Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-08-24

Gen. Harrison, Martin Van Buren's official organ
presumes to call him coward granny, and a
'petiicoat hero
John NJ. Niles, in his life of Perry, published
IN 1871 aftera giving general biography OF Gen.
Harrison, said:
The defence effort Meigs, and the subsequent
capture of the British army may he fairly consd-
cred the most brilliant and extraordinary events of
the late war;
In abiding to the battle of the Thames, he said /:
ut must be conceded that this victory reflected
great honor upon the national arms, and upon the
troops by whom it was achieved.
The action, and the movements which prece-
ded 1t, afford ample testimony of the Judgment
and cool nrepidty of Geu. Harrison ; and in
deed, all the events ofthe campaign support these
characteristics the disasters attending it having,
in no instance, been imputable'i 10 him.
And yet, Notwithstanding all this Martin Van
Burens official organ still darcs to call General
Harrison II coward granny and pettcoat
hero
Elk Governor Isaac Hill, Nov. 90, lsl3 in the
New Hampshire Patriot said
'What man lives, whose whole heart and soul
S not British, that cannot sincerely rejoice in the
late victories of Perry and HARRISON that does not
feel pride in the valor aud patriotism Of the he.
roes of the West, who have freed a country large
rs the Empire of Alexander the Great from the
Indian tonabawk and scapng knife? If there
lie such one, he is traitor to lis counlry-he
possesses the Splrt OF murderer
Still Martin Van Buren's official organ con-
tnnes to call Harrison II Coward granny and
a 'petticOat hero
l will in the next place, Mr. Chairman, claim
the attention OF the committee to the testimony
given by portion of the surviving members OF
the Petersburg tVirginia) vounteeIs,who had serv
ed under Gen. Harrison. Before, however, in
Itroduee this testimony, will furnish some evi-
ldence of its high worth and character by reading
the discharge given 10 that "patrotc and gallant
corps" of citizen soldiers by Brigadier General
Cass. lie says;
Sin granting discharge to this patriotic and
gallant corps, the General feels at loss for words
adequately to convey his of their exalted
merits Almost exclusively composed of indvid.
uas who had been nufsed in the lap of ease, they
have for twelve months, born the hardships and
prvatlons Of military lite in tile midst Of an in
hospitable Wilderness, with cheerfuness and
aacry which has never been surpassed; their
conduct in the field has been excelled by no other
corps
men say:
'We the undersigned. portion OF the survi.
wing members Of the Petersburgh (Virginia) volun.
teers now residing in Petersburg, have seen in
some public prints, with much surprise, the impu-
tation OF cowardice attempted TO he cast upon oui
old commander, Gen. VIM. II. Harrison. We as
an act of sheer justice TO that individual, deem il
duty to state that, during the siege Of Fort Meig
in the spring of lSI3, we frequently saw Gen. Har
rson placed in dangerous and perilous situations
and ohe day Of the several sorties, 18th of May
1873 we as frequently saw him coolly and deliber
ately encouraging his officers and men to do the;
du,y. No coward, we think, could act with cool
ness aud dellbera!ion on such occasions.
'In September following we crossed the lake
and landed on the Canada shore, a few. miles be
low Maiden, IN which neghborhood we expected
to meet the enemy. AT and after the landing, OF
our march towards Maiden, Harrison and Shelb,
were seen at the heads of their respective com
mands, in the active discharge of their duties
And at the Thames, in October, it was concluded
by all that Gen. IIarrison's conduct was brave and
meritorious
February or March, of the same year, the time
of service Of The militia was about to expire, and
had they left the army, we should have been LEFT
with bun a few volunteers and regulars, exposed u
the combined enemy. AT that time Meigs was moi
fortified. In this situation the General called the
troops together, and addressed them in feeling
land patriotic manner, impressing upon them the
necessity of remaining only few days longer, al
the same lime pledging himself 10 see them paid
from his own private resources Should the gov
eminent refuse TO do it) Tor the time they nigh
serve after their legal time of service had expired
We cannot iorbear ackno wledging a debt o
gratitude Of long standing, and yet due to Gen
Harrison, for his Kind and personal attention t
those of our company who were wounded in the
engagement on the 9th of May, al Fort Meigs, and
for his general department towards our corps dur
ing our term of service.