The Sad Affair of Capt. Big Tree of the Seneca
Item
Type
Author's Letterbook Copy
Title
The Sad Affair of Capt. Big Tree of the Seneca
Description
Captain Big Tree, the Seneca chief, has committed suicide for unknown reasons; mentions that he was a companion of Cornplanter and New Arrow. Records a speech given by Big Tree at that time, lamenting the death of Gen. Richard Butler (at St. Clair's Defeat), and asking to join the U.S. forces that he may avenge Butler's death. Mentions Big Tree's recent arrival and promise to rally friendly Indians to Wayne's army. Big Tree was distraught when the recent truce was made with the hostile Delawares, and his speech to the Delaware envoys is also recorded, in which he affirms alliance between the U.S. and the Six Nations, and urges the Delawares to make peace. Big Tree nonetheless became melancholy -- "he dreaded peace and therefore embraced death." Wayne mourns his loss, and asks that provisions be made for Big Tree's wife and daughter.
year created
1794
month created
01
day created
25
author
sent from location
Greeneville
recipient
in collection
in microfilm
in publication
in image
note
Cited in Knox to Wayne, 05/16/1794.
Spans Images 32-37 of this collection.
Spans Images 32-37 of this collection.
cited note
Cited document addressed to the War Office
notable person/group
Henry Knox
Anthony Wayne
Big Tree
wife
daughter
Secretary of War
General Richard Butler
General Arthur St. Clair
Delawares
Six Nations
Seneca
Seneka
war chief
Cornplanter
New Arrow
grand council of hostile Indians
Great Spirit
interpreter
Mr. Rosecrantz
Chickasaws
notable location
Legionville
Miami of the Lake
Ohio
Greeneville
Ohio River
Fort Franklin
notable item/thing
death
suicide
truce
speech
provisions
boats
ascent
property
speech
condolence
document number
1794012553555
page start
32
number of pages
4
Item sets
Transcribe this document
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (6 pages) | DTA01 (102 pages) | Collection: Anthony Wayne Letterbooks Vol.1-3 | V: 3 |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Microfilm: Anthony Wayne Papers | [unknown] |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Publication: Anthony Wayne, A Name in Arms | [unknown] |
| [view document] (0 pages) | [no image] | Publication: 'Wayne-Knox Correspondence' PMH&B | [unknown] |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Anthony Wayne | Greeneville | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Henry Knox | [unknown] | [n/a] |