The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-10

l.
leed among sassges. Indeed our seumen,s Of conf
dence. respect and affection towards the Commandes in
Ch'e perssded The whole hae Of the army, which any
attempt TO destroy We shall consider an insult TO our
understandings and an injury 10 feelings. Should
ah G1npiU AGpa. Ieoaue orr ssrylces, oppose Q
GSA1 4G1aCs -. We sbsuld sarsh apass d. ssu-
mand 81 0osssaoe Harness. wb ~ most pssfses een.
fdence Of victory and fanps
| Joel Cook, CAps. 4th Infaptry
| JOSIAH Smelling, Capt 4lh " S. Infantry
i II. q. Barton, Capt. Alb Infantry.
y G. Burtoas Lieut.. Alb Infsnify.
Nathaniel p. Adams, Issss. lsh Ialan,y.
Charles Fnliss, Lisss - Isssa,y.
Hawkins Lisas. 1lh Infantry
George Gooding, ~ Lieut.. 4th Infantry.
II Barchs,ssd. Ensign 4.h U. s. Infantry.
Josiah y. Foster, Surgeon 4lh Infantry.
Hosea Blood, sssisisas Surgeon. 4,h lnfantry
The gentleman would pursuade US that
when the Indian attack was made, General
Harrison was in bed with his clothes of, and
his army reposing 10 security without even
sentinels to guard.them. How does that state
ment agree with the testimony have read
But, mus again refer the gentleman 10
the faithful historian and biographer, Moses
Da~sos, to hear what he says on this point
also:
Whatever might hare been the opinion Of the Co
vernon and his officers ~ish regard .As ysshabs.y Of
the attack on that night, ample evidence will be pro-
dnced that every precauton that could be taken to
sst II with effect, was taken and that the troops
could not have been better prepared had they been
made TO remain under all night.
I" All the guards that could be used in such situa-
ton, and all such as were used by Gen Wayne, were
employed on this occasion. That is camp guards,
furnishing chain Of sentinels around The whole camp
at such distance to give notice Of the approach Of
an enemy time enough for the troops to take their po-
sion and yet not far removed to prevent their
retreat on the event Of their being oserpowered by
numbers
i" In conformity with general order the troops went
to rest'wh their clothes and accouirements on and
their arms loaded by their sides and their bayonets fa
ed. The officers ordered to sleep in the same
manner and II the Governors invariabe practice
to be completely ready 10 mount his horse moments
warning "-DAwson's Lille of General Harrison, D. 2I2
We shall see, by the evidence shall pro-
duce before take my seat, that the compa-
MES, in general, were formed and ready for
action, within two minutes from the firing of
the first gun on the sentinel, and before the
approach OF the enemy on the camp; and
were ready to receive and repel the savages
as they came up, and that General Harrison
was on his horse in command. Does this
look as if he had been in bed undressed,
sleeping IN unsuspectmg security? There is
gentleman present who. has been member
of this House for wears, who named to me- an
individual who was aid to Gen. Harrison at
the battle of Tippecanoe, and who declared
to him that General Harrison had not slept at
all during the previous night He expected
an attack, though it came somewhat sooner
than he anticipated Instead Of being in bed
and asleep, he was up and dressed. and in the
act of putting on his boots when the first gun
was heard. when. iurnino Ia his Afs'~~--. L.
"on the nigh, Of the sixth OF November, preceding
the great action the company under my command slept
on their arms with their cartridge boxes on 10 obedience
to general order had received some nights before
and which had not been countermanded; was awoke
by the firing Of the FIRST gun, seized my sword ana ran
to the door Of my tent where met the orderly sereant
who asked If the company should ioriH ~ me irons
or rear of the tents the wer then IN rear, ana
recoec,np that the light OF ae fires in the front would
cxpose them 10 the FIRE OF the enemy, and probably oc-
cason some confusion directed them to form IN rear
and coun,ermarch to the front The whole time occu-
pied in forming could not have eScetded TOUT mnu.es'
and had faced to the right for the purpose OF marching
them to their post in the ne when Gen Harrison rode
no and ordered cover the leit Hank OF me en-
campment, where the rfrmen Of MAJOR ROOD hao all-
en- back" He rode with the company ana po'nteu Out
the post should occupy In this situation, had an
opportunity Of hearing the orders given 10 MAJOR LAWS
to charge and the unfortunate Issue Of H. Inc
fire growing warmer, asked and Gen HARRISON gave
me permission to charge and am fully conhdent 'ha'
eyery movement Of my company during the action was
made by his orders, IN person
Cant ilh Reg u S Infantry.
M Dawsons Life Of Harrison, PIP 22o, l.
There is another short letter with which,
must trouble the House. 1t is from Captain
Cook:
The situation Of nv company being in the centre
OF the left line, happened 10 be the most secure
place in the line. AT four O'Clock IN 'he morn
ing was alarmed by the discharge OF gun, on ~hcn
Immediately repaired TO my company wherc 'ounu
NV men all psraded at their posts. The position OF me
men during the night, together with myself WINE a.
rest was layinr on arms with our CLONES on as
for myself lay with my boots and great coat, ana ac
coulrcmen,s bucked around me, with my rae IN my
arms At the report Of the gun, had no more 70 DO
than to throw OIL blanket, put my nat Oh anu 20 W
NV company. ten twelve steps IRON my em; me
time might possibly be one or two mnues' anu 'o'"u
my men above mentioned -, cooy
Signed, 10. - IeC,,,,v
NJ. Dawsons Life of Gen. Harrison, PIP 22l,
ask the gentemaa's attention TO one
more:
The impression prevails, generally, that the army
were surprised IN the attack.
Al the time the army left Vmcennes, they were 'orn-
ed in the order of battle against the attack OF Indians
and were never out Of this situation till they returned
each one occupying the ground he would deieha MN
self upon whether marching or at rest upon w. ihs
all daring idea instituted into the army collectively
and individually by the General, from the time wo
entered the wilderness TIL trial had 81 the effect
The army was trained be prepared to receive the at
tack and nothing bu, the unremtted attention OF zen.
Harrison to enforce the necessary discipline could nave
brought, the troops to such state oil PeF,cet9n 'ne 81,
der as the result Of the battle proved Inc iact OF o
army rising from rest and being ready TO receive the
Indians in two minutes tof which there ought no 10 oe
doub after the report Of the FIRST fire. is sp,c ., 70
satisfy al persons capable Of judging as well as all un
-. stnf