The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-06
From the Baltimore Patriot.
READER, LISTEN TO THE TESTIMONY
OF A GALLANT SOLDIER


monwealth, of Frankfort. The letter OF Col. David
son is another unimpeachabe witness 10 the bravery
and generalship Of the Hero of Tippecanoe, Fort
Mcgs and the Thames. Governor Wckline and
Col. Davidson, both served under General Hani
SON The latter of the I" forlorn hope" who
charged among the Indians, at the battle Of the
Thames.
From long and intimate acquaintance with Col.
Davidson, we cheefuy subscribe to the comments OF
the editor of the Commonw ealth
g A Drawer and better soldier and truer patriot,
never bled for his country than Jas. Davidson. He
was pre-emnenty distinguished for his activity and
intrcpidiy. He perhaps oftener employed by
General Harrison in services requiring remarkable
degree OF courage amidst dangers fortitude under
snilerlngs ard prompness in executing difficult and
important duties than any man in the army. We do
not say this nvdiously for glory in the fame of all
who served the country In the battle of the Thames,
he was particularly distinguished; he received in that
action three severe wounds one in the leg one in
the abdomen, and one in the breast No one that
lived, was wounded; but he fought at the head
of his men, till the last armed foe had surrendered;
and was not taken from the battlefield, which,
after the action terminated he sunk, till time af
ter dark"
FRANKFoRT, Sept. 5, 1910.
DEAR Sir As you were in the battle of the Thames
commanding company in Col. Johnson's Regiment
on that occasion, and now bear upon your body the
evidence that you in the thickest of the fight
desire that you will favor me with answer to the
following questions.
lst Did you see General Harrison while the battle
ragged, and after Col Johnson had been wounded and
taken of the ground, and hear him encouraging and
animating his mcnl
I'd. Was any part Of the Infantry under Shelby
engaged in the actionl
Yours, respectfully,
C. A. WICKLIFFE
FRANKroRr, Sept I, 1910.
| DEAR SIR am in receipt of your letter Of the fifth
instant, in which, after referring the part bore in
the battle of the Thames October g. 1918, you pro-
pound 10 me two questions in reference to the con-
duct OF General Harrison on that occasion. You ask
me:
lst I" Did you see Gen. Harrison while the battle
ragged, and after Col Johnson had been wounded and
taken of the ground and hear him encouraging and
animating his men 7"
| ID. Was any part of the infantry under Shelby
engaged in the action 2" =.
My answer to your inquiries will be better under
stood by plain statement of the facts which occurred
upon the ground, 80 far as witnessed thcm.
/ was at the head or right of my company on horse
back, waiting orders at about fifty sixty yards from
the line OF the enemy. Col Johnson rode up and ex-
planned to me the mode of attack, and said, in sub
stance, Captain Davidson | am directed by General
Harrison to charge, and break through the Indian
line, and form in the My brother James will
charge in like through the British line at the
| same time. The sound of the trumpet will be the
signal for the charge In a few minutes the trumpet
sounded, and the word charge" given by Colonel
Johnson The Colonel charged within few PAGES
Of me. w struck the Indian line obliquely and
when we approached within ten fifteen yards of
their line, the Indians poured in heavy fire upon u.s.
killing ten or fifteen of our men, and several horses
and wounded Colonel Johnson very severely He
Immediately retired DR.. Theobald, of Lexington !
think, aided him of neither saw nor heard more Of
Col Johnson until the action over.
The contest continued and animated for
some time where my company and part of Captain
Suckers engaged After Col Johnson was
taken off the field | Gen. Harrison and Gov
Shelby BOTH and quite me- They were both on
horseback passing in the CROCHET angle well
member the animating and encouraging manner in
which Harrison, as he passed, addressed his men, il
had a sensible effect upon myself, and seemed |
thought not only to stimulate my spirits but strength
en- my body, Chen weakened by The loss Of bood)
Fellow soldiers shouted the intrepid hero in tones
that stirred the souls of his kindred spirits keep
close, and shoot sure the day will be in few
minutes Y lie rode on ! was engaged, and saw no
more Of him. Immediately upon his leaving u.s. and
going in the direction of the angle desperate and
severe struggle commenced at near, that point be-
tween the infantry under Gov Shelby and the lnd-
This conflict at the angle, with Sheby's men,
lasted think at least five minutes Several of the
nfantry We're killed. Gov Shelby himself told me he
had several men killed and had found eight or ten In
dams left dead the ground at that point This
was the most severe contest during the action.
crossed the swamp with the second Battalion
800 menu and fought against the Indians (,up
posed 400 warrors) under Tccumseh without any
aid whatever
by the details The writer (if indeed the alleged
thor the writer, which doubt certainly labors
under Misrepresentation which can only be account
ed for by the fact that Col johnson badly wound
cd at the first onset and Immediately taken of
the field, and could not have known Of the important
services rendered by the infantry under Harrison and
Shelby.
must claim, however, for the second Battalion Of
the mounted Regiment, the honor of having contri-
buted more than any other corpse in achieving the
victory. But IT gives me pleasure to say that every
officer and soldier did his duty that day so far as
know believe You will therefore be able To Judge
from the fact here stated from my own personal know
ledge, whetl er Gen. Harrison present in the ac-
ton, doing his duty officer, and whether any
part Of the Infantry engaged | had supposed
that facts well known by all who there, would
at this day, be questioned by
In conclusion, il regards the standing of Cen
Harrison officer, and the estimation in which
he was held by the army am, with my intercourse
with his officers and soldiers subsequently TO the bat
tie enabled to adopt the language Of a distinguished
officer of Pcuys fleet" there nerer uas an army
drdentIy attached or Enthusiastically proud
ofa General Than his"
Yours with great respect,
JAMES DAVIDSON
P, s. ] was in the service and under General Har-
rison about fourteen months. J, ID
G. A. Wickliic Esq
We have heard Col Davidson often speak of tho
shot received in his breast The ball in this instance
carried the shirt into the breast with it. So
ating the pain for the instant and difficulty Of
breathing, that he drew the shirt from the wound
with a sudden Jerk bringing the ball with i, and af
forwards staunched the wound will hundiul of
leaves taken from the tree. The brave chief
tain was engaged in no chads pidy.- On, HP.
The Maine Legislature arc engaged in revising the
laws of the State The will probably last three
or four weeks The new Legislature meets on the
10th Of January The votes for Governor, &c, will