The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-25
Providence. July "A. $40.

PRowpENcr July IA, 1910.
NV Dear Sir Although ayerse % NEEDING
with politics, feel no reluctance in stating what
! know OF General Haulsons services whilst
cooperating with Commodore Perry, and OF his
popularity IN the army he commanded.
In January, 1878 General Wnchestef's small
army was captured al the river Ralsln, and as
they were returning home parole from Fort
George 10 Kentucky they passed by the bar
racks al Black Rock, where was stationed as
a medical officer Of the navy Frequent con
versations with the officers and soldiers informed
me Of the atrocities committed on some Of the
troops, after they had surrendered; and also, Of
the comparative estimation III which Generals
Harrison and Winchester were held IN the West;
and as many Of them had served under both
Generals, they certainly Were competent Judges
OF their merits They spoke Of General Win
chester as brave and patriotic; but their conf
dence in the vaor, skill, and patriotism OF Ge-
neral Harrison was unbounded II may say en-
rhuslastic. Had he commanded US, said all Of
Them, the result of the battle had been different
He alone has the popularity and influence that
can unite the troops OF the whole w est and
lead them TO victory.
In few months my curiosity TO see so cele-
brated a General was gratitied The feet under
Commodore Perry, which was created al the
recommendation o General Harrison, arrived
at Sandusky; near his camp, and fired signal
guns, which brought an officer on board, who
reported the General to be q miles distant at
the head Of an army Of militia regulars and
friendly Indians. Boats were despatched TO
bring him and his suit on board, where they arriv-
ed late IN the evening OF the 18th Of August. The
following morning beng pleasant, we were all
mustered for review. On the quarterback Of
the Lawrence, stood General Harrison, surround
ed by his chief officers in full military dress and
a more splendid group | never beheld. But a
a.. Iat4.
drawn exclusively to the General His well
proportional figure straight an arrow. was
nerved to martial yet graceful bearing his
piercing eye beanlng with intelligence his sol
diery expression and dgnltied manners, render
ed him altogether The most imposing object
among them; and his whole appearance realized
the expectations formed Of hirn from the DIES
crptions gwen By Winchester's troops.
A salute was now fired and the officers pre-
sented and the remainder Of the day was EN-
poyed IN planning the future operations of the
fleet. IL was the intention of The Commodore
10 storm the batteries at Maiden aud sci fire 10
the enemy y feet unlessi should come out tomeet
rs. But While Preparations Were making for
this the fleet appeared early IN the morning Of
the 10th oil September, and the result OF the
day was communicated 10 the General that eve,
ning in the following words . Dear General
ibe hare met he enemy and they are aura
taco ships, tro brigs, one stoop and one Sch0on
err
Loud indeed were the reIocings Of the troops
a. they came ON board with the General for
transportation To Maiden. They who had long
slept on the earth, and endured the hard ships
and prvauons Of camp life IN wilderness wait
ing Tor al opportunity 10 avenge the death OF
Their companions slaughtered IN cool blood al
the ryer RastI, and to wrest the scalping knife
from SAVAGE hands nov saw the road opened
for them 10 reach and Prappe The enemy hand
10 hand-and earnest were they for the contict
The General and has army were on board with
Us tor some days and II IS due TO both Of them Il
state that from what saw aud heard, however
different il may sound from the reports now cir
cuated by noisy demagogues, never was there
an army more ardently attached or more en-
Enthusiastically proud Of General, than tins AL
though composed Of heterogeneous materials
Of volunteers and drafted m,litIa--of regulars and
Indians each having its peculiar notions of dis
cipne, yet were they marshalled into harmo-
NOUS and efficient action, and Cooperation BY
his skilful hand and all OF them, from the hoafy
headed Governor Shelby, down 10 the lowest
rank Of soldiery. were alike eager TO WIN has
SAVIOR by bravery and discipline, and seemed "a
regard hun as the only person capable OF lead
ing them TO victory. And did he dlsappoinr
them2 Did they not withln few DAYS cap
ture the only army that was captured during the
war2 Yet what do we hear in the face Of these
facts Why. General Harrison, forsooth. i a
colrdrd, an ofd granny, a peticodt Generai
can only state II as my belief that had any as
sassn Of this patriot hard-ea fame used
such epithet in the hearing OF the army when al
The time referred TO- every sword would have
leaped from lis scabbard TO seek revenge in the
defamer's blood.
The success Of General Harrison in gaining