The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-12
Major JAMES sTITT, of Nicholson county, Ky.

| ClNClNNATI, Zzd august, 1910.
Dear ST:-I have received your letter of YES
terday and feel it to be my duty to answer the
enquiries you have made OF me, as far as my re-
collection serves me. You have been correctly
| informed as to my having hecn in the battle dG
the Thames. | vas in Captain Church's com!
pany of mounted volunteers, ATTACHED to the spies
under Major James Suggett, and formerly part
of the corps under Col johnson. On the day OF
the battle, some distance in advance Of the army
we captured British Dragon, who informed is
OF the fact that the enemy was just ahead, formed
for action. We sent the prisoner back to the
army. We came up within about so to 100
yards Of that part of the British line in the road
and after we were there a short time, Colonel
Wood, of the Engineers, arrived, and he led Cap
tain Church's company OF some 81 or 32 men along
parallel with the British line, until we came to
the swamp, which we crossed, and came into the
mdsr of the Indians-thcy did not fire upon US
We recrosstd the swamp Immediately, and ie~
turned to the point in the road from which we
had started We were formed for the charge in
single file-Captain Church in front, Col Weed
at his left, John Orr next to Church, then JaS>j
Nc Clelland, blacksmith, living at Frank fort,
and then myself. We were directed by Major
Wood to charge at the sound OF the trumpet
Just before the trumpet sounded, Gen. Harrison
and Commodore Perry, with whose persons
was well acquainted, rode up just to the left of
our front, and in advance of the right OF the from
the bugle sounded, they passed along to the left,
at right angles to us and parallel to the British
lire, and in another moment we had charged
and saw more of them. l recolect particu-
larly Commodore Perry spoke to us, after riding
upon the right of the General. The other mem
bers OF his staff were, probably, further to his
left, and Just in his rear; but did not notice anv
but Commodore Perry, whom knew
Col. James johnson, with Major Payne, had
drawn up their battalion in columns, with their
heads something in the rear of the front of our
company, would say about opposite the mid
ule Of our line. The regulars of Col. Paul were
posted across the road, between that and the
river, and in line with t.,v Ilrst brigade of In.
fanry, both of which were Just in the rear oil tho
last of Col. James Johnsen's columns. The friend.
ly Indians were across the road; opposite to our
company and rather under the bank of the river
We charged through the British line, and forme
as well az we could, in squads, and returned
In the meantime the British surrendered, and
were delivered over to the regulars, who were
just in Our rear to the left as we returned. The
British line did not fire the artillery. The man
applied the match several times, but it would
not go of, which saw myself, as passed with
in foot or two of the cannon.
As to the operations on the left, under Colonel
Johnson, and to Gen, Harrison's subsequent
position, | have no personal knowledge, IL was
our impression that the order given by Colonel
Wood, when he came up to us to prepare to
charge at the sound of the trumpet, proceeded
from Gen. Harrison Shortly after we got in
motion, the fire from the enemy cut down the
leaves, twigs and bark just above our heads.
saw Gen. Harrison, in the battle, at a point
within the reach OF the enemy's guns, and as far
IS have a knowledge, he commanded the army.
shared in its dangers, and performed his duty.
! am' respectfully, your ob't servant,
~, JAMES Stiff,