The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-06-25

I uleu, reached the boa.s, crossed Tie rNer,
and got 10 the fort. The residue Of the
regiment was killed or captured. The field
officers were oil on foot. Ii was, therefore,
Impossible to pass with speed from com.
pany 10 company and give orders. Col.
Z Dudley was o cofpulent man. He and Cap.
talns ]. c. Morrison, Lewis, Clark, and IT..
win, four ofthe six heads accompanies which
pursued the Indians in the woods, lost their
lives. was the Lieutenant, in Capt. J. [.
Morr.sou'S company. was badly wound.
cd. Our Ensign had been left behind sick.
More than q third Of the company were
killed ana wounded Here was company
without q commissioned officer capable Of
service when it reached the battery. OH.
er companies were IN similar condition, -
Under such circumstances a surrender was
unavoidable. Besides, those vino first
reached the battery, being few in number,
incapable Of making resistance, and running
right up 10 the British soldiers. where they
expected to JOIN friends, threw down their
arms as they were ordered, aud thus SET the
example 10 those who followed.
have thus briefly stated the facts attend
ing the defeat Of Col. Dudley, beng an eve
witness Of most Of them, aud having learnt
what did not see, from my fellow soldiers
Just after they occurred, do this in Justice
TO my Old General, whose military life is
undergoing the scrutiny Of public examina.
ton and criticism, so that my testimony
may receive such consideration as il may
deserve, IN leading 10 a correct conclusion.
Allow me, 10 conclusion, &c make few
remarks in regard to the difficulties Geuer
al Harrison bad to encounter in conducting
bis military operations in the Northwest
they were much greater, il lily cplnion,
than those which any other OF cur Generals
had 10 contend against during the last war
From P,que, = miles above Dayton, to the
mouth q the Maumee, thence down Lake
LFle 10 nepr the mouth Of the Huron river,
aad east ci the sources Of the Muumee, as
tar as the head waters Of the Mushingum
river, the country was wilderness. The
enemy had command Of the Lake during
l.l2, and up 10 q short time previous to
Perry 5 memorable victory, inl~l3. ltwas
consequently Impossible TO obtain SUPPLIES
by water from Cleveland, Erle or Buffalo,,
10 sustain Fort Melgs and the other Posts
10 lis vicinity. For the same reason troops
Tor their defence could not be transported by
waller. The country, and that part Of II es
Peclally, which was denomlnaied the Black
Swamp, was little else then quagmlyes and
marshes. 1t was almost imposs bic 10 ret
along With baggage wagons or carriages X
any kind. The -four and other articles foI
the use Of the army except beef driven on
loot were generally transported on pack
horses. Tie volunteers from Kentucky aid
OaiJ, 10 the spriag of 1872, had to wade
through mad asa water ~ passing 10 the
iroauer-ollen building brush heaPs to
sleep On at night, for want OF dry ground On
which 10 pitch their tents. The ,aleuled
locuMseh and his hosts Of savage warriors
were aided by British regulars and Canad.
al militia. Thus uniting the skill aud mil.
,,ary implements Of civilized men to the
lurking cunning ana cease.ess activity oil
ia!Iraled saYages. These things should be
considered. Those VINO fail 10 reflect upon
them, caau1i properly appreciate the value
Of Genera, Harason's services, IN the sue
cesslu. defence Of Fort Melgs, "a the expal
-3aa q. tie enemy from our territory and 10
the pursuit aud capture Of Gen. PROCTOR
army upga the Thames. General Harrison
IS he Only Commander IN our services to
whom British army surrendered during
.ae last var.
| ~ oao lime thought l would follow the
example Of others and seek au opportunity
to mention these facts % the floor Of ;hc
House O.! Representatives, bot have con.
cIucea tat the better course IS to address
yol and request the Insertion Of tbs letter
IL the Ns5,suuiau,
Very respectfully, yours,
J.R. UNDERWOOD