Tecumseh drawing

Full-length portrait of Tecumseh, drawn by F. Brigden, ca. 1790-1799. Tecumseh (1768-1813) began to establish a reputation as a leader during the Indian Wars of the late 18th century, when he fought in several minor skirmishes and the Battle of Fallen Timbers. He refused to sign the Treaty of Greeneville, correctly fearing that it would increase white settlement and eventually cost American Indians their land. He argued that all American Indians held land in common and that one tribe could not cede the land to the U. S. government. During the War of 1812, Tecumseh supported the British, in hopes of regaining lost land. He was killed during the Battle of the Thames in 1813