On Saturday morning, Nov. 5, 2011, hundreds of re-enactors set the stage for thousands of visitors to gain understanding of the Battle of Tippecanoe.
Although 200 years ago, the event still evokes emotion. Descendents of warriors on both sides attended. Visitors were given insights into the politics and lifestyles of the time.
On Saturday militia re-enactors marched from Prophetstown State Park to the Battlefield for colors. Throughout Saturday and Sunday occupants of the battle field and the Woodland Indian village talked about the battle and life at the time of the battle.
Several talks were scheduled on a variety of topics, ranging from the battle and its ramifications, fashions, geology and even a “what-if” scenario were available.
Local churches volunteered drivers and buses to shuttle people between the two sites. Steam and power show folks volunteered drivers and trolleys to shuttle people around the state park and to and from the parking “lot” field.
This event differed from the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon in two ways. The Feast is a time-line event, it ranges from 1726 to 1791 and the Feast deals with a largely civilian time at Ft. Ouiatenon. While wars occurred and the fort was captured there were no great battles at the fort.
The Battle of Tippecanoe anniversary re-enactment focused on a few weeks 200 years ago. The focus of the memorial was a military battle and the conditions leading up to it. Civilians were represented and spoke to life in Vincennes or Prophetstown in 1811, but they were not the focus.
On Monday a solemn remembrance was conducted at the monument. Prayer was lead by Rev. Ronald Wunsch and a blessing by Ronald Melton of the Wea Indian Tribe of Indiana. A wreath was laid at the monument.
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