The Madisonian., 1840-02-20
COMMUNICATIONS.
FOR THE MADisoNIAN.
THE LOG CABIN GENERAL-FLEET ON
AXE EDIC

LAKE ERIE.
1t is probably well for the military reputation Of
General Harrison, that the Globe, the Baltimore
Post the Ohio Statesman and other organs of MIR.
Van Buren, have undertaken 10 depreciale it, Their
gross and wanon attacks upon the hard-earned lau-
rels Of an old and able soldier are awakening a
spirit of inquiry in regard the public services of
General Harrison, and bringing to light mass OF
testimony which will ultimately place his civil and
military reputation far higher than il has hitherto
stood.
In looking into the past history OF our country,
have become convinced that the closely his
public services are scruinzed the stronger will be
his claims 10 the gratitude of his countrymen. In
illustration Of this position ask public attention to
the fact not generally known, that Gen. Harrison is
fairly entitled TO The credit of haring first pointed out
10 Government the great necessity Of hauing the
command Of Lake Erie, in case Of loar ruth Eng
land, Had his advice been followed, on this point,
when first given the blood OF many brave lives
would have been spared and millions of public rea
sure saved.
As early as 1909, nearly three years before the
! declaration Of war against Great Britain, in reply
TO letter from the Secretary at War, asking ad-
vice as to the best mode of protecting the North
western frontier, Gen. Harrison said;
i
and believe still nave SIX armed vessels
carrying from eight to twenly-two guns, Lake Erie
With part OF this force and with assistance OF the
Indians Mackinaw would be easily redeemed from
ITS insuar position, reinforcement supplies could
reach IT, # the enemy should possess the superiority Of
naval force on the upper lakes to prevent this. it will
be necessary either build number Of vessels equal
to theirs, or by ioying the river of Detroit, conhns
them TO Lake Erie"
The great importance Of having the command of
the upper lakes never lost sight of by General
! Harrison, but urged upon the Government, on all
suitable occasions. Hence after The declaration
OF war certainly as early as the autumn of 1872 he
again pressed upon the Secretary the fact, that to
build fleet on Lake Erie was the best and most
economical plan Of carrying out the objects of the
campaign. In one OF his letters he said:
"Admitting that Maiden and Detroit are both taken
Macknaw and St Josephs will both remain in the hands
Of the enemy until can create force capable of
confendng with the vessels which the Brush have
Lake Erie, and which they will be able TO maintain,
long the route by grand river and lake Nips
sin shall remain 10 them, and for six months longer"
In further illustration Of the value OF this plan he
says in the same letter:
II should not hesitate to say, that If a small pro-
portion Of the which will be expended In the quar-
ternasters department in the active prosecution OF the
campaign during the winter devoted to obtain
ing the command Of Lake Erie the wishes of the Co
vernment 10 their utmost extent, could be accomplished
without difficulty in the months Of April and May NAL
den, Detroit aud Mackinaw would fall in rapid success
SION"
Ina subsequent, letter the subject is again press
ed on the consideration Of the Secretary
!. Should our offensive operations be suspended until
spring il is my decided opinion that the most efectua
and cheapest plan will be TO obtain command Of Lake
Erie. This being effected, every difficulty will be
removed An army Of four thousand men, landed on
the north side OF the Lake, below Maiden will soon re-
dnce that place. reake Detroit and with the aid the
fleet, proceed down the Lake cooperate with the
army from Niagara"
In another letter he says:
81 have no means Of estimating correctly the cost Of
the naval armament capable of eecng thus object, but
from my knowledge Of the Of transporting supplies
through swanpy wilderness, do believe that the
pense which will be incurred IN SIX weeks in the spring
IN an aemp, TO transport the provisions for the army
along the road leading from the rapids TO Detroit would
build and equip the vessels for this purpose"
Fortunately Tor the success and honor Of the Ame-
rcan arms, early in the year 1918 the Government
became convinced OF the wisdom Of General Har-
risons advice this point, and measures were
| taken 70 secure at an carly day the command Of
Lake Era. The glorious results which followed, in
victory of he gallant Perry, the evacuation OF NAL
den, and The defeat Of Proctor on the Thames all
evince the foresight and sound military talents Of
General Harrison OF this and the faithful services
of the old soldier and patriot Of North Bend The
American people are not insensible; and although
he may live in Log-cabin" and drink hard ci-
der" and like the old Roman Cincinnatus, follow
the plough, his countymen will do him justice.
SHELBY.
Cincinnati, february IL, 1870