The Hawk-eye and Iowa patriot. (Burlington, Iowa) 1839-1843, 1840-09-17
From the Baltimore Patriot.

GEN. HARRISON AND Col. CRoGHAN.-
The gallant defence of Sandusky by Col.
CRooHAN, during the last war, was a
mos! brilliant achievement, and brough,
great and deserved fame to the youthful
hero AS the afpir took place after Gen.
HARRISON had ordered CRoGHAN to re-
tire from the post, in the belief that il
was untenable against heavy artillery, the
occasion was made the subject of some
reproach against the commanding Gener-
al. The whole turned upon the fact that
the defence was successful-the enemy
having brought no heavy artillery. HAIR
R1soN's generalship was unques,onably
right and judicious. It was his duty to
save the garrison from what appeared to
be inevitable destruction. If he had left
it to it's fate and the fort had fallen, there
would have been reason to reproach him.
The whole thing was we'll understood
by the parties themselves, as will appear
by the following extract from one of
CRoGnAN's letters. In 1918 some mis-
understanding arising from rumors relative
to the affair, caused CRoGHAN to open a
spondence with Gen. HARRISON.
The letters of CRoGHAN, aUithoM the an
s,cers of HARR1soN, have been recently
published in the administration papers, to
give a one sided view of the complaints
of subordinate officer who seemed to
think that sufficient credit was not given
him for his services. The object is to
throw blame upon Gen. HARRISON. We
know not that Col. CRoGHAN has had
anything to do with the republication of
letters relating to a personal misunder-
standing that took place more than twenty
years ago. At all events. Col. CRoenAN
himself has left on record a clear and sat
isfactory statement of the original affair,
which shows the whole thing in light
honorable both to Gen. HARRISON and
himself.
Extract ofa letter from, Col. Croghaa
to his friend at Seneca Io1on, published
IN a Supplement to Niles Register, DOL.
VIL. p. 1873.
"About ten o'clock on the morning of
the 30,h ult. letter from the adiutant-
generals Office, dated Seneca Town.
July 29th, 1913, was handed me by
Mr. Conner, ordering me to abandon this
post, burn it,, and retreat that night to
headquarters. On the reception Of the
order, called council of officers, in
which it was determined not 10 abandon
the place, (at least until the further pleas
IRE Of the general should be known, as
1t was thought an attempt to retreat in
open day, in the face Of superior force
,nf the enemy, would be more hazardous
than to remain in the fort, under all its
disadvantages. | therefore wrote a letter
to the general couched in.such terms as i
thought were calculated to deceive the
enemy. should itfall into his hands which.
l thought more than probable; as we'll as to
inform the general, should it be SO for,u.
nate as to reach him, that would wait tc
hear from him, before | should proceed tc
execute his order. This letter, contrary
to my expectations, was received by the
general, who mot knowing what reason.
urgedsme to write in tone so decisive
concluded very nationally. that the man
ner Oft was demonstrative OF most pos
Tive determination to disobey his order.
under any circumstances. / was there
fore suspended from the command of til,
fort. and ordered to headquarters; but OF
explaining to the general my reasons fo
not executing his order, and my object ii
using the style had done, he was 81
perfectly satisfied with the explanation