discussed with his brother that he must "try to avoid any confrontation", that is, he must be patient in the face of US provocations, focus on accumulating strength, and wait for his return to deal with the Indian Grand Alliance. In Tqumse's view, although white Americans are jealous of the Indian Alliance in Prophet Town, the two sides have not completely torn their faces after all.
The utilitarianism of capitalist society was clearly different from the covenant-abiding righteousness of the clan commune, and Governor Harrison did more than Tecommsai expected, and the American army not only advanced steadily along the way, but also camped to build Harrisonburg halfway through, and replenished the supplies with horses and troops. Twelve more minutes to advance to a mile outside prophetic town.
Receiving news of the enemy's movements, the Prophet ordered the fortifications of the town, but it was too late to complete. On the night of November 6, an emergency tribal meeting was held in the town, and the Indians of all ethnic groups were at odds, and it was difficult for everyone to adapt without the command of Tekumsai. Considering that U.S. sentries shot their own fighters, many angry people tended to take direct revenge. People invariably turned their gaze to the Prophet, expecting him to be in control. After a moment of silence, Tansquartawa nodded in agreement with the attack. He then came up with his own plan to assassinate Harrison, the leader of the U.S. Army.
"The night is our friend." The Prophet solemnly declared to the participants.
"I promise you that I will cast spells to keep you from harm. I would also throw the white army into chaos and prevent them from resisting. The great gods are on top, get your weapons ready! ”
In the mysterious atmosphere, the prophet reveals an elusive temperament, as if forgetting the repeated cries of Tecommesse's invincibility. For the words of the prophet, most of the Indian warriors chose to believe. Not only because of the tribal environment in which he grew up, the spiritual world he built, but also because of the fulfillment or interpretation of many previous prophecies. Like the red light of the mainland's righteous fist, they fervently hope that their faith will protect their bodies and defeat the enemy.
Battle of Tippocano:
In the darkness of the night, the warriors set out with battle axes and rifles. They were expecting the Prophet's bold plan to sneak into an American tent and kill governor Harrison, who had engulfed the land. Hundreds of fighters quietly left the town and quietly surrounded the American troops from all sides. At this point, the prophet began to use his means. It turned out that a fleeing Coachman from the American Army had come to the rescue the other day, and this man agreed to lead a group of Indian fighters through the front to the Harrison tent that night. This is probably why the Prophet dared to carry out his adventure plan. However, the assassination team did not sneak far before they were discovered by the American sentries, and the coachman who led the way was captured on the spot, and the whole supposed plan of beheading was immediately foiled.
As an attacking party, the U.S. military was heavily guarded, not only were the sentries patrolled alertly, but all ordinary soldiers were ordered to sleep with weapons. A close engagement is unavoidable.
At about 4:30 a.m., sporadic gunfire awakened the sleeping Americans in the tent. Cluttered and shouted in panic, they found that the edge of the camp was full of infiltration of Indian warriors. On the left, forward, right flank, and behind, battles fought one after another everywhere. Indigenous warriors from different tribes stood up straight, shouted loudly and rushed into the camp. The regular troops and militiamen dressed in flowers and greenery of the US military quickly grabbed their weapons and opened fire urgently. The two sides immediately fought as one. Not far from the battlefield, on a stone hill, the Prophet was chanting intently with a feathered crown, and all the Indian warriors were sincerely hoping that the spell would be fulfilled. The actual battle was commanded by the White Dragon and the Stone Eater, who were the leaders of the war after Tekumsei left.
The initial raid factor quickly faded over time, and the battle gradually evolved into a melee around the American camp. The Indian warriors undoubtedly had great courage, and they mingled with the American troops north of the camp. Not only did they drive out the American dragoons, but they also killed Major Davis. Behind the camp, fighters stormed the Indiana militia and shot and killed Captain Spencer.
The U.S. military is not waiting to be beaten. Governor Harrison, a teenager who had seen a lot of the world, quickly mobilized 2 company reserves, plugged the gap in the defense line, and organized continuous fire. The Indian warriors charged head-on against the rain of bullets with courage, but lacked organization. They moved forward spontaneously like tribes fighting, and then retreated into the woods because of the intensive counterattack of the enemy soldiers. On the stone mountain, the prophet still prayed in practice. At the side of the camp, small and disorderly attacks were repulsed and restarted. The consequences of the lack of unified command are unmistakable.
(Prophet Rock, where it is believed that the Prophet chanted at that time to boost morale)
The sun slowly rose and the sound of gunfire gradually subsided. The American camp stood still, and the Native American warriors ran out of ammunition and were forced to retreat. What discouraged them was not that they failed to annihilate the enemy, but that the spell did not protect everyone from harm, and one by one the flesh and blood blurred wounds were in front of them, and they even had to abandon their seriously injured and difficult partners to get rid of the constant pursuit of the Us army.
(Paintings that deviate from history)
The Battle of Tippercano ended with 188 American casualties and about 120 Indian Confederate casualties in the two-hour battle.
(Battle of Tippecanoe.) Number of participants: 1000 in the United States, 500-700 in the Indians).
The warriors who had returned to prophetic town were furious, and several chiefs led a team to block the prophet in the longhouse.
In the midst of the noise, someone shouted:
"Liar! You lied to everyone, the spell had no effect and a lot of people died! ”
"You said spells would protect us, and you should have prevented these deaths!"
Faced with burning resentment, the Prophet tensed his face.
"No... No, you don't know. The scarred right eyelid seemed to jump suddenly, and he suddenly turned around and scolded his wife behind him:
"It's all you, just because of you, that you desecrated my potion!"
The prophet's mouth grunted with many reproaches. Then he faced the crowd and said in as calm a tone as possible:
"Don't worry, I'll cast new spells, powerful spells, and this time those invaders will suffer a crushing defeat."
"Act, let's attack again!" He seemed to have regained his spirits, and his voice was as fateful as ever.
"No!"
A voice answered. Some people quickly left, followed by more people, and the solemn-looking warriors left one after another.
On the same day, the town of Prophet was abandoned by the indigenous people, and thousands of men, women and children in the surrounding area were evacuated urgently, leaving only an old woman who could not leave due to illness.
On November 8, Governor Harrison led troops into the empty town. In accordance with his military practice, he personally ordered the burning of all houses and nearby fields, including the large accumulation of corn and beans in the warehouses, the rations of the indigenous people. Considering that he was not satisfied with the course of the battle, he also instructed the American soldiers to dig up all the graveyards of the surrounding Indians and kill the corpses in the wilderness.
（资料来源：Cave, Alfred A. (2006). Prophets of the Great Spirit. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press）
Similar to the Boxer Rebellion that raged in China decades later, the Indians' attempts to use their folk beliefs against the invaders failed. It is true that they are defeated by ignorance, but the cause of ignorance is not only one end. This can be regarded as a helpless move by the backward areas and the weak and small people to resist the advanced enemy.
Staying firm:
Imagine how Tekumse felt when he got the news of the fall of prophetic town. The manpower and material resources accumulated for a long time, and even the initial cohesion of the hearts of the tribes, have been consumed by a large number of fearless consumptions. The United States was already far stronger than the Indian tribes in terms of economy, armament, and institutions, and now even if it only targeted indian territory, the overall gap was even greater.
Regretting that as an older brother, Tecommse did not severely punish the younger brother after his return (the Us side recorded that he was furious), but the command was redefined, and the younger brother would only be responsible for serving as the spiritual leader of the alliance, and he would personally assume the heavy responsibilities of military command, diplomatic negotiations, and internal organization.
Trying to remedy the impregnated alliance with practical actions, Tqumsai continued to call on tribal warriors large and small to fight against American expansion, visiting and speaking in person, and the ordinary Indian people gradually changed from fear to approval. Fueled by the harsh behavior of the US military in burning villages and digging graves, indigenous people, young and old, slowly regrouped around Tekumsai. Perhaps they are no longer for the illusory miracles, but more for the reality of whether they and their families can continue to survive in the countryside.
(Tqumser has organizational skills, a talent for speech, and a lot of research on him in the West.)
Although the prophet's town was reduced to ashes, the people's spirit of resistance was even stronger. Even Tqumsai had to go out of his way to prevent the warriors from acting on their own. Before the dissuasion was successful, several tribal warriors had sneaked in and killed about 46 American immigrants as revenge for the Battle of Tippercano. By the spring of 1812, the aborigines had not only rebuilt the town of Prophet, but also gathered 800 warriors, surpassing the past. As for the entire Northwest Territories, as many as 3,500 Indian warriors were willing to fight for the Alliance.
(Stills from the outdoor drama "Tecommesee", the plot adds elements such as fictional love)
In the face of rising anti-American sentiment and the gradual awakening of national sentiment, Tekumsai was not careless. He carefully analyzed the reasons for the defeat of the natives before, and the hasty war was one of them. Acting rashly before accumulating enough strength will only lead to quick retaliation. Having seen many battles between the two sides, he knew the shortcomings of Indian warriors in the age of guns, that is, bravery and lack of organization. Although it took the natives only a short time to become masters of royal horses and shooters, the strategy and tactics of the new era were difficult to make up for in a few years, and he decided to find another way to find an external ally who could fight against the United States.
In the summer of 1812, the time came, the most likely time in history to change the fate of the Indians.
Anglo-American Feud:
In view of the expansionist policy of the United States in North America, which is intended to unify the entire continent, the contradiction with Britain quickly intensified. Will the side of the bed allow others to sleep soundly? For example, Founding Father Thomas Jefferson once said:
"Conquering Canada" is simply a matter of marching. ”
At a time when the White House, the House of Representatives, and even the streets of bars are filled with talk of expanding northward to west, royalists who have fled far away, French-speaking Catholics, and Native Indians who have lost their fields and hunting grounds have a common goal — to confront the United States.
Although the British were busy competing with the military genius Napoleon for Dominion in Europe, the land power in Canada and the sea power in the Atlantic Ocean did not consider ceding it to others. Determination is not empty talk, everything needs strength to support, the strength of the British colonial government in Canada can only be described as weak (British governor is Prevost, upper Canada commander-in-chief is Bullock). At that time, the entire force of the British Empire ready to defend Canada consisted of only one regular infantry regiment, a detachment of veterans, an artillery company, and a militia with a "flexible" number of no more than 5,200 men. The adversarial United States had at least 7,000 soldiers, and later through the recruitment of a large number of state militias, the number of soldiers in the United States reached 458,000.
Such a huge difference caused a headache for Isaac Brock, the British commander of the British army on the border. Governor Prevost was busy seeking a "political solution," as General Bullock had seen at the time: "Legislators, magistrates, militia officers, all embraced the idea that [Canada was about to be defeated] and were so lazy and indifferent in their respective offices." ”
So the general could only put his hopes on the indigenous people, and the alliance established by Tecommesai was undoubtedly the best choice for cooperation. Both sides had refused mutual assistance for various reasons in the past few years, but now they had enough reason to fight each other together, and the expansion of the United States in the northwest had already seriously jeopardized the interests of the Indians, and the imminent invasion of the north also made the Canadians restless.
On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Britain, and the long-lost struggle for hegemony in North America began. That month, Tecommse led hundreds of warriors north to Fort Amherst (Fort Molden) and officially entered the war as an ally of the British army.
In the old Chinese saying, this is the word "change" of "waiting for the world to change".
There is no doubt that entering the war was a strategic decision. Since there is little hope of confronting the United States alone, let's use foreign countries to fight foreign countries and white people against white people. As the backbone of the Indian Confederation, Tqumsai hoped to fight hard when the situation on the North American continent was not yet fully solidified, just in time for the rare opportunity of an Anglo-American confrontation. In the past, many chiefs also fought for Britain, France and the United States, acting as pawns or thugs. But now Tecumsay has made people realize that they are not British mercenaries, but an autonomous region that strives to become Canada, fighting for all native Indians, for the eventual establishment of their own country. The 44-year-old is determined to give it his all.
(Wood carving, Tecommessee)
Invasion of the U.S. Military:
On July 12, U.S. troops invaded Canada.
General William Hull, who led the group, was very vocal, and he "ordered" all British subjects to surrender, otherwise "the horrors and catastrophes of war will spread before you." Hull declared that he would save Canada from British "tyranny" and give them "freedom, security, and wealth" unless they preferred "war, slavery, and destruction."
Obviously, the U.S. military at this moment defines itself as the "liberator of North America", and from a historical point of view, they have indeed "liberated" the Indians and "released" the Canadians. Touched by the self-feeling of "destiny in the body", many big US military and political figures have lost sight of everything. In their minds, they even have a certain kind of Oriental thinking, such as "Heavenly soldiers are everywhere, four Yi binfu".
As Commander-in-Chief personally appointed by President Madison, General Hull lived through the Revolutionary War and became famous. Under his command were hundreds of regular troops and 3 regiments of Ohio militia, a total of about 2,000 people, although they lacked artillery, but had a number of cavalry units. The British troops in charge of defense on the opposite side could only buckle the ropes to piece together a thousand people.
(General Hull)
After stepping into Canada, the American advance cavalry advanced along the Thames River and soon reached the town of Moravian. Having seen the discipline of the U.S. military, not only canadians have hidden far away, but even former American immigrants who have just moved from the south have avoided it. The imaginary scene of eating pot pulp to greet the king master turned into a bubble. Hull's men, who could not get food and hay, were very annoyed, and they began to scold why the Detroit Logistics Base only provided whiskey and soap.
In a panic, the Americans launched a superficial attack on several British outposts, but found nothing. General Hull felt that he lacked artillery and was not easy to attack, and chose the route of the march that was muddy and broken, causing the carriage to begin to decay. So the American officers began to fight among themselves, Hull proposed to temporarily retire from the army to rest, the Ohio militia quarreled not to do it, and several officers secretly prepared to take Hull down, making the general look like an angry little daughter-in-law.
The U.S. military did not yet understand that Tecommse and the fighters were secretly lurking around them, constantly controlling their garrisons and movements.
On 17 July, taking advantage of the hesitation of the Americans, British Maj. Gen. Bullock sent a mixed force of 600 men (mostly Indians) to easily capture mackinac Island, an important stronghold on the west side of Lake Huron, and control the main traffic routes. The British regular army and fur traders were responsible for leaving the garrison, and some of the natives finished their work as in the past. More than 100 other Sioux, Menomini, and Winnibago warriors began to move south from Mackinaw, having already heard of Tecommse's name, and prepared to join forces at Amherstburg.
On July 25, a detachment of 120 U.S. militiamen searched the Indian camp, and they were overjoyed to try to attack first. As a result, Tqumsai was prepared and quickly organized an ambush to crush it beautifully. While the British were entrenched in various fortifications, Tecommesai used his active command ability to lead the Roundhead Chief and a small number of Red Shirts across the Detroit River in an attempt to block the supply routes of the invading Americans.
The main force of the American army temporarily stayed in sandwich (now Windsor, Ontario), and General Hull struggled to defy the public opinion and set about returning to Fort Detroit. In order to solve the increasingly annoying problem of feeding the soldiers, he sent Major Horn's headquarters to the south, hoping that they would get some cattle and horses and food.
On 3 August, General Hull led most of the U.S. forces forced to withdraw from Canada.
On August 5, Major Horn and 200 other U.S. troops were wading through the shallow Brownstown Creek, expecting to arrive at the Raisin River sooner, get themselves a few fat steaks to the bottom, compensate for the hunger and hunger of these days, and then easily drive the cattle on the road. Suddenly, strange noises began to erupt, and a number of figures rushed out of the woods. The American militia stood upside down in an instant, it was an Indian samurai wearing feathers in oil paint! Look, the murderous spirit, they wield their battle axes and are stunned that the killing will come!
"Oh my God! Help me! "Mommy!"
"Line up, give me a line... Fall back! Fall back! ”
Moreover, Mo said that many of the militiamen who had never been on the battlefield were scattered, and even Major Horn himself was confused. Whether the US military militia had orders or not, they each turned their heads and pulled their legs and ran.
The round-headed chief bison rushed forward, the warriors stood out, and Tecommseh followed due to the inconvenience of his legs and feet (he fell on horseback when he was young). The Indian warriors unleashed their proficiency in jungle combat, some relying on trees to fire their guns sideways, some leaping from the bushes with axes, and the battle soon turned into a one-sided chase and slash, and the Americans ran wildly, and the cries of struggle resounded throughout the creek. In fact, Tecommesé only had 24 companions, and they killed 18 American troops, wounded 12 people, and caused 70 other people to disappear in the raid, directly causing more than half of the loss of this American force to lose combat effectiveness. The only sacrifice of the Indians was the son of the old chief of the "Blue Jacket". Most importantly, the move left General Hull unrefilled, and made him feel that he had "opened the northern hive of Indians" and was gradually out of balance. Looking at the U.S. military letters captured in the booty, Tqumse knew exactly what he was going to do next.
(Battle of Brownstown.) Number of participants: 200 in the United States, 25 in the Indians)
On August 9, although the US military withdrew its own territory, the problem of staying in Fort Detroit to eat was still not solved. General Hull had to send more manpower, and Lieutenant Colonel Miller led more than 600 people to deliver supplies again. As a result, the American convoy was attacked by the British 41st Regiment, the Canadian Militia, and the Combined Small Forces of Tecommesa. Fighting erupted in a succession of chaos, with the British mistakenly hitting the Indian friendly forces sneaking in the woods, then the American Stormtrooper being misinterpreted by the British as a signal to retreat, and then the pursuing Americans were deterred by the reorganized Coalition Forces. The losses of both sides were not large, and Tecommse suffered a slight wound in the neck, but the problem of General Hull's meal was completely hopeless.
(Battle of Maguaga.) Number of participants: 670 in the United States, 205 in the United Kingdom and India. Americans killed 18 wounded 64, Anglo-Indian killed 6 wounded 21 captured 2)
It is worth mentioning that this short battle was witnessed by the Canadian writer John Richardson, who keenly discovered the characteristics of the US military: "American shooters have been accustomed to using rifles since childhood... And had the advantage of dress that made it difficult for Europeans to recognize..." We can see that the U.S. military was not yet a mature army at that time. However, the excellent individual military qualities naturally possessed by self-employed farmers, herders, and homeless people among the immigrants of the New World have slowly emerged. Lack of discipline and tactical literacy makes their strengths and weaknesses equally prominent, inadvertently sowing the seeds of changing the war situation in the ups and downs of future wars.
Richardson also saw Tkumse with his own eyes. The writer was so impressed with the Indian leader that he called him a war hero for the first time, and described: "There was a fierce enthusiasm in his eyes, which could not but make him loved by the soldiers around him." ”（that ardour of expression in his eye... That could not fail to endear him to the soldier hearts of those who stood around him.) There is no doubt that the true spiritual pillar of the entire Indian Confederation is not the omnipotent god of the traditional world of thought, nor the noble prophet who seeks to perform miracles, but the Tekumsai, who gave them direction and stood with them, a living Indian chief.
Two days later, General Hull ordered the last stranded troops to withdraw to the United States. The gray-headed militiamen cursed the officers, the food, the rotten roads, and the invisible Indians, who missed their wives in Ohio, the potatoes they had just planted, and perhaps the calves that were growing flesh. Politicians' ambitions to annex Canada were halted amid this clamor. The British and Indian allies had no intention of ending it, and since the Americans had started the war, they would fight it to the end.
Unforgettable Meetings:
On August 13, in Amherstburg, Canada, the two representatives finally met.
In the previous battles, Tecommse and Brock had not been masked but had cooperated smoothly. They not only communicate based on the overall goal established by the initial communication, but also carry out actions according to their own on-site judgments, invisibly building a tacit understanding. Now they stood in one place, shaking hands tightly. One was a tall and handsome British officer (1.88 m, Brock, 43 years old), professionally competent; the other was a limp but strong and powerful Leader of the Indian Union, keen and enthusiastic (Tecumse 44 years old).
(Famous meeting scene, General Bullock on the left and Tecommesse on the right)
Gleger, the British aide-de-camp who was present, saw Tkumse's bright eyes shining with joy, energy and determination. (with bright eyes beaming cheerfulness, energy and decision.) Both sides were immediately impressed, and the positive atmosphere infected the whole room and gave people confidence in their hearts.
After a brief greeting, the two exchanged gifts. General Bullock wasted no time and made the bold decision he had planned—to attack Detroit and eliminate the American army. Bullock's up-and-coming military character overwhelmed his subordinates and advisers, who expressed their dissent. Yes, the combined British and Indian forces combined could not match the Americans in numbers and firepower. Moreover, the enemy's invasion failed and retreated into the Detroit fortress, which was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and whether the siege could retreat was a problem. Between the mouths and tongues, a voice shouted:
"What a man!" （This is a man!）
Tecompse blurted out, and he turned and nodded to his companions, strengthening the Indian Alliance's determination to attack together on the spot. Seeing the support of his masked allies for the first time, Bullock was sincerely grateful, and perhaps it was at this time that the two "formed a direct friendship that helped strengthen the alliance." In Bullock's view, Tecommse was clearly a warrior with some similar temperament to himself.
(Later depictions of Brock and Tkumse)
In return, Bullock was likely to assure Tecommse with gentlemanliness that the British would support the Indian claim to reclaim territory. And really soon wrote to his superiors stating the matter, suggesting that Britain should consider restoring the "fraudulent usurpation" of the Indians by the United States in any future peace treaty with the United States. Of course, this move coincided with the intention of the British elite to establish an "Indian state" in North America, and in fact they tried to do so later.
In political alliances full of naked mutual use, there are occasionally one or two outliers who are arrogant. That's about the case with Brock and Tqumsee. They originally moved closer and closer from the relationship of interests, and when they saw each other, they were like-minded, and they would soon practice their friendship with actions.
Siege of Detroit:
Plans for the offensive were finalized later, and the Anglo-Indian Confederation assembled all mobile forces, including 1,300 British troops and Canadian militiamen from Bullock and 600 Indian fighters from Tecommesay. They will besiege General Hull's 2,500 U.S. troops with 1,900 men.
Tecommse and Bullock most likely talked in detail about analyzing the captured U.S. mail, and they agreed that Hull was worried about the native invasion and did not know the numerical strength of the Indian tribes. Coupled with the low morale of the US military and the shortage of rations, it is undoubtedly the time of fatigue.
Soon, American soldiers patrolling the fort detroit made a discovery. They watched from afar as the British Red Shirts began to build large positions across the river, as if there were many artillery pieces to be placed. Later, a neat red queue appeared in the field of vision, followed by the famous Grenadier March, which was light and powerful. In the melody, a large number of British troops march in turn, and the momentum is compelling. The rice character under the banner is the lobster soldier who can compete with Napoleon's French army, and the American sentry is stunned, and before he shouts, he is three points shorter. More terrifying was still behind, and other leaping figures appeared beside the woods, three or five, more than a dozen, dozens, more and more. American soldiers reported urgently to the commander and estimated in horror the number of Indians who had drilled out of the woods. To the defenders of the city, there were thousands of Indian warriors in the distance, roaring and shouting like they were about to throw themselves into a frenzied killing feast. At night, the glittering campfires outside the fort spread throughout the wilderness, and the light made it difficult for the garrison to sleep.
(During the Pontiac War, natives besieged Fort Detroit)
The Ohio militia panicked, and General Hull was afraid. The old general remembered a British letter he had found earlier, stating that Bullock would no longer allow Tecommsee's warriors to enter Amherstburg because the Indian troops had exceeded 5,000 and food was running out. Everything seemed to prove the sheer size of the Coalition forces, and Fort Detroit was surrounded by iron barrels.
They did not know that this was a suspicious plan carefully prepared by Blok and Tqumsei. Many British regular soldiers were disguised in military uniforms by Canadian militia and civilians, and the huge number of Indian fighters was repeatedly crossed by teams of people under the command of Tecommese to create illusions, even the correspondence was deliberately forged, and the siege of the camp was a single pile. Bullock and Tkumse each showed that they could work together to create a good play, and they laughed at the thought of the scared look of the U.S. military.
While the iron was hot, Bullock lost no time in sending an ultimatum to the U.S. army,
"It is not my intention to participate in a war of exterminating killing, but you must understand that once the battle starts, I will not be able to control the large number of Indians attached to our army."
On 16 August, as the camel was about to be crushed by the last straw, General Hull suddenly felt old and unable to move. He paced restlessly at the desk, muttering, "O Indians... Too many... They were more greedy than the Huns and Vikings..." The general wanted to fight for it one last time, hoping to have three days to discuss the sacrifice of the city, but Bullock immediately responded by giving him only 3 hours.
(General Hull's Choice)
The British opened fire on time, and they symbolically fired a shot at the city. Shells fell into the officers' canteen and exploded into flowers. Although he was unable to blow up a few people, General Hull could not bear it any longer, and he hurriedly hung up the white flag and announced the surrender of more than 2,500 American troops and 700 civilians to the Anglo-Indian coalition forces. All 33 U.S. artillery pieces, 2,800 guns of various types, a large amount of ammunition, and an armed brig on the lake, the Adams, were all captured. The coalition forces had only 1,900 men at this time.
(Siege of Detroit.) Number of participants: 2500 in the United States, 1900 in The United States and India)
Needless to say, the Canadians and Indians joined forces to usher in the last great victory on the North American continent, wiping out about one-third of the total U.S. military force in a short period of time. This is due to the joint planning and close cooperation of Brock and Tqumse.
The friendship formed between the two in battle was further strengthened, and Tykumse not only regarded Bullock as a representative of the white man who could uphold justice in the future, but also specially gave him a richly decorated belt as the highest honor of the tribe. Bullock cherished the hospitality of his friends and wore them on top of his uniforms at all times, so that Canadians and Indians alike could see directly the proof of an alliance.
(Powder kegs and shell decorations that Tqumsé had used)
Canadian residents and militias, who had been terrified of U.S. invasion, were boosted, indigenous tribes saw that the enemy was not invincible, and many Indian fighters began to carry out successive attacks on American settlements. It was around this time that Bullock wrote to Lord Liverpool, praising Tecommse: "I believe that there is no wiser or more heroic warrior [than him]." Tqumseh himself did not know that he was about to become a famous hero in Canadian history. For the British hierarchy, it is becoming increasingly feasible to create an Indian state to cushion the threat posed by the United States. The hope of victory floats on the horizon.
Lost Victories:
The two friends and commanders were ready to show their ambitions and use detroit's victorious victory to counterattack Ohio or Indiana and attack the war potential of the US army. However, a scene common in history repeats itself. George Prevost, the governor-general of Canada, has long been deeply influenced by the defeatism of the politicians around him, and he thinks that Canada can save it. Now that the battle had been won, the Governor-General hurried to negotiate with the American side, and seemed to be sure that he could keep his acre and three-quarters of land.
General Bullock's plan to march was naturally rejected, and he and Tecommse learned through various channels that the plan for the regroupment of American troops had begun, and the two friends were impatient, but what could they do with the bureaucrats who were living in the building?
(Standard portrait of General Bullock)
Although the President of the United States soon personally ordered an end to the peace talks, the British authorities were slow to respond. The Governor General, Lord Prevost, remained speechless, and he was even troubled by whether the officers and soldiers dressed correctly every day according to his requirements, even as small as a pair of buttons, like all modern bosses who lacked professional knowledge and deliberately pursued details.
As a result, the rhythm of a good start was wasted. There was a lack of preparation and coordination at the top, and General Bullock on the front line could only prepare for the imminent re-invasion of the American army, patrolling the border to strengthen the defenses. Indian warriors took the initiative to counterattack several American forts without help, and the attempt by Tekumsai and the Roundhead Chief to lead 600 men to assist in the siege of Fort Wayne failed, and soon the attack on Harrisonburg was ineffective.
Throughout September, the Anglo-Indian Alliance was in vain, and Tecommse and Bullock felt powerless.
(Portraits of two people on Canadian stamps)
Bad news is coming:
In October, General Bullock learned that another U.S. army was planning to cross the Niagara River to invade. This U.S. army numbered 3,550, more than General Hull. Thanks to the "help" of the Governor General's attempts at peace talks, the U.S. military was able to calmly gather personnel and carry supplies in front of the Canadians. Bullock's plan to take the initiative was rejected by the top brass and could only passively meet the US landing, and the other side had an absolute numerical advantage. As a friend, Tekumse was unable to come to his aid at this time, and he and most of the Indigenous warriors were withdrawing from an uncoordinated failed siege.
Sure enough, the Americans chose to land at the weak point of the British army and quickly destroyed their artillery. As a professional soldier, Bullock led by example, never remotely controlling orders, "never ordering subordinates to places where he would not lead them." ”（Never ordering men where he would not lead them）
In order to save the situation, the general decided to personally lead the team to launch a counterattack. Braving artillery fire, Bullock walked at the forefront of the line, behind him were regulars of the 49th Company and two companies of Canadian militia. Due to the dense ammunition of the American army, the experienced British soldiers also appeared to be shaken. Bullock couldn't help but exclaim, "This is the first time I've seen 49 Company turn around and retreat!" The heroes of Egmont will never tarnish their past records! Encouraged by the commander, the soldiers quickly reorganized their lines and stepped up their attacks.
A rain of whistling bullets slammed in the face, and even Bullock's sword was hit. But the general was not afraid, still waving his arms to give clear orders. About 50 meters away in a bush, an unknown American soldier raised his gun and aimed at Bullock. In his eyes, the tall figure and brightly colored officer uniforms were particularly striking, especially the gorgeous belts on his body, showing that this was absolutely extraordinary.
"Bang!" In the midst of the noise, a gunshot rang out, and General Bullock fell down, the bullet passing through his chest accurately. The Canadian hero left without leaving any last words, and the British column immediately fell into chaos. (General Bullock's uniform is in the collection of the Canadian War Museum.)
(Painting, Death of General Bullock)
The battle ended in a British victory, with nearly a thousand Americans (955 men) captured. However, General Bullock was killed, and the temporary successor of the general was killed on the spot, and two Indigenous chiefs and many warriors were also lost, and the tactical victory was too tragic. In particular, Bullock's death cast an unknown fog over the otherwise bright and infinite Anglo-Indian alliance.
At this moment, it is not easy to find that no one can motivate ordinary soldiers with unlimited energy, no British official will treat Indian allies equally on a whim, and no colonizer can go to the negotiating table to truly help the indigenous people fight for the right to establish a state.
(Battle of Queenston Heights: 3550 in the United States, 1300 in the United Kingdom and India)
There is no record of Tecommse's reaction in the history books. It is not difficult to imagine the look on the face of this straightforward chief when he learned of the death of his best friend. Father, brother, friend, all close and trusted, he has lost too much, can the Indians have their own homeland? The campfire burns quietly, the circle dance is like a dream, the shadows of the mountains are connected with the dark sky, and the birds cry out in it.
Battle & Belief:
Winter soon passed, and Tekumsai remained in the Prophet Town area, continuing to do his best to recruit warriors and prepare for training. He became more and more eager to fight the Americans to the death, and that obsession burned into a raging fire, leaving him looking for traces of Harrison and all the American troops.
In January 1813, more than 1,000 American troops attempted to retake Fort Detroit. Washing away the shame of General Hull's surrender was secondary, mainly to capture this important forward base to Canada. Tekkumsee had chief Roundhead lead 800 warriors into the defense to assist the British Commander of Upper Canada who succeeded Bullock, Henry Procter.
(Proctor portrait, as a grassroots commander conscientious, there are major deficiencies in the ability to coordinate the overall situation)
The First and Second Battles of the Raisin River broke out, and the regular army hastily recruited by the American army was poorly trained and far inferior to the militia troops, and was directly attacked by the British and Indian allies. In the second battle, the American troops collapsed, 397 people were killed on the spot and 547 were captured. The Roundhead Chief also captured U.S. Brigadier General Winchester, stripped him of his decent uniform, and then escorted him to the British. At that time, there were even anecdotal jokes about American generals being captured in their pajamas.
(In the manga at the time, the sword-bearer on the left was the round-headed chieftain, who captured the general's full dress))
(Battle of the River Raisin, 1000 in the United States, 1400 in the United Kingdom and India)
Due to the mismanagement of procter, the new British commander, American prisoners of war were looted and then killed by Aboriginal fighters. Some officers and soldiers were scalped, and the seriously wounded locked up in the houses were set on fire, bringing the total number of victims to around 100. Although Tekhumsei regarded the Roundhead Chieftain as a senior division commander and a right arm, he had always respected him and gave him a gift from General Bullock, which was another meritorious service. But Tkumsei had always opposed the massacre of prisoners of war, and he was certainly angry when it touched the bottom line of his morality. This also shows that the entire Indian Alliance still has difficulty controlling the different warriors of each tribe, and many people still act arbitrarily and take pleasure in killing.
The killings did provoke negative consequences, with american victims mostly from Kentucky, and the surviving wounded calling it the "Raisin River Massacre." The streets and alleys roared for a while, "Remember the Raisin River!" A large number of Kentucky civilians enthusiastically participated in the war, and the war potential of the United States was enhanced.
In April, the Anglo-Indian forces advanced southwest to Ohio and began a siege of Fort Meg. With his appeal, Tkumse had mobilized more than 1,250 warriors, and together with the Roundhead Chief, he cooperated with the British siege. Staying in Megburg is the "old friend" of all the Northwest Indians, the future president of the United States, Harrison.
Tkumse vividly remembers how Harrison wrote a new treaty and abandoned the old treaty to annex Indian lands, and his two war of words are still fresh in his memory. Now, Tecommesse had people bring Harrison a letter.
"I have eight hundred warriors, and I have the same number of soldiers in your hiding place. Come out with them, we'll teach you. When we met at Vincennes, you spoke like a warrior, and I respect you. But now you're hiding behind a fence like a marmot hiding in the dirt, give me your answer. ”
Harrison was a little wary of the Indigenous leader, having said:
"[Tqumse] is one of those unusual geniuses who occasionally produce, bring about revolutions and overthrow the old order of established things."
Harrison's extensive experience in the war made Harrison decide to act at his own pace, after all, the besieged American army had a considerable numerical advantage and 8 fortresses that could support each other.
In early May, the Americans unexpectedly rushed out from behind the barrier and attacked the British artillery positions with reinforcements from the north bank. More than 800 American troops gained momentum and soon seized artillery fire points on the north bank. They also chased after the indigenous fighters who returned fire, as if the other side was about to collapse at a touch. As a result, when the U.S. army chased into the dense woods, it suddenly found itself caught in the enemy's trick. Tecommsai took advantage of the situation to attack from all sides, and immediately struck the enemy with carelessness. The screams for help shook the branches, and hundreds of American militiamen were annihilated in the woods. Not far from here, the site of the Battle of the Fallen Wood 18 years ago, Tecommesai should remember how powerless his young self was in the face of the US army, and now, it is time to really compete with the opponent.
A few survivors brought back news of the defeat, and Harrison decided to stay on the sidelines in chagrin, not to spend a lot of effort on how to write the war damage report. Shortly after the battle, Tecommsai returned to the camp and found that another tribal warrior was wantonly slaughtering prisoners of war, and there were already about 10 fresh corpses on the ground.
(Painting, Tqumsei to stop the massacre, man dressed in white with his arm raised)
Tkumsai was furious and immediately drank to stop the indiscriminate killing, and asked the British commander-in-chief Proctor:
"Why didn't you order a stop to the massacre?"
"They don't listen to me, I can't get them to obey..."
"I'm fighting to save, but you're fighting to kill."
(Another version is "Go Away!") You're not suitable for conductor, go put on a petticoat. ”）
Since the United States went to war with the indigenous peoples, the resentment of years of bloody battles has made both sides impatient to scalp and kill prisoners. Tqumse's actions seem so anachronistic that they resemble civilized people in suits and shoes in the metropolis. This is one of the reasons why he is admired by future generations, even if it is only out of the conscience of a normal human being, it is precious in the chaotic and absurd world.
With the arrival of American reinforcements and the rush of Canadian militias to return to their homeland to farm, the first anglo-Indian siege of Megburg came to an hasty end.
(Battle of Fort Meigs, 2800 in the United States, 900 in the United Kingdom, 1250 in the Indians)
In July, Tecommesse urged Proctor to attack Megburg again, reluctantly agreeing, as if the British commanders were already somewhat overwhelmed. Looking in the eyes and anxious, Tkumsai gathered the largest team of the Indian Federation in history, 2501 people, hoping to regain the tribal lands. Seeing that the American army was well defended and well-defended, Tecommse once again resorted to strategy. He chose a grove where the defenders of the fort could hear but could not see, and had the Indian warriors make all kinds of realistic noises there, pretending that an American reinforcement was under attack, intending to lure the defenders of the city to the rescue. However, the U.S. troops behind the city walls remembered the big loss they suffered last time and did not take the bait.
(2019 military fan activity, siege of Megburg)
Unable to attack strongly, the Anglo-Indian Alliance had to retreat. Tecommse led his team west to intercept a U.S. unit, and Proctor continued to command the attack on other American forts, but in vain and to no avail.
The tide of battle took a sharp turn for the worse:
In September, the Battle of Lake Erie ended, and the Americans relied on amazing efficiency to build a number of warships, defeating the small British fleet with weak personnel and materials. Although the Anglo-Indian Alliance has always been outnumbered in land battles, relying on the professionalism of the British army and the flexibility of the Indian troops still have a certain advantage. However, the failure of the waterways had serious consequences, such as difficulties in the delivery of supplies such as food and ammunition, the wavering of the military's morale, and the sharp deterioration of the overall strategic situation.
The already unfriendly partnership with British commander-in-chief Proctor became even more difficult. Tecommesee found that many British officers and men had packed their bags and were ready to abandon their positions, because no one had cheered them up or arranged logistics, after all, people like General Bullock who could boost morale were not everywhere. That month, Proctor decided to abandon Fort Detroit and Fort Amherst. Thinking that the land that was hard to regain would be easily given to others, Tecompse's heart was like a knife. He tried to be patient and sincerely advised Proctor, hoping to find a way to stay and continue the fight.
“...... You always tell us to stay here and take care of our land and we are glad to hear that this is your wish. Our great Father, the King (King of England), is the head, and you represent him. You always tell us that you will never leave the land of England.
But now, we see that you are retreating. We are sorry to see you do this when you have not seen the enemy. We have to compare your behavior to that of the fat animal, which puts its tail on its back and, if frightened, runs away with its tail between its legs.
Listen, you, the Americans haven't beaten us on land, and they can't assume they can win by water. So if our enemies show up, we want to stay here and fight them. If they defeat us, we will retreat with you.
...... You, you have the weapons and ammunition that our great father sent to his red children (referring to the king and the Indians). If you really have any thoughts of leaving, please leave them with us and you will be leaving in our farewell.
Our lives are in the hands of the Great God. We are determined to defend our land, and if that is his will, we want our bones to remain in the land. ”
(The title has been slightly modified from the original text)
As a sharp speaker, Tqumse once again demonstrated his brilliance and firm stance. Losing Lake Erie is difficult, but what could be more terrifying than losing faith?
Despite his sharp rhetoric and shaking stones, Proctor insisted that after the U.S. military took control of Lake Erie, supplies would be difficult to deliver, and Fort Amherst's defenses would be untenable. Moreover, Tqumseh intended to be guarded by the Indians alone at Fort Morden, and all the fortress artillery they needed was used by Procter as a small fleet, and now either sank to the bottom of the water or became the spoils of war for the Americans. Perhaps seeing the disappointment on his allies' faces, Proctor made a reassuring promise to hold the line at Chatham along the Thames. In order not to split the alliance, Tecommse reluctantly agreed.
(Statue of Tqumsee, built in 1912, west of Cincinnati)
The strong fortresses that once fought back, The Fort Morden and Fort Amherst are now smoke billowing and the supplies that cannot be taken away are all burned. The flames coming out of the windows were like greedy poisonous snakes devouring buildings, command rooms, barracks, and stables.
Looking at such a scene, it is hard not to remember the meeting with General Bullock here a year ago. He remembered his own comments, that although he was dressed in white skin, Brock had something in common with the red-skinned warriors in some aspects. As for his successor, Proctor, to borrow from the military's later evaluation, he was "insufficient in energy and judgment" and was a good regimental commander, but independent command of multi-unit combat was obviously beyond his ability to handle relations with indigenous allies.
Tough Retreat:
For all the generals of the past, retreat is more challenging than attacking. Generals who lack control over their troops will be helpless when retreating, and even have loopholes to be seized by the enemy. Proctor is in this situation. Seeing the British take the lead in the evacuation, Tecommse and the Indian warriors had no choice but to keep up. When they retreated to Chatham as agreed, there was no sign of the British. Confused, the messenger brought Proctor's message, claiming that he had chosen to gain a foothold near the town of Moravian after consideration. The unannounced change of plan infuriated Tecommse, and the warriors were greatly annoyed by the Allieds' lack of faith. Proctor ran farther away with a slap on the ass, but what about the Indians?
From the overall consideration, Tecommsai did not go away, but suppressed his own anger and organized a defensive operation behind the palace on the spot, hoping to slow down the pursuit of the American army. The Americans did come, and the old rival, General Harrison, and his reinforcements emerged from the fortress, and a total of more than 3,700 horsemen began to pursue. Due to poor coordination of the Proctor organization, the rations of the British soldiers were cut in half, and the Indian soldiers had to rely on themselves to find food. Worse news was yet to come, as the Moravian town had the geographical advantage to manage to maintain land logistics, but Proctor never tried to consolidate his position. According to the record, Proctor left the main force without orders, gave command to his disgruntled subordinates, and ran away with his wife and family and personal luggage.
The war was bad, the command was obedient, and there was not enough to eat, and many red shirts, militiamen, and some Indian tribal fighters were shaken. Tqumse tried his best to control his men, but could only retain about half of his troops. The Americans soon arrived, and Tecommse tried his best to command the blockade, but they were outnumbered. They were repelled by large groups of American cavalry and suffered minor injuries to their own arms.
Around this time, the round-headed chief died of illness. The Wyndot warriors mourned, and Tkumse was heartbroken by the loss of his right arm and left arm. This veteran soldier has been fighting for a long time, and if it were not for him, many people would have listened to the words of the compromisers long ago. Today, Tecommesai feels like he's really fighting alone.
On the night of 4 October, the confluence of anglo-Indian forces camped on the north bank of the Thames, 1.6 km from Moravia. The soldiers' plates were empty, like their empty echoing bellies, no commander came to inspect and care, and the tents were filled with curses against Proctor. Not only were the soldiers furious, but most of the British officers in the regiment were so dissatisfied with Procter's leadership that they almost had to get him down in some way.
(Local Landforms)
Confused, frustrated, hungry. On the sidelines, indigenous warriors also endured mental and physical suffering. The difference was that Tekumsai was still pacifying the warriors of the various tribes. One account shows that Tqumse got together with everyone, and he calmly told the people:
"Brother warriors, we are about to enter a battle, and I may never come back. My body will remain on the battlefield. ”
As he spoke, he handed over the sword given to him by the Englishman to a comrade-in-arms, saying:
"When my son becomes a famous warrior, give it to him."
The atmosphere is somewhat fatalistic. It is impossible to determine whether the omnipotent gods have forgotten them who are still fighting. The campfire burns, and the pulsating flames bring out many shadowy shadows of different shapes. Many familiar faces emerged, that is, the father who fought to the British concessions, the brother who insisted on attacking American immigrants, the blue jacket that entrusted hope, the like-minded Bullock, the reliable predecessor of the round-headed chieftain, and many warriors who had fought side by side, how many souls were watching, how could they be disappointed?
When the wind swept the earth, shouldn't a true warrior stand proudly and turn the tide? Wiping the rifle and sharpening the tomahawk, Tqumse knew it was time to make a break with the pursuing soldiers.
The numbers have been counted, and there are still 500 soldiers left in the Indian army, from 13 tribes of 13 sizes, including Shawnee, Wyndott, Ottawa, Delaware, Kikap, Sock, Winneberg, Pattawami, Crick, and so on. Those who leave have reasons not to see hope, and those who remain are also the views they follow.
Battle of the Thames:
In the early morning of October 5, the Americans caught up with the Anglo-Indian forces, and the battle would inevitably begin on the banks of the River Thames. General Harrison was in a favorable position, with more than 3,760 men under his command and more than 1,000 Kentucky volunteer cavalry alone. With only a maximum of 800 tired and hungry regular troops under Proctor, Tecommesai led 500 Indian warriors to fight alongside the British. The number of the two sides was close to three to one, which was not the first time that Tekhumsai had fought under a disadvantage, but the logistical and military conditions were extremely unfavorable.
Before the clash, Proctor tossed the troops according to his own ideas. The breakfast cooked on the campfire was already half cooked, but the soldiers were directed to retreat more than 3 kilometers. It turned out that the commander planned to line up next to a swamp on the Thames River and suppress the American troops with artillery fire. So how much firepower does Proctor have? A mere 6-pounder gun. When the soldiers arrived at the river in despair, Proctor did not arrange for trenches and improvised fortifications to be built, either he did not think that the Frontal Offensive of the Americans was worth mentioning, or he simply forgot about it. In order to cooperate with the allies, Tecommsai chose a dense forest on the right wing to arrange the team, hoping to contain the American troops through flank strikes and win the opportunity. Later, the American troops appeared in view, and General Harrison's ranks were densely packed, and the large number of cavalry made any opponent feel difficult to deal with.
Dressed in his usual deerskin tunic, Tqumsai looked robust and agile. Roll up a handkerchief over your head and insert a white bird feather. He rode alone to his allies, solemnly shook hands with the British commanders one by one, and said a word or two of encouragement or comment. The British officers were amazed at the behavior of the Indigenous leader, and they were thinking about the breakfast that had just been discarded, although it would not fill their stomachs, but it was definitely better than facing the enemy with an empty stomach. It was not difficult for Tqumse to see the hesitation, doubt, resentment and hopelessness in his eyes, and perhaps he had been able to foresee all possible consequences.
(Therkumsé's images were originally from sketches given to him by the French in 1808.)
The ambitious General Harrison also patrolled the ranks. The American soldiers were energetic and full of gun ammunition, and the Kentuckians were still chanting: "Remember the Raisin River...", and even the well-fed war horses were spewing hot air in their nostrils and eager to try. The trumpets sounded, and Harrison's cavalry swung arrows at the British.
On the front of the battlefield, the flat terrain was unobstructed, and the charge of the Kentucky cavalry was unstoppable. On the flank, Therkumsee, who was always observing, was surprised that there was no movement in the British positions, and even the artillery that Proctor had pinned high hopes on did not respond. Every second counted, and he immediately asked the soldiers to go out of the woods and shoot at the American troops. Intercepting fire caused some trouble for the speeding Kentucky cavalry, but failed to stop the ferocity of the attack.
On the other hand, the British soldiers were hungry and weak, mentally depressed, and completely devoid of the discipline and prestige that they usually prided themselves on. The loose and crumbling team only had time to fire a salvo, and the poor salvo was disorganized, and it was impossible to stop the galloping hooves of the American cavalry. The Kentuckians broke through, and the British army was instantly swept away. Where is Lord Proctor? He had fled the battlefield with his followers. Some officers turned around and left when they saw the situation was not good, and the remaining ordinary soldiers could only dodge the sabers of the American cavalry like headless flies, and more than 500 people successively chose to drop their weapons and raise their hands to surrender.
As soon as the battle began, the British army collapsed completely, and Tecommse, who had witnessed everything, was determined to continue fighting, even the British grenadier company on the edge of the woods not far away deserted. Determined not to change easily, Tecommesai and the fighters continued to shoot at the Americans in the woods. When he spotted the Americans chasing the British infantry like chickens, he divided a team and attacked the woods. The first to lead was U.S. Army Colonel Johnson, and more than 20 cavalry from Kentucky, followed by the main force.
In this regard, Tecommesai had already considered the choice of combat position, and a black volcanic ash swamp in front of the woods became a natural barrier. Despite the ferocity of the U.S. military, it was still slowed down by the mud everywhere. In the face of the continuous charge of the American army, Tecommsai was at the forefront of himself, encouraging fighters of all ethnic groups while directing the shooting of the enemy.
The Indian warriors seized the opportunity to concentrate on attacking the approaching centaurs. In the intensive shooting, Johnson himself alone was hit 5 times, and the Kentucky cavalry also fell, and 15 people were either killed or wounded. According to later accounts, the attack was dubbed "Forlorn Hope" by the Kentuckians. Many of the U.S. cavalry who participated in the war were immigrants who had acquired land, hard-working, skilled in horsemanship, and a strong willingness to fight. American troops charged into the woods in droves, and the Indian warriors were already in a bad position to fight alone.
According to a more likely theory, Tkumse was on the edge of the woods. In the chaotic exchange of fire, some American cavalry dismounted and crossed the swamp to attack, and one of them attacked head-on, and the two found each other almost at the same time. It was William Whitley, a veteran of the Revolutionary War who had long fought with the Cherokees for land and had seen Kentucky prisoners of war killed.
The Americans did not want to hide, and Tqumseh had no fear. They each gritted their teeth and raised their guns, aimed, and shot. In the roar, Whitley was penetrated by bullets, and Tecommse fell in response. Under the fierce battle, the two died together. (Whitley's granddaughter tells her own family story, another said to be Johnson's doing.)
(Johnson edition of the painting, 1846)
The 45-year-old Tecommse could no longer stand up, and he lay forever on the land where his ancestors had lived for thousands of years. The Indian fighters were devastated by the news and gradually dispersed under the blows of the American army. In keeping with the bloody customs of border wars, U.S. soldiers stripped Tecommse of his scalp, and his body may have been buried on the battlefield or snatched back by bold Aboriginal fighters and buried on the Canadian border.
In any case, the Indian League lost its core leader. No one had the prestige to unite the tribes, and the younger brother Tansquartawa became even more obscure. The tribes returned to the scattered sands of the past.
(Battle of the Thames: 3760 IN, 800 in the UK, 500 in the Indians)
End:
The British will pay the price for their indiscretion of abandoning their allies. Proctor was tried by a military tribunal the following year and was stripped of his post depressed. After the Battle of the Thames, although due to the end of the Napoleonic Wars in April 1814, the British were able to free up a well-trained army to participate in the war, and for a time they captured Washington, D.C. But the loss of Tqumseh's support left them without allies and a foothold everywhere, and even General Ross, who burned Washington, followed in Bullock's footsteps— sniped by American militia sharpshooters.
At the end of 1814, Britain and the United States, which were suffering heavier losses, finally sat at the negotiating table and spent months discussing the armistice. The British side was careful to propose "the creation of an Indian state in the Northwest Territories of the United States from Ohio to Wisconsin" as a barrier between the United States and Canada. Of course, the demands have been categorically rejected by the US side, and Tqumsai and his alliance have disappeared, who can argue for them? The British again abandoned the Indians and reached an agreement to turn their focus back to Europe.
As for the Indians, their reorganization became extremely difficult, and the international environment lost its checks and balances, and could only face the end of being gradually cannibalized. After the war, about 200 new territorial cession treaties followed like a plague, and under the divide-and-conquer strategy, the Indians were eventually sent to the reservation. As the old masters, they watched the North American world change rapidly, and they could only fight as a passive participant for some basic rights to survive.
(Statues of Today's Sandwich, Tecommes and Brock)
Fundamentally, Indian groups did not really unite in the 18th and 19th centuries. Even in the Battle of the Thames, the U.S. military still had 260 Indigenous allies. Many tribes are still making small calculations and seeking small interests in the near future.
Tecommsai is worthy of the word hero, he was born among thousands of tribal people, under the general trend of defending the land and protecting the family. He tried his best to inspire and unite many people, but the Indian people were still spiritually ignorant; organizationally, they were still fragmented and could not undergo qualitative change. Even if heroes are produced, they cannot but be swept away by the tide of the times.
(After the full text, we insist on providing high-quality original historical texts for everyone.) Picture from the Internet, invasion and deletion)
The Success or Failure of the Indian Anti-American Alliance: Telling the Life of the North American Hero Tkumse (Part 1)
Bibliography:
- Tecumseh: A Life
- Tecumseh and the Quest for Indian Leadership
- Tecumseh's Confederation - Ohio History Central
- Tecumseh's Last Stand
- Tragic Encounter: A History of Native Americans
- Encyclopedia Britannica