Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-10-02
TIMES I'M THE WEST
From hie CIacispa,. Mirror.


ANECDOrE or THE CAMPAIGN or 1912
In the history Of the military opera
tions in the West IN 1Sfe-l3, carried
on by the British and Indians on one
side. and the kentuckishs, Ohioans,
and Pennsylvanisus, on the other, an
anredote - related. which 10 SO finely
characteristic al the hardihood ard sol
dier-llke bearing Of the gallant Ifarri-
son and h,s men, that ! must request
YOU TO give il a place in the & Early
Times" department. OF your Mirrer.
The incidents happened IN the fall Of
1912, during the march from ST. Mary's
to Fort Defiance IN pursuit Of the enc
M, IN which excursion our troops suf
Tered greatly.-The force taken upon
this expedition. consisted wholly Of
mounted men, entirely Invested Of
their baggage, IN number about one
thousand. The second day after they
left st. Mary's was stormy. and the
rain continued very heavy all night.
The weather was uncommoniy cold for
the season; and IS the troops had no
tents, their situation was extremely dis.
agreeable. The commandment chief.
whose patience and fortItude served as
a good example To his men. and his staff.
were no better of than the rest Of the
force. The troops being on n forced
march, were not suffered 10 halt az long
as there was light enough to proceed: on
the night OF the second day. they were
termed IN as good order Of cncampment
as pos'ib'c,and guards were placed out.
The ground Of encsmpment was on the
Auglaize river. in a Hat beech bottom.
which before morning was almost com.
pletely inundated with the rain, SO co.
plousiy did II pour down the whole
night. The troops were without axes.
and their tomahawks could effect moth.
lng among the heavy timber Of the flat.
Happy were they who could find a sea
soned log IN which a fire could be kin.
died. Those who had not thi. good
fortune. were obliged to pass the night
on their saddles, under the trees !:
against which they leaned and thus
procured little sleep.
Being separated from the baggage"
says the account of the expedition.
!" there were bat few of the troops who
had any thing to cate spirits to drink.
In a situation Of this kind. men are apt
to be pee'i'h and,in venting their III
nature. regardless Of the feelings Of
their equals, aud of the respect due to
their superiors. To prevent any ebul.
litlons Of I'll feeling or out-breakings Of
anger, and ia order TO create as lively
feelings as possible. the general. seated
round small fire with his staff, and "a
king the torrents Of rain as they fell.
with no covering but his cloak, direct.
ed one Of his officers to sing an Irish
glee. The humor of this song. and the
determination which seemed TO exist al
hedd quarters. To put circumstances at
defiance, soon produced cheerfulues.
aud good-numOr Throughout the camp.
The general was afterwards joined by
a Kentucky officer. who sang a cIee be.
ginning thus:
'Now's the time for mirth aud glcc-
Sing, aud laugh, and dance. With me.''
This became a favorite air and in all
situations OF difficulty, whether suffer
ing the Pel,ings Of the pitiless Storm
or traversIng swsmps knee deep in
mud and zee. it was resOunded IN full
chorus; the singular Contrast between
the words "f the song and the actual
situation Of the troops, affording cause
OF merrIment, and being a fruitful
source Of whimsical remark"
Such was the JiUOuGc Of one night.
IN the campaign Of 1912. The deseTip.
ton will serve for many other nights
which were passed by the North IVES
tern Army. under our brave cbief. the
now Neglected Harrison PrHELocE.