The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1872-01-12
Cor. OF the Cincinnati Times and Chronicle. !
ANECDOTE OF GEN. WILKINSON.

4
you a statement made by Richar(
Cluff Anderson, who was then-18I.
or 1Sl5-a farmer living on his fin,
estate on Beargrass, Jefferson coun
ty, TO my father, in my presence
which describes a scene that occurred
on the site OF the city of Louisville
between General James Wilkinson
and two Frenchmen, the owners of 6
keelboat which had landed on the
Kentucky shore, opposite the head
of Corn Island, in the Ohio river
Kentucky was at the time OF the incl
dent one of the counties OF Virginia,
and much infested with Indians. As
a protection from the assaults OF
these savage neighbors, squad of
soldiers had been posted on the bank
of the Ohio, under the command of
Wilkinson, who was either Captain
or Colonel. Colonel Richard Cluff
Anderson, who was a Virginia gen.
tleman of the old school, and for
many years was Register of the Land
Office for the county of Kentucky,
was polished and cultivated old
gentleman, who possessed the highest
powers of conversational talent He
was a neighbor to my father, who
frequently interchanged visits, and /
was an eager and attentive listener
to the anecdote, which has been from
that day fixed in my memory.
Colonel Anderson said that Wilkin-
son, who was man of commanding
person and talents, and the most
sdroit beggar within the range of his
knowledge, was occupying on the
bank of the Ohio, as the headquarters
of his little command, 4 buckeye
cabin, near o block house occupied
by his troops. The little command
had been stationed there for con-
siderable time, without pay to officers
or soldiers, and with only such rs-
tions of venison, bear, and buffalo
meat as they could take from the
forest. The only supplies which
could reaco the falls at that day were
drawn from Pittsburg, and the Span
iards, who then owned Louisiana,
prosecuted grocery commerce, con-
veyed in keel boats from New Or
leans to Pittsburg. Two French
traders landed their keel boats oppo-
site the buckeye cabin Of Wilkinson,
and waited on him to know if he
wished 20 purchase any wines, spirits,
or other groceries. Wilkinson re-
piled that he would gladly purchase
some of their wines and liquors, but
they were without money.
After they left the cabin, Wilkin.
son said to one of his officers that he
thought that by q little strategy he
could get some of the wine of the
He sent his officer to
The boat with an invitation to the
Fronchman 10 dine with him, which
was accepted. The guests, accord
ingly, about dinner time, ascended
The little foot-paih from the boat to
the top of the bank, and were met by
in his blandest style of
The wild game dinner
being placed on the table, Wilkinson
arose and expressed TO his French
guests his deep regret that he had no
wine or spirits TO offer them, and
that they had been there long time
pay, and only such rations
as they could capture from the woods.
The leading Frenchman kindly as
sured him that it made no kind OF
and that they could accept
his dinner without drink. While at
heir mesl, Wilkinson repeated his
1eep regret at his inability to add
bottle Of wine to give zest to
The meal. The Frenchman looked
eagerly and earnestly into each 9TH
srs' faces, as il to confer whether
hey could offer some wine 10 Wilk-
uson, but the conference did not re-
suit as Wilkinson hoped. The party
had nearly finished their meal, when
raised up both hands and
"My God, what would /
give for a glass of vine !" The
Frenchmen again interchanged anx-
Gus glances, and one of them replied,
My dear sir, if you send one soldier
% the boat, / give order for one
ooutelle of wine.' Wilkinson said,
sMy dear sirs, would not have you
,ap cask for me-" The Frenchman,
insisted, and Wilkinson at last, with |
reluctance, produced paper
md pen and ink, and an order was
written for the bottle.
In short time one of the French
men, who wBs seated with his face
ooking out to the little path from
The river, saw a stslwart sergeant,
with either OF his hands graphing the
ears of huge demijohn, and wsd-
ling up the path to the cabin. The
Frenchman sprang to his feet with
and horror in his counte-
nance, and exclaimed: "My God
what big boutelle dad!" Wilkinson
the Frencbman most gra-
and he and his officers en-
Dyed the good wine, and compli-
nented the Frenchman with the
of tho vintspq