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Auke-wingeke-tawso, or, 'Defender of His Country': The Circumstances & Services of Charles Michel de Langlade

Book by Cody Cole · 2 quotes · American History, Canadian History, Military

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Auke-wingeke-tawso, or, 'Defender of His Country': The Circumstances & Services of Charles Michel de Langlade Quotes

“My grandfather was a voyageur, and lived to be of great age,” recalled “Old” Pierre, “and [he] told me the stories of the wild Indians of those days, and our brave French Canadians who were a match for them. There was a great man of whom he used to speak much, Monsieur de Langlade. […] My grandfather told me that when Langlade was a child about seven years of age, there was a war raging between the Ottawas, many of whom lived at Michilimackinac, and another tribe allied to the English. Twice the young men of the Ottawas had gone forth to attack a village of the enemy, and each time had they been driven back. The French officer at the fort urged them to make the attack again. The Ottawas were not willing. At last, their chief said that he had had a dream; that in the dream he saw a fight; that the young Langlade was there; and that in his dream the Ottawas seemed to win the day. The dream gave the young men courage on its being told them. They must be accompanied by the child Langlade, and they would go upon the war-path once more. The father Langlade, at first unwilling, at last agreed, but only on a pledge given by the boy that he would never disgrace his father by being a coward. The Ottawas were now ready to go forth; they advanced with the terrible war-cries of the [Natives]; inspired by the recollection of the dream and the presence of the boy, they gained the day […]. The young Langlade was now held in great honor; they said he was no doubt preserved by a mighty Manitou [“Great Spirit”].”

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Book:Auke-wingeke-tawso, or, 'Defender of His Country': The Circumstances & Services of Charles Michel de Langlade
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“Indeed, so prevalent had his leadership on the battlefield been that day, that Langlade was jointly proclaimed “Ake-wauge-ketausa”, or “Military Conqueror”, by his Indigenous brethren, with the literal translation of his title meaning “He Who is Fierce for the Land”, although an alternative spelling of “Auke-winge-ketaw-so”, meaning “Defender of his Country” is also recorded. However, to the Menomonee (Folles Avoines) specifically, he was simply known henceforth as the “Bravest of the Brave.”

WarMilitaryAmerican HistoryCanadian HistoryNative American History
Book:Auke-wingeke-tawso, or, 'Defender of His Country': The Circumstances & Services of Charles Michel de Langlade
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