The Battle of Tippecanoe, the most important clash of arms that ever occurred on Indiana soil, if we except the storming of Vincennes by George Rogers Clark, was directly brought about by the land troubles spoken of above. As said, these became more acute after the purchase of a large tract in 1809, largely by reason of the protests of Tecumseh and the influence of the Prophet. Besides the danger of incursions by irresponsible hostile bands, serious hostility was evidently brewing among the tribes, with the Prophet's Town as source and center, though the fomenters of it avowed peaceful intentions. Governor Harrison repeatedly sent messengers not only to the Tippecanoe town but to other villages of the various tribes to promote amity and to warn them against the danger of hostility to the United States, but the situation was not mended and the predatory raids on the frontier continued until, on July 31, 1811, the citizens of Knox County, at a public meeting, declared that there could be no safety until the Prophet's combination was broken up by prompt and decisive measures, and such measures were recommended to the Governor and the President. Harrison and those who knew Indian character best shared the belief that a vigorous threat, backed by an actual show of power to enforce it, was the only dependable remedy, and the outcome of the situation was the mobilizing of a little army of about nine hundred men consisting of United States troops and Indiana militia with about sixty volunteers form Kentucky (Dillon). The purpose of this force was not to actually attack the Indians, unless circumstances made it necessary, but to establish a military post within the territory that was the immediate source of trouble, thence to proceed to the Prophet's Town by way of a demonstration and awe the troublesome tribesmen there into compliance with demands that had been made upon them.

The expedition left Vincennes September 26, 1811, and on October 3, reached a favorable spot for the proposed post, on the high ground above the site of Terre Haute. Here the force remained until the last of the month, building the fort, which was named in honor of the Governor, then resumed the march, arriving at Tippecanoe on November 6. Indian messengers met this small army for a parley and, after Harrison's assurances that the first intention was not an attack but a conference, he was directed by them to a camping place on high ground, where wood and water were procurable. Here the army encamped, expecting the conference on the morrow, but Harrison's familiarity with Indian methods forbade reliance on Indian honor, and, prudently, the men slept on their arms, prepared to meet any contingency at a moment's notice. The precaution was fortunate, for before daylight the following morning an attack was mad by a large body of Indians so sudden and fierce that the assailants were fairly in the camp before many of the soldiers could get out of their tents. The conflict lasted from about a quarter past four till daylight and only preparedness and desperate fighting saved the army from rout and massacre. When, after the foiled and beaten Indians were driven from the field, the army under Harrison took stock of their losses and found that thirty-seven of their number was slain and a hundred and fifty-one of them wounded. How many Indians were engaged is not accurately known, but they have been estimated at from six hundred to eight hundred. Their loss was also unknown but exceeded that of Harrison's army, as thirty-eight were found dead and others were carried off. The defeated savages abandoned their town and the victors burned it to the ground.

A trial by arms at this time was contrary to the plans of Tecumseh, who was then ion the south. The Prophet was responsible for it. His power over his followers was such that he made them believe the enemy's bullets could not harm them, and during the fight he stood aloof urging them on by singing his mysterious incantations in a voice so stentorian that from it he took his name of La-lu-e-tsee-ka, or "Loud Voice" (Dunn). With his defeat his influence was destroyed and he became a sort of outcast.

Harrison's army was composed of nine companies of regulars, six companies of riflemen, two companies of dragoons and a company of scouts and spies. About one-forth of the force were mounted (Dunn).

Addendum: A large portion of the battle ground is surrounded by a fence with an ornate gate that was constructed by Thomas Harding in 1873. One of the stone plaques on the monument states the following, "General William Henry Harrison -- Erected jointly by the Nation and the State in memory of the Heros who lost their lives in the Battle of Tippecanoe November 7, 1811 --  This monument completed and Dedicated November 7, 1908." John Tipton, a participant and namesake of Tipton County, donated the grounds to the state of Indiana on November 7, 1836 and the Commissioners at the time of the completion of the monument were J. Frank Hanly, Job S. Sims, Wesley E. Wells and A. A. Jones.

Another plaque states the following facts of the engagement as, American Forces: Men engaged, 910; General Wm. Henry Harrison, Commanding; Attacked at 4.00 o'clock A.M. Indiana forces: Led by Prophet; Number engaged about the same as Americans. Loss: Americans, Killed 37, wounded 151; Indian loss unknown.

Two other plaques on the monument note the participants who lost their lives as follows:

Officers Killed -- Colonel Abram Owen, Major Joseph H. Daviess, Captain Jacob Warrick, Captain Spier Spencer, Lieutenant Richard McMahan, Lieutenant Thomas Berry, Corporal James Mitchell, Corporal Stempen Mars, Captain Wm. C. Baen.

Privates Killed In Action -- James Asberry, Francis Bonah, Edward Butner, JOseph Burditt, Jonathan Crewel, Levi Cary, Thomas Clendennan, Marshall Dunken, William Davis, Dexter Earll, Peter Hanks, Henry Hickey, Henry Jones, David Kearns, William King, Abraham Kelly, Daniel Lee, Daniel McMickle, William Meehan, Isaac M Nute, Jack Obah, John Owsley, Kader Powell, Amos Royce, John Sandborn, Samuel Sand, Joseph Smith, James Summerville, William Tissler, Lewis Taylor, Ira T. Trowbridge, Joseph Tibbetts, Joseph Warnock, Leman E. Ewlch, Abraham Wood, Isaac White, John Yoemans, John McCoy.