Battle of Tippecanoe Board Game V1 Rules
In November 1811, Governor Harrison decided to take advantage of Tecumseh’s absence and marched on Prophetstown in a surprise show of force against his confederacy’s undefended capital.
In response to the news, The Prophet ordered defensive fortifications built immediately but informed his followers that Tecumseh had ordered no attack and that negotiation and defense only was the standing rule until his return.
A few days later upon hearing that the army was now encamped a short distance away and with the assurance from “Ben”, an escaped African-American slave that he could get them access to Harrison during the night; Tenskwatawa was bullied by the western tribes into launching an attack.
Tenskwatawa pledged to perform spells to protect them from American Bullets and set out immediately to do so.
John Norton and a small contingent of Grand River Mohawks were quietly involved even though the British were officially not yet involved.
Under the cover of darkness, the small native force surrounded the camp. Assisted by “Ben” a small group of assassins tried to sneak into the camp and “Ben” was captured by a sentry who noticed him sneaking in the bush.
The camp was immediately alerted to the plot and surprised by the warning bugle, the natives sprung up from the treeline and the Battle of Tippecanoe was on.
Despite taking serious losses, Harrison held on till morning when the natives low on supplies retreated and evacuated Prophetstown.
Harrison burned Prophetstown to the ground and dug up and scalped native corpses. British Brown Bess muskets were found there as well and was one of the factors stated as a reason for war against Britain the following summer.
Quick Facts
Date: November 7, 1811
Location: Near modern Battle Ground, Indiana, United States
Result United States tactical victory
Tecumseh’s Confederacy
Tenskwatawa
Strength
500–700 warriors
United States
William Henry Harrison
250 infantry
90 cavalry
700 militia
Native Casualties
unknown estimated 50-65 killed 70-80 wounded
American Casualties
63 killed,
126 wounded
