Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-06-28
THE GREAT WESTERN MOVEMENT

The suggestion of great Ratification meeting
at old Fort Harrison, near Terre Haute, in which
the citizens of Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky
and Missouri, shall participate, meets with favor,
and will doubtless be carried out. The ST. Louis
Republican has the following interesting article on
the subject:
GREAT RArIFIc ALTON MEErIHG.-When the
question was asked us, the other day, where THE
GREAT Ratification Meeting should be held by the
Wings, we unhesitatingly named Fort Harrison,
the first battle ground Of the then young, but now
veteran and world renowned Gen. Taylor. There
is. as we think, great fitness in the proposition
In a repor, made by Capt Taylor on the 10Th of
September, 1912, and dated a, Fort Harrison-a-
bout two miles distant from where Terre Haute is
now loeated-he states the situation of the GAL
liant little force under his command. He was sur
rounded by hostile Indians. He had himself Just
recovered from 4 severe attack of fever, and
many of the incapable of duty He
made, however, the most judicous disposition of
his little force, and awaited the attack of the Indi-
ans. They commenced by firing one of the block
houses, containing the contractors stores, and some
whiskey, and in spite Of every exertion the flame
assembled ~ the roof and baflled every effort to ex-
tinguish it. .'As that block house." says Captain
Taylor. "adjoined the barracks that make part of
the Notifications, most of the men gave themselves
up for lost and had the greatest difficulty in get
ting my orders executed
And sir, what from the raging of the ire-the
yelling and bowling of several hundred Indians
the cries of ane women and children, a part sol
diers' anu part citizens wives, who had taken
shelter in the Portland the Responding of so ma
ny of the men, which was worse than ALL can
assure you that my feelings were very unpleasant
But" says the Captain, ''my presence of mind
did not for moment orsake Inc, ;" and he directed
that part Of the roof which connected the block
house with the whole row of buildings, should be
thrown off, and the end be kept perfectly wet. 81
convinced the men" says he, THAT this could be
accomplished, and it appeared to inspire them with
new life never did men act with more irmncss or
! desperation. Those that were able (whie the o.
theirs kept up constant fire from the other block
house and the two bastions) mounted the roof of
the house, with DIR. Clark al their head, under a
shower of bullets and in less than minute threw
off as much of the roof as was necessary" This
was done with the loss of only one man and two
wounded. All further attempts TO fire the build
ing were successfully resisted and the Indians af-
| ter keeping up the attack for twenty hours, were
compelled TO remove out Of reach of the guns of
the Fort.
| But the stock around the Fort had been killed
| by the Indians, and the whole of the provisions
were lost by the fire in this emergency, says
the Captain, ',ce must make out to five mon green
corn until zee can get SUPPLY" How charac-
lerisic of the gallant Old Hero in every act of his
| life! He was no holiday officer, such as those
who surround the White House even now. call
ing into question his military qualifications. and his
sound sense and judgment. But the qualities he
evinced at Fort Harrison have shone conspcuously
ever since and no matter on what battle -feId-nr
matter how great the odds against him--he neve
| lost battle!
Again we say, that Fort Harrison is the place
for union of the Wings Of all the States in ont
| great ratification meeting. Delegations. we have
| no doubt, will 90 thiiher from far and near. an,
perhaps the Old Hero himself might be induced II
be present at such a gathering of the American
people.
The Wings Of Indiana and The West. have thu
matter in their keeping.
The Clay County Tribune, published at Liber
ty, Missouri, the place of Col. Doniphan's resi-
oence, says:
owe have seen, in several Democratic papers i
Missouri that Colonel Doniphan declines 10 be a
eleclor on the Wing ticket. Here, where he lives
no such fact is known, and il is reasonable to sur
pose that it would be known here as soon as at dis
tant places" 4.
MR CLAY A TAYLOR MAN-Jbe New Vor