The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-02
INTERESTING LETTER.

INTERESTING LETTER
We take pleasure in laying before our numer-
Gus readers the following letter addressed to us
by Col. UNDERWOOD, distinguished representa-
tive in Congress from the State Of Kentucky.
il includes letter from Col. CLARK, who selected
the battle ground of Tippecanoe, and of course
disproves the assertions of Mr. Crary and others
that Gen. Harrison pursued the advice Of hos
tile Indian in reference 10 the selection of the
encampment. Col. Underwood details some
interesting particulars also Of Dudley's defeat,
OF which he was an eye Witness and, in con-
clusion, describes in graphic terms the difficult
Ties Gen. Harrison had to encounter in his mill
tary operations in the Northwest The testi-
mony Of old soldiers, who can show upon their
bodies the evidences of the conflict in their glo-
rions scars, is worth all the assertions, speeches
and arguments Of a whole army Of federal loco
foco "fire-side warriors" who would, if possible,
destroy Gen. Harrison, perhaps from motive of
sympathy with the British and Indians whom
he SO severely scourged and drove out Of the
country Col Underwood states the very in
teresting and important fact that Gen. Harrison
Is the only commander in our serpice 10 trhon,
British army surrendered during the last
rar
WAsulSeroS, ssth May, 1910
Mr.. Thomas Allen, Editor, DC.
SIR: Many years ago Col Mastin G. Clark, now
Of Indiana in conversation with me- said in substanc,
that he discovered the ground which General Har-
rison encampcd his army on the evening before the
battle Of Tippccanoe, and by his report nstru-
mental in causing that particular ground be selected
for the encampment When Mr.. Crazy stated in the
House Of Representatives, that the ground had been
selected at the suggestion of Indian, | wrote to
Col Clark the subject, and received his answer in
the following words
SALEM, Ia. March I'D 1910
DEAR Sin: In answer to your inquiries Of the 18th
Of February, on the subject Of the ground General
Harrison encamped his army on the night before the
battle of Tippecanoe which ground you inform me,
has been stated by Mr. Crazy selected at the
suggestion of an Indian, | am much at a loss how
that gentleman could hazard groundless an asser-
ton the ground where Gen. Harrison encamped and
where the battle fought, discovered By self
in few moments after, by Gen. Taylor, whom met
on leaving the ground, returning the army in or
der to report when met Taylor, informed him
there was no necessity of his going any farther in
one Of the most eligible had seen on the whole march
and ] wished to see the army encamped it before
dark; 1t was then about sunset | wished Taylor to
return with me, and not take up time in going the
ground: he said he would 90 the ground the better
TO join me in my report which he fully did. The
ground will ever be standing monument of the wis
dom Of its selection independent of residc warrior.
With much respect and esteem,
NJ G. CLARK
The Hon. J. r. UNDERWOOD
Thus you perceive that General Harrison was moi
entrapped and induced to take position for his army
At the instance of hi, enemies have known Col
truth and honor and brave his distinguished re
latve Gen. George Rogers Clark.
lived in Lexington, KY, at the time, and year Oh
rwo after the battle of Tippecanoc, ! was present
and witnessed the reception which the people Of thai
town (now city, gave General Harrison when he vi
sited that place after the battle He was met ant
escorted through the streets of the by the mitar,
and citizens and every manifestation of respect ont
admiration given which grateful people could be
stow upon triumphant General Those people were
the friends and neighbcrs of Col Joseph III Dayiess
and many were dovotedy attached to him If the Life
Of that great was sacrificed by the pusillanmous
improper conduct Of General Harrison is il not as
tonishing that his friends and ncighbors would
Sei's sA. a-ss.rdy murderer with H.. ho.iors Of tri-
umph1 Political and eIectioncering turpitude must
indeed possess che minds and hearts of men If such
story heard Of at the time, should receive any
counsnance twenty years after the facts have stated
was Lieutenant in Dudley's regiment which
was defeated aud mostly captured on the 9Th Of Nav
1913, on the left bank of the Mauree river. opposite
For Meigs. That disaster resulted from failure on
the part Of Col Dudley obey the orders which were
given. speak Of the orders from what have since
learnt, ~ did not hear them delivered They were
in subsance-that the regiment should land upon the
left bank Of she river attack and take the cnemys bat,
terry, spike the cannon break the carriages Of the can
NON, retreat to boats the river and fight our
way into the fort We landed, attacked and carried
the battery without the eas, difficulty But then in
stead Of returning to our boats, we commenced a
charge and pursuit of few struggling Indians who
trea'ed back from the river and kept up rereating
nn upon us as we advanced Two companies to wit
Cap. Henrys and Capt Archd Morrison's were left
IN charge Of the captured battery whilst the rest pur
sued the Indians in the woods Their numbers yvere
continually increased BY achievements from ,be;r
camp (about two miles below) and elsewhere We
followed them about two miles Al lsnO,h we wore
ordered to fall back and keep up retreatinQ fire upon
the enemy The order was observed for sons AZ.
lance The soldiers of the different companies. how.
ever, became MISREPRESENTATION took place-,he of;
GERS lost all command, and rout ensued We
treated to the battery, but getting there instead Of
finding the friends we had le, they were gone and the
battery Nan in possession Of the enemy It Appeared