The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-22

Col Wood was made; and he instantly renarked
that he would make novel movement ny oiuei'ns
Col Johnsons mounted regiment 70 @afSe "t -"
of he British regulars which thus drawn up con.
trsrS 10 The habits and usage OF that description Of
troops always accustomed 70 ne touch could be- cai-
~ penetrated and thrown into confusion by me sM
rited charpe of Col Johnsons regiment WITH
view 10 this intended charge, Col Johnfons com.
mand was ordered 10 the front, supported ~ ms rear
as a reserve BY Gen Trotters brigade, know that
all the arrangements and every movement OF the troops
during the battle made by The order OF General
Harrison.
Col. Tod, speaking upon he same subject
says
The first arrangement for the battle as well as the
subsequent change which predicaied upon the ~
portant information obtained by the military fye q
Colonel Hood ras planned aIone BY General Harrt-
son
Il will be noticed that Col. Tod was also an
officer of standing, and one Of General Harm
sons regular aids Col Smith, the remaining
aid of General Harrison, says = Col johnson
received orders asto the form and manner 81
the charge, in person, from General Harrison
IN the face and almost IN sightof the enemy
These witnesses, however merely conoborate
and establish the historical relations Of that bat
tie. ] apprehend there are few members here
who had not associates and friends present on
that occasion We have all Of US heard the in
cidents of that day related by eyewitnesses.
But think il was reserved for the member from
Hamilton to give US and the world relation SO
entirely opposed TO history, and 10 the testimony
Of all who were present,
/ most sincerely regret that any member
should, at this day, assail the military fame Of
Gen Harrison Those who made these as
saults virtually say that Governor Shelby. Gen.
Cass, Commodore Perry, and the gallant officers
have mentioned, were not capable OF forming
correct estimate OF the military character OF
their commander; that every member OF the
Two Houses of Congress was incompetent 10
Judge Of Gen Harrison's merit They tactly
say to those who served under him, Your
commander was incompetent inefficient, and
destitute Of courage" The honors which you
purchased at TIPPEcANoE, FoRT METGs, and al
the THAMES, were won under the guidance OF
an unworthy commander, of a man who loaS
nerer in any battle" This Hall, Mr. Chair
man, is no place for expressing feelings OF ndlg-
nation. Our duties are Of TOO grave and serious
character TO permit feelings OF that kind 70
enter into our discussions. Yet we may easily
imagine that such assaults are calculated TO
arouse feelings in no way favorable TO those who
not only assail Gen. Harrison, but his officers
and men, and both Houses Of Congress, who
awarded to him the highest honors, and who, in
fact, assail the Judgment Of the whole nation
for the nation approved his skill, and applauded
his gallantry.
In August, 1912, the honorable member Gas l
called the "Western Reserve" in the State of
Ohio. A very sparse population was scattered
amid the dense forest Of that recent wilderness.
cleveland, at that time consisting Of a few
cabins, was regarded as frontier post The
surrender Of Gen. Hull had left our whole from
Tier exposed 10 savage cruelty The intelligence
Of the surrender Of our army at Detroit spread
CONSERVATION and dismay among our peaceful |
and industrious population. We saw before us
the uplifted tomahawk and the lighted torch. /
Our men rallied 10 the defence Of their fresides,
their wives and children. They did not avail, |
orders from the Secretary Of War, nor did they
call for blood hound allies. They FASTENED 10
the frontier and took their positions between the
enemy and our deferceless settlements The
whole Northwestern frontier wa in similar
situation.
Yetw had no commander in whom we could
confde. No experienced General was then in
the 6eld-no one who had shown himself com
Petent for the crisis then approaching. General
Harrison was yet in Indiana. He had distin
guished himself under General Wayne in the
memorable battle Of Nlaumee h had gathered
fresh laures al Tippecanoe To him by
common consent all eyes were turned. He re
celved the appointment came forward and
took command Of our army. Our friends, our
acquaintance, ourselves, served with him. We
hnor the difficulties. the hardshlps, aud the dan
gers which he encountered Wthin'lhe space
OF fifteen months, he oyercame all obstacles
drove the savages from our borders. rcgancd
our lost territory, carried our victorious arms INTO
Canada, captured the British army and restored
peace and quiet 10 our distracted frontier His
enemies, who had previously assalcd him were
silent; conscious OF thom perhdy they retreated
from the public gaze, and became lost among
the multitude Of his friends and admirers All
parties united in awarding to him the honors So
justly his due. Whilst passing through New
l., Al 4
frequent demonstrations of the public approba-
ton; he was welcomed with public respect
Tammany Hall, the boosted citadel Of : New
York Democracy became vocal with his praise
In Philadelphia and in Baltimore he was wei
coined with public honors. Having fully and
faithfully performed his duties, and accomplished
the objects Of his appointment he resigned his
office He exchanged the tented field for he
quiet pursuits of agriculture He /" beat his
sacord into a ptoDghshore AMI his spear into
apruaing hook
Now, sir, let us pause moment, and look
aroundus. generation has passed away
The dense wilderness through which General
Harrison marched his troops has boon convert.
ed into fruitful fields Clcayeland, then from
tier post Of dozen cabins, i now i rch pu-
pulous, and commercial city and two beautiful
villages now add interest 70 the landscape Of
Fort Meigs" The STRIPPING lads who were
then with General Harrison are becoming old
men. Those who were then of mature wears,
on whom he relied in times ofperil and of dan
ger, are now treading the ''downhill of life -
These men are now told that although hey were
with General Harrison and shared in his ia
tgues, his prva,ons, and his dangers that al
though they were witnesses Of his raior, Ms
battles, and his rictories, vet, say, thcv are
gravely informed that "he leac reuer in am
battle 1ohdteuer."
But it remains to be seen how far these a.
forts will stop that tide Of public sentiment