Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-10-24
Col. J. DAvlDso2.


FrAyArorr Sept. I. 1870.
+ Dear Sir: am in grccip. Of your letter Of the
filth instant in which, after referring to the part
bore ia the battle Of the Thames, October 5,
1873, you propounded to me TWO questions in
reference to the conduct Of General Harrison on
I that occasion. You ask ne:
it. Did You see Gen. Harrison while tie
battle l2-rj, and a,ler Cyj. Johnson had been
wounded and taken oil! the ground, aud hear him
encourage and aniM~.ng his men!'
I'd. WAS any par, Of the infantry under Shell
by engaged in the action!'
! My answer to your inquiries will be- better un.
derSood by plain statement Of the facts which
occurred upon the ground, SO far as witnessed
| them.
| was at the head or right Of my company, on
horseback, waiting ORDERS at about fifty or sixty
yards from the line Of The enemy. Col. Johnson
rode up and explained TO me the mode Of attack,
and said, in substance, Captain Davidson, | am
directed by General Harrison to charge, and
break through the Indian line, and form in the
rear. My brother James will charge in like
manner through the British line at the same time.
The sound OF the trumpet will be the signal o:
the charge" In few minutes the trumpet
sounded, and the word 'charge'' was given by
Colonel Johnson. The Col. charged within a
obqueIy, and when we approached within ten
or fifteen yards OF their line. the Indians poured
in heavy fire upon US, killing ten or fifteen OF
our men, and several horses, and wounded Col.
Johnson severely. He Immediately retired
DR.. TheobaId, Of Lexington, think aided him
off. | neither saw nor heard more Of Col. Jonn.
son until the action was over.
The contest continued warm and animated Tor
soma time whera nv cpO,neny and mart nj tHDr
Suckers were engaged. Alter Col. Johnson
was taken off the field, saw Gen. Harrison and
Gov. Shelby BOTH and quite near me. They
were both on horse back, passing in the CROCHET
or angle, | well remember the animating and
encouraging manner in which Harrison. as he
passed. addressed his men. It had a sensible eI.
feet upon myself, and seemed, thought, not only
to Stimulate my spirits but, strengthen my body,
| Chen weakened by the loss of bloody "FeIiow
soldiers, shouted the intrepid hero, in tones that
stirred the souls oil his kindred spirits keep
close and shoot sure; the day will be ours in a
few minutes" He rode on; was engaged, and
saw no more Of him. immediately upon his
leaving US, and going in the direction OF the an.
gle, desperate and severe struggle commenced
al or neal the point, between the infantry under
Gov. Shelby and the Indians. This conflict at
the angle, with Shelby men, lasted, think, al
least five minutes Several of the infantry were
killed. Gov. Shelby himself told me he had sew
eral men killed. and had found eight or ten Indians
lief, dead on the ground at that point, This was the
most severe contest during the action.
Il crossed the swamp with the second B1uai
ion 600 men,l and fought agans: the Indian.
(supposed 400 warriors) under Iecumseh with
out any aid whatever"
This statement YOU will observe, is no, var
, ranted by the details The writer, iuigad
the alleged author was the writer, which dIub,--
certainly labo9s under misappreh.usiou which
= can only be accounted for by Ii" fac, gAll Col
Johnson was badly wounded at the fGs onset
and was Immediately taken oa the field, on,
could not have known OF the important service
! rendered by the infantry under Harrison uD
. Shelby.
must claim, however, Tor the second Bat,a'
ion Of the m united Regiment, the honor Of hav
: @Ne have heard Col. Davidson often speak O
the shot received in his breast. The ball in ID.
instance carried the shirt inlo the breaS. with it
81 excruciatin5 was the pain ior the instant
e and difficulty Of breathing that he drew the shin
from The wound with sudden jerk, bringing III
c shirt with il, and afterwards Siaunchcl The woun
. with handful OF leaves taken from the ncares
i tree. Tbs brave chieltan was Engaged IN n
ckid's pay Gu R'7.