Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-10-08
HEAR 4 VETERAN.

After the brilliant achievement on the Thames,
Gen Harrison resumed the command the eighth
mifisurv district; but frnm sequrut violations Of
military rule BY the Secretary OF War, Armstrong;
in submitting orders TO subordinate eihcets, he was
induced resign his commission, which he tender
ed TO President Madison IL May, 1914
III the absence Of the President. The Secretary Of
War made haste 10 accept the resignation, and thus
the country lost the further services Of General iar
rison IN the field. Upon hearing the probability Of
resignation by Gen. H., Gov. Shelby Immediately
addressed the following letter TO the President.
We take pleasure il presenting this letter (which
will be found in the Tippecanoc Text Bcokl as an
offset TO the disparaging episle Of Gen. Jackson
and, the reader will know how 10 estimate its val
ne, when reminded that Gov. Shelby was an eye
witness e( Harrison's achcscments---had served
with such commanders as Gates. Greene ard Mari
on---snd was a conspicuous actor in the glorious
battle Of Kings Mountain.
FaAsxroRr. May is, 1914.
Dram Sin s---The interest feel Coz the irosrssi-
" OF our beloved country at all times, but especial
N in The common cause IN which she u at present
engaged, will. fa,ter myself be a sufficient aro-
ogy f,r addressing ycn this letter. The motives
arse from considerations Of public good, and are
unknown to the gentleman who is the subject Of the
letter.
Ii Ii not my intention to culogise Gen. Hsrrisan,
he IL not in need Of that aid. his merits too
spicuous not TO be observed, but il Il my intention
to express TO you with candor, my opinion Of the
General, founded personal observation.
rumor has reached this State, which. from the
public prints appears to I've believed, that the com.
manding general Of the northern army may be &C.
moved from that command. The circumstances bias
induced me to reflect the subject, and give deci
ded preference To Major General Harrison, as sue
cessor Having served campaign with Gen. Hair
,isoa by which have been enabled TO form some
opinion Of bis military talents, and capacity to COM
fnand, feel no hesitation TO declare to you, that
believe INN to be one OF the FIRST military charac.
tiers ever knew; and in addition 10 this, no IA ca.
pnbe OF making greater personal cxertions than any
officer with whom have ever served. doubt not
but ii will hereafter be found that the command OF
the NORTHWESTERN army, and the various duties ut
taced to it, has been one Of the most ardnous and
diifcelt tasks evef assigned to any eihcer in the
United States, yet he surrounded ull.
Impressed with the conviction, that Gcn. Haf,s-
son is fully adequate TO the comman. OF the NORTH
ern army should change take place In thai divi
siop have ycatuued thus freely 10 state my opin.
on OF him. that he Is consurmate General, aud
would Gil that station with ability and honuf and
that IT, on lhe other hand, nny Arrangement should
take place 10 the war department, which may pro-
luce lie resignation Of Gen. Harrison, IL viii BIO
nlent His appointment 20 tho command OF the
northern army would be highly gratifying 10 the
wishes Of the western people, except some who
may, perhaps, be governed by sinister views.
lconfess Tho first impression upon my n'tad, when
Informed OF the defeat Of Col Dodey's rssimoni,
on the 5lh of May last, unfavorabe TO Gcner~I
Harrrison's plans; but on correct Information, and
a knowledge Of his whole plans, have no doub.
bu they were well concerted, and might, with GER
tain,y. have been executed had his orders been
obe,ei mention this subject. becsusr Mr.. IL
Clay informed me that lie had shown YOU my letter.
stating The impressions which that affair bad first
made upon my mind, on information that was not
correct.
Hoping tina, my opinion Of this meritoious olicer
will not be unacceptable TO YOU. have csnddiy ex-
pressed H. and hoping the apology stated IN the prs
ceing part OF this letter, will justify tho liberty Ia
ken Of intrudipg opinions unsohctedt
have the honor to BE-, most respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
ISAAC SHELBY.
His Excellenoy. JAMES MAplsos, President U. $ |