The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-09-11
SPEECH OF COZ. JOHNSON AT chill
Gothic, OHIO,

"When the veteran hero once more prese
himself to the people, an intense interest WAS
Bile OH the counienances of those who were 7
en, and the quiet stiffness which prevailed ena
them all to hear and understand what he sale
them. lie commenced by stating that he had
public servant of the people for thrty-three
two under jefferson administration, eight "
Madison, eight under Monroe, four under J.
Adams, eight under Jackson, and three years he
been associated in the administration of Martin
Buren,. lie then said he had been acquainted !,
MARTIN VAN buren, for twenty eight We;
and that for the last twenty years he had been
terms of the greatest inlimacy-and it gave
pleasure to state that in the whole of his 'pol
connexions he never knew one more upright
principle, or of purer morals, and very few pos.
sing talent of higher order than Martin Van Bur
No stronger advocate of the war policy was to
found in 1909, and no ADLER defender of it in Is
than Martin Van Buren,. He spoke of what
knew and what he felt to be true, and of which
entertained not the least doubt.
Having been frequently urged by the wings
speak of the battle of the Thames, he reluctar
felt compelled in duty to state some of the lead
facts which came within his knowledge. lie co
menced by stating that he did not wish to claim |
in any way to ,detract from the fame of any co
panion in arms, far less from his commander
the battle of the Thames, he said his (Col. J.
regiment did pursue the enemy, marching cons
erably in front Of the infantry. He was in the I'd
at the head of three companies Of mounted md
which were brought up in solid column. lie cat
up with the enemy who were drawn up in /
of battle. The force under Tecumseh was add
J ~
seven hundred. 1t was at first intended, he d
served, by Gen, Harrison, that the infantry undl
his command should be brought up, and the enel
fought by our troops in line. But Col. ]. hav
praciised his regiment to serve both on foot and
misunderstanding frequently dsmounted one hi
of them aud fought sham battles for that purpos
and believing that he could successfully overtime
the enemy by Il charge of his mounted men, T
quested permission 10 make such charge; viii
having obtained, he left Gen, Harrison and pr
cceded to the front, where his regiment await
him. lie never saw Gen. Harrison afterwards, u
til the battle was over; when the General come
where he (CoL J,) was lying at the place TO viii
his soldiers had carried him back after he W
wounded When he left Gen. Harrison, he sal
he thought the swamp, which separated the India
from the British army, could not be crossed |
afterwards ascertained that it could; and he TN
determined that his brother, Lieut.. Col. Jam
Johnson, should attack the British at the same til
that he attacked the Indians, His mode was
charge rapidly on the enemy in Columns In a f.
minutes after his brother made the attack on 1
British, they surrendered.
The British force consisted of 700 men, and i
brother James division consisted of five hundr
men, lie related humorous anecdote of an Iris
man of the captured army, who asked his broth
James if he was the commander, and what tn,
should do with their arms. Why, replied Jane
| had not thought about that The freshman tn,
proposed to stock them, which was immediate
ordered BY his brother. James then took the II
British and delivered them up to Gen. HARRISON
who, as james afterwards Informed him, was abo
mile from the scene of action. james JohnsC
then received permission of Gen. Harrison to rel
force his brother, Il. NJ, who was vet engaged wi
the Indians. From the commencement Of the a
ton until he was carried off the ground, he (Ric
ard N.Y. did not see Gen. Harrison he did NJ
know where he was-whethcr he was half a mil
one mile, or mile and a half in the rear. exec
from report. His brother james expressed his so
row that he could not come more speedily to h
relief, and stated that it was in consequence
having 10 take the prisoners the distance of mi
10 give them up to Gen. Harrison, the commnn,
ing officer. lie however felt it his duty to say TIN
after he received permission to charge the enem
neither General Harrison, Gov Shelby, or any OF
else except himself and the other officers of his n
glmeni, had command of that regiment or any pa
thereof. The fighting was done by that regimen
alone. lie passed no censure on any one. II
fought not, he said, for gory-he fought for h
country. lie voted for the war, and he consdere
it his duty to take part in that war.
The effect which the unvarnished tale of the yer
cradle hero produced on the vast assenblage Of Il
democracy who surrounded him, eager expression
of each countenance denolng the anxiety not
lose one word which dropped from the lips of III
most honest, upright, brave and patriotic siatesma
and soldier in the land, may be imagined but car
not be described An unbounded burst of applaus,
as he took his seat, testified the warm feelings ,
affection and respect which was felt by the thor
sands Of the democracy who surrounded him.
a.