Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-10-01
FOR PRESIDENT.
Gen. WIN. Henry Harrison,
ONO.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT.
John Tyler,
OF VIRGINIA.

The following interesting correspondence
between Governor Wicklilfe and Col. James
Davidson, (present Treasurer of kentucky
we take from the Commonwealth of Frank
fort. The letter of Col. Davidson is another
unimpeachable witness to the bravery and
generalshp Of the Hero of Tippecanoe, Fort
Meigs and the Thames. Governor Wick
life and Col. Davidson, both served under
Gen. Harrison. The latter was one of the
''forlorn hope" who charged among the In
iians, at the battle of the Thames.
INTERESTING CORRESPONDING E.
BATTLE OF THE THAMES.-SHEL-
BY'S INFANTRY.
The following correspondence has been
furnished us by Gov. Wicklifie, for publica-
tion.-lIere is another unimpeachable wit
ness to the bravery, intrepidity and general
ship Of the Hero of Tippecanoe, Fort Meigs
and Thames. Although we do not deem fur
ther testimony necessary to establish the mil
itary merits of Gen. Harrison, we are very
happy in publishing the response of Col. Da-
wilson to the inquiries of Gov. Wickliffe,
who served, we believe, under Shelby in the
late war. 1t does an old soldier good to talk
g
West rub their hands, and draw up closer to
the fire, and listen with intense interest to the
recital of any incident relating to the war in
which their commander led them to victory
and glory.
We have passed many a glorious winter
night In listening to the story of the heroism
of our countrymen; wchave probably CONVEX
sed with hundreds Of Harrison's soldiers, and
we never yet met one who did not heartily "a
dept the eloquent language quoted at the
close of Col. Davidson's letter.
In reference to the statement in the letter
of Col. Johnson's copied into Col. Garrard' S
pamphlet, that he fought the Indians "with-
out any aid whatever" Col. ]. Gfhe wrote
the letter. owes it to the high reputation he
won in that battle, promptly to correct the
misrepresentation, so contrary to truth and
justice to the brave men who fought under
Shelby, into which ne has been led and Col.
Garrard no less owes it to truth and justice to
amend the statement. The truth is, we be-
lieve the letter is spurious. and that Col.
Garrard has been imposed on as to its au-
thenticity. 1t is dated nowhere, and address,
ed to nobody and alleges facts which can be
proven by hundreds Of eye witnesses, still
living, to have had no existence. Col. John
son won glory enough in that action; and he
could have no motive to withhold merited
eulogy to the brave soldiers who fought I'M
der Gov. Shelby.
A Drawer and better soldier and truer
patriot, never bled for his country, than James
Davidson. He was pre-eminently distin-
guished for his activity and intrepidity. He
was perhaps oftener employed by Gen. Har-
rison in services requiring remarkable de-
gree OF courage amidst dangers, fortitude un-
der suiierings, and promptness in executing
difiic, 1t and important duties, than any man
in the army. We do not say this invidious-
iy for we glory in the fame of all who serv-
ed the country. In the battle of the Thames
he was particularly distinguished. He re-
ceivcd iii that action, three severe wounds;
one in the leg, one in the abdomen and one in
the breast.--No one that lived, was worse
wounded. But he fought at the head of his
men, till the last armed foe had surrendered;
and was not taken from the battle field, on
which, after the action terminated he sunk,
till some time after dark.
FRANKFORT, Sept. 5. 1910.
DEAR SIR: AS you were in the battle oft!e
Thames, commanding company in Col.
Johnson's Regiment on that occasion, and
now bear upon your body the evidence that
you were III the thickest of the fight, 1 desire
that you will favor me with an answer to the
following questions:
LIST. Did you see Gen. Harrison while the
battle ragged, and after Col. Johnson had
been wounded and taxed off the ground, and
hear BIN encouraging and anilnating his
men 2
I'd. Was any part Of the Infantry under
Shelby engaged in the action2
ours, respectfully,
G.. A. WICkLlFFE.