The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-09-09
COL. CRoGHAN'S LETTERS TO GEN.
HARRISON.
RED HOOK, July lsi, 1918.


deem il. therefore, most proper in this way to
state TO you with candor, that reToris, or rather
statements, have been made to me Of such
nature, aud from sources So direct and appar-
emily so authentic, as 10 cause Inc to hesitate IN
the language should bear towards you; and
which will, uniess positively denied by you,
call from me such contradiction as would be
extremely unpleasant TO me, and perhaps NOR
tilyins 10 you.
IL is stated that YOU revised and corrected the
work entitled I" War in the West" (of which
McAfee is the Osiensible authOr) preparatory
10 its going 10 press, thus giving your sanction
and authority 10 the publication Of a statement
in relation TO the defence of Lower Sandusky
most positively incorrect, and which you at the
time knew TO be in direct contradiction Of the
language which you held in The Camp OF Sen
eca during the bombardment OF Saudusky by
the enemy. General Harrison" says the
au,hnr, " discovering from the fire Of the enc
my that he had nothing but lighl artillery which
could make no impression on the works. felt
no apprehension FOR The safety Of tho garrison,
well knowing that breach could not he affect
ed, and that without forming breach every at
tempt al escalade could be successfully repelled
by the garrison" or words to this amount, a
statement as avoid of ffuih as possible, as you
very well know. recolIecting as you must yolr
uneasiness, during The whole continuance OF the
cannonade, for the safety of the garrison and
which more than once wrung from you this
stross language of censure of my conduct:
wash my hands of 1.-THE bIaod be on his own
head language which sou had no right to
use, and which would have damned my reputa-
ton as an officer, had fallen on that occasion.
am informed that very lately, nj dinner
in Philadelphia, when the subject Of the de-
fence Of Sanlusky was brought up, you ex-
pressed yourself in substance thus: The Of
fcers aud soldiers Of that garrison are not so
deserving OF distinction for its defence rs II is
generally lhouc cht-to the blindness and folly
Of the enemy, more than 10 any extraordinary
oxeriions or skill al theirs, is to be ascrbed his
defeat and their safety; it is true, they did very
well, but not better than any other like mum
ber Of troops from my army would have dsne,
&c. ihus continuing on In such an exposition OF
the affair. rs made me, SAYS my Informant and
Others AT the table, express our aslonishmeht
lha, the merits Of the defence Of the Sandusky
had been So Ear overrated, and that the com
mlndng officer had received for such service
such applause. Did sueh conversation ever
take place or have you ever expressed your
self in such manner Of the defence of Saudus-
Nv. as TO induce the belief in any one. that ms
garrison received warmer plaudits than il was
deserving of! But in asking this, may ! AT
the same time require Of YOU an equally candid
denial or admission Of the statement of your
having revised the work of which McA(cc is the
ostensble authorl fit is made TO appear from
your answer that my inlormants have reported
falsely, they shall know II to their confusion
and cost; but if on the other hand there is an
affirmation ON your part OF the truth Of their
statement, will immediately take it upon my
self 10 correct the false impression you may
have created. will he in New York until The
lst OF October next, TO which place beg that
your answer may be directed.
have the honor to be your obpdicnt servant.
G.. CROGHAN.
To GEN. w. H. HAnnIsoN,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
New York, ApguSt,13, 1918.
Dear .Sir-Tho language Of my letter al
though warm, was but the expression of my
feelings at the time for | had then scarce a
doubt Of your hostility towards me, by such ia
extraordinary chain Of coiucidSnt circumstan-
ces were the reports in proof thereof brought
before ne. With every desire to address you.
as from the long friendship that has existed be.
tween iis yon had right TO expect was una
BILE TO express myself as | wished, for NJ each
attempt at more diSpassionate manner Ibeeamr (
yet more warm at the idea of having 50 misfak-
en- your character Nor will YOU be surprised
NJ dis when Informed Of the manner in which
II was produced I'm the first place, | was never
satisfied With your report Of The affair at san
dusky. You snlogiaed individual gallaniry a
lone, without an attempt at placing the facts
before the Government in the important lsht .
they merlted-thus doing an injury TO myselr
and TO others conccrned however this ne sleet
found an excuse for at the time the exas.
perated state Of public feeling, unjssIly direct
ed against yourself, rendering it more proper,
Tor time at least, such facts should be with ,
held as would tend TO further increase the rep
naIon ot the affair Secondly. When heard
Tor more than two wears, officers declare that
yos were inimica TO me, lat the same time Civ
Ing instances in proof) y book appeared in Ken
lucky, highly oorrohoraiiye Of these declsra-
lions, Tor IN this book Ton which il said you had
passedyoura appreciation willis vet in nanuscrlpi)
u statement is given Of the affair at Ssndusly,
calculated most completely to lessen its repu-
latlon in the opinion of the public. Lastly
When in degree cxasporstcd at the false col
orn. given to the affair Of Sandasky in the
book above referred TO, while revolving in my
mind conjecture Of the real state of your feel
ings lowaad me; accidentally met with a stran-
ger who recited to me conversation he had re-
Gently held with you. that places the fact OF ,
your hostility beyond question. The con
versaion here alluded 10 was expressed at length !
In my last letter, and TO it might have added i
another fact which had its place in the chain of
connection that you presented to this stranger ,
-Mchiee's history: and | may voueh for its ,
correctness, as it was given to him after he had
avo~ed his intention of writing an account of
tue war might here relate many other facts
OF like importance 10 this chain Of singular CO.
incidents; but deem it will readily appear from
these have already stated, that was slow TO
believe you capable Of improper feeling, ard
That the ~armth Of which you complain was
'he consequence Of unwillagness on my par, 10
trouble yon with recital Of the various reports
! nad heard, until at last they assumed So posi-
Wv. character as TO impress me with almost
an entire conviction Of their truih
may ef1er these particular, in excuse for
the tone aud language Of my letter: but thew