The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-04-25

70 Msjor DAVIS TO dislodge, with party oil
dsmounied dragooDs, the enemy from some
trees in front OF four companies of United
States. infantry. Let others decide wheth-
er Indians could be dr. ven from such a po-
siton by swords and pistols, better than
with muskeIs and bayenets Iiis, perhaps,
decided from this fact iha the dragons
were driven back with tbs loss of the gal.
lant Major Davis, and that the enemy were
Immediately dislodged by company Of In
fantry. need not allude TO the number of
men engaged IN battle, nearly one fourth Of
whom were killed or wounded. The ar
my, says an official letter of the 18Th De-
cember, deducting dragons, was but little
over 700 men. OF these 62 were killed,
and l26 wounded. The Prophets force
amounted $50. OF these from 36 to 40
were left on the field. What official preci-
SION From S6 to 40 were left on the field;
but these Gid not comprise all the dead
Ahe Indians were seen to take off not only
We wounded but the dead. Indians take
M,SHr dead off the field in the midst of bat
Such stories are often told, but they
snS'ely come from warriors who fight at
'cable distance, and make out their
and hoi the dead on supposi,ion. In
the Gent instance, the dead may have
.nS mo uen away; the repor, says several
S;y,Ind in houses, and one, of many
PhysicfEsh dug, was opened and found TO
TO theihree dead bodies" Could all this
theYeen done IN the presence of vlctori-
farmy? Not in civilized warfare. In
4uch war, the conquerors bury the dead.
With these facts before them the trusty fol-
lovers of the Prophet might have claimed
at least drawn battle, and in support of
their position, have pointed to the dead taxi
en- from the field and to the fresh graves in
which they were buried. But the Indian
account of this battle has not been given TO
history. If, however, you and had oeen
present, Mr.. Speaker, at their next wal
dance, we should have heard the song of
the braves Of their nation, and listened 10
the recital of their deeds of renown.
have done, Mr.. Speaker. with the Off |
cisl account Of the battle of Tippecanoe.-
1t has been converted into victory. Let
il be so recorded on the page of history
But for the honor Of the country, let there
also be recorded on the same page, deeds of |
more enduring fame-noi indeed ON the part
Of the officers and soldiers, for they fought
like men; but on the part of the General,
who, notwithstanding his night encamp-
meni, Without the ordinary precaution against
surprise, exposed these gallant spirits TO sac
riGce and slaughter.
The gentleman from Indiana has given
to Gen. Harrison the credit of first suggest
ing the armament on the lakes, in the war
nf I tlty ,.,co II IL. |
honor belongs to another. Ii was first sug-
gested by Gen. Armstrong to Gov. Eustis,
Secretary Of War. The letter bore date Of
the I'd Of January, 1912, and SAYS.
Resting, asithe line of Canadian defence
does, in its whole extent, on nsvigsble lakes
and rivers no times hould be lost in getting a
naval sscendency on both; c@teris paribuS,
The belligerent, who is the FIRST to obtain
these advantages will miracles excepted)
win the game.
Again the same letter says:
For western defence, employ western
men accustomed TO the rife and siraiagems
of Indian warfare. TO their customary
arms add pistol and sabre, and to ensure
celerity Of movement mount them on horse
back. Give them a competent leader and
good position, within a striking distance
Of Indian villages or British setllement.-
Why not al Detroit, where you have strong
fortress and detachment of artierists p
Recollect, however, that this position, far
from being good, would be positively bad
unless your naval means have ascendency
on lake Erie"
In Armstrong; notice Of the War of
1912" at page III, is note upon the SUBJ
ject of the armament Of our lakes, in The
following words;
No efficient means were taken by the
Government, 10 obtain a command of lakes
until October, 1912. A letter written about
that time BY General Armstrong to Mr.. Gal
latin, was probably the means of recalling
the attention Of the. cabine. to this impor-
tani subject. In this letter the General sta.
ted the following facts; "That he was
informed by Captain Chauncy that as early
as the month Of July, Captain Woolsey
was TO arm such vessels of commerce as
1nld be found on the Lake and at Sackett's
bor, with the aid of which he would be
TO get complete command Of The wa
a these facts Gen. Armstrong remark
THAT " she object was one of the highest
Importance, tina. besides giving us the ad-
vantage of an exclusive and uninterrupted