The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-09-04

surrender, enforced by the Usual menace Of mdis-
crninLte slaughter in case Of refn sal, he answered
substantially that the defence of his post was IL
point of honor, which could only be satisfied by an
actual experiment of the relative force and fortune
of his antagonist and himself
"N he this negotiation was IN progress, Proc-
tor was empOy ed in landing his artillery and CIV
ing it position in aid of his yuli-boats; from WIN u
on the delivery of Croghun's answer, heavy hire
was opened and continued the FORT with little II
any nermssion during the night. At day break,
second battery of three six Founders wis eslab-
lished within two hundred and fifty yards of the
picket; and about four clock, p. NJ it was found
that the whole fire of the British cannon, was con-
cen,raled ON the northwest corner of the iort-a
circumstance, sufficiently indicating the point and
species of attack nedated upon it. Major Gro
CHAN, accordingly, FASTENED to employ such means
AS he possessed to strengthen the menaced angle,
and had barely executed his purpose, when the
enemy, Covering himself with SMOKEY was seen
rapidly advancing, and bu, few PAGES distant
ttom the pickets A general and well directed fire
of muskelry from the garrison, which Immediately
followed this discovery, had the effect of checking
his progress and considerably disturbing his order;
but the latter being speedily restored, the move
meut was resumed, and the ditch reached and Oc-
cupled by the head of the column. II was at this
critical moment, that Croghuns single piece OF ar
tery, charged with grape shot, and so placed rs
to eniiladc the assaiIans, opened lis fire, and with
such effect, that III few minutes the combat was
virtually ended and the battle won. Most of the
enemy who had entered the ditch, were killed or
wounded; and such Of them as were less advanced
and able to tly sought safety in the neighboring
woods-carrying with them no disposition 10 re-
new the attack, and strongly impressing their In
dian allies with their own pan'. Proctor now saw.
that all attempts to rally the fugl,ives were hope
less, and that TO avoid a greater calanity,* his
most prudent course would be, TO rc-embark what
could be collected of his fnrce, red and white, and
return immediately to Nalden.'
We now come to the uNpu5iishei history con-
nected with this event. 1t will explain why the
results of this victory were carefully kept out of
view ut the llme--why CRoGHAN consented to
have his motives for disobeying his orders misrep-
resented, and HARRISON conduct in giving them
Northumberland why HARRIsoN's so persever-
ingy f,lsifed the truth of history in the accounts
given by him of this particular transaction, in the
Two works prepared under his own eye; the first
published by McAtle the second by Dawson.
In bringing forward Col. Chroghan' letters up
on this subject, it is proper to state that they were
given to us by gentlemen of high standing in Ohio
who without any communication with Col. Cro-
hang upon the subject, submitted them to us for the
press. The facts that these letters were called
for by committee Of gentlemen at u hceng the
friends of IlARRIsoN--lhatC Col Croghan express
cd his willingness to give them to the public by re-
lcrrng the committee to Gen. Harrison for the cor
rcspondence-that this committee, after having had
time to communicate with Gen. HARRISON published
II letter as Croghan viii Il the late correspondence
between Harrison and Croghan shows was not
his, but one which his sef sacrificing patriotism
perm led Harrison to shape, 10 the cAigrnccs of
the time al which it was published that Harrison
aid, co., To u, now conducting press notorious
y set up us the immediate organ of HARRISON de
rlared in reference to the call by the committee
for the correspondence in regard to the contested
question of the defence Of Fort Stephenson that
was no "Suck GO iieSiei ggcs i)n"-"ihai histO-
~ am Col. t'roghon's owa letter at The doy
hare pl"cci The sijeci JegondMc necessity cCfu-
her cipcifaii0a''-ull the facts, connected with
the consideration that il what Is said in behalf of
Harrison in regard to the call of his own friends for
The correspondence, be true the correspondence
parties and 10 the public, that the issue made by
Col. ToGd's declaration should be tested. We do
moi publish what pnrporlS 10 be the replies Of lnr
riSon, in the copies which we have in our hands,
because the history referred 10 by Col. Todd us
true, is condemned in the letters purporiing to be
Harrison ms erroneous Harrison must therefore
cny the authenticity of these letters, or the author
iy Of his friend, Col. Todd, to make the statement
M his behalf
He shall await, then, some iniinalion on the
part Of Gen Harrison or his friends touching this
recognition Of the letters imputed to
,iui, coupled with nn expression Of Il Willingness
hat they may meet the "pu!ijc eye" In iba,