Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1840-02-22
Lower Sardusky, Aug. 81, 1918.

but also TO exci,e ul-favorable impression,
"a 10 the propriety Of General uarrison's
conduct relative to this affair.
Ills character "a a military man is too
well established TO need my appreciation
or support. Bat his pubic service emit.
ties him at least 10 common justice. This
affair does not furnish cause OF reproach
If public opinion has been lately misled
respecting his late conduct. IL will require
but a moments cool, dispassionate rcfec.
ZION TO convince hem OF its propriety -
The measure recently adopted by him. so
ar from deserving censure, are tho clear
est proofs Of his kecn penetration ami
able gcneralship. Ii is true that did not
proceed Immediately 10 execute his order
10 evacuate this post; but this dis"bedI
cnce was not. as some would visa 10 be
lieve, the result Of fixed determination
TO maintain the post contrary to his most
positive orders, as will appear from Tie
following detail, which is given TO explan
my conduct.
+" about 10 o'clock on the morning OF
the eOth ultimo, a letter from the ad lutant
generals office, dated Seneca Town, lu'y
18th, 1918. was handed me by Mr. Con
nor, ordering me TO abandon this post.
burn II, and retreat hat night 10 head
quarters. On the reception Of the order,
! called Il council of officers. in which il
was determined not to- abandon the place,
at least until the further pleasure OF the
general sho I'D be- known, as it was iho't
hat IN attempt to retreat IN the open day,
in the face OF a superior force Of the enc.
my. would be more haza rdous thaa TO re
main in the fort, under all its disadvanta
ges. therefore wrote n letter 10 the ge-
neral, couChed in such terms as | thought
were calculated 10 deceive the enemy
should it fall into his hands, which }
thought more than ~probable-as well as
10 inform tho general, should it DC SO for
luna e as 10 reach him, that would wait
% hear from him, before | should proceed
20 execute his order. This letter, contra
ry 10 my expectations, was received by
the general, who, not knowing what rcas-
ms urged me to write in u tone so dec!-
ded, concluded very raiionally that the
.%nanner Of il was demonstrativ of the
most positive determination TO disobey his
orders under any circumstances l was
therefore suspended from the command
of the fort, and ordered Ia head quarters.
But on explaining 20 the general my rea,
son for not executing his orders. and nv
Object in using he style ] had done. H.
was so perfectly satisfied with the expla-
nation, that | was Immediately rcinsiated
in the command.
at will be recollecjed that the order
above alluded to. was written on the nigh,
previous TO my receiving i;-had IT hecu
delivered 10 me. as il was intended Ihar
night, | should have oheycd il without
hesitation; its not reaching me IN t;mc
was the only reason which induced nc "a
consult my officers on the proprieiy o.
waiting the generals further orders.
at has been stated. also, that upon my
representations Of my ability to naintai
the post, the general altered his deierm,-
nation to abandon it. This is Incorrect
No such representations were ever male
And the last order ! received from tl,r
general was precisely the same as thai
first given, viz: That III discovered he
approach ofa large british force 10y waite
(prcsuming they would bring Pea y ar,i!
iery,) time enough Ia effect n retreat,
was to do so; bur i'll could not retrea
with safety. 10 defend the post 20 The las
extremity
~ day or two before the enemy appear
I'd before Fort MeigS, the general had re
%conhoiiered the surrounding ground, an,
being informed thar the ball on the oVpu
site OF Sandusky completely commanfe
he foIt, I offered to undertake with TN,
troops under my command 10 remove II {,
that side. The general upon r. Fiction
thought il hest not 10 attempt il, as nc br
LEV, d that If the enemy again appeare,
on this side or the like. il would be De.or,
The work could be flashed
at is useless TO disguise the fact tina
this fort is commanded by the points o
nigh ground around II; a single str ke O
the sye made this clear 20 me the first tim,
had occasion to- examine the neighbnr
hood, with n view o"fdiscoycrin the reia
tive strength aud weakness Of the place
sit would DC inSincore 10 say that ar
not tiaitered by the many handsome thing
which have been said about the dGfenc
which was maze by The trools IN Ser M
command; but ! desire no ]plaudits whirl
are bestowed upon me- at the expense q
Gen Harrison.
Il have at all timrs enjoyed his conf
dcnce so FAR us my rank ~ 'hc army emit
tied me to il, and on proper occasions re
csived bis marked attention. ] have feI
the warmest attachment for him as q man
and my cor hdence in him as IAN abe con
, mander remains unshaken. feel ever
? assurance that he will AZ all times do m
ample justice; aud nothing c"uld give "a
e more pain Than 20 see MS enemies seiz
o upon this occasion 10 deal out their uI
friendly feelings and acrimonious disil
and as long as he continues (as in m
, humble opinion he has hitherto doue)
make the wisest arrangements and 70
y judicious~ disposition which the fcrces u
u der his command will JUSTLY I snail n
&c hesitate 70 unite with ~ army in bosto.
y ing upon hiG tha. confidence which DO
e richly r%cri.s, and which has on no ocC
q siou D.en withheld.
"Your friend,
% GEosog CsosHAN. MAJ ITh Isfaat
~ "Cemr7qr9tr g L1vSY SaDtE5ky'