INTRODUCTION The Battle of Tippecanoe took place on 7 November, 1811. This decisive battle that set the stage for the war of 1812, pitted American military and militia forces lead by William Henry Harrison against a coalition of warrior from various Indian tribes lead by Tenskwatawa, an Indian mystic known as the prophet. The battle came about due to tensions between white settlers and Indians sparked by the treaty of Fort Wayne that ceded approximately three million acres of Indian land to the United States. Tenskwatawa, his brother Tecumseh, and a coalition of Indian warriors established a village called Prophetstown (after Tenskwatawa) one hundred and fifty miles upriver from the Indiana territorial capitol of Vincennes at the intersection …show more content…
The victory by William Henry Harrison and his expeditionary force helped to stem Indian violence against white settlers and break up a potential Indian alliance that could have threatened westward expansion. There were many reasons why Harrison won the battle but there were also many opportunities for things to have gone another way. One major component to the victory was the cohesive team build from shorthanded Army units and territorial militias. By coming together in mutual defense of their own lives, Harrison's expeditionary force was able to hold the line and win the battle. Accepting prudent risk also played a role in Harrison's victory. By taking smart risks that offered danger that was outweighed by reward Harrison was able to use his forces in a way that lead to victory. Along the same lines as accepting prudent risk, exercising disciplined initiative was used by Harrison. The proper use of disciplined initiative allowed Harrison to not only win the battle but also destroy Prophetstown and fracture the Indian alliance. Although Harrison won the battle of Tippecanoe it almost did not turn out that way due to lack of communicating a clear commanders intent. If commanders intent had been communicated clearly a major collapse in the defensive perimeter that almost cost Harrison the battle may not have happened. Despite some mistakes being made, Harrison and his expeditionary force emerged victorious thanks to Harrison's leadership at the battle of