Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-04-14

Infantry, which was drawn up in order ofbat
tie. lie had not gone far, before turning TO
me. land to the bes, Of my recollection, was
the only one Of his Aids then with HIM. no
said, pursue Col. Johnson with your utmost
speed-seo the effect of his charge, and ihe
position of the enemy's Artillery, and return
as quickly as possible" Having executed
this order as promptly as practicable, met
him on my return, pressing forward with the
front of The infantry. Upon reporting that
Col Johnson had broken the enemy's Inc
that they were surrcndering, and tha, their
cannon was in our posscssion-he exclaimed
in an animated tone, Come on my brave fell
lows, Proctor and his whole arms will soon be
ours" Soon after this. an officer q believe
the late Judge John Mcdowell, of Ohio,) rode
up aud reported that the left wing, at or near
the crot Chef, was suffering severely and in
great disorder This communication was
made in the hearing of the soldiers. The Cen
eral con,radicted The latter part of the state
ment IN the most emphatic manner-but CIV
ing order to the next in command to push for
ward, he dashed with the messenger to the in
dictated point of conflict and confusion, and
found the contest pretty close and severc.--A
portion Of Johnson's Regiment, owing TO the
imprac,icabiliiy of the ground for horses, had
dismounted, and was fighting on foot and min
gled with the infanny-which had been TO
some extent the cause Of the confusion. Or
der was soon restored, and the left wing clos
ed 10 the front, (Which formed the crotchet)
under the personal supervision OF Gen. ii. Ia
the mean time, some of our soldiers were shot
within less than ten feet of the General; for
the conflict here was sharp and animated, and
continued so for some time With the excep-
ton ofthe charge made by Col. Johnson's reg
iment, Gen. Harrison was in the most exposed
and dangerous parts of the battle.
1t is due to the occasion TO relate the fol-
lowing incident The day before the battle,
the army was impeded in its march by the de-
struction of a bridge across a branch OF the
Thames, up which it was moving, at or near
the mouth Of the branch. Col J. had been
ordered to cross this stream at some mills two
or three miles above the mouth. The road
led them by the bridge A portion Of his reg
iment had brush with a party of Indians,
posted in cabins, on the opposite side OF the
Thames and the branch, and also under the
thick covert along their banks, to dispute the
| passage of the stream, and harrass all attempts
TO repair the bridge.
| As soon as the firing was heard the General
hurried TO the scene OF action accompanied by
his staff of which Commodore Perry was
one. When arrived found Gen. Harrison,
Com. Perry, and other officers, Il think Gen.
Cass was one,) in an open piece OF ground,
aGar 1 hsen ,a Tidge, Col, Iohgson had passed,
dsmounted, under the command of Capt Ben
iamn Warfied, and some Infantry which had
! hurried up, were carrying on the skirInish'-
! Mai. Wood had been ordered up with small
piece of artillery. Com. Perry urged Gen' H.
! TO withdraw, as he was too much exposed LOT
the Commander -in-Chiet ii | mistake not,
Gen Cass united with the Commodore, ana
4 dove q
lie started off with Perry and the residue oil
his sui,e; but he had rot gone but few steps
when he returned, and retained his position
near the cannon, until the Indians were dis.
lodged and driven, the bridge repaired, ano
the army put in motion to cross. During inns
whole time he was as much or more exposed
than the soldiers, being on horseback all INC
| while The Commodore afterwards remon
sirated with him against this unnecessary eA'
posurc, observing ''ihat in open sea he coulo
stand fire ,olerably well, but there was no iuT
in being shot at by a concealed enemy. Tho
General justified his conduct by saying ih'
general who commands Republican volunteer
in whose ranks the best blood OF the country
is to be found, must never think oi his OWL
safety, at least until his troops become lam
lar with his disregard of personal Danger
lIardihood itself has never denied ferry coui
age. Chambers and Todd OF henlucky, an
t O'Fallon of Missouri, the other Aids d Ten
Harrison a, the battle Of the Thames, ar
sill living and can give you additional facts
( required
Although i, is not in direct response 10 an
| part of your letter, | must be permitted 70 SAY
r that my intercourse with zen lia'rso" lc
. the conviction on my mind that he was ger
: ,leman, a soldier, and patriot, and depr'
: cato most sincerely the injustice attempted
r. be done him by portion of that party WI
{ which have always voted.
i | am, sir, respectfully,
Your obedient Servant,
]. SPEED SMITH
Nd. CoRwIS, Esq.