The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-05-09

had appointed yesterday, the oth OF MAY, Tor the
celebration OF the anniversary of this brilliant
military achievement. In the city of New York,
the most extensive arrangements have been made
by the Wing party, and we expect glorious ac
count of the proceedings at Niblo's. 100 guns
were to be fired at noor--in the evening Niblo's
garden was to be Illuminated, and the various
Tippecanoe Clubs were to walk in procession.
We cut the following account of the Sortie,
from the Pennsylvania Inquirer of yesterday.
VICTORY OF FORT MEIGs.
A STIRRING INCIDENT IN AMERICAN
HISTORY.
From, Tysons Life Of General Harrison.
Early in the spring, intelligence was received
that the British were making extensive prepara-
lions, and concentrating a large force of regular
soldiers, Canadians and Indians, to beseige Fort
Meigs. On obtaining this information, General
Harrison fastened to his camp, and exerted the
most strenuous efforts to prepare for the threat
ened attack of the enemy. His presence cheered
the troops, and he inspired them with fresh ardor
by an eloquent address, in which he alluded mo-
destly, but in the most animating manner, to the
neighboring battlefield, where General Wayne
had gained the brilliant VICTORY OF THE MAU-
NEE RAPIDS, and where he himself had won the
! brightest of his earlier laurels.
! At this time the garrison of Fort Meigs was
much reduced in numbers, and the period for
which those who still remained had enlisted, was
| about to expire. General Harrison therefore
looked with great anxiety for the arrival of the
strong reinforcement of Kentucky troops, who
were approaching with allpessible despatch I'M
der General Clay; but whose march had been
greatly impeded by the wretehed condition of the
roads.
On the morning of the 2Sth of April, the scouts
brought in intelligence of the near advance of
the enemy. And soon after, on the same day, the
British troops were discovered from the fort, as
cending the river in vessels and boats, while the
Indians, in strong force, were seen approaching,
at the same time, by land. The British disem-
| parked and encamped at the old station on the
| Maumee, nearly two miles below Fort Meigs;
| and on the night after they landed, they COM
menced the construction of three powerful bat
teries, the north side of the river directly OPP
posite our camp.
1t was on this occasion that GENERAL HARRI-
SON resorted to measure of defence which,
while it displayed in new Light his transcendent
military genius, in its success has been rarely
equalled, and was not surpassed by that OF the
gallant JACKSON WITH THE COTTON BAGS OF
| New ORLEANS.
Whilst the British were busy in constructing
their forts, Harrison had moved all the tents Of
| the army to the side of the Fort next to them,
thus forming screen to his operations within the
works. Behind these tents he threw up ira
verse or bank of earth, twelve feet high, and
twenty feet wide at the base, in such manner
as to form the most perfect protection to the gar
rison against the enemy's guns. The tents con-
cealing the embankment, the British were
apprized of its existence. On the Both of April,
the enemys batteries being completed, prepare
lions were made for bombarding. Their troops
were beat to quarters, the guns loaded, the fu-
sees lighted the want of the word 'SFIRE,o
Ill HI
| HARRISON gave orders to EsSTRIKE THE TENTs.o
1t was done in instant, and Proctor was thus
taught how fruitless had been all his labor, when
opposed by the superior sAGACTY AND GENERAL
SHIP OF HARRISON. Not man-not tent could
he behold, nothing but high shield of earth,
and McAffee observes, ''the prospect Of smoking
them out, tolich the British bad threatened to
! do, aoas Uery fatptw
| Colonel McKune, of Ohio, veteran of the
last war, states that,
seIn the first attack by the British upon Fort
Meigs, the Americans fought outside the fort. /
commanded at one of the gates of the fort, and
personally helped General Harrison over the
picl1ets, and saw him commanding his men in
person and ON foot, regardless of the most i'm
| minent danger"
Proctor, however, resolved 20 hear the music
| of his guns, and accordingly opened heavy
| fire on the Fort. So perfect was Harrison's de-
| fence, that although he endured this attack for
eight days, he lost only two mn. The army of
| Harrison amounted to abouta thousand men,
while the enemy's force comprised six hundred
regulars, eight hundred Canadian militia, and
eighteen hundred Indians. During he first three
days the fire of the enemy was incessant and
tremendous. Five and eight incl shells and
tweny-four pound shot fell in slDwers in the
camp.
On the Sd Of April, Proctor's me, appeared to
work unwillingly, and Harrison's troops repeat
nfa1
ON! This was almost the only return they could
make for their favors, our troops weR almost
destitute of ammunition.
| Harrison was often seen upon theramparts,
sword in hand, and the shot falling apund him,
to use the words of one who served uder him,
Gas thickly as hail." pointing the canon and
defying the enemy.
1t is worthy of remark, that on thesecond day
of the attack, Proctor sent ofiicergith flag,
to demand the surrender of the post The grounds
of this demand were, that the Amriean force
was too icedk to defend the works against the
overwhelming numbers Of the beseigrs, and that
Il General Proctor was anxious to savehe effusion
of blood. The intrepid Harrison Iomptly re-
piled:
eff General Proctor knows the usses of war.
as am bound to believe he does, henust either
have considered me ignorant Of thenor he must
have intended an insult It was is duty to
; make the demand before he commend firing on
the works. But, sir, said he, go bsk and tell
your General that I know my own fole, and his,
and that shall defend the works to ie last ex-
tremity. Tell him, farther, that If ever pos
sesses the Fort, he shall obtain it In way that
will give him more honor in the eimation of
his Government, than be could deve from a
thousand surrendersm
Another incident is also worthy notice
After the enemy had retired, numb of the In
: dams who had left them, came intoke fort, and
stated that contract had been ented into be.