Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1840-04-11

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The following letter is in answer to letter address
cd to the author by NJ b. Corwin. Esq. Of the Ohio
Legislature in order prove the fslsehood Of an as
ser'on by ano;her member that Gen Harrison wos
not Presen, at the battle Of the Thames Nj. Smith.
ss will be seen is a Van Buren, man.
RICHMOND. Ky. March G. 1870.
sIR;-Your letter OF the 1 eth ult was received on
yesterday. n which you that -t has been openly
avowed that Cen Harrison ut no time in the bat
tie OF the Thames within two miles OF the baii,
groundihat the entire plan OF operations WIS proec
ted by Col r. NJ. Johnssn-ihat he led the troops on
10 conquest and that General Harrison had no part nor
LOT in the matter" My hum liaon is deep tina, ne
ccssiiy should exist prOdaced by party rancur prove
facts aitested by history ir more than n quarter of
century and which have never before been question
ed. That ignorance and credulity abound to an ex-
tent, 20 render such baseless assertions available be-
speaks Ia ncntable state of pusc intelligence and
pOriends no good 10 the republic
! That Col Johnson led Tbs van and brought on tho
battle, Is true-ihai he behaved with the utmost gal
laniry. also true; bu; your letter contain. the first
suggested which has ever reached me. that the Ell
tire plan OF operation was Projected by him" The
magnanimiy OF Colonel Johnson will rcpudiate with
proud indignation, such effort cluster additional
laureis upon his brow thus uniusiy torn from the brow
OF his General Col. Johnson received orders as to
the form and manRer of charge from Gen,ral Harri-
son IN person, m The face and almost in sight of The
enemy. The General was with the regiment when
the charge was sounded. As Johnson moved To the
charge the General started Cor the line Of Infantry
which was drawn up IN order Of battle. lie had not
gone far before turning me. (and the best ol my
recollection was the only Of hi, Aids then with
him. he said, Pursue Col johnson with your uulos,
speedsee the effect Of his charge and the position Of
the enernys ARTILLERY. and return quickly possible
Having executed tais order as PROMPTLY preetic,ble
j -. 4 IL.
ianiry Upon reporting. that CD Johnson had broke
me enemy lIne-thot they surrendvrins, and
hai their cannon was in possession--he exclaim
co. IN an animated tone, Come my brave fellows
Proctor and his whole army will be ours" Soon
alter tins, an officer. Il believe the late Judge John
I Mcdowell OF Ohin) rode up and reported, that the
eit wing al or the crotchet was suffering we're
ly, and IN great disorder This communication wa,
made IN the hearing of the soldiers The Genera
conradicied the latter part Of the statement in the mos
emphatic manner-but giving order TO The ne in com
mand 10 push forward, he dashed with the messengc
TO the indicated point Of conflict and confusion an,
iound The contest pretty close and severe portion
oil Johnsons Regiment, owing the mpractica bilit;
OF the ground for horse, had dIsmounted and wa
hgh'lng on foot and mingled with the n.anry-,yhicl
had been, to some extent tho cause of the confusion
o'der was som restored, and the left wing closed
The front, (Which formed the croche) under the per
sonal supervision Of General Harrison In the mear
Time some Of our soldiers were shot within less thar
ten feet Of the General for the conct here was har
aud animated, and continued 50 for some time VIII
The exception Of the charge made by Col Johnson
Regiment, Gen. Harrison in the most exposed AM
dangerous part of the battle
IL due 10 the occasion to relate the following il
cldent: The day before the battle the army was inn
Peded IN ITS march by the Obstruction of bridge acros
branch of the Thames up which il was moving M n
near I, mouth Of the branch. Col johnson had bee
ordered 10 this stream at some NILS two or hire
miles above the mouth The road led him by ia
bridge PoTtiJn Of his reg ment had a brush wi
. patty of Indians. posted an cabins ca the ouaos
side OF the Thames and the branch and also under Ia
thick covert along their .anks 10 dispute the Massage
OF The stream and harass all attempts to reIar IA
bridge. As soon IS the firing was heard the Genera
burned 10 the scene Of action. accompanied by a Dor
ton Of his family, of which Commodore Perry was one
When arrived found General Harrison Commo
dore Perry and other officers q think Cen Cass wa
one,) in an open piece Of ground near The bridge :
Col johnson had pas ed, and small portion Of his re
giment previously dismounted under the command a
capt Benjamin Warfeld, and some Infantry which
had hurried up, were carrying on the skirmish Mai
Wood had been ordered up with some small artjl, nv
Com. Perry urged Cen Harrison to withdraw as h.
was too much exro ell for the Commander-In.Cbie
II mistake Bot, Gen Cass united with HE Conrne
dore and Offered TO say and his orders executed
Inc General, with Perry and the residue Of his suit
started eff but Gen Harrison went few stems and
returned, ard retained his position nenr the conuon
"'' "'c iiddS were OlsOdged and driven the bird,
repaired, and the army put in motion TO cross Dn
ne TINS whole time he as much or more exposed
thah lhe soldiers being on horseback all The while
Inc comm Cofe afterwards demonstrated with him
aga INST his unnecessary exposure observing .lba in
open sea he could stand fire loerably well but ,bc,
was no fun IN beng shot at 10y concealed enemy !"
The General justified his conduct by saving .he g.,.
oral who commands Republican volunteers. in yyhos.
ranks The best blood oithe country is 10 be pand,
mus never think ofhis own safely. least until his
troops become familiar with his disregard OF personal
danger lIardihood itself has never denied Pc,ry's
courage. Chambers and Todd Of Kentucky ard ORA.
In OF Missouri The other Aids of General Harrison ar
the battle OF tie Thames, are still living and can give
you additional facts, II required
Although II Is not in direct response 10 any mart n,
your letter. must be permitted 10 say that nv In,er
course with Gen. Harrison left the conviction ON mini
That he was gentleman, soldier, and a Patriot and
deprecaie most sincerely the injustice ATTEMPTED 20
De done him by portion Of that party with which
have always voted.
am, sir, respectfully,
Your Obedicnt servant
J. SPEED SMITH.
Nj