The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-04-22
GEN. HARRISON'S MILITARY FAME
SIANDERS REEUTED.


GEN. HARRISON'S MILITARY FAME.
ISLANDERS REFUTED.
The following correspondence was called out
in consequence of remarks relative to the char
acter and conduct of Gen. Harrison, made by
members OF the House of Representatives of
the State of Ohio, in their places on the floor Of
that House. A letter was addressed to each
of the gentlemen, whose replies are given be-
low, by member Of the House, who heard
the remarks, stating their substance, and re-
queSting from each a statement Of the facts
which fell within his personal knowledge, re-
sDectivey. The high character of the gentle
men whose statements have thus been obtain
ed, tone of whom has been "a uniform and pro-
minen! supporter Of the last and present admin
istrations OF the general governmentO is such
as to put the facts to which they bear testi'nO-
nv, entirely beyond doubt.-State Journal.
WASHINGTON, KY. Gath Feb, 1910.
DEAR SIR,-Your letter Of the 18th instant,
reached me to-day by the southern mail, mark
ed "miss-sent, forwarded" This will account
for your not having my answer at an earlier
day.
You have been correctly informed that 81
was in the battle of the Thames, and near the
person of Gen. Harrison, from the commence
ment to the termination of the engagemement,
and that personally know what part General
Harrison took in it," / had the honor to act
as volunteer Aid-de-camp TO Gen. HARRISON
during the active operations OF that campaign;
and was at no time more than five minutes out
of sight of him, on the day of the battle, until
after the surrender of the British army, and re-
treat of the Indians.
You say, cit has been avowed on the floor of
the House of Representatives (of Ohio) now in
session, by members in their places. that Gen.
Harrison was al no time in the bsttIebor with
in two miles of the battle ground; that the en-
tire plan Of operation was projected by Col.
r. M. Johnson that he led the troops on to
conquest, and that Gen. Harrison had neither
part or lot in the matter"
From the reckless character of the attacks
made upon Gen. Harrison, through the prost-
tuted and pensioned press devoted to the sup
port of the present administration, il is not sur
prisng that that portion of its supporters, who
read nothing else but the papers devoted to the
reelection of MIR. Van Buren,, and abuse of
Gen. Harrison, should make such statements :;
but that member of legislative body, who
from his station ought to be man of nlorma
ton, and gentleman, shoul&be so ignorant of
the history of one OF the most important battles
of the late war, or so utterly regardless oftruth,
as to make such statement, is truly astonish-
ing. Every member Of your legislature has,
presume, read Gen, Harrisons official account
of the battle of the Thames and, wanton and
unprncipled as have been the mis-representa-
tons of Gen. Harrision's military character and
conduct, | have now, after lapse ofupwards of
26 years, for the first time heard the intimatiop
that his account of it was in any particular un-
true In that paper, Gen. Harrison states cor
rectly the position he occupied at the COM
mencement of the action; and he might have
stated, with equal truth, that he in person gave
the word Of command to the mounted regi-
ment TO "charge;" and that he advanced with
it, until it received the enemy's fire, and then
passed rapidly to the left, where the Indians
Still obstinately maintained the fight. Such,
sir, aver to be the facts, and feel perfectly
confident that Gen. Cass, who was in the bat
tie, and Gen. Harrison's other Aids-de-camp,
will unhesitatingly sustain me in the statement;
and it happens that they are all yet alive. One
of them, Col. John O'Fallon, resides at ST.
Louis, Missouri; and the others, Coils Charles
S. Todd, and John Speed Smith, at Shelbyville
and Richmond, in this State.
AS to the statement, that sthe entire plan of
operations was projected by Col. Johnson it
is like the charge that Gen. Harrison was at
no time in the battle, nor within two miles of
the battle ground, false, utterly false The idea
Of charging the enemy with the mounted men,
was exclusively Gen. Harrison's. was pres
ent when he first announced it, and know that
Col Johnson was then at the head of his COM
mand, and was not consulted on the subject,
until after Gen. Harrison had expressed his de-
termination to make the charge: and if it is in
tended to state, that the operations of the cam
paign, or the order of battle, was projected by.
Col Johnson, it is equally untrue; and am
very confident that he has not and never will
give the slightest sanction to such statements
nc Won say have been made hv me- mhers If
your House of Representatives.
You have my permission, sir, to make such
use of this letter as you may think proper
Respectfully. your obt. servt.,
JOHN CHAMBERS.