The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-05-21
GIN. HARRISoN's BRAVERY.

CnlO, nave mdue Tue WoHuerlul discovery,
that Gen. Harrison is coward, and was
not at the Battle of the Thames at all-did
not plan, or direct the battle, aud was not
within Two miles Of the field on which il
was fought II is not unlikely, they will
next discover, that there was no battle al
all fought at the Thames or perhaps, that
we have had no war with England, since
4 the Revolution.
II so happens, that Of six persons who
olhciated as AIDS 10 Gen. Harrison at the
Battle Of the Thames five are now alive
aud of these, four are in the United States.
/ TO each of these, letter has been written
on the subject, and their answers received
and published.
Col. John O'Falloa. of 81 Louis, says
g served under him Gen. Harrison, the
greater part of the period he was in active
/ service, near his person-commenciug with
the Tlppecanoe expedition and continuing
TO lis termination. Rejoining his army in
4 1912, became member Of hisIm,ltary
family as Secretary. In the winter Of
lSl2-'l3, was appointed his acting De.
putty Adjutani 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 10
my life saw brurer man in banle-oue
more collected, prompt and full Of resources,
than General William Henry Harrison"
Of the Battle Of Tippecanoe, Col. O'Fal,
Ion says" During the battle, General Har.
( rlson was seen wherever danger was the
most immnent-wherever the fight was
the thickest. His Aid, Col. Owen, was
Killed at his SIDE, and almost at the same
moment, ball passed through the Gener
ais hat, grazing bis head. There was not
a spot within our lines secure from the shot
OF the enemy. On this, as on every other
occasion within my observation, Gen. Har.
rlsou's conduct was that OF brave aud skill.
fol commander-always calm aud cool in
his manner, and wholly Indifferent 10 his
personal safety; possessing the peculiar ia
Guilty OF at once discerning whatever was
wanting, and OF promptly applying the rem.
edy. After the action, there seemed 10 be
a universal admission BY the Odicers and
Soldiers OF the Army, tina, there was not
another Officer in the battle, capable of
having prevented defeat and general mas.
sacte. "All seemed to regard Gen. Har.
rison as their dellverer from the Indian
Scdtp'ng Knife" OF the Battle Of the
Thames ne says, speaking Of the movement
which produced the victory, that I, twas
concerned, planned and directed by Gen.
Harrison. whose superior military judgment
neither needed nor receired any aid"
Col j. Sped Smith, another If his Aids,
anu rho is a supporter Of .Hr. Van Buren,
relates, that on the day OF the battle OF the
Thames, Gen. Harrison exposed himself so
much TO the fire Of the enemy, thai Com.
modore Perry, then one Of his volunteer
aids, demonstrated with him and begged
him to retire, which Harrison refused 10 do.
OF the battle, he speaks in tne same general
terms, with Col. O'Fallun, aud says
some Of our Soldiers were shot within less
than ten feet Of the General, for the conflict
here was sharp and animated, and contn.
ued so for some time. With the exception
Of the charge made By Col. Johnson's Regi.
ment, Gen. Harrison IrGS in The most expos.
cd and dangerous parts Of the battle" and
he concludes bis letter in these words -
" Although il IS not IN direct response 10
any part Of your letter, must be permitted
to say, that my intercourse with Gen Har
rison left the conviction on my mind, that
ne was gentleman, soldier, aud patriot,
and deprecate most sin erely, the injustice
attempted to be done h,m BY portion Of.
that party with which have always acted. ="
Col. Todd, another of his Aids, speaking
Of the Battle Of the Thames, says" The
first arrangement for the battle, os we'll as
the subsequent change, which was predlc.
ted upon the important information obtain.
ed By the military eye Of Co.. Wood, was
planned alone by Gen. Harrison"
He mentions a change which was direct. I
ed by Gen. Harrison, and says when the /
General gave the word, :" | was close BY /
his side, aud he was 80 near the enemy, tina,
their fire cut down the leaves and ,wigs of
the trees jest above our heads"
Col. Chambers, the remaining Aid, whose
letter has been published declares the char
ges made against Harrison, " FALSE
bIIERL .bFAL.SE,"--and asks with
great force, Is it not very remarkable, III
he IS a coward, that none Of the gallant Off.
refs or soldiers who served with han under
Gen. Wyne, or those who fought under his
command at TIPpecanoe, at Fort Mcigs
aud the Thames, discovered his cowardicc (;
and that the discovery should have remain.
I'd 10 be made by some seurvy politician Of
he present day."
These testimonies are furnished by those
Who saw his conduct and shared in his dan.
gers; and if any thing were necessary in
addition, 1t could be furnished from the
mouths Of his opponents. But nothing
uriher can be necessary. The charge is
'ase, considered as a false mputation of
:owardIce and lncapacity against brave
md deserving officer. Bot it is still more !
o be detesied and denounced as a falslfca. {
ion of American his;ory-a blemish upon
|