Mission Command: Governor Henry Harrison and the Battle of TippecanoeSuccessful leadership on a battlefield can be measured in several ways. It is possible for a good and successful leader to lose a battle. Conversely, it is possible for an ineffective leader to win a battle, given the right circumstances. What distinguishes a successful leader from an unsuccessful one is his or her ability to oversee an operation using effective mission command. In ADP 6-0, mission command as a philosophy is defined as "the exercise of authority and direction by the commander using mission orders to enable disciplined initiative with the commander's intent to empower to agile and adaptive leaders in conducting unified land operations" (ADP, 1). William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory, executed good mission command at the Battle of Tippecanoe due to his ability to effectively utilize the doctrinal tasks of "understanding, visualizing, describing, directing, and conducting" operations. Overview and Implications The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811 in Battleground, Indiana, between a confederacy of Native Americans and American forces. The Native American confederacy was led by Tenskwatawa, often referred to as the Prophet, in place of his brother Tecumseh who was absent from the battle. The United States forces were commanded by William Henry Harrison, governor of the Indiana Territory. Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, were amassing Native American warriors at Prophetstown because they opposed the U.S. government's cession of Native American lands. Governor Harrison marched 1,000 soldiers to Prophetstown as a show of strength and to eliminate the enemy if necessary... middle of paper... the Battle of Tippecanoe. Although the Americans suffered heavy casualties during the surprise assault on their camp, the damage would have been much worse if not for Harrison's good execution of mission command using the doctrinal tasks of "understand, visualize, describe , direct and conduct" operations. He got a good picture of his operational environment and determined the desired end state: neutralize the threat of Tecumseh's warriors in Prophetstown. Then, he drew up a detailed plan and directed its execution. Throughout the entire process, he led his men from the front with determination and calm. Bibliography Walker, Adam. A diary of two campaigns of the Fourth American Regiment. Infantv in the territories of Indiana and Michigan. Keene, NH: Sentinel Press, 18 16.Whickar, Wesley J., ed. "Shabonee's Tippecanoe Account." Indiana History Journal 17 (1921): 353-63.