Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-06-13

al
ment ball passed through the Gen Mention, |
grazing his head. There UaS not spot WesHall, |
lines secure from the Shot Of the ene7nV Perkins. |
on every other occasion within my oDsIah II |
Gen. Harrson's conduct was that Of IN, John
skilful commander; always calm and c. Haley,
manner, and wholly Indifferent to his Smith,
safety, possessing the peculiar faculty of Nc
discerning whatever was wanting. and of pronry
applying the remedy. single instant of waco.
ton or uncertainty of purpose the slightest 5,
NOR of nerve or hesitation in mind, in the crit
and appalling periods of The battle, would Ia,
been disastrous to his army. After the act7
there seemed to be universal admission by Il
officers and soldiers of the army, that there wa
not another officer in the BATTLE capable of having
prevented a defeat and general massacre. All
seemed to regard General Harrison as their de-
llverer from the Indian scalping knife.
According to my best recollcctions, Fort Meigs
was canonaded, day and night with but little inter
mission for ii days. Shortly after its commence
ment, Major Chambers, Of the British army, was
admitted into the stockade, the bearer from Gen
era Proctor OF an invitation 10 surrender the gur
rison with the hOnors of war, on the ground that
50 small force, about LOCO men could not suS-
tain themeves against four times their number, thc
estimated British and Indian force. General Har-
rison at once rejected Indignantly this proposition,
replying to the insult in terms worthy of his high
character. Both day and night, during the siege.
General Harrison was most active, observing every
movement of the enemy, and evincing his usual
GOODNESS, dauntless courage and his happy readi-
ness to receive Happily every incident to his adj
vantage. He succeeded in accomplishing eCery
plan and increment where his orders Were Obcycd.
recolect not one instance to the contrary. The
detachment under Col Dudley, effected, in part,
the object ATTENDED, in driving the British troops
from their position; but they dsobcyed orders in
not spiking the enemy's cannon, destroying their
ammunition, and thereupon Immediately recrossing
the river to the main army. Two sOrtieS on the
south side Of the river, and on the same day,
planned and executed under orders from General
Harrison, were eminenLy successful, resulting in
the objects designed forcing the British to raise
the siege Of Fort Aleigs That, conducted by the
brave and accomplished officer, then Col. John Mil
Ter, now Representative in Congress from Mis-
souri, intended to destroy a sunken battery, that
had annoyed US very seriously, by enilading our
rear line of pckets, as well as to prevent the al
most entire Indian force, then investing the fort on
that side of the river, from cooperating with the
British against Dudley's attack made at the same
time, on the opposite side, considering the very
great disparity between our force and that of the
enemy, being as four to one, was, must be allowed
to say, of the most brilliant affairs of the last
war.
Gen. Winchesters movement, to the river Raj
sin, where he was defeated, was in disohedience of
Gen. Harrison's order which required him to pro-
coed TO the Rapids Of the Muumee of the Lakes,
and to remain there for further orders
have extended my remarks beyond what | de-
signed when commenced, but you will perceive
my object was to give full and satisfactory an
swer to your interrOgatories. | aver, that on ev-
cry occasion, when Gen. Harrison commanded, he
ever disregarded personal danger and sacrifice, in
the performance of duty, exhibiting all the fine
qualities of dauntless soldier, combined with
those Of talented skilful, and most able General,
Why, at this remote period, when death has swept
away SO many memorials Of Gen. Harrson's in
repdity and excellence, should the poisoned spirit
Of political envy, attempt thus to tarnish the hard
earned laurels of the veteran soldier, who, in pub
ic as in private life, has lived "ptthout fear, and
trlthOUt reprodch :"
This, sir, is what have to say of Gen. Harrison.
| doubt whether there ID another man living who
has possessed equal opportunities with myself, of
forming correct opinion Of Gen. HarrisOn's mill
tary character. | served under him the greater
part of the period he was in active service, near
his person; commencing with the Tippecanoe eX-
petition, and continuing to its termination re-
Joining his army in the fall of 1912, at franklin
ton, Ohio, where, Immediately on my arrival,
became member of his military family, as Secre-
tary in the winter of 1872 and 1913, was APP
pointed his Acting Deputy Adjutant General; and
in May 1913, Immediately after the siege Of Fort
Meigs his Aid-de-camp, which station held to the
close of his military service. And in conclusion,
can safely say, that | never in my life, saw a
Drawer man in battle one more collected, prompt
and full of resources, than General William Henry
Harrison.
have the honor to be, with great respect your
most Obedent servant ]. O'FALLON.
~ Al i IN