As to the individual who had the honor of shooting Tecumseh, public opinion ever has been, and still remains divided, and though a matter of no moment in itself, his death has often been discussed with as much warmth and zeal, as if the ascertaining of who killed him, involved the settlement of some cardinal principle. This discussion owes its origin to party feeling, together with the exertions of the friends of Col. Johnson on the one side to give him the honour, and to the equally zealous efforts of his opponents on the other to wrest it from him, without being able to agree on any other individual upon whom they will bestow it. Could it be proved that Colonel Johnson did kill Tecumseh, it would add nothing to his fame as a hero; could the world be convinced that he did not, it would detract nothing from the glory which he has already won. The settlement of this question, therefore, even were it in our power, could neither add to, nor take from his reputation. It has no sort of connexion with his character as a statesman, and could not affect him otherwise. That he was an able officer is proved by the success of the division under his command at the battle of the Thames:—that he was a brave man, and ever present at the post of danger, is apparent from his having received during that action five wounds, while a small white mare which he rode, died under him of sixteen. These facts establish for him the character of an intrepid and dauntless soldier; while the proving that he killed Tecumseh could do no more, even if it effected so much. In the work which I have just written, I profess to set forth the principal acts, as well as the most striking features in the character of this celebrated chieftain, and as on that account some information, or at least a detail of those circumstances which are known relative to his death, may be expected, I shall give in a concise manner such particulars of the battle in which he fell as I have often heard stated in connexion with this event. Before doing so, however, I will mention the sources from which they have been drawn, and leave the reader to award to them such a degree of belief as he pleases. An admiration for the character of Tecumseh, and a desire to obtain as much information as I could relative to him and the Prophet, induced me, long before I entertained the idea of attempting to write a novel, to examine every source which promised to aid me in my wishes. Travelling much throughout most of our western states, I often met with persons who were present in many of the engagements which took place along our north-western line of Posts, during the late war with Great Britain, and also with several who were actors in the battle of the Thames, and the exciting events of that period becoming a subject of conversation, from them I heard many details. From passing conversations, therefore, and from books, the following facts have been gathered.