War of 1812 - Artefact of the Week - June 29, 2012

Battle Maul, Tecumseh

This Battle Maul is made with a rawhide handle and pointed stone head, and came from the McKee family, which was involved in the British Indian Department prior to and during the War of 1812. A traditional Aboriginal weapon, this Casse-tete is associated with Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, whose confederacy allied themselves with the British during the War of 1812. Tecumseh and the Native Confederacy’s successes at Michilimackinac and the capture of Fort Detroit during the summer of 1812 led to the involvement of even more Aboriginal people in the war. By April of 1813, Tecumseh led 1200 warriors in alliance with the British forces in Canada.

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