The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-09-22
p,cuARp NJ. JoHNsoNs TESTIMONY.

Nj.
II has ever appeared TO us that the ,sroc,ous as
suuI,s of the presses IN the pay "ithe
upon the military character OF "i"'a'h 'i'''
Ha, i.Ar, were receiving more ateht'o" HUN us
friends than they ought They are not o"''''o' w.
se ,us consideration. The undannted courage "'"
hr,verv of the Hero of the Thames, are no more
TO he en- led IN question, if we read history ar's"''
than the courage and bravery of George "ash'"g'
ton They are NOT debatoabe points. Inc his'o
70 Of the country has settled them ne test''no-
nv of their cumpatriuts in arms, ot those VINO
tonight and bed by their side has rendered ils YER
dict ia ,heit favor, and man would now can
them in question, but desperate Par''zan, VINO
homes 10 conceal the weak points ofhIs cause by
bold dsnunciation of his adversary IL the concur
rent opinions of Washington, the Ada rnses, JET
ferson, Madison, Monroe, or Wayne, and Miller,
and host of other names, illustrious in the he'd
and in the councils Of the nation in favor OF the
eenerash,p of Harrison, his nndaunted courage "
bravery are not sufficient to settle the question,
and place his litary character above and beyond
the fangs ofthe petty cavaliers of the Tory press
no defence Of his supporters can avail any thing IN
that behalf We will not argue the point for we con
slider the military character of Gen Harrison as well
established as that of any Of the gallant soldier
who defended our county in the last Let
the Globe, with its echoes, direct their mserab lie
ISLANDERS against the Veteran of TIppecanoe. Their
only object is dpert public attention from the sins
| o. this admin iStratiOn.
One of the recent inventions of the Tory press
! is that winch makes Col Johnson 'the hero of the
Taames,' aud undertakes The bravery of HARRISON
at that battle. Col. Johnson made speech al
Chllicothe, Ohio, which, MS reported in the AdveI
tser Of that place, represented him to have spoken
disparagingiy of his commander, Harrison. One
| of General Harrison friends, Major Carneai, Quar-
ter Master under Harrison, in 1912, and formerly
Senator of Kentucky, addressed Ii noe to the
Colonel on the subject thst drew forth the follow
ing manly reply, which, AS it is short, we copy.
1t must be considered putting at rest now and
forever the foul ISLANDERS that have been circulated
against Harrison in regard to his conduct at the Clio
rious ard decisive battle of the Thames:
MaxsrlALD, Aug. 18th, 1870.
My DEAR SIR:-Your favor has been received,
in which you observe, that by my reported speech,
| an inference may be drawn that am not only in
doubt as regards the courage Of Gen. Harrison but
that had but little respect for him comman
ding General. am happy to have this opportuni-
ty Of informing you that during my service with
General Harrison had no cause 20 doubt his
courage, but to consider him brave man, and
have ever disapproved or censured any Of his
measures commanding General in pursuit Of
Proctor, or in the Battle of the Thames every
thing saw met my entire appreciation, and have
never spoken OF IL IN any other terms. In speaking
Of the battle of the Thames, and the part acted BY
my regiment, did not intend TO increase the mer-
1t of that regiment, or to diminish the merit claim
ed by others, much less did intend imply that
Gen. Harrison or Gov Shelby, any officer attach
ed 10 tho army avoided duty or danger. each
had his part to act, and should feel myself much
degrnded to suppose that they did not per
their duty fearless of danger nor have | ever
doubted, that these gallant officers were pre-
csey where duty called them. l regret that In
such battle, where our country was victorious
that there should be IL controversy about the
merit due to the actor in that battle. claim moth.
ing above the most humble soldier who performed
his duty on that occasion, shall any earthly
consideration ever induce me knowingly to do in.
justice to the commanding officer, Governor Shelby
or any other officer ~ tbat army. l have thus con
lined my self to general remarks, not know.
ing IN what particular fact injustice is supposed To
have been done to General Harrison 4 should
be glad 10 know what particular issue is made as
to the facts stated in the reported speech
which had no agency. ! shall feel no dificul,t
to state facts as far as personal kno ,yiedae
extends, and what understood fium others and
AS tar as know or believe the facts. | expect 10
be IN your CITY on Sunday, the ODD, on my way
home, and shall be happy to you.
Ri. M. JOHNSON
MAJ. Tho. ID. Carnival