Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-06-07

bad councils prevailed, the army lost all
confidence in Hull, and he proceeded in
his own course, regardless Of the advice
or remonstrance of his officers. About
three weeks after the affair at the Canards,
the whole army was ordered across the
river to Detroit, in which time, had Col
onel Cass's advice been taken, Maiden
might have been reduced, and secure
Judgement made in Upper Canada. The
order of Hull to return was not less unex-
pected to the army than was the disgrace
ful surrender at Detroit, without shot
being fired, overwhelming to the country.
On entering Canada, General Hull dis
tributed a proclamation among the inhabi-
tants, which, for the eloquence and high
spirit that it contained, cannot be surpass-
ed; but it was sadly in contrast with the
tulfillment of its professions. Unfortu-
nately for the country, the author of the
proclamation, Colonel Cass, was not the
commander Of the army. Had he been so,
the country would have been saved the
modification of beholding the descent from
the promise to the fulfillment. As it was.
he used every exertion to arouse in the
commanding general that spirit of patriot
ism which breathes in every line of the
admirable paper, but in vain. A spirit
OF lnfatuation, or something worse, seized
upon Hull, and led him on, from one false
step to another, until the browning act.
the surrender af Detroit, without firing
gun, completed his ownruin, and brought
disgrace upon the arms of his country
1t is well known to the country that both
Colonel Cass and Colonel Macarthur were
detached from Detroit previous to the sur
render, ostensibly for provisions, but, in
fact, because they were unwelcome coun-
sellers at headquarters. Stung with NOR
LITIGATION on hearing of the surrender.
Colonel Cass, when ordered to deliver up
his sword, indignantly shivered it in pieces.
and threw it to the earth, refusing to sur
render it to the enemy.
After the surrender of Detroit, Colonel
Cass repaired to Washington, to report to
the Government the whole circumstances
attending the expedition. He was ex-
changed during the winter, and in the
spring was appointed a brigadier general.
Shortly after this, he joined General Har-
rison at Seneca. where the army was col
lecting, destined to recover the territory
OF Michigan, and 10 take possession of the
western district of Upper Canada. The
preparatory arrangements being complet-
ed, and the lake being open to the trans
portation Of our troops by the victory of
Perry, General Harrison commenced his
movement in September, 1918, and en-
barked his troops at the mouth of Portae e
river, whence they moved, and were con-
centrated at Put in Bay. From here they
sailed to the Western Sister, small is
land off the coast of Canada, where, being
all collected, the final arrangements were
made. The debarkation was superintend-
ed and directed by General Cass, of the
army, and Captain Elliot, of the navy, and
the troops landed in perfect order, ex pect-
ing to meet formidable resistance. But
the enemy had fled, after destroying the
public buildings at Amherstbury and De-
troit, and were in full retreat for Lake
Ontario. The American army immedi-
ately commenced the pursuit, and after
capturing two small detachments, which
offered some resistance in favorable posi-
tons, overlook the enemy at the Moravian
towns on the river Thames, about eighty
miles from Detroit. The British general,
Proctor, proved himself unequal to his
command. Having some days the start,
if he designed to escape, he should have
pushed his retreat as rapidly as possible.
But he moved slowly, encountered with
much unnecessary baggage, and finding
tbs American army closing upon him, he
prepared for battle. The ground he chose
was heavily covered with trees, and his
left rested upon the river Thames. while
his right extended into the woods, termi-
mating in marsh. This flank was occu-
pied by the Indians, who it was intended
should turn the American left wing and
attain the rear. The army moved SO ra-
pidly that many of the troops were left
behind, and small portion only of Gene
raj Cass's command was in the battle; they
were stationed Immediately in front of the
enemy's artillery, which commanded the
road, with directions to charge upon it as
soon as the action commenced. General
Cass volunteered his services, together
with Commodore Perry, to assist General
Harrison; and at the moment of the charge
of Colonel Johnson's regiment, which de-
cided the fate Of the day, General Cass
took position with the right wing of it,
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel john
son, and accompanied it in its charge up
on the British line. 1t was dangerous
experiment to charge line of disciplined
British soldiers by undisciplined mounted
Americans; but valor supplied the place
of discipline, and, notwithstanding the re-
sistance, that brave regiment broke through
the line, and instantly the enemy was
thrown into confusion, and threw down
their arms, happy to escape with their
lives. The British general, Proctor, fled
almost ut the commencement OF the action,
and was pursued by General Cass, with a
detachment, for some miles, but could not
be overtaken.
1t is well known, that in this important
battle. General Cass bore prominent part,
fully sharing in the exposure and dangers
Of the conflict. An eyewitness, writing