The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-06-10

American army closing upon him, he
prepared for battle. The ground he
chose was heavily covered with trees,
and his leftrestedupon the river Thames
while his right exte nded into small
woods, terminating in marsh. This
flank was occupied by the Indians, who
it was intended should turn the Ameri.
can left wing and attain the rear. The
army moved SO rapidly that many Of
the troops were left behind, and a
small portion only Of Gen. Cass's com.
mand was in the battle; they were sta.
toned Immediately in front Of the enc.
my's artillery, which commanded the
road, with directions TO charge upon it,
as soon as the action commenced.-
Gen. Cass volunteered his services, to-
gether with Commodore Perry, to as
sist Gen. Harrison; and at the moment
of the charge of Col. Johnson's regi.
ment, which decided the fate of the
day, Gen. Cass took position with the
right wing Of il, commanded by Lieut..
Col. Johnson, and accompanied it in its
charge upon the British line. 1t was
dangerous experiment to charge line
of disciplined British soldiers BY undis.
cipl;ned mounted Americans; but valor
supplied the place Of discipline; and
Notwithstanding the resistance, 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 al
most at the commencement OF the ac-
ton, and was pursued by Gen. Cass,
with detachment, for some miles, but
could not be overtaken.
1t is well known, that in this impor-
tant battle Gen. Cass bore a prominent
part, fully sharing in the exposure and
dangers Of the conflict. An eye.wit.
ness, writing some twelve years since,
says: ~ - III.
sin the autumn Of 1918, well recol-
ect Gen. Cass, Of the northwestern
army, commanded by Harrison and
Shelby. He was conspicuous at the
landing Of the troops upon the Canada
shore, below Maiden, on the eth of
September, and conspicuous at the bat
tie Of the Thames, as the volunteer aid
o. the commanding general. | saw him
in the midst of the battle, in the deep
woods upon the banks Of the Thames,
during the roar and clangor Of fire.
arms, and savage yells of the enemy.
Then ! was green youth Of seventeen,
and volunteer from Kentucky"
Gen. Harrison, in his report of the
battle Of the Thames, dated October 9,
1918, says:
"l have already stated, that General
Cass and Commodore Perry assisted me
in forming the troops for the action
The former is an officer of the highest
promise, and the appearance OF the
brave Commodore cheered and anima.
ted every breast"
The battle of the Thames terminated
the Northwestern campaign, and put
an end to the war in that quarter. but
not to the difficulties or Importance Of
the command. The United States be-
ing once more in the possession of the
Territory Of Michigan, and OF the pro-
vince Of Upper Canada, General Cass
was assigned, temporarily, the COM
mand of the district, and General Har-
rison Withdrew with his army, On the
9th Of October, l3, he was appointed
by President Maids on governor Of Mich
igan, at that time one Of the most i'm
portant civil Offices within the gift of
the Executive. He was the civil as
well as the military governor of a large
territory, having many hundred miles
of exposed frontier, filled and almost
surrounded with numerous tribes of
hostile Indians, in the pay Of the British
and constantly excited to
acts of hostility by British agents. a
AS proof Of the defenceless state of
the country, it may be mentioned, that
were made by the Indians,
and some persons made prisoners, and
others killed within sight Of the town
of Detroit, and three expeditions oil
militia hastily collected, were
ed by Governor Cass in pursuit of the |
Indians, and some Of them were killed
within, hearing Of the town.
A single inciden: will show the ma.
lure OF these excursions in the forests
in pursuit of the Indians. Gen. Cass's
who rode Immediately in his |
-ear, had a personal rencontre with an
indian, who started from behind q tree,
ind having discharged his rifle, attack-
I'd him with the but-end, and was killed |
lfter short conflict. sa.as
But peace came to put an end to this
state Of things. The executive power
If the Territory was almost unlimited,
ind the legislative power was in the
lands Of the governor and judges until