South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-09-03

I Raisin--the assault on Fort Stephen
son, and the memorable siege of Fort
(; Meigs. The defence Of the latter was
one of the most brilliant achievements
that occurred during the war. Har.
rison commanded the garrison and con-
Quoted the defence in person. The
work was temporary Thrown together
10 haste, the principal security OF which
was pickets Of wood. Tie garrison
consisted ola few hundred militia, and
the fort vas invested by an army OF
British and Indians, the former COM
manded by Proctor, the latter by Ie-
cumseh, amounting to three Thousand.
They were furnished with every engine
of W If necessary to their, enterprise.
Yet, with that fearful odds against him,
Harrison maintained, his ground, re-
paired the breaches made 10 the works,
as fast as they were made, and was
BILE successfully to resist their efforts
for twelve, days, when the enemy, in
despair, raised the siege and retired.
1t was afterwards ascertained that
Proctor had made solemn contract
with Tecumseh, to deliver Gen. Har-
risou to the Indians, to be put to the
torture. That stipulation was deman-
ded by the savages. as the only condi-
ton on which be would join the ex-
petition.
After the siege was raised, Harrison
again directed his energies to the work
of preparation for a descent on Canada.
The moment that object was accomp-
ished, he struck his, long-meditated
blow. Ia few weeks he captured Fort
Maiden; re,ook Detroit, with the terri
tory surrendered by Hull; pursued the
British and Indians overlook them at
the river Thames forced them to a
battle, 10 which he routed and dispers-
ed the Indians, and captured ths en-.
tire British army, with their artillery
and baggage.
That decisive victory closed the war
in the West. TIE victor then went
down the lake in pursuit OF another
opportunity Of fighting for the glory
and safety Of his country but, find.
ing none, he returned to his family /;
and the Government. having no farther
need for his services, he resigned his
com mission, and, Cincinnalus like, he
returned to the plough, and becarss a.
gain the humble, unassaming farmsrof
North Bend.
If time permitted, it would be plea
SAINT task TO trace his subsequent ca
reer in political life; to view him in
the Legislature of Ohio; in Congress
on the floor of the House of Represent
tatives, and subsequently, in the Sc
nate Chamber, where he maintained
the'same principles and the same fitsl-
ity 10 the interests Of his constituents,
that has marked his ,whols life. To
the complaint Of the war-worn soldier
his ear was ever open that meritori-
Gus class Of suff never sought his
aid, or called for the exertloa of his ta-
ients ia vain. Ia short, bis time and
the energies of his mind were devoted
to the business he was seat to perform.
We might follow him on his mission
to Bogota, and see the firm, yet conci-
lia,ing manner In which he maintained
the rights, and sustained the dignity Of
his Government. In that land Of su-
perslition, where prlestcraft and mills
tary rule were predominant, and all
the powers of government ooncentrat-
ed ia ole man, our envoy did not cease
to be republican. The principles
ne had sarn. 10 infancy, and practis-
ed in manhood, became more valuable
in his eslim alton, by witnessing the Ell
fecls of arbitrary power on the unfor-
tunale people around him. Bold aud
daring IN the performances of what he
considered duly, .aad feeling COM
passion for the oppressed inhabitants
of the country,as ne heard ihom groan
under the yoke Of military despotism,
he resolved TO make an effort 10 their
behalf, by direct appeal to tae nom
or, interest, and patriotism of the Dc
talor, Bolivar. the letter which he
wrote on that occasion is ia print, and
does honor to his head and neart. 1t
IS replete with sound republican prin-
clples, aud contains an able argument
IN favor Of civil liberty, Intended 10
show the usurper that his .couts. was
as destructive of his own happiness aad
lame, as ii was Of the happiness Of the
people. We all know the rude, insal-