The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-22


food for men and forage for horses in that dense
wilderness. He should understand the Difficult
lies to be overcome and the dangers TO be en-
couniered. On these points, believe, the hon
orable gentleman who makes this attack has had
no experience.
SIR, there are members of this House. who
ACT with the party TO which the member from
Hamilton belongs, who possess intelligence in
regard TO the military services of Gen. Harrison
derived from personal observation. The honor.
able gentleman from Missouri, (Mr. Miller
not now in his seat, suppose was with Ge-
neral Harrison during the campaign in 1873
re possessed advantages favorable 10 the
formation OF correct opinion. He was
an eyewitness and conspicuous actor in
the important events Of that campaign Al the
memorable sortie of Fort Megs he commanded
The troops who boldly marched TO the mouth OF
the British cannon, drove back the enemy, and
spiked his guns On that day he proved him
sell soldier Of gallant bearing. Has that hon
orable member ever been heard TO censure Gen.
Harrison No, sir; not all the feelings Of po-
iitical strife would ever tempt brare and gene
rons man wantonly to attack the military repu-
tation Of our country's benefactor. This bust
ness OF assailing Gen. Harrison has been left TO
members who were at distance from the scene
OF operations, and under the protection of their
mothers, while Gen. Harrison was engaged in
cconquering the British army, and driving the
Indians from our frontiers
will now look TO the charges which the mem
Der has been pleased to bring forward against
General Harrison's military character The
first important charge is, that the Senate of the
United States, on taking up the joint resolution
ofthanks to General Harrison and Gov. Shelby,
and directing gold medals to be struck commemo-
rative OF the capture ofthe British army. ordered
q m m 10 ha n,
is unquestionably true that the Senate were not
then all OF them prepared to bestow upon Gen.
Harrison the high honors contemplated BY the
resolution. There were then, as there are now,
and always have been, men who were ready and
willing TO accuse any one acting in the exalted
station which Gen. Harrison filed. From these
charges no man Of elevated standing ever es-
capped, and probably never will The work Of
detraction and SANDER has too many votaries for
us to hope that merit or virtue will long remain
unassailed.
There were al that time those who, from some
motive or other attacked the reputation of Gen
Harrison. While there was an objection ex-
isting in the minds Of any member unfavorable
TO the character of General Harrison, il would
have been highly improper 70 have passed the
resolution. It was accordingly delayed. lnqui-
ry was made; the reports proved unfounded ali
were satisfied as to the perfect integrity, pdtri-
ofism, ability, and gdlidntry of General Harri
son, and the following resolution was unani
mously adopted
"Resoired by The Senate and House qf representa-
tires Of The United States Of America in Congress
sembied, That the thanks of Congress be- and the,
are hereby, presented to Major General William Hen
ry Harrison and Isaac Shelby, late Governor of Ken
lucky, and through them 10 the officers and men un
der their command for their gallantry and good
duct in defeating the combined British and Indian
trr.a Il. II D. n
in Upper Canada, on the 9Th day of October, 1873
capturing the British army, with their baggage camp
cquipage, and artillery and that the President of the
United States be requested to gold medal.
to be struck cmblematcal of this triumph and present
ed to General Harrison and Isaac Shelby late Cover
nor Of Kentucky"
The gentleman seems 10 admit that the unani-
nous voice of Congress was conclusive refu-
tallon OF the unfavorabe reports against Gene
raj Harrison, and showed them untounded-
But he speaks of the deiay as unfavorabe to the
reputation of General Harrison. Sir the delay
was occasioned by false and unfounded reports.
Could General Harrison in any degree. be held
responsible for the SANDER of others think
not. ! cannot conceive that he Is in any man
ner censurable for the attacks now made upon
him on this floor; nor do | see that he could
then be blamed for the SANDER of those who as
sailed him. When he was assailed, he or his
friends met the charge, and exposed the calum-
ny. Such is their duty at this day, and it is a
duty which, ] trust, will be at all times promptly
and cheerlully performed.
The next charge Is, that 'Genera Harrison
has been censured for encampmg his troops at
Tippecanoe upon narrow piece OF ground so
surrounded with deep marsh as almost TO CIT off
retreat IN case Of surprise" The member
omitted to inform US from whom this censure
comes The charge, if true, will have but little
A l..l.. al. Il
expedition 10 -feht. Those who think the ar
my was marched from Vincennes to Tippecanoe
for the purpose of retreatiag before sarage
foe, will, Of course place More stress upon the
charge believe il fact susceptible Of proof
that General Harrison nerer retreaed in the pre-
sence of his enemy He had received no exam
pies Of that kind from General Wayne, under
whom he served while young. Nor was the idea
of retreatng from Indians entertained in that
dav From such an enemy retreat was supposed
to be out Of the question. II was sure death
This plan Of retreating from Indians is an inn
provement of the present age, and perhaps has
arisen from connecting the study of physic with
that of Indian warfare. Perhaps the world may
be enlightened BY work devoted TO this sub
ject II might be useful in our Florida cam
pagns."
But the member speaks of marrow piece
of ground so surrounded wiM deep marsh as
almost 10 cut off retreat" have examined the
battle ground Of Tippecanoe with some interest.
Some one or two miles, perhaps, below the site
of the Tippecanoe village, the Wabash river
runs nearly west, as | should judge from one
to two miles north of the river and nearly parallel
with it is timbered country point Of timber
ed land juts out from this body oftimber towards
the river in the form Of narrow peninsula; on
the west Of this grove and near TO il is run of
pure water east Of it and some sixty rods from
il is small sluggish stream passing through
wet marshy prairie the two small streams unite
some distance below the grove on every side Of
this grove, except the north, is an open prairie,
with nothing protect the assailants nor is there
any marsh except on the east. This ground be-
inn dry alfordinn rnnd and u.aIer 1uas snlnc ted