Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-04-06
Outlines of the 1te Bubble Serbfces anu saltarr Of
WIN. HENRY HARRISON.


the Northwest, and TO establish between the Ohio
and the Lakes, great independent Indian EN-
pre- looking TO her for protection, and thus re-
storing to her influence one half of the territory
nominally recognized as ours by the Treaty OF
Peace. Between 1888 and 1899, it is estimated
that fifteen hundred men, women and children,
were Killed or taken prisoners by the Indians on
the waters OF the Ohio, and an incalculabe n
mount oi property pIundered or destroyed. AT
length formal war broke out, and lis opening
events were most disastrous to the United States
First cane the deieat OF General Harnar, and the
dispersion OF the army under his command
Next, General 81. Clair, with still larger force,
was defeated, with great loss, by the contederated
Indians under little Turtle. The whole country
was now filled with CONSERVATION. Men, who
would have cheertully gone to the encounter OF
regular troops in the field, shrunk from the hard
ships OF labOrious service in the wilderness OF
the West, and from exposure to The rifle and
tomahawk OF the mercess Indian. Great as
were the difficulties of the case however, General
Washington met them with his cha, eristo Wig
or and frmneSs, The war had ceased 10 he an
affair OF the frontier; it had assumed national
Importance. General Anthony Wayne, an officer
who had won a merited distinction in the Revo.
utionary war, by that union Of sound Judgment
and successful daring, which constitutes the high
EST mIlltiry talent, was selected to take the com
mand in the Northwest. Bul an army was TO be
created as well as commander found; for the
previous army had been nearly annihiaed in the
defeats of H0rmar and st. Clair; and most of the
experienced officers were slain or had resigned
their commissions. Accordingly the army was
newly organized; and the first business Of Gen.
wayne was to discipline his raw lcves, TO give
them the habit and skill Of combined action, end,
above all 10 reinfuse into the troops the necessa-
ry confidence, which the calamitous campaigns of
Harmar and ST. Clair had done 81 much to de-
ctr Acc. =. II
marches, mcessant watching and hard fare on the
way, deadly peril in the field, -such was the life
of the troops led by General Wayne to redeem
the honor OF the country, and deliver the North
west from dismay and desolalion.
These were the circumstances, amid which, in
the campaign of 1891, Harrison, at the aye of
eighteen, commenced his career oi public duties.
On receiving his commission, he repaired imme-
dately To JOIN his regiment then stationed al Fort
Washington, where he arrived Just after the de.
eat oi General ST. Clair TO witness the gathering
in OF the scattered fragments of that officers late
gallant army, and 10 cooperate in mainta ming the
frontier outpostN against the victorious Indians.
Harl son's " ung and slender form was de, med
by his friends hardly robust enough 70 cope with
the hardShps and privainns Of an arduous win
ter service, in such n region and al such time
Il the bodnesS and vigor of his character. lis
early prudence, aud the temperate hahiDs which,
notwh standlng the temptations OF Il soldiers lie,
he sedu1 usy cultivated, prepared him TO endure
without injury, the severe tolls and exposures of
his after lie, and bore him lriumphantly through
all the difficulties and dangers OF his position.
Ills first detailed service 10 command an
escort bound for Fort Hamilton; duty which,
young AZ he was. he discharged with so much a.
blllty and judgment as TO elicit the Communications
Of St. Clair.
In 1872 Harrison was promoted to the rank of
Lieutenant, and on joining the legion under Gen.
Wayne was selected by him as one of his aids-de-
camp, in which capacity he served during the rest
OF the war. The appointment was as honorable
as 1t was useful to Harrison for General Wayne
was man, who looked only to personal merit in
| the officers he distinguishes; and employment
under his immediate eye, was a severe school of
discipline, courage and ability, which necessarily
eXacted high qualities, and afforded the best field
for their development and exercise.
Wayne's army left Pitsburg towards the close
! OF I'VE and as the organization and discipline Of
the troops advanced, proceeded first to Legion
vile, at the mouth Of the Beaver, then to Fort
Washington, (CincinnatD and finally TO Green
VILE towards the Miami. Negoia ion for peace
had meanwhile gone on without results. In De-
cember, 1882 body of troops was dispatched To
take possession OF the battle field OF st. Glars
defeat and TO lorliiy position there, called Fort
Recovery In the course of the General Order,
issued on that occasion, General Wayne saws -
The Commando: in Chief also REQUESTS Major
Mills, Captains DE Butts and Butler, Lieutenant
HARRISON, and DR.. Scott, to accept his best
thanks for their voluntary service on that occa-
sion" Harrison had thus early earned name in
history.
Passing over The lesser incidents of war, il will
he sufficient To dwell ON the crowning victory of
the goth of August, 1894. Wavne had advanced
into he very heart of the Indian country, at the
head of the United States troops, and a gallant
band Of Keriuckians under General Chas. Scott.
lie encountered the combined force Of Il e hostile
Indians, with volunteers and militia from Canada
numbering 1000 in all, at the foot of the Miami
Rapids, in the vicinity of British Fort and gar