The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-08-14


yer that he ever had rendered any valua-
BILE services in that line, with the excep-
ton of the battle Of the Thames. Here
the General went into full detail of that
battle, and proved clearly that Col. John.
son was the real hero Of the Thames and
that the battle of Tippecanoe, instead of
being victory, las General Harrison,s
friends will have it, was most shameful
defeat. There the General showed him
self deficient in the military art he suffer-
ed himself to be outwitted by the strata
gem Of the willy Prophet. The ground
chosen for his encampment could be the
only inducement for the Indians to attack
him in the night, and for that reason they
made the General believe they would treat
with him the next day. If he gained a
victory, why did he not pursue it 1t is
maxim in war, that if an army gain the
victory, no respite must be given to the
enemy: the cavalry's reserve should be
detached in pursuit of them. 1t is by Vi
gorously pursuing beaten and disorga-
missed army, that we reap the advantages
of victory. The mere difference between
the killed and wounded in the field of bat
tie, is of no moment. 1t is by capturing
the vanquished, that a balance is struck in
our favor. The slaughter of some 20 or
80 Indians cannot be put in competition
with the capture of 500 or 1000. Harri-
son, it was said, lost 200 men in that bat
tie. These brave men were sacrificed
because Harrison had the enemy coma
pletely in his power on the previous day
But he did not observe one infallible max
I'M in war--"Never to postpone till to-
morrow'--as the non-observance of tho,
has lost many battles. But the VIII 81
will have it that he gained signal yicto,
ry. Well, said the General, if the del
struc!ion of the Indian village oflog cabil,l
and wigwams was victory, then, indeed
did he obtain one. Here the General wa,
interrupted by loud laughter. His remarkg
on Harrison's movements at the Rapid,
and in defence of Fort Meigs, and on the
arrest of Col. Croghan for giving the ene-
my = complete drubbing at Fort Stephen
son, did not distinctly hear. He also
alluded to Gen. Harrison's movements
when he joined him on the Niagara from
tier, and imputed the disaster and destruc-
tion of that frontier TO Harrison's abandon
ment of the expedition against the enemy
that lay at Burlington Heights. He re
marked, also, that he had been censured
by many for destroying the town of New
ark, but he did it according TO orders for
when Harrison joined him, he handed
over the order of the Secretary at War to
him, and, on his leaving, returned it, re-
marking at the same time that he approved
it, and ordered him (M'Clure) to pu, it in
execution at the proper time. The Gene.
raj closed his remarks on the military ca.
erof Harrison, with the the following an.
ecdote: he said that Cesar, after very
bloody battle, at which he made narrow
escape, said 'that heretofore he had fought
for victory, but in that case he fought fol
his life" The latter part of Cesar's re.
mark would apply to Harrison, as most
of his fighting was in the defensive and
for life.
The General said, he would be at a loss
to know to which political party General
Harrison belonged, were it not that he was
nominated and supported by the Federal
or Wing party, as he refuses to Salty en-
quirers on that head or to give his views
in relation to great national interests. He
has delivered up his principles, conscience
and all, to committee of his friends, who
refuse to disclose them. lie said he could
not take him on trust, but would take him
at his word and, as he says his opinions
have undergone no change, we must view
him as the past friend Of the ever memo
rabl administration of. the elder Adams,
und r whose reign the odious Alien and
Sedition Lars passed. The General
said, that the latter act he should never
forget, for he had made narrow escape
from the pains & penalties ofits provisions
himself; for, not having the fear of John
Adams before his eyes, he once used some
language that brought upon him the penal
ties of that law. A complaint was enter
ed against him, and, while at the head of
his company of light infantry on the 4th
Of July, he was arrested by civil officer.
One of the company asked to see the war;
rant, who tore it to pieces, and told the
magistrate that he could not find gaol
strong enough to hold his captain. There
the matter ended. Gen. Harrison from