 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Tecumseh:
"Leaping Panther"
Aboriginal warrior played a role as large as Brock
and left indelible mark on the conflict. The first
meeting between Brock and Tecumseh at
Amherstburg is the stuff of legend.
IS THIS TECUMSEH?: No one knows for sure what Tecumseh looked
like, but this might be a likeness of the Shawnee chief. Artist unknown.
From the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, is one of the most interesting leaders from
the War of 1812, yet there is a lot that is not known about him. His role
was just as valuable as Brock's — yet there is no gigantic monument to
his life to equal the one sitting on Queenston Heights for Brock.
In fact, nobody knows for certain where Tecumseh is buried. He was
killed at the Battle of Moraviantown on Oct. 5, 1813 — almost one year
after Brock died at Queenston.
Like any native, Tecumseh was probably not overly impressed with the
flood of Europeans into his ancestral lands. But he had a particular
distaste for the Americans, which made him lean towards the British side
if he was forced to choose a side in conflict.
Tecumseh (which meant "Leaping Panther") and his brother —
Lolawauchika ("Loud Mouth", also known more commonly as "The
Prophet") were responsible for the growing unrest on the western
frontier in the years leading up to the War of 1812.
Their father had been killed by American frontiersmen, and both fought
at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. In his book The War of 1812: Land
Operations, George Stanley describes Tecumseh and his brother as
follows:
"The two men were a study in contrast. Tecumseh was tall, handsome,
proud, courageous and reliable; his brother was scrawny, ugly, blind in
one eye, epileptic and perhaps a little mad. Tecumseh was the more
powerful orator, the greater warrior and the more influential politician;
Lolawauchika was the prophet, the man who dreamed wild dreams and
experienced supernatural revelations, the earthly voice of the Great
Spirit. He supplied the mysticism necessary to give strength and
meaning to his older brother's politics. In Tecumseh's mind, an Indian
should never, as Jefferson urged, become a farmer or a rancher and
integrate himself into the white man's economy and way of life; he
should, instead, hold fast to his Indian heritage, remain a hunter and
live as his ancestors had lived before him on the lands he hand inherited
from them. Tecumseh's plea was the eternal plea of all great Indian
leaders, a plea that has been heard throughout the centuries, ever
since the white man came to North America."
In his book The Invasion of Canada, Pierre Berton offers the following
description of the Shawnee chief:
"A handsome figure, tall for his tribe (at least five foot ten), with an oval
rather than an angular face, his complexion light copper, his nose
handsome and straight, his mouth 'beautifully formed like that of
Napoleon.' Everyone who has met him notices his eyes, which are a
clear, bright hazel under dark brows, and his teeth, which are white and
even. He is naked to the waist, his head shaved save for a scalp lock. He
walks with a brisk elastic step in spite of a bent leg fractured and
imperfectly set after a youthful fall from a pony. There are some who
think him the finest specimen of a man they have ever seen, but no
authentic likeness exists on paper or canvas, for Tecumseh refuses to
have his portrait painted by a white man."
Tecumseh was a very succesful leader, and gained the begrudging
respect of some American leaders in the years before 1812. When
William Henry Harrison, the Governor of Indiana Territory, entered into a
deal with a number of chiefs — none of them Shawnee — for the
surrender of three million acres of land, Tecumseh was furious.
Governor Harrison summoned Tecumseh's brother to Vincennes — the
capital of the territory — to talk about the "treaty" that handed the land
over. But instead of the Prophet, Tecumseh himself went to meet with
the Governor.
Tecumseh was invited inside the Governor's house to talk about the
treaty, but Tecumseh refused. He said, "Houses are built for you to hold
councils in, Indians hold theirs in the open air." When the invitation was
repeated, with the words "Your father requests you to sit by his side",
Tecumseh became indignat. "My father! The sun is my father, and the
earth is my mother, and I will recline in her bosom."
The two met outside, but could not come to an agreement. Neither was
swayed by the other side, and Governor Harrison reported back to
Washington with the following:
"If it were not for the vicinity of the United States, he [Tecumseh] would,
perhaps, be the founder of an empire that would rival in glory Mexico or
Peru. No difficulties deter him. For four years he has been in constant
motion. You see him today on the Wasbash and in a short time hear of
him on the shores of Lake Erie or Michigan, or on the banks of the
Mississippi; and wherever he goes he makes an impression favorable to
his purposes. He is now upon the last round to put a finishing stroke to
his work."
Shortly after, the Battle of Tippecanoe tipped Tecumseh firmly and
permanently towards the British. On Nov. 7, 1811, while Tecumseh was
away visiting other tribes, the Americans attacked the Indian settlement.
The meeting with Brock
Brock's meeting with Tecumseh is a big part of the legend surrounding
Brock. It's one of the classic moments in Canadian history. The pair met
at Amherstburg shortly before the successful British attack on Fort
Detroit, a victory that was secured only with the help of Tecumseh and
his warriors.
Pierre Berton captured the mood of the meeting eloquently in The
Invasion of Canada:
"Midnight has passed. But before Brock can sleep he must read the
dispatches and mail captured at Brownstown. He sits in Elliott's study
with his aide, Major J.B. Glegg, the yellow light from tallow candles
flickering across a desk strewn with maps and papers. Suddenly the
door opens and Elliott stands before him accompanied by a tall Indian
dressed in a plain suit of tanned deerskin, fringed at the seams, and
wearing leather moccasins heavily ornamented with porcupine quills.
This is clearly a leader of stature. In his nose he wears three silver
ornaments in the shape of coronets, and from his neck is hung, on a
string of coloured wampum, a large silver medallion of George III.
"The Indian is beaming. Glegg gets an instant impression and decision.
This must be Tecumseh.
"Brock rises, hand outstretched to his ally. The contrast is striking: the
British general — fair, large-limbed, blue-eyed, impeccable in scarlet
jacket, blue-and-white riding trousers, and Hessian boots — towers over
the lithe figure of the Shawnee. Brief salutations follow. Brock explains
about the waste of ammunition [among native warriors]. Tecumseh
agrees. Each man has taken the other's measure and both are
impressed. Brock will write to Lord Liverpool that "a more sagacious and
gallant Warrior does not I believe exist. He was the admiration of
everyone who conversed with him...." Tecumseh's comment, delivered to
his followers, is blunter. "This," says Tecumseh, "is a man!"
Book on Tecumseh
Tecumseh: Destiny's Warrior
By David C. Cooke
Tecumseh: Destiny's Warrior is one of the those typical children's books
published in the 1950s and 1960s that were staples of elementary
school libraries throughout Canada well into the 1980s.
This novel, by David C. Cooke, is a fun read. It can be a bit tough to find,
as I believe it's out of print, but it's a rather interesting look (with a lot of
creative licence) at Tecumseh's life.
From the jacket of the book
Tecumseh was the most extraordinary Indian in American history. This
Shawnee chief envisioned the creation of a confederation of all the
tribes of the North American continent into one strong Indian nation. For
years he devoted all of his energies towards this purpose, attempting to
hold his people's land by diplomacy rather than bloodshed. Had he
succeeded in his purpose, he would have been the founder of an empire
that rivaled in glory that of Mexico or Peru.
His was a typical carefree boyhood until the day he and his mother
found his father murdered in the snow. Filled with hatred towards the
white killers, Tecumseh swore vengeance on all whites and filled his
days perfecting his riding and shooting skills. As a man and a leader, he
met many good white men and realized that vengeance had to be
tempered by judgment, and that he could best serve his people by
understanding the problems common to both races.
His great oratorical power, his statesmanship, his personal magnetism
won him the passionate loyalty of his Indians and the admiration of even
his white enemies. But he faced the bitter truth that peace treaties were
worthless pieces of paper, that diplomacy was respected only when it
was backed up by a show of great force, so he renewed his efforts
towards confederation.
His plans were interrupted by the War of 1812. Since the Americans
were suspicious of his motives, he allied himself with the British and
proved to be an uncanny military strategist.
When Tecumseh died the mighty vision of an empire died with him. But
the legends of greatness, as a statesman, a humanitarian, a great
patriot devoted to a lost cause, lived on in the hearts and minds of men.
A thrilling story of a courageous American who followed a dream to its
last frontier.
Cooke's description of the meeting with Brock
What follows is an excerpt from Cooke's book describing the meeting
between Tecumseh and Brock:
Then stirring talk whispered through the fort. Procter was to be relieved
of command because there was to be a new arrival — Isaac Brock,
lieutenant governor of Canada. Toward midnight sme days later Billy
Caldwell trotted into Tecumseh's camp.
Colonel Procter: Not entirely happy to see Tecumseh?
"I have seen this Brock! He is a giant, a man of yellow hair and big arms
like iron. He has called for a meeting of all officers of the fort, to be held
in less than an hour's time."
Decisively Tecumseh arose. Stepping impatiently outside, he called, "I
am sick of Procter's bitter tongue. I will meet this Brock and see if he is a
better man. Come, Shabbona."
Tecumseh marched to the fort and demanded to be taken to Brock.
"There is an important meeting…," the guard began.
In English Tecumseh shot back: "I am the leader of the Shawnee. Take
me to Brock."
The guard lowered his eyes meekly. "This way."
Resolutely Tecumseh and Shabbona followed the sentry across the
compound to the officer's barracks. The two men waited in the mist-
laden night air while the sentries whispered to one another; then
Colonel Matthew Elliot, the even-tempered British Indian Agent for the
Canadian Territory, appeared. Elliot listened to Tecumseh's request for
an audience with Brock, then shook his head rather doubtfully.
"Major General Brock is quite busy with the officers of the fort and…"
"Is this Brock taking command? Shall I be serving under him?"
"Why, yes, that's a fact, but —"
"Then take me to him, for I have a right to speak with the man who
commands the loyalty of my people."
Inable to resist the firmness of Tecumseh's glance and tone, Elliot
reluctantly led the way into the headquarters room. All talk ceased
immediately. Heads turned. Colonel Procter gasped.
"Really, Elliot—!"
Benath the low, rough hewn ceiling of the room, clouds of pipe smoke
floated. Tecumseh's eyes swept the group, picking out the one person
he did not know. His mouth relaxed instantly. He was pleased with what
he saw. From behind a scrolled writing desk, Major General Isaac Brock
rose as Colonel Elliot stepped forward.
"Please excuse the interruption, General Brock. This is Chief Tecumseh,
the Shawnee who fights with us. He was extremely anxious to be
presented, sir."
"Welcome, Shooting Star," Brock rumbled in his rich, warm voice. He
stepped around the desk, a brawny, six-foot-three Britisher from the Isle
of Guernsey.
Brock's steel-blue eyes appraised Tecumseh quickly. The Shawnee
extended his own hand, and his strength was met by that of Brock.
Without question and without reservation Tecumseh — in an instant —
placed his full confidence in this strapping soldier in the brilliant scarlet
coat and white breeches. Their handclasp was one of sudden and
genuine friendship, for Brock was equally impressed with the regal figure
in his elegant deerskins. Tecumseh turned his head slightly and said to
Shabbona: "At last a man commands Fort Malden."
Brock smiled tolerantly. Colonel Procter rose hastily to protest.
"Really, General Brock, I must strongly recommend adjournment of this
most important meeting until your courtesies" — the words of Procter
dripped contempt — "to this red Indian are concluded."
"For heaven's sake, Procter!" the general exclaimed sharply. "I've been
tossing and heaving on that blasted lake five days and nights. I'm half
starved; I'm sick to death for want of sleep — and on top of it I must
endure your petty concern for niceties of conduct which are hardly
binding on this Godforsaken frontier. We are fighting a war, my dear
colonel, not viewing a polite entertainment at Covent Garden! May I
remind you that I am quite aware of the splendid fighting record of Chief
Tecumseh in the short time he has been at Malden? It was he who led
the fighting at Brownstown, I'm told, and who returned the captured
dispatches from Detroit. He also bolstered Major Muir's attack at
Moguaga."
While Colonel Procter fidgeted in embarrassed discomfort, Isaac Brock
thumped one massive fist on the writing table.
"If I were to include in this meeting only those persons who have thus
far distinguished themselves in battle, Procter, I fear I should invite Chief
Tecumseh to remain, while requesting you to leave."
Procter sank into humiliated silence. Brock gestured toward a chair near
the desk. "Please be seated, Chief Tecumseh. Your companion will find a
vacant place there by the hearth." When Tecumseh had taken the seat
indicated, Brock continued: "We had arrived at the point in the
discussion where we are considering future strategy. General Hull's
reluctance to move from Sandwich, and his subsequent retreat to Detroit
have left us — luckily — with an advantage. If we move quickly we may
be able to strengthen our position. Your suggestions would be welcome.
"Leaping Panther"
Aboriginal warrior played a role as large as Brock
and left indelible mark on the conflict. The first
meeting between Brock and Tecumseh at
Amherstburg is the stuff of legend.
IS THIS TECUMSEH?: No one knows for sure what Tecumseh looked
like, but this might be a likeness of the Shawnee chief. Artist unknown.
From the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago.
Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, is one of the most interesting leaders from
the War of 1812, yet there is a lot that is not known about him. His role
was just as valuable as Brock's — yet there is no gigantic monument to
his life to equal the one sitting on Queenston Heights for Brock.
In fact, nobody knows for certain where Tecumseh is buried. He was
killed at the Battle of Moraviantown on Oct. 5, 1813 — almost one year
after Brock died at Queenston.
Like any native, Tecumseh was probably not overly impressed with the
flood of Europeans into his ancestral lands. But he had a particular
distaste for the Americans, which made him lean towards the British side
if he was forced to choose a side in conflict.
Tecumseh (which meant "Leaping Panther") and his brother —
Lolawauchika ("Loud Mouth", also known more commonly as "The
Prophet") were responsible for the growing unrest on the western
frontier in the years leading up to the War of 1812.
Their father had been killed by American frontiersmen, and both fought
at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. In his book The War of 1812: Land
Operations, George Stanley describes Tecumseh and his brother as
follows:
"The two men were a study in contrast. Tecumseh was tall, handsome,
proud, courageous and reliable; his brother was scrawny, ugly, blind in
one eye, epileptic and perhaps a little mad. Tecumseh was the more
powerful orator, the greater warrior and the more influential politician;
Lolawauchika was the prophet, the man who dreamed wild dreams and
experienced supernatural revelations, the earthly voice of the Great
Spirit. He supplied the mysticism necessary to give strength and
meaning to his older brother's politics. In Tecumseh's mind, an Indian
should never, as Jefferson urged, become a farmer or a rancher and
integrate himself into the white man's economy and way of life; he
should, instead, hold fast to his Indian heritage, remain a hunter and
live as his ancestors had lived before him on the lands he hand inherited
from them. Tecumseh's plea was the eternal plea of all great Indian
leaders, a plea that has been heard throughout the centuries, ever
since the white man came to North America."
In his book The Invasion of Canada, Pierre Berton offers the following
description of the Shawnee chief:
"A handsome figure, tall for his tribe (at least five foot ten), with an oval
rather than an angular face, his complexion light copper, his nose
handsome and straight, his mouth 'beautifully formed like that of
Napoleon.' Everyone who has met him notices his eyes, which are a
clear, bright hazel under dark brows, and his teeth, which are white and
even. He is naked to the waist, his head shaved save for a scalp lock. He
walks with a brisk elastic step in spite of a bent leg fractured and
imperfectly set after a youthful fall from a pony. There are some who
think him the finest specimen of a man they have ever seen, but no
authentic likeness exists on paper or canvas, for Tecumseh refuses to
have his portrait painted by a white man."
Tecumseh was a very succesful leader, and gained the begrudging
respect of some American leaders in the years before 1812. When
William Henry Harrison, the Governor of Indiana Territory, entered into a
deal with a number of chiefs — none of them Shawnee — for the
surrender of three million acres of land, Tecumseh was furious.
Governor Harrison summoned Tecumseh's brother to Vincennes — the
capital of the territory — to talk about the "treaty" that handed the land
over. But instead of the Prophet, Tecumseh himself went to meet with
the Governor.
Tecumseh was invited inside the Governor's house to talk about the
treaty, but Tecumseh refused. He said, "Houses are built for you to hold
councils in, Indians hold theirs in the open air." When the invitation was
repeated, with the words "Your father requests you to sit by his side",
Tecumseh became indignat. "My father! The sun is my father, and the
earth is my mother, and I will recline in her bosom."
The two met outside, but could not come to an agreement. Neither was
swayed by the other side, and Governor Harrison reported back to
Washington with the following:
"If it were not for the vicinity of the United States, he [Tecumseh] would,
perhaps, be the founder of an empire that would rival in glory Mexico or
Peru. No difficulties deter him. For four years he has been in constant
motion. You see him today on the Wasbash and in a short time hear of
him on the shores of Lake Erie or Michigan, or on the banks of the
Mississippi; and wherever he goes he makes an impression favorable to
his purposes. He is now upon the last round to put a finishing stroke to
his work."
Shortly after, the Battle of Tippecanoe tipped Tecumseh firmly and
permanently towards the British. On Nov. 7, 1811, while Tecumseh was
away visiting other tribes, the Americans attacked the Indian settlement.
The meeting with Brock
Brock's meeting with Tecumseh is a big part of the legend surrounding
Brock. It's one of the classic moments in Canadian history. The pair met
at Amherstburg shortly before the successful British attack on Fort
Detroit, a victory that was secured only with the help of Tecumseh and
his warriors.
Pierre Berton captured the mood of the meeting eloquently in The
Invasion of Canada:
"Midnight has passed. But before Brock can sleep he must read the
dispatches and mail captured at Brownstown. He sits in Elliott's study
with his aide, Major J.B. Glegg, the yellow light from tallow candles
flickering across a desk strewn with maps and papers. Suddenly the
door opens and Elliott stands before him accompanied by a tall Indian
dressed in a plain suit of tanned deerskin, fringed at the seams, and
wearing leather moccasins heavily ornamented with porcupine quills.
This is clearly a leader of stature. In his nose he wears three silver
ornaments in the shape of coronets, and from his neck is hung, on a
string of coloured wampum, a large silver medallion of George III.
"The Indian is beaming. Glegg gets an instant impression and decision.
This must be Tecumseh.
"Brock rises, hand outstretched to his ally. The contrast is striking: the
British general — fair, large-limbed, blue-eyed, impeccable in scarlet
jacket, blue-and-white riding trousers, and Hessian boots — towers over
the lithe figure of the Shawnee. Brief salutations follow. Brock explains
about the waste of ammunition [among native warriors]. Tecumseh
agrees. Each man has taken the other's measure and both are
impressed. Brock will write to Lord Liverpool that "a more sagacious and
gallant Warrior does not I believe exist. He was the admiration of
everyone who conversed with him...." Tecumseh's comment, delivered to
his followers, is blunter. "This," says Tecumseh, "is a man!"
Book on Tecumseh
Tecumseh: Destiny's Warrior
By David C. Cooke
Tecumseh: Destiny's Warrior is one of the those typical children's books
published in the 1950s and 1960s that were staples of elementary
school libraries throughout Canada well into the 1980s.
This novel, by David C. Cooke, is a fun read. It can be a bit tough to find,
as I believe it's out of print, but it's a rather interesting look (with a lot of
creative licence) at Tecumseh's life.
From the jacket of the book
Tecumseh was the most extraordinary Indian in American history. This
Shawnee chief envisioned the creation of a confederation of all the
tribes of the North American continent into one strong Indian nation. For
years he devoted all of his energies towards this purpose, attempting to
hold his people's land by diplomacy rather than bloodshed. Had he
succeeded in his purpose, he would have been the founder of an empire
that rivaled in glory that of Mexico or Peru.
His was a typical carefree boyhood until the day he and his mother
found his father murdered in the snow. Filled with hatred towards the
white killers, Tecumseh swore vengeance on all whites and filled his
days perfecting his riding and shooting skills. As a man and a leader, he
met many good white men and realized that vengeance had to be
tempered by judgment, and that he could best serve his people by
understanding the problems common to both races.
His great oratorical power, his statesmanship, his personal magnetism
won him the passionate loyalty of his Indians and the admiration of even
his white enemies. But he faced the bitter truth that peace treaties were
worthless pieces of paper, that diplomacy was respected only when it
was backed up by a show of great force, so he renewed his efforts
towards confederation.
His plans were interrupted by the War of 1812. Since the Americans
were suspicious of his motives, he allied himself with the British and
proved to be an uncanny military strategist.
When Tecumseh died the mighty vision of an empire died with him. But
the legends of greatness, as a statesman, a humanitarian, a great
patriot devoted to a lost cause, lived on in the hearts and minds of men.
A thrilling story of a courageous American who followed a dream to its
last frontier.
Cooke's description of the meeting with Brock
What follows is an excerpt from Cooke's book describing the meeting
between Tecumseh and Brock:
Then stirring talk whispered through the fort. Procter was to be relieved
of command because there was to be a new arrival — Isaac Brock,
lieutenant governor of Canada. Toward midnight sme days later Billy
Caldwell trotted into Tecumseh's camp.
Colonel Procter: Not entirely happy to see Tecumseh?
"I have seen this Brock! He is a giant, a man of yellow hair and big arms
like iron. He has called for a meeting of all officers of the fort, to be held
in less than an hour's time."
Decisively Tecumseh arose. Stepping impatiently outside, he called, "I
am sick of Procter's bitter tongue. I will meet this Brock and see if he is a
better man. Come, Shabbona."
Tecumseh marched to the fort and demanded to be taken to Brock.
"There is an important meeting…," the guard began.
In English Tecumseh shot back: "I am the leader of the Shawnee. Take
me to Brock."
The guard lowered his eyes meekly. "This way."
Resolutely Tecumseh and Shabbona followed the sentry across the
compound to the officer's barracks. The two men waited in the mist-
laden night air while the sentries whispered to one another; then
Colonel Matthew Elliot, the even-tempered British Indian Agent for the
Canadian Territory, appeared. Elliot listened to Tecumseh's request for
an audience with Brock, then shook his head rather doubtfully.
"Major General Brock is quite busy with the officers of the fort and…"
"Is this Brock taking command? Shall I be serving under him?"
"Why, yes, that's a fact, but —"
"Then take me to him, for I have a right to speak with the man who
commands the loyalty of my people."
Inable to resist the firmness of Tecumseh's glance and tone, Elliot
reluctantly led the way into the headquarters room. All talk ceased
immediately. Heads turned. Colonel Procter gasped.
"Really, Elliot—!"
Benath the low, rough hewn ceiling of the room, clouds of pipe smoke
floated. Tecumseh's eyes swept the group, picking out the one person
he did not know. His mouth relaxed instantly. He was pleased with what
he saw. From behind a scrolled writing desk, Major General Isaac Brock
rose as Colonel Elliot stepped forward.
"Please excuse the interruption, General Brock. This is Chief Tecumseh,
the Shawnee who fights with us. He was extremely anxious to be
presented, sir."
"Welcome, Shooting Star," Brock rumbled in his rich, warm voice. He
stepped around the desk, a brawny, six-foot-three Britisher from the Isle
of Guernsey.
Brock's steel-blue eyes appraised Tecumseh quickly. The Shawnee
extended his own hand, and his strength was met by that of Brock.
Without question and without reservation Tecumseh — in an instant —
placed his full confidence in this strapping soldier in the brilliant scarlet
coat and white breeches. Their handclasp was one of sudden and
genuine friendship, for Brock was equally impressed with the regal figure
in his elegant deerskins. Tecumseh turned his head slightly and said to
Shabbona: "At last a man commands Fort Malden."
Brock smiled tolerantly. Colonel Procter rose hastily to protest.
"Really, General Brock, I must strongly recommend adjournment of this
most important meeting until your courtesies" — the words of Procter
dripped contempt — "to this red Indian are concluded."
"For heaven's sake, Procter!" the general exclaimed sharply. "I've been
tossing and heaving on that blasted lake five days and nights. I'm half
starved; I'm sick to death for want of sleep — and on top of it I must
endure your petty concern for niceties of conduct which are hardly
binding on this Godforsaken frontier. We are fighting a war, my dear
colonel, not viewing a polite entertainment at Covent Garden! May I
remind you that I am quite aware of the splendid fighting record of Chief
Tecumseh in the short time he has been at Malden? It was he who led
the fighting at Brownstown, I'm told, and who returned the captured
dispatches from Detroit. He also bolstered Major Muir's attack at
Moguaga."
While Colonel Procter fidgeted in embarrassed discomfort, Isaac Brock
thumped one massive fist on the writing table.
"If I were to include in this meeting only those persons who have thus
far distinguished themselves in battle, Procter, I fear I should invite Chief
Tecumseh to remain, while requesting you to leave."
Procter sank into humiliated silence. Brock gestured toward a chair near
the desk. "Please be seated, Chief Tecumseh. Your companion will find a
vacant place there by the hearth." When Tecumseh had taken the seat
indicated, Brock continued: "We had arrived at the point in the
discussion where we are considering future strategy. General Hull's
reluctance to move from Sandwich, and his subsequent retreat to Detroit
have left us — luckily — with an advantage. If we move quickly we may
be able to strengthen our position. Your suggestions would be welcome.
BROCK MEETS TECUMSEH: The legendary meeting between General Brock and
Tecumseh is captured in this painting by artist Hal Sherman. The painting,
commissioned by a descendant of Capt. William Caldwell of the Rangers, shows
Tecumseh talking to Brock while Caldwell interprets at Fort Malden in Amherstburg
shortly before the British captured Fort Detroit. For more information, contact Hal
Sherman at hsherman@donet.com or visit this website.
Tecumseh is captured in this painting by artist Hal Sherman. The painting,
commissioned by a descendant of Capt. William Caldwell of the Rangers, shows
Tecumseh talking to Brock while Caldwell interprets at Fort Malden in Amherstburg
shortly before the British captured Fort Detroit. For more information, contact Hal
Sherman at hsherman@donet.com or visit this website.
| Lolawauchika (Shawnee for "Loud Mouth"), also known as the Prophet, was Tecumseh's brother. |
| The legendary meeting between Brock and Tecumseh. Drawing by C.W. Jefferys, circa 1921. Pen and ink drawing on paper. (Source: Government of Ontario Art Collection, 621231). |
