Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-05-02
THE Battle Of the Thames.

COl. JOnnS0n, Ill MS iate duuTeSS Oe
fore the people Of Oswego, gave the fol-
lowing description of the battle of the
Thames. AS historical accounts are so
much at variance, this, coming from a
prominent participation in the conflict, is
worthy of presentations:
'Aud now; my friends, since you de-
sire it, | will give you a particular &C.
count of this battle. And, first, allow
me to say that history is ali wrong as to
the details of this affair. have never
seen correct account Of it in any book !,
or official report Even General Harri-
son. when he wrote his official despatch,
was ignorant as to the manner in which
it was fought, and of tlsetmos material
details; and persons "hs have since Civ
en- an account of The same transaction,
and who pretended to have been engaged
in the conflict, have fallen into the same
errors. All these accounts represent me
as charging the British infantry at the
head of my regiment; and as having had
a severe conflict. and of my being DIES.
perately wounded in :he charge. Moth
Ing can be further from the truth. had
nothing to do with charging the infantry
at the head of my columns, or with that
attack, except to plan and direct it. l
was a mile of when tie assault was
made, engaged in altogether different
order. The ground was not unlike this
on which we are now standing; except its
being a wilderness. On the right was
the river Thames, flowing like your own
beautiful river. From the bank Of the
river. extending north, he British regu.
lars were drawn up in two lines Of $50
men eacb, in full dress, their arms glis-
tenins in the sun. and presenting an i'm
posing spectacle. The left rested on the
river; their right on the edge of dark,
narrow swamp. extending north some
distance; Immediately behind which, on
more elevated ground, lay 1880 Indian
warriors, under their brave and noble
minded CHEF, Ictunseh. 1t was about
the same distance from where | stood to
the Indians on my right, as to the lndi'
ans on my left; only, in an attack ON the
latter, must first get through the swamp.
Gen. Harrison came up accompanied by
his staff. His countenance beamed with
animation and delight at the sight OF the
enemy. Gen. Harrison was undoubted.
" a brave man. [ at least am hot the
man to say he was not. ! believe the
contrary. Informed him of my plan Of
attack, and requested the privilege of be
ing permitted to carry it into execution
in my own way. After consultation Gen
Harrison consented, and returned back
10 the infantrv-at that time mile ir
the rear. When Gen. Harrison left mt
we both supposed the swamp impossible
and my intention was to charge the Brit
ish infantry with my entire force. Ihi!
probably accounts for the errors he Eel
into in bis ohicial despatch. Soon afteI
Gen. Harrison had gone, my brother
James, my second in command, dscov
cred that we could pass the swamp will
our mounted men. | instantly divided
my force into two battalions of five hun
dred men each, giving the command o
one to my brotherr james, with direc
lions to carry out the contemplated at
tack Oh the infantry as had been planned
whilst would put myself at the head
the other five hundred got through th
swamp, end attacked the indians at tn
came instant. The sound of the bugs
was to be the signal of attack for both
gave nay brother thirty minutes to dis
nose of the regulars, and he waSthen I
come to my assistance. Immediately al
ter these preliminary arrangements
proceeded ,bro' the swamp al the head
nv battalion. We soon discovered IN
Iians peeping their heads from behIn'
the trees ia every direction. horribl.
painted. and invested with all the hsbill