South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1836-05-07


other than one of her own citizens, to-
such an office; and moreover, a major
general had already been appointed
for that division, and the law authoriz.
ed the appointment Of but one. But
on the other hand, his appointment
was wished for most ardentIy by the
whole army on the frontier, and the
same desire was felt by the Kentucky
militia, and the 4th U. S. Regiment ia
particular, which had acquired SO much
fame under H. at Tippecanoe, were
eager to see their old commander again
at their head. These considerations,
together with his own knowledge Of
Harrison's splendid military talents,
finally determined General Scott to
confer upon him the brevet commission
of major General Of the Kentucky mi-
litia and the appointment was hailed
by the srmy with the most enthusiastic
joy
The disgraceful surrender of Hull
having defeated the immediate object
of the campaign, General Harrison's
duties became even more delicate aud
arduous than they would otherwise
have been. He commenced system
Of organization and discipline to which
he devoted degree of severe attention
and personal labor, under which noth-
ing but patriotic devotion to his coun.
try could have sustained him. His
own enthusiasm was communicated to
those around him, and the troops look
ed up to him with confidence as the
man who was destined to lead them to
victory. He was affable and kind 10
his manners, and indefatigable in his
attention to business. His soldiers
became devoted to him. They were
anxious to anticipate his wishes, and
it was only necessary to know that ha
desired any thing to be done, and they
we're ready to risk their lives ia its ac-
complishment. This mutual conf.
dence and affection between the officer
| and soldier, is essential to ensure
prompt obedience and eiicien. action,
and we hazard little in asserting, that
it was not the least of those causes
which contributed to the brilliant sue.
cess Of Jackson in the South, and Haf.
rison 10 the North West,
On the 18th Of September, 1919.
the President assigned to Gen. Harri-
son the command of the N. Western
Army, which, in addition to the regu-
lar troops and rangers, consisted Of
Volunteers from Kentucky, Ohio, Viz
GINA and Pennsylvania.
We shall not attempt to follow Gen.
Harrison through all the vicissitudes of
on arduous campaign. The difficulties
which he had to encounter were of no
ordinary character. and imposed on
him weight Of duty which required
an union Of all the qualities that cou-
! stitute an able leader. The command
bestowed on him was the most impor-
tant and extensive ever entrusted to
any officer under the Uaited States
Government. Washington and Green
excepted. The territory assigned to
him was very large, and contained an
endless number of posts, and scattered
settlements, which he was required to
defend against numerous hordes of In.
dams, at the same time that he carried
on the regular operations of the cam,
paigu against a well disciplined British
army. His forces were raw, undisci-
pinned militia, full of ardor, self devo-
ton and patriotism, but wholly destitute
of the habts or experience of the sol-
der. The commissariat of the army
was wre;chedly appointed, and almost
without organization, and the General
found himself called upon to act in the
wilderness, far from the country from
which his supplies must be drawn,
| distant from all highways or other
channels of intercourse, and without
any regular system for furnishing pro-
visions to his army. A tracklless and
swampy desert, almost impossible fof
| heavy wagons, and filled with hostile
savagss, that lay between the seat Of
war and the nearest settlements. On
the other hand, the most ample powers
were given to the General he was
permitted to make appointments ia all
the various departments of his army,
and the officers thus designated by
himself, were confirmed by the Presi-
deaf, He was authorized to draw on
the Government for money to an un-
limited amount, and 10 make any con.
tracts he might deem expedient, for the
supply OF the army. These extraordi-
nary powers were exercised by him