Lieutenant Charles Larrabee’s Account of the , 1811 Contributed and edited by Florence G. Watts*

The sesquicentennial of the Battle of Tippecanoe oc- curring this year lends special interest to a hitherto un- published account of General ’s ex- pedition against the Indians and the resulting battle. Because of widespread publicity given to the expedition’s commander, General Harrison, in his successful campaign for the presi- dency in 1840, few battles have received more popular notice. The slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler TOO”was broadcast over the country through vast quantities of broadsides, newspapers, songs, badges, and circulars. Even pieces of china were ornamented with log cabin and hard cider m0tifs.l The Battle of Tippecanoe loomed large in the minds of the pioneers. In his The Battle of Tippecanoe Alfred Pirtle noted that ten Indiana counties are named after partici- pants in the battle : Harrison, Spencer, Tipton, Bartholomew, Daviess, Floyd, Parke, Randolph, Warrick, and Dubois.* (Pirtle correctly notes, however, that Harrison County was organized before the battle.) Still another county was named Tippecanoe. The framers of Indiana’s constitution of 1851, who met about the time the pioneer era ended, included in that docu- ment a section which stated: “It shall be the duty of the General Assembly, to provide for the permanent enclosure and preservation of the Tippecanoe Battle Gro~nd.”~No other battle site received similar consideration from the authors of the constitution of 1851.

* Mrs. Watts is a former president of the Indiana Historical Society and a long-time student of Indiana history with particular interest in the Vincennes area. 1 Examples of such articles are preserved in the William Henry Harrison Mansion, Vincennes, Indiana. 2 Alfred Pirtle, The Battle of Tippecanoe (Filson Club Publications, No. 15; Louisville, Ky., 1900), 78. 3 Charles Kettleborough (ed.), Constitution Making in Indiana: A Source Book of Constitutional Documents with Historical Introduction and Critical Notes (3 vols., Indiana Historical Collections, Vols. I, 11, XVII; Indianapolis, Ind., 1916-1930), I, 367. 226 Indiana Magazine of History

In general, peace prevailed between Indians and settlers of the Old Northwest from the , 1794, until the Battle of Tippecanoe. Nevertheless, both whites and Indians suffered occasional loss of life and some theft or destruction of property during this period. Between 1803 and 1809 Governor Harrison and his associates obtained several cessions of land from the tribesmen. These cessions, principally located in southern Indiana and in southern and central Illinois, amounted to an area roughly equal to that of the present state of Indiana. Such loss of territory was alone sufficient cause for Indian alarm and resistance. The Indians had continued to be debauched by the white man’s liquor and diseases. They were also the victims of a double standard by which Indians received scant justice from whites, while the latter at times trespassed on Indian territory or committed crimes against red men with impunity. In commenting upon the situation, Professor John D. Barnhart has concluded: “Ample cause for war had been given the Indians by the people of the .”’ On the other hand, Governor Harrison, and apparently a majority of the settlers of as well, believed that the Indians had given just provocation for a military campaign against them. Indiana Territory had a population of nearly twenty-five thousand in 1810, which showed promise of rapid increase in the years immediately ahead. Much the greater portion of central Indiana and virtually all of northern Indiana, however, yet belonged to the Indians. Harrison and other political leaders considered it essential that the area occupied by the Indians be contracted so that Indiana could soon develop into a new member of the Union. Moreover, there were continued complaints of Indian depreda- tions against whites and frequent charges that the British were supporting and instigating the Indians. As friction and hostility grew, insecurity increased among the settlers.

*John D. Barnhart and Donald F. Carmony, Indiana: From FTontier to Industrial Commonwealth (4 vols., , 1954), I, 121. Barnhart gives a concise general account of the Tippecanoe campaign and its background in ibid., 120-134. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 227

No further cessions were obtained from the Indians following the Treaty of in 1809 until after the . Following the Treaty of Fort Wayne, however, Harrison requested authorization from the federal govern- ment to obtain additional land and also asked for permission to erect a new fort to guard Vincennes from Indian attack. President Madison and Secretary of War William Eustis exercised a restraining hand on Harrison concerning these and related objectives.6 Governor Harrison was in frequent communication with the brothers, and the , for several years preceding the Battle of Tippecanoe through letters, messengers, and conferences. The Prophet conferred with Harrison at Vincennes in 1808 and 1809, while Tecumseh met with him in 1810 and 1811, but these "summit" conferences failed to preserve the peace. During July of 1811 Secretary Eustis ordered the Fourth United States Infantry Regiment to proceed down the from Pittsburgh. The regiment was placed under Harrison's command, and the governor was authorized to attack if the Indians commenced hostilities. The Secretary of War, however, urged moderation and ex- pressed the hope that the regiment would not be needed in Indiana." During late July and early August, Tecumseh was in Vincennes for his second annual conference with Harrison. On August 5 he left Vincennes for the South, apparently to seek aid from southern Indians. On September 26 Harrison's expedition marched northward. The army spent most of October building Fort Harrison, then proceeded up the Wabash to Prophetstown, where the Battle of Tippecanoe ensued on November 7. The five letters which follow recount military prepara- tions and the movement of troops during the Tippecanoe campaign. They were written by Lieutenant Charles Lar- rabee during or soon after the campaign. They were probably based on a journal or daily notes, in view of their detailed content. The initial letter, written at Vincennes under date of September 20, 1811, indicates that preparations for the

6 Zbid., 127-128. Relevant letters are available in Logan Esarey (ed.), Governors Messages and Letters (3 vols., Indiana Historical Collections, Vols. VII, IX, XII; Indianapolis, Ind., 1922-1924), I, passzm. 6 Esarey, Govmws Messages and Letters, I, 535-537. 228 Indiana Magazine of History expedition were then virtually completed. The second letter, dated at , “3 miles from Vincennes,” December 11, 1811, is mainly devoted to a discussion of the difficulties and perils of fighting Indians. These letters are generous in their praise of General Harrison. A third, possibly written in December of 1811 or January of 1812, is quite brief and largely personal in its content. The fourth, written at Fort Knox under date of February 5, 1812, is the longest and most informative of the letters. It describes the movement of the Fourth United States Infantry under Colonel John P. Boyd7 from Pittsburgh down the Ohio and thence up the Wabash to Vincennes during August and September, 1811. It offers a detailed account of the Tippecanoe expedition with emphasis on the erection of Fort Harrison, and then recounts the circumstances pre- ceding, during, and following the actual battle. In general, it is matter-of-fact, describing rather than evaluating what happened. The final letter notes the controversy, pro and con, regarding the campaign and battle-especially with respect to Harrison’s role therein-but it asks that the writer not be involved in that controversy.* An ominous remark in

7 John Parker Boyd, of Massachusetts, became a colonel in the Fourth United States Infantry, October 7, 1808. He became brigadier general during the War of 1812 and was honorably discharged from the army in 1815. Boyd died in 1830. Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, from Its Organiza- tion, Septembsr 29, 1789, to March 2, 1903 (2 vols., , D.C., 1903), I, 236. In this and subsequent notes in which Heitman alone is cited, information given is taken exclusively from Heitman. 8The conduct of the Battle of Tippecanoe was a topic of much discussion at Vincennes and elsewhere. Generous commendation of Harrison was mingled with vigorous criticism of him. Harrison’s critics were inclined to give much credit to Colonel Boyd and the regulars under his immediate direction for the “victory” at Tippecanoe. Boyd criticized the militia, which was staunchly defended by Editor Elihu Stout, of the Vincennes Western Sun. Before the controversy subsided, Boyd attacked Stout in the latter’s newspaper office. Comments, docu- ments, and citations in Robert S. Lambert, “The Conduct of the Militia at Tippecanoe: Elihu Stout’s Controversy with Colonel John P. Boyd, January, 1812,” Indiana Magazine of Hzstoqt, LI (September, 1955), 237-250, emphasizes the role and status of Boyd in this discussion. Larrabee, a lieutenant in the Fourth United States Infantry under Boyd’s command, significantly expresses neither approval nor disap- proval of Colonel Boyd in the letters published below. Larrabee does, however, express admiration of Harrison in some of these letters as well as in a letter to Moses Dawson, in which he commends Harrison’s train- ing, discipline, and handling of the troo s on the way to and at the battle. See Larrabee to [Moses] Dawson, Octoier 13, 1823, in Esarey, Governors Messages and Letters, I, 713-714. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 229 the concluding letter suggests that the author expected to proceed to Detroit by spring. The opening portion of the fifth letter indicates that it and the fourth were apparently mailed together. The writer, Charles Larrabee, and his cousin, Adam Larrabee, to whom the letters were directed, were apparently natives of Windham, Connecticut. According to Heitman, Charles Larrabee was born in 1782 and commissioned a second lieutenant of light dragoons June 13, 1808. He became a first lieutenant of the Fourth United States Infantry on June 12, 1809, and was promoted to captain, September 12, 1812. He was brevetted as a major on August 9, 1812, for gallant conduct in the Battle of Brownstown in which he lost his left arm. He thereafter served in various regiments of United States Infantry until his resignation April 7, 1825. He died in 1862.s A great-granddaughter of Adam Larrabee indicates that Charles was the son of John Larrabee; that in 1819 he married Elizabeth Hathaway, by whom he had two children, Charles H. and Sarah (Beardsley) ; and that he died at Hart- ford, Connecticut, leaving his entire estate for the establish- ment of a home for indigent women.'O Two letters which Charles Larrabee wrote Lyman C. Draper in the 1850's make clear that the ex-soldier was at that time preoccupied with certain ideas regarding religious belief." Adam Larrabee was a cousin of Charles, as the latter indicates in closing his second letter. Adam entered the United States Military Academy in January, 1808, and graduated third in his class in March, 1811. His initial military appointment was as second lieutenant of light artil- lery in 1811, and he progressed to the rank of captain in 1814. He was honorably discharged in June, 1815, and died in 1869.'2

OHeitman, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Amy, I, 616. 10 Mrs. Mary Larrabee Utley, Eau Claire, Wis., to Mrs. Florence G. Watts, March 6, 1961. "Larrabee to Draper, March 30, 1854; Larrabee to Secretary of the Wisconsin State Historical Society [Draper] , September 2, 1858. Both letters are in the Draper-Wisconsin Historical Society Cor- respondence, which is preserved in the Division of Maps and Manu- scripts at the Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison. 12 Heitman, Historical Registm and Dictioncvry of the United States Army, I, 616. 230 Indiana Magazine of History

The Larrabee letters are preserved in the Draper Collec- tion of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin. Charles H. Larrabee, son of the author of the letters, and Lyman C. Draper were students together at the Literary and Theological Institute at Granville, Ohio, later Denison University. Subsequently Draper and Charles H. farmed together in Mississippi. Larrabee later moved to Wisconsin, where he became a judge and a congressman. When the State Historical Society of Wisconsin was re- organized in the 1850’s, Larrabee was one of its reorganizers. He successfully urged that Draper be made the executive officer of the society. Doubtless Larrabee called Draper’s attention to the letters his father had written about the Tippecanoe ~8rnpaign.l~In 1854 the elder Larrabee was made an honorary member of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, much to his pleasure and sati~faction.~~ Acknowledgment is given to Miss Josephine L. Harper, Manuscripts Librarian, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, for permission to publish these five letters regarding the Tippecanoe campaign. No other letters by Larrabee about the campaign have been located. Generally speaking, these letters confirm basic information available in previously published eyewitness accounts of the Tippecanoe campaign and batt1e.l5

~~

13 For the association and relationship between Draper and Charles H. Larrabee, son of the writer of these letters, see Collections of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin (Madison, Wis.) , I, (reprint, 1903), xv-xx, and William B. Hesseltine, Pioneer’s Mission: The Story of b-n Copeland Draper (Madison, Wis., 1954), 16, 37, 89-90, 220, et passam. 14 Larrabee to Draper, March 30, 1854, Draper-Wisconsin Historical Society Correspondence. 15 Previously published eyewitness accounts of the battle are: [] , “Account of Battle of Tippecanoe, September, 1833,” in Nellie Armstrong Robertson and Dorothy Riker (eds.) , The John Tipton Papers (3 vols., Indiana Historical Collections, Vols. XXIV, XXV, XXVI; Indianapolis, Ind., 1942), 11, 825-833; Isaac Naylor, “The Battle of Tippecanoe,” Indiana Magazine of History, I1 (December, 1906) , 163- 169; Adam Walker, ‘‘A Journal of Two Campaigns of the Fourth Reg!; ment of U.S. Infantry in the Michigan and Indiana Territories . . . in Esarey, Governors Messages and Letters, I, 693-710; J. Wesley Whickar, “Shabonee’s Account of Tippecanoe,” Indiana Magazine of Histow, XVII (December, 1921), 353-363. See also Harrison to Secretary of War, November 18, 1811, Esarey, Governors Messages and Letters, I, 618-630. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 231

Vincennes Sept. 20th 1811* Sir In my former letter written at Pittsburgh I informd you of Governor Harrison ordering Colo Boyds detachment to Vincennes/ or otherwise ordered by the Honorable secretary of war [William Eustis]/ the troops first Proceedd down the river Ohio to New Port ,l and there received the orders of Govor Harrison to continue down the Ohio river to the mouth of the wabash, and which to asscend to vincennes all of which has been executed/ at some more leuseure moment I will give a more perticular account of our march from Pittsburgh to this Place/ an expidition is now taking place with Colo Boyds detachment of US. troops, together with 900 hundred Melitia a part of which is light hors man who have vollonteered them self to the assistance of the Govor/ this ex- pidition is against the tribes of Indians who are under the prophet and tecumcy the most of the officers have furnished themself with pistoole, and all with groundd swords and Dirks, reddy for an angagement, I think it may terminate without bloodshed, but no knowing till after the end of the expedition a fort is to be built about one hundred 50 miles up the Wabash from this at which place the whole force is to march,2 and the whole force for this expedition amount to 12 or 13 hundred fiteing men/ I expect that some part of

* In transcribing these letters, original spelling has been retained and original punctuation followed as closely as possible. It is, however, very difficult to distinguish between Larrabee’s commas and the diagonal marks he often used instead of a period. In these doubtful cases which- ever mark that is proper grammatically has been used. Doubtful capital letters were interpreted according to the judgment of the eye. All superior letters have been brought down to the line except for those used to form old style contractions of words ending in “ed.” A few minor modifications of spacing within the letters were necessary in making handwritten documents conform to the printed page. The letters which follow are in the Draper Collection, Frontier Wars Manuscripts, items 5U193, 5U194, 5U194*, 9U1, and 9U2, re- spectively. As indicated in the Introduction, the Draper Collection is at the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison. 1 Opposite Cincinnati, as indicated in Larrabee’s letter of February 5, 1812. See pp. 235-236. 2 Apparently Larrabee mistakenly cites the estimated distance be- tween Vincennes and Prophetstown, rather than that between Vincennes and the site on which Fort Harrison was erected. In one of these letters (see p. 234) Larrabee indicates the distance from Vincennes to Fort Harrison as sixty miles, while seventy miles is suggested in another letter (see p. 238). Depending upon the route followed, the distance would be between sixty and seventy miles. 232 Indiana Magazine of History the 4th Infantry will be ordered to remain at this new fort that is to be built at the above mentioned place/ butt it is wholly uncerting where the whole or part of Colo Boyds detachment remains this winter/ time and tide will bring forth./ the Governor will Command in person/and is found to be a firm man and a verry good displenarian/and ac- quainted with the Indian fiteing, which is different from all others/ this morning the order for the troops to march was communiateted and to be in rediness for the same and to march to morrow/ I shall wright you the first opportunity/ please to inform all my friends where I am/ and do wright and direct your letter to this place Indiana territory/ and Can only say good by/ for I proceed for the fate of war and God bless you C Larrabee Lieut Lt A. Larrabee

Fort Knox 3 miles from Vincenne~~December 11th 1811

Dear Sir I this day recevd your letter and read the same with pleasure, and immediately commence writting this the multiplisity of returns that is required of a Commdg officer of a Company at the close of this month, deprives me of time sufficient to give you a detail of the movements of the 4th Regt from Pittsburgh, down to the present time, together with the movements of the army under Govenor Harrison/ (who in my opinion is as good a General and a soldier as the US affords) his official letter to the secretary of war will inform respecting the battle at the Tip Cannoeu with the Prophetts adhereants,' you speak light of battles with indians I agree so far with you as respects the opinion of the people, but beg leave to differ otherwise/ I say that an american army deserves more credit in fighting indians than any other nation in the world/ in the first place an army has to under go thribble the fatigue marching against indians, than that could possible occur marching against an

sFort Knox was located about three miles north of Vincennes on on the east bank of the Wabash. 4Doubtless a reference to Harrison's letter to Secretary of War Eustis, November 18, 1811, published in Logan Esarey (ed.), Govmors Messages and Letters (3 vols., Indiana Hzstorical Collections, Vols., VII, IX, XII; Indianapolis, Ind., 1922-1924), I, 618-630. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 233 army under disipline/ what is the result of prisoners taken by indians/ (the army where [were] correctly informed before thay left Fort Harrison) that the prophet was de- termined to burn a live all prisoners/ in fine nothing els[e] is expected but a painful and tormenting death/ for such has been their practice from time immemorial/ thank god they had not the pleusure of taken any of the army alive/ at the battle the Govor or the Commander of the army, sent one of the Militia Soldiers to the town when at Fort Harrison, the soldier was found with his head of[f] in one of the houses/ when the army had drove the indians out of town [it was] supposed thay had not time to attend to any other death/ in fighting an english or French army or where some mercy is shown on both sides as respects prisoners, there is some hope remaining if beten, but with indians none ever has been granted/ now Sir if a army that has marched 150 miles from home and in the wilderness all the way and where no resort for any assistance to the army Could be had in case thay where beten short of 280 miles if the army had to flee or where beten by the indians Vincennes would not have been a place of safety, nor nothing short of Louisville at the falls of the Ohio vincennes is 130 miles in the wilder- ness so called and the army fought the battle 150 miles still further in the desart, and the whole western wourld the indians are well acquainted with, so that victory, or a death more dreadful than men can describe must have been the result of Govor Harrisons army the former was obtained for I am here/ now Sir I had much rather have march[ed] 280 miles into an enemies country and faught a regular force/ (and where honor would be given if victory obtained/) than have performed what you are all readdy informed of/ in fiteing indians their is no discharge of death but victory. in fiteing civilised Nations their is two resorts victory or ex- change of prisoners/ death on the field of battle is glourious, for nothing ever appeared more so to me than the brother soldiers that where buried on the battle ground/ I am sensable thet it is the opinion of most [of] the people in the U.S. that no honor is to be attached to indian fiteing but I beg leave to disagree with all such, and believe if thay weigh the subject in its proper scale thay would judge dif- ferent, (so this subject must end half finished) for want of 234 Indiana Magazine of Historg time/ as to the Girls in this part of the wourld, of which you call of me to mention one of the Capt of the army got leave of absence from the expidition at Fort Harrison on account of Cowardice, and returned to Vincennes the Girls offered to exchange dress with him and take his sword and fill his place in the army/ I must end for it is 11 oclock at night and the paper most gone/ with expresing my anxciety for your recovery to health and may peace and plenty attend all my relations & friends in Windham/ I am well and wish to see new Englang verry much/ my best respects to all that your pleasant Circul surrounds at leasure I intend to give you a letter enclosing two sheets of pap[er] wholly written and am your most obdt servt C Larrabee Lieut. to my Cousin A Larrabee Lieut I have written doubble about indian fiteing I should have done had I known the opinion on that subject of the people of the U.S.G. I contend thay are mistaken [Larrabee wrote the preceding two sentences upside down at the top of his letter. Since they were evidently written as an afterthought, they have been placed at the end of the letter here.]

[Probably written January, 18121 Sir I addrest you in July at Pittsburgh and directed yours to New York and that your first letter that has reached me is dated Nover 4th at windham a long space of time. I suppos your mother is Maloncolly in consequence of one of the weddings you informed me of, but I hope the widdo Lothrop & cousin Julia will support all delinquents on that subject/ the officers are all satisfied with seeing the western wourld and would be glad to return to the atlantic States/ Vincennes is much such a place as you discribed West Point to me, but the troops have tolerable quarters and without doubt will spend the winter hear/ I have mentioned Fort Harrison to you and would inform that it is 60 miles above this up the and built by the army while on the expidition heretofore mentioned, and Capt Snelling5 is left their with

5 , a captain in the Fourth United States Infantry. Francis B. Heitman. Historical Register and Dictionaru of the United states Amy, from its Organizatid;z, September 29, 1729,'to March 2, 1903 (2 vols., Washington, D.C., 1903), I, 906. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 235

his company it [is] built on the ground where the Illenois indians had a battle/e success attend you aman C Larrabee Lieut A Larrabee Lieut

Fort Knox Vincennes Indiana Territory Feby 5th 1812 Sir- Informing you in my last letter, That I would give you in my next a daily detail of the movements of that part of the 4th U.S.1, in which I have been stationed with since their departure from Pittsburgh, I find to contain all the daily movements and remarks it will occupy 8 or 10 sheets of paper, and think it best to condence this letter in lumping the performances from time to time as the [calse may be, however if this is not satisfactory, you shall have my promis fulfiled &c- Capt Piatt7 of the 2nd U.S.1 arrived at Pittsburgh 23rd of July 1811 from the War office, with orders to Coll Boyd, to proceed with his detachment of the 4th Infy, to the falls of the Ohio, and their wait the orders of Govr Harrison/ if not wanted in the Indiana Territory, he was to ascend the Ohio as far, as New Port Kentucky, for winter quarters/ immediately on this Capt Piatt and Lieut Hawkins8 was dispatched to the falls, to provide means to transport the baggage by land to Vincennes &/ a day or two after an- other order was received from the war office, ordering Coll Boyd to stop at New Port, at the same time all posible prep- perrations whare making, to descend the Ohio river/ Most of the detachment where pleased for thay where eager for actual servic- Pittsburgh Fort Fayette Augt. 2nd 1811 at 9 oclock a.m, the troops where all on board of the boats, and rowed of[f] from the shore at Fort Fayette, and com- menced descending the river, and arrived the 9th inst. at the garrison at New Port/ alls well, (is the sentry signa1)g

according to tradition, the site on which Fort Harrison was erected had been the scene of Indian fighting. It was sometimes referred to as the site of the “Battle des Illinois.” 7 William Piatt, a captain in the Second United States Infantry. During the War of 1812 he served at various ranks in the quartermaster service and apparently was already engaged in such work in 1811. Heitman, Historical Registw and Dictionmy of the United States Army, I, 790. 8 Abraham Hawkins, a first lieutenant in the Fourth United States Infantry. Zbid., 512. 9The reader will note that Larrabee makes frequent use of the sentry signal, “alls well,” in ending his remarks about particular days. 236 Indiana Magazine of History

and pleasent time/ a number of pleasent and flourishing Towns where pasted [passed] as well as 524 miles of the pleasent banks of the Ohio/ this garrison will quarter about 400 troops/ opposite this is Cincinnati (Ohio) it is hand- somely situated on a first and second bank of the Ohio river/ it is a flourishing town [which] has a rich level and well settled country round it/ it contains about 400 dwellings, industry of every kind being duly encouraged by its citisens/ all seem to center in a favorable point of expectation, that Cincinnati and the country around it, must one day become rich and verey populous/ New Port is a newly laid out town it has a fine ajacent country/ the 11th inst an express was sent to Capt Piatt informing him of the second order from the war office/ 21st inst the express arrived from the falls the order of Govor Harrisons was read, ordering the troops to proceed down to Louisvill/ in the mean time Lieut Hawkins was dispatched by land to Vincennes, to inform the Govor the perticculars of the detachment, and of the second order of the Secretarys all prepperrations are making for actual service/ an expedition the 22nd inst is sent to Lexing- ton 80 miles after powder/ all at work in preparing to de- scend the river/ time has been pasted verry pleasantly here in visiting the inhabitants/ and alls well/ 30th inst orders where isued that the troops would embark, tomorrow and proceed down the river/ 31st inst at 6 oclock a.m Lieut Hawkins arrived from Vincennes, with orders for this de- tachment to descend the Ohio river to the mouth of the wabash and ascend to Vincennes/ at 8 oclock a.m the troops com- menced descending the river/ all well/ Sept 3rd at 7 oclock a.m rowed up to the right hand shore, at Jefferson[ville] Indiana T./ opposite is Louisvill (K) both situated just above the falls of the Ohio/ and 705 miles of the pleasent banks of the Ohio have been pasted/ the land from Pittsburgh to the falls, is excellent and well timbered/ the pleasure of seeing Govo H Major FloydlO and Judge Taylor11 the Govors

10 Floyd, of Kentucky, a major in the Fourth United States Infantry. Heitman, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Amy, I, 426. l1 , native of , came to Vincennes in 1804. He was territorial judge, 1806-1816, and represented Indiana in the , 1816-1825. Taylor served as major and aide-de- camp to Harrison in the Tippecanoe cam aign. Nellie Armstrong Robertson and Dorothy Riker (eds.), The Jo& Tipton Papers (3 vols., Indiana Historical Collections, Vols. XXIV, XXV, XXVI; Indianapolis, Ind., 1942), I, 113n. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 237 eaid [aide], was had at Jeffersonvill/ the detachment have been employed from the 3rd to the 5th inst at noon, in obtaining the foot of the falls getting provision and stores/ the Govo Coll Boyd Major Floyd Judge Taylor and Capt Piatt, proceed to Vincennes by land/12 at $4 past 1 oclock P.M the 4th Infy under the command of Lieut Coll Miller13 of the 5th U.S.1, commenced descending the Ohio river for the Mouth of the wabashl alls well/ arrived at the Mouth of the wabash the 10th inst at 1/2 after 1 oclock P.M alls well, and now 317 miles further has the banks of the Ohio been pasted, which makes 1022/ there is not so much land below as above the falls/ at 4 oclock P.M commenced ascending the Wabash, arrived at Vincennes the 19th inst at night alls well/ it was found verry difficult in ascending the wabash, on account of the low state of the water/ their whare a number of rapids, which employed some of the officers and most of the men, overboard, in drawing the boats over them/ 20th inst the detachment formed their encampment on a plain nigh town/ the Militia of the Territory and volunteers from Kentucky, have and are collecting here, for an expedition, (with this detachment 4th Infy) against the indians/ from the 19th to the 26th inst the whole army where preparing for the contemplated expedition/ their appears to be a defect in the contractors department, which always will be the case until1 it is founded on furmer and better regulations/ the Govor or the commander of the army, reviewed the 22nd inst, the whole number of troops present amounting to about 1200 aggregate, to it 350 U.S.1, 200 Dragoons, 200 mounted riflemen and 450 Militia/I4 on the 23rd inst the Govor took command of the army in person, formed them in the order thay where to March while on the expedition, and carried

IzHere, as elsewhere, the land route between Louisville and vicinity to Vincennes which Larrabee mentions is probably that of the oft-traveled Buffalo Trace between these two points. United States Highway 150 roughly follows this trail. 13 James Miller, a lieutenant colonel in the Fifth United States Infantry. Heitman, Historical Register and Dictionmy of the United States Armg, I, 710. 14 Various figures as to the numbers and composition of Harrison’s forces in the Tippecanoe campaign have been given. John D. Barnhart indicates that the total was less than 1,000 men. Of these, 345 belonged to the Fourth Regiment, United States Regulars; 415 to the Indiana militia; 120 to the mounted militia; 84 to the mounted riflemen; and 13 served as scouts and spies. See John D. Barnhart and Donald F. Carmony, Indiana: from Frontier to Industrial Commonwealth (4 vols., New York, 1954), I, 130, 130n. 238 Indiana Magazine of History them through the Manouvers of indian warfare/ all well/ at 8 oclock am the 26th inst the army commenced their March on the expedition which leads up the wabash, and now actual service commences/ scearce a row of sober faces is to be seen with 4th Infy on account of being now pleased all the heavey baggage goues by water, light in waggons/ capt Spencers15 company of Mounted rifleman go on the west side of the wabash, to guard the boats/ after the March of 7 days through the worlds wild wilderness the army arrived the 2nd of Oct, at a place (70 miles from V.) where it is said the Illenois indians had a battle in times of old date/ this March has been through a delightful wild country finely timbered, extensive and large Prairies, which look more like an old then [than] new country/ thay are as clear of trees roots or brush as any Mooing [mowing?] lot in the Yankee States is/ the soil is as rich in its wild state, as the Mooing lot is in its artificial/ the country is so level that when the traveler enters the prairie from the woods, he beholds with astonishment a cleared piece of land extending from 6 to 15 miles in leangth from 1 to 7 in breadth clothed with wild grass which makes good hay for stock cattle/ thay lay generally from 1 to 3 miles from the river and parellel there- to, but in some instances extend to the rivers bank/16 3rd inst at 1/2 after 7 oclock a.m the whole army whare drawn up in solid collums, and a speech was delivered by the com- mander in chief informing that a Fort would be built here, and every necessary that could be furnished the sick and the troops at large, should now be attended too/ this encamp- ment is pleasently situated on a second bank of the wabash river, east side, and in a fine grove which extends east from the river about 400 yards, and their meets a delightful prairie, extending up and down the river 10 miles and 3 miles wide/ the army remained in this encampment, (which is called

1s Spier Spencer came to Indiana from Kentucky. After living at Vincennes for a while, he moved to Corydon in 1808. In that year he became sheriff of Harrison County, and two years later he was made a captain in the Harrison County militia. Robertson and Riker, Tipton Papers, I, 62n. Spencer was killed during the Battle of Tippecanoe. 16 Such sights of land in Indiana and neighboring states sometimes caused soldiers to settle subsequently in areas they had traversed while in military service. For a more extended description of the land in the vicinity of Vincennes by another New Englander, see Chase C. Mooney (ed.) , “From Old Vincennes, 1815,” Indiana Magazine of History, LVII (June, 1961), 141-154. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 239 camp Battalle des Illenois) till the 29th inst during which time thay where employed in building a fort, and preparing to extend the march to the prophetstown, which is 80 miles further in the wilderness at 8 oclock am the 4th inst the fatigue party commenced geathering the Meterials to build a stockade fort with/ their was caught in the river here a cat fish which weighed 122 pounds, a vast number of smaller sise caught/ the Militia are excellent hunters, and are seen coming into camp with deer and honey, both of which this part of the wourld abounds in/ the army are well supplyed with these blessings, but are much in want of vegetables/ the boats ordered here arrived safe/ the grass from the prairies afforded forage for the army dureing their whole expedition/ alls well/ Battalle des Illenois Oct 10th at 10 minuetes after 8 oclock at night a sentry was shot through his thigh, by an indian as proved afterwards/ the army where refreshing themself at this time, but heard the alarm, and in 25 seconds where paraded in the line of en- campment, which was the line of battle for a night attack/ a party of Mounted rifleman and dragoons where instantly sent in to the woods (and outside of the sentrys) for several times/ all returned without seeing any indians/" the whole army continued under arms till 12 oclock at night then two thirds retired to rest/ at daybreak was the time supposed the indians would attack the army, (as that time always had been their practice) it was the constant practice of the army to rise before the least appearance of daybrack, and preparre] to parade for battle, (if attackd) at the first ap- pearance of light from the east, the reveille was beaten, at which time the whole army paraded in the line of encamp- ment/ when light anough to see a person 150 rods, thay where dismissed/ at all other times while here, the troops where at work or attending to the wants (in part) of Man- kind the sick are on the gaining hand/ alls well/ 19th inst the army where paraded and a speech was delivered by the commander in chief, relitive to reduceing the ration of flour, from 18 to 12 ounces, this being necessary in con- sequence of the army, having to move towards the Prophets town & further from home, and the difficulty the contractor

'?The army was dogged and watched by Indian scouts, of whom Shabonee was one. Shabonee's account of the Tippecanoe campaign is cited in note 15 of the Introduction. 240 Indiana Magazine of History has in furnishing full supply, and that the expedition might not fail, for which the troops whare drawn from their homes for/ the army where in such high sperrits, that a few in- spireing words from their able commander was sufficient to enspire the troops above all difficulties that was posible to meet them/ the contractor has considerable fault found with him, but in taking into consideration he has to transport the most of the provisions 600 miles, it is some justification for partial failures/ the mail arrived/ Much is said about a british fleet in the U.S waters, and of this army on an expedition against the indiansl things appear dubious, and nothing but the firmness of the people will make it otherwise, and declaring that America shall be independant till rolling years shall cease to move/ a number of different tribes of indians where here, at different times, and held councils with the Govor thay all appeared to be friendly, (but want good looking to) and said thay did not intend to join the prophet, but had tried to dissuade him and his party not to go to war against the white people/ some of them where at the proph- ets town when the three indians returned, that where at this encampment the 10th day inst, at night, and one of them informed the prophet that he shot one of Govor Hs white warriors, and that the prophet wished all the indians to join him for he was determined to fight the white people/ the sick are on the gaining hand/ an express is sent to KCentucky] after reinforcements/ alls well/ 27th inst the Fort being about completed the order for the march 29th inst was communicated/ the 28th is a day of general prep- peration/ a reinforcement of 30 men arrive and boats with provision/ the army in high sperrits and alls well/ 29th inst at 11 oclock a m the army took up their march for the prophets town, (called Tippacanoe) all in good sol2ierlike sperrits leaveing behind 100 troops to guard Fort Harrison and its stores/ the army is not so large as when it left Vincennes, for a number of the Militia had been discharged/ two boats is ordered up the wabash at the same time with provision/ 31st inst meet the boats 25 miles up the river, the army crossed to the west side, the same side of Tippacanoe/ here the army where joined by 60 volunteers under the command of Major Welles/ls alls well/ Novr 1st at 7 oclock a m the army

18 Samuel Wells, a major of a, rifle battalion in the Kentucky Volunteers. Heitman, Historical Regzster and Dictionam of the Unzted States Army, 1, 1018. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 24 1 marched at 3 oclock P M, struck the wabash about 12 miles higher the boats arrived/ all well/ the 2nd inst a block- hous[e] was built, provision for the troops on their return was put into it, as well as all heavey baggage a sergeants guard was left to protect the hous and boats/ at 3 oclock P.M an express arrived informed that the contractors boat ordered here, had been attack 4 miles above Fort H [arrison] , fired upon one man killed/ a party who had been out ahunt- ing, informed that thay had seen large trails in the prairie, the appearance of indians going toward Vincennes/ scouting parties where sent out to examin [el, returned with informa- tion, that the trails soon took another cource/ an express was sent to v[incennes]/ alls well 3rd inst at sunrise the march commenced towards Tippicanoe, and continued un- molested the 3rd 4th and 5th insts, and encamped the last day at night, supposed to be about 12 miles from the town/ 6th inst at sunrise the army commenced their March, calculating to arrive at the place of disternation this day/ alls well/ at 12 oclock am [noon?] where haulted/ the troops unslung their knapsacks, put them into the waggons, and where then drawn up in order of Battle, supposing about 4 miles from the above town/ and understanding it was woods all the way, to facilitate the March the line was broken off in collumns of companies/ from this position the line of Battle could be formed with facility/ the march was slow, in order that the scouting parties might have time to examin all places where it was likely indians might be secreted/ the ground was hilley and somewhat broclten/ the severaI corps had to change positions 3 or 4 times, as the situation of the ground presented itself/ in this cautious way the army moved to- wards Tippicanoe/ on their arrival of about a 1/2 mile from town, news flew through the army that Major DavisP was ordered to halt (by the indians) who was in front with the Dragoons/ the army where halted, this raised the troops to a war pitch, and all appeared eager to press forward and decide the contest/ in a few minuets the army moved for- ward, with no other expectation but commencing Battle soon/ thay had not moved far before three indians where seen approching on horsCe] back, and expresing a wish to speak

19 Joseph Daviess, colonel of Kentucky militia, aide-de- camp to Harrison, and major of two companies of dragoons. Daviess was killed at Tippecanoe. Alfred Pirtle, The Battle of Tippecanoe (Filson Club Publications, No. 15; Louisville, Ky., 1900), 34, 36. 242 Indiana Magazine of Histom to the commanding officer/ the army halted, (all attempts of the spies or interpreters in speaking [to] the indians here- tefore had proved unavailing) the indians held a short council with the chief of the army and galloped of[f] full speed/ the army resumed their march towards town which soon appeared in sight as well as a host of indians in it/ the army in general not knowing what conversation pas[s]ed between their commander and the prophets chiefs, still held their war pitch/ the march was continued till the army arrived within about 150 yards of town, (in this situation the army and town where in full view of each other) on their halt more indians came out and held a council with the chief of the army/ this position of the troops continued about $42 an hour/ dureing this time thay appeared fully prepared to obey an order for chargeing and rushing im- mediately into town, (although the indians had fortifyed it with considerable skill for them) the hostile behavour and appearance of the indians, and the army not knowing the result of the councils, would justify them in supposing that their was no other alternative than an immediate engage- ment/ an order pas[s]ed for the army to march by com- panies, with the oblique step to the left/ this order ap- peared evident that an encampment was the object then [than] otherwise, (it so proved) the army encamped on a high piece of ground, (west of the town $42 a mile) projecting and running to a point into a prairie, raising above the level of which, about 12 feet on the east side, and nearly twice that distance on the west, and nigh this side runs a small stream/ the army by this time, had received the substance of the conversation which had past from their commander, and the indians answers, which was that no hostilities should be com- mited on eather side till after an interview to morrow/ the army where no less on their guard on account of the indians promises/ the troops retired to rest at tattoo as usual, that is every man who formed apart of the outer line of encamp- ment, slept immediately opposite his post in line of Battle for the night attack, with his clothes and accoutrements all on his bayonet fixed Musket loaded and laying by his side/ the night was cold windy and rainny/ for the comfort of the troops, large fires where kept up all night/ alls well/ to give a clear idea of the encampment, it will be necessary to mark out the lines, as well as the ridges of the land/ 7th Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 243

inst at ?A2 after 4 oclock in the morning (the usual time for the army to rise) an alarmZowas given by the report of a gun, and instantly followed by the horid yelds of indiansl at this moment the army where still at rest, but ever reddy to obey their orders/ thay where not found wanting to the occation/ a few seconds pasted before the line of Battle was formed, after which, the indians found the army reddy to meet them on all points/ the attack first began at the head of the left wing/ it was immediately followed up at the head of the right, at the foot of the ridge/ in front of Whitnesz' and Baenszz companies, where a few trees, behind which there where a number of indians, and a constant fire was keep up betwen these two companies, and those indians for some time/ having the command of Capt Baens company, and judgeing it was better to charge the indians in front, than to stand and receive their fires, I so requested of Major Floyd, who commanded the right wing, as did Lieut Hawkins commanding Whitnes, but was refused on the ground of leav- ing this part of the line and angle wholly exposed to the indians/ these two companies not only had to contend with the enemy in front, but those at the head of the camp, that where nigh this angle/ Major Daviss had formed a party troop in the rear of these companies/ the commanding in chief arrived here, and seeing the situation of the companies, he ordered Major Daviss to charge those indians in front/ the Majors undanted courage hurried him forward with two small a force to assure success/ in the charge the Major received a Mortal wound Coll Whitez3 killed and one other dragoon wounded/ the party returned without accomplishing

20 At this point in the letter there is a sketch showing the way in which the troops were drawn up in the encampment. Reproduction of the sketch was not feasible. 21 Moses Whitney, former captain of the company of riflemen now led by Lieutenant Hawkins since Whitney had resigned from the army in July, 1811. Heitman, Hzstorical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, I, 1031; Esarey, Governors Messages and Letters, I, 695. 22 William C. Bean, captain in the Fourth United States Infantr . Bean died on November 9, 18ll., of wounds received in the Battre of Tippecanoe. Heitman, Histcmcal Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, I, 203. 23 Isaac White, an officer in the Indiana militia who enlisted in the battalion commanded by Major Daviess. White was among those killed at Tippecanoe. Lee Burns, Early Architects and Builders of Indiana (Indiana Historical Society Publications, Vol. 11, No. 3; Indianapolis, Ind., 1935), 185. 244 Indiana Magazine of History its object, however the indians soon found two warm a resep- tion and left the ground in front/ the action had by this time become almost general on all sides/ Capt Snelling and PrescottZ4was ordered from this wing, to support the line across the head of the camp, their vacancy supplyed with dragoons/ Capt S[nelling] charged and dislodged a boddy of indians in that direction and nigh this angle/ the manner the indians faught was desperate/ thay wouId rush with horid yelds in bodies upon the lines/ being driven back, they would remain in perfect silance for a few seconds, then would whistle (on an instrument made for that purpose) and then commence the rush again, while others would creep up close to the lines on their hands and knees, and get behind trees for their support/ the companies Whitnes and Baens, dureing the time thay continued to oucupy their own ground in the line, had 12 men wounded and one killed/ Major Wells took command of S [nelling’s?] and P. [rescott] s com- panies and with his former command charged the indians at the head of the camp/ at the same time I received an order (as did Lieut Hawkins) and proceeded accordingly to sup- port the rear line/ on my arrival the indians had gained ground upon Spencers company, being the senior officer present, commanded and formed the companies, charged the indians killed five and put the rest to flight/ Capt CookZ5 (and company) was also ordered to this point, but arrived too late to bare any share of the charge/ it now began to be light and the Battle about ended/ I returned to my post in the line with all my men, 4 however where wounded/ I could once have doubted my ability and preesance of mind, in attending to this all important part of a soldiers duty, but am satisfyed as respects that as well as with my constitution to support all the fatigues/ the Battle continued with slau- ter for two hours and upwards, when the army where left in persestion [possession] of their camp/ the indians where never known to attack before, so soon by an [h] our/ when the action commenced, it was verry dark cloudy and rainney weather, and so continued for an [hlour and a half/ the

24George W. Prescott, a captain in the Fourth United States Infantry. Heitman, Historical Register and Dictionarg of the United States Amy, I, 805. 25 Joel Cook, a captain in the Fourth United States Infantry. Zbid., 323. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 245 larg[e] fires spoke of before where immediately extinguished, for they afforded the enemy a great chance in viewing the camp/ at 7 oclock a.m the army began to seek for refresh- ment, and attend to the wounded in general/ not till now did their appear serious face/ it now pervaded the whole army, for their where dedd of both sides laying nigh the line of Battle round the whole extent of camp/ dureing the action this maloncolly site did not appear mou[r]nful/ their was one glorious and brave scene, in seeing the perfect collness and undanted resignation of the wounded/ Soldiers rejoice for this is the fate of War/ the beef cattle as uesual where a feeding in the prairie/ thay where taken by the enemy/ 2 pound of flour per man remained/ this caused a maloncolly reflection, for the least calculation was five days before the army could reach the provision at the block house, and the fate of that could not be known at this time/ that fortitude and perseverance which is necessary to support the army under these trials, is in full opperation/ it was known at this time through the interpreters that the indians had owned themself beaten, but not to what extent/ the day was spent in attending to the police of the camp fortifying the same, and preparing to attack the town the next day/ the night of the 7th was cold and rainney, and but a little Soldiers rest ob- tained/ at sunrise the 8th inst the dragoons where sent to dis- cover the situation of the town, and in 15 minuets an express arrived informed that the indians had and where leaveing town and all its contents had crossed the wabash and that the Dragoons had posestion of the town/ a number of waggons where dispatched, and returned from town loaded with beans corn and peas, which the army commenced cooking without meet/ thay ett well owing to the good appotite of the troops/ the day was spent in burning and distroying the town of Tip- picanoe, and preparing for the march the next/ at sunrise the 9th inst the army commenced putting the wounded into the waggons, of which thay occupied eighteen/ at 11 oclock a.m the officers and men slung their Knapsacks which contained a few beans corn and flour, and commenced the march for the block how, leaving dead at this encampment 40 odd officers and men/ the army arrived at the block hous the 12th inst alls well/ a boat had arrived from Fort Harrison with fresh beef flour and whiskey, which the army com- menced devouring immediately/ the wounded have suffered 246 Indiana Magazine of History much in the waggons, but will now proceed to Vincennes in the boats/ at sunrise the 13th inst the march was taken up for Fort H.[arrison] leaving the block hous on fire to avoid indians occupying it/ on the 15th inst at 8 oclock a.m the army arrived at Fort H/ alls well/ a general salute was fired, then dismised for refreshment/ at one oclock P.M commenced the March for V[incennes], leaveing Capt Snelling and Posesze companies at Fort Harrison for winter quarters/ the army arrived at Fort Knox the 18th inst alls well/ the 4th U.S.1 stopt here/ the Dragoons Mounted riflema[n] and Militia continued 3 miles to Vincennes and dismised/ the wounded had all readdy arrived at V. and placed in comfort- able quarters &c Fines and am verry respectfully Sir your obdt Sert C Larrabee Lieut 4th U.S Infy Lieut Adam Larrabee U.S. L[ight] Artilry

Fort Knox Indiana Territory Feby 7th 1812 Sir you might have expected my second L[etter] before now but the situation of this country renders it impossible for the mails to go and return at their stated times, instead of once a week once a month/ in giving the details of the enclosed expedition, much must be delaid till I can see you/ from the 5th to the 7th inst my quarters have been much shaken, caused by earthquakes, which for 7 or 8 minuets and some not so long, dureing which time the chimnes and plas- tureing are a falling/ their is from 3 to 4 shocks dureing an hour, some part of the time/ thay comm[ence]d the four part of Decr 1811 and still continue/ I can only say the allegana Mountains for getting up thounder showers and the Indiana Territory for earthquakesp‘ I take the liberty to pay the

26ThorntOn Posey, a major in the Fifth United States Infantry. Ibid., 800. 27 On February 18, 1812, Nathaniel Ewing, of Vincennes, wrote Albert Gallatin and spoke of severe earthquakes that “still continue. Our houses are all damaged and scearsly a Chimney is left standing intire.” See Clarence Edwin Carter (ed.) , The Territorial Papers of the United States, Vol. VIII, The Territorg of Indiana, 1810-1816 (Wash- ington, D.C., 1939), 165. Account of the Battle of Tippecanoe 247 postage on this L on account of not knowing weather you are in Windham and therefore subscribe it to the care of your Sister, and who will take the liberty to read its contents, and reclose it to you, (if absent) since my arrival of[f] the expedition time has been spent as well as could be ex- pected/ I have joined in a number of balls at Vincennes, where the Fair sect are verry good dancers/ supposed it is owing to their being a mixture of French people here/ this place has been settled as long as Phelidelphia/ its inhabitants till about 20 years where composed of the half hors[e] and half allegator, or Canadian breed/ the appairance of the place will justify a diclleration [declaration?] that thay have spent the most of their time in t [rucking?] with the indians/ their is now a mixture of Verginia and Kentuckyans here, which formes a small and agreeable society/ however I had much reather bee in the Yankee States/ Their appears a bill in congress for raising more troops should their be new officers appointed in that section of the wourld in which you live you will oblidge me in giveing their names in a L/ a consolidation of the companies 4th Infy now here, will soon take place/ the surplous of officers will be sent of[f] recruiting/ I expect to remain with the old companies and think thay will [be] ordered to Detroit next spring/ their has been a number of publications of various kinds respecting the expedition and extracts from officers L[etters]/ I dis- claim against the whole in toto, except the necessary ones, and beg that no extracts of my L.s be published on any account whatever/ their has been no more difference in the opinion of the people, than might have been expected/ such always will [be] the case, in our free government you do me a great favour in giving my best respects to my relation and friends in Windham, perticular the Fair seck may you soon be restored to health and liberty from those troubelsome cancers/ only add that we live in times of comets earthquakes and rumours of War- and have the honor to be sir your verry obdt Servt C. Larrabee Lieut Lieut Adam Larrabee USL Artillery