State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-06-07
ANECDOTES OF HARRISON.

The following is taken from Dawson's
life of General Harrison, IA work published,
we believe, several years ago.
CAMPAIGN OF 1S12-l3. The command
BESTOWED on Governor Harrison by Presi
dent Madison, was the most extensive and
important that was ever intrusted TO any
officer of the United States, Washington
and Greene excepted. With this force h.
proceeded to St. Mary's, and thence to fort
Defiance. where he found General Winch
ester encamped. Daring the march, the
troops suffered much. The weather was
cold and rainy, and the army being unpro-
Vided with tents, were greatly eXpoSed.--
Gen. Harrison and his staff were in the same
situation, and endured similar hardShlps.-
The following description ola btrouac of one
evening On that march, is given as spec-
men of what was customary during TINS
campaign. The troops, being on forced
march, were not suffered To halt until dark.
They were then formed, rs nearly as prac-
tcable, in the order of regular encamp-
rnent, and the proper guard posted. The
ground now spoken of was on the bank OF
the Au Glaise river, in fiat beech bottom,
which was nearly covered with water, from
the rain which fell in torrents during the
whole night. The troops wcr? destitute OF
axes, aud could only procure such fuel as
was furnished by the dry limbs scattered on
the ground. Those who could find a dry
log, against Which fire could be kindIed,
were fortunate; many sat, without fire, up
on their saddles at the roots Of trees, against
which they leaned, and endeavOred to sleep.
Being separated from the baggage, few had
any thing To eat or drink The men be-
came peevish, and were not sparng III Their
complaints. To set an example to the sol
fliers, s. give a different turn to their tho'ts
the General, who with his stnf sat at a
small fire, wrapped in his cloak, receiving
tne rain as it fell, requested one of his off
GERS 10 sing an Irish song--the lumor o
which, and the determination evnced a
head quarters to make the best of the cir
cumstances, soon produced good humo
throughout the camp. Tnother officer SANG
song, OF which the chorus was:
'Nows the time foI mirth and qlec:
Sing, and laugh, aud dance with me-
The ludicrOls contrast between thes'
words, and the gloom Of the woods and thu
tempest, produced such an impression, tina
they soon became proverbiaI: and wlenev
e. afterwards the army was placed IN
similar situation, when enduring the peltln!
of The storm, or wading to the knees in mu'
and ice, som gallant spirit would roar on
~Eow's the time for mirh and sec,
and the wIrile line ofmarch would take n
,he words in full chorus.
Judge Hall relates the following auec
dote Of Genera Harrison while Goyerno
ofthc Northwestern frontier:
IN this place it rnay not be aIniss 70 mer
ton an occurrence which establishes III
purity Of Gen. Harrison's administration
while it reflects high credit on his privat
character. Aperson who had become SOU
cd against him, 10 consequence flhe activ
part which he took in elevating the terrific
~ into the second grade OF government
made some malicious insinuati0ns in reie
ence TO the integrity Of his negotiation
E with certain Of the Indian tribes, Cover