Description: Portrait of Shawnee Chief Tecumseh. Tecumseh, meaning Shooting Star, was born in 1768 near Chillicothe, Ohio, the son of the reigning Chief Pukeshinwau. Throughout his childhood, Tecumseh experienced many malevolent, violent expansions by the United States which would later sustain his hatred towards the United States. Tecumseh proved himself able-bodied when, as a teenager, he contributed to a successful attack on a group of Americans sailing down the Ohio River. He would later be given charge of a mass amount of men to direct during ongoing clashes with white settlers, and was made a commander who would resume leadership if his superior was killed. The ending to the Pan-Indian Movement occurred in late 1794 with the Battle of Fallen Timbers where the First Nations tribal alliance was heavily outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the U.S military. During the battle, Tecumseh led an offensive attack that led to a temporary U.S. retreat and the release of American battle animals, mainly horses. When the United States declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812, Tecumseh and the group of men he led traveled to Canada to organize militant strategies. Tecumseh and his men were assigned to overtake the city of Detroit with Major General Isaac Brock. The taking of the city was a major success as the Americans surrendered due to fear of the unknown numbers of American Indians there were attacking. Tecumseh, who led the First Nations into battle, was regarded as a hero among the tribes, Canada, and Britain. During the Battle of the Thames, the U.S. launched a surprise attack against the British and their First Nations allies, which had them heavily outnumbered. While many soldiers felt that retreat was the only option, Tecumseh pursued his attack forward, including an offensive on the "long knives" whilst alone. In a final stand against the Americans, Tecumseh was killed. Many of his tribal men refused to continue participating in the conflict because their allegiance was only to Tecumseh. His life represented the American Indian struggle against U.S. expansion and although he never personally experienced victory he influenced many tribes to continue their resistance. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL07699
Subjects: Tecumseh, Shawnee Chief, 1768-1813; Shawnee Tribe; American Indian history and society
Places: Indians of North America