The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-04-23

SIR: Your favor Of the 18th instant is
Just received, and | lose no time in giving
II acknowledgement You request me TO
communicate the information | possess 10
Ia,ion TO the military conduct OF General
Harrison al the battle of the Thames, the
arrangements for the battle, the position Of
the troops, as well as OF the General, during
the engagement, together with any other
knowledge | have touching bis military
character.
In reply, | submit the following state.
men,: Al the battle of the Thames, Col.
Charles 5. Todd, afterwards Inspector Gen.
eral of the Northwestern Army, and my.
self, were the regular aids dc camp Of Gen.
Harrison. Majors John Chambers and John
speed Smith we're the volunteer aids. The
battle, as IS well known, took place on the
right bank Of the River Thames, near the
Morayian village. A shor, distance from
this place, and whilst our troops were II
rapid pursuit Of the enemy, General Harm.
son received information from an advanced
party that the British and Iudlan forces had
halted, and seemed 10 be uwaiiing US lnl
battle. Vines wilhin half mile of the
enemy, aiter the American forces were
formed 10 the order Of battle, Gen. Trot
ter's brigade in front, Col. PauPs regulars
With the artillery, near bis right, Col. John
sons mounted regiment on the left Of Trot
ter, as reserve, and the residue Of tbs
kentucky volunteers covering the left fanl
and rear; Col Wood, Of the Engineer
/ Corps, who, BY order of General HARRISON
had approached, unobserved by them, subj
GENTLY near the front line Of the enemy Il
ascertain their position and the order il
which they were drawn up, reported tina
the British troops, IN order to occupy thu
I high ground between the river and thu
swamp parallel TO ii, were drawn up in ex
tended or open order between these points
the Indians on their right, occupying tht
swamp and ground beyond ii. Genera
/ Harrison, without one moments delay OIL
/ the slightest embarrassment, formed hl,
purpose.
/ | was within few fee, Of him, when the
report Of Col. Wood was made and he IN
staniy remarked that he would make a nov
Ell movement by ordering Col. Johnson.
mounted regiment to charge the line of tAt
British regulars which, thus drawn uE
contrary to the habits and usage Of that de
scr,p'ion Of troops, always accustomed Il
1 fAe touch. could be easily penetrated ant
thrown into confusion by the spirited charge
Of Col. Johnson's regiment. With view
to this intended charge, Col. Johnson.
command was ordered 10 the front, support
ed in his rear as reserve by Gen. Trot
ter's brigade. know that all the arrange
ments, aud erery movement Of the troop:
during the battle, were made by the order
Of General Harrison, whose position a, the
commencement of the action was Just il
rear Of Col. Johnson's command, and main
~ afterwards near the crochet formed by
the junction Of Johnson's left with the Ken
lucky volunteers, drawn up on the edge and
10 front oil the swamp; position considered
by all as the most exposed and dangerous
within the lines Of our army, and where the
battle was warmly contested by the lndl.
ans, until they discovered the surrender Of
the whole British regular force the happy
result Of the novel and skilful movement,
most CALAMITY performed by Col. johnson
and his brave associates; but conceived,
planned, and directed by General Harri.
son, whose superior military judgment, and
ready skill neither needed nor recsired any
aid.
After the return Of the army to Detroit,
tina, brave veierou, Coy. Shelby, on hearing
read General Hanlson's report Of the bat
he, remarked 10 my presence and with
much emphasis, that the report did him