The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-08-28
From the Chillicothe Advertiser.
SPEECH OF COL. JOHNSON AT
,CHlILICOTHE.

CHlLLICOFHE.
When the veteran hero once more
presented himself to the people, an in-
tense interest was visible on the counr
tenances of those who were present,
and the quiet stiffness which prevailed
enabled them all 10 hear and understand
what he said 10 them. He commenced
stating that he had been public servant
for the people thirty three years--two
years under Jefferson's administration,
eight under Madison, eight under Nun.
roe, four under J. @. adams, eight un-
der Jackson, and three years he has
been associated IN the administration Of
Martin Van Buren,. He then said that
he had been acquainted with MARTIN
VAN BUREN, for twenty eight years;
and that for twenty years he has been
on terms of the greatest lnlimacy--and
it gave him pleasure 10 state that IN the
whole Of his political connections he
never knew one more upright in princi-
pie or purer in morals, and very few
possessing talent Of higher order than
Martin Van Buren,. No stronger ad-
vocale of the war policy was to be
found in 1909, and no ADLER defender Of
it IN 1872, than Martin Van Buren,
He spoke Of what he'knew and felt 10
be true, and of wich he entertained not
the least doubt. .t.
Having been frequently urged by the
wings TO speak of the battle OF the
Thames, he reluctantly telt compelled
10 duty to stale some Of the leading
facts which come within his own knowi-
edge. lie commenced by stating, that
he did uot wish TO claim any glory for
himself on that occasion-nor did he
wish in auy way TO delract from the
fame Of any companion IN arms, far less
from his commander. At The battle Of
the Thames. he said his Col. psi reg
iment did pursue the enemy, marching
considerably in front Of the infaniry.-
He was in the van at the head of three
companies OF mounted men, which ere
brought up in solid column. He came
up with the enemy who wele drawn ur
in line of battle. The force under Te-
cumseh was a5ont IL or IA hundred
strong-the British 700. 1t was at frs,
intended, he observed, by Gen. Harri-
son, that the infantry under his CON-
mand should be brought up, and the eu
emy fought by our troops in line. Blu
Col. j. having praciiSed his regiment tc
serve both on foot and on horseback
having frequently dismountsd one-hal
of them and fought sham battles fol
that purpose, and believing that he coulC
successfully overthrow the enemy by 6
charge of his mounted men, requested
permission to make such charge; which
having obtained, he left General Har.
tison and proceeded TO the front, where
| his regiment awaited him. He never
saw General Harrison afterwards, un-
| I'll the battle was over, when the Gene
raj came to where he (Col. J. was ly-
ing, at the place to which his soldiers
had carried him back alter he was
wounded. When he left Gen Harrison,
he said he thought the swamp, which
separated the Indians from the British
army, could not be crossed. He after
wards asseriained that it could; and he
then determined that his brother, Lieu.
tenant Col. James Johoson, should at.
tack the British at the same time that
he attacked the Indians. His mode
was to charge rapidly on the enemy IN
columns. ln few minutes after hie
brother made the attack on the British,
they surrendered. The British force
consisted of 700 men, and his brother
James division consisted of FIVE hun
dred men. He related humorous ap-
ecdote of an Irishman of rbe captured
army who asked his brother James i'll
was the commander, and what they
should do with their arms. Why re-
piled James. had not thought about
that The lrishman then proposed TO
stack them, which vas Immediately or
dered BY his brother. James then took
the 700 British and delivered them up
10 General Harrison-who, as James
afterwards informed him, was about a
mile from the scene Of action. James
Johnson then received permission Of
General Harrison to reinforce his broth,
er R. M. who was yet engaged with the
lndiane. From the commencement of
the action until he was carried off The
ground, he Orchard M did not see
Gen. Harrison-he did not know where
he was-whetber he was half mile,
one mile or mile and half in the
rear, except from report. His brother
James expressed his sorrow that he
could not come more speedily 10 his re7
lief, and slated that it was in conse-
quence Of having 10 take The prisoners
the distance Of q mile to give them up