The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-04-25

men, The proposed plan oil setting out for
Cleayeland, aud landing on the northern
shore, below Maiden, would, perhaps, be
the one by which that place and its depend
encies could be most easily reduced"
After stating his ignorance of ''the prep
arslions that were making to obtain the ma
val superiority upon Lake Erie" and the
utter impossibilily Of transporting large
and un'lisciplined army, the General pro-
ceeds:
Although the expense and difficulty of
trans porting the provisions, artillery and
stores for an army round the head of the
lake, would be very considerable, the lake
being possessed by our ships and the heavy
baggage taken in boats along its algin,
the troops would find no difficulty in the
land route"
Here, sir, are the visws of man who
has been praised for being the first to sug-
gest the armament of the lakes. Fortunate
ly for the country, these views did not pre-
vail. Time had lessened the influence Of
the General of the Northwest army, and
his suggestions were discarded. A new or
der was issusd by the War Department for
prosecuting the campaign on the plan given
In March, which, was ito get command of
the lakes
But, sir, the plan of operations came
near being defeated by cautiousness a.
mounting 10 timidily, had almost said TO
cowardice. On the 2lst of April the Cen
eral, after approving of the plan of opera
on'presented by the War Department, says
that he shall watch the movements of the
enemy narrowly, " but in the event of their
landing at Lower Sandusky, that post can
not be saved," The enemy did land, but
not to fulfil this prophecy. The post was
saved, but not by General Harrison. He
had Withdrawn the body OF his army to
Seneca, nine miles distant Under com.
mand of the gallant Col. Croghsn, de-
tachment of one hundred and sixty men re-
solved to defend the post or die in the at
tempt. Sir, need tell the result? 1t
written on the brightest page Of our histo-
ry.
Mr.. Speaker, will not allude to the de.
termination of General Harrison TO destroy
his stores at Seneca, and retreat TO Upper
Sandusky leaving the whole lake coast de.
fenceless. Nor will allude 10 his order
10 Major Croghan to abandon the fort and
and repair to head quarters. These pass
over; and pass over, also, the Generals
ofnclal report, wherein it appears that he
left this intrepid body Of men TO meet all
the assaults of near two thousand of the
enemy, and left them, too, with but one
six FOUNDER, seven rounds of cannon cat
ridges, and forty rounds for small arms"
In April, the post could not be saved; on |
the last days of July, he ordered il to be a.
bandoned and burnt but, on hearing the |
cannonading, he made the discovery that a.
ny attempt TO storm iicould be resisted with |
effect. He therefore remained in his camp |
at Seneca. without making a solitary move.
ment, until he was informed that the enemy |
we're relreaiing. He then went towards
The post as fast as the Dragons could carry |
him, but "not an enemy was to be- seen"
The General then returned TO Seneca, and |
wrote 10 the Secretary Of War that he had |
before informed him "thst the post Of |
Lower Sandusky could not be defended "a
gainst heavy cannon" He had informed |
him that the post could not be saved al any |
rate; and while the battle was raging. speak
ing OF Croghsn,h he said, ,"the blood be on his
own head wash my hands of it,"
ln August, the exerlions of the War De-
partment were crowned with success. Our
squadron obtained command of the lakes,
and soon after, General Harrison crossed |
ever 10 make an attack OIL Maiden. When
he arrived, Proctor had fed, and was not
overtai en- until he reached the Thames of |
Lake ST. Clair. This happened on the 5th
Of October, when battle was fought that
closed the war IN Upper Canada. or late
the friends of General Harrison have claim
ed great honor for him on this occason.-
But he does not deserve it, The glory of
the yictSry was awarded at the time to Col. |
Richard M. Johnson, and it belongs to him. !
HIS regiment OF mounted men made. the
charge upon the British lines, and broke
them to pieces. They also crossed the
swamp, and fought against the Indians with
out any aid from the rest of the army. The
charge was suggested by Colonel johnson,
and all that General Harrison did was to
give the order. am aware that the official
report gives US to understand that the
plan Of attack came from ga moments re-
fecdon."
"While l." says the General. twas en-.
gagged in forming the infantry, ! had direct.
ed Colonel Johnson's regiment, which was
still in front, TO be formed in two lines op-
pOsite tO the enamy and uDon the aJya,..