The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-14
FRO BE CONTINUED
LETTER OF COL. r. M. JOHNSON

The following letter addressed BY Vice Pre-
sident then Colonel RICHARD NJ. JOHNSON, to
General w. II. HARRISON, will inform the read
er what Col. Johnson thought Of General Ilar-
rison as a military man" in the days when the
services and acts of both, in more than one well
fought field were fresh in the memory of the
writer. What Col. Johnson then thought of his
old commander there is sufficient evidence that
he thinks SO still. So lately as on Monday, the
9th inst, while addressing large assemblage
Of citizens at Harrisburg, Pa, Col. Johnson said
in reference to the great battle of the Thames
-''there was not man, from the General
down, who did not do his duty" on that field.
Camp at Lorer .Sdndusky, July a, 1913.
DEAR SIR arrived at this place last even
ing with part of the mounted regiment, after
two days march from Camp Meigs, leaving two
companies four miles in the rear, who were I'M
able to reach this place; besides about twenty
horses left on the way; which am in hopes
will be able to get back to Camp Megs, or come
to this place in few days, where we can keep
them together and recruit them Having been
IN the most active service for upwards Of forty
days, and having travelled upwards of seven
hundred miles, much Of it forced marching, il is
natural to conclude that most Of the horses are
weak and we feel great pleasure, and obliga-
tons to you, IN finding your arrangements such
as TO enable us TO recruit the horses OF the regi-
ment. To be ready to move with you To De
troit and Canada, against the enemies of our
country, Is the first wish of our hearts Two
great objects induced us TO come--first, To be at
the regaining Of our territory and Detroit and at
the taking of Malden-and secondly, IN serre
under an officer IN rhom noe hare ronfdence.
We would not have engaged in the service
without such a prospect, when we recollected
what disasters have attended us for the want of
good Generals. We did no, want 10 serve under
towards, drunkards, old grannies nor traitors
bW undey one loho had prored himself 10 be
rise, prudent and brdre The officers of the
mounted regiment had some idea Of addressing
YOU on their anxiety 10 be part of your army in
the campaign against Canada, and of giving
you statement OF the importance OF having an
opportunity to make the regiment efficient for
such campaign, by recruiting their horses. As
10 the men. they are active, healthy, and fond Of
service. This morning have sent 100 on foot
TO scour the surrounding country; and wherever
we are we wish continual service Our regiment
is about 900 strong when all together. | have
left 100 at Defiance to regain some lost horses,
and to guard that frontier.
You have not witnessed the opposition en-
countered in raising the regiment Every per
sonal enemy, every traitor and tory, and your
enemies all combined-but in vain. Nothing
but the hurry which attended our march prevent
ed me from having 500 men Nothing but the
importance Of the service which thought we
could render, would have justified my absence
from the present catch-penny Congress. My
enemies your enemies the enemies OF the
cause, would exut if the mounted regiment
should from any cause, be unable 10 carry
strong arm against the savages and British,
when you strike the grand blow.
1t IS with dthdence | write you any thing
touching military matters; but the desires of my
soul, and the situation Of the regiment, have in
duced me thus freely 10 express myself In the
morning we shall leave this place for Huron
ready 70 receive your orders, which will be al
ways cheerfully executed at every hazard
Your obedient servant.
RICHARD NJ JOHNSON