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OSL PERKINS TO MEIGS Head Quarters Miami Rapids Dr Sir - We beg leave, officially to address your Excellency, on a subject, in our opinion, of the first importance, to the N Western Army: and indeed we may say, to our coimon country. We communicate to you, as the suitable organ for communication to the War department. Information has been received in Camp, too much we fear to be relied on, within a short time past notifying us, that the Commonwealth of Kentucky, has it in contemplation to raise within its own limits, a Military force of 3000 men with a view to reinforce the army under the Command of Genl Wm. H. Harrison, and that the command in chief of the united army destined for North Western operations be given to the present Governor of that Commonwealth. Notwithstanding sir, an additional. force of 3000 men to the present organized army at this place would be very acceptable through your Excellency, we resent conferring upon Governor Shelby, or any other ran, the chief command of the N. W. army. Some of our reasons are to be found among the following -- General Harrison has the unshattered confidence of ourselves & of the whole army under his command. He has ever conducted himself like an Officer of foresight -- skill & prudence -- he is consistent in his plans & steady in the execution of them. If in his operations he has been retarded behond his own expectations, and the expectations of an impatient people, his momentary or partial failure, cannot, with any justice, be ascribed to him. Had his course have been unimpeded by any occurrences which the most watchful prudence, could have guarded against, he has had difficulties to encounter, which nothing could have removed, but great & unremitting exertion on his part. The perplexities which have ever attended his efforts, would have subdued the talents, patience & health of almost every other man, with whom we have any acquaintance. We have [torn] Knowm to you which have been interposed between him & a speedy & triumphant success. The disaster, which befel Genl. Winchester, no man has greater occasion to lament, than Genl Harrison. It has introduced itself between him, & almost certain triumph, over the enemy in this quarter: at all events, it has delayed for a short time, the moment of victory that calamity can not claim him as its author. As our time of service is about to expire, & having under our command all the militia of Ohio, & feeling, as we unequivocally do for the safety of our frontier, & for the honor of the American arms, we cannot forbear to intrude upon you the foregoing remarks. We submit to your better judgment, the proper course to be pursued, on so pressing and interesting a crisis. We beg leave to assure your Excellency of our hi h consideration & respect Edw. W. Tupper Br. Genl 1st Bde Ohio quote Simon Perkins |
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