The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-04-22
Moses B. CoRwIN, Esq.
House of Representatives,
COLUMBUS, Ohio.
RICHMOND, March 6, 1910.


on Yesterday, in which you state, that lit has
been openv aVowed that Gen. Harrison was at no
time in the battle of the Thames, nor within two
miles of the battle ground-that the entire plan
of operatIon was projected by Col. r. M. john
son that he led the troops on to conquest, and
that Gen. Harrison had no part nor lot in the
matter" NV humiliation is deep, that a neces-
sity should exist, produced BY party rancor, to
prove facts auested by history Tor more than
Quarter of a century, and which have never be-
fore been questioned. That ignorance and Gre
dulity abound to an extent, TO render such base
less assertions available, bespeaks lamentable
state of public intelligence, and portends no good
to the Republic
That Col. Johnson led the van and brought
on the battle, is true-that he behaved with the
utmost gallantry, is also true: but your letter
contains the first suggestion which has ever
reached me- that "the entire plan of operation
was projected by hia." The magnanimity of
Col johnson will repudiats, with proud indig-
nation such an effort to cluster additional laureS
upon his brow, thus unjnslly torn from the brow
OF his general. Col. Johnson received orders as
to the form and manner of charge from General
Harrison in person, in the face and almost in
ST ht of the enemy. The General was with the
Z egiment when the charge was sounded. As
hnson moved TO the charge, the General start
ed for the line ofIntantry, which was drawn up
in order of battle He had not gone far, before
turning 10 me- (and 10 tie best ofmy recollection,
( Ivae r. n. ~ ete # +: Hf9 .hra ri, l,j.a)
| he said oPursue Col. johnson with your utmost
speed-see the effect of his charge, and the posi-
ton of the enemy'S artillery, and return as quick
as possible" Having executed this order as
| promptly as practc able, met him on my return,
pressing forward with the front of the infantry.
| Upon reporting thai Col Johnson had broke the
| enemyS Iine-that they were surrendering, and
that their cannon were in our possession-he ex-
claimed in an animated tone, Come on my
brave fellows, Proctor and his whole army will
soon be oursn Soon after this, an officer Il be-
lieve the late Judge John Mcdowell of Ohio,)
rode up and reported, that the left wing, at or
near the CROCHET, was suffering severely and in
great disorder. This communication was made
in the hearing of the soldiers. The General
contradcted the latter part OF the statement in
the most emphatic manner-but giving order 10
the next in command TO push forward, he dashed
with The messenger TO the indicated point of con-
fct and confusion, and found the contest pretty
close and severe. A portion of Johnson's Regi-
ment, owing to the impracticabiity of the ground
for horse had dismounted, and were fighting On
foot and mingled with the infantry which had
been to some extent, the cause OF the confusion.
Order was soon restored, and the left wing closed
to the front, (Which formed the crochet,) under
the personal supervision of General Harrison
In the mean time, some of our soldiers were
shot within less than ten feet of the General, for
the conflict here was sharp and animated, and
confined SO for some time. With the exception
of the charge made by Colonel Johnson'S Regi-
ment, General Harrison was in the most exposed
and dangerous parts OF the battle.
1t is due TO the occasion TO relate the following
incident: The day before the battle, the army was
impeded in its march by the destruction of
bridge across branch of the Thames, up which
it was moving, at or near the mouth of the
branch. Colonel Johnson had been ordered to
cross this stream at some mills two or three miles
above the mouth. The road led him by the bridge.
portion of his regiment had brush with par
ty of Indians posted in cabins, on the opposite
side of the Thames and the branch, and also un-
der the thick covert along their banks, to dis
pute the passage of the stream, and harasS all
attempts to repair the bridge. As soon as the
firing was heard, the General hurried to the
scene of action accompanied by portion of his
family of which Commodore Perry was one
When l arrived, l found General Harrison,
Commodore Perry, and other officers, Ct think
General Cass was one,) in an open piece of
ground, near the bridge. Colonel Johnson had
passed, and small portion of his Regiment, pre-
viouSly dismouned, under the command of Capt.
Benjamin Warield, and some Infantry'which
had hurried up, were carrying on the skirmisb.
Major Wood had been ordered up with small
piece of artillery. Commodore Perry urged
General Harrison TO withdraw, as he was too
much exposed for the Commander-in-Chie If
mistake not Gen. Cas- united with the Com
modore, and offered to remain and see his orders
executed. The General, with Perry, and the
residue of his suit, started off, but Gen. Harrison
went but few steps and returned. and retained
his position near the cannon, until the Indians
were dislodged and driven back, the bridge re-
paired and the army put in motion to cross. Du-
ring this whole time he was much or more
exposed than the soldiers, being on horseback all