Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-04-13

hands, "was an excellent plan; for, Ivy sending
the corps by different routes with view OF con-
| centraiing somewhere in the ncghborhood OF the
enemy, the march of the army would not only he
expedited, but the frontier much more effectually |
projected" And TO the execution of the plan,
thus iudciously conceived, and fully approved by
the Government, General Harrison proceeded To
devote all his own energies, and the resources OF
men and means at mis- command.
Before describing the events of the campaign, |
there two subjects opersona detail, connected
with those events, which require to be touched
upon here.
! One is. the tolls and hardships, TO which Cen
eral HARRISON in common with the troops under
him, was exposed. For he chose to participate in
all the pryaiiOns, ms well as the dangers, of the
campaign. 1t is difficult describe, lit is impos
sibe for those who pass their lives in the ordinary
civil or business pursuits, to conceive in all their
force,-ihe suffer ings of the soldier, marching
through wilderness country exposed to all the
| vcissiludcs Of the weather, amid the rains of
autumn and the SHOWS Of winter, with necessarily
imperfect supplies of clothing, food and equpage,
aud subject the SAME time 10 all the acquisitions
l.of'miliiary duty aud peril. Honor to the brave
men who left their happy homes to do and dare
all this, and who with self sacrificing patriotism,
rushed to defend The fresides OF their country aud
its threatened honor, from the assaults of the for
i eign foe with his scarce more savage allies!
The other subject is the department OF General
Harrison to the peculiar troops under his command,
aud The means by which he secured their obedi
ence aud their CO operation amid all the hardspS
nf the service. These troops were principally
citizen soldiers freenen serving voluntarily IN the
ranks of patriotism, high spirited ard generous.
the choice men 0i the States 80 which they he
longed. Such men vera not 10 he reHted rs the
common soldiers of n regular army. 70 secure
their hearty service, nay, 10 have their obedience
at ALL the General, under whom they served, must
possess their confidence, their respect their afec
lion. such was the relation between General
Harrison aud his troops. Ills proved talents, his
eminent public services, his energy OF character,
hi judgment, commanded their respect; his con-
sderateness iorbearance, COOL temper, and conci!-
iatory manners won their attachment. Their
commander it is true. exacied of them the severcst
service, rs the necessities of the country required
l lie should; he was yet their companion III peril
! their fellow citizen, their friend. During the
whole period of his command, he never caused
: nor permitted degrading punishment 10 be in
Il fcted on Il militia soldier. 1.-THE fault committed
were m individual one, he dealt with by private
admonilion it masses of men were concerned,
he attained his Object by oral addresses by gen
' eral orders; and thus his eloquent exhoratons
, reclaimed them TO their duty aud their country $
}, cause, whenever, amid the difficulties and dangers
OF the campaign they were disposed to latter.
An incident which occurred on his arrival in
Winchester camp, at Fort Defiance, illustrates
D this. Soon after he had retired to rest, he was
s awakened by Col. Allen and Mai. Hardin to lie
informed that Allen s regiment was in open mutt
g nv determined to abandon the expedition aud re-
$ turn home; and that all their attempts TO bring
their men back to their Duty were utterly in vain.
General Harrison ordered the alarm 10 beat the
ensuing morning instead of revele. This
i brought all the surprised troops TO arms, and when
: the troops pnraded ut their posts, they saw, with
D new surprise, General Harrison appear amongst
II tiien lie began by a,nenting the discontcuts
: among men he 81 highly esteemed hut it was
e becase OF its dislionor them for Government
would dispense with their services anu ali Those,
8 who were dishcartened that they did not find in
o the woods, the luXuries and comforts OF home,
= had full liberty to return. But what would he
It their reception from the old aud young, who had
i greeted them on their march 10 the scene OF war,
u as their countrys gallant defenders? To be seen
If returning before the expiration Of their time OF
IS SERVICE without having struck blow! If their
n fathers did not drive their degenerate sons back
10 their furnished honor on the field OF bat
Is tie, would not their mothers and sisters hiss them
y from their presence? But, ifthey were prepared
r thus TO encounter the scorn and contempt OF then
D. friends at home, they could co. and the Govern
n,ent would look elsewhere for Drawer and better
2, men to defend the country in its hour OF need
e This train of ndgnan renonstrance, and OF mb
l. gled regret and reprova was irresistible; the gen
erous men of Kentucky returned hy accainallor
s, to their duty and no more faithful troops thar
r they, served in that whole war.
l. 10 resume the narrative ofevents,-the autumn
Sc al lie year was pdsStu III LUXURIOUS VrcpurHlioi
" for active SERVICE in collecting troops, in building
N forts in erecting depots in cutting rondS, in open
~ ing resources for supplies, and in organizing tht
- various departments of The army. So long N
3 hope tennhe, Gen. Harrison persevere, in the
s. hope to be able to strike the medtted blow in the
s. current season; but as winter approached, the diff
II ficul of getting forward supplies increased ant
y he was reluctantly compelled to postpone his finn
l. advance until he should he able to lake advantage
IN of tie ice and SNOW for transportation and ih'
r. passage of rivers. Before this lime came, howev
Or er, the unfortunate movement of Gen. Winchester
'e the river RaSin, led to new series Of impor
OF iamt hut unexpected Incidents
r According To the plan aud the general instfuc
NJ lops for HE cuml,1ign, Gen Harrison expecie'
al that on his arrival at Upper Sandusky in Drcenl
III her, he should he advised of The advance Of Win
us chester to The Rapids. But Winchester did no
march from the mouth OF The Gaize until the 30
he al DerenIher and on the 10Th of January rrachr
IL The Rapids where he established and FORMED h
mt camp in good position. In lew dnys messen
ct gers came to the camp from FrenchtOwn ON ia
X river Ralsln, earnestly enlreating Winchester
)rt send force 10 protect them against nn expecte
10 attack Of indians. Winchester consented an
nj sent Col. Lewis and COL Allen with Two ietacll
m. ments ot,pwars offs hundred men to Frencl
raj town. They found the enemy already there, pre-
lie pared 10 receive them; and Immediately charge
nd the combined British aud Indians, and gained
M decisive aud most brilliant victory.
mi II they had then retired, it would have bee
Of well hut flushed with triumph, they resolved
Of uaintnin the position; and " inclester procec,
lys ed to Fredercktown TO support them. IL, ihe
-. he had adopted suitable precautions, the error
"'' making this detached movement, without adviC
ma of the commander in chief or means OF aid lro
TO Nn nhGHt nave passed OH wei; nut w lnciesls
low Tor the first time during the whole cdmpaig
os neglected 10 forliy his position, TO guard again
Spp, the approach of troops from their near post
age Maiden, where he knew. the enemy were in gre
ned strength. The consequences to his commal
this were most disastrous They were SURPRISED &
hat tho ,nnrning of Tho ood Inv n lodv nj Urtisl 81,
he'd Indians under Colonel Proctor who earned Il
,blc eternity of inianyior himself and Tor the cou