British Allies Further Reading American Allies: A First Nations Perspective

A First Nations Perspective Tecumseh and the warriors in his native confederacy were willing to fight alongside the British largely because they recognized that this war was probably their last chance to defend their land between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. On the other hand, the Grand River Iroquois of Upper Canada were somewhat more reluctant at first. The Iroquois were traditionally very committed to fighting the Americans, but they had grown doubtful about what real gains could be achieved by choosing sides in the wars of white men. Also, they were not as motivated as Tecumseh's people because their homeland was not directly threatened. Eventually, through the influence of Chief John Norton, the British gained the support of Grand River warriors for most of the war. They fought with distinction in several battles, including those of Queenston Heights, Chippawa and Chateauguay. In July of 1812, a joint First Nations British force successfully seized the American fort of Mackinac. Brock's hopes were fulfilled, and he soon won the support of many of the Northwest nations. Upon learning of these new alliances, the American Brigadier General William Hull recognized the possibility of his his worst fears being realized. He wrote to the War Secretary that, "the surrender of Michilimackinac opened the northern hive of indians and they are swarming down in every direction...Almost every tribe...excepting a part of the Miami and Delaware, north from beyond Lake Superior, west from beyond the Mississippi, south from the Ohio and Wabash and east from every part of Upper Canada and from all the intermediate country, joined in open hostility, under the British standard." Though rarely receiving official recognition of their participation, native warriors were often a welcome addition to the army due to their unorthodox fighting skills, their courage, and their ability to intimidate the enemy. Some British officers believed native warriors to be the best light troops in the world. Their reputation was such that the prospect of meeting the "savages" in battle eventually prompted General Hull to surrender Fort Detroit. Following the death of the Shawnee leader Tecumseh in Moraviantown, many First Nations of the Northwest lost the will to fight. The last struggle to defend the land between the Ohio and the Mississippi was all but over.