The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-11-17

| We shall crafty many of his compat-
riots in the canvass of 1910 by stating
| that Col. Todd, though surrounded by
| deyotees Of "Ihe Lost Cause" is an
earnest Republican, and gave jealous
support to Grant and Colfax in our late
struggle the stress Of which constrain
ed us to defer for weeks. the publishing
of his excellent letter.
To the Editor of the Tribune:
SIR: An article, entitled ..Wm. II enry
Harrison" by James Parton, lately APP
peared in the New York Ledger, in
which the author has cast an unexpect-
ed and unmsrited reflection on the mill
tary services OF deceased patriot
whose fame is dear to his country, and
especially SO to his fellow soldiers in the
war Of 1872. 1 ask place in your col
umns in reply to this attack; first, be-
cause Mr.. Parton is regarded as an in
structive writer, and supposed to be ac-
quainted with the career of our promi-
nent citizens-having written two vol
umes upon the life of Aaron Burr ard
three volumes upon the life of Andrew
Jackson, and brief sketches of many Of
the earlier Presidents-and because the
| calumny has obtained a wide circulation
| through paper which reaches the IRE
sides of probably half million Of fami
| lies, many of whom never read a general
history, and, therefore, may regard this
article as veritabic.
MIR. Parton undertakes to give brief
sketch Of Gen. Harrison life, but onlits
two incidents calculated to reflect honor
upon his character as i soldier and as a
statesman. He is not mentioned rs the
gallant aid de camp Of the immortal
Wayne, in the memorable campaign of
1874, nor as the Secretary of the North
western Territory, often acting as Gov.
ernor; nor as the first Delegate in Con-
gross from that Territory, where he ac-
4uired the title of "Father of the Land
System" which enabled the men Of the
"log cabins" to secure each a home.
pass over the insinuation, in his &C
count Of the battle of Tippecanoe, that
encampment, when there is abundant
evidence for the assertion that it was
selected by three Of his officers Major
Waller. Major hiarston Clark, AMI Col.
VIM. Piatt), and proceed to notice the
particular passage which / claim to be
inconsistent with all we'll authenticated
history. He says:
The war of 1912 ensued Harrison
was commissioned Brigadier General,
but was soon promoted to the rank OF
Major General Before lie had ye7sdered
much service IN this sDar, considering him
self aggrieved by the Secretary of War,
he resigned his commission and retired
to private life
/ have italicised the words which are
SO Objectionable, aud remark that this
unmilitary conduct of Secretary Arm
strong, which caused Geu. II rison's
resignation, occurred ia the Spring of
1914, and, consequently, ia tie opinion
Of Mr.. Parton, prior to +iat time Gen.
Harrison had not rendered much service
in the war, though it involves the whole
period of his participation in it. Let
the histories of the war, written by ,neu
of the West acquainted with the subject,
speek
Gen. McAfee, an officer in the war, in
referring to his appointment, says:
The services which he was required
to perform were, in the opinion Of old, /
experienced and able officers, the most
oy ar1 Il
been required from any military com
mander in America The endless NUN
Der of posts and scattered settlements 1
which he was obliged to maintain and
protect against numerous and scattered
bands of Indians, while he was contend.
ing with difficulties almost insurmount-
able in the maiu expedition against Nal 1
den, were sufficient to employ all the 1
time, and talents, and resources of tie
greatest military genius at the head OF !,
well appointed army"
Two other officers of that war pub
llshed Tin lS40) what has never been
contradicted They say:
''As the Commander in Chiec of thu
Northwestern Army, zen. Harrison was
intrusted with more extensive and re
spOnsible powers than have been cnn- I
tided to any officer in our country,
Washington alone excepted. The com
mand assigned to him embraced an i'm
mense extent of territory, with from
tier of seven hundred miles in length. !
stretching along the lakes (then in pos.
session of the enemy, with harbors, in
lets, and rivers admirably suited to favor
their attacks upon our scattered border
settlements. To defend this extended
line of frontier, the commanders forces
were chiefly undisciplined miIitia-en-
tirely wanting experience in the field
engaged for short terms of service and
held in obedience more by personal in
fuence than the force of authority But
it was not to the defense alone of this
district that Gen Harrison duties were