Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-09-17
COL. R. NJ. JOHNSON.

The following just tribute to the merit
Of Col. johnson was written by the Rev.
Walter Scott and published in his "Evan.
gelist' at Cincinnati, in 1885.
As we had seen the great lawyer and
statesman Mr.. Henry Clay, so we felt
anxious to see the great soldier and states
man Col. Richard NJ Johnson also. Ac-
cordingly we set out after our return to
Georgetown in company with his brother
John T. johnson to the place of the
Colonel's residence, distance of about
seven miles. The weather was any
thing but favorable to our visit; for it had
rained during the preceding night and
the roads were of course very muddy.
The day was o'ercast with clouds whose
gloom was ever and anon increased by
an endless succession of thunder show
ers that played off upon US nearly all the
way; but we arrived without any other
Inconvenience and found the Lion Of
the Thames laid up at ease deep within
the recesses Of his own seqdestered
halls.
The Col. gave US a round hearty vel
come as was BETTING soldier and was
willing to crafty US by every means in
his power. Being requested he spoke
freely of the battle Of the Thames and
Ofhis own encounter with the chief Te-
cumseh but learnt afterwards from ain
account Of that we'll fought field which |
got from Capt. Wall, who was one of the
forlorn hope in the affray, that the Col.
had suppressed several very striking in
Cidents relative to his own personal brave.
ry and patriotism on that dreadful day.
Capt. Wall told us that after Col. John
son had put things to right in the rear he
came laundering along on horseback in
to the very front, and, after declaring he
would never send his men where he
would NOT lead the way, he drove. full fu-
ry. upon the enemy forty yards in front
till he left their line between him and
the gallant Kentuckians whom he led TO
the attack. Here it was the Colonel
met Tecumseh.
The chiefwas whooping in front Of his
warriors to inspire them with ardor for
the battle when he was first seen by Col.
johnson. The fire Of the Kentuckians
was TO him a matter of such perfect iu-
difference that he stood with his back to-
wards them while he harrangued the men
of his own tribe whom he led to the war,
When he perceived that he was singled
out by the Col. he shot him after the In
dian fashion, like a glance Of lightning;
but the bullet failed to reach the Colo
nel's vitals and Richard, in spite of his
wounds, kept advancing towards him in
an oblique line in order to conceal the
pistol which he grasped in his right hand.
The Indian was not aware of this design,
but imagining that the bullet had settled
the business with the Col, came up with
a battle axe, or war club to dispatch him,
when the Col, like glance oflightning,
threw his right arm over his horses neck
and to the terror, dismay and death OF
Tecumseh emptied the whole contents
of his pistol into his head and heart. He
thundered down in an instant in the pre-
sence of his warriors and the woods re-
sounded to his fall. |
With starry leaves The lofty ch1snut crowHd1
Rsars his tall head and looks the forest round;
Till some bold woodsman with his hand on high
His blazing hatchet whxzing from the sky.
Urges the stroke; the forests all resound,
And trunk and arms and leaves come tumblinl
TO the ground,
PTwas thus in life aIoft in youthful moin,
And thusin death the warrior chic iwas seen;
STwas thus his soul received the deadly blow
That sent him to his Indian sirss below.
Il was truly affecting TO behold tn
wounds Of this gallant old soldier Tn
bullet shot by TeCumseh passed thrOug
his hand and arm, and must have reach
ed his heart had it not been thus inte1
,cepted; he has also very dangerou
looking wound on one Of his legs and
is said that his mare staggered under hil
while he shot Tecumseh, with no fewt
than seven balls in her.
The Col showed us three swords; on
presented 10 him BY The patriotic hdit
of Sciolo co., KY; another which had b.
longed 10 the Duke OF Snlfolk, aud WI
presented 10 the COL by General NJ
Comb Of the U. s. Army; and the thil
the sword presented .toIhIiir Sg Eongfe
as testimony of that body's respect f