Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-10-23
DOMESTIC.

DOMESTIC.
MASSACRE AT THE HORSE SHOE"
To the Editors Of the Nashville Republican and
State Gazette.
The enclosed correspondence, originated in 4
charge, which was contained in The address, re-
ported TO the Anti-iackson Convention o. Virginia,
BY Mr.. Chapman MISUNDERSTANDING that a cold
bIooded massacre had taken place at the battle OF
the Horse Shoe" and urging that as a reason,
why the people OF Virginia, as well as those Of o.
Their states, should not yield their support TO Gen.
Jackson, In the pending canvass tor the Fresidcn-
cy Of the Republic. 80 soon as 1 saw the adj
dress, l wrote TO Mr.. johnson, enclosed 10 the care
OF Col. John Campbel) requesting of him . state
ment Of the grounds on which the charge was
made-aftording him thereby an opportunity To dis
claim or support the charge. lie did no, avail
himself OF this opportunity presented him TO re-
tract a charge as unjust as IT was unioundeI; nor
would his condesccnsion allow him to oter amy
proof in support OF il, but eyaded the inquiry by
IA course OF pleading which must 90 as little honor
10 his head as his heart.
On the receipt Of MIR. Jci,nson's note to Col.
Campbell, in relation 10 my second letter ,discoTer-
ing that the gentleman had = taken u tree" and
was not disposed to venture out from the ambus-
caIe ofhis dignihed responsibility l felt IT due
10 the character OF the state, and TO those brave
and patriotic citizens, who sustained the privations
OF the Creek war, and who had met and bravcd
the hazards OF battle, rs well as 10 myself. not TO
permit a charge groundiess in itself, ana exhibited
by those who were ignorant OF the facts, and IN
lated with party zeal-though they were g rep.
resenting thousands of their fellow citizens" to
pass unnoticed, and unconiradicted. Therefore i
have obtained lIcan men who were present, and
those who fought in the action, letters, showing
that no SANDER more gross or untrue has ever been
set forth, either agains, Gen. jackson, or the
troops, who fought for the preservation Of a from
tier, which had been exposed TO thc mercifui
modes OF Indian warfare; consisting in the indis-
eliminate sacrifice OF every age and sex! And now
request a place in your columns, to present 20 the
! ,,,ll. t..- ,,..l 4.--s f.
those letters, that they may Judge, whether an
attempt wss not made by the Anti-Jackson Con-
vention, TO commit " a cold biooded massacre"
Of the TepIssoti0n of Gen. jackson and his soldiersi
[EXTR.fCT,l
NASHVILLE, +. 10th February, 1929.
My dear sir: Tie enclosed letter 10 MIR. Chap
man johnson I wish you 20 perrse. them seal, and
hand il TO him. He will then &c apprizea that l
know il has been received. So soon ~ ecu deem
ht, | wish you to enquire O! him what course he
will pcrsue in relation 10 il. You vii! perceive
by the tenor Of my letter that the object in view
is to vindicalc the character of Tennessee agains,
aspersions unmeri;ed, unjust, and untrue. II Mr..
Johnson does not adduce his Pioofin support of the
charges which he has made, there is bot one
course as an honorable ,nan for him to pursue, and
that is, to rctract what he has asserted and make
the redress commensurate 70 the injury.
Truly Thy friend, SAM. HOUSTON.
Sol. J0ht ltm3gs:H.
NASHVILLE, 20:h February. 1919.
SIN. In the address, presented 10y you To tie
Anti-Jachson Convention Of Virginia, ! hnd the fol-
lowing PASSAGE
" That mercy and humanity may unite, with
The offended law and constitution, in accusing
Gen. Jackson OF being unuindiul OF their voice,
and in refusing TO his laurel crown the rays of true
glory, will he acknowledged by impartial poster
:ty, when they review the history Of his Indian
campaigns and especially when they read the
stories" ct the cold blOOded massacre at the Horse
shoe"
In so far as the political import OF tllc expressions
are concerned, | have neither the right, nor the
intention 10 make them u subject Of correspond.
ance with you. But you must be sensible that
their disparasing reflection cannot be confined TO
the distinguished patriot at whom they are point
d.-They cast u stigma on the courage and hui
,nanity OF the officers and men who fought the
action; and who hopes, in their eiioI IS 10 achieve
a victory for their country, 10 gain a reputation
free from Disgrace. II cannol be necessary TO re.
mind you, that the troops o; Tennessoe constituted
the force under Gen. Jackson, in the battle OF the
Horseshoe; and that under the same commander
the same troops rendered services which rcccIY-
ed the plaudits Of the nation and the tliauks OF Con-
gress. These testimonials ~ p;;tTIois aud soldic:-
they valued becaT.e they are no, conscious thai
they were undeservcd. Bnt if the charge which
you have preferred or repeated can he sustained.
indeliblc reproacii must take the place of national
gratitude. Having, though in an humble station,
shared tlfe dangers, or, as you appear to think the
crimes OF my FELLOW citizens in the battle of the
Horseshoe, being connected with them by The
saCS u USTsoliti HiSINiStllP, anu sentiments oil pOiIt-
icai gratitude and respect, | fell myself authorized
TO ask you, upon what evidence you have thought
propeg TO pFOmulgate a charge SO diSrepulabIe in
its substance, extensive in is application; and pos
tive in its terms.
/ am, sir, &c. SC. SAM. HOUSTON.
CHAPMAN JOHNSON, Esq. Richmond, Va.
RICHMOND, March %, 1898.
Sir:-Your letter Of the 20th February, was re
ccivcd this afternoon, enclosed in a note IRON my
friend Col. John Campbell of this place.
ATanu aftoH,rfu knpn horn ,r,Io -, H. .f Is
prints, TO draw me into a newspaper discussion of
the topics of the address, published by the con-
vcntion in Virginia, opposed to Gen. Jdckson's e.
lection 10 the presidency. These attempts | have
resisted, because That IS "A field of controversy,
into which, neither my ayOcatiun PERM 8, nor my
sense of duty, requires me 10 enter. But your
letter, respectful 10 its terms, and coming through
a private channel, j. entitled, in courtesy, toa re-
speclui answer.
You quote that passage in The address, which
speaks OF "thc cOld-blOOded massacre at the Horse
corps OF militia commanded by Gen. Jackson, at the
battle OF the horseshoe; 90 which corps YOU in
form me you belong, you enquire upon " nat ey-
'idencc I have though; proper 90 proinulgdte tau
charge implied in the passage qnotel.
The impu,at0n contained in hdt passage, as I
understand 1t, is confined 10 Gen. Jackson alone.
and / cannot withhold the expression OF my sur
prise, that you should have seen any Ting in it.
which you could Interpret as personal TO Yourself,
or disparaging 10 the troops commanded by Gen.
Jackson. Neither your name nor your conduct is
any where mentioned, Implicated, or alluded 10.
in the address, and so far dsI was concerned.
can safely say, they were not thought oE-nor
did il ever enter my Imagination, that TO srfairn
the errors or exercises Of the commanding Gen. vac
to dis7arage the brave men who fought unser
l cannot allow, that { am individually reepon-