Democratic Standard, 1840-09-10

-A iHHaB-MHHa I closed with mv Iptfpr nf ttiA 13ih An PUSL 1818. anrl that I tn n will hfl r. ceived by you as an evidence that my feelings towards you are at least not ho ho-tile. - tile. ho-tile. You will call to mind the particu particulars - lars particulars of our recent sonversation at Wash Washington - ington Washington City, and cannot therefore be sur surprised - prised surprised at my enterinT, without circumlo circumlocution, - cution, circumlocution, upon the subject which then oc occupied - cupied occupied us. Strict justice hag never yet been done to the brave men who served with me at Lower Sandusky, and I re require - quire require it for them at your hands. It would be needless for me to point out in what particulars they have suffered; to you, at least, it should be enough to be referred to McAfee's History of the War in the West, and your own biogra biography, - phy, biography, recently published in Cincinnati. What is said in either of these books calculated to place the transactions at Lower Sandusky in a higher point of view before the world than is claimed for the most insignificant affairs of that ; day? Your answer must be that of eve every - ry every other reader nothing. 1 ask no more for myself, Oencral Harrison, than I have a right to claim for every soldier who served under me. But might I not ask for more at your hands? If -you have one spark of grateful recollection, you wiTI answer, yes more, much more. Did I not literally sacrifice myself to save you? Did I not, at a moment when the excitement against you throughout the whole State of Ohio, amounting to general clamor, when there was almost mutiny in your very camp at Seneca, do every thing that you and your friends re required - quired required of me a3 necessary to reinstate you in the good opinion of the people and of tho army? The success of our army required that you, the general-in-chief, should bave the confidence of all; and to insure that. I signed addresses, without reading them, because I was told that it was necessary; wrote letters ap approving - proving approving throughout your conduct, and subject to your corrections, without ask asking - ing asking what they might be, because I was assured by members of your family that you yourself believed that on my expres sions in relation to you mucn oepenoeu. But of what I did for you, enough of what you bave done for me, there is noth nothing - ing nothing to be told. You have personally pledged yourself to correct any false im impressions - pressions impressions that may have been created by the publication of the two works above mentioned; in a word, to speak of all things in relation to the transactions in Sandusky as they deserve. We are told in McAfee's History, "General Harrison, discovering from the fire of the enemy that he had nothing but light artillery, which could make no im impression - pression impression upon the work, felt not a mo moment - ment moment alarmed for the safety of the garri garrison, - son, garrison, well knowing that a breach could not be effected, and that without effect effecting - ing effecting a breach every attempt at escalade could be successfully repelled." Gener General - al General Harrison, is this the fact? Did you not, during the whole of the bombard bombardment - ment bombardment of thirty-six hours, evince more emotion than could have been induced by a belief that the garrison was not en endangered? - dangered? endangered? Did you not, in the extremi ty ot vour apprehensions, more than once cry out, "The blood be on his own head I wash my hands of it?" And was there one man of all your camp at Sene ca (the gallant Wood excepted) who be lieved that, without the most desperate resistance, the garrison could prevail against the attacks of the enemy? An Answer - swer Answer those queries, and fairly. I de demand - mand demand it of you as a right. If the state statement - ment statement in McAfee's boox be correct, then where is the merit of the defence of San Sandusky? - dusky? Sandusky? State candidly the facts, with without - out without eulogium on any of us; for each one who served there would be judged by his works. Tell to the world that, when you fell back on Seneca, leaving, as a garrison for Sandusky, but 150 men, the works of the place were measurably de defenceless - fenceless defenceless that the pickets which con connected - nected connected the block houses were so loosely planted, that the efforts of a single man could pull many of them up that there was no ditch about the work, nor any outward defence to oppose to an assail assailing - ing assailing force that but few entrenching tools were left behind, and those unwil unwillinglyand - linglyand unwillinglyand to all this, that there was spared to us scarce 40 rounds of musket catridges per man, without a single pre pre-pared - pared pre-pared catridge or one ounce of powder for the only piece of artillery in the place. Then slate the appearance of the defen defences, - ces, defences, on your coming down immediately after the defeat and flight of the enemy. The brave men who toiled there during ten days and nights to put themselves in a posture of defence, are as much enti tled to credit for it, as they are deserv ing of praise for their gallantry after the coming of the enemy. Having enlarged on these points as far as may be due to the truth, I would then have you speak of every other; cirP cumstance in relation to the affair of Sandusky (both anterior and subsequent) calculated to place it, in its proper light. I h ave been told it already occupies its

the whole sweep of its arch in Ohio to the depredations of the Indians support ed by the British fleet and sustained by the land forces as a rallying point in their incursions. To relieve himself from Harrison's force, which he did not doubt would be employed to cover Cleve land, Proctor made a feint of besieging I! ort JVieighs a second time. This, he supposed, would withdraw Harrison from Seneca westward, to succor Fort Meigs, and leave his designs upon the boats and stores at Cleveland, and the fleet at Erie, unobstructed. Harrison did not march to the relief of fort Meigs. Proctor then came down the bay to Sandusky, in the prosecution of his real object. Harrison no sooner heard of his approach, than he ordered Croghan to burn his fort and re retreat, - treat, retreat, and he had all his own provisions and preparations for the Canada cam campaign - paign campaign piled for a conflagration, and a re retreat - treat retreat into the interior as soon as Croghan joined him. Proctor would thus have obtained, from the fears of Harrison, what his feint on Fort Meigs was inten intended - ded intended to effect, by provoking his valor, had not Croghan's courage disappointed Proctor and saved Harrison. Armstrong, then Secretary, thus sums up, in his no tices of the war, the conduct of Harri Harrison - son Harrison at this point of time : "Having on the 29th, sufficiently as assured - sured assured himself with regard to the number and equipment of Proctor's force and sus suspecting - pecting suspecting that this formidable array might be directed against his own entrenched camp at Seneca: he at once determined Mo collect and destroy his surplus stores, abandon his present position and make Sood retreat to er Sandusky'- lea- VAi'g iv ma iaio mah iiugui await iiiciii, the settlements on the southern shore of the Lai'8! the boats built and stores collected at Cleveland; and Perry's fleet, then fitting out 8nd nearly ready for ser service, - vice, service, at Presque JsleV But though wil willing - ling willing and prepared to make these sacrifi sacrifices, - ces, sacrifices, he could not but perceive that a mere presumption of danger td ; his own camp, would not justify the aban4nment of Croghan's delachment, without $o.ne uA r- .i... ...,; l effort on his part, to extend to it tb? eventual security he sought for himself. On this point, however, the General's sense of duty was soou satisfied; forget forgetting - ting forgetting alike the admonition coniained in his first order to Croghan, "not to hazard a retreat in the face of an Indian invest investment" - ment" investment" and the fact, now perfectly known to himself that such investment did ex exist; - ist; exist; he despatched to that officer a sec second - ond second order, for -'an immediate retreat'1 at all hazards; indicating the route by which he was to make it, but taking no step to cover, or otherwise sustain the movement. And, as if the task thus im imposed - posed imposed was not in itself sufficiently peril perilous, - ous, perilous, he farther prescribed, that the gar garrison, - rison, garrison, instead of employing all possible means to mask the operation, should be begin - gin begin "by setting fire to their stores and barracks,'" and thus virtually announce their intention to the surrounding ene enemy. - my. enemy. "Fortunately, the great disposer of the events of this world, not unfrequently conveits evil into good, and folly into wisdom. On the present occasion, we have seen, that by the first order given to Croghan, he was assigned Jo the de defence - fence defence of a post, which, in (he General's opinion, 'could not be saved? and at the same time, forbidden to retreat, in "the face of an Indian investment; and that by a second, he was ordered to abandon this untenable post, and make good a re treat of nine miles, through a continuous forest filled with savages, without aid or support of any kind. The circumstances connected with Croghan's refusal to obey the order to burn and retreat, are told for the first time truly in his letter, which we now publish. The result is forcibly told by the Secretary, Armstrong, in the follow following - ing following passage: "In making this selection, the young and gallant Croghan did not hesitate; and to the demand ot a surrender, enforced by the usual menace of indiscriminate slaughter in case of refusal, he answered substantially, that the defence of his post was a point of honor, which could only be satisfied by an actual experiment of the relative force and fortune of his an antagonist - tagonist antagonist and himself. "While this negotiatian was in pro-' gress, Proctor was employed in landing his artillery and giving it a positition in aid of his gun-boats; from which,' on the delivery' of Croghan's answer, a heavy fire was opened and continued on the fort, with little if any intermission during the night. At daybreak, a second batte battery - ry battery of three six pounders was established within two hundred and fifty yards of th e pickets'; and about four o'clock, p. m. it was found that the whole fire of the British cannon, was concentrated on the northwest corner of the fort a circum circumstance, - stance, circumstance, sufficiently indicating the point and species of attack meditated upon , it. Major Croghan, accordingly, hasten

ed to employ such means us hp nnaaAca. ed to strenghtjn the menaced angle, and had barelv executed his the enemy (coveting himself with smoke) was uuen rapidly advancing, and but a few paces distant from the pickets. A general and well directed fire of mus- neiry irora me garrison, which immedi immediately - ately immediately followed this discovery, had the eueci oi cnecKing ins progress and con considerably - siderably considerably disturbing his order; but the liuier uemg speedily restored, the move ment was resumed, and tlm ilitch murk ed and occupied by the head of the col- l. . .1 ... umn. it was at this critical moment, that Crochan's sinole nifirn nf nrfillorv , j I 1 .7 charged with grapeshot, and so placed . r i . i . i i us uieiuuaoe me assailants, opened its fire, and With such effort, that in n fom minutes, the combat was virtually ended ano me battle won. Most of the enemy who had entered the ditch, wem killed or wounded; and such of them as were less advanced and abte to AV smirch t safety in the neighboring woods carry ing wun mem no disposition to renew the attack, and Stronolv imnressino thnir Indian allies with their own panic. Proctor now saw. that nil nttnmnta tn ml. ly the fugitives were hopeless, and that to avoia a greater calamity," his most Drudent roiirsn wnnlH hp in ro.omlmrt what coold be collected of his force, red and white, and return immediately to at i " Maiden." We now come to the unpublished his tory connected with this event. It will explain why the results of this victory were carefully kept out of view at the time why Croghan consented to have his motives for disobeying his orders misrepresented, and Harrison's conduct in giving them vindicated and why Har Harrison - rison Harrison so perseveringly falsified the truth of history in the accounts given by him of this particular transaction, in the two works prepared under his own eye ; the first published by McAfee, the second by Dawson. In bringing forward Colonel Croghnn's letters upon this subject, it is proper Xt state that they were given to us by a gen gentleman - tleman gentleman of high standing in Ohio, who, without any communication with Colonel flroghan upon the subject, submitted the to us for the press. The facts that i.'ise letters were called for by a committee of gentlemen at Wheeling, the friendV f Harrison that Colonel Croghan expired his willingness to give them to the public by referring the committee to General Harrison for the correspondence that this committee, after having had time to communicate with General Harrison, published a letter as Croghan's which the late correspon correspondence - dence correspondence between Harrison and Crog.hn shows was not his,, but one which hi self-sacrificing patriotism permitted Har Harrison - rison Harrison to shape, to suit the exigencies of the time at which it was published that Harrison's aid, Col Todd, now con conducting - ducting conducting a press notoriously set up as the immediate organ of Harrison, declared, in reference to the call by the commit committee - tee committee for the correspondence in regard to the contested question of the defence of Fori Stephenson, that there was no " such contested question " " that . his history - tory history and Col. Croghan's own letter at the day, have placed the subject beyond the necessity offurther elucidation" all these facts, connected with the consider consideration - ation consideration that if what is said in behalf of Harrison in regard to the call of his own friends for the correspondence, be true, the correspondence itself must be false, render it proper, in justice to the par ties and to the public, that the issue made by Colonel Todd's declaration should be tested. We do not publish what purports to be the replies of Harri Harrison, - son, Harrison, in the copies which we have in our hands, because the history referred to by Col. Todd, as true, is condemned, in tho letters purporting to be Harrison's, as erroneous. Harrison must therefore deny the authenticity of these letters, or the authority of his friend, Col. Todd, to make the statements on his behalf. We shall await, then, some intimation . m j-i I ri ! I on the part ot uenerai riarrison or nis friends, touching this subject sonie re cognition of the letters imputed to him, coupled with an expression oi willing ness that they meet the "puoivc eye." In that contingency we shall with alacri alacrity - ty alacrity present them in the' columns of the Globe, in their proper connection. From the contents of Col. Croghan's letters, it will bo perceived that not a fact stated by him is controverted . It was alone upon the admission of the truth of hie statements that the mode of correcting the original misrepresenta misrepresentations - tions misrepresentations was referred to the decision of mu mutual - tual mutual friends. A fear that Harrison would quit his camp at Seneca, and pounce upon' him in his then crip- pica BIBIO 11 IS WUIHIJf uj nutitv, mat mi Vll.DO two commanders, (always the Tenor ot each otn er.) one, was now actually flying from hia sap. posed pursuer; while the other waited only the ainval of Croghan at beneca, to begin camp conflagration, and flight to fort Meigs.

CROGHAN'S LETTERS TO GEN. HARRISON. Red Hook. 1st July. 1818. Sir: Could I calculate on seeing you within any reasonable time, this letter would not be written; but as there is no prospect of this, I deem it, therefore, most proper it) this way to state to you with candor, that reports, or rather state ments, have been made to me of such a nature, and from sources so direct and apparently so authentic, as to cause me to hesitate in the language I should bear towards you ; and which wvill, unless posi positively - tively positively denied by yqu, call from me such contradiction as would be extremely un unpleasant - pleasant unpleasant to mo, and, perhaps, mortifying to you. It is stated that you revised and correct ed the work entitled " War in the West," (of which McAfee is the ostensible au author,) - thor,) author,) preparatory to its going to press, mus giving your sanction and authority to the publication of a statement in relation to the defence of Lower Sandusky, most positively incorrect, and which you at the time knew to be in direct contradiction of the language which you held in the Camp of Seneca during the bombardment of Sandusky by the enemy. General Har Harrison," - rison," Harrison," says the author, " discovering from the fire of tho enemy thaf he had nothing but light artillery, which could make no impression on the works, felt no appre apprehension - hension apprehension for the safety of the earrison. well knowing that a breach could not be ef fected, and mat without forming a breach, every attempt at esculade could be suc cessfully repelled by the garrison," or words to this amount a statement as void of truth as possible, as you very well know, recollecting as you must your un easiness during the whole continuance of the cannonade, for the safety of the ear rison, and which more than once wrung irom you this strong language of censure of my conduct: " I wash my hands of it the blood be on his own head" language which you had no right to use, and which would have damned my reputation as an officer, had I fallen on that occasion, f am informed that verv latelv at a din ner in Philadelphia, when the subject of the detence ot bandusky has brought up, you expressed yourself in substance thus: " The officers and soldiers of that garri garrison - son garrison are not so deserving of distinction for its defence as it is generally thought: to the blindness and folly of the enemy, more than to any extraordinary exertions or skill of theirs, is to be ascribed his de defeat - feat defeat and their safety; it is true tbey did very well, but not better than any other like number of troops from my army would have done," &c, thus continuing on in such an exposition of the affair, as made me, says my informant, and others at the table, express an astonishment that the merits ofjthe defence of the Sandusky had been so far overrated, and that the com manding officer had received for such ser services - vices services such applause. Did such conver conversation - sation conversation ever take placet or have you ever expressed yourself in such manner of the defence of Sandusky, as to induce the belief in any one that its garrison receiv received - ed received warmer plaudits than it was deserving of ? And in asking this, may I at the same time, require of you an equally can candid - did candid denial or admission of the statement of your having revised the work of which McAfee is the ostensible author T it it is made to appear from your answer that my informants have reported falsely, they shall know it to their confusion and cost; but if on the other hand there is an affir affirmation - mation affirmation on your part of the truth of their statement, I will immediately take it up upon - on upon myself to correct the false impression you may. have created. I will be in New York until the first of October next, to which place I beg that your answer may be directed. I have the honor to be Your obedient servant, G. CROGHAN. To Gen. Wm. H. Harrison, , Cincinnati, Ohio. New York, Aug. 13, 1818. Dear Sir: The language of my letter, although warm, was but the expression of my fellings at the time; for I bad then scarce a doubt of your hostility towards me, by such an extraordinary chain of co incident circumstances were the reports in proof thereof brought before me. With every desire to address you as from the long friendship that has existed between us you hid a right to expect, I was una una-able - able una-able to express myself as I wished, for at each attempt at more dispassionate man ner, 1 became yet more warm at the idea of having so mistaken your character. Nor will you be surprised at this, when intormed ot the manner in which it was produced. In the first place, I was nev never - er never satisfied with your report of the affair of Sandusky. You eulogized individual gallantry alone, without an attempt at placing the facts before the Government in the important light they merited thus doing an injury to myself and to others concerned; however, this neglect I found an excuse for at the time; the exaspera ted state of public feeling, unjustly direct

ed against yourself, rendering it proper, for a time, at least, such more facts should be withheld as would tend the fur ther to increase the reputation of the af fair. Secondly: When I heard for more than two years, officers declare that you were inimical to me, (at the same time giving instances in proof.) a book appear ed in Kentucky, highly corroborative of these declarations, for in this book (on which it is said you had passed your ap- proDation whilst yet in manuscript) i statement is given of the affair of Sandus ky, calculated most completely to lessen its reputation in the opinion cf the pub lic, lastly when in a degree exaspera exasperated - ted exasperated at the false coloring given to the af fair ot sandusky, in the book above refer red to, while revolving in mv mind a con jecture of the real state of your feelings towards me, 1 accidentally met with stranger who recited to me a conversation he had recently held with you, that places the tact ot your hostility beyond a ques question. - tion. question. The conversation here alluded to was expressed at length in my last letter, and to it I might have added another fact which had its place in the chain of con nection that you presented to this stran ger McAfee's history: and I may say vouched for its correctness, as it was giv given - en given to him after he had avowed his inten tion of writing an account of the war. I might here relate many other facts of like importance in this chain of singular coin coincidents; - cidents; coincidents; but I deem it will readily appear from those I have already staled, that I was slow to believo you capable of im improper - proper improper feeling, and that the warmth of which you complain was the consequence of unwillingness on my part to trouble you with a recital of the various reports I had heard, until at last they assumed so positive a character as to impress me with almost an entire conviction of their truth. I may offer these particulars in excuse for the tone and language of my letter: but they do not cause me the less to te- gret having betrayed such warmth. You had a right to expect other treatment: and 1 do not hesitate to say that I have wrong wronged - ed wronged your friendship. Your letter bears with it all tho satis faction that you could give, or that I can ask. You have denied, in emphatic terms, the truth of the statements that have been' made to me, and of course stand acquitted of every charge of impro per teelings towards mo. I he subject, 1 hope, may stand at rest forever, at least so far as relates to yourself. Should a second edition of McAfee's book be published, I will offer to the publisher an impartial detail of facts in relation to the affair at Sandusky, as a duty which I owe to those brave men who are injured in the statement now before the world; but, in whatever I may sav, no personal allusions shall be made to yourself, if they can be avoided. Although I no longer harbor a thought of your having ever wilfully in jured us of your having, at any time, stated any thing with a view to detract from the merits of the detence ot ban- dusky I am very far, at the same time, from placing, as used to do, the strong strongest - est strongest reliance on the nctiv'ty of your friendship for me. I once thought you anxious to sees an occasion to spean ia praise of my services. I since find my mistake, and that your neglect for me has gone so far as to cause you to pass from under your eyes a work con taining an incorrect account of an affair on which my reputation as a soiaier greatly depended, when it was fully in your power to have given it tne necessa necessary - ry necessary corrections. Feeling, as I do, that 1 have striven a great deal in your behalf, and aware that you were conscious of my having at one time rendered you a very signal service, I am surprised, perhaps mortified, that you should have neglected the very favorable opportunity that was offered to you of acknowledging the obli obligation, - gation, obligation, by generously publishing to the world a full account ot every transaction in relation to'the defence of Sandusky. Such a course would not have left me among the number of those who have given proof of mere personal courage, but would have ranked me on the roll with those who have rendered their country signal services while it would have exalt ed you as one superior to all seltish con sideiations, more anxious to render jus tice to others than to claim it for your self. I have been educated in the belief that candor was a virtue ; I have there therefore - fore therefore addressed you in its utmost sinceri sincerity. - ty. sincerity. I do not wish to hurt your feelings, but to show you what my own are. I har harbor - bor harbor not against you the most remote re sentment. I am as willing now as 1 have ever been to speak in your favor, nor willl ever neglect an opportunity of do doing - ing doing justice to your military worth and services. ' I am, very respeclfully, yours, " G. CROGHAN. General Harrison, Cincinnati. Nkw OBLEAJis, May 24, 1825.' Sn: I unwillingly renew our corres pondence; which I had thought finally

me outcnery or captivity ot the whole coips of Kentuckians under Colonel Dudley had clouded with disaster. Un Under - der Under Miller, he led a company of forty hgien to the assault of the batteries, which Vwere carried. And there he left his whole command, but fourteen men, who alone survived to return with him to the fort But his greatest service was that rat Sandusky; and it was for this that the General requitted him with that artfully practised wrong, which, from the noble ,nature of the. injured party, and the in insidious - sidious insidious hypocrisy of h's cunring adversa ry, has, up to this hour, been shrouded Jin mystery . It is our purposo now to dis- ipate the obscurity, by authentic and ong suppressed documents. It is proper to. give a brief view of the tate of things, out of which the secret istory which we propose to open up, tew, that the partially known and the yoncealed tacts may shed v their light on Itch other. A The reader should look to the map, 1'' i ...i i -.; i a lane a comprenensive view i wiui a owledge of the design of both sides) of scene of action of the whole cam- icn, which the victory obtained oy oghan at "sandusky so gloriously open- and which the battle fought by tuol. nson on the Thames,, as brilliantly ;losed. Akmsthonq, the Secretary of War, had verruled Harrison's idea of carrying the nvasion of Canada aronnd the head of lakes. His plan was to obtain com- and of the lake by a naval victory, and arry our army into Canada by transports uilt -tor the purpose. The fleet to con- iand for the mastery with the English, vas prepared near Erie, under Veruy. he transports were built by Jesup, at jTeveland, and Harrison, whose duty it ,y as to cover, with his force, these pre-. iuations, took post at Seneca. The lake fndslikea bow into Ohio, from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Sandusky bay. San San-,i - ,i San-,i .sky rs at the western end of the arch Jrie at the eastern extremity Cleve and is a point on the arch . between the (two. lhe British force was on the op op-)0site - )0site op-)0site side of the lake from Sandusky ,ay.. Harrison, with his army, was at a considerable distance from the bay, up he Sandusky river Croghan at the post it iiower oanausity,. being about nine rules nearer tne bay. The object of the

TERMS OF THE STANDARD., For oni yeak, in advance, 3 00 Within the tear, 3 SO At the expiration of the teak, 3 00 ftNo paper will be discontinued, (unless at the option oi the publisher), until all arrearages are paia. PRICES OF ADVERTISING. 1 square (12 lines) three insertions, 1 00 " r or each subsequent insertion, 25 " For six months 5 50 u For twelve months, 10 00 Longer advertisements will be charged in the Same pioportion. A reasonable deduction will be made on year yearly - ly yearly advertisements. All orders fer advertising or job-work must be .accompanied with the cash, except from peisons who have open accounts with the office. Office in the south end of Ike Market Building- k - ' - From the Globe . .JEALOUSY, INGRATITUDE, AND "TREACHERY OF GENERAL HAR HARRISON. - RISON. HARRISON. The instance of cruel injustice cora cora-nutted - nutted cora-nutted ty Harrison in throwing the pall of his report over the namo of Col. John Miller, who led, what Harrison and his lriends now call the most brilliant sor sortie - tie sortie in our military annals, was noticed in .A recent number of our paper. Harri Harri-BO.if - BO.if Harri-BO.if but a few days before, had quarrel quarrelled - led quarrelled v.'.''10 Col. Miller, and his yet unap- .peasea resentment was supposed by Col. Miliar and his friends to bave in induced - duced induced the t?e:eral to omit, in the first recital of the naes of tho gallant offi officers - cers officers who performed ?n0 glorious achieve achievement, - ment, achievement, that of the leau of the forlorn horje. to whose nersonai Cutage and takiJfui and judicious conduct cf ,ne ac

noe campaign. On the bloody night of the surprise, he acted as the aid of Boyd, I the Commander of the fourth regiment; and all know and admit that to the ad admirable - mirable admirable skill and firmness with which this body of men were made like a ram rampart - part rampart to cover the camp, and the broken militia, Harrison and his army owe their deliverance from total destruction. The same young hero, whose voice and bear- ins, amidst the darkness and dismav of