Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-07-06
D0INeS Of THE PEOPLE.
THE GLORIOUS FORT MEIGS GATH
EDINC

iHE pLOhlOUS FORT MElGS GATH
ERlNG. lfa,ei.
On Wednesday morning, Ms our readers
have already been advised, the Michigan dele.
ga'lon--or rather the delegation from the
North and Cen,reS-left The docks on board
the steamboats, Michigan, Macomb, Erie,
Huron and Vance, upon these boats pere more
t'tQn f,co thousand freemcn the Michigan alone
'sisE on board twelve hundred and sixty! So
vast concourse Of frecmcn were never before
assembled in Michigan as upon this occasion:
for beside the delegates their escort numbered
many hundreds, whose business prevented
them from leaving. Before leaving the docks,
not less than five thousand persons were to-
gether. and shout followed shout as the noble
vessels glided from their moorings, under the
cheers OF the multitude, and the waving of the
handkerchief of the "dear girls we left be
hind us"
The several boats maesiicaly glided down
the river, and after a delightful passage of a
few hours we reached Toledo-where our
fleet, together with the Jefferson, ladened with
hundreds of delegates, reached nearly togeth-
er-were greeted with salute, and the well
kln-ringing cheers of the hundreds who lined
the shores, and made animated the decks of
the gallant steamers moored at the docks
Here we met delegation from the military
already encamped at Fort Meigs, despatched
for the purpose Of receiving Gen. Harrison,
who was momentarily expected. And ere the
Michigan fleet left the wharves, the Sandusky,
in which the General had taken passage,
reached the town, and was received with
national salute, fired under the direction of
Major Fay, of the Buffalo independent compa-
MES. The shout Of the thousands present fol-
lowed that Of the thousands covering every
deck and roof and vacant spot in the vicinity
A brief interchange followed, when the old
hero was escorted to the boat Commodore Per-
ry, appropriately selected to bear the General
to the scene of his early glory.
AT this instant, the booming canon announ-
ced the approach of the steamboat Rochester
from below, with her deck covered with many
hundreds of freemen; and also of two trains
of cars from Adrian, laden with near thou
sand OF the honest hearts of Lehawee, Hills
dale, &c. The instantaneous arrival Of these
two accessions to the many thousands already
collected within the space of single hour,
toledo drew on: the most heart cheering
shouts. Every heart seemed to swell with
the hottest enthusiasm, as the hand of welcome
was extended to their brethren. twas ? sub
lime sight, sight that would have met wi h
response from even the coolest heart.
In few minutes the entire fleet, cons istinp
Of some eight or ten boats, mostly of the larr-
est class, were vending their way 10 the bat
tle-ground. 1t was bcautiful-a sublime
spectacle, this moving mass of the most beau
tiful vessels in the world. In following them
with the eye as they gided over the smooth
waters of the Maumee, now heading this wav
now that, as the channel lead them--with their
hundred banners floating from every elevation
with the inspiring sound of bugle and drum
and the full, swelling chorus which went up to
the heavens from a thousand voices-with the
high blnfs and beautiful verdure which skirt
the river, 10 give variety and contrast 10 the
whole scene-in following this fleet of steam
boats thus moving, the mind was overwhelm.
ed with the sublime magnifcence Of the spec
tacle. this sight alone was worth journey Of
thousand miles, and worthy the pencil of the
most accomplished artizan in the world.
In less than an hour the fleet was moored to
the docks, under the roaring OF canon placed
at the several points in the immediate neigh
borhood, most particularly hallowed by the
gallant deeds Of the past. The banks and
docks, too, were lined with not less than TEN
THOUSAND freemen, who had met to well
come the veteran soldier 10 his ancient battle
ground. Their welcoming shout went up like
the ihunderings OF an earthquake, and drown
ing IN its din the believing of the dogs of war
whose smoke gathered in the air, and whose
flashes were seen as in the days of old.
In very few minutes the General present.
ed himself TO the multitude, and again the
heavens rung with peals of gladness and well
cone. Shout followed shout for several min
utes, during which the keen eye OF the old sol
dIer-which yet retains much of the fire and
Hastings OF youth-was believed with an IN
tear which, unbidden, stole its way
to his war-worn cheek, as his honest heart 81
lenily responded TO this gratifying and affect |
ing welcome. But il was when his eye rest
ed upon group of grey-haired veterans, who |
stood uncovered beneath him, and when the |
luick-passing JOY OF recognition threw into Its
piercing glance, new animation, and
when, simultaneously, the old men clapped
heir hands with "God bless our old Gener-
A." that he seemed mos affected. The heart
which had remained Unwavering, under the
hick flying canon-shoi Of the enemy, gave wsy
1efore this touching incident.
Very soon after. the General took his place
n barouch prepared Tor him. in company
yiih Judges HOLSTER. Of Pefrysburzh, and
nc or two others. In moving forward the
arriage had 10 pass beneath a canvass s,rech-
d across the road, bearing he motto ".seieoms
0 Fort Mtigs." And when this was reached
be General rose, when the shout which had
zen continued during the whole time, was
welled into thunderstorm fuenfy thousand
reemen WELDON the Old Hero 30 For Meigs.
The General having thus been escorted NJ
is quarters, amid the cheers Of bis fellow eIii-
ems, the multitude moved forward 10 the site !
The Old Fori, where The tents OF the military
ere alsefdy pitched, when an hundred others