Tecumseh was one of the most remarkable men that has ever figured in
our aboriginal history. He gained an ascendancy over the minds of his
countrymen entirely by the commanding force of his character, and the
persuasive power of his eloquence. These instruments enabled him to
produce a degree of union and combination among the North-western tribes,
by no means less remarkable than the confederacies which signalized the
times of king Philip and of Pontiac. His brother, the prophet, was a
pusillanimous driveller, compared with Tecumseh; and exerted all his
influence by addressing the superstitious fears of his countrymen;
whereas the great warrior addressed himself to the higher principles of
their nature, and made successful appeals to their reason, and even to
their humanity. Of the last we have a signal example in his arresting the
massacre of the American prisoners at Fort Meigs.
It has somewhere been observed, that “every circumstance relating to
this extraordinary man will be read with interest.” We believe it, and
therefore proceed with the following account, which appeared in a western
periodical of 1826.
“About thirty years ago (as the writer received the narrative from
Captain Thomas Bryan, of Kentucky) the said Bryan was employed as a
surveyor of the Virginia Military Lands, northwest of the Ohio river.
While engaged in completing a chain of surveys, extending from the head
waters of Brush Creek to those of Paint Creek (now the central part of
the State of Ohio), his provisions became scant, and at length entirely
exhausted. He directed his hunter—who had been unsuccessful on a recent
excursion—to make another attempt to procure subsistence, and to meet him
at a particular point then designated; where, after closing the labour of
the day, he should encamp with his chain-men and marker.
“Towards evening, the men became exhausted with hunger. They were in the
heart of a solitary wilderness, and every circumstance was calculated to
produce the greatest dejection of spirit. After making great exertions to
reach the point designated, where they were to encamp upon their arrival,
they met their hunter, who had been again unsuccessful. Feeling for
himself and his comrades every emotion of a noble heart, he was alarmed
for their situation. The hunter declared he had used every exertion in
pursuit of game, but all his attempts were of no avail; that the whole
forest appeared to him to be entirely destitute both of birds and beasts!
Under these awful apprehensions of starvation, he knew that it would be
a vain attempt to reach the settlement;—he trembled, and shed tears.
Captain Bryan, at this critical juncture, felt his spirits roused at the
reflection of their desperate situation; he thrust his jacob-staff in
the earth, and ordered his men to prepare a camp, and make a good fire;
he seizes the gun and ammunition of the unsuccessful hunter, and darted
forth in pursuit of game. The weather had become exceedingly cold, for
it was in the depth of winter—every rivulet was bound in ice. He had not
proceeded far before he was gratified with the cheering sight of three
elks, making towards him. He succeeded in killing two, and, shortly
after, a bear. He now called for his men, and ordered his game to be
carried to the camp. No one, but those similarly situated, can conceive
the feelings excited on such an occasion.
“But, perilous as the situation of the surveyor and his party might
appear, there were others who were threatened with the like appalling
distress. Three or four Indians, who had been out on a hunting excursion,
hearing the report of Captain Bryan’s gun, made immediately in that
direction, and had arrived at the camp before Bryan returned. On his
appearance there, they informed him, as well as they could (some of
them speaking a little English), of their wretched situation. They told
him that, for three days, their whole party had subsisted on one skunk,
and that was exhausted. They described the absence of the game, in the
language of the hunter, as if “the whole forest was entirely destitute
both of _birds_ and _beasts_.” They were informed by Captain Bryan,
that he had plenty for himself, his men, and themselves; desired them
to fix their camp, make a good fire, and assist his men in flaying the
bear and elks, which were now brought into camp—and then to cut, carve,
and cook for themselves. Their very looks were expressive of the joy
they now felt for a deliverance so unexpected—nor did they spare the
provisions. Their hunger was such, that, as soon as one round was served,
another—another—and another, in succession—was greedily devoured.
“A fine-looking, tall, dignified savage, then approached the surveyor’s
camp—rather young in appearance than otherwise. He very gracefully
stepped up to Captain Bryan (who was now reposing in his camp, on account
of rheumatism, occasioned by his recent exposure), and informed him, that
the old man in his camp was a Chief; that he felt under great obligations
to the Great and Good Spirit for so signal an interposition in their
favour; that he was about to make a prayer, and address the Good Spirit,
and thank him: that it was the custom, on such occasions, for the Indians
to stand up in their camp; and that his Chief requested the captain and
his men, to conform, in like manner, by standing up in _their_ camp. The
captain replied, that his men would all conform, and order should be
preserved; but, as for himself, his affliction would compel him to keep
his seat—but this must not be construed into disrespect. The captain
remarked to me, that he was not himself a religious character, though a
man of feeling.
“The old Chief raised himself upon his feet, as did those around him;
and, lifting up his hands, commenced his prayer and thanksgiving with
an audible voice. And such an address to Deity, on such an occasion—as
far as I could understand him—I never before heard flow from mortal lips!
The tone—the modulation of his voice—the gestures—all corresponded to
make a very deep impression upon us. In the course of his thanksgiving—as
I gathered from the Indians—he recapitulated the doleful situation in
which they were so recently placed—the awful horrors of starvation,
with which they were threatened—the vain attempts they had made to
procure food, until He, the Great and Good Spirit, had sent that good
White man, and had crowned his exertions with success; and so directed
him and them to meet, and to find plenty.” Who can fully describe the
abundant overflowings of a grateful heart? He continued in this vehement
strain for about half an hour, “when,” remarked Captain B., “my own men
reflecting on their own recent situation, retrospecting what had taken
place, and beholding the pious gratitude of a ‘Child of the Forest,’
feeling the same sensations, they were melted into tenderness—if not into
tears.”
The person who so gracefully addressed Captain Bryan, in behalf of his
Chief, was TECUMSEH.