The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-06-20
CELEBRATION AT FORT MEIGs.

Ck1AAAAAS1A AAON A1 EON4 MEAOCe
From the Bts9aso Commercial advertiser.
The sun never shone brighter than upon the
Wayne, as that boat swiftly assembled the Maui
NEE, the morning of the 10th. Arrived at To-
ledo, we found the United States and Gen.
Scott, both loaded so that their decks seemed
one dense mass of human beings. We were
Joined about nine, by the Rochester and Star,
filled to overlooking with delegates from Lake
county, Ohio, and from Cleveland, and towns
adjacent. The fleet OF boats was soon formed
into line, the Wayne taking the lead, and amid
the huzzas OF the people covering the decks and
shore, the roar of cannon, and the inspiring
strains of bands of music, the whole were again
in rapid motion. The approach to Perrysburg
is singularily beautiful, and if the river had the
clearness and arrowy current of the Detroit or
the Niagara, it would soon be as renowned for
its picturesqueness, it is for its malaria.
Its fine reaches, the graceful sweep sf its curves,
the hoary forests which crown its banks, sur
passing in depth and luxuriancc of foliage any
thing we ever before beheld, and the gala aspect
of the whole enlivened by so many steamboats,
Haunting in gorgeous banners and many gay
device, presented scene which has rarely if
ever been equalled.
A short hour brought in view of Perrys-
burg, the high table land, about a mile above
the village, the site of Fort Meigs, cleaning
with the tents of the Buffalo Military, and the
city of Maumee overhanging the opposite side.
We swept by commanding bluff on the Maui
NEE city side, and a salute announced in thunder
tones that we were passing the site of the old
French Fort Miami, and entering region con-
cecrated by the best blood and the most heroic
achievements of the French, the British the red
men and the Americans. Just above, and
sight, commenced, and directly opposite under
the guns of what was then the British Fort,
ended, the sanguinary conflict in which Mad
Anthony, aided by Harrison and the gallant
spirits under his command, wiped out the dis
IF ~ b,.1r H. IL
power in the Northwestern territory, and put
final termination to the war of the Revolution.
Immediately on landing, we repaired to the old
green Fort Independent of the associations
which will ever render the spot hallowed ground
in the heart of all true, patriotic Americans,
place more emiRently beautiful or one better fit
ted for celebration like that in which we were
about to participate, could not be found in our
bread land. The site of the Fort is on the brow
OF the right bank Of the river, nearly an hundred
feet above the water, to which the descent,
though covered with the greenest sward, is al
most precipiteus. On the land side sweeps round
in crescent form ravine, which together with
the river partially insulates the Fort, and must
have contributed essentially to the defence of the
place. The fosse or ditch, the glacis, the sally
ports, though overgrown with short thick grass,
are all distinctly defined. Beneath, for many
mile, stretches the luxuriant valley of the Maui
NEE, the broad river, dotted with islands, fading
away into the dim, hazy distance, and rejecting
like polished silver the bright rays of uncloud-
ed sun. The banks present most charming
view They are in high state of cultivation in
the vicinity of Perrysburg and Maumee, and
with the neat vllalike houses of the proprietors,
browning the heights and relieved by the fine
specimens of the primeval forest which good taste
has allowed to remain, the background filled up
with the dark silent and solemn woods, made
picture of surprising beauty.
IA L. tI..kf
who, with his companions and former aids, Col.
Todd and Majors Clarkson and Oliver, had
spent the night preceding at Sandusky, would
arrive in the boat of the same name at Toledo,
in the afternoon, the Committee of Arrangements
delegated tot committee consisting of Messrs
Taylor, Choules, Clapp and Stage, of this city,
and detachment of the Buffalo Volunteer Mill
tary Corps, under command of Capt. Vaughn, the
pleasing task of receiving the hero and escortng
him to Perrysburg. They left in the Perry soon
after our arrival. The interval between their
departure and return, we spent in viewing the
localities about the Fort, and noting the fresh
rivals. Immense multitudes were already ON the
ground, and they continued to pour in by thous-
ands. More than five hundred wagons came in
in one single procession. The van of the line
was formed by the Richmond County Delega-
ton, who came distance of more than one hun
dred miles, in one hundred and twenty-tbree wa
CONS. We attempted at first to particularize
each different delegation with their equipages,
banners, notices and badges, but we were soon
obliged to give up in despair.
About six o'clock the steamboats, Sapdusky and
Perry came in sight, and as they approached the
town, the trees the roofs of houses the decks and
rigging of the steamboats, lying at the wharves,
were covered by the thronglng thousands anxious
to obtain view of the venerable chief. He land
ed under salute of IL guns, fired by detach-
ment of the Buffalo Flying ARTILLERY, which was
responded to by the cannon on board each OF the
ten dozen steamboats,, and the still louder
cheers Of the immense multitude. The General
was deeply affected but the lateness of the hour
and the fatigue of the Journey, precluded any
thing more than a simple Acknowledgements Of
the demonstrations of afectionate attachment
with which he was greeted. Entering barouche,
and preceded by his escort, he Immediately re-
paired to the Fort, followed by the thousands who
had assembled to witness his debarlsation. There
he was welcomed by another salute of II guns
from the Buffalo Artillery. Twenty-seven years
had elapsed since Gen. Harrison had visited the
Fort, and as he view the scene of SO much priva-
| ton, suffering and triumph, and marked in their
] turn the spots where the desperate struggle or
successful sally had been made, all will pardon
the sensibility that could not restrain tear for
| the memory of those who so CALAMITY with him
| maintained the honor and defence of the country
| in its hour of most eminent peril After riding
slowly round the Fort, and passing in review,
| the troops drawn up to receive him, the General
in company with his suite, returned to town and
took up his quarters at the hospitable mansion Of
Judge HOLSTER.
AS night came on, the old Fort presented one
of the most picturesque views imaginable. Great
numbers of people had come in during the after
noon, from the neighboring States of Indiana and
Michigan, and the more distant counties of Ohio,
1 and by o'clock, there could not have been less
/ 10000 on the ground. These were divided into
! groups Of from 900 to 5000 men, listening te
! and cheering some favorite speaker, or singing
! Tippecanoe songs.
i On the brow of the bank, and the edge o.
| the neighboring forest, were ranged the white
tents Of the military and citizens. The heavens
were without cloud, the moon was up, and un
der the softened and mellow radiance Of its bles
sed light, the river, the valley, and the whole
scene seemed reposing in quiet beauty, forming
a strange contrast to the sights and sounds which