Shawnee Partition, Early American History Options

[Guest_Don_*]

Shawnee Partition

A band of rebels whooped about a fire,
despite a treaty signed to split
a nation brave and proud,
deny defeat.

The loss of freedom, land and pride was dire,
to give it all up bit by bit.
As British spirit cowed,
Tecumseh beat.

© 2003, March by D. E. Holmes

I am reticent regarding improvements you surely can offer because this has been published with flaws and all.

Subject: Optional
Form: Divine
Stanzas: Two
Rhyme Scheme: abcd, abcd
Meter: Iambic
Syllables per stanza: 10,8,6,4

To explain next to last line: The Shawnee often joined British against colonials as, least of the evils, allies.  The Brits in turn were often under supplied and staffed resulting in collapsed promises to Indians when they were needed for critical support.  The last conflict Tecumseh fought, to his death, was in Canada against American army when, again, the British could not match promised support.

My little town of Greenville, Ohio is located where Shawnees established a first Prophets Town, which was moved into the better-known Indiana location.  The farmland is superior for crops to support Indian families, moving through, to settle for a while to receive food, shelter, and Techumseh’s plea to band against white settlers.

It is also the location of General (Mad) Anthony Wayne’s training ground, Fort Greenville. Abandoned into oblivion to defeat Indians.

It is also the location of signing of “The Treaty of Greenville” August 3, 1795 between several Indian nations and U.S. government to open more of vast Northwest Territory.  It secured most of what are now the state of Ohio and a sliver of eastern Indiana.

Tecumseh and his rebels refused to sign above peace treaty.  He was a very insightful war chief for a lost cause, to which he gave his full measure. Other well known chiefs, such as Little Turtle, saw the writing on the wall and caved in to save lives by agreeing to white-man’s treaty.

Treaty text for tribes and boundaries:
http://www.law.ou.edu/greenvil.html
Maps and picture of Anthony Wayne:
http://www.lib.cmich.edu/clarke/greenville.htm
Pictures and related history:
http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/ohc....n.shtml

Enjoy

Don

[Cleo_Serapis]

Very excellent Don!  :indianchief:

Thank you for adding the informational touches as well!

Nice job!
Lori

[Guest_Brahms_*]

Shawnee Partition was enjoyed initially for the rhythm and form, and your historical analysis is of substantial worth:
I like that kind of contextual understand, very fine!

Brahms

[Guest_Don_*]

Thank you Brahms.

Certainly appreciate your interest, appreciation and taking time to comment.

Don

[Charon]

Don,

Thanks for sharing, especially the background.  I too am fasinated by native americans and have written an epic about the Blackfoot.  I have been in the process of rewritting.

Enjoyed everything, like the style.

Atila

[Guest_oskarthethird_*]

this is interesting didn't know about that although I have heard the name of the indian chief I thought he was a mythical figure  well there is always something new to learn

[Guest_Don_*]

this is interesting didn't know about that although I have heard the name of the indian chief I thought he was a mythical figure  well there is always something new to learn

Hi Jan,

He was a self proclaimed chief primarily because the rest of his tribe had disbursed due to advancing settlements and the Treaty of Greenville.

Reminds me of a TV sitcom.  When the character Exodor is asked how he became Emperor of the Universe his answer was,
"I looked around and nobody else had the position, so I took it."

Don

[jgdittier]

Dear Don,
A double treat, poetry with an unusual scansion and rhyme scheme and an interesting history lesson.
Nicely done.
Cheers,     jgd

[Jim AKA Rapid-Fi...]

A very enjoyable read about the true and original people.........

WRITE ON!!