As I promised, here's the first installment of my TL revamp, I hope you all like it and continue to read as I update it. I plan on getting updates out at least once a week.
August 15th, 1812, Quebec, Lower Canada
Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost was at his desk when a private entered his office.
He snapped to attention “Sir, the Americans have asked for an armistice on the Niagara River, Major General Sheaffe is requesting orders.”
Prevost looked at the map on the wall. He had recently gotten word that the Orders in Council had been revoked by Parliament, but the Americans have yet to ask for peace. “Does he believe an attack in imminent?’
“The Major General believes the Americans do plan to force a crossing, and may use the armistice to build up and reinforce.”
“Tell him to not accept the terms, and to be ready for an attack if it comes. Major General Brock is on his way to Fort George, he will take command when he arrives.”
“Yes sir!” The messenger left the office with his new orders.
August 22nd, 1812, Queenston Heights, Upper Canada
Major General Isaac Brock looked across the river at the American ships on the eastern shore. Smoke rose from a few, many were damaged to some degree. The British bombardment was having a good effect on the American invasion being built up outside Lewiston, New York.
He turned to the messengers standing next to him, “We outnumber the enemy at the moment, if we can force a crossing on their flank, we can stop the invasion before it begins. Send a messenger to Quebec for permission to attack, also prepare ships up river incase we get approval.” Prevost better approve this, with territory in New York, we can bargain with the Americans when they decide to talk peace.
Blue figures rushed back and forth on the beach, Brock couldn’t tell what they were doing, but it was cut short when a mortar round landed near by. Some scattered, but others just fell onto the sand. He smiled to himself, yes everything was going well.
August 29th, 1812, Outside Lewiston, New York
Sand crunched under the bow of the first British ship to come ashore. Isaac Brock stepped onto American soil, and peered through the darkness to the other ships crossing the Niagara. So far, the Americans slept in their camp, still unaware of the threat that was uncomfortably close. Brock smiled we’ll break the invasion before it even begins. Troops from the 49th Regiment of Foot moved into the woods on the bank, along with many Mohawk warriors who knew this area. The British force should be ready to attack by sunrise.
Isaac moved into the woods, and fell behind Capitan John Norton, who was leading the Mohawk warriors. “Take your men around the American camp, wait till they break, then wipe them out. Stay in the woods until they panic, then charge. We’ll crush them between our attacks.” Capitan Norton nodded and spoke to the Mohawk in their own tongue. Soon the Natives had disappeared into the dark forest.
Taking his place with his men just inside the forest, he prepared for the attack. Looking to his left, Isaac saw the crew loading the Grasshopper cannon; its firepower would be welcome in the coming battle.
Just as the sun came up over Lewiston Heights, the first shots rang out. American militia rushed out of their tents, trying to load their weapons as they ran to what little cover there was. Brock could see an officer trying to get the troops in line outside the camp, it seemed he was about to rally the Americans when the first shots rang out from the far side of the camp. The officer turned to find the source of the noise, when his body jerked and crumpled to the ground. His aide rushed to his side, but Brock could tell he was mortally wounded.
This was the signal he was looking for, “CHARGE!” Major General Brock burst from the tree line with his force right behind him. British regulars and militia rushed the American line, which broke quickly in the face of the trained troops. They retreated…right into the waiting Mohawk.
Later that day
Brock looked across the Niagara River back towards Queenston, the river was filled with British and captured American ships moving the army across the river into Lewiston. A column of American prisoners marched under guard down to the river. Reports from them said that the commanding officer in the region, Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer, had been the officer killed in the battle, and that a Brigadier General stationed in Buffalo was now the American commander of the Niagara Frontier.
Prevost had ordered Brock to occupy Northern New York, and gave him permission to engage the enemy when needed. High Command wanted a quick victory on this frontier, then fortifies and defends their gains. Brock hoped he would be transferred back to the Detroit frontier, where Tecumseh was doing his best to defeat the Americans in the Indiana and Michigan Territories. Maybe if he succeeds, the king will grant the Natives the land they promised…
War of 1812 New York and Northwest Frontier Timeline
· September 3rd, 1812-Combined Native army burns and sacks Fort Harrison, Zachary Taylor is among those killed.
· September 5th, 1812-Chief Winamac’s forces lay siege to Fort Wayne
· September 6th, 1812-Tecumseh’s army moves south from Detroit to reinforce Winamac
· September 7th, 1812-Isaac Brock’s force marches to Buffalo, New York and defeat Alexander Smyth’s force of 1,700 Regular Infantry at the Battle of Buffalo Creek and occupy the town
· September 10th, 1812-Combined native force succeeds in taking and burning Fort Wayne
· September 12th, 1812-Harrison’s relief force is defeated at the ruins of Fort Wayne by Tecumseh’s force of 1000 warriors and 140 British Regulars
· September 13th, 1812-Colonel William Russell’s force of local militia and Regulars defeat the Combined Native force south of Fort Harrison. Chief Stone Eater is killed in the battle along with 18 Natives.
· September 15th, 1812-American forces under Alexander Smyth Defeat the British at the Second Battle of Buffalo Creek. Brock’s Forces pull back to Lewiston.
· October 10th- 13th, 1812- After minor skirmishes outside Lewiston, Brock moves his force of 2,000 regulars, 600 militia, and 300 native allies to attack Fort Niagara. Smyth, fearing another attack on Buffalo does not attack the British rear until the 12th, the Canadian militia stalled the American advance. The Provincial Marine provided fire from Lake Ontario on both the fort and Smyth’s army. On the 13th, Smyth’s forces broke the siege, allowing the forces to retreat and burn the fort. British Casualties were 143 killed, 206 wounded. American Casualties were 74 killed, 300 wounded, 100 taken prisoner.
· December 17th-18th, 1812-Battle of the Mississinewa considered indecisive, American forces attacked a Miami village taking 76 prisoners. A counter attack the following day freed some of the prisoners, but American forces got word that Tecumseh was nearby with a sizeable force. John P. Campbell fell back to Fort Greenville, by the time they returned to the fort on the 28th, over 300 suffered from frostbite
· January 22nd, 1813-Battle of Frenchtown ends in a decisive British victory, James Winchester’s plan to retake Detroit fails and he retreats into Ohio and builds Fort Meigs. River Raisin Massacre ends in the death of at least 68 American wounded.
· January 31st, 1813-Peace talks begin between America and Britain in Havana. One of the terms of peace is an independent native state in the great lakes region.
· February 10th, 1813-With Fort Niagara occupied and Smyth’s army retreated to Rochester, New York, Lieutenant General Isaac Brock transferred to the Detroit Frontier. Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond takes control of the forces in New York.
· February 20th-21st, 1813-Drummond leads a force of his men south, burning Buffalo and Black Rock, and destroying the American fleet at Black Rock.
· March 14th, 1813-Henry Proctor leads an attack on Presque Isle with the additional forces sent with Brock. The British force of 600 regulars, 450 militia, and 300 Natives under Joseph Lenar defeated the American force and burned the six ships and captured their cannons.
· March 20th- 22nd, 1813- Lieutenant General Isaac Brock and Tecumseh lead an army of 1,500 Natives, 700 militia, and 200 regulars in an attack on Fort Meigs. The initial attack fails, and the British begin to besiege the fort. On the 22nd, Proctors forces reach the siege line with their newly acquired cannons and pound the fort until its surrender.
· April 1st, 1813- Combined British and Native force attacks and burns Vincennes, the capital of the Indiana Territory, a force of 450 militia and 365 regulars under governor Harrison tried to defend the town, but retreated when British cannon fire started to burn the town.
· April 3rd, 1813- Governor Harrison asks for an armistice on the Detroit Frontier.
· April 5th, 1813- Drummond moves his forces to just outside Rochester and in the famed “Battle of Genesee River” Smyth calls for an armistice before an attack even begins.
· April 7th, 1813-Lieutenant General Prevost agrees to the terms of both armistices, other than small skirmishes in Maine and on the frontier, fighting stalls.
Naval Engagements
In 1812, Britain's Royal Navy was the world's largest, with over 600 cruisers in commission, plus a number of smaller vessels. Although most of these were involved in the fighting against Napolean, the Royal Navy had 85 vessels in American waters. By contrast, the United States Navy comprised only 8 frigates, 14 smaller sloops and brigs, and no ships of the line at all. The Royal Navy planned to protect shipping to and from Halifax, and to blockade American ports, but was thinly stretched and many ships were undermanned, while American ships were manned by well-drilled volunteers.
The American Navy under Commodore Jonh Rodgers grouped all the ships of the Navy in one force, in an attempt to force the British to concentrate their forces and break the blockades of American ports. The plan worked and British forces concentrated outside New York Harbor, opening other ports for returning American merchant ships, but taking five ships.
American frigates managed to defeat and either capture or burn the HMS Guerriere, HMS Java, and HMS Macedonian. While taking the Guerriere, the USS Constitution gained the nickname “Old Ironsides” after British cannonballs bounced off her hull. Britain began to construct five new frigates, and upgraded three ships-of-the-line into heavy frigates, and more ships were sent to American waters. The blockaid tightened, and though Britain was unable to cpture or destroy any American naval vessels, they managed to capture many merchant ships and disrupt commerece on the east coast.
Treaty of Bermuda
On May 18th, 1813 delegates from both Great Britain and America met in Bermuda to formally end the conflict. The treaty pulls British troops out of New York. America is forced to recognize the British Protectorate native state, named Mishigama (Ojibwa name for the region) consisting of the Michigan, Illinois, and IndianaTerritories. Also merchant ships bound for Europe must stop at a British port to be inspected, or be inspected by the Royal Navy to stop supplies from reaching Napoleon.
June 3rd, 1815 Fort Detroit, Mishigama
Tecumseh sat in a large room, filled with delegates from the thirty-two nations that helped him form the country they were now creating a constitution for. Among the crowd of Indians were the white faces of British delegates, among them Isaac Brock, to help Tecumseh’s Confederation form a stable government. The government was to be formed based on Canadian and British examples.
There had been arguments before, but none so heated as this one.
“You will lead our people to destruction. We must not follow the white man!” Tenskwatawa yelled across the room at his brother. Some of the delegates nodded along.
“The British are our allies; they will help us become strong. We need their help to stop the Yankee from destroying our people!” A lot more agreed with him, which comforted him.
“This will make us no different from the white man, you have become their dog!”
“If you leave this congress, you will just prove to the Yankees that we are just savages to be exterminated. We must be strong and united. If we break, the American army will swallow us up and kill us all!” Tecumseh smiled to the crowd roaring and applauding.
“We denounce this congress!” Tenskwatawa rose and left the room, along with three of the delegates.
Brock leaned over to Tecumseh, “Don’t worry he’ll come to his senses.”
Tecumseh frowned, “I hope you’re right…”
June 10th, 1815 Shore of the Ohio, Mishigama
Sergeant Benjamin Doss marched in line behind another prisoner of war southeast towards Louisville, Kentucky. On either side of the close to five hundred militia and regulars from the American Army marched British regulars. Other prisoners had been whispering at nights that the Brits weren’t the only troops watching the column that Natives were in the forests along the road. Either way, if the Americans made a move, they would be sorry.
Tecumseh had ordered that the remnants of the American Army in Mishigama were to be marched to the Ohio River, and sent back to the US. Doss frowned to himself, Months ago this was the US. He was at the Battle of Vincennes, he saw the former capital of the Indiana Territory, and his home, burn, his brother was at Fort Dearborn, and was killed in the massacre, Benjamin had a lot to pay back And I intend to do just that…
July 21st, 1815 Corydon, Mishigama
Mitchell Nash squinted in the hot sun as he weeded his corn field. It had rained the last few days, and he had a good feeling about the harvest in a few weeks. Hopefully he’d be able to sell some of the crops to pay for more land to farm the next year.
Since the Indiana Territory was given to the Shawnee and their allies, white settlers had been leaving in droves, just packing up and moving south or east to Ohio and Kentucky. Word had come down from Fort Detroit, Fort Brock he corrected himself, that whites had a chance to decide. Leave Mishigama, or swear allegiance to Tecumseh and the Natives.
“Mitchell!”
Nash looked up from the weeds, his back cracked as he straightened. His neighbor walked down the isle between the rows of corn to him. The man smiled and shook Mitchell’s hand. He had the sharp cheekbones and dark black hair that said that his ancestors did not come to North America from Europe.
“Nice to see you Elangomat, what brings you to my farm today?”
“I wanted to know if you were staying on the land, or leaving like many others.”
“Don’t quite know yet, got till the end of the season to decide, have to talk to Anne,” Mitchell thought for a second “I think we’ll probably stay, never had a quarrel with your people here.”
The Delaware smiled “Good we need people with your…expertise.”
“Expertise, I’m just a farmer?”
“Yes, we want farmers to help our people. Most don’t know to farm like the whites do, the Chiefs are looking for teachers.”
“Teach how to farm?” Mitchell thought about it, “Yea, I could help you…If we plan to stay.”
July 25th, 1817 Fort Pontiac, Mishigama
“Great Chief?”
Tecumseh looked up from the fire at the Mishigaman warrior. This can’t be good news. He sighed, “Yes what is it now?”
“It’s your brother, Tenskwatawa and his warriors have raided an Ottawa village, and took supplies. The Ottawa are yelling for repirations”
Tecumseh sat down and sighed, “Have you told the Great Council and the Chiefs yet?”
“No, we wanted to tell you first, but I’m sure the Ottawa have mentioned it. I’m on my way to tell them after this.”
“Go tell them, I’ll be there in a moment to discuss this.”
--
Tecumseh walked into the room filled with delegates from the nations living across Mishigama. The room went silent as he walked in and stood in the center of the room. “I have learned of the attack on an Ottawa by Tenskwatawa and his warriors. This attack by my brother threatens to destroy what we have fought and died for. The Americans are waiting for our Confederation to break, for us to fight between ourselves. We will not give them what they want, we will not break like a dead tree in the wind, and we will grow and thrive. To do this we need security in out territories, for us to be safe in our villages. I will council on this matter, and to decide on what to do next.”
The seven chiefs rose from their seats and walked out of the room with Tecumseh to the building they used for meetings. The eighth, Tenskwatawa, would not be joining them in this session. Chief Winamac lit a fire in the center of the longhouse, and they all sat around it. The room was silent for a while as everyone watched the fire grow.
Chief Black Hawk looked up, “What is the council’s thought on this matter?”
“We must break up his following, or there will be more attacks. This will threaten our confederation if this continues.” The others nodded as Joseph Lenar spoke.
Tecumseh spoke up, “How should we stop him?”
“Send out our warriors,” Mishikinakwa yelled, “remove them anyway we can.”
Joseph Richardville frowned along with Tecumseh. “We can’t do anything rash, Tenskwatawa may dislike Mishigama, but he is one of us, and the brother of the Great Chief, we shouldn’t do anything we will regret.”
“We can’t leave a force that fighting us alone in the heart of our lands, New Prophetstown is in to vital of an area.” Winamac's frusturation could be heard in his voice, “If we won’t use force, we might want to relocate them.” Everyone began to mumble, realizing the irony.
“I will travel to New Prophetstown; I will talk with my brother. I hope I can rid him of this nonsense.”
“What if that doesn’t work?” The council all spoke agreement with Black Hawk.
“Then we will discuss an alternative, I will leave in two days. I’ll take warriors along with me for protection. I hope I will solve this with the peace pipe before we must solve this with the tomahawk.”
August 4th, 1817 New Prophetstown, Mishigama
The sands on the shore of the Tippecanoe crunched under the bow of the canoe as it came to shore. Tecumseh stared at the village, it looks just like it used to…
Villagers watched from their homes as the procession of Mishigaman bodyguards and Tecumseh walked by, He waved at them, and stopped to talk to a few, all to the anger of his bodyguards; “Just in and out” they would keep saying.
Tecumseh would remind them that the villagers were Mishigamans too.
His brother’s wigwam was in the center of New Prophetstown, guards stood outside it too. They watched Tecumseh suspiciously. “You can go in Great Chief, but your warriors cannot.”
Tecumseh nodded to his guards and walked inside. Tenskwatawa stood by a fire, looking into it and praying. “Welcome to New Prophetstown brother.”
“We must talk; the council and I want you to return.”
Tenskwatawa didn’t even look up, “You all have become white men, slaves to the British.”
“The British are our allies, they have helped us gain what should be ours, what is ours.” Tecumseh wished his brother would see the light.
“The Great Spirit wanted us to abhor from European goods, you tell our people to embrace them.”
“The Great Spirit gave us the strength to win the war; would He not give us the strength to govern our people? We must unite our people, we must keep them united, our allies help us defend our homes, does the Great Spirit not want us to be strong, to thrive?”
“He does, but not like the white man, to cut down the forests to make room for farms? To kill more deer than you hunger for? These are things the Great Spirit does not want our people to do.”
“We won’t, we are making small farms for each tribe, mostly off land abandoned by the Yankees, come back to Fort Pontiac brother, help steer us through these times, as the Great Spirit wants.”
Tenskwatawa looked deep into the fire, thinking and silently praying for guidance. “You have been blinded by the English, and will lead our people to ruin.”
Tecumseh knelt beside the Prophet, worry and sorrow showed on his face, “It seems you are set in your ways, the Council won’t attack your people unless your attack first. If you will not return to Fort Pontiac, then at least live in peace with those who surround you.”
Tenskwatawa did not look up from the fire, “The children of the Great Spirit are not our enemies but the White Man, and those who are corrupted by them will fall.”
Tecumseh stood up, realizing that he was unable to reach his brother, and moved towards the longhouse entrance, and turned at the door, “I warned you, live in peace or we will have to remind you of our strength. You are but one village. Please brother, remember our strength.”
The Crown and the Tomahawk 2.0
August 15th, 1812, Quebec, Lower Canada
Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost was at his desk when a private entered his office.
He snapped to attention “Sir, the Americans have asked for an armistice on the Niagara River, Major General Sheaffe is requesting orders.”
Prevost looked at the map on the wall. He had recently gotten word that the Orders in Council had been revoked by Parliament, but the Americans have yet to ask for peace. “Does he believe an attack in imminent?’
“The Major General believes the Americans do plan to force a crossing, and may use the armistice to build up and reinforce.”
“Tell him to not accept the terms, and to be ready for an attack if it comes. Major General Brock is on his way to Fort George, he will take command when he arrives.”
“Yes sir!” The messenger left the office with his new orders.
August 22nd, 1812, Queenston Heights, Upper Canada
Major General Isaac Brock looked across the river at the American ships on the eastern shore. Smoke rose from a few, many were damaged to some degree. The British bombardment was having a good effect on the American invasion being built up outside Lewiston, New York.
He turned to the messengers standing next to him, “We outnumber the enemy at the moment, if we can force a crossing on their flank, we can stop the invasion before it begins. Send a messenger to Quebec for permission to attack, also prepare ships up river incase we get approval.” Prevost better approve this, with territory in New York, we can bargain with the Americans when they decide to talk peace.
Blue figures rushed back and forth on the beach, Brock couldn’t tell what they were doing, but it was cut short when a mortar round landed near by. Some scattered, but others just fell onto the sand. He smiled to himself, yes everything was going well.
August 29th, 1812, Outside Lewiston, New York
Sand crunched under the bow of the first British ship to come ashore. Isaac Brock stepped onto American soil, and peered through the darkness to the other ships crossing the Niagara. So far, the Americans slept in their camp, still unaware of the threat that was uncomfortably close. Brock smiled we’ll break the invasion before it even begins. Troops from the 49th Regiment of Foot moved into the woods on the bank, along with many Mohawk warriors who knew this area. The British force should be ready to attack by sunrise.
Isaac moved into the woods, and fell behind Capitan John Norton, who was leading the Mohawk warriors. “Take your men around the American camp, wait till they break, then wipe them out. Stay in the woods until they panic, then charge. We’ll crush them between our attacks.” Capitan Norton nodded and spoke to the Mohawk in their own tongue. Soon the Natives had disappeared into the dark forest.
Taking his place with his men just inside the forest, he prepared for the attack. Looking to his left, Isaac saw the crew loading the Grasshopper cannon; its firepower would be welcome in the coming battle.
Just as the sun came up over Lewiston Heights, the first shots rang out. American militia rushed out of their tents, trying to load their weapons as they ran to what little cover there was. Brock could see an officer trying to get the troops in line outside the camp, it seemed he was about to rally the Americans when the first shots rang out from the far side of the camp. The officer turned to find the source of the noise, when his body jerked and crumpled to the ground. His aide rushed to his side, but Brock could tell he was mortally wounded.
This was the signal he was looking for, “CHARGE!” Major General Brock burst from the tree line with his force right behind him. British regulars and militia rushed the American line, which broke quickly in the face of the trained troops. They retreated…right into the waiting Mohawk.
Later that day
Brock looked across the Niagara River back towards Queenston, the river was filled with British and captured American ships moving the army across the river into Lewiston. A column of American prisoners marched under guard down to the river. Reports from them said that the commanding officer in the region, Major General Stephen Van Rensselaer, had been the officer killed in the battle, and that a Brigadier General stationed in Buffalo was now the American commander of the Niagara Frontier.
Prevost had ordered Brock to occupy Northern New York, and gave him permission to engage the enemy when needed. High Command wanted a quick victory on this frontier, then fortifies and defends their gains. Brock hoped he would be transferred back to the Detroit frontier, where Tecumseh was doing his best to defeat the Americans in the Indiana and Michigan Territories. Maybe if he succeeds, the king will grant the Natives the land they promised…
War of 1812 New York and Northwest Frontier Timeline
· September 3rd, 1812-Combined Native army burns and sacks Fort Harrison, Zachary Taylor is among those killed.
· September 5th, 1812-Chief Winamac’s forces lay siege to Fort Wayne
· September 6th, 1812-Tecumseh’s army moves south from Detroit to reinforce Winamac
· September 7th, 1812-Isaac Brock’s force marches to Buffalo, New York and defeat Alexander Smyth’s force of 1,700 Regular Infantry at the Battle of Buffalo Creek and occupy the town
· September 10th, 1812-Combined native force succeeds in taking and burning Fort Wayne
· September 12th, 1812-Harrison’s relief force is defeated at the ruins of Fort Wayne by Tecumseh’s force of 1000 warriors and 140 British Regulars
· September 13th, 1812-Colonel William Russell’s force of local militia and Regulars defeat the Combined Native force south of Fort Harrison. Chief Stone Eater is killed in the battle along with 18 Natives.
· September 15th, 1812-American forces under Alexander Smyth Defeat the British at the Second Battle of Buffalo Creek. Brock’s Forces pull back to Lewiston.
· October 10th- 13th, 1812- After minor skirmishes outside Lewiston, Brock moves his force of 2,000 regulars, 600 militia, and 300 native allies to attack Fort Niagara. Smyth, fearing another attack on Buffalo does not attack the British rear until the 12th, the Canadian militia stalled the American advance. The Provincial Marine provided fire from Lake Ontario on both the fort and Smyth’s army. On the 13th, Smyth’s forces broke the siege, allowing the forces to retreat and burn the fort. British Casualties were 143 killed, 206 wounded. American Casualties were 74 killed, 300 wounded, 100 taken prisoner.
· December 17th-18th, 1812-Battle of the Mississinewa considered indecisive, American forces attacked a Miami village taking 76 prisoners. A counter attack the following day freed some of the prisoners, but American forces got word that Tecumseh was nearby with a sizeable force. John P. Campbell fell back to Fort Greenville, by the time they returned to the fort on the 28th, over 300 suffered from frostbite
· January 22nd, 1813-Battle of Frenchtown ends in a decisive British victory, James Winchester’s plan to retake Detroit fails and he retreats into Ohio and builds Fort Meigs. River Raisin Massacre ends in the death of at least 68 American wounded.
· January 31st, 1813-Peace talks begin between America and Britain in Havana. One of the terms of peace is an independent native state in the great lakes region.
· February 10th, 1813-With Fort Niagara occupied and Smyth’s army retreated to Rochester, New York, Lieutenant General Isaac Brock transferred to the Detroit Frontier. Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond takes control of the forces in New York.
· February 20th-21st, 1813-Drummond leads a force of his men south, burning Buffalo and Black Rock, and destroying the American fleet at Black Rock.
· March 14th, 1813-Henry Proctor leads an attack on Presque Isle with the additional forces sent with Brock. The British force of 600 regulars, 450 militia, and 300 Natives under Joseph Lenar defeated the American force and burned the six ships and captured their cannons.
· March 20th- 22nd, 1813- Lieutenant General Isaac Brock and Tecumseh lead an army of 1,500 Natives, 700 militia, and 200 regulars in an attack on Fort Meigs. The initial attack fails, and the British begin to besiege the fort. On the 22nd, Proctors forces reach the siege line with their newly acquired cannons and pound the fort until its surrender.
· April 1st, 1813- Combined British and Native force attacks and burns Vincennes, the capital of the Indiana Territory, a force of 450 militia and 365 regulars under governor Harrison tried to defend the town, but retreated when British cannon fire started to burn the town.
· April 3rd, 1813- Governor Harrison asks for an armistice on the Detroit Frontier.
· April 5th, 1813- Drummond moves his forces to just outside Rochester and in the famed “Battle of Genesee River” Smyth calls for an armistice before an attack even begins.
· April 7th, 1813-Lieutenant General Prevost agrees to the terms of both armistices, other than small skirmishes in Maine and on the frontier, fighting stalls.
Naval Engagements
In 1812, Britain's Royal Navy was the world's largest, with over 600 cruisers in commission, plus a number of smaller vessels. Although most of these were involved in the fighting against Napolean, the Royal Navy had 85 vessels in American waters. By contrast, the United States Navy comprised only 8 frigates, 14 smaller sloops and brigs, and no ships of the line at all. The Royal Navy planned to protect shipping to and from Halifax, and to blockade American ports, but was thinly stretched and many ships were undermanned, while American ships were manned by well-drilled volunteers.
The American Navy under Commodore Jonh Rodgers grouped all the ships of the Navy in one force, in an attempt to force the British to concentrate their forces and break the blockades of American ports. The plan worked and British forces concentrated outside New York Harbor, opening other ports for returning American merchant ships, but taking five ships.
American frigates managed to defeat and either capture or burn the HMS Guerriere, HMS Java, and HMS Macedonian. While taking the Guerriere, the USS Constitution gained the nickname “Old Ironsides” after British cannonballs bounced off her hull. Britain began to construct five new frigates, and upgraded three ships-of-the-line into heavy frigates, and more ships were sent to American waters. The blockaid tightened, and though Britain was unable to cpture or destroy any American naval vessels, they managed to capture many merchant ships and disrupt commerece on the east coast.
Treaty of Bermuda
On May 18th, 1813 delegates from both Great Britain and America met in Bermuda to formally end the conflict. The treaty pulls British troops out of New York. America is forced to recognize the British Protectorate native state, named Mishigama (Ojibwa name for the region) consisting of the Michigan, Illinois, and IndianaTerritories. Also merchant ships bound for Europe must stop at a British port to be inspected, or be inspected by the Royal Navy to stop supplies from reaching Napoleon.
June 3rd, 1815 Fort Detroit, Mishigama
Tecumseh sat in a large room, filled with delegates from the thirty-two nations that helped him form the country they were now creating a constitution for. Among the crowd of Indians were the white faces of British delegates, among them Isaac Brock, to help Tecumseh’s Confederation form a stable government. The government was to be formed based on Canadian and British examples.
There had been arguments before, but none so heated as this one.
“You will lead our people to destruction. We must not follow the white man!” Tenskwatawa yelled across the room at his brother. Some of the delegates nodded along.
“The British are our allies; they will help us become strong. We need their help to stop the Yankee from destroying our people!” A lot more agreed with him, which comforted him.
“This will make us no different from the white man, you have become their dog!”
“If you leave this congress, you will just prove to the Yankees that we are just savages to be exterminated. We must be strong and united. If we break, the American army will swallow us up and kill us all!” Tecumseh smiled to the crowd roaring and applauding.
“We denounce this congress!” Tenskwatawa rose and left the room, along with three of the delegates.
Brock leaned over to Tecumseh, “Don’t worry he’ll come to his senses.”
Tecumseh frowned, “I hope you’re right…”
June 10th, 1815 Shore of the Ohio, Mishigama
Sergeant Benjamin Doss marched in line behind another prisoner of war southeast towards Louisville, Kentucky. On either side of the close to five hundred militia and regulars from the American Army marched British regulars. Other prisoners had been whispering at nights that the Brits weren’t the only troops watching the column that Natives were in the forests along the road. Either way, if the Americans made a move, they would be sorry.
Tecumseh had ordered that the remnants of the American Army in Mishigama were to be marched to the Ohio River, and sent back to the US. Doss frowned to himself, Months ago this was the US. He was at the Battle of Vincennes, he saw the former capital of the Indiana Territory, and his home, burn, his brother was at Fort Dearborn, and was killed in the massacre, Benjamin had a lot to pay back And I intend to do just that…
July 21st, 1815 Corydon, Mishigama
Mitchell Nash squinted in the hot sun as he weeded his corn field. It had rained the last few days, and he had a good feeling about the harvest in a few weeks. Hopefully he’d be able to sell some of the crops to pay for more land to farm the next year.
Since the Indiana Territory was given to the Shawnee and their allies, white settlers had been leaving in droves, just packing up and moving south or east to Ohio and Kentucky. Word had come down from Fort Detroit, Fort Brock he corrected himself, that whites had a chance to decide. Leave Mishigama, or swear allegiance to Tecumseh and the Natives.
“Mitchell!”
Nash looked up from the weeds, his back cracked as he straightened. His neighbor walked down the isle between the rows of corn to him. The man smiled and shook Mitchell’s hand. He had the sharp cheekbones and dark black hair that said that his ancestors did not come to North America from Europe.
“Nice to see you Elangomat, what brings you to my farm today?”
“I wanted to know if you were staying on the land, or leaving like many others.”
“Don’t quite know yet, got till the end of the season to decide, have to talk to Anne,” Mitchell thought for a second “I think we’ll probably stay, never had a quarrel with your people here.”
The Delaware smiled “Good we need people with your…expertise.”
“Expertise, I’m just a farmer?”
“Yes, we want farmers to help our people. Most don’t know to farm like the whites do, the Chiefs are looking for teachers.”
“Teach how to farm?” Mitchell thought about it, “Yea, I could help you…If we plan to stay.”
July 25th, 1817 Fort Pontiac, Mishigama
“Great Chief?”
Tecumseh looked up from the fire at the Mishigaman warrior. This can’t be good news. He sighed, “Yes what is it now?”
“It’s your brother, Tenskwatawa and his warriors have raided an Ottawa village, and took supplies. The Ottawa are yelling for repirations”
Tecumseh sat down and sighed, “Have you told the Great Council and the Chiefs yet?”
“No, we wanted to tell you first, but I’m sure the Ottawa have mentioned it. I’m on my way to tell them after this.”
“Go tell them, I’ll be there in a moment to discuss this.”
--
Tecumseh walked into the room filled with delegates from the nations living across Mishigama. The room went silent as he walked in and stood in the center of the room. “I have learned of the attack on an Ottawa by Tenskwatawa and his warriors. This attack by my brother threatens to destroy what we have fought and died for. The Americans are waiting for our Confederation to break, for us to fight between ourselves. We will not give them what they want, we will not break like a dead tree in the wind, and we will grow and thrive. To do this we need security in out territories, for us to be safe in our villages. I will council on this matter, and to decide on what to do next.”
The seven chiefs rose from their seats and walked out of the room with Tecumseh to the building they used for meetings. The eighth, Tenskwatawa, would not be joining them in this session. Chief Winamac lit a fire in the center of the longhouse, and they all sat around it. The room was silent for a while as everyone watched the fire grow.
Chief Black Hawk looked up, “What is the council’s thought on this matter?”
“We must break up his following, or there will be more attacks. This will threaten our confederation if this continues.” The others nodded as Joseph Lenar spoke.
Tecumseh spoke up, “How should we stop him?”
“Send out our warriors,” Mishikinakwa yelled, “remove them anyway we can.”
Joseph Richardville frowned along with Tecumseh. “We can’t do anything rash, Tenskwatawa may dislike Mishigama, but he is one of us, and the brother of the Great Chief, we shouldn’t do anything we will regret.”
“We can’t leave a force that fighting us alone in the heart of our lands, New Prophetstown is in to vital of an area.” Winamac's frusturation could be heard in his voice, “If we won’t use force, we might want to relocate them.” Everyone began to mumble, realizing the irony.
“I will travel to New Prophetstown; I will talk with my brother. I hope I can rid him of this nonsense.”
“What if that doesn’t work?” The council all spoke agreement with Black Hawk.
“Then we will discuss an alternative, I will leave in two days. I’ll take warriors along with me for protection. I hope I will solve this with the peace pipe before we must solve this with the tomahawk.”
August 4th, 1817 New Prophetstown, Mishigama
The sands on the shore of the Tippecanoe crunched under the bow of the canoe as it came to shore. Tecumseh stared at the village, it looks just like it used to…
Villagers watched from their homes as the procession of Mishigaman bodyguards and Tecumseh walked by, He waved at them, and stopped to talk to a few, all to the anger of his bodyguards; “Just in and out” they would keep saying.
Tecumseh would remind them that the villagers were Mishigamans too.
His brother’s wigwam was in the center of New Prophetstown, guards stood outside it too. They watched Tecumseh suspiciously. “You can go in Great Chief, but your warriors cannot.”
Tecumseh nodded to his guards and walked inside. Tenskwatawa stood by a fire, looking into it and praying. “Welcome to New Prophetstown brother.”
“We must talk; the council and I want you to return.”
Tenskwatawa didn’t even look up, “You all have become white men, slaves to the British.”
“The British are our allies, they have helped us gain what should be ours, what is ours.” Tecumseh wished his brother would see the light.
“The Great Spirit wanted us to abhor from European goods, you tell our people to embrace them.”
“The Great Spirit gave us the strength to win the war; would He not give us the strength to govern our people? We must unite our people, we must keep them united, our allies help us defend our homes, does the Great Spirit not want us to be strong, to thrive?”
“He does, but not like the white man, to cut down the forests to make room for farms? To kill more deer than you hunger for? These are things the Great Spirit does not want our people to do.”
“We won’t, we are making small farms for each tribe, mostly off land abandoned by the Yankees, come back to Fort Pontiac brother, help steer us through these times, as the Great Spirit wants.”
Tenskwatawa looked deep into the fire, thinking and silently praying for guidance. “You have been blinded by the English, and will lead our people to ruin.”
Tecumseh knelt beside the Prophet, worry and sorrow showed on his face, “It seems you are set in your ways, the Council won’t attack your people unless your attack first. If you will not return to Fort Pontiac, then at least live in peace with those who surround you.”
Tenskwatawa did not look up from the fire, “The children of the Great Spirit are not our enemies but the White Man, and those who are corrupted by them will fall.”
Tecumseh stood up, realizing that he was unable to reach his brother, and moved towards the longhouse entrance, and turned at the door, “I warned you, live in peace or we will have to remind you of our strength. You are but one village. Please brother, remember our strength.”
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