The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-02-29
Ouflinss Of The Life and Public Services, CT
oil and Military, Of WILLIAM HENRY HAIR
RIsoN, 81 Ohio.



BATTLE OF THE THAMES.
The time was now al hand when General
Harrison and his army were to reachihe full
completion of all the contemplated objects Of
the expedition.
Among the earliest recommendations OF
General Harrison to the Government the year
before, and Immediately after he commenced
operations, had been that Of constructing and
equipping a naval armament on the Lakes
In one letter he says: Admitting that Nal
den and Detroit are both taken, Mackinaw and
ST. Joseph will both remain in the hands OF
the enemy until we can create a force capa-
Bile OF contending with the vessels which the
British have in Lake Michigan, &C." And
again, IN another letter: :. Should an often
siye operation be Suspended until spring, it is
my decided opinion that the cheapest and
most eileciual plan will be to obtain command
Of Lake Erie. This being once effected,
every difficulty will be removed. An army Of
| four, thousand man, landed on the north side
OF the Lake. below Maiden will reduce that
place, retake Detroit, and with the aid Of the
fleet, proceed down the Lake TO cooperate
with the army from Niagara" These saga
cious suggestions being repeatedly and slrenu-
ously urged by him, and reinforced also from
other quarters, were adopted and acted upon
by the Government. Commodore Perry was
commissioned to build, equip, and command
the contemplated fleet and, on the 10Th Of
September, with an inferior force, he met the
enemy, and gained the brilliant victory Of
Lake Erie.
Meanwhile, Colonel Richard M. Johnson,
then Member Of Congress from Kentucky,
had devised the organization Of two egiments
Of mounted militia, which he was authorized
by the Government to raise, as well for SER
vice against the Indians as TO cooperate with
Harrison. Colonel Johnson crossed the
country to Lower Sandusky, where he receiv-
ed orders from the War Department 10 pro-
coed to kaskaskia, to operate in that quarter
but, by the interference of Harrison, and at
the urgent request of Colonel Johnson
said for himself and his men that the first OBJ
ject Of their hearts was to accompany Har-
rison TO Detroit and Canada, and to partake
in the danger and honor of that expedition,
under an officer in whom they had confidence,
and who had approved himself Ito be wise,
prudent, and brave,'-the orders of the De-
partment were counternanded, and Colonel
Johnson attained his wish
General Harrison now prepared to strike
the great blow. Aided by ,heenergetic efforts of
Governor Meigs, Of Ohio, and Governor Shell
by, Of Kentucky, he had ready on the south
ern shore Of Lake Erie, by the middle of
September, competent force destined for the
immediate invasion of Canada Between the
10th and the oath of September the artillery,
military stores, provisions, and troops, were
gradually embarked, and on the 9th the whole
army proceeded to the Canada shore. g Re-
member the river Raisin," said General Har-
rison, in his address to the troops, but re-
member it only whilst victory is suspended,
The revenge of soldier cannot be graiiicd
on fallen enemy" The army landed in
high spirits but the enemy had abandoned
his strong hold, and retreated to Sandwich, -
after dismantling Maiden burning the barracks
and navy yard, and stripping the adjacent
country of horses and cattle. General Har-
rison encamped that night on the ruins Of
Maiden.
No time was lost in resunling the pursuit Of
Proctor. Colonel johnson's mounted regi-
ment came up and supplied the cavalry want
ing for the pursuit Two days only were oc-
cupied in re-establishing the civil government
of Michigan, and assigning TO 1t defensive
corps, in organizing portion of the army for
rapid movements, and in giving to the whole
of il an order of march and battle II was not
until the 5th of October that Proctor was over
TAKEN at place ever memorable as the bat
tie ground of one Of the most honorable and
decisive actions fought during the war. On
that day the enemy was discovered In po-
sition skillully chosen, in relation as well to
local circumstances as TO the character Of his
troops. A narrow strip of dry land fiankcd
by the river Thames on the LETT and by a
swamp on the right, was occupied by his
regular infantry and artillery, while on the
right flank lay Tecumthe and his followers,
on the eastern margin of the swamp. But
Notwithstanding the judicious choice OF the
| ground. Proctor had committed the error OF
forming his infantry in open order. Awaiting
himself OF this fact, and aware that troops so
disposed could not resist charge OF mounted
men. he directed Colonel Johnson to dash
through the enemy's line in column. The
movement was made with brilliant success.
| The mounted men charged with promptiude
and vigor, broke through the line of the enc
my, formed in the rear, and assailed the brok-
en- line with success seldom equaled, for
nearly the whole of the British regular force
were either killed, wounded, or taken. On
the left, the Indians rushed on the mounted
men there, and fiercey contested the ground
for shorttime, until Tecumthe fell. when his
men gave way TO the Americans. Proctor, who
had saved himself and part of his suit by a
base deseriion of his troops, in keeping with
his character, was now sirenuously but I'M
successfully pursued. But the defeat Of the
enemy was now complete. All his baggage
and military stores, together with his official
...oor. faII int, uarr;oon,s hands Cayar,l