While Tecumseh had been successful in convincing a majority of the western tribes to ally with him on a political level, many were reluctant to totally abandon the use of guns, private ownership of land, and the agricultural techniques of the whites. Nonetheless, twenty tribes sent representatives to Prophetstown and by the summer of 1811, Tecumseh’s capital was populated by 1200 pilgrims—1,000 of which were warriors pledged to defend the city. Concerned over the influx of native settlers and the bitterness of Tenskwatawa’s message, Indiana governor William Henry Harrison began to accuse the Indians of plotting rebellion against the whites of the territory. Additionally, Harrison believed that Prophetstown had become a safe haven for Indians fleeing prosecution for crimes committed in other jurisdictions.
Operating under unqualified intelligence, the governor had reason to believe that several Potawatomi Indians accused of murdering settlers in Illinois had taken refuge in Prophetstown. Not wishing to start a war, Tecumseh traveled to the Vincennes (capital of Indiana Territory) and confronted the governor in August of 1811. Despite a bitter exchange, the two managed to reach an agreement that momentarily diffused the situation. As Harrison lacked tangible proof as to the guilt of the accused Indians, Tecumseh refused to turn them over to American authorities. However, the chief agreed to hold his own 1,000 warriors in check provided the governor make no effort to invade the city and apprehend the accused men. Harrison agreed and Tecumseh returned to Prophetstown. By November of that same year, however, the mood on both sides had changed and a battle seemed eminent. The situation was further complicated by the absence of Tecumseh.
Shortly after his meeting with General Harrison, Tecumseh embarked on yet another diplomatic mission to the south in order to encourage more tribes to join his union. He left Tenskwatawa in charge with explicit instructions not to engage or provoke the Americans. The chief was aware of the fragility of his fledgling nation and knew that a military engagement could destroy everything that he had struggled to build. He nonetheless left his capital with the confidence that his brother could easily manage the affairs of state. The absence of the leader of this ersatz Indian country provided Harrison with the opportunity to make his move. On November 6, he positioned his army three miles away from Prophetstown. Tenskwatawa did not want to wait for the Americans to attack and called a war council to discuss strategy.
Believing that the Master of Life would protect them, Tenskwatawa encouraged his warriors to attack and force the Americans to withdraw. The supreme deity of the Shawnee (who seems to have been adopted as the primary deity of Tenskwatawa’s new pan-Indian religion) would render the bullets of the white man harmless. Moving in under the cover of rain and darkness, Tenskwatawa’s army surrounded the American camp on November 7 and prepared to strike. By the creeping glow of dawn’s light, the Indian army attacked and drove into the American perimeter. Harrison’s men were able to quickly rally and rebuff the first wave. Though they suffered heavy losses (61 killed and twice that number seriously wounded), the Americans managed to hold their ground. Tenskwatawa’s plan had failed and he was forced to order his army to withdraw. Harrison and his men then marched on Prophetstown with the intent of severing the head of the fragile Indian alliance. Although they found the city abandoned, the Americans symbolically burned it to the ground nonetheless. The capital of Tecumseh’s new nation was now in ruins and many of his followers returned to their homelands.
For more on Tecumseh
http://nativeamericanfirstnationshistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/tecumseh_union
http://nativeamericanfirstnationshistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/tecumsehs_mission
