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

that the standing OF Zen. Harrison was low
at tho Department; that the discretion he
formerly exercised was taken from him, and
that the measures were distinctly laid down
which he was to pursue.
| Sir, here is conclusive evidence that the
suggestions of getting command oil the Lake
came from General Harrison
There can be no doubt. however, but that the heet
built Erie, by which the command Of me Lakes was
obtained. was project recommended oy oene.a,
rsoa, and adopted by Mr. Madison, on account OF MS
unbounded confidence in Gen. Hafrisons opinions ana
recomme nda,ons, Ia one letter he says, admitting
that Maiden and Detroit both taken, Mackinaw sno
ST. Joseph will both remain in the hands OF the enemy
| until create force capable oil conenumg WIZ.
| the vessels which the British have on Lake Michigan
And in another letter he says should an offensive oPe
ration be suspended till spring IL is my decided opinion
that the cheapest and most eectnal plan VIII De 10 CD
tain the command of Lake Erie. This being once
effected, every difficulty would be removed An army
Of four thousand landed on the north side oil me
Lake below Maiden, will reduce that place. retake De-
tro and with the aid OF the feet, proceed down the
Lake 10 cooperate with the army from Niagara. -Er-
tracts from General Harrison's Letiers.
Let me now, Mr.. Speaker, read testimony
or two as to his conduct at the battle Of the
Thames II is true that the glory OF that bat
tie has caused it 10 be SO often mentioned that
in some ears il has become twice told tale
but, sir, is Its merits lessened because 1t has
been often repeated What does the gentle
tleman say to the following!
" Resolved By the Senate and House Of Representa-
tves Of the United States OF America IN Congress as
senbed that the thanks OF Congress be, and they are
hereby, presented TO Major General William Henry
HARRISON, and Isaac Shelby. late Governor OF Kentucky
aud through them the officers and men under their
command for their gallsntry and good conduct IN de-
leang the combined British and Indian forces under
NJ. n.,a raj prartn lha m
uada, the fifth day Of October. one thousand eight
hundred and thirteen, capturing the British amy, with
their baggage, camp equipsge, aud artillery; ana ha'
the President Of the United States be requested 10
cause two gold medals TO be struck, emblemaucal OF
this triumph and presented TO General Harrison and
Isaac Shelby, late Governor Of Kentucky
H. Clay.
Speaker Of the House Of Representatives
john GAILLARD,
President Of The Senate pro tempore.
April 4, lSlS-AppIoyed. ;,
JAMES MONROE
Battle of The Thames.
A more able disposition could not be made under
such circumstances than made by Gen HARRISON
His conduct this day distinguished BY mastery DC.
Of his purely orginsand such as none out oou
and inventive genius, peculiarly formed Tor me n'ay
profe sson could have hit upon. would have hazard
ed Ii was not until the fifth Of October that Proctor
was oyer,aken On that day the enemy was disceined
in a position skfully chosen. narrow strip OF ay
swamp on the right. occupied by his regular IN
anry aud artillery, while the right flank lay lecum-
the with his followers the eastern margin Of inc
swamp But Proctor committed error IN forming
his infantry in open order General Harrison aVan'ng
himself Of the fact, and aware that troops SO disposed
could resist charge OF mounted men, ne directed
Col. Johnson dash through the enemys line IN CO.
lumn The movement made with brilliant success
The mounted charged with promptitude and v'gor'
broke through the line u the enemy formed IN the rear
and assaied the broken line with success nnequaled,
and nearly the whole Of the British regulars either
killed, wounded taken prisoners. On the LETT the
Indians contended more severely, but Iecumhe being
killed in the battle they were soon subdued Proctor
fed in shameful deserton Of his troops, escorted BY his
: | life guard The defeat Of the enemy was complete
All the baggage Of Proctor and military stores together
with his official papers, fell the hands Of Gen Har-
rson; and several field pieces which had been taken
from The British in the war Saratoga and
Yorktown, but which had been shsmeiny surrendered
by Hull at Detroit. were retaken. The war having
been thus glorously terminated In bis -pXter 10 the
Scat uf Government, Washington CITY, His resignation
soon followed, he retired his private residence at
North Bend. in the State Of Ohio. and living as
private citizen. "-Skeiehes Of the Life Of General
| Harrison.
And what is the gentleman's opinion Of the
competency Of Col. Johnson to form an OPT
Mon Of his commander, whether as a civil or
a military character ?
Hear him.
:" w no Is lien Harrison ne son oil one oil the
slgners OF the Deca ration OF Independence who spent
The greater part Of his large fortune in redeeming the
pledge ne then gave Of his fortune life, and sacred
honor to secure the Liberties Of his country.
.Of the Of Gen. Harrison need not speak
the history Of the West is his history. For forty
years he has been identified with its interests its pers,
and its hopes. Universally beloved in the walks OF
peace and distinguished by his ability in the councils
Of his country, he has been yet llustriousy dis
| tinguished in the field
. During the late war, he longer in active ser
vice than any lo,her General officer he was perhaps,
ofcner in action than any OF them, and
taEed n defeat"
And hear Governor Shelby, Of Kentucky,
and Commodore Perry:
| Extract of letter from Governor Shelby dated at
FRANKFoRT April 81, 1916.
In short, sir, from the time joined YOU to the mo-
ment Of separations, believe that no commander
did, could make greater exertions than you did
to effect the great objects Of the campaign. admired
your plans aud thought them executed with great en-
ergy particularly your order of battle and arrange
ment for landing the Canada shore, were calculated
to inspire every officer and man with confidence that
we could not be defeated by any thing like our own
number tl
Until after had served the campaign Of 1919.
Of the difficulties which you had to en-.
counter, as commander Of the Northwestern army /
have since. often said, and still do believe, that the du
ties assigned TO you on that occasion, ardu
Gus and difficult to accomplish, than any had ever
known couhded TO any commander and with respect
to the zeal and fidelity with which you executed that
high and important trust there thousands in Ken
lucky. as well myself, who believed ii could not have
been committed to better hands.
With sentiments of the most sincere regard and
esteem have the honor to be- with great respect your
obedieni servant ISAAC Shelby
| (Dapson's Li)c of Harrison page 423