Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-05-11
P o L / r | G A L..
From the Ohio Slate Journdl-Erira.
GEN. HARRISON'S MILITARY CHARAC-
TER-SLANDERS REFUTEDl

| IER-SLANDERS REFUTEDl
The following correspondence was called out
in consequence Of remarks relative to the carac-
ter and conduct of General Harrison, made by
members OF the House OF Representatives OF the
State OF Ohio, in their places on the floor of that
House. letter was addressed to each ofthe gen
tlenss.Whose replies are given below, by mem
Der OF the House who heard the remarks, stating
their substance, and requesting from each n state.
ment of the facts which fell within his personal
knowledge, respectively. The high character of
The gentlemen whose statements have thus been
obtained, lone Of whom has been a uniform and
prominent supporter of the last and present Adj
minisirationS of the General Government) is such
as TO put the facts to which they bear testimony,
entirely beyond doubt.
WASHINGTON, Ky, Oath Feb. 1910.
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 18th inst reuch
ed me TO day by the Southern mail, Marked ennis
sent, forwarded" This will account for your not
heYing my answer at an earlier day. You have
been correctly informed that was in the battle
OF the Thames, and near the person Of General
Harrison, from the commencement to the termi-
nation OF the engagement, and that | personally
know what part General Harrison took in it," |
had the honor 10 act ms volunteer Aid de- camp
TO General Harrison, during the active operations
OF that campaign; and was at no time more than
five minutes out of sight Of him, on the day of
the battle, until after the surrender Of the British
Army, and retreat of the Indians You say, "it
has been avowed on the floor of the House Of
Representatives (of Ohio) now in session. Ivy mem
beers in their places that General Harrison was at
no time in the battle, nor within two miles of the
battle ground that the entire plan OF operation
was projected by Col. Il. M. johnson that he
led the troops on to conquest and that Gen. Har-
rlson had neither part or lot in the matter" From
the reckless character of the attacks made upon
Gen. Harrison, through the prostituted and pen
stoned press devoted TO the support of the pres
ent administration, il is not surprising that that
portion of its supporters, who read nothing else
but the papers devoted to the reelection oil Mr..
Van Buren, and abuse of General Harrison should
make such statements; but that member Of
legislative body, who from his station ought to be
man of information, and gentleman, should be
so ignorant of the history of one of the most inn
porant battles of the last war, sc utterly regard
less of truth rs TO make such statement, is truly
astonishing Every member of your legislature
has, presume, read General Harrison's official
account of the battle oil the Thames and wanton
and nnprincipled as have been the misrepresenta-
tons of Gen. llarrison's military character and
conduct, have now, (after lapse of twentysix
years. for the first time heard the iumalon that
his account was in any particular untrue. In that
piper General Harrison states correctly the posi-
ton he occupied at the commencement OF the ac-
ton and he might have stated, with equal truth,
that he in person gave the word of command 10
advanced with il until ii received the enemy fire,
and then passed rapidly to the left where the In
dams still obsinately maintained the fight. Such,
sir, aver TO be the facts and feel perfectly conf
dent that General Cass (who was in the bate) and
Gen. flarrison's other Aids de.canp, will unhes.
iiatingly sustain in the statement and il hap
pens That they all yet nlIve. One of them,
Coz John OFallon, resides at ST. Louis. Mssou-
ri and the others, Coils. Charles 5. Todd, and
John Speed Smith, at Shelbyville and Richmond,
in this State. Az to the statement that the en-
tire plan OF operations projected by Col John
son." il u.s. like the charge that Gen. Harrison was
at no time in The battle, nor within two miles of
the battle ground, false utterly false. The idea of
charging the enemy with the mounted men, was
exclusively Gen. Harrison's. | was present when
he first announced, and know that Col. johnson
was then at the head of his command and was
not consulted OH the subject, until after Gen Har-
rison had expressed his determination to make the
charge: and il it is intended to stale, that the OPP
eratiOns of the campaign, the order of battle
was projected by Col. Johnson, it is equally un-
true and am confident that he has not and new
er will give the slightest sanction to such state
ments, us you say have been made by members of
your House of Representatives.
You have my permission, sir, to make such use
of this letter you may think proper.
Respectfully,
Your obi servant,
JOHN CHAMBERS.