USA > Indiana > Marshall County > Tippecanoe in Marshall County > The Tippecanoe battle-field monument; a history of the association formed to promote the enterprise, the action of Congress and the Indiana legislature, the work of the commission and the ceremonies at the dedication of the monument > Part 2
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In Europe they erect monuments to individuals-to their gen- erals. In America we erect monuments to the soldiery. The Bun- ker Hill monument was erected in memory of Revolutionary heroes. The magnificent monument at Indianapolis was erected in mem- ory of the soldiers and sailors of Indiana. And the Nation and State by the erection of this monument are showing to the world that those who braved the dangers of bloody and cruel Indian war- fare are not forgotten by their country.
The Battle of Tippecanoe was a battle of national importance. It was really the first shot in the War of 1812. It early became the consensus of opinion of the Tippecanoe Monument Association that this, being a battle of national importance in its results, that the Nation should join with the State in the erection of a monu- ment. This idea met the approval of our representative in Con- gress. He managed a bill through Congress, carrying with it an appropriation of $12,500. In getting this matter through, he encountered many obstacles. He overcame them all. I do not be- lieve that a man of less conspicuous ability, of less energy, or of less commanding influence, could have carried this project through successfully. It therefore gives me pleasure to introduce to you our splendid representative in Congress, the Hon. E. D. Crum- packer, who will now address you.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
ADDRESS OF THE HON. E. D. CRUMPACKER.
I first desire to congratulate the Tippecanoe Battle Ground Me- morial Association of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, for the cul- mination of this project-the erection of a suitable monument, as a tribute of gratitude to those who fought and to those who died upon this sacred soil.
To this association, I think, more than to any other particu- lar organization in the country, is due the construction of this splendid shaft of granite today. The Battle of Tippecanoe, fought upon this ground ninety-seven years and a few hours ago, was a conflict of national significance. It was more than a milepost in the conflict between civilization and savagery, because it had a vital bearing upon the Second War of Independence with the mother country-the War of 1812. There is no doubt it was in the minds of the leaders in both England and the United States some time before the conflict occurred here that another war was inevitable; that the patriotic and self-respecting spirit of Ameri- can manhood, of necessity, would revolt against the humiliating treatment accorded to this country by Great Britain. The savages along the western frontier were being organized into a general confederation with a view of becoming the allies of Great Britain in the coming conflict; and the great Tecumseh, I think perhaps the most intelligent, the most broad-minded, in many respects the greatest Indian we know of in history, was designated to travel about throughout the land and organize all the Indian tribes into one great confederation, to resist the encroachment of the Ameri- cans upon what he termed to be their native soil. The policy of the great chief Tecumseh was that the land of North America, of natural right, belonged to all the Indian tribes ; that they held it as owners or tenants in common; that no single tribe had the power to cede or grant any of this territory to the white; that if a tribe occupying a particular section of the common country saw fit to yield its possession to someone else, the right then be- longed to other Indians to enter upon and occupy it. That prin- ciple of common rights was the basic principle of Tecumseh's Con- federation ; and it was his purpose in the course of the month be- fore this battle was fought, to organize the Indian tribes from the lakes to the gulf in a solid compact. They would then have been
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Report of Commission.
DIEWRIDHY
HON. EDGAR D. CRUMPACKER.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
ready to co-operate with the troops of Great Britain toward re- sisting the encroachments of the Americans; and no man can tell what would have been the result if that confederation had suc- ceeded, and it would have succeeded in effecting a most dangerous organization, had it not been for the Battle of Tippecanoe, because its center was at the Prophet's village within a mile or so of this point.
General Harrison, the governor then of Indiana Territory, fore- saw what might be in store for the Americans along the frontier, and wisely came here to demand assurance of peace. The result was the Battle of Tippecanoe, and the absolute destruction of the Indian forces, and the utter overthrow of Tecumseh, and the de- struction of all his efforts to bring about a confederation of the Indian tribes.
Therefore, my fellow-citizens, the contest which was fought here was one of national importance, and it is altogether appro- priate that the federal government should recognize its importance in contributing from the public revenues toward the erection of a monument to the men who fought and died upon this ground. These brave pioneers suffered many privations and hardships that are unknown to this generation. Intellectual, religious and social progress always meets with stubborn resistance. It seems to me that all the good things of life come through sacrifice and toil and tribulation. Nothing in life seems to be worth anything unless it costs something to obtain it. There had to be the agony of Geth- semane, before there could be the glory of a resurrection. It was necessary that there should be a Valley Forge, with all its horrors and sufferings, before there could be a Yorktown. There was a Bull Run before an Appomattox. In the progress of human na- ture it is necessary to meet and overcome fixed customs and habits, to root out ignorance and superstition ; and these great conflicts which mark the pathway of civilized man toward a higher and better life, are marked with conflicts and sacrifices all along the line.
In reading the history of civilization, one is apt to be led to the belief that war, bloodshed, fire and smoke, has been the chief oc- cupation of mankind in the centuries that have passed. If the men who struggled upon this field were able to look from their abode in the other world down upon this splendid empire today, upon this gathering of people prompted to come here by hearts filled with gratitude-it would seem to me if they would be prompted by emotions there as human nature here, their eyes must indubitably swell with tears. This monument does not pay the debt of gratitude
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Report of Commission.
the American people owe these men. In no sense does it do that. It is not so designed. It is simply a reminder of the obligation we are under to the men who struggled on this field, and to the great army of pioneer men and women who came to the frontier and es- tablished conditions that make life so happy and prosperous for you and me. The best tribute the people of the United States can pay to the memories of our forefathers who struggled and sacrificed for our welfare is to perfect the work they so well began, to so direct the great forces of our complex civilization as to lead mankind to a higher and nobler life, to establish the principles of justice and political and social brotherhood throughout the length and breadth of this great country of ours. Our laws and our policies ought to reflect, in an increasing degree, the very highest conceptions of justice, liberty and truth. It is your duty and mine, my fellow- citizens, to take advantage of every opportunity, to employ our best efforts, to improve conditions, political, industrial, commer- cial and social. It is your duty, and mine, to assist in establishing conditions so that every man, however high and important he may be, will look upon every other citizen-the lowly and the humble as well as the great-as his equal. It is your duty, and mine, to assist in the establishment of conditions that will give every man in our broad land an equal chance with every other man to make the most he possibly can of the powers which the Lord has committed to him. These great principles of liberty, justice and equality, should be forever cherished in the hearts of the American people. Let there be no departure from them in their original purity, but let us in this day and age expand and amplify and apply them to all conditions of life and society, so that these great principles shall become living realities as well as political theories. This great government that we enjoy contains within its organization, powers that are capable of controlling the destiny of all the civilized world. Its attitude among the nations of the earth should be that of moral, intellectual and political leadership. We talk about commercial supremacy and industrial leadership! The supremacy, my fellow- citizens, that will glorify American manhood and the great Repub- lic, will be supremacy in the principles of justice and liberty and universal brotherhood. It is talked occasionally about there being an ultimate conflict between the Saxon and the Slav for world- wide supremacy. There will be no conflict, in my judgment, in the course of years-no final conflict-except in the principles of love and justice, the great principles that are calculated to uplift and bless mankind, which in the course of years, as education and
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
the spirit of freedom become universal in our country, will be the property of all mankind, and the only strife will be as to what peo- ple shall best serve the world-what people can best show the high- est and noblest and purest manhood and womanhood.
I want to congratulate you again upon the completion of this splendid granite shaft. Let it be a reminder to us of the sacrifices that have been made for our good. Let it be a constant inspiration for us to try to do more and more, with the coming years, for the benefit of society, for the improvement of our great government. Let us bear in mind always that man does not live unto himself alone ; that while he is enjoined to make due provision for himself and those dependent on him (for his own household), that he must always bear in mind that he has no right to overlook the interests of his neighbor ; that he has no right to do an unjust act. Let the principle of justice and humanity prompt all our actions and all our thoughts, until we shall have arrived at such a stage of per- fection that dishonesty and injustice will no longer be known. That period, I concede, is a long, long ways in the future, but let that be our individual and our collective ideal. The American people are blessed beyond, I think, that which most of us appreciate-blessed with opportunities to live a better and higher and more useful life ; blessed with privileges to make the most we can of ourselves ; blessed with opportunities to improve society, to elevate the stand- ard of worth and moral reform throughout all the civilized world. Let us take inspiration again, I repeat, from these noble ancestors of ours, who yielded upon this field the last full measure of their devotion to the cause of civilization. Let us be prompted by their splendid service to do more every year for ourselves and society. I thank you.
CHAIRMAN RESER : The Battle of Tippecanoe was the last im- portant engagement with the Indians east of the Mississippi River. The decade from 1830 to 1840 was a period of great activity along the line of getting a monument for this historic spot. It was a time close to the event. Most of the participants in this battle were yet living. Several resolutions were introduced into the State legisla- ture, and some of them adopted, pledging the faith of the State to erect a monument here. The Governor was instructed by a reso- lution of the legislature to select a suitable design for a monument. A few men generally carry forward public enterprises. Three men were principally responsible for the activity in that decade along this line. These men were Gen. William Henry Harrison, Gen.
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Report of Commission.
John Tipton, and Governor Noah Noble. Each of these men died before the project was carried out, and then the question of the erection of a monument here slept for over seventy years, until the Senator from Tippecanoe County introduced a bill in the State Senate of Indiana, carrying with it an appropriation of $12,500 for this purpose. So prudently did he manage that measure, and so eloquently did he advocate it, that the bill passed the State Sen- ate unanimously, and passed the House practically with few against it. As I have said to the Senator, no act in his long legislative career will so redound to his credit, and so long live in the hearts of the people as the carrying out of this project. Senator Wood does not need an introduction from me. He will now address you.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
ADDRESS OF SENATOR WILL R. WOOD.
It is not my purpose in the brief speech that I shall make to enter into any historical matter connected with the Battle of Tip- pecanoe. There are those here who are better qualified to do that thing. We have with us this day, from our neighboring State of Kentucky, a man who has made a study of the Battle of Tippe- canoe from a historical point of view and who has committed his observations and his studies to written history. You will be pleased I know to hear from him.
It has been the custom of all men in all ages, barbarians as well as cilivized men, to raise monuments for the purpose of commemo- rating mighty events that have transpired and for the purpose of perpetuating in memory the heroic deeds of men. It is fitting, therefore, that the people of this great State and this great Nation should erect this beautiful monument to perpetuate all that it stands for.
The monument erected at Bunker Hill is not so much to per- petuate the memory of the brave men who fell there in the first fight that was made for liberty on this side of the sea, but it is for the purpose of telling the generations yet to come what has been done for them. It is for the purpose of showing that those who are reap- ing the benefits achieved and made possible by that battle are not ungrateful for the gifts they have received. The monument that was erected in Washington is not for the purpose of perpetuating the name of General Washington, nor the names of the heroes who fell on the fields of battle in the Revolutionary War. They need no such pile of stone as that. But it is for the purpose of showing to the future that the mighty deeds and mighty accomplishments of those men mean much for all time to come. The monument, the like of which was never erected to the memory of private sol- diers, located at the capital of our own State, need not have been built solely for the purpose of perpetuating the names and the memories of the soldiers who fell upon the battle-fields of the Civil War, for their memories are inscribed upon tablets more lasting than stone, more enduring than bronze, in the hearts of a grateful people; but it was for the purpose of showing to the ages that patriotism has its reward and that it is evidenced in these monu- ments.
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Report of Commission.
HON. WILL R. WOOD.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
This monument we have erected here is not alone for the pur- pose of honoring the men who fell upon this sacred spot, but it is likewise for the purpose of showing that we in this day and age are not unmindful, though long has been the procrastination, of what was done here for us and for future generations. As Mr. Crumpacker has said, this was a national event. It was not for the people here that this battle was fought, for there were no white people here. It was not for the people south of us, for they were not endangered. It was not for the people to the east of us, for they were secure. But it was for the purpose of opening a gate- way to the great northwest, and for the purpose of crushing out the border warfare that stood in the way of the march of progress. So effectually were these things done that this battle was the last Indian battle fought and that was found necessary to be fought in the mighty march of progress that has since been made through this gateway. As a direct result of this battle more than one-third of the present United States territory was opened to civilization.
We erect this monument and by its erection we further cement a friendship long existing between this State and our neighbor, Kentucky. And I am proud today to know that this sister State of ours, that furnished so many of the men who fell upon this field, has sent a representative here in honor of this event. I am proud, too, that we have with us on this momentous occasion a great-grand- son of Gen. William Henry Harrison.
We were prompted in erecting this monument by the gratitude of our hearts. We were prompted by the duty that we owe to the past. We have builded it so that the generations yet to come, who may know but little of the history of the mighty past, when they look upon this pile will be made to inquire, what does it all mean, and then they will find answer in the history of their country.
There was a monument here ninety-seven years ago. It was these giant oaks, that stood here then and throughout all these years in ceaseless vigil. In the summer time their leaves have shaded this sacred spot. In the fall they have shed those leaves to spread a covering over these last resting places. And throughout the years that are to come, they will stand erect, with the scars of battle upon them, mighty watchers of the day, mighty sentinels of the night, to protect these graves then as throughout the past.
Generations yet to be will come here and remember and revere the memory of the heroes who made it possible for us this day to meet and acknowledge and proclaim our gratitude.
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Report of Commission.
There will be but little occasion to build memorial tablets or erect monuments in commemoration of heroes or herioc deeds of battles fought in the future. The monuments then erected will be to mark the mighty progress of a country's peace, and the great spiritual, intellectual and material achievements attained. But all these will but sharpen the interest in heroic monuments like this and will reflect credit upon the hands and hearts that builded them.
I thank you.
CHAIRMAN RESER : I have been closely associated with our next speaker for a number of years. Whatever interest I have taken in this project has been largely due to him. No one could be around him very much and not become imbued with his enthusiasm to have a monument erected on this battle-field. In the face of dis- couragements he was always serenely confident and optimistic for this cause. There was never a letter or telegram sent to Washing- ton or to Indianapolis that he did not either write or approve. I do not need to introduce him, either, but will simply announce that Gen. R. P. DeHart will now address you.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
ADDRESS OF GEN. R. P. DEHART.
On the 7th day of November, 1811, was fought the Battle of Tippecanoe upon this beautiful plateau of ground. On the even- ing of the 6th of November, General Harrison with his army of about 900 effective men, reached a point near the Prophet's vil- lage. At that time the Prophet sent runners out to him, saying, "Why do you come here with your army? We have none here but women and children. Go into camp and we will treat with you on the morrow."
Now, some people have been so unkind as to condemn the Prophet for his deceiving, or attempt to deceive, Harrison and his army ; but today among civilized men the politician will say to you things that he does not mean. He will tell you what he proposes to do, and he will not do it on the morrow. Let us be just in these things.
The Indian believed he was fighting for his home and the graves of his fathers, and he sought to deceive Harrison, as a part of the strategy of Indian warfare. "Where is the best camp ground?" said one of the scouts, and the Indian said, "To the north and west a little over a mile." If you will look yonder a mile and a quarter, you can see the site of the Indian village where Tecumseh and his brother held their place, and that was the seat of Indian diplomacy and strategy for many years. Now, some people have said that Tecumseh was defeated at this battle. He was not in this fight. He had made a speech at the City of Vincennes, in answer to one made by General Harrison, who had maintained the treaty between the Indians and the pale-faces, and in response to that Tecumseh had said to him, "If you will acknowledge the title of the land upon the Wabash to be in my people, I will be your friend. I will be your brother. I will die for you. I will fight for you to the end ; but of you don't, then look out !" Harrison maintained the treaty. Tecumseh went to the southland, following the plan of the League of the great Pontiac, and while he was gone, Harrison with his army came to this locality. They went into camp on the evening of the 6th of November, 1811. Their campfires were built all over these grounds, and there is no doubt but the Indians stood upon y onder ridge and counted each fire and knew the location of every line of the army. The Indians were close observers and we might learn many things from them.
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Report of Commission.
GENERAL RICHARD P. DEHART.
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Tippecanoe Battle-field Monument.
The story is told of an old Indian coming along and he said to some white men, "Did you see a little old white man with a short gun, and a short piece of venison, and a stump-tailed dog, pass this way?" They said, "Yes." He replied, "He stole my venison." "Why didn't you stop him?" said the white men. The Indian said, "I wasn't there." "Then how could you tell these things so cor- rectly?" "Why," he said, "I knew he was a small short man, be- cause he had to stand upon a log to reach the venison, from the height it was hung from the ground; and I knew he had a short gun, because I could see where the breech stood on the ground, and how far up the tree the muzzle extended; and I knew he had a stump-tailed dog, because the dog sat watching his master cut down the venison, and his short tail made a hole in the sand." (Laughter. ) 150015
The Indian observed all these things. He knew the force Har- rison had; and while we have no means of ascertaining the exact number of the Indians, yet we know they knew the number of Har- rison's army, and they never would have made the assault upon that army without having an equal or a greater number. Harrison did not really anticipate an Indian fight on the morning of the 7th of November. There were but very few of the men under his com- mand who thought there would be a battle. In fact, the Kentuck- ians, who had come from their mountain homes as did the heather- hidden warriors of Clan Alpine to the whistle of their chief, cursed and swore because there would be no Indian fight. They hated the Indian and believed the best Indian was a dead Indian.
But Harrison took the precaution to have his men formed and lie down in line of battle. At 4 o'clock in the morning a drizzling rain had set in. Harrison had arisen and was pulling on his boots and was talking to one of his aides, when on the north, as you see yonder beyond those houses, the sound of a musket was heard. All stood up in line of battle, and those brave men touched one an- other's shoulders as they had agreed beforehand, in the event of an Indian attack, and said, "Don't flinch! Don't flinch !" And they never did flinch, and never gave up until the victory was won upon this field upon that bloody morning of the 7th of November. At that point yonder (to the north and west ) the first assault was made upon Harrison's line, and there the brave Owen fell; there the brave Baen fell; there Harrison had a lock cut from his hair by an Indian bullet. When the musket was fired the picket did so because he saw the grass and weeds moving. He challenged and
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Report of Commission.
fired his musket. The Indians sprang in the air and they rushed and followed the picket within the lines, and two of them were killed within twenty feet of Harrison's tent.
Braver men never lived. Truer men never drew the bow than those who fought upon this field upon that morning. The line was broken at that point. Reinforcements drove them back; and then the storm seemed to burst along the entire south and front. At the south end of this line was what were called the Yellow Jackets, and in the gloom and dark, their uniform of yellow looked not un- like the color of the brave and grand men who have coine here to- day wearing the uniform of our country. There it was the brave Spencer fought. There it was that Warrick fought; and so fierce was the conflict at that point, at the southern point of the line, that Harrison rode there in haste. A stripling of a boy stepped up, and Harrison said to him, "Where is your captain?" "He is dead, sir." """Where is your lieutenant?" "He is dead." "Where is your sec- ond-lieutenant?" "He is dead." "Where is your ensign?" "I am here." Harrison complimented him and told him to hold the line. They have said that the commander of that company was wounded in the head and he tied a handkerchief around it and fought on until he was shot through both limbs and he fell upon the line, and while the Indians rushed with tomahawk and scalping knives to break the line, the words of Spencer to his gallant band were: "Hold the line ! Hold the line, my men !" And they drove back and kept back the savage horde. Oh, I tell you the Roncesvalles Pass, when before the opposing lance went down the harnessed chivalry of Spain, looked not on a braver or a better band than fought at that point. They held the line, and the daylight came. The In- dian had drifted to the south end, and from the tree tops and from the banks he enfiladed the line. I talked with an old pioneer, home- spun soldier who fought upon that front. He said, "The bark was flying from the trees. I could see the Indians running from point to point with tomahawk and scalping knife, and with bow and ar- row, while the air whizzed with flying bullets, because the Indians had the best powder and the best arms as well as the bow and ar row. The bow and arrow was intended to shoot the pickets with, and then they intended to rush forward with scalping knife and tomahawk upon the sleeping army. They fought on until the day- light came, and at the southern point the Indian took his last stand. Harrison had been with Mad Anthony Wayne at the Battle of Falling Timbers, and he knew the Indian could stand in line or behind a tree as long as he could shoot, but that he could not stand
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