The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-28

der tones every and inland during the late
self styled mistress Of the ocean, ana taught lesson to
proud enemy which the rolling Of hundred years
will not blot outs Shall any Of them be neglected
Gen. Coombs then gave rapid and graphic description
Of the great Northwestern wilderness 1t the
ent of the OF 1872 and courasted IL with its present
civilized and prosperous condition Then Fort Msckinaw
had been surprised and taken by the British before the
garrison heard Of the declaration OF The little fort
at Chicago had been abandoned and the garrison way
laid and murdered its march to Fort Wayne and
Wells, the Indian agent tomat awked and scalped.
Soon afterwards Hull surrendered Detroit and all
Michigan territory. The settlement at the Maumee
Rapids was destroyed, and nothing remained but few
standing chimnes. With the exception of two small
stockade forts Wayne and Harrison)
but hostile Indians could be found between Lake Erie
and the Mississippi river. The first beseged by
the enemy 10 Large force and only relieved BY
his command and the latter successfully defended
by Captain Zachary Taylor and his feeble garrison against
most fearful odds.
He spoke Of the starving condition Of the left wing Of
the Northwestern army, TO which he belonged, en-
canped below old Fort Defiance, under Winchester. At
time IL was hve days without bread -four, and
living beet so poor that it standing jest with
the little Dutch butcher, when about to slaughter
daily Il, 70 . os on some ,h hold
winter campaign OF 1913, terminating Roster in
two bloody battles followed BY the massacre Of the pr
soners on the I'D and 23d OF January, 1873
He related some thrilling incidents occurring In the
spring OF 1873 while General Harrison with feeble gar
riscn was besesed in Fort Mess, and Cen Green Clay,
to his relief All northwestern Ohio, beyond Pqua
UrbaBna and Columbus, was then unbroken wilder
ness-except few Indian villages-fu Of impossible
swamps and morasses. Although then beardess
youth, Gen. Coombs had become well acquainted with
the country and was appointed captain Of sges-whits
and Indians. While descending the Angisize river,
an express arrived from Fort Megs, urging onward
and Gen. Coombs despatched with four Ave Of his
company In canoe down the Maumee from old Fort
Defiance TO inform Cen Harrison OF their approach and
bring his orders possible He described his night
rice down the river forty mes-part Of the time
through the upper rapids in Imminent danger OF being
70 pieces among the rocks mis- approach to the
fort morning. while II twas surrounded all sides
BY the British and Indians his strong emotions
when turning the last point on the river, re
arst came IN sight OF the British batteries or
TIE north side pouring forth their red hot thunder
upon Fort seigs while tho glorious stars and stripes
floating out I'm proud defiance from the
No white nag OF cisgrAce--no Cen Hall there.
Much applause In attempting TO get into the fort
half his men shot dow in the and the 9TH
ers forced land the British shore and ind their
way bachf they could escape the Indians In pursuit
to Fort Defiance. This was done.
he described the subsequent battle OF the 9th OF May
1870 opposite Fort Merge terminating in the death sad