Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-06-11
BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRSgOF MAJOR
GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY
HARRISON
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HARRISON.
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The civil administration of general Har-
rison as governor Of the territory, though
not attended with such splendid circum-
stances as his military achievements, do
him no less credit. A minute detail of
his conduct in that high office would be
out of its place in such an article as this,
and could not be very interesting to the
reader. For the present purpose it is suf-
lcient to state that his management of the
territory obtained the universal applause of
the people, and the unqualified approba-
ton of the general government. One
event of it, however, merits particular de-
scription, as well ON account of its impor-
tant effects upon the public concerns, as of
IT'S serving TO iliustrate the character of Gen.
4arrison-we mean the expedition on the
Wabash, in the autumn of 1911, which end
edin the victory of Tippeeanoe.
A confederation of Indians, under the
command of Shawnese imposter of con-
siderable talents and great ambition, who
passed for prophet, and by that means ac-
CURED vast influence and powerful ascen-
dency over the savages, lad for some time
excited the vigilance of the Indiana govern
ment, and at length proceeded to such an
alarming extent as to render it necessary
either to bring them to terms Of definite
accommodation by amicable Treaty, or 10
reduce them by force of arms. Accord
iugly, governor Harrison collected an ar
my tog go against them; and in order to avoid
G. IL To tho
and to take advantage fthe alternative Of
negotiation, if the prophet and his people
should feel disposed to an amicable ADJUST
ment he headed the army himself. AS he
approached the prophets town, he found it
necessary to proceed with the utmost eau
ton, not only to avoid an ambuscade
which the treachery of the enemy would
have provided for his reception, but to pro-
cure an interview with them in order to
learn their object, and open negotiation
with their chiefs. The conduct of the In
dams, as he advanced, not only justified
but increased his suspicious, and suggested
to him the expediency of keeping his men
drawn up in constant order of battle, and
even of making them sleep ready dressed
and accoutred, to prevent their beng ta-
ken by surprise. During the whole Of his
last days march, parties of the sayages
were seen continually lurking in his way
and lowering about the thicke,s on either
side; but every effort to speak with them
was found ineffectual-When our army
came near the prophets town, an Ameri-
can captain, with flag and an interpreter,
was despatched to request a conference;
but the Indians appearing on both his
TANKS, striving to cut him off, the captain
was recalled, and the governor, finding
every attempt to bring the savages to a
parley answered with contempt and inso-
lence, resolved to encamp for the night,
and in the morning to take some efectual
means of opening a conference. At length
person who was said to be of high esti-
nation with the prophet, came forward, ex-
pressed surprise at our troops having ad-
vanced so rapidly, and added that his chief
was given to understand, by the persons
who had been sent to him few days be-
fore, that the governor would not advance
to the prophets town until he had received
an answer TO his demands-that. this ans
wer had been despatched by a chief who
accompanied back the governors messen-
gers, but who had unfortunately missed the
army by taking the road on the other side
of the river The governor answered. that
he had no intention of attacking them I'M
til he should discover their intentions-that
he would encamp on the Wabash that night,
and on the mex, morning would have an in
tervew with the prophet In the mean
time he assured the man that no hostilities
should be committed on the part of his ar
my. The chief seemed much pleased, and
promised that the conditions should be
faithfully reciprocated.
That night the governor encamped his
army in line of battle, and ordered the
troops, even when it was their time to lie
down to sleep, to keep their Announcements
on, so that they might on the slightest a.
larm, be ready for action without a moments
delay. They were regularly called up an
hour before day, and kept under arms until
it was quite light, In the morning the
governor arose himself at little after four
o'clock, and the sigma! for calling out the
men would have been given intwo minutes,
when an attack was commenced by the left
flank of his camp Only one gun (says