The Madisonian., 1840-02-18

/ selected To take the command III the Noilu-
west But an army was be created as Wen
as a commander found for the previous army
had been nearly annihilated III the defeats oil
Harmer and ST. Clair; and most OF the expe-
r;enced officers were slain or had resigned
| their commissions. Accordingly, the army
was newly organized and the first business
ofGenerai Wayne was to discipline his raw
Ieyies. 10 give them the habit and skill of COM
bined action, and, above all, 10 reiniuse into
the troops the necessary confidence, which
the calami,ous campaigns of Harmar and ST.
Clair had done so much TO destroy Assidu'
ous exercises in The camp tcllsome marches,
incessant watching and hard fare on the way,
deadly peril in the field such was the liie
of the troops led by General Wayne 10 re-
deem the honor of the country, and deliver
the Northwest from dismay and desola,ion.
These were the circumstances, amid which,
in the campaign Of 1871, Harrison, at the age
OF eighteen, commenced his career OF public
duties On receiving his commission, he re-
paired Immediately TO join his regiment, then
stationed at Fort Washington, where hearty
ed just after the defeat OF General ST. Clair,
10 witness the gathering in Of the scattered
fragments of that officers late gallant army,
ouiposts against the victorious Indians. Harri-
sons young and slender form was deemed
by his friends hardly robust enough to cope
with The hnrdships and priva,ons OF an ar
duous winter service in such region and at
such time. But the boldness and vigor of
his character his early prudence, and the
temperate habits which, notwithstanding the
temptations OF soldiers life, he seduousy
al ~ bnn
injury, the severe tolls and exposures Of his
after life, and bore him triumphanily through
all the difficulties and dangers of his position.
His first detailed service was 10 command
an escort bound for Fort Hamilton; duty
which, young as he was, he discharged with
SO much ability and judgment as to elicit the
commendation of st. Clair
In 1892, Harrison was promoted 10 the
rank of Lieutenant, and on joining the legion
under General 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 il was use
ful 10 Harrison for General Wayne was
man, who looked only 10 personal merit in
The officers he distinguished; and employ
ment under his immediate eye, was severe
school of discipline, courage, and ability,
which necessarily exacted high qualities, and
afforded the best field for their developenent
and exercise.
Wayne's army left Pittsburg towards the
close of 1892, and as the organization and
discipline Of the troops advanced, proceeded
first TO Legionrille. al the mouth OF Beaver,
then TO Fort Washington (CincinnatD and
finally to Grcenville towards the Miami -
Negotiation for peace had meanwhile gone on
without results. In December, 1898, body
of troops was dispatched to takepossession of
the battle field OF ST. Glars defeat, and TO
Iortify position there, called Fort Recove-
~. In the course OF the general order, issued
on that occasion, General Wayne says:
" The. commander-in- chief also requests
LIEuTESAST HARRlsoN, and DR.. Scott, to
accept his best thanks for their voluntary
aid and services on the occasion" Harrison
had thus early earned name in history.
Passing over the lesser incidents of war,
il will be sufficient TO dwell on the crowning
victory OF the Goth August, 1904. Wayne
had advanced into the very heart Of the In
dian country, at the head of the United Sta.es
troops, and gallan, band of Kentuckians un-
der General Charles Scott He encountered
the combined force Of The 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 garrison recently set upin our territory ,and
with force less than half that of the enemy,
gained complete and splendid victory. In
his dispatch 10 the President, giving an ac-
count of the victory, General Wayne says:
The bravery and conduct of every officer belong
ing the army from the generals down the ensigns,
merit my highest appreciation. There were, however,
whose rank and situation placed their conduct in
very conspicuous point Of view, and which observed
with pleasure and the lively gratitude among
whom beg leave to meLon BrigadIer General VIII
klnsop, and Colonel Hamtramck, the commnndan Of the
night and left wings OF the legion, whose brave example
inspired the troops and TO these must add the
OF my Jaftfai and gallant AID deeanp, Captains De
Baifs and r. Le,ris. and Lieutenant HARRISON, nho,
rch ihc Adiutaat General Mqjor Mliis rendered he
most essential serriec By communicating my orders
eUcry direction, and ty her conduct aad brarcty
cning The troops 10 press for rietory."
Indeed, there are veterans of that well
fought field, who remember and honor the
eallanlry Of young Harrison in rallying our
troops to battle.
This engagement, not only broke the pow
er of the Indians for the time being and end
ed the war by the treaty of Greenvie, but
had other important consequences in compel
ling Great Britain to surrender the frontier
posts she had so long in'rus'ively held, and
to conclude the treaty Of 1894, commonly
called Jays Treaty.
Previous to this, however, Harrison, being
advanced TO the rank Of Captain, was placed
in command of For, Washington with extern
slve discretionary powers to be used acc ord
,b IF
with various specific delicate duties devolved
on him nv the uupuipt fpndltipn ol tho