|
Blue Jacket/Wehyehpiherhsehnwah
(1740/1750?-1810)
The
date of Blue Jacket's birth is not known. He was probably
born in the late 1740's or early 1750's. His Indian name
was Wehyehpiherhsehnwah. He was a member of the Shawnee,
one of the six historic tribes in Ohio. Little is known
about Blue Jacket's early years.
Blue
Jacket first became known to the settlers in 1778. He
was leading a Shawnee war party in Kentucky of over
100 warriors. During this raid, Daniel Boone was captured.
In
1788, Blue Jacket was captured by white settlers. However,
Blue Jacket was able to escape.
In
1790, Blue Jacket fought against Josiah Harmer and his
army. Harmer was sent by President Washington to help
stop the Indian attacks on the settlers in the Ohio
country. Many Indian tribes worked together and defeated
the Americans (Harmar's Defeat).
The
next year, President Washington sent a larger army to
fight the Indians in the Ohio country. This army was
led by Arthur St. Clair. Once agian, the Indian tribes
worked together and defeated St. Clair's army. This
battle was the greatest defeat of United States forces
by Indians in American history.
In
1792, President Washington sent an even larger army
into the Ohio country. The leader of this army was General
Anthony Wayne. Before General Wayne fought any battles,
he spent two years training his army. Blue Jacket became
the leader of the Indians who fought against General
Wayne. On August 20, 1794, the Battle
of Fallen Timbers took place near the Maumee River.
The Indians lost the battle.
After
the American victory, the Indians decided to make peace
with the Americans. The following summer, 1795, the
Treaty of Greenville was signed at Fort Greenville.
The Indians gave up more than half of what is now Ohio
to the Americans.
In
1810, Blue Jacket died.
|
