Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-28
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
q The Second Var Nth England" IyJT. Head1ey
SHELBY County, KEsrUcKY, Der. 10, 1854.

70 the Editors of The National Inteligencer:
GENTLEMEN: cherish too much respect for your can
dor and impartialty deem il necessary give any
PLANTATION as the Of this communication. The
yndcaon of the military character of deceased brothe,
soldier needs apology; and persuaded that, had
your mulfarious duties permitted you to examine this
work by Mr. Headey your surprise would equal mine in
witnessing this bold attempt to deprecate the merits of
gallant soldier and successful general You the
editors of your interesting journal at the period of the
second with England, which the real Of hide
pendenee Dr. Franklin regarding the first only the
Of tho Ruolon Your hearts mingled with those of
your counymen in grateful reoicngs for the glorious
results OF Gen. HARRIsos operations in the Northwest
and you could scarcely have copectured at that day that
any subsequent historian should speak of him as lack
ing The energy and prompness necessary 10 an efficient COM
n4andtr."
But to tie immediate purpose of this communication.
As soon met with this work addressed letter to
Mr. Headey proposing that if he intended to publish
second edition, could furnish accurate information
than he had published in reference the operations in
the Northwest In reply he expressed readiness to re-
eeive the information but did not allude second ed
ton the probable time of its appearance. This
reply was received in December last just as
ing upon journey to Texas where remained several
months. Upon my return renewed the subject Of in
qury but having reply proceed to make the vindi-
cation, if practicable, public as the history.
In reviewing this work there three principal points
obnoxious criticism In the first place. the author
fers chiefly to two previous histories, whose authors,
Armstrong and Ingerso resided in the Atlantic States
and knew nothing personally of the Northwest, while
there is but reference and that unmporant
matter, McAfee's History of the Late War in the
Western Country" and alusion is made to Bracken-
ridges History of the War, to Judge Halls Memoir
Ca ID Iu:,,
tory of Kentucky These publications in the West
prepared by gentlemen of acknowledged literary taste
who enjoyed the best of information, after
the events TRANSFERRED and acquainted well with
the extended theatre Of operations with the peculiar
character Of Indian warfare Breckenridge native
of Western Pennsylvania Hall and McAfee officers
IN the war; the latter having been captain in Johnson
regiment and contemporaneous public opinion in the
West regarded his history standard work. On the
other hand, Gen. Armstrong Secretary Of War; was
guilty Of injustice to Gen. Harrison in of such gross
Interference with his authority commander of dis
rict as TO compel his retirement from the army by which
the nation deprived of his further services in the war;
especially before New Orleans where the purpose
of Mr. Madison to employ him, instead Of sending him
the Northern frontier 1t probable then Mr.. Headley
whose literary labors very voumnous might content
himself with such materials as easily accessible in
the Eastern Cities without the trouble of searching for
copies Of the works at the West How far this neglect
is pardonable an impartial public viii Judge One thing
however, is certain: The opinion he has expressed is
conclusive evidence that he has adopted the prudices of
Armstrong and has entirely overlooked the authentic
histories of McAfee and Butler and the concurrng te
timony Of public bodies called to express an
apinion as to Gen. Harrisons military character His
commentator of Nless Register in the preface is just
but that valuable journal contains no information on
which the author could predicate his unjust auson to
Gen. Harrison.
In the second place, Mr. Headley has given undue i'm
portance minor events of the in the North
west, while prominent events scarcely noticed
and the leading measures of the main campaign are
touched upon with great brevity The minor events at
andusky under Major Croghan, and the partizan affair
under Capt Holiness though covering these youthful he
with unfadng glory not essential to the main
objects Of the campaign and yet occupy much space
IN this history the account of the various and leading
operations under the commanderinchef at the vitality
important post at Fort Megs, the interesting and
eventful incidents Of the main army in crossing Lake
Erie in capturing Proctors army and defeating the for
dabe Northwestern sayages led by the celebrated Te
cumseh The author contents himself with single short
sentence in noticing the brilliant defence Of Fort Harrison
by Capt. Taylor and the noble defence by Col Campbell
at Massissnaway against night attack by Indians, call
demanded and developed at the unparalleled victory Of
Tppecanoe. An equal negligence is displayed by the
author his brief reference Gov Shelby in the cam
paign Of S13 who is noticed in the following language
little in keeping with his venerable character or the
dignity of history:
t'Gov Shelby, of Kentucky, though 90 years of age
there with his brave Kentuckians volunteer shak
ing his white locks with the merriest.'
This brief notice is but slight tribute Of applause for
the display Of that heroic patriotism by which in thirty
days notice. the Governor of independent State he
rallied four thousand mounted volunteers from kentucky
and furnished the of victory opporune the
equally glorious achievement 'King's Mountain"
which turned the tide of the South in the memoir
able struggle for independence Mr. Madison, in his
annual message to Congress- speaks Of the patriotic
ernor with more justice and discrimination:
I" The Lake Erie having opened passage to
the territory of the enemy, the officer commanding the
Northwestern army transferred the war thtber and
rapidly par'ang the fostile troops fleeing with their
savage associates forced general action which quickly
terminated in tie capture of the British and dispersion Of
The savage force. THIS result sgnay honorable 10 Mojor
General Harron by poSe military talents IL ,ras PREPARED
to COL Johnson and his mounted volunteers whose inn
peuoIs gave decisive blow to the ranks of the
enemy and the spirt of the volunteer militia equally
brave and patriotic who bore interesting part in the
scene especially the Chief Magistrate Of Rentucky
at ue had Of them Whose herosm sgndzsd IN The uar
otth established the independence Of his country sought at
advanced age share Asrdhs and battles for main
tanning tas rights and It's safety.''
The third and last point of view in which this history