Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1858-09-10

nuns surrender, IN the afternoon of tho iSt
before the approach Of the enemy was an
nounced, and without any knowledge. that
the fort was to be besciged, or that any In.
dlans were near to il, when descending the
hilb on the opposite side Of the river, in the
road south Of the ono now travelled, and near
er to the river, cornfied being on the right,
and bushes and trees to the iel., no discoy-
ed large number Of Indians scattered M
and down tho bank Of the river in the thick.
ct mentioned, and from the belief il was i'm
possible for him TO reach the fort. ho nj
once wheeled his horse, and put him upon
his highest speed. Tho Indians wero owl.
dently surprised, and some little delay en-
sued before firing in looking to ascertain
whether they were tafc. Several shots
were aimed at him but the swistness Of his
flight and the rising ground, were his safe
guards. had this narration from him.
soon after the occurrence, and he was among
our most respectable citizens. He believed
this occurrence was communicated TO the
British, who were, rs it appeared afterwards,
near at hand, and that from the belief, a re.
inforcemcut from that quarter was on its
march, tho attack was commenced before
tho enemy were fully prepared. The haste
OF commencing the attack created much as
tonishment at the time, and without know.
ing the incident have mentioned, il has
been accounted for in the supposition, that
the enemy apprehendcd that General Har-
rlson might sally forth, and raise tho seire.
The enemy knew General Harrison's force
and condition. TecuDseh was stationed
with his 1000 braves, to prevent General
harrison from marching to tho relief of the
tort. General Harrison knew this, and his
prudence profted by it, Ho can only be
justified in not marching to the relief of
Major Croghan; on the ground, ho could
not reach him, or that his supplies would
DO destroyed if he left Seneca. Major
Chambers expressed the confidence of Gen.
eral Proctor and of the British officers
when hc told Ensign Shipp, they were
amply provided to reduce tho fort. The
enemy was satisfied that General Harrison
could not safely succor Major Croghan, but
this strange visitor awakened their fears
that reinforcement was near bv from
Cleveland, or from the direction of Mans.
field, and on neither route had they force
to intercept it.
Pause for momcnt, and consider the
disparity OF the contending forces, and their
weapons of war; and means of destruction !
Tho one, in stockale, manned by one hun.
dred and sixty mon, with only one piece of
ordinance, six FOUNDER, and the other.
having five hundred veteran troops-with
five six Founders, and howitzers--eicht
hundred Indians present, and two thousand
within hailing distance, who might be
brought to tho spot by the clarion yell of a
brave. .-'.
lhe cannonadlng commenced BY the Brit
ish, soon after Major Croghan ordered En-.
sign Ship to return to the fort, from their
gun boats, BY six Founders, and on land by a
howltzer The six FOUNDER in the fort rare.
~ spoke-striking in occasionally, to try
Its voice, and to advise tho enemy, that all
were not killed. Major Croghan had only
small supply of ammunition, and what he
had he intended to use for effect, and not
for display. Although the Americans are
restivo and impatient in the common con-
Germs of 'ife-in battle, and in danger, thoy
are cool, considerate and calm. Ethan AL
lon deliberately took out his tobacco box.
and supplied his mouth with auid, when
passing the enemy before giving tho word
to, Sire"
Commodore Hull was importuned 10
nre INTO tho Gurriere-thc gunnors stand
ing with matches in hand. The delay was
painful to them and to the Younger off.
GERS. tie saw tho movements of both YES
sells, and his mind reasoned with power and
accuracy,-and sciEing upon the exact in
stant, that broadside would be the most ef-
tective-he gave the command accompanied
by stamp of his foot, that caused the
quarter deck of tho good old ship Constitu-
ton, TO tremblc. At the battle of Buena
VISTA when tho fate Of tho day was in
doubtful suspense, Captain Bragg remarked
to General Taylor, who was calmly looking
upon tho agitating scene presented by the
battle, that he could not take position, ho
had been ordered to occupy, without a regi
ment OF infantry TO sustain him; General
Taylor replied, without moving his horse:
" "Ihs Regiment cannot bo furnished. hut
Maj. Bliss and myself, will sustain you."-
Captain Bragg was in place in the least
Time possible, with such deadly effect upon
tho enemy, as to settle the result of the
battle.
The enemy landed tho remaining can
non, from tho gun boats on the night Of the
lst, and aimed his fire at tho nortb-west
'nglo of the fort. Major Croghan, to resist
IN attempt to storm it, strengthened that
'oint. "Captain Hunter was ordered 10
emove the six FOUNDER to a block house.
rom which, il could rake that anglo" In
wenty-four hours, upwards of five hundred
hot struck the works. Who but American
oldlcrs, relying upon tho business Of their
anse, and the protecting arm of tho AL.
mighty, would have cherished the, faintest
lope, they could, under the circumstances.
scape either death or captivityi
No dospondency is uttercd--no knee
rembles-no lip quivers-no heart faints.
no God of battles and the God of Amer
"a, Will not permit savagss, flushed with
ictory, to slaughter innocent women and
hlldren. That WAS tho confidence that
ushed every fear. Latc in the evening Of
he 3D. three hundred and fifty men arc
'en within twenty spaces of tho north. west
ngle; Colonel Short and his men, leap
ito the ditch, not doubiing-that victory
as theirs. "rhe masked port holo in the
'rs, was now opened, and tho six FOUNDER,
fh.a1 1a-a. r -