The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-31

volunteers covering the lett HANK ana feht vi "ooot
Of the Engineer Cops, who, by order oil General har-
rson. had approached unobse ed by them, sufficiently
near the front line OF the enemy TO ascertain their post
ton aud the order 10 which they were drawn up reported
tina. the British troops. IN order to occupy the high
ground between the and the swamp parallel to u,
were drawn extended open order between these
points the Indians their right occupying the swamp
and ground beyond il, General Harrison, without one
monens delay the slightest embarrassment. formed
his purpose. | within few feet Of him when
the report Of Col Wood made. and he Instantly
remarked that he would make a novel movement by or
dering Col Johnsons mounted regiment TO charge ihe
hae Of he British regulars which thus drawn up, con-
ary TO The habits and usage of that description Of troops
always accustomed 10 Tie touch could be easily pene
aied and thrown into conluson by the spirited charge
Of Col Johnson's Regiment. With view TO this IN
tended charge, Col Johnson's command vas ordered
TO the front, supported his rear as by Gen
Trotters Brigade. know thai all the arrangements
and 6rery movement OF the troops during The battle
made by order OF General Harrison, whose posi-
ton at the commencement Of the action Just IN
rear Of Col Johnson's command and mainly after. ards
the CROCHET formed by the junction OF Johnson's
left, with the Kentucky volunteers drawn up on The
edge aud IN front OF the swamp, position considered
by all the exposed aud dangerous within the
lines OF our army, and where the battle was warmly con
tested by the Indians until they discovered the surrender
Of the @hoe Brush regular force the happy result Of
the novel and skliu movement, most gaanlly perform
ed by Col Johnson and his brave associates but con-
csioed, planned, and directed by General HARRISON,
whose superior military judgment and ready skill nei
Their needed nor recetped any aid
After the return Of the army to Detroit that brave
veteran, that JUST good, and pure citizen the late Gov
Shelby, on hearing read Gen, Hason's report Of the
battle remarked ia my presence and with much empha-
SIS that the report did him Gov. Shelby more Than
justice, and that General Harrison alone due The
cred OF the order of battle the ohole Of the arrange
ments and plans which he Gov G had contributed
carry o the best of his abilities
At the commencement Of the battle Of Tlppecanoe,
when the FIRST gun fired at our advanced picket,
at the tent Of General HARRISON who then up
at the fire. / had opportunity to observe his
ner he cool and collected and every movement Of
his countenance and every word he uttered at that Try
ing neutrality-suspicious. the most embarrassing in the life
Of sodier-denoted the highest order OF personal
age He mounted his horse instantly and accompanied
by his staff FASTENED 10 the direction Of the line first at
tackled part OF this line unable withstand the fierce
and desperate onset OF the Indians, the General met
tirlng within lines disorder aud confusion,
closely pressed by the Indians, some Of whom in
the midst Of them. General Harrison led person
company of the 4th Infantry TO the breach aud such
the effec, Of his bold and fearless behaviour, aud
great the confidence Of his army IN his ability
to conduct them to victory that his presence and voice
at rallied the retreag detachment and they took
position at point equally exposed, where half Of their
number II not more, were either killed wounded.
The battle commenced at about O'Clock Ia the
ing during slight rain, and the attack became general
whn five minutes afterwards, and continued until the
dawn Of day; when by almost general charge. the
Indians broke aud fled before our bayone,s The ORA
goons afterwards proceeded 10 their village and burnt IT.
During the battle, General Harrison seen wherever
danger was most immlnent, wherever the tight was the
thickest. His AID, Col Owen. killed at his side,
and almost at the moment bail passed through
the Generals hat, grazing his head There i1as not
spot pifhtn lines secure from the shot Of The enemy
On this, every other occasion within my observa-
t,nn tha oT hrar
and skiliu commander always calm and cool in his
manner, aud wholly Indifferent 10 his personal safety
possessing the peculiar faculty OF at discerning
whatever was wanting, and OF promptly applying the
remedy. single instant Of vacila,lon uncertainty
OF purpose the slightest trenor OF hesitation
mind the critical and appalling periods Of the bat.
tie, would have been disastrous to his army After the
action there seemed TO be universal admission by the
officers and soldiers of the army, that there was not
another officer IN the battle, capable Of having prevent
ed defeat aud general massacre. All seemed re-
gard General Harrison their deyerer from the Indian
scalpng knife.
According TO my best 'recolectons, Fort Meigs was
cannonaded day aud night with but little nrernssion
for about / days Shortly after its commencement,
MAJOR Chambers, Of the British army, was admitted
into the stockade, the bearer from General Proctor of
an invitation to surrender The garrison with the honors
OF war, on the ground that small force, about 900
men, could not sustain themselves against four times ftei
number, the estimated British aud Indian force Gen.
Harrison at once rejected Indignantly this proposition,
replying to the insult in worthy of his high char
acter Both day and night during the siege, General
Harrison was most active, observing every
OF the enemy, and evncng his usual GOODNESS dauness
courage, and his happy readiness perceive and apply
every incident to his advantage He succeeded in
comprising erery plan and movement where his orders
toerc obeycd recollect not instance to the
trary The detachment under Col Dudley, effected,
part the object intended, driving the British Troops
from their position; but they disobeyed orders i'll
sp'king the enemy's cannon, destroying their ammun
tlon and hereupon Immediately recrossng the river to
the main army. The two sortles on the south side OF
the river, and the day, planned and executed
under orders from General HARRISON were emlnenily
successful resulting IN the objects designed forcing the
British to RAISE the siege of Fort Meigs That CON
Quoted by the brave and accomplished officer, then Col
John Miller, now a Representative ia Congress from
Missouri intended TO destroys sunken battery that had
annoyed us very seriously by enflading line Of
pckets as well as to prevent the almost entire Indian
lorce, then investing the fort that side OF the river
from cooperating with the British against Dudley's
attack made at the same time, the opposite SIDE
sderng the very great disparity between our force aud
that OF the enemy being four to one was must be
allowed to say, Of the brilliant, affairs of the
last war.
Gen. Winchesters movement to the river Rasin
where he was defeated, in disobedence of General
Harsons order which required him to proceed the
Rapids of the Maumee OF the Lakes, and to remain
there for further orders
have extended my remarks beyond what designed
when commenced, but you will perceive my object
was to give full and satisfactory answer to your IN
aver, that on every occasion, when
General Harrison commanded. he dsfegarded per-
sona danger and sacrifice the performance OF duty,
exhibiting all the fine qualities Of dauntless soldier,
combined with those Of talented. skilfu and most
able General Why, at this remote period, when death
has swept away so many memorials OF General Harm
sons lntrepidy and excellence, should the poisoned
OF political thus he hard
earned laurels Of the soldier who. in pu lie,
IN private life has lived .pithout fear and ,ohot
proach'
This sir is what have TO say Of General Harrison.