Young Tobacco facts for kids

Young Tobacco was the English name for a Piankeshaw chief. He lived near Post Vincennes during the American Revolution. His influence was strong among the villages along the Wabash River.

Who Was Young Tobacco?

Young Tobacco was an important leader of the Piankeshaw people. He lived in a time when America was fighting for its independence from Britain. His village was close to a key fort called Post Vincennes. This area was very important for both the American and British forces.

Family Connections

George Rogers Clark, an American leader, called him "Tobacco's Son." British Lieutenant-Governor Henry Hamilton also wrote about "Old Tobacco and his son." It seems likely that Young Tobacco was the son of an older chief named Old Tobacco. However, we are not completely sure about this family link. It was not a common tradition for leadership to pass from father to son among the Miami tribes in that area.

Young Tobacco and the Americans

George Rogers Clark wrote that Young Tobacco was a strong supporter of the American side. Young Tobacco even called himself a "big knife." This was a name Native Americans used for American soldiers and settlers.

A Friend in Need

When the British leader Henry Hamilton took back Vincennes, he captured an American officer named Captain Leonard Helm. Helm was held at Fort Sackville. Young Tobacco openly said that Helm was like a brother to him. To show his loyalty, Young Tobacco chose to be imprisoned with Helm.

Hamilton knew that Young Tobacco was very important to the local Native American groups. So, Hamilton tried to win Young Tobacco over. He offered Young Tobacco many gifts. Young Tobacco accepted these gifts for himself and for his "brother," Captain Helm. Hamilton did not write about these events in his own journal.

Helping Clark's Army

Later, when Clark and his army came to take back Vincennes, Young Tobacco gathered many Native American warriors. He asked if his warriors could join Clark's army. Clark said no to this offer. But Young Tobacco still helped the Americans during the fight for Fort Sackville.

A Different View: Hamilton's Journal

Henry Hamilton's journal tells a slightly different story about Young Tobacco. Hamilton thought that Young Tobacco supported whoever was in power at the time.

Explaining His Actions

When the people of Vincennes first sided with the Americans, Young Tobacco gave Hamilton reasons for his lack of loyalty. In a meeting, Young Tobacco blamed other chiefs for not helping him. He said he was too weak to fight the Americans. He also said he was too young to make such big decisions on his own. Hamilton seemed to be suspicious of Young Tobacco. But Hamilton did not write about Young Tobacco openly helping the Americans.

Making Peace

After the Americans had secured Vincennes, they faced problems with the Delaware people along the White River. Clark wanted to send soldiers to punish them. But Young Tobacco stepped in and helped make a peace agreement.

He took responsibility for any future attacks by the Delaware. He promised to "chastise them," meaning he would punish them, if they attacked Americans again.

Young Tobacco's End

Clark said that Young Tobacco died two years after the battle for Fort Sackville. His body was taken to Cahokia and buried with military honors. This showed the respect the Americans had for him.