Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-07-23
DR.. Usher Parsons.
PROVIDENCE, July IA, 1910.

itcs, feel no reluctance in stating what
know of Gen. fIarrison's services whilst CO
operating with Commodore Perry, and OF his
popularity in the army he commanded.
In January 1913, Gen. Winchester's small
army was captured on the river RalsIn,
and as they were returning home on parole
from Font George to Kentucky, they passed
by tho Barracks at Black Rock, where ] was
stationed as u medical officer Of the navy
Frequent conversations with the officers and
soldiers Informed Inc Of the atrocities com.
mi.led on some Of the troops, utter they had
surrendered and also, Of the comparative
estimation in which Generals Harrison and
Winchester were held in the West and rs
many OF them had served under both Gene
rails, they certainly were competent Judges OF
their merits. They spoke Of Gen. WiDches-
ter as brave aud patriotic but their conf.
dcnce in the vaor, skill and patriotism of
Gen. Harrison wns unbounded,-l may say
enthusiastic. Had he commanded us, said
all of them, the result had been difcrent.-
lie alone has the popularity and influence,
that can unite the troops Of the whole West,
and lead them to victory.
| In few months my curiosity TO see so celc-
bra,ed General was gratlied. The fleet
under Commodore Perry, which was created
at the recommendation Of Gen. Harrison, ar
rived at Sandusky, near his camp, and fired
signal guns, which brought an officer on
board, who reported the General to be ~
miles distant, at the head Of an army of mill
tia, regulars aud friendly Indians. Boats
were dispatched to bring him and bis suite
on board, where they arrived late in the eve.
ming of the l0lh of August. The following
morning being pleasant, wo were all MUSTER
ed for review. On the quarter deck OF the
Lawrence, stood Gen. Harrison, surrounded
by his chief officers in full military dress
and a more splendid group never behcld.-
But strangers attention would, | think,
have been drawn exclusively to the General.
His well proportioned figure, straight as an
arrow, was nerved 10 a martial yet graceful
bearing his piercing eye beamng will, in
telligcnce, his soldisrly expression and dig.
nifcG manners, rendered him altogether the
most imposing object among them; and his
whole appearance realized the expeditions
formed of him from the description given by
Winchestcrs troops.
A salute was now fred, md the officers
presented; and the remainder vi the day was
employed in planning the future operations
of the feet. IL was the intention Of the
Commodore to storm the batteries ut Maiden
and set fire to the encmy's fleet, unless ii
should conc out 10 meet us. But while pre-
parations were making for This, The feet ap-
peared early in the morning of the 10Th OF
September, and the result Of The day was
communicated 10 the General that evening in
the following words Dear General, ace
hare met the enemy and they are o,vs-tiVo
ships, t,co briggs, one sloop, and one schooner" F"
Loud indeed were the rejoiciDgs of the
troops, as they came on board with the Gen.
era, for transportation to Maiden. They
whu had long slept on tic eaith aad endured
the hardships and privalons Of camp lie in u
wilderness, waiting for an opportunity 10
avenge the death Of their companions slaugh-
tered in cool blood at the river Rsisln, and to
wrest The scalping kLile from savage hands |;
row saw the road open for them to reach and
grapplc with tho enemy, hand to hand-and
earnest were they for the conflict.
The General and his army were on board
with US for some days, and it is due to both
of ihem IT, state that from what ] saw and
heard, however different it may sound from
the reports now circulated by noisy dema-
gogucs, never was there an army more ar.
IDENTIFY attached, or more Enthusiastically
proud OF General, than this. Although
composed OF heterogeneous materas--u of
volunteers and drafted m:litia-of regulars
and Indians, each having its peculiar notions
OF discipline, yet were they marshaIed into
harmonious and efficient action, und CO. ope.
ration, by his skiliul hand, and all of them,
nom The hoary headed Gov. Shelby. down TO
The lowest rank Of soldiery, were alike eager
to win his favor by bravery and discipline, and
seemed to regard him as the only person ca.
pable OF leading them to victory. And did
he disappont them? Did they not within q
few days capture the only army that was cap
tnrcd during The war; Yet what do we hear in
the face Of hese facts? Why Gen. Harrson,f for
sooth is coOard, an old granny a peiiicoai
General ! can only state it as my belief,
that had any assassin Of this PATRIOTS hard
earned fame used such epiihets in the hear
ing OF The army at the time referred to, eve.
ry sword would have leoped from its scab-
bard to seek revenge in the dciamer's blood.
II The success of Gen. Harrison m gainng
The entire confidence and willing obedience
OF his army, was owing TO his superior know.
edge OF the springs Of human action. aud his
skill IN managing them. One powerful me ans
was his own example. When his soldiers were
subjected To the conrsest aud scaniiest fare,
he allowed his own table to be spread with
nothing better than they enjoyed. Another
was by appeals to their better feelings aud
motives, to their patriotism, their self re c.poct.
their reason and sense of honor, instead Of
rcsor'lng to severe pnnishmenls; and hence
such pnnlshmcnls were rarely inflicted or re.
qnircd. Ills general order on poinp into
battle at The Thames read thus :--"The Gen.
cral entreats his brave troops 10 remember.
that they are the sons of sires whose fame is
immortal. Kenlockisns Remember the
RIVER Ralsln but remember il only while
victory is suspended. The revenge of n sol
der cannot he graIiied upon fallen enemy"
lie Knew where To touch the Indignation
OF his soldiers, and how 10 turn il io good ac-
count yet he icI, the necessity of restrain
ing u, when victory was achieved, by appeal.
ing la their sense Of honor.
Commodorc Perry served M Aid 10 the
General at tho Thames; after which the two
Conquorors on land and lake returned IN tho
fleet 10 Eric, bringing with them many oi
their prisoners. II was spirit. stirring scene
when they landed. and amid the roar Of ar
lillrry aud the huzzas Of the multitude march.
ed ~ trumphal procession.--a procc ssion that
Rome might have been proud cf and
which Rhode Islanders might have bchcld
4 with joyiul OSCILLATION Ter in that tram