The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1840-06-05


3 British and Indians assembled the river Il
boats, and disembalkod partly on the south
] eastern shore and partly 81 tho opposite
(, side 81 tho river. Hero they immediaiell
commenced the construction Of three pow.
/ erfu batteries. Corresponding travorscs
were made within the Fort, and every ab-
lproach Of the enemy was met and foicd.
with consummate skin and bravery.
\ On the dr7l Of May, tho batteries Of Tue en-
envy being completed, they opened a heavy
cannonnding, which vas returned with equal
II vigour By the Fort. MS cannonading was
continued without intermission for five DAYS;
but owing to the skilful dispositions Of Gen.
Harrison, il was attended with very lille
loss on our side. On the fifth of May, a
gallant reinforcement Of Kenluckians under
General Clay, fought their way to the camp;
and Hariison, aYailing himself Of this lortd-
nate occurrence, promptly ordered a sortie
10 be made from tie Fort 10 destroy the bats
teries Of the enemy. The observation-disclosures
ed 70 this service, consisted Of three hum
bred and 1fty men, part of whom were
regulars, and the remainder volunteers and
kentucky militia. under the command Of
Colonel Miller, ofthe United States arnv.--
These brave troops attacked a BODY or British
regulars and Indians, of more than double
their number; but the impetuosity Of their
charge was irresistible, and after a severe
struggle, they drove the enemy from the
batteries. They spiked the cannon. tooka
large number Of prisoners, and having fully
accomplished their object returned in tri-
umph to the Fort. This sortie was one Of
the most sanguinary and desperate actions.
fought during the whole War--and its bril-
nam success was richly merited, by the in
uepid gallantTy of the brave troops engaged
init.
Thwarted by the sIxilful dispositions Of
Harrison, and BY the battle, or rather sue
cessloa Of battles, fought on the fifth, Proc
tor was compelled to abandon the siege of
Fort Melgs; and on the eighth Of Nav he
b oke up his camp, and retreated in dissap-
pointment and disgrace.
Thus terminated the glorious defence Of
Fort Meigs. Harrison, soon after, left Gen.
Clay in command of that important post, and
and unwearied in his exertions, proceeded
TO more difficult and duous duties, at other
exposed stations.
The unceasing efforts Of the British, and
the restless spirit Of Tecumseh, allowed cur
troops but little time to recover from their
severe fatigues. In less than two months
after the seige Of Fort Meigs had been aban-
doned, the Indians assembled formidable
body of more than 5000 warriors, under
their most noted chiefs, and again threaten
ed an attack on that fortress. On receiving
this intelligence Gen. Harrison with small
body Of regulars, fastened 70 fort Meigs. by
forced marches, and fortunately arrived
there before the enemy. Leaving REIN
forcement with Gen Clay, he returned With
out delay 70 his more active duties.
During the Whole of this interesting cam
Pugn, the vigilance and intrepidity of Gen
eral Harrison, with the bravery of his soldiers
enabled him TO keep far superior force of B
the enemy in check, and to protect the wide
extent OF our exposed frontier.
AT about the period when the enemy in
ested Fort Meigs for the second time, they
made desperate attack upon Fort Stephen
son, temporary depot at Lower Sundusky.
which was bravely and successfully defen-
ded by Major Croghan. of thereguIars service.
We lay before our readers the following
short extracts from an address to the public,
relative to this affair, which was voluntarily
publish BY the general, field, and staff Off
GERS ofGeneral HarTison's army. After ex-
pressing their "regret and surprise, that
charges as improper in form as in substances
should have been made against General
Harrison, during the recent investment of
Lower Sand usky;' they go on to say:-ssHe
who believes that wiki our disposal force.
and under the circumstances which thenoc-
CURED, General Harrison ought to have ad-
Vanced upon the enemy, must be left to cor
rect his opinion a the school of experience.
"On review Of the course then adopted.
we are decidedly of the opinion, that It was
such as was dictated by military wisdom,
and By due regard to our circumstances.
and the situation ofthe enemy. And
with ready acquiescence, beyond The
mere claims Of military duty, we are prepared
10 obey general, whose measures meet our.
most deliberate appreciation, and merit that
II his country.
The chivalrous and noble spirited Croghan.
Vho was one Of the signers OF the above adj
lress, about the same time published another
'aper on this subject. dated from Lower San
husky, IN which he says:-ssI have with
much regret seenin some ofthe public prints
UGH misrepresen NATION respecting my refusal
evacuate this post are calculated not only
Q lnJure me in the estimation Of military
men, but also to excite Hnfavorable impress
IONS as g the propTiety Of General Harri-
ons conduct relative to this affair.
8 His character as military man is too
vel established to need my appreciation or
upport. But his public service entities him
least to common justice. This affair does
lot furnish cause Of reproach. If public
PInion has been lately misled respecting his
ate conduct, il will require but moments
DOL, dispassiona'e reflection, TO convince
hem OF its propriety. Themeasures reecaflv
dopted bg him 50 tesr. from deseYUfae censare,
re fte cleared 1r0of. ar as l.,.s