The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-22

liant officers. among whom was Major Tod, now
resident of the district which represent. Atthe
memorable sorie Of For Meigs, he had distin-
guished himself under Col. Miller while charg-
ing the British batteries He long served as
| Judge Of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and presi
dent OF the Common Pleas. His judgment and
opinin, ike all the Others, will prove as satisiac-
tory TO the people of their acquaintance as the
opinion Of the honorable member al this day
4 And the gallant Croghan, speaking on the same
subject in connexion with Gen. Harrison says .
The measures adopted by him. so far from
deserving ceHsure, are the clearesf proofs 81
his keen perception and able generaishiP;"
Yet, II seems that the opinion OF the honorable
member differs from that Of Gen. Cass. Major
Croghan, and others who were present How
far the standing of those officers, or Of Gen.
Harrison, will suffer from these attacks, is sub
miited 10 the People Of this nation.
But, Mr. Chairman, regret thar The member
did not stop here. lie has, however, gone fur
ther, and assailed the conduct Of Gen. Harrison
at the battle OF the Thames. In doing this, he
has, by his own word, unaccompaned with proof
or reference 10 any proof whatever, stated facts
at variance with history, and opposed TO the
word Of those who were present and took part
IN the battle That Col. Johnson fought brave
~ and performed with great gallantry every duty
required Of him has never been denied or doubt
ed But when the honorable member attempts
10 show lhaI Col Johnson derised the plan Of
attack, and that he sugGesteR il 10 General
Harrison, and when he denies that General
Harrison was IN the battle at the time, and
attempts 10 prove lha, he was a mile in the rear
during the whole battle, " and that he had no
more 10 do arih il than John Rodgers, arho
nas burned AT the stake as he stated l feel
that these bold assertions should be examined
The member, after Eating the situation Of the
British army before the commencement of the
battle, ayerred that sCol Johnson, with his
mounted men, FIRST overlook the enemy, and
were in advance Of the infantry three or four
miles" Col O'Fallen, who was one of the
aids Of Gen. Harrison, says, "The American
forces Were formed in order Of battle, General
Irotter's brigade IN FRONT, COL Paul's regu-
lars, with the artillery, near his right, and Cot
Johnson's mounted regiment on The left Of
Irotter's as a reserve" How the member
should place COL Johnson's regiment three or
four miles in front Of Trotter's brigade, while
Col. O'Fallen, who passed the orders for forming
the troops put them on the left OF Gen. Trot-
ter's brigade, is not easily discovered. Either
Col. OFallen is in error, or the member has mis-
apprehended the facts Col O'Fallen was ON
the ground al the time, and believe no man
who was there has yet attempted any correction
of his statement; and think it may fairly be
presumed that all corrections will continue to
come from those who were far from the scene
Of action.
The member says, Soon as Col Johnson
disc vered the enemy and his position, he formed
his troops &c.
Col O'Fallen states that safer Col Wood
reported the position of the British army to Ge-
neral Harrison, Col .Johnson's regiment uere
ordered 70 The front, supported on his. rear by
Gen Trotter's brigade"
The member states that al the time Of Col
lohnson's charge upon the enemy Gen Har-
rlson was with the infantry, about a mile in the
rear
Col John Chambers, lately member of this
House, was also aid To Gen Harrison at the bat
lie of the Thames He states that General
HARRISON gave the word Of command for Col.
Johnson's regiment 10 CHARGE" and accompa-
med them until they received the onemy's fire,
and then passed rapidly TO the left, where the
Indians still obstinately maintained he Jisht'
Col O'Fallen. speaking Of the situation of Gen.
Harrison during the battle, says II was {" posi-
ton considered by all as the most exposed and
dangerous within the lines Of our army, and
iehere the battle loas lrarmly contested By the
Indians until they discorered The surrender Of
the mhole British regular force"
Col Smith, another of Gen Harrisons aids,
speaking Of the position of Gen. Harrison du-
ring the battle says, The conflict here was
sharp and animated and continued so for some
time. With the exception Of the charge made
by Col Johnsons regiment, Gen. Harrison was
in the most exposed and dangerous parts Of
the battle"
One would suppose that the statement Of three
distinguished officers like those mentioned was
not TO be coatratjcted in plain, direct, and posi-
tive terms without some proof TO support
the denial, Vel the member is not satisfied
with denying that Gen. Harrison uas in the
battle Of the Thames but he goes further, and
denies in positive and absolute terms that Gen
Harrison lrdS in battle al any time during the
,erf 1ANaz - a
prove that he was. | shall call no other wit
nesses, nor shall | furnish other proofs than
those referred TO, until hear something more
convincing than the assertion of gentleman
who was hundreds of miles distant at the time,
and who suStains his assertion with no proof Of
any kind whatever
One further point advanced BY the member
deserves notice. II is the attempt made by him
TO impress the public mind with the opinion that
Col. Johnson devised the plan OF attack, and
" obtained permission from Gen Harrison 10
charge The enemy" " Uhile Gas he stately Gen.
Harrison had about as much 10 do ujM the
command ia the action as .Ioha Rodgers qrho
rd$ burnt al tie stake This charge. which Is
directly opposed 10 the historical intelligence Of
every man who has examined the history Of the
late war, was most fully and perfectly answered
by my colleagues, Nh. Ccrwin and Mr. Goode)
Yet il is again asserted The attack is repeat
ed with determination and perseverance not
often Witnessed But no proof is referred 10 in
support of the charge No man then present
susiains ii, and no history justifes il in any de-
gree, Yet the naked assertion is made and
although il be unsustained BY any proof what
ever, Will beg leave TO detain the committee a
moment while | compare il with the testimony
of those officers who were present and partici-
patcd in the battle. Col. Chambers, 10 whom |
have before referred, says
q As TO the statement that the entrc ulsn of me-
raiions was projected by Col Johnson is like the
Oh hat ep Z; ~. 49,,