Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-28


army by the information respecting the enemy which
be found in the pages of the subsequent historian but
that which at the time was in his possession and IN tn
present may remark that Immediately after ex
perencinr defeat for the OF cautious and strc
conformity to military principle it would have been
cusable in the officers of the army to have carried tina
/ virtue to excess"
McAfee has introduced into his history extracts of
most authentic end valuable journal kept by the galsn
COL Wood of the corps of engineers, who served unde
Gen. Harrison during the operations in the Northwest
The existence of this journal known to Gen. Har
rison until some years after the glorious death Of Col
Wood in the memorable sortie from Fort Erie under Gen
Brown who formed bis plan in conformity to that adopt
ed by Gen. Harrison at the siege of Fort Meigs wher
COL Wood received brevet for distinguished conduct
could scarcely suppose improbable as that
Mr. Headey expressing opinion as to the military
character of Gen Harrison in opposition to that held BY
COL Wood who eyewitness of the events made
the subject Of controversy and who was distinguished IN
severely contested battles than any officer Of the
war, having been breveted at Fort Meigs and Lundy's
Lane, and having in that brilliant achievement under
Gen Brown at Fort Erie, consecraed by his blood the
rights and glory of his country.
In reference to the battle and at the River
Raisin, Col. Wood remarks, (233 of McAfee:)
"Thus was there corps of one thousand men, the
elite of the army, totally sacrificed in the most wanton
fit to their country posterty With only onethird
of the force destined for that service, dest
tue of artillery of engineers, of men who had ever seen
heard the least Of enemy aid with but very IN
adequate supply Of ammunition how he ever could have
entertained the most distant hope of success, what
right he had to presume TO claim it, is to of the
strangest things in the world an adept in The art Of war
alone authorized TO dvidte from ordinary and established
rules By hch that art for great length Of time has been
/ fully and successfully applied" "What human means
page 23 within the control of General Harrison could
prevent the disaster and that corps which al
ready looked upon lost doomed to inevitable de-
struction? Certainly none because neither orders
halt troops to him could be received in tme
at least that the expectation. He already in
motion and Harrison still at Upper Sandusky seventy
miles in his The weather was inclement, the snow
was Deep and large portion of the Black Swamp
open What coutda Irenne Eugene have DONE under
such pressure OF embarrassing circumstances,
HARRISON DID 7"
And yet Mr. Headey maintains the opinion that it was
the duty of General HARRISON after the defeat of Win
CHESTER to advance with inferior force upon Maden
He who believes that, with such force and under the
circumstances which then occurred General Harrison
ought have advanced upon the enemy must be left to
correct his opinion in the school of experience "a de-
claraon made by General Cass and the other principal
officers Of the army in reference similar state of
at Sandusky
As further proof of the faithful discharge of duty on
this occasion well during the entire campaign it
may be proper add for the information Of Mr. Head
ley the following letter addressed General Harrison by
the remnants Of the Kentucky and Ohio troops at the Pc
Rod of their retiring from service.
On the 18th February 1919, the field and platoon off,
of all the Kentucky regiments from which the de-
tachment sent to the River Raisn was formed held
meeting and made the following address to General Har
rison. 1t is dated the Miami Rapids and signed by
R. NJ. Gano, (of Waynes army M. d. Hardin, father
of Col Hardin who fell at Buena VISTA, Patrick Gray
Thomas Norris George Pugh Joseph Reddng, Thomas
Story, James W. Gillespie, James King, Joel Garnett
Peter Dudley, Thomas Brooks, R. C. Holder, Thomas
Gest, s. W. Mcgowan VIM. Caldwell, Daniel Bowen and
Alexander WEIGH They the scene of action
had every of knowing the facts in the case and
mourning their friends killed or massacred at
the Raisu when this address was made to the Comman
der-in Chief:
Although various causes heye reduced the regiments
to which respectively belong very small number
we had battered ourselves, when marched from
late encampmen Portage river to this place. that you
would have been enabled Immediately have led us on
and to have given opportunity, under your imme
date eye, to have avenged the injury sustained by
friends and country the River Raisn in the last
month to have regained the ground lost and to have
and aided in repairing the loss sustained Had
circumstances justified you in proceeding, could not
doubted result under your auspices and should
have remained with you regardless Of the time we had
served the fatgues we had undergone and uninfu-
enced by any pecuniary considerations. But events
not within your control to forbid immediate active
operations, the time have remained in the wilderness
the advance Of the northwestern army requires
turn to civilized life and to homes. When permitted
to return SHALL after service Of six months under
you carry back to friends and country ccnfr-
nation Of those high opinions of your military worth
which were formed upon first acquaintance. Should
circumstances again call to the field we should be
highly gratifed at being placed under your immediate
command" s2 s& 2t
| + <. .8F ! y !
Ohio militia under Upper and Perkins made address
to General Harrison at Camp Miami Rapids Goth Feb
| ruary, from which quote the concluding paragraph
"Great the undertaking and numerous the obsta-
ces which opposed your progress wilderness Of
y hundred and fifty miles to be traversed which,
with its swamps and morasses, presented difficulties far
greater than the Alps Great these obstacles
lying the willingness Of your troops to endure any
hardship reach the enemy you rightly judged that they
might be surmounted. few weeks past every circum-
stance united to promise you immediate accomplish
ment of your designs. Large supplies of provisions and
numerous munitions of far advanced to be
within your control. Your troops, with an unbounded
reliance your judgment and Skill eager be led
to the enemy, and waited but your order to march
Your exertons had been great and every thing promised
the suffering soldier speedy reward for his tolls At
this important moment the unfortunate Of Gen.
Winchester to the River Rasin, with its unhappy
quences movement believe without your orders or
concurrence broke the successful chain of operations
and and unlookedfor difficulties before you
" On returning from service, sir we are happy in as
surfing you of our fullest confidence and that of
spectiye commands in the you have taken
they have been cautious sklfu and guarded, such
would at this time have carried arms to the walls Of