The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-08-25
THE TRUE DtMOCRAIIC REpUBLICAN TICKET.
THE FORT STEPHENSON AFFAIR.

Croghan was OF the opinion that an accurate
representation of the affair of which he was the
Hero was not given. He heard 1um0urs that
Gen. Harrison supervised McAfee's work-he
heard other rumonrs that Gen. Harrison did
him injustice in private conversation. Colonel
Croghan wrote to Gen. Harrison in great heat,
fre years after the war, using language which
would only have been justified if the rum ours
which induced his correspondence had been
known facts. Gen. Harrison answered him
Col. Croghan apologized for his warmth. The
correspondence was continued, and renewed
again in 1925, and finally closed 10 the satisfac
ton Of Col. Croghan and Gen. Harrison. This
was personal affair, originating not in any
thing that occurred in the war, but in the acts OF
third persons The Globe, by some means or
other we may guess hoac,* has procured por-
ton of Col. Croghan's letters, and published
them, with view, by their aid, OF throwing dis
credit upon Gen. Harrisons character as gen
teman and military man. 1t even accuses
him Of .'Jealousy, ngratitude and treachery,"
without any other proof than one side of pri-
vate correspondence, which originated in yu-
been consigned to oblivion by mutual consent,
and with which the public had nothing to do,
and which il had no business to know The
friends Of Gen Harrison make no issue with
Col. Croghan Col Croghan will make none
with Gen. Harrison On the contrary, Gen III.
and his friends applaud the gallantry Of Col.
c., and Col G. awards the need of his praise
to Gen. III. So far as the Globe goes beyond
the personal matter, and attempts to, throw a
shade upon Gen Harrison's conduct at Seneca
Town and Lower Sandusky, it utterly fails of
its object, and is not supported even by Colonel
Croghan. Col Croghan's letters at the time,
the unanimous approval of all of Gen HIS of
fcers, and the historical facts and circumstances
themselves, will forever preserve Gen Harri-
sons reputation and character beyond all ha-
zard from the assaults OF malignant foes. The
Globe cannot long triumph in Justification OF
history. We submit the facts and circumstances
Of the case to the public, by the following quo
tation from Todd and brakes undoubted ac-
count of it in their excellent book and leave the
matter to be judged upon its merits without the
slightest apprehension as to the conclusion to
which every impartial mind will arrive:
II has been intimated to us that Croghans letters
were in the possession Of Gen Jessup and that the
Globe received them from him. We hope this is not
the case.
In the month Of June, while at Franklinton, General
Harrison was informed that Fort Megs again in
vested Although he doubted the intention of the
my to attack that place. at this time he promptly start
ed reinforcement to its relief and the 2Sth reach
ed there in person II proved to be false alarm, and
the General returned to Lower Sandusky, on the Isl
of July and the following day set off for Cleve.
land, on business connected with the public stores
and the building of boats for transporting the army
across the lake. On the 23d, body of eight hundred
Indians were seen to pass Fort Meigs for the purpose
it was supposed, of attacking Fort Winchester Two
days afterwards the British and Indians appeared in
great numbers before Fort Megs, then commanded
by General Clay. In the meantime Captain Oliver
accompanied by Captain McCune was sent to ap-
prise the Communicating chief Of the fact and reached
him at Lower Sandusky, with certain information that
the united force of the enemy principally Indians
was not less than five thousand--a greater number
than had ever before assembled on any occasion dur
ing the war. General Harrison, with remarkable ac-
curacy of Judgment the result proved came to the
conclusion that this investment of Fort Megs was a
clrt made by the enemy to call his attention to that
place. while Lower Sandusky Cleveland was really
the point on which the next attack would be made.
lie Immediately removed his head quarters TO Seneca,
nine miles above Lower Sandusky From this place
he could fall back and protect Upper Sandusky, or
pass by secret route, to the relief of Fort Megs
two points to be defended, Lower Sandusky being
comparatively of little Importance. Major Croghan
was left at Lower Sandusky, with one hundred and
sixty regulars, for the defence of Fort Stephenson
There We're about six hundred troops at Seneca-a
force too small to advance upon Fort Meigs Captain
McCunc sent back to General Clay with the in
formation, that as early the commandment chief
could collect sufficient number Of troops he would
relieve the fort The day after the return of the ex-
press, the enemy raised the seige. As had been
ticpated by General HARRISON the British sailed
round into Sandusky bay while the Indians marched
across the swanps of Portage river to aid in the pro
jected attack on Lower Sandusky
As early as the 2lst OF April of this year General
Harrson in letter to the Secretary of War in speak
ing OF the Interior operations of the campaign re-
marked \" shall cause the movements of the enemy
to he narrowly watched but in the event of their
landing at Lower Sandusly that post cannot be saved
viii direct il in such an event. to be evacuated -
The stores there are not of much consequence ex-
cepting about five hundred stand Of arms which will
cause to be removed the roads practical
Bile, lat present il is impossible" These arms were
subsequently removed Just before the express from
Fort Mcigs reached General Harrison he in company
with Major Croghan and other officers, had examined
Fort Stephenson and concluded that it could not be
defended against heavy artillcrs and if the British
should approach it by water,--which would raise a
presumption that they had brought their heavy arl-
lery--the fort must be abandoned and burnt provided
retreat could be effected with safety In the orders
left with Major Croghan, it stated Should
the British troops approach you in force with cannon
and you can discover them in time to effect retreat
you will do Immediately, destroying all the public
stores.' GU must be aware, that the attempt TO re-
treat in the face Of an Indian force would be vain
Against such enemy your garrison would be safe,
however great the number"
On the Goth, General Harrison was informed that
the siege of Fort Meigs had been abandoned The
scouts sent out by him. reported that from the ndca
tons they believed an attack was mcditatcd BY the
Indians, then lying in numbers on the south side of
Fort Meigs, upon Upper Sandusky. Upon this in