Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-07-01

| the attack"
Having communicated his final orders,
Gen. Harrison placed himself in front OF
the line of infantry, and Immediately in
the rear of the mounted regiments 1t
was his proper position, where he could
best observe the projected operations.-
Col. Richard NJ. Johnson, with what gal
Iantry it needs not that should say, led
the left division of his regiment, which
was opposed, partly believe, to the rcgu-
lar troops, and partly to the Indians, and
which was out Of the sphere of my per.
sonal observation. His brother, Colonel
James Johnson, led the right which was
destined exclusively TO attack the British
line, and all his operations passed direct
Iy before and around me, for accompa-
MED (as speciator) his command, in their
charge.
Such was the relative positions of the
hostile forces, when the signal for the at
tack was given. The mounted regiment
placed between our line of infantry and
the enemy, put itself in motion, breaking
into columns of companies, and thus adj
vancing upon the British regular troops.
When they had approached sufficiently
near, they received ire which occasion
ed a hesitation and some confusion in
their ranks, but soon recovering, they
precipitated their movements, and encoun-
tering a second and third charge with
great galantry, they found themselves
upon the enemy. But then the contest
was over. We passed through the British
line, the soldiers throwing down their
guns, and separating into small groups,
thought only of prompt surrender. In
the meantime, the line Of infantry was ad-
vancing, but it had little more to do than
to secure the prisoners, except indeed to-
ward the swamp, where the resistance oil
the Indians WINS much more vigorous, and
where the contest was much longer MAIN
tanned.
During the rapidly and excitement of
the movement los, sight ofthe Command
ing General, but he passed through the
British line, and believe between the d.
rection which took, and the edge of the
swamp, for encountered him immediate
~ after, riding over the field, and giving
the necessary orders. He directed me to
take party of mounted men, and pursue
the fugitives, and particularly to endeavor
to overtake the British General, who was
said to have commenced his flight a: the
commencement Of the action. The fact
is scarcely credible, but it was asserted
by the British officers. | was upon the
poin: of obeying Gen. Harrison's orders,
when the firing augmented upon our left,
indicating that the Indians were making
formidable resistance. The General
then directed me to wait few minutes to
ascertain the result of the action, and i'm
mediately rode TO the point of contest, to
take such measures as might be nccessa-
nv. After a short time the firing dimln-
ished, and gradually died away, I'LL no.
thing was heard but chance shots. then
set out with small detachment IN pursuit
of the fugitives, and passed through the
Moravian Towns, continuing my route
till dark, when we were compelled to re-
turn, not having succeeded in our prlnci-
pal object, and having picked up only
few soldiers, who had escaped from the
field of battle.
TO this narrative have little more
to add. have no patience to deal with
the charges of cowardice and mbecllity,
with which the fame of gallant soldier
was attempted to be furnished during life,
and which may affect his memory, now
he is gone. No one who served with him,
could mistake this point of his character.
| have seen him in many trying clrcum-
stances, where | could not be deceived,
and his GOODNESS and selfpossesslon never
forsook him for moment. An instance
of his (irmness, | may say rashness, pre-.
sents itself at this moment to my memory.
The bridge over one of the deep tributary
streams of the Thames, had been destroy
ed by the enemy to impede our approach,
and large body OF Indians was in the
surrounding woods TO prevent us from re-
pairing it,. The work was commenced
under the immediate direction oil General
Harrison, who sat calmly upon his horse,
overlooking the operations, and exposed
to the bullets of the Indians; approaching
the value of his life, entreated him to re-
tire, Offering to remain and see the work
executed. But he would not listen to me.
He did not tell me why, but knew II as
well es if he had told me. read his
thoughts in the surrounding circumstances.
His army was new, officers and soldiers,
suddenly collected from various parts OF
the country, and it was essential that their
General should acquire their confidence.
He considered the example of more I'M
portance than any risk he may have felt
he was encountering.
As to the charge of military incapacity,
il is in singular contrast, with the history
ard scenes of Gen. Harrison. He who
lived in the field for nearly three years,
engaged with the enemy, under the most
difficult and perious circumstances, who
was never defeated, and possessed the
confidence of almost all around him, 1t is
now ascertained was wholly unequal to
his task, and was in fact an inbeciie. If
it were so, with excellent opportunities for
observation, | had not capacity enough to
make the discovery. 1t has been reserv-
ed for later years. Without arrogating
10 ourselves any claim of extraordinary
discernment, still think ii such had been
the true character Of General Harrison,
among tho thousands who followed him 10
tho field, some would have been found to
proclaim it and call for his removal. !