Life of Tecumseh, and of His Brother the Prophet With a Historical Sketch of the Shawanoe Indians   By: Benjamin Drake (1794-1841)

With a Historical Sketch of the Shawanoe Indians

by

BENJAMIN DRAKE

Author of The Life of Black Hawk , Tales from the Queen City , &c. &c.

Cincinnati: Printed and Published by E. Morgan & Co. Stereotyped by J.A. James, Cincinnati.

1841

PREFACE

Many years have elapsed since the author of this volume determined to write the life of TECUMSEH and of his brother the PROPHET, and actually commenced the collection of the materials for its accomplishment. From various causes, the completion of the task has been postponed until the present time. This delay, however, has probably proved beneficial to the work, as many interesting incidents in the lives of these individuals are now embraced in its pages, which could not have been included had it been put to press at an earlier period.

In the preparation of this volume, the author's attention was drawn, to some extent, to the history of the Shawanoe tribe of Indians: and he has accordingly prefixed to the main work, a brief historical narrative of this wandering and warlike nation, with biographical sketches of several of its most distinguished chiefs.

The author is under lasting obligations to a number of gentlemen residing in different sections of the country, for the substantial assistance which they have kindly afforded him in the collection of the matter embraced in this volume. Other sources of information have not, however, been neglected. All the histories, magazines and journals within the reach of the author, containing notices of the subjects of this memoir, have been carefully consulted. By application at the proper department at Washington, copies of the numerous letters written by general Harrison to the Secretary of War in the years 1808, '9, '10, '11, '12 and '13, were obtained, and have been found of much value in the preparation of this work. As governor of Indiana territory, superintendant of Indian affairs, and afterwards commander in chief of the north western army, the writer of those letters possessed opportunities of knowing Tecumseh and the Prophet enjoyed by no other individuals.

In addition to these several sources of information, the author has personally, at different times, visited the frontiers of Ohio and Indiana, for the purpose of conversing with the Indians and the pioneers of that region, who happened to be acquainted with Tecumseh and his brother; and by these visits, has been enabled to enrich his narrative with some amusing and valuable anecdotes.

In the general accuracy of his work the author feels considerable confidence: in its merit, as a literary production, very little. Every line of it having been written while suffering under the depressing influence of ill health, he has only aimed at a simple narrative style, without any reference to the graces of a polished composition. B.D.

Cincinnati, 1841.

CONTENTS.

HISTORY OF THE SHAWANOE INDIANS

CATAHECASSA, or BLACK HOOF

CORNSTALK

SPEMICA LAWBA, the HIGH HORN; or, CAPTAIN LOGAN

THE LIFE OF TECUMSEH.

CHAPTER I.

Parentage of Tecumseh his sister Tecumapease his brother Cheeseekan, Sauweeseekau, Nehasseemo, Tenskwautawa or the Prophet, and Kumakauka

CHAPTER II.

Birth place of Tecumseh destruction of the Piqua village early habits of Tecumseh his first battle effort to abolish the burning of prisoners visits the Cherokees in the south engages in several battles returns to Ohio in the autumn of 1790

CHAPTER III.

Tecumseh attacked near Big Rock by some whites under Robert M'Clelland severe battle with some Kentuckians on the East Fork of the Little Miami attack upon Tecumseh in 1793, on the waters of Paint creek Tecumseh present at the attack on fort Recovery in 1794 participates in the battle of the Rapids of the Maumee, in 1794

CHAPTER IV.