The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-09-11

i HdNlhS oeeh frequently nIRed Oy tne WINGS
to speak oc the baIle Of The Thames, he reluct
rntly fel 4 is duty to state some Of the Lead
| ing facts which came within his knowledge.
lie commenced by stating that he did not wish
to claim any glory for himself on that occasion
nor did he wish in any way 10 detract lfom
| the fame Of any companion in arms, far less
l from his commander. At the battle of the
Thames, he said his (Col. J,s) regiment did
pursue the enemy, marching considerably in
front Of the infantry. He was in the van at
the head Of three companies of mounted men.
which were brought up in solid columns. He
came up with the enemy, who were drawn nm
l in line Of battle. The force under Tecumseh
was about 200 or ], 400 etrong--the British,
700. Il was first intended, he observed. by
| General Harrison. that the infantry under his
command should be brought up, and The enemy
fought by our troops in line. But Col. Johnson
having practised his regiment to serve both on
foot and on orseback-having frequently dis
mounted one half Of them, and fought sham
battles for that purpose, and believing that he
could successfully overthrow the enemy, by'a
charge of his mounted men, requested permis-
sion to make such charge, which having o.
tanned. he lef General Harrison, and proceeded
to the front where his regiment awaited him.
He never saw Gen. Harrison afterwards, until
the battle was over, when the General came TO
where he (Col. J.) was lying, at the place 10
which his soldiers had carried him back sAer
he was wounded: .atp Hl
When he left General Harrison, he said he
thought the swamp, which separated the Indi-
ans from the British army, could not be crossed.
He afterwards ascertained that il could; and he
then determined that his brother. Lieutenant
Colonel James Johnson should alta ok the Briis
sh ct the same time that he attacked the Indis
ans. His motto was to charge rapidly on The
enemy in columns. In few minutes after his
| brother made the attack on the British thev sur
rendered. The British force consisted of 700
men, and bis brother june division consisted
of 500 men. He related humorous anecdote
Of an Irlshman Of the captured army who ask
ed his brother James if he was commander,
and what they should do with their arm4 WY,
replied James, had not thought abodt that.
The Irshman then proposed to stack them,
which was Immediately ordered by his brother.
James then took the 700 British and delivered
them up to Gen. Harrison; who, as James after
wards informed him, was about mile from the
scene of action. James johnson then received
permission of Gen. Harrison. to reinforce his
brother, X. M., who was yet engaged with the
Indians. From The commencement of the ac~
tion i'll he was carried off the ground, he [R.
NJ. did rot see Gen. Harrisr n; ye did no, know
where he was; whether half amile. or a'miie
or mile and half in the rear, except from re
port. His brother James expressed his SORROW
that he could not come more speedily to his re-
lief, and stated that it was in consequence of
having to take the prisoners the distance Of
mile to give them up to Gen. Harrison, the com
manding officer He however felt it his duty
to say. that after he had received permission to
churge the enemy, neither Gen. Harrison, Gov.
Shelby. or any one else except himself and the
other officers Of his regiment had command Of
that regiment or any part thereof. The fighting
was done by that regiment alone. Ha passed
no censure on any one. He EdIght not he said
for glory; lie fought for his country. He voted
for the war, and he considered il his duty to,
take part in that war.
The effect which the unvarnished tale of the.
venerable hero produced on the vast assembIapc
Of the Democracy who surrounded him, the ea-
ger expression Of each counienancr, denoting
their anxiety not 10 lose one word which drop.
ped from the lips of the most honest, upright,
brave and patriotic statesman and soldier in the
land, may be imagined hut cannot be descrihrd.,
/ An unbounded hurst Of ap lause as he took his
seat testified the warm feelings of affection and
respect which was 'elt by the thousands Of the
Democracy who surrounded him.
The sun having by this TIME sunk hen. attn
the horizon. the procession was again formed
| without delay aud tie Vice President and guests
were escorted by !hrong of Democrats to the
National Hotel.
Neither Gen. Harrison nor his aids; pretend
that Col. Johnson st ted any the thing in his
speech that is no' true; that ia not faithful his.
tory Of that event. The whole correspondece
proves the truth Of his statement ffom the
fact that no attempt is made 10 Fefe SIN
gle word. Col. Johnson said rl his speech nj
Chcothe, that he did not intend to deract
from any one, much less his commander. Ha
reiterates it in his letter; he never from thehal-
lie to this hour. said any Thing also Col. John
| sOn ID too old 10 be caught in federal trap. He
never suffered Indians or white men 10 entrap
him, or point out the ground on which he shnnd
encamp. Hear Col. Johnson il his letter to Mr.
Carneal. II should he glad to know what IS>
SUE s made as to the FACTS STATED IN
THE REPORTED SPEECH, respecting which
had no agency" Do these men make an IS
SUE," not they. Alter the flourish of trrmpets.
they "retraat towards Huron, and burn no the
provisions
Col. Johnson tells facts, and those facts nut
Harrison ont of danger, and out of the 6gh at
the battle Of the Thames. Had his aids never
attempted to make him q fighter on that occa>
sion, most people might have thongh' he was
''where he ought to have been," and this Lesson.
should teach Gen. Harrison and his supporters.
from this forward to claim nothing for him hui.
what truth and facts warrant, and il will he bets
ter for them. Col. Johnson Will testify that Gen.
Harrison was where he ought to have been. but,
most fatty contradicts the certificates of his,
aids. that he was in the fight. Are they now
satisfied /?
STAND ASIDE FOR MISsoTr.