The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-30
YET ANOTHER CALUMNY.

In the Cleveland Advertiser of April I'd ap-
peared the following statement
when two small crafts of the enemy hove in
sight of Cleveland Earbor, with the intention OF
capturing some American vessels laden with
provision and arms then lying in the river, Cen.
Harrison was urged by the citizens TO place his
army of thirteen hundred men in ambush al the
mouth of the river and, by falling upon the enc
my after they had entered the river, capture them
without possibility of their escape. But did
this brave hero this skilful warrior this hard
ship-enduring chief, profit by the suggestion
We blush in shame, as an American CITIZEN,
that this Hero of Tippecanoe, frightened into
perfect fever through fear of an engagement with
the enemy, paraded his men IN several hundred
tents along the bank Of the lake, in the most con
spicuous places, exhibiting the appearance OF
vast army. This the British saw, and after ~
ing off opposite the town several hours, and
thinking the force collected too powerful for
them, they drew off, went several miles below,
landed killed an OK, and left doubloon on n
stump with a note saying if that was not
enough for the OK they would make il up when
they called again Evidently exhibiting merit
ed contempt for the vigilance and efficiency Of
Gen. Harrison"
Testimony in abundance was produced TO the
editor, again and again, showing that he was
misinformed-that Gen. Harrison was not pre-
sent at the time and affair spoken Of and that in
other particulars his account was altogether in
correct; but again and again he persisted in de-
claring that what he had written was true TO the
letter, and that he had sufficient evidence to
prove it. He was called on for his evidence,
but il never came; and finally to cover him with
shame and confusion, General Thomas ). Jesup,
Of the u S. Army was applied to, and from him
was obtained the annexed real history OF the
transaction:
WASHINGTON CRY, June 9Th, 1910.
n latter e& ihe lath utsenclosing an
Of April, was received on the day Of its date
but the necessity Of searching for and examn
ing papers which had not looked at for more
than twenty-six years has prevented a more
prompt reply.
The editor Of the Advertiser is mistaken in
supposing that General Harrison was at Cleve
land with thirteen hundred men when the Br
fish squadron appeared off that place in 1873
He was not there. | was the senior and com
handing officer at the time MY force consisted
Of one company of regular troops, one small
company of volunteers from Chilicothe, and
detachment of draughted Ohio militia, in al
about two hundred and thirty men, one fourth o.
whom were sick.
British deserter surrendered to me on the
18th Of June, and apprzed me of the intention
OF the enemy to attack the port. On the morn
myself only two vessels, though others were re
ported to me, and afterwards ascertained there
were three more in company, The decks o
those that approached nearest the shore were
covered with troops, and an attack seemed in
evitable.
Cleveland was then one of the most mpor
tant depots Of the army. There were in store
several hundred stands of arms, intended fol
the volunteers and the 26th regiment of infantry
then recruiting, besides large supplies Of ammu
milton, forage and subsistence for the army ano
in the Cuyahoga river, and at the public boa
yard, the transports in which several thousand
men afterwards crossed the lake. Had the
arms and stores been captured, and the trans
ports destroyed, they could not, in the then ex
hausted state OF the country, and the bad con.
dItion of the roads, have been replaced during
the season, and the campaign would probably
have been at an end. To deter the enemy from
landing, or, if he should make the attempt, tc
force upon him measures Of caution and conse
quently Of delay, by which might gain time IL
rally to my support the force Of the country,
arranged my small command in the manner to
present the most imposing appearance For the
measures adopted whether right or wrong,
alone am responsible. Fortunately perhaps fol
me, as well as for the country, Providence in
terposed, and by a severe storm the enemy was
driven from the coast
enclose copy Of my report on the occasion
TO the Secretary of War, dulicale of which
was sent at the time to General Harrison The
original is now on file in the War Office
have the the honor TO be, sir, your obcdien,
servant, TIL. S. JESUp
The Hon. john W. ALLEN,
House of Representatives., Ua$hiRcton cify