The Life and Times of William Henry Harrison E-Book

Samuel Jones Burr

• Herausgeber: Charles River Editors
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 298

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

The Life and Times of William Henry Harrison is a detailed biography of the 9th President of the United States. Heraklion Press has included a linked table of contents for easy navigation.

Leseprobe

Preface.

IN presenting the “Life and Times of WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON to the public, some explanation of the title may be necessary. We have christened our work Life and Times, to distinguish it from several other books already out upon the same subject. By “Times,” we do not mean all the events of the country during the life of HARRISON, but merely those with which he was immediately connected.

In recording these, we have been governed solely by facts, and we leave these facts to speak for themselves, If he were not at this moment before the people for their suffrages as a candidate for a great and important station, we might have indulged in compliment and praise; but we have no disposition, and disclaim all intention of making our history political.

In our Appendix will be found many papers of great interest, connected with the life of General HARRISON, and to which we invite attention.

In preparing our work for publication, we have been greatly assisted by Butler’s History of Kentucky; McAffee’s History of the Late War; Hall’s Life of Harrison, and Dawson’s Life of Harrison, We have also used freely the Washington Mirror; Niles’ Register; the Congressional Journals, and the Journals of the Legislatures of Ohio, Indiana, &c.

We return our acknowledgments to several gentlemen who have kindly furnished us with much important information, among whom we must particularize, General LESLIE COMBS, of Lexington, Kentucky, and our talented fellow-citizen, RUFUS DAWES, Esq. To the latter, we are very largely indebted.

Chapter I.

Birth, Parentage, and Education of William Henry Harrison. His first appointment by Washington.

IN the most strict sense of the word, every man belongs to his country, and the lives of all who have distinguished themselves, whether in the field or in the forum, should be carefully recorded, and their acts minutely and faithfully engrossed; as lessons of instruction and examples for emulation to after generations. Under a republic, offices of trust, honor, and emolument, are open to all, and he who served his country in any manner whatever, retires from that service into private life, and mingles once more with those, who, for a short time, honored him with power. However worthy his deeds, no title of nobility follows him into his retirement; no privileged designation of mere sound descends to his son and his son’s son. The child may look back with conscious pride, to the whole life of his father, but he must still depend upon his own exertions, his own acts, and his own genius, for any distinction shown to himself. It is one of the greatest blessings of our form of government, that we are not honored because our fathers were. Were it otherwise, how many silly coxcombs would we bend to, merely because their fathers were great men? “Every man for himself,” is a true Yankee motto, and should be that of every free people. This saying is quite common, and is often perverted, but we apply it only in all honorable enterprize, and where ambition is governed solely by a desire for the general weal.

Yet, when a man can proudly refer to the achievements of his fathers, it stimulates his mind to be worthy of such a parentage, and urges him to attempt a career as bright and glorious as that of his ancestry. There are few of our countrymen who can make such a retrospect with as much pleasure as the subject of our present memoir, General WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

Descended from a long line of patriots, he would have proved recreant to the best blood in America, had he been less than they. Thrown early into public life by the requirement of a young and struggling country, his opportunities gave scope to his superior intellect, and step by step he rose in the estimation of the people, gathering fresh laurels at each advance, until there is barely room enough for another glorious chaplet upon his noble brow;

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, was born on the 9th day of February, 1773, at a place called Berkley, on the James River, about 25 miles below Richmond, in Charles City County, in the State of Virginia. He is a lineal descendant of that General Harrison, who bore a prominent part in the English civil wars, and who held an important command in the armies of the Commonwealth.

BENJAMIN HARRISON, the father of William Henry, was a delegate to the Continental Congress, in 1774-5-6. It was between him and John Hancock, that the amicable contention took place respecting the Presidency of the Congress. Peyton Randolph, and Benjamin Harrison were brothers-in-law, and upon the decease of the former, who was first President of Congress, it was the wish of the Southern members that Mr. Harrison should be selected to fill the chair vacated by the death of his relative. He was fully informed of the various sectional prejudices existing at that momentous crisis, and exerted all his influence in favor of his friendly rival, JOHN HANCOCK. He reasoned with his colleagues upon the importance of conciliating the Northern feeling, and succeeded in obtaining for the Massachussetts member a unanimous vote.

WALN, in his Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, says of Mr. Hancock:

“With a modesty not unnatural of his years, and a consciousness of the difficulty he might experience in filling a station of such high importance and responsibility, he hesitated to take the seat. Mr. Harrison was standing beside him, and with the ready good humour that he loved a joke, even in the Senate House, he seized the modest candidate in his athletic arms, and placed him in the presidential chair; then turning to some of the members around, he exclaimed, ‘We will show mother Britain how little we care for her, by making a Massachussetts man our president, whom she has excluded from pardon by public proclamation.’”

BENJAMIN HARRISON, afterward filled the executive chair of Virginia, at a time when the energies of the bold, prompt, and daring, were requisite to inspire his countrymen. With the example of such a father, WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON would have been less than man had he not been brave and patriotic. His father was a patriot of the noblest class when it was death to be so known. He made his opinions public, with the gallows staring him in the face, and fled not from the enemy who watched, but to slay. When destruction hung over his country, he was by the side of his daring companions to breast and share with them the ruthless storm.

When the sacred Declaration of Independence was passed, he joined the fathers of the Union, and signed that famous document. It was a solemn hour, and not a man placed his name to that paper, who did not expect desolation and death to wait upon the deed. So well convinced were all of imminent risk of the act, that when Charles Carroll signed, remark was made, “There go millions.” the some one added, “but as there are many of the name he may escape by its not being known positively which it is.” “Not so,” replied the signer, and immediately added of Carrollton.” Hence it is that this name is accompanied with his place of residence.

Though well aware of the enormous danger incurred, not a man wavered in his purpose, When they pledged “our lives and fortunes, and our sacred honors,” they knew the penalty, yet not a soul trembled for the consequences.

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON was the third and youngest son, and though the father was poor in this world’s goods, the son received a rich and noble inheritance  the legacy of a name surrounded by glorious achievements and connected with the first struggles of his country for freedom. To a soul filled with honor and burning to imitate the noble example, such legacy was all he asked  all he required.

Young Harrison was educated at Hampden, Sydney College, and afterward applied himself diligently to the study of medicine. In his boyhood he had wished for some opportunity to serve his country, for he

“ had heard of battles, and longed

To follow to the field some warlike lord.”

He was about to graduate as a physician, when fresh reports of the daring deeds of his countrymen in the western wilds; tales of midnight murders in the new settlements, roused again the lambent desire to share the perils of his fellow-citizens and he resolved to join the frontier army; ot to spread plasters and sew up gashes, but as a soldier of liberty.

His guardian was the celebrated ROBERT MORRIS, who so frequently relieved the Continental army from his private fortune, and was the intimate friend of the immortal WASHINGTON. Perceiving in young Harrison the germ of true greatness, Mr. Morris endeavored to persuade him from his purpose until he had the advantage of every scientific acquirement within reach, and it was supposed that the kindness of his nature and gentleness of manner, had fitted him peculiarly for the profession which he had first adopted.

The army then serving in the west under General ST. CLAIR, had been raised for the express purpose of preventing the repeated outrages and barbarities committed by the Indians, and the young student resolved to join this little band and serve his country where she most needed the gallantry of her sons.

The opposition of his excellent guardian was not sufficient to deter him from his purpose, and as his design was approved by WASHINGTON, who had also been the warm friend of his father, he received from that noble warrior an ensign’s commission in the first regiment of United States Artillery, then stationed at Fort Washington.

Here commenced the public life of Harrison, and long, active, and eventful has it been. Here under a daring and experienced soldier, the young officer began his glorious career. At the early age of nineteen he adopted the service of his country as his profession, and not contented with his uniform merely to exhibit it in the streets of a city, he repaired immediately to a dangerous position, to give the strength of his boyish arm to defend a frontier which may be said at that time, almost to have been in the possession of a ruthless, cruel, and vindictive foe.

We cannot close this chapter without drawing a comparison between our boy soldier and LAFAYETTE. The latter left his own country to aid a struggling people in obtaining and maintaining their freedom. The former relinquished a peaceful profession in which his talents would soon have rendered him independent, to share the dangers of a wilderness  the exposure to a cold and changeable climate, and the tomahawks and scalping knives of a sculking midnight foe; and all this to assist men expecting night after night to be butchered in their sleep. Both heroes entered upon their arduous profession at nearly the same period of life  both triumphed, and both lived long to benefit mankind by their dazzling genius, their warlike enterprize and their profound counsel.

Chapter II.

The Indian war  Hostile tribes  Defeat of Harmer  Organization of a new army under St. Clair  Advance of the same  St. Clair’s defeat  State of the country  Parties in Congress  Foreign influence.

IN 1783 peace was concluded between Great Britain and the United States of America, yet our country was still the scene of war and bloodshed. During the revolutionary contest, most of the Indian tribes upon the frontier had been induced to take up arms in favor of Great Britain, and they now refused to lay down the hatchet, determined still to continue their murders until the people of the United States should be driven from the western settlements.

A few of the tribes entered into treaties of peace with this country, but those north and west of the Ohio persisted in maintaining their barbarous and devastating hostility. The incursions of the latter were principally directed against the people of west Pennsylvania, and a few settlements which had been formed in the Northwestern Territory, or that portion of it which is now the state of Ohio.

There were seven tribes at this time, who refused altogether to enter into a peace, and who persisted in their midnight murders upon the border. The principal of these were the MIAMIES, who occupied all of Indiana, a large part of Illinois, and a good tract of country west of the Scioto, in Ohio. They were a brave and warlike people, but extremely obstinate. They hearkened but little even to their own chiefs, so that it can scarcely be supposed but they would be among the very last to abandon a war, to which they were daily urged by Englishmen, and while too, they could be supplied with guns and ammunition from the British forts.

The HURONS occupied the southern shore of Lake Erie, and a more desperate set of dogs were not to be found through the whole region of the west. Again and again would they rally when driven back, and rarely was it that they abandoned the pursuit of a foe. The HURONS or WYANDOTS have been known to follow a beaten and retreating enemy for more than a week, and never rose the sun during the whole time, but his beams were darkened with the blood of mothers and babes.

The DELAWARES having been driven from their beautiful flat-lands by the white settler, left COAQUANAC for the west, and gradually retired, until we find them, at the time of which we write, dwelling within the present limits of Ohio.

This tribe had but little to complain of compared with many others. The land owned by the DELAWARES, or LENI LENAPES, had, to a great extent, been purchased and paid for.

In the north of Ohio were the SHAWNEES, who had made their way from the extreme south, and are supposed to have been driven by some stronger tribe, from Georgia or Florida.

On the peninsula of Michigan were the CHIPPEWAS, the OTTOWAS, and the POTOWATOMIES. All these tribes, and some of them were at that time very large and numbered many thousands of warriors, were engaged in desperate contests with the whites, for the purpose of stopping forever the emigration of the early settlers to the west.

“My mind and heart are upon that river,” pointing to the Ohio, “may that river ever continue to run, and remain the boundary of lasting peace between the Americans, and the Indians on its opposite shore.”

This was the toast given by CORNPLANTER, at the table of Gen. WAYNE, in March, 1793. We step a little in advance of our history to bring in this sentiment of a friendly chief, that our readers may be able to judge of the feeling at that time existing among the Indians, towards the white settlers. Assassination was the deed of every night, and though our revolutionary war closed in 1783, yet the Indians still committed their outrages, and were often assisted by the English; who, though they did not as a nation war upon us, yet they had their men and officers mingled with and directing the hostile tribes.

Mr. Hall in noticing this subject, says:

“From 1783 to 1790, it was estimated that 1500 men, women and children, had been killed or taken prisoners by the Indians upon the waters of the Ohio; more than 2000 horses were stolen from the inhabitants; houses had been burned, fields ravaged, boats plundered, and property destroyed to an unknown amount. Still the settlements grew, and the gallant pioneers sustained the war with undaunted spirit. The British, in defiance of a solemn treaty, continued to hold military posts within our acknowledged territory, to tamper with the tribes in our limits, and faithlessly to supply the munitions of war, to be used against a civilized people at peace with herself.”

The defeat of Brigadier General HARMER, a brave and skilful officer, and the total destruction of his gallant army, by hordes of savages, filled the whole frontier with apprehension and despair, whilst it inspired the Indians with renewed confidence; and flushed with victory, they extended their barbarities from town to town, and house to house, with the apparent determination to annihilate every settler on the border.

The inhabitants of the frontier called for a new army, which was raised and placed under the command of Major General ST. CLAIR, a veteran of the revolution, who possessed the entire confidence of WASHINGTON. It was necessary that the arms of America should triumph over all her foes, whether foreign or domestic, that the country might be secure from rapine, murder and devastation, and that the young nation should be respected by the whole world.

The new army marched to the seat of war, and the venerable commander exerted all his skill for the success of his hardy soldiers; but unfortunate events occurred which were wholly unexpected, and the meritorious efforts of ST. CLAIR, in behalf of his country, were only attended with defeat and destruction.

The army advanced slowly and cautiously toward the head waters of the Wabash, opening a road, and building forts at suitable distances. By the first of November, 1791, ST. CLAIR found himself in the midst of the Indian country, and within fifteen miles of the Miami villages. On the 4th, about daylight, his camp was suddenly attacked by an immense body of savages, lead on by MESHECUNNAQUA, or the LITTLE TURTLE, a distinguished chief and great warrior of the Miamies, and Buckongehelas, first chief of the Delawares, aided by white auxiliaries from Canada.

The assailants were well protected by the shelter of the trees and the frequent mounds of earth. They fired from the ground and were scarcely to be seen, except when they rose to spring from one shelter to another. They advanced rapidly in front, and upon either flank, up to the very mouths of the American field pieces.

The militia occupying the front were dismayed by the impetuosity and violence of this unexpected attack, and falling back upon the regulars, threw them into confusion. In vain the officers endeavoured to rally and re-form their men; their success was only partial. Twice were the Indians driven back by desperate charges, but while they gave way at one point to the bayonets of our soldiers, from every other quarter they poured in a heavy and destructive fire upon the lines, until the whole army was thrown into the greatest confusion, and a most disorderly retreat ensued.

For several miles the Indians pursued their conquered foe, and the woods were literally strewed with the bleeding bodies of the dead and dying. The camp was completely deserted, and was afterward plundered by the victors.

The army suffered most cruelly. Of fourteen hundred men engaged, five hundred and thirty were killed, and three hundred and sixty wounded. Many of the latter died within a few days after the battle. Thirty officers were slain, and among them General BUTLER, a distinguished soldier of the revolutionary struggle.

A series of terrible disasters had already rendered the war unpopular, and this last defeat filled the whole country with distress, mourning, and apprehension. The implacable foe had gained success upon success, until, flushed with victory, he ventured still closer to the encampments and threatened to attack settlements still further east. The bleeding scalp, torn from the struggling and wounded victim, was flouted in the face of the American soldiery, and every species of insult offered to their dead and dying companions.

So great was the consternation spread throughout the country, that even the brave and daring shrunk from a contest fruitful only in labour, disaster, and defeat. Victory over such an enemy would bring but little glory; and if conquered, excruciating tortures and horrid deaths were certain to await the vanquished.

Parties for and against the further prosecution of the war were forming through the land, and the two fatal expeditions had drained the treasury, and drawn largely from the resources of the country. In Congress parties pro and con also existed, and all the energy, coolness, and discrimination of the mighty intellect of our great Washington were required to crush the discontented factions, and to secure the permanency of those glorious institutions which had been established by seven years of toil, and the outpouring of oceans of patriotic blood.

Had the war at that moment been given over, it is highly probable that England would have thrown her forces openly into the western wilderness, and commenced another trial to reduce the free states. Though she could never have gained this object, she might have possessed herself of an immense territory at the north-west, and retarded for many years the developement of the blessings of freedom, and the proof of that which was then considered a mere assertion  “That man is capable of self-government.”

Chapter III.

British influence  General Wayne appointed to the command of the Legion of the United States  Desertion  Discipline and State of the New Army.

THE war with the north-western tribes was no longer a local matter, but had gradually risen in importance, until it became a national contest, jeoparding the free institutions of our new country. In the movements of the foe was seen the directing influence of a more experienced hand, and although GREAT BRITAIN had abandoned as a government, efforts to recover the colonies, yet it was too clearly perceived that she did not restrain her subjects from co-operating with, aiding, advising, and leading the hostile bands of Indians.

At his first interview with Mr. ADAMS, the KING of ENGLAND expressed the following sentiment:  

“I was the last to conform to the separation; but the separation having been made, I would be the first to meet the friendship of the United States as an independent power.”

The people did not join with their sovereign in this declaration, but continued to throw every obstacle that could be thought of in the way of the rising Republic.

The frequent defeats rendered it imperative that the army should be placed under the command of a military chief of well earned reputation; a cautious, discreet, brave, and energetic soldier. The two most prominent at that period, were GEORGE ROGERS CLARK and ANTHONY WAYNE. They had both fought in the revolution; held separate commands, and had planned and executed the most daring and successful enterprizes. The latter was known through the whole army, and in every quarter of the Union, as MAD ANTHONY, from his eventful fortunes and daring adventures. The calculating mind of the discriminating WASHINGTON singled out MAD ANTHONY, to command the western army, and he at once received orders to that effect. Brigadier Generals JAMES WILKINSON and THOMAS POSEY, distinguished revolutionary officers, were associated with General WAYNE.

In the Casket of 1830, published by Mr. Atkinson, in Philadelphia, we find an article upon the subject of the frontier war, written evidently by a person intimately acquainted with the subject. We copy below his account of the formation of WAYNE’S Legion, or “The Legion of the United States,” by which name it was designated and known.

“On the 25th of May, 1792, General WAYNE having been furnished by the Secretary of War with the instructions of the President, in which it was emphatically expressed, that another defeat would be inexpressibly ruinous to the reputation of the government, took leave of his family and friends, and repaired to Pittsburgh, the place appointed for the rendezvous of the troops, and where he arrived in June. By the new organization, the army was to consist of one Major General, four Brigadier Generals, and their respective staffs; the commissioned officers, and five thousand one hundred and twenty non-commissioned officers and privates  the whole to be denominated ‘The Legion of the United States.’ The legion to be divided into four sub-legions, each to consist of commissioned officers named, and one thousand two hundred and eighty non-commissioned officers and privates. The previous army having been nearly annihilated, a new one was to be recruited. Most of the experienced officers having been slain in the defeats of HARMER and ST. CLAIR, or resigned their commissions, the labors of the commanding general were augmented to an extent which nothing but the most unwearied patience and ardent zeal could have performed. Many of the officers, as well as of the soldiers, had yet to learn the rudiments of the profession. The organization of the troops, military tactics, discipline, &c., devolved so far upon the General, as to leave him scarcely time, without infinite labor, to keep up the correspondence incident to his station. His efforts were indefatigable, and it is impossible at the present day to form an adequate idea of the difficulties he had to encounter, the labors to perform, and the obstacles to surmount. So panic-struck was the whole country at the repeated and bloody successes of the enemy, that an engagement with them was looked to as certain defeat. A perfect horror seemed to seize the recruits, when marched from the rendezvous where they had enlisted, and their faces turned to join the enemy. In a letter to the Secretary of War, dated Pittsburgh, 20th July, 1792, General WAYNE says, ‘The detachment under Major ASHTON arrived at this place on Monday; Lieutenant CAMPBELL’S with STOKES’ dragoons, and Captain FAULKNER’S riflemen, on Tuesday, I am, however, sorry to inform you of the alarming desertion that prevailed in ASHTON’S detachment, and STOKES’ dragoons. Not less than fifty of the former, and seven of the latter deserted on their march between Carlysle and Pittsburgh.’

“Another fact will show the decree of terror that the name of Indian had inspired, and the extraordinary difficulties the general had to surmount, to introduce obedience, self-confidence, and courage. A letter to the Secretary of War, dated Pittsburgh, 10th of August, 1792, says, ‘Desertions have been frequent and alarming. Two nights since, upon a report that a large body of Indians were close in our front, I ordered the troops to form for action, and rode along the line to inspire them with confidence, and gave a charge to those in the redoubts which I had recently thrown up in our front, and on the right flank, to maintain their posts at any expense of blood, until I could gain the enemy’s rear with the dragoons; but such was the defect of the human heart, that from excess of cowardice, one-third of the sentries deserted from their stations, so as to leave the most accessible places unguarded.’

“By the salutary measures adopted to introduce order and discipline, the army soon began to assume its proper character. The troops were daily exercised in all the evolutions necessary to render them efficient soldiers, and more especially in those maneuvers proper in a campaign against savages. Firing at a mark was constantly practised, and rewards given to the best marksmen. To inspire emulation, the riflemen and infantry strove to excel, and the men soon attained to an accuracy that gave them confidence in their own prowess. On the artillery the general impressed the in importance of that arm of the service. The dragoons he taught to rely on the broadsword, as all important to victory. The riflemen were made to see how much success must depend on their coolness, quickand accuracy; while the infantry were led to place entire confidence in the bayonet, as the certain and irresistible weapon, before which savages could not stand. The men were instructed to charge in open order; and each to rely on himself, and to prepare for a personal contest with the enemy. The confidence inspired, and the rapid improvement in discipline, are frequently mentioned with pleasure in the letters of the Commanding General, written during the autumn; but the season was too far advanced before a reasonable force could be collected to warrant active operations.

Such was the situation of the country  such the position of the army, and such the foe to be encountered at the time Ensign HARRISON joined his regiment at Fort Washington, which stood upon the site of the present beautiful city of Cincinnati, in Ohio. It was no holiday parade  no marching and counter-marching where none but friends are seen; but it was active service against an implacable assassin who stole upon his victim in the still hour of night, and murdered him as he slept unconscious of his danger. A majority of those the young Ensign associated with, were like himself, raw recruits, and it was necessary to have constant drills for the purpose of instructing the soldiers and giving them confidence in themselves. The command was wisely placed by WASHINGTON in the hands of MAD ANTHONY, and the latter kept his men continually at work.

The author was speaking but a few days since with a veteran who served under General WAYNE during the whole time he was in the west. In speaking of the daily exercises imposed upon the army, he saith, “Indeed, sir, the general kept us busy. We had a regular school of it, morning, noon and night, and Wayne didn’t give over till he thought we knew near about as much as he did. When he had to stop a bit, for, you know, it would not do for the soldiers to know more than their leader. The practising was all the time, and faith, sir, we weren’t allowed to whisper in school, and hang the play we could take out of it, for you see there were no between times.”

The few last words probably give the best idea that we could possibly have of MAD ANTHONY’S character, and at the same time form as handsome a compliment as could be paid him as a soldier. With him there were no “between times,” he was constantly upon the alert, and always at his post.

Chapter IV.

Ensign Harrison reaches Fort Washington  Habits of the soldiers  Harrison’s temperance  His first service  Gains the applause of St. Clair  Is promoted to a lieutenancy  Wayne’s position at Legionville  The Legion proceeds to Fort Washington, where it is joined by Lieutenant Harrison.

ENSIGN HARRISON readied Fort Washington directly after the defeat of General ST. CLAIR, which we have already recorded. He arrived in time to witness the gathering in of the vanquished and disheartened troops at that post. But a short time before they had marched out in all the pride of conscious strength. They now returned, such of them as lived to return  a mutilated, spirit-broken, and disorganized body. Squads came flying before the enemy who yet lurked in their rear to goad and lash and torture the conquered victim.

The savage foe exulting in recent victory ventured almost to the very gates of the fort, and closely watched for another opportunity to glut upon the blood of the soldiery. The whole defence of the border was in the hands of a few, and they having nothing to look back upon but disaster and defeat. It was scarcely to be wondered at, that under these circumstances the way-worn soldier flew to his bottle for forgetfulness, and sought in other vices means to dispel the gloom that hung over his hopes. Intemperance and debauchery crept insensibly upon the officers as well as the privates; and had our young Ensign possessed any inclination for his cup or his lass, he would inevitably have fallen a victim to one or both before he had been aware that the fatal clutch of the insidious monster was upon him.

Public sentiment had not then pointed out intemperance as base and demoralizing, neither was it considered at all wrong for a gentleman to indulge occasionally in the greatest inebriation. If any attempted to frown down the practice, he was silenced by an invitation to “drink a single drop,” and having tasted that single drop, the moralist was too often left “perfectly happy” beneath the table as an example to all who should dare to disturb the rules of good-fellowship.

The expense and privation of the army, and the exclusion from those refining associations daily encountered at the firesides and in the parlors of the civilized, in a measure urged the young officers to frequent, and oftentimes, to alarming extents. The restraint of the fair, the beautiful, the virtuous and the accomplished was not upon them, and they launched into excesses from which they would have shrunk in the quiet of their peaceful homes.

Our young soldier had not entered upon his arduous profession with the mere intention of spending his time in drinking and idling. Far nobler were the sentiments he entertained of what should be the life of a soldier. He soon perceived that he was in a school where advancement depended upon his own bravery, and where he could not expect to gain the praise of his superiors except by regular habits and strict discipline, he saw the danger that beset him at a glance, and he had the good sense and solid resolution not to indulge in the vices of the garrison. In this determination he was supported by the advice of Generals ST. CLAIR and WILKINSON. He resisted all temptations thrown in his way, and thus early laid the foundation of those habits of strict soberness which he has retained through his long and useful life, and by which he has been enabled to encounter all manner of hardships, and yet to enjoy a strong and vigorous constitution.

Soon after his arrival at Fort Washington it became necessary to dispatch a train of pack horses to Fort Hamilton, about thirty miles distant, upon the great Miami. This train was under the charge of a body of soldiers from the fort, and the whole was placed under the command of our boy soldier. This was the first charge confided to his care. Though the distance was short, the state of the country and the thousands of savages peopling the whole forest, rendered the enterprize extremely perilous; and constant exposure required uninterrupted watchfulness, and much more thought, attention and wisdom than can often be found in a lad not yet out of his teens. This service was performed with great credit to himself, and General ST. CLAIR openly acknowledged his pleasure at the success of his young officer, bestowing upon him the warmest praise and commendation. He rapidly gained the entire confidence of his officers, and in 1792, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

In May of the year last mentioned, General WAYNE repaired to Pittsburgh, for the purpose of organizing his army. The manner in which he proceeded and the arduous duties he required of his officers and privates, we have already mentioned in a preceding chapter. Such however was the state of the army that he did not consider his men sufficiently disciplined for a march until the 27th of Nov., of the same year.

Having every thing prepared, upon that day he began to move his army, but when only twenty-two miles from Pittsburgh, and about seven miles above the mouth of Beaver River he stopped and encamped for the winter, on the Ohio. Here huts were erected for the whole force, the soldiers going into the comfortable buildings first, and the commander and his officers remaining in tents until all the privates were accommodated in snug quarters. This position was strongly fortified and received the name of Legionville. With the enemy almost surrounding the place, the officers and men were obliged to be on the alert, and the most vigorous watchfulness was constantly observed.