TERRY WEST introduced Rick and Leslie Conwell, who separately spoke about the "200th Anniversary of the Battle of Tippecanoe". Rick, who is curator and 
museum manager at TCHA's Battle Ground facility, gave us the whole history of the events leading up to the battle and the battle itself in 15 minutes! Highlights included the fact that the cast of characters knew each other in the 1790's in Ohio. The early 1800's saw the creation of Prophetstown as the capitol of a new confederacy to stop the advancement of the settlers and the British encouraging this effort to form a buffer between the U.S. and their Canadian holding. In the summer of 1811 Harrison requested the 4th Infantry of the regular U.S. Army in preparation for war with the Indians. They arrived at Prophetstown on November 6th, 1811 and at 4:15 a.m. on the 7th a commando group of native forces was dispatched to kill General Harrison. At 6:00 that same morning it was clear that the plan was not working and the Indians retreated.
Leslie, wearing a 1811 riding hat and long red dress, reviewed the events planned for this weekend in recognition of the battle. It is not a celebration because many 
people died fighting in a clash of cultures. The Tippecanoe County Park and Recreation Department, The Tippecanoe County Historical Association, Prophetstown State Park and Historic Prophetstown have been working on a goal to remember, to educate, to honor and move forward. The presentations will be at the Battlefield and Prophetstown State Park on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, the 7th at 10:30 a.m. there will be a wreath laying ceremony and speakers at the Monument on the Battlefield. For more information, go to www.tippecanoehistory.org
