The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-04-30

Vol. I.......No. 4S.
British General opened his batteries
and continued firing from the 1st to
the 9Th Of August, and finding it i'm
possible to carry on the siege to eff
feet, made a precipitate retreat, on
the 9th. Gen Harrison's army beng
augmented toabout $500, he prepar-
ed to follow the enemy, and passing
/ Maiden and Detroit, which they had
Abandoned, crossed the Thames at
Arnold's Mills, and soon after came
into engagement. His backwood's
horsemen were drawn up, and char
ged the enemy's line at full speed.
This had the desired effect; their
ranks were Immediately broken, and
the army surrendered to Gen. Harri-
son, Gen. Proctor having made his
escape with a few Dragons and
mounted Indians. @ 1aa~~
The defence Of Fort Meigs, and the
subsequent capture of the British ar
my, may be fairly considered the
most brilliant and extraordinaryeyents
of the late war. ~
These were his last military
achievements. A treaty Of peace
was concluded with Great Britain,
and his services being no longer wan
ted, he retired, with "blushing hon
ors thick upon him. to the bosom of.
his friends and to the enjoyment of
domestic happiness. l-......,,
In the body of the work Mr. Niles
alludes to the successful Battle Of the
Thames and eulogises the gallant con-
duct of Gen. Harrison and his troops
in the following terms: p igs6s
at is admitted that the American
forces considerably exceeded those
Of the enemy; but when it is consid-
cred that the latter had chosen their
own position--that they had taken
one peculiarly favorable for defence,
effectually securing their TANKS, it
being impossible to turn them, and
that the Americans could present.
! line no more extended than that of
the enemy, which was too limited to
admit of the active employment Of
all their troops, and when it is further
considered, that the troops were al
most entirely militia, it must be con-
coded that this victory reflected great
honor upon the national arms, and
upon the troops by whom it was ach-
ieyed.
t"The action and the movements
which proceeded it, afford ample tes-
timony of the Judgment, and cool
intrepidity of General Harrison; and,
indeed, all the events of the campaign,
support these characteristics: the dis
asters attending it have in no instance
been imputable to him.
"There, are perhaps, on record
few instances Of such cool and steady
intrepidity on the part of militia, or a
force of this description, as was dis
played ON this occasion.
The victory of the Thames was
not more honorable in It's character,
than important in its consequences.
1t terminated the war on the north
western frontier; which during fifteen
months had been drenched in blood
and stained with crimes; thousands of
the most patriotic sons of the west,
having fallen victims to its ravages
and disasters. The savage war-yell
was heard no more--and the fright
: ful tomahawk no longer reeked with
= blood of innocence, infancy, and age.
/ ''Harrison and Perry left Detroit
3 in the Ariel, and arrived at Erie on
| the 22d of October. Here theywere
: received with every demonstration
fl of Joy and admiration, the discharge
: Of cannon, illuminations, &c. They
I were hailed as the deliverers Of the
i, frontiers" s'tR r.
For the purpose of recommending
; the work to the public confidence,
and Of gaining for it the character of
: being valuable and enduring con-
!, tribution to the common stock of
i American history, Mr.. Niles, remarks
: in the preface that s.
: ;sThe facts and materials which
!, the work comprizes, have been de-
rived from authentic sources, and
i whatever may be thought oft in other
A. respects, it is humbly believed. that SO
S far as industry iii research, and care
: in compilation, can insure historic
!. correctness and accuracy Of detail.
!. it possesses these essential charac-
: teristics.'' .5a t
: Francis J. Grund translated Pro.
e lessor Hollands Life OF Van Buren,