The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-31
From he Ohio State Journal-Erira
GENERAL HARRIsoN's MILITARY CHA
RACTER-SLANDERS REFUTED!

The following correspondence was called out il con-
sequence Of remarks relative 10 the character and con-
due, Of General HARRISON made by members OF the
House OF Representatives of The State Of Ohio, IN
their places the floor Of that House. letter was
addressed to each Of the genemen, whose replies are
gwen below. by member Of the House who heard the
remarks, stating their substance and requesting from
each statement vf the facts which fell within his per
sousi knowledge, respectively. The high character oil
The gentlemen whose statements have thus been obtain
supporter Of the last and present Administrations OF the
General Government Is such To put the facts TO
which they bear testimony, entirely beyond doubt.
WAsBlScroN, Ky, 24lh Feb. is40.
Dear Sir Your letter Of the 9Th inst. reached me
10 day by the Southern mail, marked, "mlsseni, for
warded" This will account for your not having my
answer at an earlier day You have been correctly IN
formed that IN the battle OF the Thames and
near the person Of General Harrison, from the
meme enent the termination Of the engagement, and
that personally know what part General Harrison took
IN IT," had the honor act as a volunteer Aid de
camp General Harrison. during the active operations
Of that campaign; and was at no time more than FIVE
minutes Of sight OF hln the day OF the battle,
until after the surrender Of the BRUSH Army, and
treat Of The Indians You say, :" II has been asowed
the floor Of the House OF Representatives of Oao
session, by members IN their places that General
Harrison st time IN the battle, nor within two
miles Of the battle ground that the entire plan OF ope
ration was projected by Col X NJ. Johnson that he
led the troops TO conquest and that General Harr
son had neither part or lot IN the matter" From the
reckless character OF the attacks made upon General
Harrison, through the prostnuted aud penstoned press
devoted TO the support OF the present administration,
not surprising that that portion OF Its supporters who
read nothing else but the papers devoted to the cleo
ton Of Mr. Van Buren and abuse Of General Harrison,
should make such statements but that q member Of
legislative body who from his station ought 10 be man
Of information, and gentleman, should be ignorant
q he hIstar nj pt lhp mpSt
the late war; utterly egsrdless Of ruth as 10 make
such statement Is truly astonishing Every member
OF your legislature has presume, read General Harr
sous Official account Of the battle OF the Thames and
wanon and unprinciped have been the msreprcsen-
taons Of General HanIson's military character and
conduct, have now, CATER lapse Of upwards OF TWEEN
tysx years for the first time heard the lnnaton that
his account was 10 any particular untrue In that paper
General Harrison states correctly the position he occu
pied at the commencement OF the action and he might
have stated with equal truth, that he ~ person gave the
word Of command 10 the mounted regiment to charge"
and that he advanced with II until It received the enemys
fire, and then passed rapidly TO the Left where the In
dams still obsinaely maintained the fight Such, sir,
TO be the facts, and feel perfectly confident that
General Cass (~ho IN the battle) and General Ha
risons other Aids-de-camp, will unhestatingy sustain
in the statement; and happens that they all
yet alive One Of them, Col John O'Falon, resides at
St Louis, Missouri; and the others. Coils Charles s.
Todd. and John Speed Smith, at Shelhyvlle aud Rich
mond. in this State As TO the staement, that the
entire plan Of operations was projected by Col john
son. like the charge that General Harrison at
time in the battle within two miles Of the bat
tie ground, fuse, utterly Iuse The idea Of charging
the enemy with the mounted men, was exclusively Gen
Harrson's. | was present when he first announced IT,
and know that Col Johnson then the head Of his
command and not consulted the subject, until
after General HARRISON had expressed his determination
make the charge and If ii Is intended to state, that
the operations of the campaign the order Of battle
projected by Col. Johnson It is equally untrue :;
and am very confident that lie has and never will
give the slightest sanction to such statements, as you
say have been made by members of your House OF Re
representatives.,
You have my permission sir, TO make such use Of
this letter as you may thok proper,
Respectfully,
Your obt serv't
JOHN CHAMBERS.