Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-06-13

CloSsHS WIN HIS Couipany, upon me tlADerS OIL
the bridge to chage them, they ran off.
K specially, your ob't. servant,
JOHN CHAMBERS.
Moses CoRwIN, Esq, Columbus, Ohio.
ST. LOUIS, Feb. &c, 1910.
Hon. Moses B. CoRwGY,
Sir Your favor Of the 18th inst. is Just received
and lose no time in giving it acknowledgements.
You request me to communicate the information
! possess in relation to the military conduct of
General Harrison at the battle of the Thames, the
arrangements for the battle, the position of the
troops, as well Of the General, as during the en-
gagemcnt, together with any other knowledge
have touching his military character.
In reply, submit the following statement: At
the battle Of the Thames, Col. Charles S. TODD,
afterwards Inspector General Of the Northwestern
Army, and myself were the regular AidsGe-camp
of General Harrison Majors John Chambers and
John Speed Smith were the volunteer aids. The
battle, as is we'll known, took place on the right
bank of the river Thames, near the Moravian vii
lage. short distance from this place. and whilst
our troops were in rapid pursuit of the enemy,
Gen. Harrison received information from an ad
| vanced party that the British and Indian forces
had halted, and seemed to be awaiting us for bat
tIe When within half mile of the enemy after
the American forces were formed in the order of
battle, Gen. Trotter's brigade in front, Col Pauls
regulars, with the artillery, near his right, Col
Johnson's mounted regiment on the left of Trotter
as q reverse, and the residue of the Kentucky VOL
unteers covering the left flank and rear Col
Wood. of the Engineer Corps, who, by order of
Gen. Harrison, had approached, by them sufi-
GENTLY near the front line Of the enemy ascer-
tain their position and the order in which they were
drawn up, reported that the British troops, in Or
der to occupy the high ground between the river
and the swamp parallel to it, were drawn up in
4
Indians on the right, occupying the swamp and
ground beyond it. General Harrison, without one
moments delay or the slightest embarrassment,
formed his purpose. | was with few feet of him
when the report of Col. Wood was made, and he
INSTANTLY remarked that he would make Il novel
movement by ordering Col. Johnson's mounted
regiment to Charge the line Of The British regulars;
which thus drawn up, contrary to the habits and
usage of that description of troops, always accus-
toned to the t0Wch, could be easily penetrated and
thrown into confusion by the spirited charge of
Col. JohnSon's Regiment.--With a view to this
intended charge, Col. Johnson's command was or
dered to the front, supported in his rear reserve
by Gen. TrOtters Brigade. know that all the ar
rangaments, and every movement Oft the troops dur
ing the battle, were made by order of General Har-
rison, whose position at the commencement of the
action was ust in rear Of Col, Johnsous command,
and mainly afterwards near the CROCHET formed by
the junction of Johnsons left, with the Kentucky
volunteers, drawn up on the edge and in front of
the swamp, position considered by all as the most
exposed and dangerous within the lines of our ar
my, and where the battle was warmly contested by
the Indians, until they discovered the surrender
of the whole British regular force; the happy re-
suit of the novel and skilful movement, most gal
lantly performed by Col. Johnson and his brave
associates, but conceived, planned and directed by
Gen. Harrison, whose superior military Judgment
and ready skill neither needed nor received any aid.
After the return of the army TO Detroit, that
brave veteran, that just, good and pure citizen,
the late Gov. Shelby, on hearing read Gen. Harri-
sons report Of the BATTLE remarked in my pres
ence and with much emphasis, that the report did
him Gov. Shelby more than justice, and that to
Gen. Harrison alone due the credit of the order
of battle the lohole Of the arrangements and plans
which he (Gov. s. had contributed to carry out to
the best of his abilities.
At the commencement of the battle of Tppeca-
noe, when the irst gun was fired at our advanced
picket, was at the tent of General Harrison, WAC
was then up at the fire. | had an opportunity tu
observe his MANNER he was cool and collected, and
every movement of his countenance, and every
word he uttered ut that trying mOment--perhaps
the most embarrassing III the life Of soldier
denoted the highest order Of personal courage. He
mounted his horse instantly, and accompanied by
his staff, FASTENED in the direction of the line first
attacked, part of this line unable to withstand
the fierce and desperate onset of the Indians, the
General met retiring within our lines in some dis
order and confusion, closely pressed by the Indians
some Of whom were in the midst Of them. Gen
Harrison led in person company of the 4th In
lantry to the breach and such was the effect o.
his bold and fearless behaviour, and so great was
the confidence of his army in his ability to con-
duct them TO victory, that his presence and voice
at once rallied the retreating detachment and they
took position at point equally exposed, where
halof their number, if not more, were either killed
or wounded. The battle commenced at about I
O'Clock in the morning, during slight rain, ant
the attack became general within five minutes af'
forwards, and continued until the dawn of day
when by an almost general charge, the Indian:
broke and fled before our bayonets. The DRAGON,
afterwards proceeded to their village and burnt it
During the battle, General Harrison was seer
wherever danger was most imminent, wherever
the fight was the thickeSt. His Aid, Col. Owen
! was killed at his side, and almost at the sauo mo