Beschreibung:

HARRISON, WILLIAM HENRY President . Autograph letter signed ("W.H. Harrison") TO SECRETARY OF WAR JOHN C. CALHOUN, Northbend [Ohio], 2 September 1822. 1 1/2 pages, 4to, 254 x 209mm. (10 x 8 3/16 in.), very minor losses at folds, discreetly silked , marked "Free" in an aide's hand on integral cover sheet addressed to "John C. Calhoun Esq. Secretary of War Washington City," splits at folds without loss . [ With :] Manuscript "Extract of a letter from Col Charles Todd to Genl Harrison," in an unidentified hand, n.p., n.d., 1 1/4 pages, 4to, silked . HARRISON RECALLS THE DEATH OF CHIEF TECUMSEH AND THE BATTLE WHICH CLINCHED U.S. POSSESSION OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY A letter of considerable interest. In 1822, Congress proposed that the Philadelphia mint coin commemorative medals to honor General Harrison and General Isaac Shelby, the two commanding officers in the historic Battle of the Thames (5 October 1813); General Harrison's ragtag army had resoundingly defeated a combined British and Indian force on Canadian soil, shattered chief Tecumseh's Indian confederacy and clinched U.S. possession of the Old Northwest territory. Shelby had asked that his medal show the death of Tecumseh, while Todd suggested that Harrison's medal might depict the cavalry charge, the surrender of the British, or the defense of Fort Meigs. Harrison here harks back to the battle and expresses characteristically strong opinions on the scene to be chosen for the medal: "...I think indeed I should have been first consulted for a choice of incidents in an action where the plan was all my own without having had the slightest suggestion from any other officer. However the incident chosen by [Kentucky] Gov. [Isaac] Shelby is I think a very proper one for his medal as Tecumseh was killed directly in front of that part of the line of Infantry which the Governor commanded. I adopt the suggestion of Col. Todd in relation to the charge on the British line by the Mounted Corps. My immediate position at the time the charge was made was on the right of the charging column. Immediately in our rear were a Regiment of Militia Infantry in line & a Detachment of U.S. Infantry in Column of Sections. I was attended by Genl Cap Comdr [Matthew G.] Perry, Colo. Butler, Ass't. Adj. Genl. Cap. Todd (the author of the letter)...If the suggestion of Colo. Todd as to the Defence of Fort Meiggs is admissible I would make but one alteration to his proposition & that is to make the Sortie on the Right flank the prominent part of the Scene & my own position Woods battery superintending that Sortie rather than on Cushings recalling Dudleys Command. Colo. Gratiot was an eye witness of all the incidents of this eventful Day & knows as well as any man how I was employed. If the other Medals should be presented before mine is ready I should be glad that the reason of the delay should be published..." The victory of the Thames secured the Northwest for the United States and catapulted Harrison to national fame. For a detailed account of the battle see D.R. Hickey, The War of 1812 , 1990, pp. 136-139.