The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-27
From the Lexington (Ky) I,lteIigencer.
FACTS FROM HISTORY.

We take great pleasure in presenting to our
readers the following extracts of two original
documents now in our possession, which were
found among the papers OF the late Governor
Scott, of Kentucky, and politely handed to us
by highly respectable gentleman of this city,
who is connected to our late gallant Governor
by marriage. Those who have seen the Decla-
ration of Independence, (and what American hrs
notO Will instantly recognize the handwriting of
Benjamin Harrison, Esq. one of the signers of
that sacred instrument, affixed to his letter to
General Scott, which we now copy. This letter
proves fact, of which we were not before APP
prised, that Gen. William Henry Harrison first
entered the service of his country, as a PRIVATE
SOLDIER.
Extract of a letter from Benz Harrison, Esq. to
Major Charles Scott, dated
"October 10, 1893
EFDear Sir:-And now, before take my leave,
permit me to tell you, my son, youth of nine
teen years of age, 1 have sent forward in the
character of private soldier under Capt Roll
Inns. His youth and inexperience, | make no
doubt, will stand in need of your friendship;
therefore, pray you, teach him the duties Qt'hiS
station, and if any accident should happen to
him, pay some attention to him.
'sYour obedient and humble servant,
eFBENJ. HARRISON.n
1t seems that young Hanison's merits soon
caused his promotion, by Gen. Washington, as
Wayne's general orders, dated
'FHEAD Quarters,
"Greenville, Dec. IS, 1898.
'eThe commander-in-chief returns his most
grateful thanks to Major Henry Burbeclz, and to
every officer and private belonging to the de-
tachment under his command, for their soldierly
and exemplary good conduct, during their late
arduous tour of duty, and for the ready cheer
fulness with which they faced and surmounted
every difficulty at this inclement season, in re-
possessing the field of battle and erecting thereon
Fort Recovery, "a work impervious to the saw
age foe) also for piously and carefully collect
ing and interring the bones, and paying the last
respect and military honors, to the names of the
heroes who fell, on the 9TH of November, 1871
by three times three discharges from the same
artillery that were lost on that fatal day, but
now recovered by this detachment of the Legion.
"The Gommander-in-chief also requests Mai
Mills, Captains Butler and De Butts, Lieutenant
Harrison, and Doctor Scott, to accept of his best
thanks, for the voluntary aid and services, upon
this occasion"
II appears from the letter of the elder Harri-
son, that he himself had received an appointment
under General WAYNE. and intended accompanv-
ing him IN the expedition against the North
western Indians, but was unable to do so, from
"having,' as he says, E'threc of my ribs broken,
near the back bone, also loosened from my breast
and one broken near the middle As there is not
the smallest probability of my being serviceable
on an active campaign, and moving would put
me in er'aa' ;la--e,--> 70 Is rrr,de,,4 -
Unwilling, however, that an opportunity Tor the
Harrison family to render some service to the
country, should pass, he determined to send his
son there, as he says, youth of only 19 years of
age Where were the Van Burens at that time,
and all other times, when fighting for their coun-
try, was to be done?