by which they sold to the United States about 3,000,000 acres of land on
the Wabash and White rivers. This and former treaties were condemned by
Tecumseh and other chiefs, and an outbreak became imminent, which was
averted by the conciliatory course of the governor. In the spring of
1811 Indian depredations became frequent, and Governor Harrison
recommended the establishment of a military post at Tippecanoe, and the
Government consented. On September 26 Harrison marched from Vincennes
with about 900 men, including 350 regular infantry, completed Fort
Harrison, near the site of Terre Haute, Ind., on October 28, and leaving
a garrison there pressed on toward Tippecanoe. On November 6, when near
that town, was met by messengers demanding a parley, and a council was
proposed for the next day. At 4 o'clock the following morning a fierce
attack was made by the savages; at daybreak the Indians were driven from
the field. For this victory he was highly complimented by President
Madison in his message of December 18, 1811, and was also thanked by the
legislatures of Kentucky and Indiana. On August 25, 1812, soon after war
was declared against Great Britain, was commissioned major-general of
the militia of Kentucky, though not a citizen of that State. On August
22, 1812, was commissioned a brigadier-general in the Regular Army, and
later was appointed to the chief command of the Northwestern army, with
instructions to act in all cases according to his own discretion and
judgment. No latitude as great as this had been given to any commander
since Washington. On March 2, 1813, was commissioned a major-general.
Was in command of Fort Meigs when General Proctor, with a force of
British troops and Indians, laid unsuccessful siege to it from April 28
to May 9, 1813. Transporting his army to Canada, he fought the battle of
the Thames on October 5, defeating General Proctor's army of 800
regulars and 1,200 Indians, the latter led by the celebrated Tecumseh,
who was killed. This battle, together with Perry's victory on Lake Erie,
gave the United States possession of the chain of lakes above Erie and