The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-05-19
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TUESD Jay MAY 10 1910.
FOR PRESIDENT,
VIM. Henry Harrison,
OF ONO
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
John Tyler,
OF VIRGINIA.
TESTIMONY OF LIVING WITNESSES.

TESTIMONY OF LIVING WITNESSES.
~ western paper contains an Interesting cores
pondcnce between member Of The House Of Rep
reese natives of Ohio and several distinguished mil
itary Gentlemen who served under General Ilar
rson at Tippecanoc, ard at the battle of the
Thames. II seems that letters were addressed to
these gentlemen in consequence of ISLANDERS derog-
alo'y the character of Gen. Harrison for courage
and military talent, uttered in the Ohio Legislature
by young up start Van Bnren lawyers-irquring
of The persons addressed into the truth OF those
SANDERS, and thor means Of information on the
subject. J0hn Chambers of Kentucky, states that
he was a volunteer Aid Of Gen. Harrison at The
Thames-that the stories thousand times epealed
that The General was not personally engaged in
the action and that Col. johnson now V. President
originated the brilliant movement by the mounted
men which broke the enemys line-are utterly
false. Harrison was in abe hottest of the battle,
and when informed of the manner in which the
enemys infantry were drawn up in open order
changed the plan OF attack he had previously form.
ed, and ordered the charge which was CALAMITY
executed by Col. Johnson and his men. John S.
Smith was another volunteer Aid on the c.
casion. lie fully confirms Col. Chambers to
llarrison's presence in the action and his giving
the order to johnson to charge. He says 'smy
humiliation is deep that a necessity should exist,
produced by party cour, to prove facts attesled
by history for than quarter Of a century and
which have never before been questioned. Col.
Smith is and has been always of The Jackson and
Van Buren, party, ct he speaks from his per-
sona knowledge in the highest terms of the gallant
| old General as ga gentleman, soldier and pari-
| or" and concludes by "deprecating most sincerely
the injustice attempted to be done him by portion
Of tharpa,ty with which he had always voted"
There are two other Letters, one from J. ORAL.
lon, the other from C. s. Todd, both regular Aids
to Gen. Harrison IN the same battle, who shared in
the conflict and who amply confirm the other two
gentlemen. Here are four living witnesses, all
highly intelligent gentlemen, and one Van Bu,en
man, who all concur in awarding To their beloved
commander talents of the highest order, and IA
courage and GOODNESS in the trying clrcum-
stances never surpassed.
Major O'Fallon also present in the ever
memorable action at Tippecanoe, and puts to flight
the shameless ialsehoods of the party hacks who
think to riot in the spoils earned by vilifying the
BRAY defender of the countrys honor when ruth
lessly assaulted by the Shawnee Prophet and his red
myrmidons. Shame such creatures! They
'.deserve to be dashed baked through the world "
He iolioWiHS 10 WaJ'I " anon y account OF
that action and the heroism and cool valor display
ed by HARRISON which won the applause not mere
Nv of the gallant soldiers engaged, but of the whole
Country and procured for him some time afterwards
from President Madison tho appointment Of Com.
I mander of the North Western Army:
At the commencement of the battle of Tippeca.
noe when the first gun was fred at our advanced
picket, was at the tent of General Harrison, who
was then up at the fire. l had an opportunity to
observe his manner; he cool and coLIected and
every movement of his coun,enance, and eve
ry VOID he uttered at that irving NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
the most embarrassing in the life Of IL sodier-de.
noted the highest order of personal courage. lie
mounted his horse instantly, and accompanied by
his staff, FASTENED in the direction of the line
first attacked. part Of this line unable to with
stand the fierce and desperate of the Indians
| the Generel met retiring within our lines in some
disorder and confusion, closely pressed by the In.
dams, some of whom were in the midst of them.
General Harrison led in person a company of the
4,h Infantry TO the breach; and such was the of.
iect of this bold and fearless behavior. and so
great was the confidence Of his army in his ability
to conduct them to victory, that his presence and
voice at rallied the retrealng detachment
and they took position at point equally exposed
where half of their number, il not MORE were Ell
! Their killed or wounded. The battle commenced
about 3 o'clock in the morning during n slight rain
and the attack became general within FIVE minutes
afterwards, and continued until the dawn of day;
when met by almost general charge,t the Indians
broke and aed before our bayonets. The Dragons
afterwards proceeded to their village and burnt it.
During the battle, General Harrison was seen
wherever danger most iminent, wherever the
fight was the thicSest. His Aid, Col Owen, was
killed at his side, and almost at the same
moment q ball passed through the Generals
hat, grazing his head. There ,oas not q spot
,onhin our lines secure from the shot of the enernv
On this, as on every other occasion within nv OBJ
servation, General Harrisou's conduct was that OF
brave, and skiIful commander; always calm and
cool in his manner, and wholly indifferent TO his
personal safety, possessing the peculiar ftculiy OF
at once discerning whatever was wanting, and