The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-16
Vol. 8---------No. 70. .

= socn as the army halted. to examine The
ground ct the encainpment aud environs, &c
afterwards w cali together the field officers
5 OF the army, and give them their directions
, ior inc mght--at their meetings (where eve
ry one was required freely TO express their
sentiments) every contingency that was ike
~ to happen was discussed The orders
! that were proper to be given 70 them, were
then by the held officers repeated to the Cap
tains. Every one being BY these means DOS
scssed OF my intentions, there was no room
LETT fer mistake or coniuson-1'hc orders
gwen on the night of the 9th, gverc solety di-
lrroted 10 night Cftock, the officers were
directed in case of such al attack, to parade
ltheir men in the order in which they were
encamped, and that each corps should main
tam itself upon its own ground, until furthe,
orders were given--With regulations such
lassthcse, and with such n stat. OF discipline
as we Clam, you must allow, my dear sir.
that we had no reason 20 dread !" Il night in
Icursion" mere than an attack by 1ay-inceed
1T was preferable, because in no other case
| could 1t have been SO completely decisive.
I IN the Halter ~cr.,sirr ir-,vs lost "a, ,,,...,,,
men as We did lose, without having killed o.
| third as many of the enemy.
In my letter to the secretary it is assert
ed, that the Indians had pcnetrated,to the
centre OF the cncampment-I believe howe
yer, that not more than two Indians got
within the lincs-mcn were certainly killed
near the centre OF the camp, but 1t must
have been from balls fired from without
From this letter ana my official despatch
| 70 the secretary Of war, YOU win be enabled
my dear General, to form correct opinion
OF the battle of Tippecance. When an acti-
on is over. and we have time to mediate up
Oh the circumstances that attended it, there
is no great judgment necessary to discover
some.error III the conduct of it, something
that was done, which might have been bet
ter done, or something that was omitted,
which if done, might have produced great
advantages. be,ieve tile greatest Gene
rails have admitted that they could fight a
second battle upon the same ground much :
better than the frst-If this is true with
respect to them, ought it not to be motive
to shield me from that severity Of criticism.
with which some of my fellow citizens arc
dealrous OF scanning my conduct
n victory has been gained, and the army
which gained it impnte it in part at least to
the measures of the communicating this is
not suihoient--it should have been achieved
without loss on our side--There is certainly
no man more fully impressed with the ex-
allied merits OF those brave men who fell in
the action, than l am-Amongst them.
were many Tor whom felt the warmest re,
gard and triendship--But they We're expo-
sed to no dangers, but what were common
TO the whole army, and if they were select
ed b. divine providence, as the price of an
important victory, there is nothing left us,
but to honor their memory, and to bow SUBJ
missely to decree which we cannot alter.
1t would however, imbitter the remaining
part OF my life, If could suppose that their
fate was produced by any misconduct of
mine. But upon this subject have nothing
to accuse myself. ! am satisfied that all nv
weak powers were eXcrted to the utmost
tor the safety and gloty OF my troops---In-
deed no commander had ever greater rea-
son to do so-for none ever received greater
confidence and attachment from an army
than did--rnany of the corps forgetful Of
their own danger, seemed only anxious for
mc--and sentiment springing from person.
al attachment alone was imputed by thenI
to belief, that their fate was intimately
connected with mine-For such troops, it
was impossible that ] should not be willing to
she'd the last drop of my blood.
Your friendship, my dear General. will
pardon the egotism contained in this letter
perhaps ought TO disregard the idle tales
that have been circulated TO my preudica
knowing as l do, chat there are not ten
persons who served under the late expedite
on, that will not be ready TO contradict them
i have not sufficient stoicism, however, to
rest easy under unmerited reproach-and
with the consciousness Of having rendered
some service to my country, cannot bear
to be deprived OF the good opinion of nv fell
low Citizens.
With great regard; ] am dear sir, gour
TREND and humble servant;
WILLIAM II. HARRISON
i. >. Should have covered my tIuops e.
very night with breast work of trees but
Xes were soscatce cater having procured e.
very one that the Territory afTrded,) that
Ii was with difficulty, that snficiencv Of
wood could be procured to make the men
comfortable and the militia we're without
tents, and many of them without blankets.
j he story which mas been circulated in some
OF the papers, of officers fighting without
any clothes but their shirts, is absolutely
false.
". II. IT.
The undersigned field officers, during the
action at the Tippacanoc. on the morning &C
the 9TH inst, DESTROYS Of stating their opinion
with respect to the conduct of the conn
mander in chief OH that occasion, do hereby
certify, that the governor was calm and De-
lberate--that his orders were precise and
dstinct--that he performed duties thas
might have been devolvcd on subortinates-.
that he directed and marched reinforce
ments to points where aid was necessary. and
posted them himself--that lie never avoided
the post Of danger-hat tic victory was
obtained by his vigilance and activitv-and
IN word, that his conduct in every respect
was worthy the General and the Soldier.
GfOen fltS l9th Nor. 1911.