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 GENERAL 
 
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LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 Our President 
 
 Benjamin Harrison, 
 
 TOGETHER WITH THAT OF 
 
 MAP 20 1889 
 
 y. ^ 
 
 His Grandfatlier 
 
 WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON 
 
 The "Hero of Tippecanoe" and President 1841. 
 
 I! 
 
 THE ECONONY PRl NTl Ng'cO., 304 VI N E ST. CI NCI N N ATI, 
 For LANE & MORRISON, Publishers, 
 1889. 
 
 \ 
 
i-^. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 To the CITIZENS and patriots of the United States 
 this work is respectfully dedicated. 
 The subject is a noble one. Whether in the pres- 
 ent instance justice has been done to it or not, you 
 must decide. It tells of a hero. Not of one like 
 Napoleon, or Caesar, or Alexander — those proud op- 
 pressors of mankind, who rose and flourished at the 
 expense of the happiness of millions — but of a re- 
 fublican hero — plain, unostentatious, and benevo- 
 lent — of 2. patriot whose delight has been to serve 
 his country, and contribute to the protection and 
 comfort of the defenceless inhabitants of our fron- 
 tier. It tells of one, who, forsaking the scenes of his 
 youth and the pleasures of society, went forth into 
 our w^estern wilds and amid toils, privations, and 
 sufferings, raised himself to honor and influence by 
 his own personal efforts. He entered the army. 
 He fought with savages. He drove them from the 
 unprotected and defenceless habitation of the widow. 
 He established peace ; and now vv^here comparatively 
 only a few years since the war-whoop carried con- 
 sternation, there are fellow- citizens dwelling in safety; 
 
4 PREFACE. 
 
 and v/here once were the habitations of cruelty, are 
 seen the temples of the Living God. 
 
 It tells us of a hero, who, having achieved the se- 
 curity and independence of the West, returned, like 
 Washington at an earlier day, to private life, to 
 the cultivation of a farm, to the quiet and unosten- 
 tatious residence of a Log Cabin more honorable 
 than the gorgeous palaces of the eastern world. 
 
 Such men are an honor to our country. We have 
 had many such, to whom the people of the United 
 States could "look up to in time of danger,'"' who 
 guided our councils, who led our armies, who 
 achieved our independence. 
 
 But they are nearly all gone. A few noble stocks 
 remain. Let us do them honor. Let us show them 
 gratitude. Let us employ their wisdom and expe- 
 rience in times of difficulty and trial. 
 
 Therefore, from what better stock could we 
 choose a captain to stand at the helm of State and 
 steer our glorious i^arty through the intricate chan- 
 nels of statesmanship? and in electing Benj. Har- 
 rison (grandson of this grand old hero) as Presi- 
 dent we have every confidence that such an one has 
 been choosen to fill the position. 
 
 Added to the life of his grandfather, we have ap- 
 pended a brief review of his career up the present 
 time ; and in bringing this work before the public, we 
 trust that any shortcomings vv'ill be over-looked. 
 
PREFACE. iy 
 
 'i'herefore with sincere and heartfelt wishes that the 
 future may bring a term of prosperity to the country 
 at large under his administration, such as we have 
 never before experienced, we submit this work to 
 your kin dindulgence, and respectfully make our bow. 
 Remaining your well-wishers, 
 
 The Auihors. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Wherein Jose T^aiTe meets with an adventure, \\hich lays 
 the foundation of the present volume, 7 
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 
 Some explanations; in making which, certain new actors 
 appear on the stage. Jose learns who the "Hero of 
 Tippecanoe" is, 12 
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 Conversation at Captain Earle's about the Hero of Tippeca- 
 noe, during which Captain talks more than all the rest . 23 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Captain Earle continues his conversations, in which he tells 
 about further troubles with the Indians, and a decisive 
 victory over them 36 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Captain Earle tells about the battle of Tippecanoe, ... 46 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A short chapter, in which Captain Earle tells some anecdotes 
 of the "old Hero," 58 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Captain Earle tells about the Siege of Fort Meigs and Bat- 
 tle of the Thames.— Death of Tecumseh.— Anecdotes, 64 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 Captain Earle spends an evening in telling anecdotes about 
 General Harrison, . " ^6 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 The "Hero of Tippecanoe" elected President by Captain 
 Earle and his family, 9b 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A sketch of the life of P.enj. Harrison our present presi- 
 dent 104 
 
THE HERO OE TIPPECANOE 
 
 Jose Earle hears of the General in a grocery store. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 WJiereiii Jose Earle meets v:ith an adventure ifhirJt /«//••< the 
 fonndation of the present volume. 
 
 "The Hero of Tippecanoe!"— ''The Hero of Tip- 
 pecanoe!" The words rang in the ears of little 
 Jose Earle, as he returned towards home from a 
 grocery, where he had been to purchase a few pounds 
 of sugar for his mother. 'T wonder who this Hero 
 of Tippecanoe can be ?" 
 
8 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 While Standing at the counter, waiting for "the 
 clerk to put up the article he wished, his attention 
 has been drawn to a somewhat spirited, but by no 
 means angry, conversation between several men of 
 the village, as to the merits of this said "Hero.'* 
 He v/as not present when the conversation was be- 
 gun. One said he was a good soldier; another that 
 he was a famous general; and so they went round, 
 talking of the battles he had fought — of the Indians 
 he had taken ; and, finally, some half-dozen declared, 
 that they almost knew he would be Frcsidcnt of the 
 United States. 
 
 *'I'll venture a mug of ale on that;" said a surly- 
 looking man, stepping forward, and addressing him- 
 self to one of the individuals in the circle. 
 
 *'I never bet," said the man ; "it is against ni}'- 
 principles; but if I were going to bet, it wouldn't 
 hQ ale, but a little ^hard cider,^^' — with a peculiar 
 emphasis on the two last words; "but I don't bet." 
 
 "Well, well," said the man, "let that pass, but he 
 won't be president, this year, nor next — " 
 
 "I didn't know about nextye:xx ; but I T^t\\QY guess 
 on the 4th of March, 1S41, his Log Cabin will be 
 exchanged for the White House. " 
 
 ''Never — never," said the man, Avith some 
 warmth; "he'll never see the inside of that house, 
 unless he dines with Martin Van Buren.'* 
 
 "So you think?" 
 
GRANDFATHER AXD GRANDSON. 9 
 
 "Yes, so I think — so I — " 
 
 He was going to say, ' 'so I know f but, like a wise 
 man, he checked himself and said, ^'believe." 
 
 Jose was an attentive listener to the conversation, 
 during which he had tried hard to learn who this 
 *'Hero of Tippecanoe" was. He knew that it did 
 not mean Mr. Van Buren. He never heard Im/t 
 called a hero ; and he concluded they did not mean 
 General Jackson, for he was called the "Hero of 
 New Orleans." Whom did they mean ? That was 
 more than he could tell. The name sounded mu- 
 sical, and even heroic, and he waited quite im- 
 patiently to learn who the hero was. 
 
 But something whispered, or seemed to whisper, 
 in Jose's ear, that he must not stay any longer, even 
 to gratify a laudable curiosity. His mother had 
 taught him — and certainly it is a good lesson for all 
 boys to learn and practice — to do an errand, and 
 return as quickly as possibe. 
 
 Accordingly, although the conversation was still 
 going on, Jose retreated towards the door, but rath- 
 er slowly ; and even when his fingers were on the 
 latch, he was half inclined to step back, and ask a 
 man in the circle whom he knew, about whom they 
 were talking ; but a commendable modesty kept him 
 back. His curiosity, however, had been too much 
 excited to remain long quiet ; and, determining to 
 gratify it in another place, he opened the door, and 
 directed his step homeward. 
 
10 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 Jose, my readers must know was quite young; 
 and, while most lads of his age might, perhaps, have 
 answered the question, it was out of his power. 
 And a good reason existed for his ignorance. He 
 had recently returned home, from having lived with 
 a maiden aunt, where the subject of politics was as 
 little likely to be discussed, as who would be the next 
 king of England or France. Jose was not aware 
 that a new presidential election was drawing near, 
 nor that the conversation to which he had listened 
 was turning upon the merits of the several candi- 
 dates for that office before the public. But Jose had 
 a good memory, from which a name so charming to 
 his ear was not likely to escape, or if there was any 
 real danger in the case, his frequent repetition of it, 
 as he sauntered along, was sufficient to keep it alive. 
 Indeed, had there been any passers-by, it is quite 
 probable they would have heard him humming a kind 
 of tune: "The Hero — the Hero — the Hero of 
 Tip — the Hero of Tippecanoe ! Tippecanoe !" 
 
 Soon after turning a corner in sight of his fa- 
 ther's, he descried at some distance before him a 
 school-fellow by the name of Jimmy Goodspeed. 
 
 "Jimmy — Jimmy — Jimmiy Goodspeed !" holloed 
 Jose, "stop!" 
 
 "What do you want, Jose?'' 
 
 "Wait, and I'll tell you." 
 
 "Well, make haste. If your legs were as long 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 11 
 
 again, you'd walk a little faster when a fellow is 
 waiting for you." 
 
 "I'm almost out of breath now," said Jose, as he 
 ■came up, his face glowing with animation. 
 
 ''Well, what's your wish, Jose? shall I help you 
 ■carry your bundle?" 
 
 "Oh, no," said Jose, "I can carry that. What I 
 want is, to know whether you ever heard of — f/iere, 
 now, you've almost made me forget what I was go- 
 ing to say. Have you ever heard of — of — oh, I 
 know now of 'The Hero of Tippecanoe ?' " 
 
 "Heard of him ? ha, ha., ha? Why, child, more 
 times than you ever eat supper in all your life. But 
 he's no great things." 
 
 "But who is he ?" said Jose, "that was my ques- 
 tion. They don't mean General Jackson, do they?" 
 
 "Take care, Jose, my friend. Jose, take care how 
 you talk about General Jackson. I'm a true Jack- 
 son man, do you know that ?" 
 
 "I didn't mean any harm, Jimmy; but I heard 
 some men up at Peter Crowfoot's store talking rath- 
 er loud and fast about the 'Hero of Tippecanoe,' 
 and I thought you could tell me. " 
 
 "Well, I suppose I could, but I don't want to talk 
 about him ; besides, you are to young to talk poli- 
 tics, Jose." 
 
 The lads here separated, Jose having arrived at 
 his father's. Jimmy had still further to go, and bid- 
 ding his little friend good-morning, said: 
 
12 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 '"Log cabin and hard cider' won't be president 
 this year or next, mark my word, Joe." 
 
 Jose tried to laugh, but as he didn't understand 
 what was meant, he made a poor figure of it; but as 
 the gate swung to, he said ''Well, Jimmy, you'll 
 not find me so ignorant next time we meet. Father, 
 I guess, knows all about the matter." 
 
 Jimmy plodded on. He was the son of a true 
 Jacksonian, and of course felt and talked just as his 
 father did. He tried to believe that Mr. Van Buren 
 would be elected president again, because his father 
 tried to believe so ; but he had heard his father say 
 there began to be some doubt. Strange alterations 
 Avere taking place. Matters didn't work well. The 
 times were hard. Jimmy's father didn't get as much 
 work as he had done; and when he did, not much 
 more than half as much in price, and very little 
 money. Jimmy fell into quite a serious train of re- 
 flection after leaving Jose; and, I believe, before 
 he reached the place to which he was going, a coup- 
 let, which he had either seen, or himself manufac- 
 tured, was occupying his thoughts. I do not know 
 that he sung it, but quite likely he did; for who did 
 not begin to sing something like it ? 
 
 Tippy, old Tippy, I very much fear, 
 
 You'll take the Great Chair the very next year. 
 
( 'aptain Earle conversing with his family. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Some explanations ; in making which, certain new actors ap- 
 pear on the stage. Jose learns who the ^^Hero of Tip- 
 picanoe^^ is. 
 
 It is quite time to introduce our readers to the 
 family of Captain Earle, the father of our friend 
 Jose. But a few words will suffice to give such ke- 
 tails of his history, as are important to our purpose. 
 
 Captain Earle I shall suppose to have been an 
 officer of the army, during a considerable part of 
 Mr. Madison's war. He served with great reputa- 
 
14 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON, 
 
 tion, v/as in several battles at the West, and was 
 most enthusiastically attached, as most of the officers 
 of the northwestern army were, to their brave com- 
 mander, General William Henry Harrison. 
 
 At the close of the war, he returned to his native 
 state; and after living some years a bachelor, mar- 
 ried the daughter of a military officer, who v/as con- 
 siderably his senior in the army, and settled in the 
 village of . 
 
 He had several sons. His eldest he named Wil- 
 liam Henry Harrison, after his admired general, 
 with whom he had an intimate and honorable ac- 
 quaintance. In respect to the name of his second 
 son, we must premise an explanation. Being him- 
 self a military man, it was natural that, like most of 
 the military men of the country, he should have been 
 attached to the cause of General Jackson. As a 
 military hero, there was much to admire in the gen- 
 eral's character. But he was thought by some to be 
 arbitrary, and in some cases cruel. Still, he was. 
 bold and successful. At Nev/ Orleans, he had 
 achieved a victory which established his reputation. 
 Captain Earle was among the number who thought 
 that he would shine in the cabinet as he had done in. 
 the field ; and, besides, in common with others, he 
 felt a sort of gratitude to a man, who had long per- 
 illed his life and happiness among savages for his 
 country. He supported him, therefore, for the presi- 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 15 
 
 dency, and, like a good many others, on the birth of 
 his second son, he named him Andrew Jackson, after 
 the genera], who had at the time just entered upon 
 his office as president. His third son bore the name 
 of Thomas ; and his fourth and last, the hero of the 
 adventure related in the first chapter, Joseph or, as 
 he was more commonly called, Jose. The two latter 
 were family names; the one, that of an only brother 
 of the captain, and the other, that of a brother of 
 his wife. Mrs. Earle was a woman of strong good 
 sense, quite domestic, but not unconcerned in all that 
 interested her husband and his fortunes; and, being 
 the daughter of a patriot, she had early learned to 
 love and desire the welfare of her country. 
 
 But Captain Earle, like thousands of others, was 
 deceived in the ability of General Jackson to wield 
 successfully the destinies of America. He knew his 
 reputation as a military man, and he fondly imagined 
 that he would be equally successful as president of 
 the United States; but he was sadly disappointed. 
 He watched the progress of his administration, and 
 was grieved to find that within a fev/ years the coun- 
 try, which was so prosj^erous, became so embarrass- 
 ed and disturbed. But, like others, he had enlisted 
 himself — it v/as known that he was one of the Jack- 
 son party — he had talked, written, and acted for 
 and with that party. When, in 1837, General Jack- 
 son intimated his intention to retire, and General 
 
If) GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 Harrison was brought out as a candidate, Captain 
 Earle had quite a struggle in his own feeUngs what 
 to do. He preferred his old friend, General Harris- 
 son, but then he belonged to the Jackson party, and 
 his circumstances did not then seem to admit of his 
 enlisting even for an old friend. So he voted for 
 Mr. Van Buren. But he soon saw his error, and 
 most heartily repented. I\Ir. Van Buren's measures, 
 he became satisfied, were still worse than those of 
 General Jackson. 
 
 The change which thus came over Captain Earle 
 he was not slow to avow; and as the time ap- 
 proached for the election of a new president. Captain 
 Earle would say, ''I can go no longer for Mr. Van Bu- 
 ren, nor for any administration whose principles and 
 measures are like his. " 
 
 I have heard him sit down and talk after this man- 
 ner: 
 
 *'If I had a ship which always made long and un- 
 profitable voyages, which brought me in debt, instead 
 of adding to my gains, I should be quite likely to 
 inquire into the matter. Why does this ship do so 
 poorly, v^^hen others do so well In the same trade? 
 Is she a bad ship ? are her sails poor ? is her rudder 
 too small? or what is the m.attter? Perhaps her 
 captain is in fault. But he had a high reputation 
 when I first employed him. Almost every one said 
 he would do well — he made fair promises — and 
 
 i 
 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 17 
 
 really appeared to be honest and well-meaning. But 
 then the ship dosen^t work well. And yet she was 
 projected and built by the very first mechanics, and 
 has been examined by them repeatedly, and they say 
 the reason why she makes poor voyages is not that 
 the ship is in fault ; she has made good voyages, and 
 would make them again, if she had a inore co7npetent 
 captain. 
 
 ''Now," said Captain Earle, ''in such a case, what 
 should I be likely to do ? Why, notwithstanding the 
 reputation of my captain, I should be quite likely to 
 change him for another. I might think him honest 
 and well-disposed ; but still I should say, I can not 
 afford to lose every thing to gratify him, or keep 
 him in a. good berth. I will try attother captain, and 
 see whether the old ship won^t do better. ^^ 
 
 So Captain Earle reasons ; and not a few of his 
 neighbors, who value his opinions because they 
 think him a wise and good man, have adopted them, 
 and say the ship must have a new captain. The 
 right ropes arc not pulled. The right course is not 
 pursued. One voyage under General Jackson prov- 
 ed a bad \!)ne, and so has that under Mr. Van Buren. 
 Even if they are honest and well-disposed, they are 
 not capable. The ship goes wrong. We must try 
 another captain. 
 
 At the time our friend Jose arrived from the gro- 
 cery, the tea was ready and waiting. Captain Earle, 
 
18 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 who was reading a newspaper which had just ar- 
 rived, though deeply interested in the views it con- 
 tained, laid it aside, and the family were soon en- 
 gaged in taking their tea. 
 
 Jose was in his usual place, and for once seemed 
 to be quite absorbed in his own thoughts, until Cap- 
 tain Earle remarked to his wife that really the "old 
 Hero's" prospects of success were brightening every 
 day. 
 
 At the mention of the "old hero," Jose seemed 
 to wake up as from a dream. "Father," said he, "I 
 heard some men up at the store talking about the 
 'Hero of Tippecanoe.' Pray, who is he? I never 
 heard of such a hero." 
 
 "Why, my son, never heard of your father's old 
 general! but you are a small boy. You have heard 
 of the 'Here of New Orleans?' " 
 
 "Yes, si»," said Jose; "brother Andrew was nam- 
 ed after him, but I don't think Andrew much of a 
 hero." 
 
 "Your opinion, Jose, settles that point, I suppose 
 you think," said Andrew; "but I shall stick to the 
 'Hero of New Orleans,' a Httle longer, I believe." 
 
 "I should think you would like to change your 
 name," said Thomas, "so much is said against Gen- 
 eral Jackson now-a-days." 
 
 <'No — not I, I wish I were half as brave as the 
 old general is." 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 19 
 
 "Names are but of small importance, my chil- 
 dren," said Mrs. Earle; '-it is far more important 
 to be wise and good. " 
 
 ''But, father," said Jose, who had stopped eadng, 
 ''you've not told me who the 'Hero of Tippecanoe' 
 is. I asked Jimmy Goodspeed, but — " 
 
 "Well, and what did Jimmy say?" 
 
 "Why, he said he new, but he did not like to 
 talk about him," 
 
 Captain Earle smiled. "There are many," said 
 he, "who feel very much as Jimmy does. They do 
 not like to read, hear, or talk about him. But you 
 v/ish to know who he is; let me introduce you to 
 him across the table. Master Williain Henry Ha?'- 
 rison.'''' 
 
 "William! What, William, are you the 'Hero 
 of Tippecanoe ?' " said Jose. 
 
 "Don't you think I ami? don't I look like a hero?" 
 
 "You would look, I think, a little more like one," 
 said Jose, if you sat up a little straighter. " 
 
 "Why, Jose, you seemx to be quite sharp this even- 
 ing," said WiUiam. "I'll try to be a hero, then. 
 There! what do you say now ?" 
 
 "I am glad master Jose has such a correct idea 
 of a hero," said Mrs. Earle; -straight in body; 
 but it is equally essential to the true hero, that he 
 should be straight or upright, in mind. " 
 
 "Well, let us now answer Jose's inquiry," said 
 
J^O GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 Captain Earle. "The 'Hero of Tippecanoe ' is 
 William Henry Harriso7i, a famous general, who 
 lives in Ohio, and who commanded the northwestern 
 army during the late war with England." 
 
 ''Was William, named after him?" said Jose. 
 
 "Yes, my son. I served under General Harrison 
 during a considerable part of the war. He is a 
 good man. I knew him well, and I wish all the 
 American people knew him as well as I do. There 
 would then be little doubt of his election." 
 
 "Some men up at the store," interrupted Jose, 
 "said he is going to be president; but one man, 
 who appeared almost angry, declared he never would 
 be." 
 
 "He meant, he hoped he wouldn't be. There are 
 many who hope so, but more, I suspect, who hope 
 he will be. A great change is taking place. I read 
 a fine song this evening in the paper, entitled 'Old 
 Tip.' Here it is. ' The last verse runs thus: 
 
 *The people are coming, from plain and from mountain, 
 
 To join the brave band of the honest and iree, 
 Which grows, as the stream from the leaf-sheltered fountain, 
 
 Spreads broad and more broad till it reaches the sea j 
 No strength can restrain it, no force can retain it, 
 
 Whate'er may resist, it breaks gallantly through, 
 And borne by its motion as a ship on the ocean, 
 Speeds on in his glory old Tippecanoe, 
 
 The iron-hearted soldier, the true-hearted soldier, 
 The gallant old soldier of Tippecanoe.' 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 21 
 
 "They are 'coming' — 'the people' — the 'people 
 from plain and from mountain," said Captain Earle, 
 "There is no stopping the progress of this en- 
 thusiasm. It rolls on, and, for aught I know, it will 
 roll. General Harrison will, I think, take possession 
 of the 'White House' March 4, 1841." 
 
 "You will be the first to go and congratulate him^ 
 I conclude," said Andrew, rather significantly, "yoa 
 like him so much, father." 
 
 "I do like him, my son," replied Captain Earle, 
 "and I have great reason for my regard." 
 
 "You once thought highly of Andrew Jackson." 
 
 ^^ Andrew Jackson Earle I love now, and trust I 
 shall ever have reason to love him. I did once re- 
 gard General Andrew Jackson with much favor, but 
 as president of the United States he has disappoint- 
 ed me." 
 
 "Father, when you go to see President Harrison^, 
 may I go too?" inquired Jose. 
 
 '*It will be time enough to decide that question 
 when he is elected." 
 
 "But you said, you believe he will be elected." 
 
 "I do, my son, I hope he will, I believe he wilL 
 He is an able and a good man, and has done much, 
 for his country. He deserves well of it." 
 
 "Father," said Thomas, "I was just going to ask 
 you to tell us something about his life. You must 
 know a good deal about him." 
 
22 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 "So do, said Jose ; "I love to hear stories." 
 "There are many interesting incidents in the Ufe 
 of General Harrison," said Captain Earle. "It will 
 give me pleasure to relate them. After the table is 
 removed, and I have written a letter, I will at least 
 make a beginning." 
 
f^?J 
 
 Young Harrison reading the commission of ensign from Gen. 
 
 Washington. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Conversation at Captain Earle's about the ''Hero of Tippe- 
 canoe,'' during ivhich the Captain talks more than all the 
 rest. 
 
 We left Captain Earle and his family still at the 
 tea-table, making arrangements for spending the 
 evening in reciting and listening to some recollec- 
 tions of the "old Hero! " Which of the group was 
 the more pleased with the proposal, the father or 
 the sons, I cannot undertake to say; but there was 
 
24 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 more than ordinary despatch that evening in writing 
 the letter to which the former alluded at the table as 
 necessary to be done ; and nearly as soon as Mrs. 
 Earle had adjusted the sitting room for the evening, 
 the several parties made their appearance. A table 
 was occupying the centre of the room, around which 
 they took their seats, and on which Captain Earle 
 laid several papers, which he said he might need by 
 way of illustration in the progress of his remarks. 
 
 ''This is a happy hour," said the captain, as he 
 drew a chair to the table. *'I love to know that my 
 sons are fond of hearing about the history of their 
 country, and of the men who have fought her battles^ 
 and have figured in her councils. We have had 
 many great men — noble men — patriots, who sacri- 
 ficed ease, health, fortune, and life for their country. 
 But they have passed away. All who braved the 
 storms of the revolution are already gone. But 
 
 Theirs is no vulgar sepulchre ; green sods 
 Are all their monument — and yet it tells 
 A nobler history than pillar'd pile, 
 Or the eternal pyramid. They need 
 No statue, nor inscription to reveal 
 Their greatness. 
 
 'T delight to converse with them, even if they are 
 gone, or going — to dwell upon their exalted patriot- 
 ism — their firmness in the day of peril — their ad- 
 herence to principle, at the hazard of their fives — 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 2d 
 
 their faith and steadfastness, when shipwreck and 
 ruin stared them in the face — their fortitude under 
 privation and suffering — their magnanimity and sym- 
 pathy in the day of victory and triumph. I hope, 
 my sons, you will read their history, and I am sure 
 you will venerate and love them. Imitate their vir- 
 tues, their patriotism, their piety, and I shall feel 
 proud of my sons." 
 
 ''Father," said Jose, "I thought you were going to 
 tell about General Harrison — " 
 
 "Don't be so fast, Jose," said William; "I'm sure 
 I should like to hear father talk thus all night. " 
 
 "You do me great honor, my son," said Captain 
 Earle. "On such a theme I scarcely know when to 
 stop. But it is time, I believe, to gratify Jose. 
 
 "WiUiam Henry Harrison is a native of Virginia. 
 His birthplace is Berkley, a town or village situated 
 on the banks of James River, about twenty-five miles 
 below Richmond, and forty miles above Jamestown. 
 
 "At this place William Henry Harrison was born, 
 February 9th, 1778." 
 
 "He is quite an old man," said Andrew, "as old, 
 I guess, as my namesake ; and no one would think 
 of so old a man for president as General Jackson is 
 now." 
 
 "You mistake, my son," said Captain Earle. 
 "General Jackson was born on the 15th of March, 
 1767. Hence he is six years older than General 
 Harrison. 
 
26 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 ''William Henry was the third and youngest son 
 of Benjamin Harrison, who was a distinguished 
 man in Virginia, and a member of the celebrated 
 congress of 1774 and 1776." 
 
 "My history of the United States says he was 
 one w\iO signed the Declaration of Indepetidence,^' said 
 Thomas. 
 
 *'I am glad you so well recollect your history," 
 said Captain Earle. "That was a noble body of 
 men, and as long as America lasts, their boldness in 
 signing and pubhshing that Declaration will be re- 
 membered v/ith patriotism." 
 
 "Father," observed William, "you speak of bold- 
 ness, I don't see what great courage was needed." 
 
 "It is because of your ignorance, my son. The 
 Declaration of Independence was one of the boldest 
 acts of the revolution. Napoleon never took a 
 bolder step. There were thirteen colonies; but 
 they w^ere feeble, with less than three millions of 
 people, no veteran army, no navy, no arsenals 
 but barns, no munitions of war, scarcely a fortifi- 
 cation, no public treasury, no power to lay a tax, 
 and no credit upon which to obtain a loan. 
 
 "Was there nothing bold in such a people rising 
 lip against England, and saying they were free, and 
 would be free and independent ? England was the 
 mistress of the world ; her armies were numerous, 
 her soldiers veterans, her navy unrivalled, her 
 
<;randfather and grandson. 27 
 
 statesmen subtle and sagacious, her generals skilful 
 and practised. 
 
 "All this the congress of '76 well knew. And 
 they knew that if they published that Declaration, 
 and any one of them should be taken by the Eng- 
 lish, he would be hung. And this was quite likely 
 to come to pass. It was a solemn time therefore 
 with them, and a solemn question, whether they 
 should make such a declaration. 
 
 "But the question went round. 'Shall the Decla- 
 ration be adopted?' Each rose and saiH ' Ves.' 
 William Henry Harrison's father was there, and he 
 said ' Vcs.^ The whole fifty-six said 'Yes' — not a 
 sohtary 'A^ay. ' It was a great occasion. In due 
 time, after the question was taken, the Declaration 
 was written neatly and fairly on parchment, which 
 was brought in to be signed by the several mem- 
 bers. 
 
 '■'■Jolui Hancock being president, signed his name 
 first. It is remakable how strong he bore down 
 upon his pen. It seemed as if he meant to say, 'If 
 this be an act of treason, it shall be treason indeed.' 
 Each one followed him, each wrote his name with 
 the same pen, and that pen is still preserved. 
 
 "Benjamin Harrison, the father of William Henry, 
 was among the number; and there his name will 
 stand, and the names of his patriotic associates, as 
 long as America lasts, a noble monument of their 
 xourage, patriotism 2iX\^ fidelity. 
 
28 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 *'I don't mean to intimate, my children," con- 
 tinued Captain Earle, ' 'that any one has a claim to 
 office because his ancestors were great and honorable^ 
 or because they performed eminent service to 
 their country. But a virtuous, high-minded, and 
 useful ancestry, is always regarded as honorable. 
 We are so made as to put this estimate upon it ; and 
 he that is so fortunate as to have such ancestors^ 
 should feel his responsibility to imitate their virtues. 
 It is a powerful motive to pattern after them; and 
 the instances are not few in the country, where 
 sons, much to their honor, have followed in the foot- 
 steps of their illustrious sires. William Henry Har- 
 rison is a fine example. 
 
 "I shall only add in respect to his father, that he 
 afterwards held several distinguished offices in Vir- 
 ginia, and among them that of governor. At length 
 he died, 1791, leaving behind him the reputation of 
 a devoted patriot, an able counsellor, and a useful 
 man." 
 
 "Many of the patriots of the revolution died 
 comparatively poor. They had no opportunity to 
 acquire wealth, as their' time, talents, and services 
 were devoted to a country too poor to remunerate 
 them. The little fortunes which they had acquired, 
 were expended for their families while they were 
 busy in the councils, and not a few of them were 
 obliged to advance funds to aid in carrying forward 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 29 
 
 the measures which their wisdom and patriotism de- 
 cided to be necessary. Governor Harrison was 
 among the number. He left his children little more 
 than his example, and the good-will of his contem- 
 porary patriots. 
 
 "William Henry was at this time in the collep^e 
 of Hampden Sidney, pursuing his studies, prepara- 
 tory to the study of medicine. As he was under 
 age when his father died, Robert Morris, another 
 distinguished man, consented to act as his guardian. 
 
 ''Just about this time the country became greatly 
 alarmed, in consequence of the ravages of Indi- 
 ans of the northwestern frontier. These tribes em- 
 braced the Miamies, Hurons, Delawares, Chippewas, 
 and several others. They were powerful and war- 
 like. The country was thinly inhabited. FamiHes 
 were exposed to their deadly hostility ; and, in not 
 a few instances, women and children were suddenly 
 assaulted, and either barbarously wounded or carried 
 into a long and distressing captivity. 
 
 "In 1790, General Harmar was appointed to take 
 the field against these Indians. His force was about 
 fifteen hundred men; three hundred and twenty of 
 whom were regular troops, the rest militia. 
 
 "On the 30th of September, General Harmar set 
 forth with his troops from Fort Washington, a fort 
 which stood on a spot near which the city of Cin- 
 cinnati has since been built. His object was to bring 
 
30 
 
 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 the Indians to an engagement, or, if that could not 
 be effected, to destroy their settlement on the wa- 
 ters of the Scioto and Wabash. 
 
 '"General Harmar had been an officer in the rev- 
 olutionary war. and great things were expected of 
 him. He succeeded in destroying some villages, 
 and considerable quantities of com. which the Indi- 
 ans had laid in store for the winter. But on his 
 return, having arrived within eight miles of Chili- 
 cothe. he halted, with a view of doinar somethinsr 
 more for his honor and that of his armv. 
 
 •'From this place he detached three hundred and 
 sixty men. with orders to find the enemy and attack 
 them. This they did. But the engagement was 
 unfortunate for the Americans. A considerable* 
 number of Indians were killed, but not less than one 
 hundred of the mihtia fell durin;? the enslavement, 
 among whom were ten officers. The survivors 
 hastily retreated, and having joined the main body, 
 the whole returned to Fort Washina^ton. 
 
 "The result of this expedition was severely felt 
 and deeply deplored. General Harmar was removed, 
 and Major-general Arthur St. Clair was appointed 
 to succeed him. 
 
 ••Washington, at chat nme being president, was 
 anxious to do all in his power to protect the fron- 
 tier, and congress having voted him large sums to 
 carrv on the war. he ordered General St. Clair to 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. ol 
 
 undertake an expedition, in which he was directed 
 to destroy the Indian villages on the.Miami, and to 
 expel the savages from the country. 
 
 "Troops were enlisted slowly, and not until Sep- 
 tember had St. Clair such a number as he deemed 
 necessary to enter upon the campaign. On the ord 
 of November, with fourteen hundred men, he en- 
 camped on a commanding ground about fifteen miles 
 south of the ^^iami village. The militia took a 
 position across a creek, in advance of the regular 
 soldiers. 
 
 ••The next morning, about half an hour before 
 sunrise, a body of Indians suddenly attacked the 
 militia, who immediately fled across the creek, and 
 rushing in where the regular soldiers were encamp- 
 ed, threw them into confusion. The officers sprung 
 forward, and endeavored to rally their men. The 
 Indians pursued with savage yells. The battle be- 
 came terrible. The American soldiers poured in 
 their fire, and the cannon spread destruction on 
 every side, the Indians pressing up to their very 
 mouths. • 
 
 ••Atlen2:th resort was had to the bavonet ; and 
 now, for a short time, the Indians fell back: but 
 they ralhed again. The gallant General Butler fell, 
 mortally wounded. But I can not." said Captain 
 Earle. ''pursue further the details of this disastrous 
 contest. The defeat of the Americans was signal, 
 
^^2 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 and the destruction appalling. Thirty-eight com- 
 missioned officers were killed on the field, and five 
 hundred and ninety-three non-commissioned officers 
 and privates were slain or missing. Between two 
 and three hundred officers and privates were wound- 
 ed, many of whom afterwards died. 
 
 "But it is time to return to our young friend, 
 William Henry Harrison. He was, as I said, at this 
 time a member of college. The Indian war at the 
 west was engaging the attention of the country. 
 The spirits of many were roused, and young Harrison 
 was among the number. He panted for the field — 
 he longed for an opportunity to distinguish himself; 
 arrd, at length, he determined to abandon the halls of 
 college, and seek his fortune in the wilds of the west. 
 
 "Robert Morris, his guardian, for a time opposed 
 his design; but Washington, who had been an inti- 
 mate friend of his father's, encouraged his youthful 
 genius, and gave him a commission, as^ensign, in the 
 First Regiment of United States Artillery, then sta- 
 tioned at Fort Washington, on the Ohio. 
 
 "Ensign Harrison, yet only eighteen years of age, 
 soon departed for the scene of his toils. He was 
 young, ardent, and ambitious. He reached Fort 
 Washington shortly after St. Clair's defeat, and there 
 entered upon that line of services wi.Ich for a period 
 of nearly forty years he continued; in all which he 
 sustained a reputation most honorable to himself and 
 useful to his country. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. o3 
 
 **I do not design, my children," said Captain 
 "Earle, "to follow Harrison through the various inci- 
 dents of his life. They are so many, and so various, 
 and so connected and interwoven with the history 
 ■of the country, that it would prove tedious to your 
 youthful minds. I will give you, in one view, the 
 'Outlines of his eventful life, and afterwards notice 
 such particular incidents as may seem most striking 
 •and important." 
 
 Here taking a paper from the table, he read as 
 follows : 
 
 "William H. Harrison was born in Virginia, on 
 the 9th of February, 1773. 
 
 "In 1791, when nineteen years of age, he was 
 appointed by Washington an ensign in our infant 
 ■army. 
 
 "In 1792, he was promoted to the rank of lieu- 
 tenant; and in 1793 he joined the legion under 
 General W^ayne, and in a few days thereafter was 
 selected by him as one of his aids. 
 
 "On the 24th of August, 1794, he distinguished 
 liimself in the battle of the Miami, and elicited the 
 most flattering written approbation of General 
 Wayne. 
 
 "In 1795, he.vas made captain, and was placed 
 in command of Fort Washington. 
 
 "In 1797, he was appointed, by President Adams, 
 secretary of the Northwestern Territory, and ex- 
 vfficio, lieutenant-governor . 
 
34 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 *'In 1798, he was chosen a delegate to congress. 
 
 *'In 1801, he was appointed governor of Indiana; 
 and in the same year, President Jefferson appointed 
 him sole commissioner for treating with the Indians. 
 
 **In 1809, he was reappointed governor of Indiana 
 by Madison. 
 
 ''On the 6th of November, 1811, he gained the 
 great battle of Tippecanoe. 
 
 "On the 11th of September, 1812, he was ap- 
 pointed by Madison commander-in-chief of the 
 northwestern army. 
 
 ''On the 28th of April, 1813, the siege of Fort 
 Meigs commenced, lasted twelve days, and was 
 terminated by the brilliant and successful sortie of 
 General Harrison. 
 
 *'0n the 31st of July, 1813, the battle of Fort 
 Stephenson occurred. 
 
 ''On the 5th of October, 1813, he gained the 
 splendid victory of the Thames^ over the British and 
 Indians under Proctor. 
 
 "In 1814, he was appointed by Madison one of 
 the commissioners to treat with the Indians ; and in 
 the same year, with his colleagues, Governor Shelby 
 and General Cass, concluded his celebrated treaty 
 of Greenville. 
 
 "In 1815, he was again appointed such commis- 
 sioner with General McArthur and Mr. Graham, 
 and negotiated a treaty at Detroit. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 35» 
 
 "In 1816, he was elected a member of congress. 
 
 "In January, 1818, he introduced a resolution in 
 honor of Kosciusko, and supported it in one of the- 
 most feehng, classical, and eloquent speeches ever 
 made in the house of representatives. 
 
 "In 1819, he was elected a member of the Ohio- 
 senate. 
 
 "In 1824, he was elected senator in congress, nnd' 
 was appointed in 1825 chairman of the miHtary 
 committee in place of General Jackson, who had re^ 
 signed. 
 
 "In 1827, he was appointed minister to Colombia,, 
 and in 1828 wrote his immortal letter to Bohvar, the 
 deliverer of South America." 
 
 "We will here conclude our relations to-night," 
 said Captain Earle, "and, if alive and well, will re- 
 sume to-morrow evening." 
 
Escort of the Packhorses. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Captain Earle continues his conversation, in which he tells 
 about further troubles vnth the Indians, and a decisive 
 .victory over them. 
 
 At an early hour on the evening following, Cap- 
 tain Earle and his family were again seated round 
 4:he table. He had become deeply interested in the 
 recollections of former events himself, and there was 
 no lack of attention on the part of his youthful au- 
 ditors. 
 
 36 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. ST 
 
 "I told you last evening, my children, that I did 
 not purpose a regular biography of the 'Hero of 
 Tippecanoe,' only sketches of some of the most 
 prominent incidents of his life. This will be suffi- 
 cient for m.y purpose, and will be more interesting: 
 to you. 
 
 ''He reacl#d Fort Washington, as I stated, soon 
 after the defeat of St. Clair's army. That defeat 
 was unexpected, and produced great consternation 
 through the country. The depredations of the sav- 
 ages became more furious and ferocious than ever; 
 and tragical scenes were enacted in various places 
 along the frontier, and even in some of the most 
 populous sections of the country. 
 
 *'I could relate many affecting incidents which 
 occurred, but wull content myself with one, which 
 happened somewhere about this time, and v/hich wilL 
 serve to show the temper of the savages, and the 
 boldness and intrepidity of the frontier inhabitants.. 
 
 ''A dwelling-house, I believe in some part of Ken- 
 tucky, not far from the borders of the Ohio, was at- 
 tacked by a party of Indians. The proprietor, Mr.. 
 Merrill, was alarmed by the barking of his dog. 
 On going to the door, he received the fire of the as- 
 sailants, which broke his right leg and' arm. The>^ 
 attempted to enter the house, but were anticipated 
 in their movem^ent by Mrs. Merrill and her daughter, 
 Vv-ho closed the door in so effectual a manner as to 
 
38 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 Iceep them at bay. They next began to hew a pas- 
 sage through the door, and one of the worriors at- 
 tempted to enter through the aperture; but the re- 
 solute mother, seizing an axe, gave him a fatal blow 
 upon the head, and then, with the assistance of her 
 -daughter, drew his body in. His companions with- 
 out, not apprised of his fate, but suppoting him suc- 
 cessful, followed through the same aperture, and 
 four of the number were thus killed before their 
 mistake was discovered. They now retired a few 
 moments, but soon returned, and renewed their exer- 
 tions to force the house. 
 
 ' * 'Despairing of entering by the door, they climbed 
 upon the roof, and made an effort to descend by the 
 chimney. Mr. Merrill directed his little son to 
 empty the contents of a large feather bed upon the 
 iire, which soon caused so dense a smoke, as nearly 
 to suffocate those who made this desperate attempt, 
 and two of them fell into the fireplace. The mo- 
 ment was critical ; the mother and daughter could 
 not quit their stations at the door ; and the husband, 
 although groaning with his broken leg and arm, rous- 
 ing every exertion, seized a billet of wood, and with 
 xepeated blows despatched the two half-smothered 
 Indians. In the mean time, the mother had repelled 
 a fresh assault upon the door, and severely wounded 
 one of the Indians, who attempted simultaneously to 
 enter there, while the others descended the chimney. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 89 
 
 "Such was the character of these savages, near 
 whom some of our people Uved, and with whom our 
 army had to contend. 
 
 ''It is related of Harrison, that at the time he en- 
 tered the camp he was young, slender, and appa- 
 rently of a feeble constitution, and that his compan- 
 ions in arms, in pity for him, advised him to resign 
 Ms commission and go home. But they did not know 
 the spirit of that youthful warrior. So far from ac- 
 cepting their advice, he sought and soon found an 
 opportunity to evince his energy and capacity. A 
 train of packhorses were to be escorted to Fort Ham- 
 ilton, on the Miami, a distance of twenty or thirty 
 miles from Fort Washington. The command of 
 this escort was given to Harrison, young as he was. 
 The country was filled with hostile savages; and 
 lience the undertaking was considered eminently 
 perilous, requiring great caution and constant watch- 
 fulness. The service, however, was so successfully 
 performed, that General St. Clair, who was still in 
 command, expressed his especial approbation of the 
 young ensign, and the manner in which he had dis- 
 charged his commission. 
 
 "The condition of the frontier inhabitants con- 
 tinuing painful and alarming. General St. Clair re- 
 tired from the command of the army, and was suc- 
 ceeded by General Anthony Wayne. During the 
 revolutionary war this officer had greatly distin- 
 
40 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 guished himself. He was so impetuous as to have 
 acquired the title of Afad Anthony; yet few had 
 more discretion and sagacity. The Indians were 
 well acquainted with his reputation, and, it is said, 
 a knowledge of his appointment had a sensible effect 
 on their sports. They gave him the title of Black 
 Snake, from the superior cunning they ascribed to 
 him, and even allowed him to be a match for their 
 most distinguished warrior, Blue Jacket, or the 
 Turtle himself. 
 
 ''It was some time after his appointment before 
 General Wayne was prepared to enter upon any~ 
 decisive measures. In April, 1793, he collected his 
 forces at Fort Washington, where Harrison, who 
 had been raised to a lieute?ta7icy, joined him. The 
 spirit, enterprise, and energy of the latter soon at- 
 tracted the notice of General Wayne, who appointed 
 him one of the aids-de-camp, in which honorable but 
 laborious station he continued during the remainder 
 of the war. 
 
 "On the opening of the campaign of 1794, Gen- 
 eral Wayne prosecuted his measures with great 
 rigor. He was determined that something decisive 
 should be done ; but before he proceeded to ex- 
 tremities, he resolved to try the effect of one more 
 proposal of peace. He had in his army a man by 
 the name of Hatch, who had long been a captive 
 with some of the tribes, and him he selected for the 
 hazardous enterprise. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 41 
 
 ^'But Hatch did not like the scheme. He knew 
 the Indian temper. He was satisfied that they had 
 determined on war, and that even a messenger of 
 peace would be in danger of faUing a sacrifice to 
 their vengeance. General Wayne, however, hoping 
 to bring about a peace, persuaded Hatch to go ; to 
 which, at length, he consented, upon condition that 
 eight Indians, whom they had taken prisoners, 
 should be held as hostages, and that one Indian and 
 a squaw should accompany him. 
 
 ''With these Hatch left the camp at four o'clock in 
 the afternoon, and, by travelling all night, reached 
 the tents of the hostile chief at daybreak the next 
 morning undiscovered. He immediately displayed 
 his flag, and proclaimed himself 'a messenger.' But. 
 he was instantly assailed on all sides with a hideous 
 yell, and a call to 'kill the rminerl kill the spyP 
 
 ''Upon this, he accosted them in their own lan- 
 guage. He made known his object, at the same 
 time showing them General Wayne's letter, in which 
 he assured the chiefs that if they did not send the 
 bearer back to him by the sixteenth of the month, 
 he would at sunset of that day cause every Indian 
 prisoner in his possession to be put to death. 
 
 "Hatch was closely confined, and a council called 
 by the chiefs. On the fifteenth he was liberated, 
 and furnished with an answer to General Wayne, 
 stating-, 'that if he waited where he was ten days. 
 
42 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 and then sent Hatch for them, they would treat with 
 him ; but that if he advanced, they would give him 
 battle.' The general's impatience had prevented 
 his waiting the return of the messenger. On the 
 sixteenth Hatch came up with the army on its 
 march, and delivered the answer, to which he add- 
 •ed, that 'from the manner in which the Indians 
 were dressed and painted, and 'the constant arrival 
 of parties, it was his opinion they had determined 
 on war, and only wanted time to muster their 
 Mhole force.' 
 
 "This intelligence roused the spirit of the bold 
 and daring General Wayne, and he pressed his march 
 down the Miami. On the 18th he reached the Ra- 
 pids. On the 19th he halted within a few miles of 
 the enemy. Early the next morning he resumed 
 his march, and about ten o'clock his spies, who were 
 a mile in advance, were fired upon. The army was 
 immediately halted, and separated into two divisions. 
 The battle soon ensued, and a hard fought battle it 
 was. The Indians felt that upon the issue their fate 
 depended. They knew General Wayne's spirit and 
 impetuosity, and they fought accordingly. It was 
 a most sanguinary conflict. The cavalry did great 
 execution with the sabre, cutting the Indians down, 
 until, panic-struck, they fled in confusion. 
 
 ''The victory was complete for the Long Knives, as 
 the Indians called the Americans, on account of their 
 
GRANDFATHER AND (IRANDSON. 43 
 
 use of the broadsword. General Wayne lost in kill- 
 ed and wounded one hundred and thirty-three. The 
 loss of the Indians was supposed to be much greater. 
 ''In his official account of the engagement, Gen- 
 eral Wayne mentions with honor his 'faithful and 
 gallant aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Harrison, as having 
 rendered the most essential service by communica- 
 ting orders in every direction, and by his conduct 
 and bravery exciting the troops to press for victory.' 
 This was greatly to the honor of young Harrison, " 
 and must have been highly gratifying to a youth of 
 his spirit and ambition. 
 
 'Tt is related that on the evening before this bat- 
 tle, the Indians knowing that Wayne and his army 
 w^ere in the neighborhood, it was proposed in coun- 
 cil to go forth and attack them that very night. 
 After much deliberation, it was decided to wait till 
 the following day. The chief called Little Turtle 
 advised to make no attack at all. But Blue Jacket 
 insisted that they should fight. Little Turtle had a 
 better knowledge of Wayne than the other chiefs. 
 He feared the man, and advised to peace. 'We 
 have beaten the enemy,' said he at the council, 
 *twice, under separate commanders. We can not 
 expect the same good fortune always to attend us. 
 The Americans are now led by a chief who never 
 sleeps. The night and day are alike to him; and 
 during all the time that he has been marching upon 
 
44 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON, 
 
 our villages, notwithstanding the watchfulness of our 
 men, we have never been able to suprise him. Think 
 well of it. There is something whispers me it would 
 be prudent to listen to his offers of peace.' 
 
 "On this he was repproached by one of the chiefs 
 with cowardice, and that ended the conference. 
 Stung to the quick by a reproach which he was con- 
 scious he never merited, he would have laid the re- 
 viler dead at his feet ; but his was not the bravery 
 of the assassin. He took his post in the action, de- 
 termined to do his duty; and the event proved that 
 he had formed no very erroneous estimate of the 
 character of General Wayne. 
 
 "The spirit of the Indians was broken by the 
 above decisive victory, and by the severe losses which 
 they suffered in consequence. Not long after, they 
 offered to enter into negotiations for peace; and 
 Waynes war, as it was called, ended on the 3d of 
 August, 1795, at which time a treaty was made v/ith 
 them at Greenville, which was faithfully observed 
 till the battle of Tippecanoe, sixteen years after. 
 About this battle I shall have occasion to tell you 
 hereafter. 
 
 "In consequence of Harrison's services during the 
 campaign, and especially his gallant conduct in the 
 final battle, he was promoted to be a caplaiu, and, 
 what was more honorable to him as a military man, 
 he was placed by (ieneral Wayne in command of 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 45 
 
 the important post, Fort Washi?igton. Wayne had 
 here a full trial of his courage and capacity ; and 
 though it would have been pleasant to have had him 
 about his person, he felt it due to Harrison, as a re- 
 ward of his fidelity, and important to the interests 
 of the country, to give him this command. Well 
 did he merit the reward ; and any duty which grew 
 out of his new station, he fulfilled with great pru- 
 dence and ability. 
 
 ''Being thus in a measure relieved from the perils 
 and uncertainties of field, or rather forest, services, 
 Harrison made an offer of his hand, which was ac- 
 cepted, to a daughter of John Cleves Symmes, the 
 founder of the Miami settlements, and of the city 
 of Ohio. 
 
 "And now," said Captain Earle, ''that we have 
 placed pur good friend in a safe and honorable sta- 
 tion, and seen him comfortably married, we will take 
 leave of him for the night, hoping to renew our ac- 
 quaintance with him and his fortunes to-morrow 
 evening. 
 
Embassy from the Indians before the Battle of Tippecanoe. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Captain Earlc tdls about the Battle of Tippecanoe. 
 
 "My story, I fear, will become a tedious one 
 before it is finished," said Captain Earle, as the 
 family assembled the next evening. ' 'It will be best,, 
 therefore, I think, to pass over the events of some 
 years, and come to the battle of Tippecanoe. What 
 say you, master Jose — you would like to hear about 
 that battle ?" 
 
 "Why," said Jose, "I love to hear any thing about 
 
 46 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 47 
 
 SO brave a man as General Harrison ; but I should 
 like dearly to hear about that battle." 
 
 "I hope you won't omit any thing," said Thomas. 
 
 "I hope so, too," said William. "Have you seen 
 any signs of weariness, father?" 
 
 "None — none," rephed Captain Earle; "my au- 
 dience is very attentive, and it is quite agreeable 
 to me to prolong the story, especially as I have most 
 of the talk to myself. But it is not necessary to be 
 very minute on this portion of our hero's history, 
 though he rendered very important services to the 
 country, especially to that part called the Northwest- 
 ern Territory. 
 
 "I will briefly state, then," continued Captain 
 Earle, "that on the death of General Wayne, in 1797, 
 Captain Harrison resigned his commission in the ar- 
 my, and was appointed secretary of the Northwest- 
 ern Territory, in which station he acquitted himself 
 so much to the satisfaction of the people, that as- 
 soon as they were entitled to a delegate in congress,, 
 they elected him to represent them. 
 
 "In 1800 a bill was passed in congress for divi- 
 ding the Northwestern Territory. By this division^ 
 what is now the state of Ohio was made a territory 
 by itself, and the remainder of the Northwestern 
 Territory received the name of Indiana. At the 
 close of the session, Harrison was appointed gov- 
 enor of Indiana Territory. 
 
48 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 "In this capacity his labors were very arduous, 
 and very responsible. He presided over a vast ter- 
 ritory." 
 
 ''Father," interrupted Andrew, "you say this was 
 a vast territory ; did it include more than the present 
 state of Indiana ?" 
 
 "It was a much larger tract, including not only 
 Indiana, but also what now constitutes the states of 
 Illinois, Michigan, and the territory of Wisconsin." 
 
 Captain Earle continued. "Numerous tribes of 
 Indians inhabited it, and it was oftentimes difficult to 
 manage them ; but Governor Harrison had had great 
 experience. He was well acquainted with the Indian 
 character. He had seen them, been with them, 
 had always treated them kindly, and had gained their 
 confidence and good-will. They loved and respect- 
 ed him as a father. He often entered into negotia- 
 tions with them, concluded thirteen important trea- 
 ties with the different tribes, and obtained for the 
 United States not less than sixty millions of acres of 
 their lands; fifty-one millions of which were obtain- 
 'cd at one time. The largest tract ever ced^d to our 
 government in a single treaty. 
 
 "But I will dwell no longer on these details," said 
 Captain Earle, "but hasten to a more important and 
 interesting event, the Battle of Tippecanoe. ^ 
 
 "This battle was fought on the 7th of November, 
 1811." 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 49 
 
 "Will you please first tell me, father, where Tip- 
 pecanoe is situated?" asked Thomas. f 
 
 "Tippecanoe is the Indian name of a river in In- \ 
 diana. It is about one hundred and seventy-six 
 miles long, and joins the river Wabash four hundred 
 and twenty miles from its mouth." 
 
 *T thought," said Thomas, "it was the name of a 
 town." 
 
 "Not of a town," said Captain Earle, "but of an 
 Indian encampment, or the residence of a celebra- 
 ted Indian Prophet, who, with his equally celebra- 
 ted brother Tecumseh, was the instigator of the war. 
 Before the details of this battle, you will like to hear 
 something of these distinguished chiefs, and of their 
 movements which led to it. 
 
 ' Tecumseh and Elsk-wa-ta-wa, or, as some wri- 
 ters spell his nanie, Ol-li-wa-chi-ca, were twin bro- 
 thers. It is even said that there was a trio of bro- 
 thers at the same birth, and that the name of the third 
 
 was KUM-SHA-KA. 
 
 "Tecumseh signifies ^The crouching Panther.^ 
 According to Mr. Schoolcraft, Elsk-iva-ta-wa means 
 ^ A fire that is moved from place to place. ' But others 
 say, it means ' The open- door, ' or ' The loud voice, ' or 
 'Prophet: 
 
 } Little is known of the early years of these bro- 
 thers. ' Their father fell in battle while they were 
 yet mere boys. Tecumseh, it appears, gave striking 
 
50 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 evidence in his boyhood of the singular spirit which 
 characterized him through hfe. He was a savage, 
 however, of more principle than most others. He 
 seemed to have a great regard for truth, and never 
 indulged in the excessive use of food or liquor. He 
 early distinguished himself as a warrior, and the love 
 of glory was his ruling passion. i 
 
 *'His brother, the Prophet, was quite a different 
 character, notorious for his cunning, and love of 
 fraud and deception. 
 
 ''About the year 1804, £lsk-wa-^a-wa smnounced 
 himself as a prophet, and began to preach. By 
 some it is supposed that he and Tecumseh, about this 
 time, received the project of uniting all the western 
 Indians against the United States, and that this plan 
 was confirmed afterwards by the prospect of a war 
 between this country and England. 
 
 "If such a project ever existed, the Prophet was 
 the man to carry it forward. He had great art, and 
 his preaching addressed itself powerfully to the In- 
 dians. He exhorted the tribes to fight no more with 
 one another — they were brethren. He exhorted 
 them to abandon ardent spirits, to v/ear skins in- 
 stead of blankets, in short, to avoid imitating the 
 whites, and to return to the more orginal manners 
 and customs of their ancestors. 
 
 ''For a time, the Prophet had little success; but, 
 the Indians being very superstitious, and afraid of 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 51 
 
 provoking his course, they came by degrees to ac- 
 knowledge his pretensions. His power became 
 great, and was greatly increased by his claim, that 
 the Great Spirit had endowed him with the ability 
 of seeing into the hearts of every one, and conse- 
 quently he could tell who were friends, and who 
 were foes. Under this pretension, several chiefs 
 whom he suspected were accused, and suffered death 
 by his order. 
 
 ' 'I will give you an account of the death of a 
 celebrated Wyandot chief, known by the English 
 name of Leather Lips. He was known to be friend- 
 ly to the American cause, in opposition to the Eng- 
 lish. He was sixty-three years of age, and a most 
 exemplary chief. Being suspected, the Prophet 
 despatched an influential chief vv'ith four other In- 
 dians to kill him. He was found at home, and noti- 
 fied of the sentence which had been passed upon him. 
 He entreated, reasoned, and promised, but all in vain. 
 The messengers set about digging his grave by the 
 side of his wigwam. He now dressed himself in his 
 finest war-clothes, and having refreshed himself with 
 a hasty meal, knelt down on the brink of the grave. 
 His executioner knelt with him, and offered up a 
 prayer to the Great Spirit in his behalf. A young 
 Indian then approached him and struck him twice 
 with a tomahawk ; but, finding that he still breathed, 
 ^ third blow was given, which terminated his life. 
 
52 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 The office of burial was soon performed. 
 
 ''Such was the power of this Prophet over the 
 hves of others; and it may be added as further proof 
 of his astonishing influence, that one of the execu- 
 tioners of the Wyandot chief was his brother. 
 
 "During the year 1807, reports came to the ears 
 of General Harrison respecting the movements of 
 the Indians, and especially those of the Prophet. 
 Upon this he sent a 'Speech' to the Shawanese 
 chiefs, couched in severe terms. Most of the chiefs 
 being absent, the Prophet sent the following reply to 
 Harrison : 
 
 "Father! 
 
 ' T am very sorry that you listen to the advice of bad 
 birds. You have impeached me with having corresponded 
 \\\\\\ the British, and with calling and sending for the Indi- 
 ans from the most distant parts ot the country, to listen to a 
 fool that speaks not the words of the Great Spirit, but the 
 words of the devil. Father ! these impeachments I deny, 
 and say they are not true. I never had a word with the 
 British, and I never sent for any Indians. They came here 
 themselves, to listen and hear the words of the Great Spirit. 
 
 ' F'ather! I wish you would not listen any more to the 
 voice of bad birds ; and you may rest assured that it is the 
 least of our idea to make disturbance, and we will rather try 
 to stop such proceedings than encourage them.' 
 
 "This was as false as it was artful. In May or 
 June, 1808, the Prophet took up his residence at 
 Tippecanoe. Here, for two years, he continued se- 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 53 
 
 cretly to foment jealousies and disturbances. At 
 length, in the latter part of April, 1816, a trader, 
 who had been for some time at the residence of the 
 imposter, informed Governor Harrison that the 
 Prophet had enlisted three hundred and fifty to 
 four hundred men. About the middle of May, ru- 
 mor magnified this force to six or eight hundred 
 warriors, and the combination was said to have ex- 
 tended to several distant tribes. 
 
 ''At length the intentions of the Prophet were 
 fully ascertained, and the governor made prepar- 
 tion to meet the rising storm. 
 
 "In the mean time, Tecumseh and the Prophet 
 continued to urge on the Indians in their hostile feel- 
 ings. They encouraged them to steal horses, plun- 
 der houses, and murder females. The whole frontier 
 became a scene of agitation and alarm. 
 
 "Orders, at length, came from the government to 
 Governor Harrison to move towards Tippecanoe 
 with an armed force — but 'not to fight unless neces- 
 sity required.' 
 
 "On the 28th of October the troops were put in 
 motion from Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, about 
 sixty miles from Vincennes, the capital of Indiana. 
 They consisted of three hundred and fifty United 
 States soldiers, and five hundred and fifty volun- 
 teer militia, including a squadron of dragoons, and 
 three companies of mounted riflemen. 
 
54 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 *'0n the 5th of November they encamped within 
 nine or ten miles of the Prophet's town. On the 
 morning following the march continued, and at the 
 distance of three or four miles, Indians began occa- 
 sionally to be seen. 
 
 ''When within three miles of the town, an officer 
 was sent forward with a flag; but, seeing a numer- 
 ous party attempting to cut him off from the army, 
 he returned. As the army approached still nearer, 
 a counsellor of the Prophet, with two other Indians, 
 came forth and demanded the reason of this hostile 
 show. They stated that the Prophet wished for 
 peace, and had sent a message to that effect by 
 several chiefs, who had missed of meeting the gov- 
 ernor. 
 
 "Upon this inteUigence, whether true or false, 
 the governor had no means of ascertaining, he con- 
 sented to suspend hostilities, and a council was agreed 
 upon for the following day. 
 
 "Governor Harrison, however, was on his guard. 
 He well knew the treachery of the Indian character, 
 and least of all had he any confidence in the Pro- 
 phet. Although unwilling to believe that a night 
 attack would be hazarded, he ordered every prepa- 
 ration to be made. The troops rested in their 
 clothes, with their muskets loaded by their sides, 
 and their bayonets fixed, The officers had their 
 swords and sabres within reach, The governor'^ 
 
 hor^e was harn^^s^d^, and, r^ady to t>§ mpunted. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 55 
 
 ''The night passed away without disturbance. At 
 four in the morning, the governor and his aids had 
 risen, and were engaged in conversation before the 
 fire. The moon was shedding a dim Hght through 
 the clouds which were floating over her face. Just 
 as the signal was about being given to the troops to 
 rouse from their slumbers, the sound of guns was 
 heard at a short distance, and in a moment all was 
 motion in the camp. 
 
 ''The Indians had crept close to the sentinels, with 
 an intentions to leap upon and dispatch them. For- 
 tunately, one of the sentinels discovered an Indian 
 creeping through the grass, and, levelling, killed him 
 on the spot. 
 
 "This circumstance caused the Indians to spring 
 forward, and round the soldiers, who in a few sec- 
 onds were ready for the charge. The yell was loud 
 and terrific. The onset was desperate. 
 
 "Immediately, the night-fires of the Americans 
 were extinguished, because they showed where the 
 Americans were. The governor was on his horse, 
 and passed rapidly along the line. He exorted the 
 soldiers, and bid them fight for their wives and their 
 children. 
 
 "The troops, animated by his presence, met the 
 charge with corresponding valor and enthusiasm; 
 and soon after daylight the enemy was repulsed, 
 and such as did not fall, took hasty shelter in the 
 recesses of a neighboring swamp. 
 
56 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 li^ 
 
 'The American force employed amounted to 
 about eight hundred men. Sixty-one were killed, 
 and about double that number were wounded. The 
 governor narrowly escaped, having the hair of his 
 head cut by a rifle ball, which passed through the 
 rim of his hat. The number of Indians was esti- 
 mated at eight hundred or one thousand. They left 
 thirty-eight warriors dead upon the field, besides 
 those whom they buried in the town, who were car- 
 ried thither wounded, during the battle. 
 
 "Tecumseh was absent at the time of the battle, 
 engaged in rousing the Indians at the south. The 
 Prophet, it is said, took no part in the engagement, 
 but having taken a station on a neighboring eminence, 
 employed himself in singing a war song. 
 
 "Thus ended the battle of Tippecanoe, in which 
 Governor Harrison displayed the greatest energy, 
 prudence, and sagacity. The legislature of Indiana 
 approved his conduct in the highest terms. The 
 assembly of Kentucky resolved, 'that for his cool, 
 deliberate, skilful, and gallant conduct in the battle 
 of Tippecanoe, he deserved the thanks of the nation.' 
 President Madison, in a message to congress, said, 
 'Congress will see with satisfaction the dauntless spirit 
 and fortitude victoriously displayed by every descrip- 
 tion of troops engaged, as well as the collected firm- 
 ness which distinguished their commander, on an 
 occasion requiring the utmost exertion of valor and 
 |iiscipline/ 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 57 
 
 "I will only add," observed Captain Earle, ''that 
 the day following was spent in taking care of the 
 wounded, burying the dead, and fortifying the camp. 
 The next day the dragoons were ordered to recon- 
 noitre the town. It was found entirely deserted. 
 Whatever was considered useful to the army was 
 removed, after which the torch was applied to the 
 tents, and the whole reduced to ashes. 
 
 "Thus ended the celebrated battle of Tippecanoe, 
 from which Governor Harrison acquired the title of 
 'The Hero of Tippecanoe.' 
 
 "On the 7th the American troops struck their 
 tents, and set forth on their return. The number 
 of wounded was so great, that it was found neces- 
 sary to employ every wagon to transport them. 
 Consequently the baggage of officers and men was 
 obliged to be destroyed. General Harrison set the 
 example by ordering his own camp furniture to be 
 burned. This done, the army proceeded on their 
 march, and at length reached Vincennes, without 
 further molestation." 
 
Storm scene in the woods. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A short chapter in which Captain Earle relates some an- 
 ecdotes about the ^^old Hero^ 
 
 "I MUST pass over a good many particulars," said 
 Captain Earle, as he resumed his narrative the next 
 evening, ' 'which would be interesting, had I time to 
 relate them. But these you can read at another 
 time, in some biography of the 'old Hero.' My 
 object is to narrate the most important incidents in 
 his life, and to pass rapidly on." 
 
 58 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 59 
 
 Here turning to William, Captain Earle inquired, 
 "Do you recollect when the last war with England 
 was declared?" 
 
 "I believe in 1812," replied William, "but I do 
 not recollect the month, nor the day." 
 
 "On the 8th of June of that year," said Captain 
 Earle. "In this war, General Harrison was destin- 
 ed to act a conspicuous part. No man was of more 
 service to his country. No general had a higher 
 reputation for bravery, skill, and perseverance. He 
 was the idol of the northwestern army. The soldiers 
 had the most implicit confidence in him. They knew 
 that if they were sick, he would see them taken care 
 of; if wounded they would not be left to suffer. If 
 there were only a crust of bread, their general would 
 share it with them. Where he led, they were ready 
 to follow, — in rain, as well as in sunshine — through 
 forests and swamps, as well as over the smooth and 
 verdant prairie. His discipline was very strict, yet 
 he always so contrived matters as to secure the good- 
 will and kind feelings of his soldiers. During all his 
 command, it is said, he never suffered a militia sol- 
 dier to receive a degrading punishment. Flogging 
 the negligent was unknown, for none were negli- 
 gent; and no shooting of deserters, for none de- 
 serted. 
 
 "The happy manner in which he sometimes man- 
 aged may be illustrated by an occurrence which 
 
60 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 took place at Fort Defiance, a post on the Maumee 
 not far from Lake Erie, soon after he took command 
 of the northwestern army. 
 
 *'It was late at night when he reached the fort. 
 Soon after he had retired to rest, he was awakened 
 by Colonel Allen and Major Hardin, who informed 
 him that Allen's regiment of Kentucky militia were 
 in open mutiny, and resolved on going home. The 
 reason assigned was, that they were exhausted by 
 hardship, and disappointed in their expectation of 
 an immediate engagement. 
 
 "General Harrison listened to the officers' state- 
 ment, and when they had concluded, he directed 
 them to leave the management of the case to him. 
 That night he issued no orders, and took no further 
 notice of the subject, except to direct an alarm to 
 be beat at four o'clock in the morning. 
 
 *'At four, therefore, what was the surprise of the 
 army, as they roused from their slumbers, to hear 
 the drums sounding an alarm. Instantly every sol- 
 dier was equipped and ready for battle. The troops 
 v/ere ordered to form a hollow square. 
 
 *^This done, General Harrison, mounted on his 
 charger, rode up, and entered the square. The 
 troops were surprised to see him. He had arrived 
 in camp late the night before, and they were igno- 
 rant of the fact. 
 
 ''They turned their eye upon him. Immediately 
 
feilANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 6l 
 
 he addressed them in his usual courteous manner. 
 
 rendered solemn, however, by the deep grief which 
 the mutiny had occasioned. 
 
 "He expressed his regret that dissatisfaction and 
 discontent had appeared, and especially among those 
 whom he had been accustomed to regard as devoted 
 and self-denying patriots. The war and its hard- 
 ships were before them. The quiets and comforts 
 of home were not to be found in the fields and for- 
 ests, in the storms and contests, through which they 
 must wander, and which they must experience. If, 
 then, any were disheartened, they had liberty to re- 
 tire. Turning to the regiment in which the spirit 
 of mutiny had appeared : ^Brave Kentuckians !' 
 said he, 'is it you who are faint-heated ? You, in 
 whose veins flows blood drawn from sires who 
 never cowered in the field of battle ? How will 
 those sires receive you ? Will you fill your wives 
 and daughters with shame ?' 
 
 "In some such terms did the gallant and warm- 
 hearted hero address them. The appeal was irre- 
 sistable. At this moment, Colonel Scott, the senior 
 Kentucky colonel advanced and addressed his troops. 
 'Come,' said he, 'fellow-soldiers, give the "Hero 
 of Tippecanoe" three cheers in token of your satis- 
 faction, your patriotism, and determination to abide 
 by his standard.' The voices of the soldiers in an 
 instant broke forth into loud and long acclamations ; 
 
62 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 and from that moment no murmur was heard in the 
 camp of Harrison, nor a wish to return home ex- 
 pressed. 
 
 ''The hardships of the soldiers were, however, 
 by no means imaginary. The country was new. 
 Storms were frequent. On the cold and damp 
 ground the soldiers were often obliged to encamp 
 by night, with scanty provisions, and those, too, of 
 an inferior quality. 
 
 *'The expedients of General Harrison to keep up 
 the courage and good-humor of his troops, were 
 often most happy. One instance must suffice. Hear- 
 ing that Fort Defiance was threatened with an at- 
 tack from the British and Indians combined, he 
 hastened to relieve it. On a certain night, the 
 troops were halted at a late hour. The rain was 
 falling in torrents. Not a tent could be pitched, the 
 baggage not having arrived. For the same reason, 
 no food could be procured; and only here and 
 there a few dry sticks could be gathered with which 
 to kindle a fire. Cold, wet, and hungry, the troops 
 became uneasy and peevish. Harrison marked the 
 rising storm, and, by a fortunate thought, he at once 
 allayed it, and even diffused life and hilarity through 
 the camp. Wrapped in his cloak, he was sitting by 
 a dim fire, receiving the rain as it poured upon him, 
 when suddenly turning to one of his officers. 
 'Come,' said he, 'give us an Irish song.' 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. f>3 
 
 ''The officer, taking the hint, struck up: 
 
 'Now's the time for mirth and glee, 
 Sing, and laugh, and dance with me.' 
 
 ^'I do not know that the troops attempted to 
 dance, according to this invitation," said Captain 
 Earle, ''for had they, it must have been in rain and 
 mire ; but good-humor filled every heart, and smiles 
 brightened up every face. In after months, when 
 similar troubles involved the troops, and any feel- 
 ings of despondency were settling upon their spir- 
 its, it was quite sufficient to dispel such clouds to 
 
 sing— 
 
 «Now's the time for mirth and glee, 
 Sing, and laugh, and dance with me.'" 
 
Seige of Fort Meigs. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Captain Earle tells about the siege of Fort Meigs, and the 
 battle of the Thames. — Death of Tecvmseh — Anecdotes. 
 
 "I HAVE this evening," said Captain Earle, "to 
 tell you of another bold achievement of our favorite 
 general. 
 
 "On the south side of the Maumee, a river which 
 flows into the west end of Lake Erie, at a place 
 called the Rapids., General Harrison erected a rude 
 fort, which, in honor of Governor Meigs, of Ohio, 
 was called Camp \Meigs, or Fort Meigs. It was, 
 however, strongly fortified. 
 
 64 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 65 
 
 *'The erection of this fortification was by no 
 means agreeable to the British, and an early plan 
 was laid to capture and destroy it. On the 26th 
 of April, 1813, a large party of British and In- 
 dians combined, made their appearance on the op- 
 posite side of the river. An attack now being ex- 
 pected, every effort was made to strengthen the 
 place. Animated by the enthusiasm of their gen- 
 eral, the soldiers worked with a zeal and persever- 
 ance perhaps never surpassed. 
 
 ^'On the evening of the 28th, the Indians were 
 conveyed over the river in boats, and surrounded the 
 fort in every direction. 
 
 <'0n the 29th, the siege began in good earnest, 
 and all intercourse with other posts was cut off. 
 During the preceding night the British had thrown 
 up a mound, on which to plant their guns, and be- 
 hind which they could secure themselves from the 
 fire of the Americans. 
 
 < 'April 30th. Several of the Americans were this 
 day wounded, and General Harrison himself, being 
 continually exposed, had several narrow escapes. 
 On the following day the enemy fired two hundred 
 and fifty-six times from their gun batteries. The 
 Americans fired less rapidly, but with greater effect. 
 A bullet struck the seat on which General Harrison 
 was sitting, and at the same time a volunteer was 
 wounded, as he stood directly opposite to him. 
 
66 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 '^In this manner several days passed, during 
 which both parties were engaged in firing bombs 
 and balls, not unfrequently causing the destruction 
 of soldiers on both sides. 
 
 *'It was now doubtful what would be the issue. 
 The pride of the British, as well as their interest, 
 demanded the destruction of this fort. They fought, 
 therefore, with unwonted courage and perseverance. 
 
 *Tn the mean while. General Harrison and his 
 soldiers displayed the utmost coolness and determi- 
 nation. They were resolved to surrender only when 
 they could fight no longer — when ammunition failed, 
 or food and water could no longer be obtained. 
 
 *'At this critical juncture intelligence was received 
 that General Clay, with twelve hundred men, was 
 hastening to their relief He was already but a few 
 miles up the river, and rapidly approaching with his 
 troops in boats. An officer was immediately de- 
 spatched, directing him to land one-half of his force 
 on the opposite side of the river, for the purpose of 
 forcing the enemy's batteries and spiking his can- 
 non. 
 
 "The gallant Colonel Dudley, who was despatched 
 for this purpose, executed the order; but, unfortu- 
 nately, his troops, elated with success, pursued the 
 retreating enemy until, suddenly, a party of Indians 
 under command of the celebrated Tecumseh, who 
 were in ambush, rose upon them. The slaughter 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 67 
 
 was terrible. The killed on the battle ground were 
 horribly mutilated by the savage foe. The brave 
 Colonel Dudley was' among the number, and more 
 than five hundred of the detachment were taken 
 prisoners. 
 
 *'The other part of General Clay's troops were 
 more fortunate. They landed a short distance above 
 the fort, and might have easily reached It ; but, lured 
 by a party of Indians, whom they wished to destroy, 
 they proceeded into the woods, and had not General 
 Harrison despatched a company of cavalry to cover 
 their retreat, they also would have been cut off. 
 
 * 'While these movements were in progress, sev- 
 eral brilliant and successful charges were made 
 from the fort. The Americans seemed animated by 
 the success which must crown this enterprise, if 
 they could hold out a short time longer. 
 
 "At length the British gave up the contest. Al- 
 though they had made so great a number of prison- 
 ers, by the unfortunate management of Colonel 
 Dudley, yet this did not aid them in relation to the 
 fort. Harrison would have maintained his post, had 
 no assistance been rendered. 
 
 ''The 8th of May brought an end to the toils of 
 the Americans in the fort of Camp Meigs. An ex- 
 change of prisoners took place, and on the m.orning 
 of the 9th, the enemy commenced their retreat. 
 Thus did Harrison sustain, in effect, a siege of twelve 
 
68 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON^ 
 
 days, during which the enemy had fired eighteen 
 hundred shells and cannon balls, besides keeping up 
 an almost continued discharge of small-arms The 
 loss of each party was about equal. 
 
 "New achievements during the war were more 
 remarkable than this. The British and Indians 
 were more than double — yes, probably, four times 
 as many as were in the mud fort of Harrison. Not 
 another British officer was more fierce and deter- 
 mined than Proctor, who commanded the siege. 
 And here, also, was Tecumseh, the bold and sa- 
 gacious Tecumseh, and several hundred Indians, 
 maddened and mortified by their defeat at Tippe- 
 canoe. 
 
 "It was surprising that Harrison's courage and 
 that of his soldiers should have so kept up, so risen 
 with every succeeding day's renewed and varied 
 attack. 
 
 "Most wonderful," continued Captain Earle, "is 
 it, and most ungrateful, that there should be found 
 an enemy who could accuse General Harrison of 
 cowardice. But such a charge has been made in 
 relation to his conduct at Fort Meigs. But it has 
 been met as successfully as he then met the British, 
 and such imputations and aspersions are on the re- 
 treat as rapidly as the enemy retreated on the 
 morning of the 9th of May, 1818. 
 
 "I will here read you a speech of an old soldier, 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 6§ 
 
 Mr. Pollock, who, hearing a young man in the Ohio 
 legislature accusing General Harrison of cowardice, 
 rose, and shaking his hoary locks, thus rebuked the 
 slanders of the youth : 
 
 '''Mr. Speaker: I have listened to the debate, 
 thus far, with much patience. I have heard abuse 
 heaped upon General Harrison by men who are 
 comparatively young; and although I am unaccus- 
 tomed to speech making, I hope the house will bear 
 with me for a few moments, for I shall not trouble 
 it long. I shall not deal in generalities ; we have 
 had too many of them already. Sir, I have heard 
 members of this house charge General Harrison 
 with cowardice, whom he defended and protected 
 from the war-knife and tomahawk of the Indians, 
 when they were sleeping in their mothers' arms. 
 
 "'Mr. Speaker, I know something of General 
 Harrison, and something of his history, and some- 
 thing of his deeds. I know individuals who were 
 with him in the battles of the Thames, Fort Meigs, 
 and Fort Stephenson. I know, sir, that cannon 
 balls, chainshot, and bombshells flew thick around 
 him in these battles. The gentleman from Cler- 
 mont (Mr. Buchanan), said that General Harrison 
 was not, during the battle of Fort Meigs, near 
 enough to have the scales knocked off him. Well, 
 sir, if he was not near enough to have the scales 
 knocked off, he was near enough to have the scales 
 
70 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 and dirt knocked on to him by cannon balls. [Who 
 saw it? asked some member.] I saw it, sir; I was 
 in that battle. I saw a cannon ball strike within 
 two feet of General Harrison during that fight. I 
 was there. I saw bombshells and chainshot flying 
 all around him. Horses were shot down under him. 
 I was also at the battle of Fort Stephenson. I saw 
 General Harrison there, and he was in the hottest 
 and hardest of the fight ; and where balls flew thick- 
 est, and where steel blushed the fiercest, there would 
 you find General Harrison. I speak what I know, 
 and what my eyes have seen. General Harrion is 
 not a coward ; and those who call him a coward 
 know nothing of him. He was a brave, prudent, 
 and fearless general. He took the right course 
 during the last war ; he acted a noble part, and his 
 country has honored him for it. Ask the soldiers 
 who fought by his side ; whose arms were nerved 
 by his presence ; whose hearts were cheered by his 
 valor ; and who were led to triumph and to victory 
 by his courage, and bravery, and skill, if General 
 Harrison was a coward ; and they, sir, will tell you 
 No! 
 
 "'Sir, I have done. I only wished to give my 
 testimony in favor of General Harrison, and to 
 state what I have seen, in opposition to those who 
 are ignorant of his character, and who now noth- 
 ing of his bravery and skill.' 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 71 
 
 "The decisive victory thus obtained at Fort 
 Meigs," continued Captain Earle ''sent a thrill of 
 joy through the land, almost equal to that which in 
 the revolution was awakened by the triumph of 
 Saratoga. It dispelled the gloom which prevaded 
 the nation. It turned the tide of war, and led di- 
 rectly to other splendid achievements, which not 
 long after, decided the contest on the northeastern 
 frontier. 
 
 "Of these other achievements, I have time to no- 
 tice but one, and that briefly, the 'Battle of the 
 
 Thames.' 
 
 "The Thames is a river in Upper Canada, flow- 
 ing into Lake St. Clair. On the 5th of October, a 
 severe battle was fought near this river between the 
 Americans under General Harrison, and the British 
 and Indians, the former led by General Proctor, 
 and the latter by Tecumseh. The Americans were 
 speedly and decisively victorious, making six hun- 
 dred prisoners and putting the rest of the enemy to 
 flight. Here was the last struggle of the renowned 
 Tecumseh. Disdaining to fly, while all were flying 
 around him but his own nearest followers, he press- 
 ed eagerly into the heat of the contest, encouraging 
 the savages by his voice, and plying the tomahawk 
 with tremendous energy. 
 
 "But he fell — by whose hand it is not certainly 
 known. The honor, if it may be called an honor, 
 
72 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 was claimed by Colonel Johnson. But it was no 
 ordinary man that there fell — savage that he was. 
 Like Philip, of Mount Hope, at an earlier date, he 
 was terrible in battle. His ruling maxim in war was 
 to take no prisoners. He neither gave any quarters, 
 nor accepted any. A writer remarks of him, 'that 
 his carriage was erect and lofty. His eloquence was 
 nervous and concise. Habitually taciturn, his words 
 were few, but always to the purpose.' 
 
 "It is an interesting fact that 'the grave in which 
 Tecumseh's remains were deposited by the Indians 
 after the return of the American army, is still visible 
 near the borders of a willow marsh, on the north 
 line of the battle ground, with a large fallen oak 
 tree lying beside. The willow and wild rose are 
 thick around it, but the mound itself is cleared of 
 shrubbery, and is said to owe its good condition to 
 the occasional visits of his countrymen. Thus re- 
 pose, in solitude and silence, the ashes of the Indian 
 Bonaparte.' In truth have they 
 
 •Left him alone in his glory.' " 
 
 "Father," inquired Andrew, "what became of the 
 Prophet?" 
 
 "I know not his particular history after the battle 
 of Tippecanoe. Some author, I think, relates that he 
 died only a few years since. After the above bat- 
 tle, he had very little influence, and I believe very 
 
(jRANDFATttER AND GRANt)SON. 
 
 little agency in the war. Both Tecumseh and the 
 Prophet received an annual pension from the British 
 government. 
 
 "Let us return a few moments to General Harri- 
 son. 
 
 "It was his practice — quite different from that of 
 some commanders — to favor himself in nothing, 
 but to share with his common soldiers their toils and 
 deprivations. This greatly endeared him to them, 
 and to this day, wherever a soldier is found, how- 
 ever humble, who, followed the fortunes of General 
 Harrison, he will be hard to extol him. 
 
 "A pleasant anecdote is related of him while in 
 pursuit of General Proctor up the Thames. A sin- 
 gle valise contained the whole of his baggage, 
 while a blanket thrown over his saddle served him 
 for a bed ; or rather the ground was his bed, and the 
 blanket his only covering. Yet even this blanket he 
 gave away to Colonel Evans, a British officer, who 
 was wounded and a prisoner, because he needed it 
 more than himself! Such humanity — such self-de- 
 nial, is rare. 
 
 "The night following the battle of the Thames, 
 thirty-four British officers, prisoners of war, supped 
 with him. But the camp, especially after a battle, 
 afforded little variety. Indeed, it is said that the 
 general was able to give them only some fresh roast- 
 ed beef, without bread, and without salt. The sol- 
 
74 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 diers had the same, their fare was always hke that 
 of their general. Whatever luxuries he had, they 
 had; and whatever hardships, difficulties, and dan- 
 gers they encountered, he shared them with his 
 troops. When the morning arrived, and their 
 slumbers were broken up by the rattling drum, he 
 was out and mounted on his horse. When the 
 storm beat upon them, he breasted it himself. When 
 they were dispirited, his cheerfulness wore away 
 the gloom. When they were sick, or were wounded 
 in the service of their country, he saw that their 
 wants were supphed. 
 
 "Few commanders were ever more beloved, or 
 more readily obeyed than General Harrison ; and 
 the secret of this affection and corrtrol lay in his 
 uniform kindness. One instance of kindness must 
 serve as a specimen of hundreds of others which 
 might be related. A regiment was on the point of 
 leaving Vincennes for the northwestern frontier. 
 At the moment of their departure, advancing towards 
 them, he said: 'If you ever come to Vincennes, you 
 will always find a plate and knife and fork at my 
 table ; and I can assure you that you will never find 
 the string to the latch of my door pulled in.'' " 
 
 ''Father," inquired Jose, ''Avhat is meant by a 
 string to a latch ? I never saw a latch with a string to 
 
 it." 
 
 "Formerly," replied Captain Earle, "the people 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 75 
 
 had wooden latches, because such latches as we have 
 wer€ quiet rare, or they were unable to purchase 
 them. A string tied to a wooden latch was passed 
 through a hole in the door. This string being pulled, 
 raised the latch ; when drawn in, no one on the out- 
 side could open the door. In the western country, 
 such latches are probably common in the 'log cabins, ' 
 and perhaps at that time such a latch was on the 
 door of the log cabin in which General Harrison 
 lived. 
 
De Wood Leg Soldiare, etc. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Captain Earle impends an evening In telling anecdotes about 
 
 General Harrison. 
 
 "I HAD no intention, my children," Captain Earle 
 remarked the succeeding evening, as he was taking 
 his seat, "I had no intention when I began these 
 notices of the 'Hero of Tippecanoe,' of extending 
 them to so great a length. But the subject is fruit- 
 ful, and the half has not yet been told. 
 
 "But I must not be tedious, and will therefore give 
 the remaining history of the general in few words. 
 
 76 
 
GRANDPWTHER AND GRANDSON. i < 
 
 "In 1814, he resigned his commission in the ar- 
 my. This resignation was in consequence of ar- 
 rangements made by the secretary of war, by which 
 General Harrison was still to retain his commission, 
 but not be employed in active service. To this he 
 could not consent. He loved the excitement of the 
 field. His patriotic spirit could then find grateful 
 exercise only in conducting the soldiers whom he had 
 trained into the field of action. As another, through 
 the prejudice of the secretary, was appointed to do 
 this. General Harrison retired from the army. 
 
 "Two years after, he was elected a member of 
 congress, subsequently a member of the state senate 
 of Ohio, and, in 1824, a senator of the United 
 States. In 1828, President Adams appointed him 
 minister to the republic of Colombia, in South 
 America. In these various situations he proved 
 himself most useful to his country, adding to his 
 reputation as a statesman honors beyond those which 
 he had acquired as a soldier. 
 
 "Returning at length to his country, he retired to 
 a farm at North Bend, on the banks of the Ohio, fif- 
 teen or twenty miles below Cincinnati. Here, con- 
 tented with the honors acquired by years of patri- 
 otic devotion to his country, he has lived, employing 
 himself in rural occupations, and at the same time 
 gathering from the soil his support, which others, if 
 not more selfish, yet more careful of their own inte- 
 rests, have secured from the emoluments of office." 
 
78 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 "Do you mean, father," inquired William, "to say 
 that General Harrison is poor ?" 
 
 "I believe," repHed Captain Earle, "that he is by 
 no means rich. It has been stated, that for his ser- 
 vices as commander of the expedition to Tippeca- 
 noe, he never asked and never received any compen- 
 sation. As commander of the northwestern army, 
 his expenses so far exceeded his pay, that subse- 
 quently he was obliged to sell a fine tract of land to 
 meet them." 
 
 "Does General Harrison live in a log cabin ?" ask- 
 ed Thomas. 
 
 "So it is reported — a log cabin, which, within a 
 few years, has been covered and painted white. 
 The house is large, with a noble la\yn, large trees, 
 and a fine view of the river. It is said to be plain, 
 but extremely neat." 
 
 "You have not told us how General Harrison 
 looks," observed Thomas. 
 
 ' Tn person he is tall and slender. His eye is dark, 
 and remarkable for its expression. No one could 
 see him and not be convinced of his intelUgence ; 
 no one can read the history of his life, and not be 
 satisfied of the benevolence of his heart. In his 
 manners he is plain, easy, and unostentatious. In 
 disposition he is generous, in temper, mild and for- 
 bearing, strong in his attachments, forgiving to- 
 ward^ his eiiemies, 
 
Gl^ANDFATHER AND GRANDSOK. 7^' 
 
 Here, pausing and taking some papers from the 
 table, Captain Earle observed, that he had marked 
 several interesting anecdotes concerning the general, 
 a few of which it will give you pleasure, I presume, 
 to hear. Here is one entitled 
 
 "BOYS, DO YOU HEAR THAT?" 
 
 "Twenty-six years ago last autumn," said the gen- 
 tleman who related the anecdote, "I was a boy at- 
 tending school in a log cabin, with no other windows 
 than the light afforded through the space of two 
 logs, by the removal of a piece of the third, with 
 greasy bits of paper pasted on as substitutes for 
 glass. The cabin, dedicated to learning, was situa- 
 ted in the outskirts of a now populous town in Penn- 
 sylvania. No state in the Union furnished more or 
 better soldiers for the defence and protection of the 
 northern frontier of Ohio, during the late war, than 
 did Pennsylvania. Not a few of her sons were in 
 the army surrendered by Hull ; besides, numbers ot 
 her brave fellows were massacred and scalped at 
 Winchester and Dudley's defeat. Still, the after- 
 call of General Harrison for more soldiers was an- 
 swered by large numbers of Pennsylvanians, indu- 
 ing several from our village. The departure ot 
 these brave fellows from their families and friends, 
 was then viewed as voluntary sacrifice of life for 
 the defence of their country; and the 'farewell, 
 God bless ye I' was uttered in a tone and feeling that 
 
^0 GRAivrDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 sunk deep in the hearts of the bystanders, and which 
 will never be effaced from my memory. 
 
 "In these days, our mails were few and uncer- 
 tain ; and it w' as only by the occasional passing of 
 a sick or disabled soldier returning home, that w^e 
 heard from our army. Time hung heavy, and deep 
 gloom overspread our country. The last news was, 
 'A battle is soon expected between the American 
 army under General Harrison, and the British and 
 Indians under the bloodthirsty Proctor and Tecum- 
 seh r 
 
 "Days and Aveeks passed by, and yet nothing was 
 heard from our army. The citizens eagerly hailed 
 all strangers from the West, with the anxious inqui- 
 ry of, 'Any news from General Harrison ?' Such 
 was the delay, doubt, and uncertainty, that it was 
 generally feared, and by many believed, that Harri- 
 son and his army had, like those before him, been 
 defeated and massacred. 
 
 "While I was sitting, said the Gentleman, "at the 
 long low ivindow of our schoolhouse, and our Irish 
 schoolmaster was busy in repeating our A B C to 
 the smaller urchins, I suddenly heard the sound of a 
 horn. I looked forth, and saw descending the hill, 
 half a mile distant, the mail boy on a horse at full 
 speed. At the foot of the hill, he crossed the bridge, 
 and the rai)id clatter of the iron hoof resounded 
 throughout our cabin. Rising the hill near us, his 
 
GkANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 81 
 
 horse at full speed, and reeking with sweat, he again 
 sounded his shrill horn, and, when opposite our log 
 cabin, he called out : 
 
 "'harrison has whipped the british and 
 Indians!' 
 
 "Our Irish tutor, with as true an America7i heart 
 as ever beat in a son of Erin, sprang from his seat 
 as though he had been shot, his eyes flashing with 
 fire, he screamed out : 
 
 'BOYS, DO YOU HEAR THAT ?' 
 
 "He caught his hat, darted out at the door, and 
 followed the mail-boy at the top of his speed. The 
 scholars were not a second behind him — the larger 
 ones taking the lead, and shouting ^ Huzza for Harri- 
 son P and the smaller ones running after, halloing 
 and screaming with fright ! 
 
 "The people of our village hearing the confusion, 
 and seeing the mail-boy and horse at full run, follow- 
 ed by the schoolmaster at the top of his speed, and 
 his whole school screaming — shouting and scream- 
 ing — knew not Vv'hat to make of it. The mechan- 
 ic left his shop — the merchant his store — and the 
 women stretched their necks out of the windows, 
 while consternation and dismay were depicted on 
 every countenance. The mail arriving at the office, 
 the carrier rose in his stirrups, and exclaimed, at the 
 same time whirling his hat in the air; 
 
§2 grandf'ather and grandson. 
 
 *' 'Huzza for HARRISON ! He has whipped 
 THE British and Indians 1' 
 
 'BOYS, do you hear That?' 
 
 "A universal shout of joy involuntarily burst 
 forth, bonfires were kindled in the streets, and our 
 village was illuminated at night." 
 
 HARRISON AND THE ASSASSIN. 
 
 <'I have related the particulars of the battle of 
 Tippecanoe. One incident I have reserved for the 
 present time. The evening before the battle, a ne- 
 gro was seen to enter the American camp, and cau- 
 tiously steal towards the general's marque. His 
 conduct was so suspicious that he was arrested, and 
 at the time of the action was a prisoner in the camp. 
 After the battle a court-martial was ordered, of 
 which Colonel Boyd was appointed president. 
 
 "On the trial, it was proved that he had deserted 
 from the American camp, and that, instigated by the 
 Indians, he had returned v/ith the intention of mur- 
 dering the governor while asleep. With this guilt 
 upon him, he was sentenced to suffer death within 
 an hour. But General Harrison, after he had ap- 
 proved the sentence, was reluctant to give the fatal 
 order. 
 
 '' Tf he had been out of my sight,' said General 
 Harrison, when afterwards relating the circumstance. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 83 
 
 *he would have been executed ; but when he was 
 first taken, General Wells and Colonel Owen, who 
 were old Indian fighters, as we had no irons to put 
 on him, had secured him after the Indian fashion. 
 This is done by throwing a person on his back, split- 
 ting a log and cutting notches in it to receive the 
 ankles; then replacing the several parts, and com- 
 pressing them together with forks driven over the 
 log into the ground. The arms are extended and 
 tied to stakes secured in the same manner. The 
 situation of a person thus placed, is as uneasy as can 
 possibly be conceived. The poor wretch thus con- 
 fined, lay before my fire, his face receiving the rain 
 that occasionally fell, and his eyes constantly turned 
 upon me, as if imploring mercy. I could not with- 
 stand the appeal, and I determined to give him 
 another chance for his life. I had all the commis- 
 sioned officers assembled, and told them that his fate 
 depended on them. Some were for executing him, 
 and I believe a majority would have been against 
 him, but for the interference of the gallant Snelling. 
 *Brave comrades ? said he, 'let us save him. The 
 wretch deserves to die, but as our commander, whose 
 life was more particularly his object, is willing to 
 spare him, let us also forgive him. I hope, at least, 
 that every officer of the fourth regiment will be on 
 the side of mercy.' Snelling prevailed^ and Ben 
 was discharged." 
 
8-i GRANDFAMHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 THE OLD SOLDIER. 
 
 "I was dining with General Harrison in the spring 
 of 1839," said a gentleman, ''and while in the midst 
 of our repast, a loud knock was heard at the door. 
 My host rose from the table, excused himself, and 
 went to the door to see who it was that was so de- 
 sirous of admittance. After a parley of some mo- 
 ments with a p ,"son who spoke in a rough tone of 
 voice, the general ushered into the room a very old 
 man, whose worn-out and tattered garments bespoke 
 great distress and poverty. 
 
 " 'Mr. ,' said Gen. Harrison, ' this is one of 
 
 my old soldiers, and I have invited him in to dine 
 with us. He was with me in the sortie of Fort 
 Meigs and at the Thames. I remember his bravery 
 well. There are the men whom we must honor. 
 Take that seat, George.' 
 
 "George, for that was the old soldier's name," 
 continued our friend, "sat down and soon gave us 
 cause to know that a good dinner and he had been 
 strangers for many a long day. The old fellow's 
 feelmgs became enlivened by the good things he 
 had partaken of, and a glass or two of whisky and 
 water, and for nearly two hours, did the general and 
 he fight their battles over again. Towards evening, 
 the general took me aside and asked me to join with 
 him in the charity he was about to bestow. I cheer- 
 fully consented. The general went to his bedroom, 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 85 
 
 and in a few moments returned with a new black 
 coat. • 
 
 " 'George,' said the hero, 'this is the only coat I 
 have except the threadbare one on my back. Take it, 
 and while it protects you from the inclement winds 
 of our cold spring, remember, that had your old 
 general his way, every old soldier in the country 
 should not know what want was the rest of his 
 days, ' 
 
 "I added my mite to George's empty purse, and 
 gave him 'silver' enough to carry him home into the 
 interior of Ohio — for he had been to New Orleans 
 on a flat-boat and was now on his return." 
 
 " 'You will take this note,' said the General, 'and 
 
 when you go to Cincinnati, call on Mr. M ; give 
 
 him this, and he will further aid you. I am like 
 yourself, George, poor, and have to labor for my liv- 
 ing, after long toil and hard work in the service 
 of my country, but we poor soldiers enjoy at least 
 the proud consciousness of having done our duty.' 
 
 "After some further conversation, George depart- 
 ed, thanking his old general from his heart. This 
 little circumstance turned the conversation between 
 the general and myself upon the hardships of the 
 last war, the faithfulness of his troops, and the true 
 policy that the government ought to pursue to its 
 surviving defenders. This anecdote, however, will 
 serve to show you the kind-hearted goodness of the 
 
86 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 old general, and it proves that if he is elected presi- 
 dent, he will be the president of the people — acces- 
 sible to all." 
 
 Harrison's kindness to an irishman. 
 
 An Irishman by the name of John Hanley emi- 
 grated a few years since to Cincinnati, Ohio, with 
 his young wife. He had married her contrary to 
 the wishes of her father, which was the cause of his 
 leaving his country. 
 
 On his arrival in Cincinnati, he opened a small 
 store, by means of which he was able to support 
 himself and wife. At length intelligence reached 
 him that his father in Ireland was dead, and had left 
 him a handsome share of his property. Upon this, 
 he immediately sold his effects, and with his wife 
 embarked for his native country. But on reaching 
 the place of his birth, what was his disappointment 
 to find that the whole sum left him was only five 
 pounds! 
 
 No sooner had he learned what unkindness had 
 been practiced by his father, than, raising a small 
 sum, he again returned to Cincinnati. His wife be- 
 ing an accomplished woman, endeavored to aid her 
 husband by giving lessons in music. 
 
 The story of their disappointment reached the 
 ears of General Harrison. He felt interested in 
 them, as he has ever been interested in the sorrows 
 
and trials of the unfortunate. Just at that time, 
 there was a clerkship in his office vacant. It was 
 worth five hundred dollars a year. Many personal 
 friends of General Harrison solicited it of him in be- 
 half of their sons. But he refused them all, and 
 gave the place to Hanley, the poor young Irishman. 
 
 Haniey's gratitude can n^t well be imagined. He 
 entered upon his duties, and while health lasted, he 
 v>'as contented and happy. But he fell sick, and for the 
 last six months of his life he was unable to perform 
 the duties of his station. But mark the kindness of 
 Harrison. He contrieved to have the duties per- 
 formed, and Hanley or his wife was paid to the 
 dav of his death. 
 
 Such kindness is as beautiful as it is rare. A 
 heart in v^-hich such sympathy dwells, is not likely to 
 lose its generous tendencies, whatever honors or 
 offices are bestowed ■ upon its possessor. How de- 
 sirable to have such a man at the head of the nation, 
 rather than one who has little more sensibility to 
 the woes of others than marble, and can no more 
 sympathize with the sons and daughters of misfor- 
 tune than an iceberg ! 
 
 "l)E WOOD LEG SOLDIARE." 
 
 •'Are you personally acquainted with General 
 
 Harrison ?" asked an American of a French traveller. 
 
 "Begare, sare." replied the Frenchman, *'I have 
 
§§ GkANDFATHER AND GRANDSoM. 
 
 de grand satisfactiong to have the plaisare, sare, to 
 have de grand introductiong, sare, to the brave hero 
 and citizen. I make you introductiong, sare, to this 
 gentilhomme, who will tell de grand story of de 
 old shenerall, and de wood leg soldiare. It is ver 
 good." 
 
 This appeal was made to a respectable-looking, 
 gentleman — a clergyman — who remarked that it 
 would give him pleasure to tell the story. 
 
 He related as follows : 
 
 It was in the year 1820, if my memory is correct, 
 that I was traveling in Ohio with a view of pur- 
 chasing a tract of land for my son, when I fell in 
 with a gentleman who was a stranger, and whom I 
 found a very intelligent and agreeable companion. 
 A thunder storm drove us into a neat log cabin, a 
 litttle distance from the road-side, for shelter, where 
 we found a house full of children, a sick and very 
 interesting-looking woman lying on an humble but 
 clean-looking bed, and a young, pretty maiden sit- 
 ting near. The husband and father, with a wooden 
 leg, and a deep scar across his brow, was bending 
 over the bed and pressing the hand of the sick wo- 
 man between both of his. His eyes were intently 
 fixed on a young infant, apparently a few months 
 old. The whole group had been indulging in tears, 
 and I saw one stealing from the dazzling eyes of the 
 young damsel as she sat listening apparently to some 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 89 
 
 tale of woe which her father told. The tears were 
 suddenly wiped away as we approached, and were 
 given a cordial welcome. 
 
 "You seem to be in distress," said the stranger, 
 my companion. 
 
 "I have faced the enemies of my country," said 
 the host, as he swung his wooden leg round to close 
 the door, "and I have felt all the pangs and priva- 
 tions of a military life, but all this was nothing com- 
 pared with what I have suffered to-day." 
 
 Stranger. Pardon me if I ask the cause ; for I 
 will relieve you if it lies in my power. 
 
 Host. My wife is afflicted with an internal disease, 
 which renders it dangerous to move her ; yet, for a 
 debt which I cannot immediately raise, the man who 
 is agent for another, declares that if I do not pay it 
 before to-morrow at twelve o'clock, he will seize what 
 little I possess, and turn us all out to the mercy of 
 the elements. I can neither raise the sum by that 
 time, nor obtain a shelter for my poor wife and chil- 
 dren, who must perish to gratify the malice of a man 
 whose heart is a stranger to mercy. 
 
 The whole family melted into tears as he conclud- 
 ed, and even the soldier himself, who had faced the 
 cannon's mouth, could not refrain from weeping. 
 
 Stranger. You have fought the battles of the 
 country ? May I be inquisitive in asking — 
 
 Host. Oh ! yes, I fought under the brave Harri- 
 
90 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 son at the Thames and in other battles. I speak of 
 him with pride, for I have seen his sword gUttering 
 in the thickest of the fight. 
 
 Stranger. Would you know him were you to see 
 him ? 
 
 Host (gazing in his face). You resemble him very 
 much. Were he to know my sufferings, he would 
 instantly assist me. I have seen him do several 
 generous deeds. 
 
 Stranger. Where did you lose your leg ? 
 
 Host. It was shattered by a ball at the glorious 
 battle of Tippecanoe. 
 
 Stranger. Well, my brave fellow, make your mind 
 easy ; a hair of your head shall not be injured. You 
 now see your general before you, and as you have 
 fought for me and your country, I will now protect 
 you and your family at the risk of my life. 
 
 A sudden blaze of joy seemed to run from heart 
 to heart ; the soldier clasped General Harrison in 
 his arms, while the children pressed his hand with 
 affection. 
 
 "We shall be saved from ruin," cried the pale wife. 
 
 The general found the owner of the piece of land 
 on which the soldier lived, and never rested until he 
 made the poor fellow a right to it. He also dis- 
 charged the debt, and a happier family I never be- 
 held. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 91 
 
 HARRISON AND THE METHODIST MINISTER. 
 
 General Harrison was sitting one summer evening 
 at the door of his "log cabin." It had been an in- 
 tensely warm day, and here he was sitting with the 
 hope of getting cool after the labors of the day, when 
 a man approached and solicited a shelter for the 
 night. 
 
 The jaded appearance of the steed, and the soiled 
 garments of the rider, proclaimed the fatigue of the 
 day, and with his usual courtesy, the old general 
 welcomed the stranger. After a plain and substantial 
 supper, the guest joined with his host in social con- 
 versation; and the latter, laying aside the character 
 of the soldier and statesman, willingly listened to the 
 pious instructions of the traveler, whom he discovered 
 to be a minister of the gospel. 
 
 They retired to rest, the good old soldier thankful 
 to a munificent Providence that he was enabled to 
 administer to the wants of a fellow creature, and the 
 worthy minister of Christ, invoking the blessing of 
 heaven upon the head of his kind benefactor. 
 
 Morning came, and the minister prepared to de- 
 part. He was in the act of taking leave, when he 
 was informed that his horse had died during the 
 night. The loss, however severe, considering that 
 he had yet two hundred miles to travel, did not dis- 
 courage him in the exercise of his duty ; but taking 
 his saddle-bags on his arm, he rose to depart, with 
 
^2 GRANDFATHER AND GRaNDSON. 
 
 thanks for the kindness of his entertainer. The old 
 general did not attempt to detain him, though he of- 
 fered his condolence upon the loss ; but an observ- 
 ing eye could have detected a smile of inward satis- 
 faction, which the consciousness of doing good alone 
 produces. The guest reached the door, and to his 
 astonishment, found one of the general's horses, ac- 
 coutred with his own saddle and bridle, in waiting 
 for him. He returned and remonstrated, stating 
 his inability to pay for it, and that in all probability 
 he should never again visit that section of the coun- 
 try. But the general was inexorable, and reminded 
 the astonished divine that "he who giveth to the 
 poor lendeth to the Lord" — sent him on his way, 
 his heart overflowing with gratitude, and his prayers 
 directed to heaven for the blessings of the venerable 
 hero. 
 
Harrison elected by Captain Earle's family. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The ''Hero of Tippecanoe'' elected president by Captain Earl e 
 
 and his family. 
 
 At the conclusion of the anecdotes the evening 
 before, as it was late, the children retired without 
 learning whether their father intended to gratify 
 them with any further account of the "old hero." 
 
 At breakfast, therefore, the inquiry was made 
 with some solicitude. 
 
 "You have been pleased, then, my children, with 
 
 93 
 
04 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 the manner in which we have spent some evenings 
 past?" 
 
 ^'Very greatfully," said one. "Highly," said an- 
 other. ' 'I hope you have not finished, " said Thomas. 
 
 "Let us hear what Jose wishes," said Captain 
 Earle. 
 
 "I'm sure I love to hear stories," said Jose; "but 
 you haven't told us certainly whether General Harri- 
 son is to be the next president." 
 
 "That is more than I know," said Captain Earle, 
 "but I think he will, and every day confirms me in 
 the opinion. But I design to spend one evening 
 more in talking on this subject, and then we will wait 
 patiently till the question is settled." 
 
 The family here separated for the day. The sons 
 were soon at school, Mrs. Earle engaged in her 
 usual domestic avocations, and the captain abroad 
 on business in a neighboring town. 
 
 I will not say that the day was a long one to the 
 children, but they appeared quite pleased, when, tea 
 being finished, and the table occupying its usual place, 
 they gathered once more to listen to their father. 
 
 "The remarks which I am about to make to you 
 this evening, my children," Captain Earle began, 
 "are rather of a grave character; but as they are 
 connected with the 'old hero,' and the welfare of 
 the country, you will find them, I hope, interest- 
 ing. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 95 
 
 "We are now on the eve of a new presidential 
 election. In a few months the states will vote for 
 electors of president and vice-president. Each state 
 chooses as many electors as it sends representatives 
 to congress. The electors meet in the several states, 
 and give their votes. These votes are sealed up, 
 and sent to Washington, where, in the month of 
 February, they are opened in the presence of con- 
 gress, and the candidate who has the majority of all 
 the votes is declared to be president of the United 
 States for four years. 
 
 "The candidate who shall be elected next autumn, 
 will take his oath of office on the 4th day of March, 
 1841. 
 
 "The office of president of the United States is a 
 high and honorable office. The salary attached to 
 it is greater than that of any other office in the gov- 
 ernment; and the influence of the president is great- 
 er, perhaps, than that of ony other man. The na- 
 tion provides a large and splendid house for him, 
 and furnishes it with elegant and costly furniture. 
 
 "The people take a deep interest in the ques- 
 tion, 'Who will be president ?' Such an interest 
 they ought to feel. The Bible says, 'When the 
 righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but 
 when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.' 
 
 "Rulers have great influence. The president of 
 the United States, from his station and power, can 
 
96 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 accomplish good or evil for the nation. If he be a 
 wise, a prudent, and a good man — one who loves the 
 happiness and welfare of the people more than his 
 private interest — the nation will be happy and pros- 
 perous. Business will thrive. Industry will be en- 
 couraged. Men will find employment ; they will be 
 able to support their families. Children will have 
 good clothes and good food. There will be schools, 
 and the means of paying teachers. 
 
 ''On the other hand, if a selfish and ambitious 
 man is made president, he will regard his own inte- 
 rests more than those of the people. His ends must 
 be served. His ambitious views must be carried 
 out. No matter whether the country is prosperous, 
 no matter whether business thrives — whether the 
 laborer gets good wages, or children are well fed or 
 well educated. These are considerations of small 
 moment with a selfish and wicked president. His 
 object is attained, if he can retain his office — 
 get his $25,000 a year — be praised and flattered 
 — ride in his splendid coach with fine horses, 
 and eat his good dinners on gold or silver plate. 
 When such a man rules, the people do mourn. 
 
 "No wonder, then, that the people of the United 
 States feel a deep interest in the question, 'Who is to 
 be president ?' Every man, woman, and child has 
 such an interest, as the manner in which he adminis- 
 ters the government may affect generations unborn. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 97 
 
 While, then, no one should use unlawful means to 
 prevent the election of any candidate, every one is 
 justified, and even bound by duty, to exert his in- 
 fluence in all lawful and honorable ways to secure the 
 election of the man who will look well to the good 
 of the country, and who will take care of the poor 
 as well as the rich, and of children as well as of per- 
 sons who have attained to manhood. This is my 
 creed, and the true creed, I believe, of the real 
 patriot. 
 
 ''Since the year 1789 we have had eight different 
 presidents — George Washington, John Adams, Tho- 
 mas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, John 
 Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Martin Van 
 Buren, who is president at this time. Until within 
 a few years, we have been a prosperous and happy 
 people — no nation more so ; but in 1829, or soon 
 after, a great change came over the country. In 
 that year, Andrew Jackson entered upon the presi- 
 dency. He promised to administer the government 
 so that the prosperity of the people should continue ; 
 but M^hether he was unable, or self-willed, or from 
 some other cause, the prosperity of the country be- 
 gan to decline. He entered upon new experiments, 
 which failed, and left the money matters of the coun- 
 try in great derangement and confusion. 
 
 "Mr. Van Buren has managed as badly, and even 
 worse than President Jackson. He said that he 
 
 _> 
 
98 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 would follow his measures, and he has done so. 
 General Jackson turned the ship of state out of her 
 course, and Mr. Van Buren has kept on. He has 
 been admonished of danger — been told by several 
 good old pilots that he would run the ship aground 
 or drive her on breakers, where she would be ship- 
 wrecked. But he has seemed to fear no evil and to 
 listen to no counsel. 
 
 "Thus the country suffers. Business is nearly sus- 
 pended — confidence is destroyed. Thousands, who 
 were rich, have become poor, and the poor are beg- 
 ging. If affairs long continue as they are now, I 
 hope, my children, that I shall be able to procure 
 you bread, but the comforts which you have enjoyed 
 must be dimimished. I cannot pay for books — I 
 cannot educate you. 
 
 "It is so now, or will soon be so, with thousands 
 in all the land. 
 
 "What shall be done? One expedient remains.* 
 we must alter the course of the ship. If Mr. Van 
 Buren is re-elected, he tells us he will not alter it, 
 but will still follow in the 'steps of his illustrious 
 predecessor. ' 
 
 "If we would change, then, our course, we must 
 change our captain, our commander. General Har- 
 rison, the 'Hero of Tippecanoe,' the plain, honest, 
 but intelligent, straight-forward, good old-fashioned 
 farmer of Ohio, is recommended as the man. He is 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 99 
 
 a man — an honest man, 'the noblest work of God' — 
 and he is the man who comes recommended from all 
 quarters of the land. The spirit of reform is abroad 
 in the nation. 'The people are coming.' If I live," 
 said Captain Earle, ''till the time of voting, / will 
 vote for General William Hemy IIa?'rison.'" 
 
 "I wish I could vote, father," said William. 
 
 "I wish so too," said Captain Earle. "Were it 
 right, I would wish to see all my boys at the ballot- 
 box." 
 
 "Some doubt, I suppose," said William, "how 
 Andrew would vote." 
 
 "I would vote with a good conscience," said An- 
 drew, "or not vote at all." 
 
 "It has just occurred to me," said Captain Earle, 
 "that there can be no harm in taking the question 
 here to-night, 'Who shall be president ?' " 
 
 "Will our vote decide who will be president ?" ask- 
 ed Jose. 
 
 "It will decide whom we ivish should be.'' 
 
 "I like the plan well, " said William. "As Wil- 
 liam Henry Harrison is a prominent candidate, and 
 that is my name, who can tell but that I may be run 
 in president this very evening." 
 
 "Well," said Captain Earle, "you may prepare 
 your votes." 
 
 "I don't know how." said Jose; "I can not 
 write." 
 
l()(l GRANDtATMEft AND GRANDSON. 
 
 "Well, Jose," said Captain Earle, "there are thou- 
 sands who vote for president, who can neither read, 
 write, nor spell, nor scarcely think. You must get 
 some one to write for you." 
 
 "Well, I'll get mother to write me a vote. Mo- 
 ther, will you ?" 
 
 "It is not often," said Mrs. Earle, "that ladies 
 write votes; but I will oblige you. Come and whis- 
 per the name you wish me to write." 
 
 Jose whispered, and Mrs. Earle laughed out- 
 right. 
 
 "Why, ladies don't vote, my son," said his mother. 
 
 "What is that?" inquired Captain Earle. "Sure- 
 ly, we must all be pleased to know what pleases mo- 
 ther so much." 
 
 "Why, Jose wishes me," said Mrs. Earle, "to 
 write the same name for him that I do for myself." 
 
 "Good, my son," said Captain Earle ; "that is a 
 capital thought. We must have your mother's vote 
 
 also." 
 
 "Well," said Andrew, "I am agreed. I presume 
 mother will vote for Mr. Van Buren, as he is quite 
 a lady's man.''' 
 
 "Andrew," said Mrs. Earle, "your mother would 
 wish that a president of the United States should be 
 a gentleman; but something more is requisite to 
 govern a people well, than to know how to bow and 
 simper in a drawing-room. " 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. lOl 
 
 "Ah !" said Andrew, "I see how all the world are 
 going. If the ladies are opposed to Mr. Van Buren, 
 there is little chance for the re-election of my suc- 
 cessor." 
 
 "Come, prepare your votes," said Captain Earle, 
 "I am quite impatient to have the question settled." 
 
 "Mother," said Jose, "won't you vote?" 
 
 "I have prepared two votes," said Mrs. Earle. 
 "Perhaps, however, you would prefer that your 
 father should write one for you." 
 
 "I guess father and mother will vote for the same 
 candidate," said Jose; "for I have heard you say, 
 that husband and wqfe must pull at the same end of 
 the rope." 
 
 "Quite smart, Jose, and quite true," said Captain 
 Earle. "Are you all ready ? Come, Jose, you hand 
 round the ballot-box^ 
 
 "We haven't any ballot-box," said Jose. 
 
 "Well, take that little basket. Don't put in two 
 votes — one vote each.^'' 
 
 "Here, Jose, hand it to your mother first," said 
 Captain Earle. 
 
 "To your father next," said Mrs. Earle. 
 
 "Now bring the basket to me. Have all voted ?" 
 
 "No," said, Jose, "I haven't put my vote in." 
 
 "Well, hand in your vote, as they say at the 
 electors' meeting. All in ? all voted ? the box — I 
 mean the basket — is ready to be closed. One minute 
 more — onlv one. The box is closed.^' 
 
102 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 "Now let US count. The first vote is for William 
 Henry Harrison ; the second, William Henry Harri- 
 son the third, same ; the fourth, same ; the fifth, 
 same; the sixth — " 
 
 Captain Earle paused. "The sixth — " 
 
 "Ah!" said William, "that's Afidrew's votQ — for 
 whom is it ?" 
 
 "You are not certain that it is Andrew's — it may 
 be your mother's." 
 
 "Well, for whom is it, father? Pray, let us 
 know." 
 
 "The sixth is for — for — for — William Henry Har- 
 rison V 
 
 "Good! good !" exclaimed Thomas. 
 
 "Yes, good it is, good enough," said Captain 
 Earle. "\ hope the autumnal election will tell as 
 well as ours has to-night !" 
 
 ''T wish the ladies might all vote/' said Jose, 
 ^'mother has voted so well." 
 
 'T suspect, my son," said Mrs. Earle, ''if the la- 
 dies had a voice in the matter they would vote for 
 some one who would so manage that their husbands 
 and children should have/^<?^ and clothing.'" 
 
 ''Good times after this," said William. "Under 
 my administration I hope you will have food and 
 clothes, and in abundance. Andrew, I thank you 
 for your vote." 
 
 "Why," said Andrew, "you know I could not 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 103 
 
 well vote for myself, Billy ; and as to my successor 
 in office, he didn't manage as well as I expected, 
 and I myself believe he may with advantage to the 
 country return to Ki fide r hook.'' 
 
 "I hope he may," said Captain Earlc, ^^most sin- 
 cerely I do, and that his successor may be 
 
 'The iron-hearted soldier, the true-hearted soldier, 
 The gallant old soldier of Tippecanoe!' " 
 
 We who know the resvdt of the election of 1841, can thus 
 endorse the old saying that 'many a true word is spoken in 
 jest.' 
 
Review of tlie Life of Gen. Benjamin Harrison 
 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 "Some nieu are born great— some acliive Ki'eatiiess— some 
 have greatness thrust upon them."— Twelfth Night. 
 
 One of the greatest perogatives of this glorious republic, 
 is the fact, that no jnatter how lowly a citizen of it may he 
 born, lie has the chance of ultimately holding the proudest 
 position that the world can otTer, viz, the Presidency of the 
 United States; and if we trace back through the history of 
 this country, we shall find the record of many presidents, 
 who began life at the bottom rung of the ladder. 
 
 In giving a review of the life of our President, we find 
 such a one, who commenced life as a poor man, and who, 
 by dint of energy and pluck, has raised himself to that pia- 
 icle of fame, whicli makes him the envv and admiration 
 uf his fellow men. 
 
 104 
 
OilANbFATilER ANi) GKANDSOK. 105 
 
 Born in his grandfather's house at North Bend, Ohio, on 
 the 20th of August, 1833, his hoyhood was spent in this out 
 of the way spot, until he went to Farmer's College, where 
 he stayed two years; and Avhen transferred from there to 
 Miami University, he was so well endowed in his studies 
 and general information, as to at once enter as Junior, in 
 the latter institution. So much has been said about the 
 ''Log Cabin" that we cannot refrain from describing the 
 birth place of General Harrison. There is a tongue of land 
 nearly five miles long, extending southward fi*om the old 
 Harrison home-stead, at NoHh Bend, its lower part touch- 
 ing the boundary line of Indiana, the north side, is swept 
 by the Miami Eiver, whilst the Ohio rolls placidly by 
 on the southern side. On the peninsula, as some might 
 call it, is what was the farm of John Scott Harrison; father 
 of "Our President," who was reckoned a good farmer; for 
 whatever else he might have been, he could certainly lay 
 claim to understanding how to farm his land. Had it not 
 been for his generosity, and a judgment too easily cheat- 
 ed, by people who Avormed their way into his confidence, he 
 might have left his family provided for at his death; but as 
 it was, through his good nature, he left no estate. For 
 prior to his death, the heirs of Judge Short took posession 
 of his farm, and it was through their kindness and out of 
 the great respect they bore him, that he was allowed to 
 continue in its occupancy. His house fronted the Ohio 
 River; the dining room which was the common sitting room, 
 was large and commodious, with the usual wide open fire- 
 place; in this room it was the custo/n of the family to as- 
 semble, particularly in the Avinter evening, around a central 
 table; liglit was obtained from the old fashioned tallow dips, 
 aided by the flame from the fire place; in front of which the 
 mother would sit knitting socks for the boys and listening 
 to the conversation, or reading, of the younger folks. I'e- 
 
106 ftEANfoFATHER Al<:b OllAKt)805.^ 
 
 tween the river and the house was a srnall old fashioned 
 log school house; this cabin was, as is usual with such build- 
 ings of the very plainest, the floor being formed of punch- 
 eon, and having windows small and few; the great fire place 
 was at one end, and being filled with logs in the morning 
 would thus last all day; for seats, there Avere benches, 
 without backs, formed of slabs, with supports of sticks fitted 
 in through auger-holes. It was in this lowly cabin, that 
 young Harrison commenced his education; his time being- 
 taken up in seasons when the crops were being planted, or 
 harvested, with such employment as was suitable to him, as 
 a farmer's boy of his age. For amusement there was fishing 
 and hunting, the rivers close by being well stocked with 
 fish, while squirrels were plentiful in the woods, and in 
 their season ducks were very abundant; Benjamin was an 
 expert shot, particularly with the rifle. 
 
 A custom handed down from the first General Harrison 
 when at home, was to invite the congregation of the Church 
 to the old homestead, where often plates for fifty or more 
 were laid, and on such occasions the board was profusely 
 covered with the good things of this life; every thing being 
 the product of the farm. When at the Miami University, 
 young Harrison met the daughter of president Scott, a 
 young lady, described as being girlish, intelligent, witty 
 and attractive, and too whom he became engaged, she being 
 all that went to make up his ideal of a perfect women, and 
 to whom, on the 20th of October, 1853, he was married. 
 He then went to live with his wife, at his father's place 
 where he continued to study We next find him, looking 
 out for a place, where he could begin life, as a bread-win- 
 ner, and after serious consideration, he at last decided, that 
 Indianapolis was the spot, where he went for that purpose 
 in March, 1854, and in which place, he has resided ever 
 since. 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 107 
 
 He was barely twenty-one, when he settled there with his 
 wife; with little of this world's goods to call his own, but he 
 had a good education, and determined to make the law his 
 profession, his fortune consisted of the sum of $800; money 
 advanced on a piece of property he had inherited from an 
 Aunt who married James Finley, a soldier of the war of 
 1812, and who left her a widow; this sum was not large 
 enough to purchase a house, or ren^a separate office, h> 
 therefore secured boarding for himself and wife, in the Koll 
 House, below the Bank building, corner of Maryland 
 Street. His first desk was in the State Bank building, situ- 
 ated in the triangular corner, opposite the Bates House; this 
 was kindly offered him by Mr. John H. Eea, who was clerk 
 of the United States District Court, here he put out his 
 shingle, and the world learnt, that Benjamin Harrison, 
 Attorney at Law, did business at that stand. In appear- 
 ance he is described as being short, of slender physique, and 
 what might be called a blonde, with grey eyes tinged with 
 blue, dressing plainly, and indifferent as to styles; modest 
 in manners, with a pleasant voice and look, and possessed 
 of a good flow of language. It may not be interest- 
 ing to know that the first money he earned, was as. Court 
 Crier of the Federal Court, for which service he received 
 during term time, the sum of two dollars and a half per 
 day. His first professional fee, was a five dollar gold piece, 
 paid to him at the door of his unpretentious three roomed 
 house. During the first year of his career in Indianapolis, 
 he had a case in which he was employed as prosecutor 
 against a colored cook of the Koy House, whose alleged 
 crime was putting arsenic in the hotel coffee, in revenge for 
 some real or fancied grievance. Counsel for the defend- 
 ant was Henry W. Ellsworth (son of Henry L. Ellsworth, 
 who was for many years Commissioner of Patents), Mr. 
 Harrison was less than half his antagionist's age, with but 
 
108 GKANDFATHEK AM) GRANDSON. 
 
 a short experience at the bar, and pitted against a man of 
 considerable professional experience; every one thongiit 
 the result would be to his entire discomfiture, this notion 
 was entirely dissipated the first day of the trial, for in his usual 
 and quiet Avay, the young and comparatively unknown 
 lawyer, so overmatched his big and pretentious antagon- 
 ist, that the two seemed to have changed places. Sufiice it 
 to say that the negro was convicted, and sent to the })eni- 
 tentiary. From this time on his success was comparatively 
 rapid, and was very much strengthened by his speeches in 
 the first National Contest of 1856, and which may be called 
 his maiden effort in the political service in Avhich he has 
 risen to the highest point. In 1860 he was nominated to the 
 position of reporter in the Supreme Court, and entered on 
 the duties, early in 1861, and though not a lucrative office, 
 still to a young lawyer whose income was small, it was a 
 great help. In the meantime he had changed his 
 boarding house from EoU's to a Mrs. Jameson's in a small 
 frame building, nearly oi)posite the Dennison House. 
 
 Whilst Mrs. Harrison was on a visit to Oxford; Russell, 
 her eldest child, was born on the 12th of August, 1854, and 
 upon returning home in the fall, the room in Mrs. Jame- 
 son's was given up, and a modest one-story house, witli 
 tliree apartments, was taken; in this unpretentious abode, 
 the now resident of the White House, and his wife, began 
 their house-keeping experiences, Mrs. Harrison was 
 herself the house-keeper, and with the occasional aid 
 of "a help," assisting all she could, during all this 
 time Mr. Harrison fought hard against getting into debt, 
 and in this was successful through all this struggle for 
 existence, patiently, and with never a thought of com- 
 plaint, he worked hard for the cherised wife of his bosom, 
 and the dear little ones at home, possessed of ambition his ev 
 ery exertion was spurred on by thoughts of theiu. Whilst a 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 109 
 
 tenant of the little house in Vermont Street, he received 
 an offer to go into partnership with Mi. William Wallace, 
 which he accepted, and together the}' went into business at 
 Temperance Hall, on Washington Street, and remained so 
 until 1860, when Mr. Wallace was elected clerk of Marion 
 county, this caused the partnership to be dissolved, and 
 was succeeded by that of Fishback and Harrison, which 
 lasted until Mr. Harrison entered the Army in 1862, and 
 now appeared on the horizon of time, that cloud, no bigger 
 than a man's hand, that was to ultimately darken and 
 throw this whole country into gloom; the great slavery 
 question was in a state of ferment, the question be- 
 tween the North and South, growing out of the fact of 
 the latter insisting upon their right to carry slavery into 
 the territories, had advanced to a point of bitterness un- 
 known in the history of the United States. Talk of war 
 was whispered about, and the nation at large was looking 
 eagerly on, watching for the first move to be taken by those 
 in power. When the news of the firing on Fort Sumter 
 was brought Mr. Harrison, he could do no more work on 
 that day, and like the loyal thousands of the North, his 
 thoughts were only of the insulted flag, and the danger of 
 the Union. Like many other patriotic citizens, he put 
 aside all personal feelings, and in July, 1862, entered the 
 Army, a little higher than a private, as a second lieutenant, 
 with a recruiting commission, raising a company of which 
 he was made captain. On the seventh of August he was 
 appointed Colonel of the 70th Indiana Regiment by Gov- 
 ernor Morton, who being a good judge of character, thought 
 he saw the making of a good soldier in him. 
 
 During his first two years service, nothing of importance 
 occurred worthy of mention, his duties mainly consisting 
 of guarding bridges and commissiary stores, fighting 
 guerrillas, and capturing spies. As a disciplinarian he was 
 
no GKAXDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 exceedingly strict, but many incidents of his goodness at 
 heart might be told that occurred during his command; on 
 long forced marches it was no unusual sight to see the 
 Colonel walking, while some poor foot-sore private was 
 astride of his horse. One private of the regiment, now living 
 in Kansas, telegraphed to General Harrison on his nomina- 
 tion, "The congratulations of an old soldier of your regi- 
 ment whose knapsack you carried when he was exhausted 
 from sickness and fatigue." 
 
 In the Athmta campaign he seemed to bear a charmed 
 life, being always seen where the bullets were thickest. 
 The battle of Resacca was a memorable engagement, the 
 Confederates being the attacking party, during part of the 
 fight it was a fierce struggle to see who could hold the 
 commanding position, the Harrison regiment, and others 
 making up the brigade pressing rapidly up toward the crest 
 of the hill, after reaching the top they met the enemy face 
 to face, bayonets were thrust, and muskets clubbed, at this 
 time the Eebels captured the battery on the Union right, 
 and immediately turned the guns on our men, so as to pour 
 into them the most destructive infilade fire, it looked like 
 disaster particularly as the mule trains close in the rear of 
 the troops were filling up the road, and clogging the bridge 
 in a wav that made a stampede imminent, in the midst of 
 all this. General Harrison was seen riding up and down, 
 right in front of the line, waving his sword and calling on 
 the boys to stand firm. His example held the troops, they 
 retook the battery, and prevented what at one time, looked 
 like complete ruin. 
 
 In the Summer of 1864, the following order was received 
 by Colonel Harrison, of Avhich this is a copy, 
 
 Headquarters, Military Division of the Mississippi, 
 In the field, xVtlanta, Ga., Sept. 12, 1864. 
 Special Field Orders, I ^^^^^^^^ 
 
 HI. Pursuant to instruction from the War Department, 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. Ill 
 
 the following officers will report in person, to Hon. (). 
 P. Morton, Governor of Indiana, at Indianapolis, Ind., 
 for special duty. The Quarter-Master's Department 
 will furnish transportation. By the order of 
 
 Major General \V. T. Sherman, 
 
 I.. W. Dayton, Aid-de-Camp. 
 Col. Ben. Harrison, 
 
 70th Reg't. Ind. Inf. Vol. 
 
 Immediately on his arrival at Indianapolis he reported 
 to Governor Morton, when he was told the nature 
 of the duties required of him. This was the first 
 opportunity of visiting his family after having been con- 
 tinuously in the field for two years; his special duty now 
 was to thoroughly canvass the State for recruits, who had 
 been slow to offer themselves, and upon the ninth of No- 
 vember, he finished the canvas. 
 
 Colonel Harrison received the rank of Brigadier-General 
 under a commisson signed by Abraham Lincoln, and 
 counter-signed by E. W. Stanton, Secretary of War, dated 
 March 22nd, 1865, in which it states that it was given "for, 
 ability and manifest energy and gallantry in command of 
 the brigade," and also he was to rank as such, Brevet- 
 Brigadier-General from the 23rd day of January, of the 
 year mentioned. 
 
 His certificate of discharge shows a muster out of the 
 service, Benjamin Harrison, Colonel and Brevet-Brigadier 
 70th regiment of Indiana, Infantry Volunteers; that he was 
 enrolled on the 7th day of August, 1862, to serve three 
 years or during the war, and was discharged on the 8th 
 day of June, 1865, at Washington, D. C. -by reason of 
 General Order 77 Adjutant General's office 1865 and in- 
 structions. Adjutant General's office. May 20th, 1865. 
 
 As a soldier, as in anything else General Harrison un- 
 dertakes, he was successful; going out without any military 
 training whatever, he is spoken of as becoming one of the 
 
ll!> GllANt>FAtHKR ASb OUAKftSOK. 
 
 Closest students of the science and art of war there was in 
 the army. We have not the space in this review to give a 
 lengthy account of his career as a soldier, although we 
 might till pages with incidents therefrom, — at New Hope 
 Church— ^t (irilgal Church — at Kenesaw — at Peach Tree 
 Creek, and elsewhere, did h^ display that wonderful pluck- 
 that was here brought out from him and many another 
 man who at home were peaceable citizens. 
 
 In 1880 we find him in the National Conventiou at 
 C'hicago, chairman of the delegation from Indiana, and 
 when many delegates insisted on using his name for the 
 first nomination, he positively declined. In 1884 he again 
 represented his State as delegate-at-large, and he was again 
 discussed in connection with the nomination for the first 
 place on the National ticket. The National Republican 
 convention at Chicago on the 19th day of June, 1889, is 
 still too fresh in everybody's mind, to require a detailed ac- 
 count; suffice it to say that the eighth and decisive ballot 
 showed 544 votes for General Harrison and the nomination 
 was of course unanimous. 
 
 The balloting for a Vice-President candidate was entered 
 upon immediately that order was restored and the nomi- 
 nators were made. There was but one ballot; Levi P. Mor- 
 ton leading the list with 59 votes. — And now his honors 
 thick upon him Benjamin Harrison is installed in the 
 Presidential Chair, placed there with the confidence of the 
 people, and when his term of office has expired, may Re- 
 publican and Democrats alike, be able to exclaim; well 
 done thou gocd and faithful servant. 
 
The Cost of a President. 
 
 The sole income of the President of the United State 
 from the public treasury is his salary of 850,000 a year. 
 He draws it at the rate of $4,166| a month. This is a 
 fraction more than $960 a week, and $160 each for six 
 workino- da vs. 
 
 • Until Grant's time Presidents lived on half this salary. 
 Experience has shown that the present sum is large enough 
 to cover the expenses of the most extravagant households, 
 and to leave a comfortable balance in the purse of a presi- 
 dential family of moderate ideas. 
 
 Yet there is not another magistrate at the head of any 
 people exceeding the number of 10,000,000 who does not re- 
 ceive a larger salary than the august, potent and toiling 
 President of the United States. 
 
 ROYALTY COMES HIGH. 
 
 The Shah of Persia, who has nothing to do except to boss 
 several hundred wives, is in the enjoyment of an income of 
 $30,000,000 a year. Then there is the Czar of Russia, 
 whose cheif duty is to keep from being blown up. He is 
 paid something like §10,000,000 yearly. The dignified 
 King of Siam gets along on a like sum. The royal family 
 of poor, miserable Spain, receive $3,900,000 every year, and 
 Italians sleep <.)Ut of doors and eat nothing but macaroni to 
 make up a purse of $3,000,000 and more for their royalties. 
 
 Such figures as these console the British peop e somewhat 
 or their annual outlay, under specifiic laws, of $2,915,000 
 on Victoria and her family, to say nothing of indirect ex- 
 tortions and perquisits. Even now, when the Queen is 
 parading an economical investigation of the royal pay-roll, 
 and is turning off her master of the buckhounds, her yeo- 
 men of the guard and similar absolete guys of the opera 
 
 113 
 
114 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 bouffe, her purpose is not to save anything for the pub- 
 lic treasury, but to provide a fund from which she may 
 hereafter support her grandchildren, without risking a re- 
 buff" from Parliment on the one hand or parting with her 
 own cash on the other. 
 
 That reformed pirate of the seas, the Sultan of Morocco, 
 is slightly compensated for his self-denial by an annual al- 
 lowance of $2,500,000, and the Mikado of Japan, whom we 
 have all seen across the f<jotlights, receives $2,300,000. 
 The impotent royalty of Egypt draws $1,575,000 from the' 
 substance of that tax ridden land, while the Hohenzollerns 
 content themselves with a yearly tribute of $1,125,000 from 
 the Prussian empire. Even the Sultan of cotton-clouted 
 Zanzibar, pockets a million a year, and $700,000 are wrung 
 from the Saxons of Saxony, no more considerable a commu- 
 nity than Illinois in population or Massachusetts in geog- 
 raphical area, by the reighning duke and his purpled gang. 
 Portugal. Sweden and Brazil each spend about $600,000 on 
 their Kings. 
 
 With fewer people than li^'e in some New York wards, 
 and with only tAvo-thirds of Khode Island's area, the petty 
 princelings of Schwarzburg Soudershausen are paid $150,- 
 000. 
 
 On the other hand, the republic of France allows lier 
 chief magistrate only S200,000, but naked little Hayti gives 
 her presidential crowd $240,000 a year, Switzerland's Presi- 
 dents comes the lowest of all the nations of the earth, his 
 salary is $3,000 a year. 
 
 The wholly useless Governor-General of Canada receives 
 $50,000 and so also does the Governor-General of Victoria, 
 while the like functionary in India has a salary of $200,- 
 000. 
 
 THE PRESIDENT AND HIS HOUSEHOLD. 
 
 It appears from these cj[Uotations that, in view of the fact 
 this is the only nation on the globe with a treasury surplus 
 
GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 115 
 
 and in view of our relative size among governments' we get 
 our ruling done at bottom rock price. But while not a 
 cent, more than $50,000 goes into the presidential pocket, 
 that figure does not represent the cost of the Presidency. By 
 far the biggest item in this expense account is the 
 sum spent in electing a President every four years. No 
 nation lavishes such a tremendous sum as we do in the suc- 
 cession to the chief magistracy. 
 
 A careful estimate of the total public cost yearly of the 
 White House, including everything from the President's 
 salary down, is about Si 50,000. 
 
 Following are the items in this estimate: 
 
 r> 
 
 THE SALARIES. 
 
 The President $50,000 
 
 The private secretary 3,250 
 
 The assistant secretary 2,250 
 
 Six clerks ' 11,200 
 
 A telegraph operator 1.400 
 
 The steward l^SOO 
 
 *An usher 1,400 
 
 Four messengers 4,800- 
 
 Five doorkeepers 6,000 
 
 A watchman 900 
 
 The engineer 864 
 
 Total $83,864 
 
 That is the list as it appears in the blue book. But in 
 addition to that there are detailed at the IVhite House sev- 
 en policeman, whose salaries aggregate $7,560. This in- 
 creases the total to SO J, 224. Then the book of estimates of 
 the current year calls for the following alloAvances: 
 
 SPECIAL, APPROPRIATIONS. 
 
 The President's contingent fund $8,000 00 
 
 Care repair and furnishing the mansion 16,000 00 
 
 Gas, lamplighters, fitters, labororers, erection and 
 
 repair of lightning apparatus, matches, etc. . . 14,000 00 
 
116 GRANDFATHER AND GRANDSON. 
 
 Fuel . . 3,000 00 
 
 Repair of the water pipes and the cleaning of 
 
 the spring 800 00 
 
 Care and repair of tlie greenhouses 5,000 00 
 
 Improvement and maintenance of tlie grounds . 6,500 00 
 
 Erecting and maintaining electric lights .... 2,788 50 
 
 A watchman 060 00 
 
 Total allowances $56,748 50 
 
 Salary list 91,424 00 
 
 Grand total ■ . . $148,172 50 
 
 In addition to these already enumerated are four waiters 
 and pantrymen, a marketman, an assistant cook, a house- 
 keeper, a lamplighter, a fireman, two laundiy-women, a 
 gardener and about a dozen assistants, two stablemen and 
 a driver. This makes the total number of people employed 
 at public expense, at the White House, 57. But I believe 
 the specific appropriations and the allowances which I 
 have quoted cover about the entire public expense of the 
 presidential establishment. The President pays the chief 
 cook, who resides over tlie kitchen during the social season, 
 out of his private funds. 
 
 The Government aims to provide the President with 
 everything, from his matches to his silver service, except- 
 ting only the important item of food. 
 
 The people woiild submit to a good deal larger expendi- 
 ture at the executive mansion. They seem to want some- 
 thing glittering and impressive there. 
 
 (Boston Globe.) 
 
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