Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-06-28

IT'S right, its point OF Junction with tie Indians
and ascertained ils position and saw tsni /, was
unprotected by a single feld-work, not even tree
having been feed, to impede the advance Of our
troops. Major Wood proceeded to report the re-
suit TO General Harrison, while returned and re-
sumed the duty ! was engaged in OF aiding in
the formation Of our line of battle.
do not recollcct that ever ] cohverscd with
General Harrison upon this branch OF the subject,
but have always supposed, that the precise in
formation, communicated to him Ivy Major Wood,
induced lle'clange which he made in lis dspo-
sltion for tho attack Until he knew the loose or
der OF tie british formations aud the strange neg
ect Of their General to make use OF the efficient
means within his reach of impeding our mp
pronch, (alid particularly the advance OF our
mounted lofce) lie had intended TO attack the
British troops by his line Of infantry, and to throw
his horsonch farther into the woods, with orders
to turn the right flnnb Of the lndinns. Whit
know, VIII briefly state Shortly before the
commencement Of The action, General llnrr3on
role up 10 me, and remarked that he thought of
changing his disposition for the attack, aud order
ing the mounted regiment Of Col. Johnson to ad-
vance upoE The British line, ond to endeavor TO
pnss through 1t. observed that The uIanuuvre,
ii successful would he decisive, but that there were
objections 10 il, which had no doubt occurred 10
him. and whicli would render the effort hazard
Gus one. We briefly discussed these, and he ter
minated IS -7ymarking, Colonel johnson thinks
lc can succeed and believe he will ! shall dl-
rect HIM To make The attack
Having Communicated his final orders, Gen.
Harrison placed himself in front OF the line Of
then infantry, and Immediately in the rear OF tie
mounted regiments. IL was lbs proper position,
where he could best observe the projected opera
tons. Col Richard Nj. johnson, with what gal
lnntry it needs not that should say led tue left
division OF his regiment, which was opposed,
partly believe to The regular troops and partly
to the Indians, AMI which was out of the sphere
OF my personal. observation His brother, Col.
James Johnson, led the right, which was destined
exclusively to attack the British line, and all his
operations passed di Getty before ard around me,
Tor accompanied (as slec'aor) lis command
in their charge
Such WAS the relative position Of tho hostile
forces, when the signal Tor attack was given.
The mounted regiments placed between our line
of infantry and The cprrny, put itself in motion
breaking into columns OF companies, md thus adj
yancing upon the British rogunr troops. When
/ they apprOa"n'l sufficiently near, they received II
fire which occa>iOncd hesiiuun aud sumU con-
fusion 10 ranks, but soon recovering, they
moved on aud encountcrug n Second and third
discharge Nnh great gaIluuiry, they found them
selves upon he enemy. But thcntnc contest was
over. We passed through the British line, tie
a1dlcrs throwing down their guns, and separating
Into small groups thought only oi pronpt surrrn-
der IN the meantime, the line Of infantry was
advancing, bnt it had little more 10 do Than TO
secure HE pr.0ners--cxceIf, indeed, towards the
swamp, where the resistance OF The Indians WIS
tuuch more vigorous, aud where the contest was
much longcr'M inainCd
During the iapidity aud excitement Of tho
movement lost sight of the commanding Cen
cra hut lac passed through the British line, AMI
believe between the direction which ] took and
The edge OF the swamp, for | encountered him
immediately after, riding over the field, aud Civ
ing the necessary ORDER. He directed me TO take
u party OF mounted mon aud pursue the iugitives,
and particularly TO endeavor to overtnke the Brit
, lisI, al caiI lnya mad
his flight ut the commencement of the action.
The fact is scarcely credible, but il vas asserted
b. ihe Bs9t:s! officers Upon tile point Of
obeying Gen. Ilarrisons orders, when The firing
augmented upon the left, indicating that the IndI-
+, ans were making formidable resistance. The
General then directed me to await few minutes
TO ascertain the result Of the action, and mnedi-
aey rode to the point of contest, and to take such
measures as might he necessary. After short
time the firing diminished and gradually died IL
way, till nothing was heard but chance shots. 1
then Get out will small detachment in pursuit ~
The fugnives, aud passed through The MORAY ian
towns, continuing my route till dark, when we
were compelled to rciuln, not having succeeded
f IN or principal object, and having picked uF on.
y f'w soldiers who had escaped from the field
Of battle.
. To this narrative ! have lille more to add. |
have no pat' nee to deal with the charges of cow
| ardice aud iIniccity, with which the fame of
gallant soldier was attempted 10 he furnished Iu-
ring life, and which may affect his memory,
e lie is gone. lie brave man rs ever went
, into buitle No one who served with him could
, mistake this point of his character. have seen
= him in many trying circumstances when could
l. not he deceived, aud bis GOODNESS and sell posses
. sion never iursOuk him Tor moment An i'll
p stance of his frmness, may say rasness, pre-
u son;s itself at this moment To memory. The
L bridge over one OF the deep tributary streams of
VI the river Thames had been destroyed by the enc
c my, 10 impede our approach, ana large body OF
: indians were stationed in the surrounding woods,
: 10 prevent US from repairing 1.-THE work was
e commenced under the immediate direction OF Gen.
II Harrison, who sat calmly upon his horse, over
looking the operations and exposed to the hilles
II OF the Indians Approaching the value OF his
II lite, entteated him 10 retire, offering 10 remain
e and see the werk executed. But he would not lis
e ten 10 me. He did not tell me why, but knew
e 1t as well MS if lie had tod me. ] read his
II thoughts in the surrounding circumstances. His
=, army was new, officers and soldiers suddenly col
Elected from YulUus parts If The country, and it
l. was csveuaI that t.cir Gene ii should acquire
d their CONFERENCE.-The considered the eXamplc of
ii more importance than my risk I've may have felt
% lac was cnrOuuerlng
l. As 10 The charge of military incapacty, it is in
II singular contrast with the history ard services of
y Geacra Harrison. lie who lived IN he field for
10 nearly Three years, engaged Wit The enemy ui-
l. der HE most diH'cnt and perilou, circumstances,
y WHO ~us Lever defeated, and ~lio possessed The
u confidence OF almost all nionnh h,m, 1t is now AS
T. ccrnined was wholly unequal 10 his task, and
rs was IN fact, imbtciie. II il were So with ex-
Y ceIlent opportunities for observation had not ca
NJ i,ucity eno0eh make the discovery has been
III reserved .aier years, Without arrogaIing to
o ourselves any claim extraordinary dlscelnnen',
still thihk surh had been the Character OF
re Gen. lailat'' among the thousands who follow
e. 0d him 70 ~ field some would have been found
10 to prociani and 10 call for his removal con
is slider II no compliment TO he now Eid that The
ry man respected, the Genera! had full confidence
vi in, The friend 10 whom | was strongly attached,
was ms unworthy Of nil these sentiments us he was
es OF the rank he attained. No. II is not 50. lie is
j. gone where my praise or is equally indii-
nd tercnt 10 him. But never Wide live shall