Colonel R. M. Johnson, having, as before stated, resolved to cross the swamp, parted from his brother, each agreeing that the blast of a bugle was to be the signal for an attack upon each wing at the same time. Leading his division, he had no sooner crossed the swamp, than the bugle was heard, and with it, commenced the charge of cavalry. Colonel James Johnson charged at full speed with his division formed into five columns, each column presenting a front of but two men abreast. He received, as he rapidly advanced, the fire of the whole English force, yet not a man of his division was killed, and in less than five minutes from the first moment of the charge, the British ranks were broken, and the men threw down their arms and surrendered themselves prisoners of war. In this encounter, two or three only of the volunteers were wounded, while some ten or twelve of the regulars were killed, and about twice that number wounded. At the same time that Colonel James Johnson led the charge against the left wing; Colonel R. M. Johnson led the charge against the Indians or right wing. At his order, however, his men moved forward at a slow pace, for no opposing force was visible, and as yet they were charging against an unseen enemy. They were however prepared, each man was ready for instant battle, and all were advancing, Colonel Johnson being at the head of a company of rather more than one hundred men, which was but a short distance in advance of the remainder of his division, when from behind each tree sprung a warrior, and the war whoop was yelled, by a thousand voices, accompanied at the same time by an instantaneous discharge of fire-arms. This was returned by the cavalry, more than half the advanced division of which was dismounted at the first fire. The different companies in the rear however now rushed forward, charge followed charge, and the battle was maintained with the greatest obstinacy. The Indians were several times forced to give ground, but when they did, a voice was heard distinct and clear above the din of battle, rallying them in the most exciting language, cheering them on to the attack, and again they returned, and renewed the contest. This was counter to all former experience in Indian engagements, for, when once broken, they had heretofore invariably been beaten. When Colonel Johnson began the charge, he selected from his division twenty men, and ordered them to remain near his person during the engagement; the battle had now raged only a short time, and out of the twenty, nineteen had been either cut down or dismounted;—only one remained by his side. It was now deemed advisable that the whole division should dismount, the horses of the soldiers were accordingly turned loose, and the battle renewed on foot. The soldiers now fought with the Indians hand to hand, and in several places the appearance was that of many engaged in single combat, and repeatedly did they struggle for life or death separated only by the body of a tree. So literally was the battle in this part of the line fought hand to hand, that the blood often spurted out from the person killed, upon the one who killed him. At this stage of the battle, Colonel Johnson occupied the extreme right of his division, and, as subsequent events proved, he was directly in front of Tecumseh and his immediate followers, who occupied the extreme left of their right wing. The Indians numbered more than a thousand men, and extended for some distance in the woods, and while Colonel Johnson's division was still warmly engaged, seasonable assistance was afforded by the remainder of the army, which had now come up, and the Indians were engaged throughout the whole extent of their line. Opposite the extreme left of the right wing, where Colonel Johnson with his division was still fighting, and where indeed the only contest may be said to have taken place, the Indians had been several times repulsed since the cavalry were dismounted, yet still, they continued to rally and return to the attack. It was now discovered that this was effected by the power of a single chief, who was conspicuous from his apparel, and also from a plume of white feathers which he wore in his cap; and in consequence of it, many efforts were made to cut him off, which for a long time proved ineffectual; for he was scarcely stationary a moment, but was present every where, his voice was heard in every quarter, and no sooner was he seen in one position, and an attempt made upon him, than moving rapidly away, he occupied another, and was still heard cheering on his men.
Up to this time, Colonel Johnson had received four wounds; he was shot through the left arm, hip, knee, and leg, was bleeding freely, and consequently becoming weak. His mare, from the loss of blood, was also fast failing him; he was unable to dismount, and even if dismounted could not move; he therefore saw plainly that if his mare fell before the Indians were routed, he must inevitably be tomahawked; and to beat them, there seemed to be no other hope, but by killing the gallant chief who exercised so powerful an influence over them.
Colonel Johnson was still in advance of his division, and the weakness of his mare admonished him that she could stand up but a short time longer, when he saw at a distance of about thirty or forty yards from him, the chief whom he was anxious to meet. He had at the instant when discovered, stopped at the root of a large fallen tree, the top or branches of which serving somewhat as a cover, Colonel Johnson moved forward, with a determination to meet him in single combat. At this time, he had only one loaded pistol, which he cocked, and holding it in his right hand, pressed it close against the saddle, and rather behind him, for the purpose of concealing it; his bridle he held in his left hand, and in this situation he advanced. His mare could now only walk, and even in that gait, her step was unsteady, yet, he reached the top of the tree, and was as yet undiscovered, but in endeavouring to get round it, for the purpose of placing himself on the same side with the chief, and also approaching near enough to render his own fire certainly effectual, his mare became entangled in some of its branches, and in endeavouring to free herself, arrested the attention of the chief, who instantly moved forward a step or two, and raising his rifle, deliberately shot at Colonel Johnson, who still continued to advance. His ball entered the left hand of Colonel Johnson, between the first and second fingers; shattered his wrist, and then glanced off—causing his hand to relax the grasp of the bridle, and fall powerless by his side; yet his mare, still reeling, walked forward. The chief having discharged his rifle, quickly changed it to his left hand, drew from his belt his tomahawk, and sprung forward. Colonel Johnson's pistol was still concealed, and he seemed only to be armed with the sword which hung at his side, and thus they now advanced. They had approached so near, that the chief raised his arm, as if in the act to throw his tomahawk, for he was not near enough to strike with it, when Colonel Johnson raised his pistol. It was unexpected, and the chief recoiled a step at the sight. Colonel Johnson then fired, and the chief sprung in the air, and fell dead. The Indians uttered a cry of lamentation, immediately fled, and the battle was ended; no resistance being made after the fall of the chief.
The most remarkable circumstance which I have ever heard relative to this event, and I believe it to be well authenticated, is, that when Colonel Johnson and the chief were advancing upon each other, the former was in the presence of the Indian force, and might have been shot down at any time during the encounter; but they forebore to fire upon him, and all pausing, gazed in silence, and left the two brave chiefs to decide the matter themselves.
Thus, I believe, fell Tecumseh. I say so, for that he was killed in that part of the line whore Colonel Johnson was himself posted, has never yet been questioned; and though unknown at the time of his death, yet, when recognized, he was found lying by a large fallen tree, pierced with three wounds, a pistol ball, and two buckshot. The person who loaded Colonel Johnson's pistols on the day of the battle, deposed that such was the load he placed in each; it was usual to fire with single balls, and no other pistols than Colonel Johnson's were proved to have been differently loaded on the same day. The balls which entered the breast of Tecumseh ranged downwards, a proof that the person who shot him, must have been on horseback, or rather above him; with the exception of Colonel Johnson, and a friend who acted as his aid, no other persons were on horseback in that part of the line, at the time when Tecumseh fell, and the Indians fled. Another reason for this opinion is, that Colonel Johnson's hat, and also the scabbard belonging to his sword, were found lying near Tecumseh.
The Indians having fled, several friends led Colonel Johnson's horse a short distance from the field, that his wounds might be attended to, and upon being lifted from his mare, she immediately sunk and died. When examined, she was found to have been shot in sixteen places.
Such are the details, as I have often heard them stated, relative to the death of Tecumseh, and a careful examination of the subject induces me to believe that they are entitled to the fullest belief.
THE END.