The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-10

sallies he made, that he compelled the enemy
to abandon the siege in despair.
One incident is worth mentioning, that on
the second day Of the attack, Proctor sent an
officer with flag to demand the surrender Of
the post on the grounds that the American
forces were too weak to. sustain the siege
against his overwhelming force, and General
Proctor was ANXIOUS TO save the effusion Of
blood. General Harrison promptly replied
III General Proctor knows the ussqes Of war, as
bound 10 believe he does he must either have con-
sdered me ignorant Of them. he have intended
insult. Il his duty make the demand before
he commenced firing the works But. sir said be,
go pack and tell your General that know my own
force and his and that shall defend the works TO The
last extremity Tell him further that Il he possess
es the FORT he shall obtain IN ,oay that ria gre
HIM honor IN The estimation Of has GoDerame Than
he could receive from thousand surenders "--DAw-
sons Life Of Hsrison-392
Let me here, Mr.. Speaker, introduce some
testimony relative to the investment of Lower
Sandusky by the British and Indians. The
noble defence Of that Fort by the gallant Cro-
CHEN, concerning which the most unfounded
representations have been and are still made
in relation to the conduct Of General Harrison
on that OCCASION and that in the face OF posi-
tive evidence to the contrary:
LowxR SAsDusSv, Aug. 81, 1873.
have with much regret seen in OF the public
prints, such respecting my refusal to
evacuate this post as calculated not only TO lnure
in the estimation Of military men, but aso TO excite
uniayorable Impressions to the proprety Of General
Harrison's conduct relative to this affair.
His character as a military is TOO well establish
ed to need my appreciation or support But his public
/ -.
affair does not furnish cause Of rewoach II public
opinion has been lately msed respecting his late con-
duct, it will require but moments COOL dispassionae
reflection, TO convince them Of its propnety The mea-
sures recently adopted by him. SO fat from deserving
censue the cearcst proofs OF HE keen penetration
aud able Genealshp 1t is true that did not proceed
Immediately execute his order TO evscuate this post
but this dsobedience was not, a. some would wish TO
believe, the result Of fixed determination to maintain
the post contrary 10 his most positive orders as VIII ap
pear from the following detail, which Is given to explain
my conduct
About 10 O'clock on the morning Of the 30,h ult, a
letter from the Adiulant Generals Office dated Seneca
Town, July 20, 1918. handedme by Mr. Conner,
ordering to abandon this post burn IT, and retreat
that night head quarters. On the reception Of the
order called council Of officers, IN which II was de-
ermined abandon the place. at least until the
further pleasure Of the General should be known, as
it thought attempt TO retreat IN the open day, IN
the face OF superior force o. the enemy would be more
hazardous than to remain IN the tort, under all It's ds-
advantages therefore wrote letter to the General,
couched in such thought were calculated to
deceive the enemy should it fall INTO his hands, which
thought than probable-as well as to inform the
General should II be fortunate as 10 reach him. that
should wait hear from him before should proceed
TO execute his order This letter. contrary to my ex-
pectations, was received by the General, who, not
knowing what reasons urged me 10 write IN tone so
decisive concluded very nationally that the manner Of
it demonsratve Of the most positive determination
| to dlsobey his order under any circumstances was
therefore suspended from the command OF the FORT and
ordered to head quarters. But explaining 10 the
General my reason for executing his orders. and my
oblec, in using style had done, he perfect
" satisfied with the explanation that Immediately
| renstated in the command.
Il will be recolec,ed that the order above alluded to-
was written the night previous to my receiving II
had il been delivered TO me, as Il was intended, thai
night, should have obeyed II without hesitation III
not reaching in tme the only reason which IN
duced mo to consult my officers the propriety o
waiting the Generals further ordeis.
Il has been stated also that 'upon my representa-
tons Of my ability to maintain the post. the Genera
altered his determination to abandon IT," This is IN
correct No such representation made Ant
the last order received from the General was precise
Y the same az 10y tSsad bring heavy are S,jeGy m
enough to effect retreat, was to do so but If
could not retreat with safety defend the post to the
last extremity"
day or two before the enemy appeared before For
Megs the General had reconnoitred The surroundin
ground, and being Informed that the hill the opposite
side oil Sandusky, completely commanded the fort,
offered to undertake with the troops under my command
to remove It to that side. The General, upon renec
ton, thought best not to attempt it, he believed
that II the enemy again appeared on this side of the
lake, il would be before the work could be finished
II useless to disguise the fact that this fort is CON-
manded by the points Of high ground around single
stroke OF the eye made this clear ME the first time
had occasion TO examine the neighborhood with view
OF discovering the relative strength and weakness Of
the place.
It would be nsncere to say that am not Aat,ered
by the many handsome things which have been said
about the defence which made by the troops under
my command but desire plaudts which are be-
slowed upon me at the expense Of General Harrison
have at all times enjoyed his confidence as fur as
my rank in the army entitled to it and on proper
occasions received his marked attention have felt the
warmest attachment for him man, and my conf.
dence IN him as able commander remains mistaken
ample justice and nothing could give me more pain
than to see his enemies seize upon this deal
out their unfrlendly feelings and acrimonious dislike
and as long as he continues Gas my humble opinion he
has hitherto done) to make the wlsest arrangements
and most JudcIous sposition. which the forces under
his command will justify, shall not hesitate TO unite
with the army IN bcsowng upon him that confidence
which he richly merits and which has upon no occa-
sion been withheld Your friend.
GEORGE CROGHAN,
Maj. 18th Infry, Commanding Lower Sandusky
Dapsons Lile Of Gen Harrison.
LOWER SENECA TcwS, Aug 90, 1873
The undersigned being the general field and staff