The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-02-25
WHOLE NO. sls

ways kept under pay by Great Britain, and
those in Upper Canada subject to her imme-
date authority, stood ready To dash at a mo-
mcnt's warning on the inhabitants Of Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois. When the war came, il
found the Northwest without any important
garrisoned posts on the frontier, except De-
troit, without military depots and military
stores, or munitions OF war; but il found the
brave and hardy population, Of all classes and
conditions, full Of zeal In their country's de-
fence, and prompt to rush to the field. II be-
came the immediate duty of all in authority in
the West to arm and embody the people
suitably to tho public exigency, under the
leadership Of General of tried courage and
ability. Every eye was instinctivey turned
10 Harrison as the man Of the crisis and he
was by acclamaton called TO head the Anne
rican arms in the Northwest.
Looking to the perls which threatened the
country, Governor Harrison, in concert with
/ Governor. Edwards of Illinois, and Governor
Scott of Kentucky, had for some time past
been exerting himself indefaiigably TO prepare
the people and the Government for the strng-
gle. Soon after war was declared, he re-
paired TO Frankfort, at the earnest request Of
Governor Scott, 10 confer in regard to the
disposition to be made Of the troops Of Ken
lucky. He was received with most nattering
testimonials Of the respect and affection of
the inhabitants. The first object was to sue
cor Detroit, which i, was Immediately appre-
hended the British would speedily attack
with all the force at their disposal. In fact,
the news quickly came, first of the surrender
Of Chicago and Mackinac, and then that the
| British had summoned the northern tribes for
| the seigeo Of Detroit. Ii this place fell, an i'm
mense frontier, including Western Pennsyl-
| vania, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and
| Missouri would be left exposed at the mercy
of remorscless foe. The catastrophe there
was but too much reason to dread.
| General Hull had already sent an express
TO hasten up reinforcements from Kentucky
At the same time, letters came from several
Of the principal officers of the garrison, ex-
posing their want OF confidence in their COM
mander, and the apprehension occasioned by
his miserable arrangements and apparent i'm
becility and cowardice, and expressing the
common wish that Governor Harrison should
accompany the reinforcements In that wish
the people of Kentucky warmly concurred.
Governor Scott had levied force of more.
than five thousand militia and volunteers,
commanded by some of the ablest men and
most experienced officers in the State, two
thousand of which, were ordered for immedl-
ate service. to march TO Detroit. Their feel
ing was universal that the command should
| be given TO Harrison. TO accomplish this
object, as the powers held by him under the
Federal Government were confined to the Ter
ritores, and though none but citizen of
Kentucky could hold command in her mill
| tia, yet, yielding to the cxigencies of the oc-
casion, and fortified by the advice of Governor
Shelby, Judge Todd, Mr.. Clay and others,
Governor Scott gave 10 Harrison breoet
commission of Major General in the militia
of Kentucky, and authorized him to take
command of the detachment destined for De-
troit.
In the midst of the preparations which this
responsible and most honorable trust imposed
on General Harrison, intelligence of the dis
graceful and cowardly surrender of Detroit
arrived, and spread CONSERVATION far and wide
through the country. This event only served
to redouble the exertons. and zeal of both
officers and men. Universal disappointment
ensued, when it became known, that, ignorant
alike of the fall of Detroit and of the pro-
ceedings in Kentucky, General Winchester
of the regular army was appointed by the
Government to take the command. And
though General Harrison received the APP
poin,ment Of Brigadier General in the army
of the United States, he declined to accept
or act under it, until he could learn whether
his acceptance would make him subordinate
to General Winchester. In this, he did but
conform to the wishes and expectations of
those around him, who were reconciled TO
march under Winchester only by the expec
tation that when all the facts should be known
10 the War Department, Harrison would be
confirmed in the command. For by this time,
says McAfee, che had completely secured
the confidence of every soldier in the army.
He was aflable and courteous in his manners,
and interchangeable in his attention to every
branch OF business. His soldiers seemed to
anticipate the wishes of their General ii
was only necessary to be known that he
wished something done, and all were anxious
to risk their lives in its accomplishment
His men would have fought better and suffer
ed more with him, than with any other gene
raj in America
Nevertheless, though considering his COM
mand under existing circumstances as merely
provisional, General Harrison, learning that
Fort Wayne was invested by large body OF
Indians, would not allow any consideration,
personal to himself, TO impede the public ser
vice, and without waiting for orders from the
Government, he FASTENED to the relief of that
place by way of Dayton and Piqua lie
reached that place on the 18th September.
His troops were in fine spirits and he conf
IDENTIFY anticipated successful issue TO the ex-
pccted encounter with the enemy; bun he found
| the besicgng army had abandoned its position
and fled at his approach.
! Previous to the arrival of General Winches-