The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-10


wrote"
The book to which we refer, bears the fol-
lowing title:
I" The Life of Oiiper Ha.ard Perry with an An
pendx, comprising Biographical Memoir Of The late
Captain Jamss Laurence with brief sketches Of the
most prominent events IA the Lives oil Commodores
cambridge, Decatur, Porter, and Miedonough A
view Of the pise present condition. and future prospects
OF the Navy Of the United Statess list OF the Officers Of
the Navy. and vessels Of War Of The United States
To which is added, Biography Of General Pie and
view OF tho leading events 10 the life OF GENERAL
HARRISoN-by John NJ Niles Esq second edition,
enlarged and improved. Hartford published by Oliver
u Cooke, 1921"
The 9 view Of the leading events in the
life Of General Harrison" is in the following
style and language
"Major General William Henry Harrison was
born in Virginia, al place called Berkly on the
James river, twenty miles below Richmond and his
descent Is iron one Of the Oldest and most respecla
bic families Of that State. He was destined by his
father 10 the study and practice Of physc. Accord
ingly, after receiving suitable school education he
commenced the study with Doctor Leiper, Of Rich
mond and was on his way 10 Philadelphia, with
view 10 finish his studies, when he heard of his
fathers DEATH. IL was profession not congenial
with his views and he therefore, at that lunclure,
abandoned Il, and took commission in the United
States armv
After spending few weeks in the recruiting SER
vice al Philadelphia, he proceeded to the Northwest
ern Territory, and Joined his regiment al Fort
Washington, lew days after ST. Glars defeat
He was then but nineteen years of age STRIPPING,
TO appearance wretchedly qualified to endure the ia
tigues Of a campaign in The wilderness.
| His first enterprise was with detachment Of
twenty men, ordered 10 escort some pack horses 10
Fort Hamilton. Il was attended with great dangers
and privatons, but was executed satisfactorily,
draw from General 81 Clair he ua pphlic
thanks.
Soon aller, Gen. ST. Clair returned to Philade-
phia and Wilkinson took command ia his place.
The year following N792) was occupied in raising
and dis. lphning new army which descended The
OHIO and encampfd near Cincinnati, in June, 1888
under command of Gen. Wayne. Here Harrison
joined them and was appointed second ad-de-camp
TO The commander-in-chef, and from that place they
marched 10 Greenyie and took up winter quarters.
10 June, 1874, they took up line OF march against
the Indians, and on The Goth OF August came into
engagement with them at the foot 0. The Miami
Rapids, and soon routed them. Here Harrison
acted conspicuous part, and acquitted himself with
honor This batlle had the desired effect; the In
,dians sued for peace and treaty Was effected The
year following
In 1895 he was commissioned captain, and in the
autumn OF the same year, married daughter OF
John Ceeves Symmes, ESQ., judge OF the north
western territory General Wayne having retired
TO the Atlantic States, left him in command Of Fort
Washington, where he continued until 1877, and,
dS the country was dt peace TeuTeu IOH0 the army,
and was soon afterwards appointed Secretary Of the
Northwestern Territory
a. In the year l799 he was sent delegate to Congress
from that territory, and at the formation OF the In
diana territory was appointed first Governor OF it,
to the capital of which (Viacennes) he removed
with his family, in 1901
The civil administration of Gen. Harrison, al
though not marked with such brilliant circum-
stances as his military operations, was notwhsand-
ing, managed with equal Judgment.
AT the celebrated battle or Tippecanoe, in 1911,
Gen. Harrison, as Governor was at the head of The
troops and directed the action, which terminated in
completely routing the Indians, and Of destroying
treacherous and formidable conspiracy against the
territory
The war with Great Britain give him another
opportunity Of displaying his military CHARACTER
Al the capture of General Hull and his army and
the surrender Of the Michigan territory, in 1872
Gen. Harrison called 10 the command OF the
Northwestern army, and ordered to collect what
forces he could, and il possible advance Detroit
and reduce Maiden during that fall, Accordingly
he FASTENED to the frontier, and after surmounng
the greatest difficulties, arrived at the foot Of the
Miami Rapids. A premature movement had how
ever, been made BY Gen. Winchester, and which
ended in the defeat and capture OF himself and ar
my. In consequence, all hopes Of effectng the OBJ
iects of the campaign, during that season, were at
an end He therefore took up winter quarters on
the Miami, at Fort Megs, where he was attacked
in the spring by The British army, under Gen. Proc
neral T onene ,Gl his sas and finding mpss
III. q carry on the siege to effect made precipate
retreat, on the 9th Gen. Harrisons army being
enemy, and passing Maiden and Detroit which they
had abandoned, crossed the Thames at Arnold's
Mills and soon after came into engagement. his
backwood's horsemen were drawn up, and charged
the enemys line at full speed This had the desired
effect; their ranks were Immediately broken, and
the army surrendered TO Gen. Harrison, Gen Proc
tor having made his escape with lew dragons and
mounted Indians
+ IA. o,I ~
capture Of the British army, may be fairly consider
ed the most brilliant and extraordinary events oil the
late war.
These were his last military achievements
treaty of peace was concluded with Great Britain,
and his services being longer wanted he retired,
with "blushing honors thick upon him, 10 the boz
som OF his friends and TO the enjoyment OF domestic
happiness"
In the body Of the work, Mr.. Niles alludes
10 the successful Battle of the Thames, and
eulogi,es the gallant conduct Of Gen. Harri-
son and his troops in the following terms:
cit admitted that the American forces considerably
exceeded those Of the enemy but when II is considered
that the latter had chosen their posltonthat they
had taken one peculiarly favorable for defence, efec-
tualy securing their tanks, being impossible 10 turn
them and that the Americans could present line no
more extended than that Of the enemy, which was too
limited admit of the active employment OF all their
ana wnefl " is lullueI
were almost entirely militia, il must be conceded that
is pictory reflected great honor upon the national arms
and upon The troops By rhom ii pas adhered.
" The action and the movements which preceded IT.
afford ample testimony Of the Judgment and cool In,re
pidy Of General Harrison and, indeed. all the events
Of the campaign support these the dis
asers attending it, having instance been mputable
/ to him"
"There are, perhaps, record few instances Of such
cool and steady ntrepdity on the part Of militia, or
force Of this description, as was displayed on this
occasion.
The victory of the Thames was not more honorable