ALS signed "Willm H. Harrison," one page, 8 x 12.75, October 14, 1811. Letter to General John Gibson, written as Governor of the Indiana Territory, from Battaille des Illinois. In full: "Finding it problematical whether I shall be able to reach Vincennes or not by the 28th inst. I have enclosed you a proclamation postponing the meeting of the Legislature until the 2d Monday of November. As soon as you receive this I wish you to put the seal on the Proclamation & take it to Stout & get some copies printed, one of which you will please to enclose to each member & send some by the Post now to be struck up a long road. I hope you will not fail to send them on by this mail as it is important that the members should receive it as soon as possible. I must refer you to Mr. Wallace for the news of the Camp." In very good condition, with light toning and repairs to splitting along the intersecting folds, and light scattered staining.
As governor of the Indiana Territory in 1811, Harrison was authorized by Secretary of War William Eustis to march against Tecumseh's nascent confederation as a show of force. As hostilities rose, Harrison wrote this letter to one of his cabinet members with instructions for the postponement of the Indiana Territory's Legislature meeting: the impending conflict was unavoidable and required Harrison's full attention. Just weeks later, with 1,000 troops behind him, the General marched north to Prophetstown in an attempt to intimidate the Shawnee into making peace. But when the tribes launched a surprise attack on the morning of November 7th, battle ensued and Harrison defeated the tribal forces at the Battle of Tippecanoe. He was hailed a national hero, and earned the nickname 'Old Tippecanoe,' a name that he would underscore in his successful campaign for the presidency years later. This letter, sent at a crucial time, as the general put official business on the back burner to give heed to the conflict at hand, marks the beginning of the battle that would become the highlight of his career.
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