Bicentennial of the Battle of Tippecanoe, Part 2

For the event we went with the Illinois Territorial Rangers that we had reenacted with before. We left Hill's Fort (in Illinois) with them on Friday and arrived before sunset, and were able to get out camp set up. During the event we portrayed Bigger's Company of Indiana Militia (which would later become Indiana Rangers), and camped on the exact ground that they camped on. The whole army of reenactors camped in the same formation as the original army, on the same ground that they did. It looked just like the map that I posted two posts down. Due to the rules of the park and other circumstances we didn't actually have a battle, but it felt pretty realistic anyhow.

Each morning we, the consolidated field music, which included us three and five others, played reveille at 6:30 (in the dark). The first morning we marched a mile and a half to camp and played opening colors. Throughout the day we interacted with visitors, visited the rest of camp and the museum, and drilled. We then also played for closing colors both nights (the second night there was only one other musician left to play with us, but by then we had gotten the hang of things). We were treated to a wonderful meal Saturday night by the locals.

One thing that added to the realistic atmosphere of the encampment was the threat of an Indian attack. You see, some radical Indian groups and collage liberals from Lafayette had threatened to disrupt and cause damage to the reenactment because they deemed it too favorable to the Americans. Though nothing came of it, we did have to post guards all night to protect camp, with passwords and everything. I got the 4:20 to 6:30 shift (that way I was up for reveille already). It was especially and neat experience as the Indians had attack from about 4:20 to 6:30 and the first shots were fired in the area I patrolled.

So in summery, we got to use the duty music we had been learning, we got to experience the well done recreation and commemoration of the battle of Tippecanoe, we had a great Captain, Major, and Colonel, got to see many friends at the event (and on the way), got several books from the museum store, and learned to appreciate the men that went before us the formation of our country.

 Consolidated Fifes and Drums

After playing reveille, around the warm fire

(We have missed open outside fires, can't do many out in Colorado because of fire hazard)

The Illinois Territorial Rangers

The WPFDC (with our new hats)

In front of the monument

-Peter Bringe
 Memor!

Bicentennial of the Battle of Tippecanoe, Part 1

Here are some pictures and video that we took at the event to give you an idea of what we did. Hopefully I will have enough time to give a fuller update on the event, but for now enjoy the presentation.

-Peter Bringe
 Memor!

...I saw the Indians charging our lines...

Before sunrise (about 4 a.m.) on 7 November, 1811, Isaac Taylor, a volunteer militia rifleman, woke up in a drizzling rain to fight for his life. Today, so are we. Here is his account:

"In a few moments I heard the crack of rifle fire....I had just time to thing that some sentinel was alarmed and had fired his rifle without cause, when I heard the crack of another rifle, followed by an awful Indian yell all around the encampment. In less than a minute I saw the Indians charging our lines most furiously and shooting a great many rifle balls into our camp fires, throwing the live coals into the air three feet high. At this moment my friend Warnock was shot by a rifle ball through his body. He ran a few yards and fell dead on the ground. Our lines were broken and a few Indians were found on the inside of the encampment. In a few moments they were killed...

"The sentinels, closely pursued by the Indians, came to the lines of encampment in haste and confusion. Daniel Pettit was pursued so closely and furiously by an Indian...that to save his life he cocked his rifle as he ran and turning suddenly around, placed the muzzle of his gun against the body of the Indian and shot an ounce ball through him. The Indians made four or five most fierce charges on our lines, yelling and screaming as they advanced, shooting balls and arrows into our ranks. At each charge they were driven back in confusion, carrying off their dead and wounded as they retreated.

"Colonel Owen...one of General Harrison's volunteer aides, fell early in action by the side of the General....Colonel Davis was mortally wounded early in the battle, gallantly charging the Indians on foot with his sword and pistols....Just after daylight the Indians retreated across the prairie towards their town, carrying off the wounded....An almost deafening and universal shout was raised by our men. 'Huzza! Huzza! Huzza!'

"Our was a bloody victory, theirs was a bloody defeat."
(Quoted in U.S. Army, A Complete History by the Army Historical Foundation)

Plan of Tippecanoe Camp

(From The Life of General John Tipton by M. W. Pershing)

-Peter Bringe
 Memor!

The Patriotic Diggers

"The Patriotic Diggers" (1812) 

Words by Samuel Woodsworth, 1785-1842 

Melody from an Old Scotch-Irish Air, 1740 [Source: public domain] 

Enemies beware, keep a proper distance, 

Else we'll make you stare at our firm resistance; 

Let alone the lads who are freedom tasting, 

Don't forget our dads gave you once a basting. 

To protect our rights 'gainst your flint and triggers 

See on yonder heights our patriotic diggers. 

Men of ev'ry age, color, rank, profession, 

Ardently engaged, labor in succession. 

CHORUS 

 Pick-axe, shovel, spade, crow-bar, hoe and barrow 

Better not invade, Yankees have the marrow. 

Scholars leave their schools with patriotic teachers 

Farmers seize their tools, headed by their preachers, 

How they break the soil - brewers, butchers, bakers - 

Here the doctors toil, there the undertakers. 

Bright Apollo's sons leave their pipe and tabor, 

Mid the roar of guns join the martial labor, 

Round the embattled plain in sweet concord rally, 

And in freedom's strain sing the foes finale.

Tippecanoe, here we come!

-Peter Bringe

 Memor!