Early in October of this year, we find him encamped on the banks of the Wabash, about sixty-five miles above Vincennes, with a chosen body of troops, anxious to be led on against the Indians. Here he built a fort, which at the request of the officers, was called Fort Harrison, reconnoitred the adjacent country, and waited several days, with a hope of receiving a deputation from the Prophet, which might be able to explain away and satisfactorily adjust the differences which had lately arisen, in consequence of the violation of previous promises. Elkswatawa was aware of his approach, and with a hope of preserving peace, sent messengers, as he afterward stated, promising to comply with any demand which the Governor might make. The messengers, however, never arrived, and in consequence of it, the American army continued its march; and Elkswatawa learning this, began with great diligence to fortify his town, and place it in the best possible state of defence, in order to protect himself against the attack of the whites, in case it should become impossible longer to preserve peace. It was in November, 1811, and on the sixth of the month, that the army under General Harrison lay within a mile and a half of Tippecanoe. It had been regularly advancing until the present time, and yet the Indians had shown no disposition to treat for peace; and a halt was now called, for the purpose of allowing them farther time to do so. The consequence of the near proximity of the whites, called forth messengers on the part of the Prophet, who demanded in his name, why it was that the Americans were marching upon his town. They stated that the Prophet was anxious to avoid hostilities,—that he was ready to comply with the demands of the Governor, and had with that view sent messengers to him several days before, who must, unfortunately, have gone down the opposite side of the river from that on which the general was advancing, or he would have seen them. In answer to this, the grounds of complaint were again stated by General Harrison, who also added, that the messengers, although expected, had never arrived. Some further conversation took place,—the Indians were apparently sincere in their professions, and a suspension of hostilities was agreed upon until the following day; when the Prophet, with the chiefs who were with him, was to meet General Harrison and his staff, and the terms of peace were then to be agreed upon between them.