Western Sun, Volume 3, Number 34, Vincennes, Knox County, 18 August 1810 — Page 2

loved bv ferrous rr.rrnnariffs, i.iU Arange'rs ta'thr's, the in inner, atul the bn gins of Runc-th m; was churl) aWedof ci--; rnf.t ot c.u.cus w!,j i" r-1" '...I m liY fill

forgotten t'iff ficred tiutics whirli tli.nch.uafter Vn'pjiVs, and wrre as willing to turn their arm avT"in(t th-ir country upon the ccmnanJ of th:r rh'wf, as the enemy whom they were niiUl to oppofe. Such tvill ever be the cafe with men who make v;ar a pro fr (lion and the fate of Rome, will be the fate of America, and of every other republic, which does not take cdectual mean to infpire its citizens with a military fpirit, and train them to the ufe of arms. It is much to be regretted that a difpofition adverfe to improvement in the military art ftiould exid nmongft the people of the wedern country, and it is the more furprifiner, as it does not arife from the want ot military fpirit,hut from a belief that difci pline is unnecelTrry, aFd that the untutored rifleman is the molt formidable of all warriors. Certain events in the hidory ot the wedern country have given drengtl to this opinion. " The regular and difciplined armies" fay its advocates, u of Braddcck & St. Chir, were defeated by the favages, as thefe have frequently been by undifciplined militia, therefore undifciplined militia, armed with rifles, are fuperior to regular troops armed with the mufket and bayo net-" There is fo much plaufibility in this reafonmg, and fo muchmifchief in the opinion it fupports, that too much pains cannot be taken to fnew the fallacy of the one, and entirely to eradicate the other. It is not difficult toconceie thaan army in the hightft date of difcipline may be placed in fuch a fituation by the unfkilfulxicfs of its leader as to make it an eafy prey to the ruded favages. The definition of the Roman letrions in Germany under Va

rus, and the army of Braddock in America, are two out of many inffances of this kind vrith which hidory will furnifh us -but this fame hidory will alfo inform us, that notwithdanding a battle may be gained, or even a cmpaign fuccefsfully terminated by undifcipliiud valor, acting againft veteran tro-ps, it has never happened that a nation which cultivated the military art, has been fubdued.by one which fet no value on its attainment. The fubverfion of the Roman empire by barbarians forms no exception to this opinion, for thofe barbarians were loperior to the then Romans, in every martial, anJ nlmot i:i everv civil virtue of thofe legions wntch had coopierrd the world, feeble ik- letons oMy remained ; diftirguifh-cl indeed by the enP;ns v. hie h had once directed the tkilful evolutions of a brave and fiee p-ople but which had become difgraced by the protection of effeminate laves, wlm were .is much unable to bear the arms and perform the exercife of Roman foldiers, as to co-noreh-nd the fire of puriotifm and liberty which animated the armies of Marcellus and Scipio. But although difcipline U valor were no longer the tharacteredics of a Roman arrrv, the tactics of the earlier ages were not entirely forgotten, a few individuals Hill read the immortal works of C:cfar and Polybius. nd ti c fmall remains of military fcirnee, was fufneient to fuftain far many arcs the tottering fabrick nf the empire,, aft-tiled on all fies bv immenfe fwirrs of wailike barbarian?. Never weie th? effects of eneralfinp tr.cre conlpicuous than in the atr f li r vemems of av.ius and Boniface, of Belifatius and Narfcs thefe prrat men placed at the head of armies which wrre little better than bands of undifip!ined plunderer?, "were enabled by a frries of artful rn irtcetivre?, to render ufehA 'he great fir -ri jt ity ot their enemies i;i mvnb.-M and valor. Hi:! I i'"1 !ti! of inOanrrs sre to be

fu"d in Ro:rn and (jrec'nn

r a " . v ' '

i'dori-s

;;rr-t inferiority c t rnre err

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f 1 V

n! n!)tr:

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w ;;cn npt"'i'U to tp;'

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rT"ttt ol hi; nr-r

uln caM ?! i vr , J are c-vmnan d d Hy a oenr'.d p IT !! i cni;'- r5. ! fci f nci. Wba l.nbrtn fail timvp of tlf

filTfli r?v tf". - s ' t':,r An Fr-nrli rcv'ator, i nr.: ir, v-i'b this opinio?', hut rather t-t fa-n it. The aK a:.tirrt l f -i-ra! - n a? certai::!v nn the i.

warfare o harrafs the enemy nr.d cut off ins convoys, and by tin? mens time was iintd to form sn nny cph!e ot meeting i.n in an eqMal field. It v.-s in this kind f warfare thu the great ffiicaiy of the ri tie was fidl difcovertd, nd altho fcarcely known in the Knropean armie s at the commencement of the American revolution, it has now become a favorite weapon, to be employed as a corps avanre or upon tin wings and rear of an enemy but no general rnsever thought of making it a fubftitutc for the mufket and bayonet. No fpeciesof troops are more to be dreaded than a good ride corps, when acting under the cover of fences, hedges or forelh but in an open country, when oppofed either to cavalry or infantry, the rifle is the moll contemptible of all arms the mufket and bayonet are adapted to all fituations. The volunteers who ferved under you,

my dear general, in the campaign of 1794, acknowledged,! think, that no number of riflemen coold have refitted the charge of general Wayne's army on the 20th of Auguft, of that year. Nothing can fliew more clearly than the refute of this action does, that the defeat of Braddock is not to be attributed to the kind of arms wbkh were in the hands of his men, nor to their want of valor, but to the deficiency of the general in the talents to adapt his manoeuvres to the nature of the country and the enemy he had to encounter. Clofe order, and plattoon firing, will not anfwer in a forefl. Philip of Macedcn, conquered Greece, and his fon Alexander, the empire of Perfn, by the Strength of the phalanx but this formidable body could not operate in broken or uneven ground, and whenever it was oppofed by a general who had the talent3 to take advantage of this circumfhncr. and commanded by one who would fufTerjiimfelf to be drawn into a fituation unfavorable to its operations, its destruction was certain. If gen. Wayne had marched his armv in clofe columns, inltcad of thofe long flexible columns in files, which enabled him to penetrate the woods with facility, and to prefant a very extended front to the enemy on every point cf attack if he had neglected to reconnoiter the country in every direction as he advanced to prevent an attack from the enemy before he completed his difpofitlon to receive them or if, inftead of putting them up with the bayonet, and kerping up the charge until they were entirely broken and difperfed, he had per mitted them to exercifa their ikill indiftant (hooting from behind trees, the 20th of AuguhV 1794, would now have produced as melancholy recollections as the fourth of November, 179 l.J But I am perfuaded thn from a particular examination of the campaigns battles which took place in the courfe of the war between the people of the Weitern country and the Indians, it would appeal that whenever the former have been fuccefful, a contlderable portion of that fnccefs is to be attributed to the military knowledge of their leaders, and that when this was wanting, their valor and great accuracy in (hooting the ride did not always fecure them from defeat. Your own, and the campaigns of Clark and Wilkinfon, are inrtar.res of the former, as the defeats of

Crawford, Lcngherty and the Blue Licks, are of the latter. I have examined the ground which was the fcc.ne of the defeat at the Blue Licks, and if I was correctly informed as to the difoontion cf the two armies, it appears to me that nothing coulu have been more eafy than to cntr.p tinIndians in the very toils which tii'v ban prepared for their advcifur-. The mbu fcadc was well arranred to enfnarr a lafh and imprudent cner.iN , hut the fm.uleft dereeof military lf.ill upun the part of the KentncV.y commai.d-r w?uld have been fulTicient to put th: In.!i-rs in the very cut

j ..- ..-r w.t.cIi p v-J fo iA tohimielt and I hi- n.rn. I far from thinking to unfaIvi iabiyot tl e ri!le, as t;:r valued friend, j tlx fate r-rrri', W-yte. The cove rt f;;ht

id k I - .

i u' r

;r.) r-, of hi

I i v.

to conti ai'iti ;n, which

to remove our bick r.--oufmn ccuhl not dtbted for thrir plor, and without which

eaiilr be induced to ;ivr nn their favorite no republic can long cxill .i disci'Jitud

arm, nor mdeeil oca tltt ir appear anv nrcel miuuj

1 hat yon may be amongft the la ft ot thofe who my be called to rnjy in another world the happinefa you h.,vc clefe: ved for conirihuiing to emantipite a nation in this, 13 the linccrc prayer cf Dear fir, Your friend, WILLIAM HKNRY lIARIUSON His Excellency Charles Scatty Governor of Kentucky.

iity for it. Itthe wellem iUtes were to form a feperatefnation, it would be proper fo to organize-its force f, as to have all the various dt feriptious of troops which compofr a modern army, but as the tie which unites us to the Atlantic Hates, is, I hope indiflf'i. luble, the whole militia of the union fhoiild heconfuh-rr d as one great army, ;md in the diflribution of the feveral corps particular regard Ihould be had to the manners, the habits, and even the prejudices of the peopie. This circumft ncc has been attended to with great advantage by every military nation, and in every age. A Roman army was thought to be molt formidable when the Hrength of the legions was fupported by the vclitesor 1'ht troops of the neighboring allies tire Numidian horfe (the huffars of the ancients) the cavalry of ThefTaly, and the .lingers of the Ifallerean ifles. Even in the formation of the prefent European armies, the habits ot the people are particularly regarded in their military deftinations neither the emperors of Germany or France, or the king of England would think of recruiting their cavalry in the mountains of the Tyrol, the cantons of Switzerland, or the highlands of Scotland nor would the former of thefe princes find his account in reducing to infantry battalions thofe fine bodies of hufiars with which his Hungarian and Pulifh provinces fupply him. The people of the fatter countries have been accuflomed for ages to make war on horfebatk they make the fined light cavalry in the world, but contemptible?infantry. In the formation of a grand army of the union, the militia of the weitern country might compofe the corps avance, confiding of mounted and dismounted riflemen, c all the various descriptions of light cavalry rhe eaikrn and middle dates would furnifh ;he artillery and infantry of the line and thole of the fouth the cavalry of the line rind light infantry. No cavalry in the world would excel thole, my dear geucrd, which cur native date could produce for fleetnefs and fire the horfes are equal to thofe of the ancient Capadocia or Thelfaly, and for grace and dexterity in the management of them,' the natives are unrivalled. Po fir fling as we do then the materials 'for forming a national militia which lhall unite all the dclirable qualities of the bed sppointed European army why do we not give them that poliHi of which tliey ,-ire fo eminently fulceptible ? It is admitted by rdl that the times are portentous. The dorm which has fo long diiTolatcd the old world, has never prcftnted to i;s nn r.fpect more ihreatning. Its violence has yet reached that only, which to loofc is not dw;th. Shall we bewail the lof: of our commerce, when competency and liberty remain. But the fatter can he preferred only by the arms and difciplinf which obtained it. Why then is there I'j muc h indiflerence manifefted upon this nil important, fubjret ? Why is year alter year fullered to roll away without the adoption cf fome cfHcient plan ?---If th'-re is difficulty in the thing, is not that d.ffii-iilty coudantly increafing as the devou-iPu n-uul of time conltantly deprives uc fT thofe whom we could derive indruction. The heroes of the revolution are fill linking in the grave. Shall we not faize the moment when enough are left to animate us by their precept and example, to the attainment of thofe military accomphfhments, which are fo necef i ii y for the dffrnct of rur country ? Will a ration cf free-men ft.ftrr themfelves to be outdoor in any Innioraole puriuit by the vile indruments ct ambition and tyranny,

which c

m pete

w i u i e c r. . v c i i

a hand of mercinaries

ii that ol py, purnllimriit." I: ii to oht.

v tloic

armir- ot Jburope :

only hope i that of

Numerous examples might be proJu ced of whole nations being kept in objection by fmall bodies of difciplined troops. In general, however, the people in ih fs df fpotic governments which preferve tiictr authority by means of Handing aimies, nrtj not allowed the ufe of arms. Rut a finking example of the truth of the opinion given above, is to be found in the Spartan republic. The Spartans, or the inhabitants of the city of Lacedemon, with thefe of the fame origin who lived in the country, and who were called Lacedemonians, were enabled by the force of difiipJine lone, to keep in fubjection for sges, the Helots, Cc other ancient inhabitants of Laconia. Thefe men were not only allowed the ufa of arms, but upon almod every occsfio.i formed the greater part of a Lacrdemonisn army nor were they deficient in bravery -for they frequently deferved, and fome. times obtained by their valor, emancipation, and even admifilon into the body ( f Spartan citizens. But they were not ufa lowed to learn that admirable difcipline which didingu'dhed the Oplites, rr heavyarmed infantry of Sparta Their am, 3 were lighter, and thry performed thofe duties in relation to the Spartan phalanx, tbC the Velites, or light armed allies did for the Roman legions. In every campaign thefe troops were equal in numbers to the Oplites, and frequently exceeded them in the proportion of four or five to one at the battle of Phtea, there were but 10,000 Spartans and Lacedemonians, out of 4 ,,00() which compofed their army and at thai of Lcuftra, but COO. And yet fuch wn the terror which the Spartan valor and difcipline infpired in the Kelor?, that the former were not afraid to trud themfelves in the fame camp, at a didance from their country, in fuch difpropor donate numbers, with men who had all the injuries and inful s to revenge which make the mod fading impreflion upon the human heart. fCxfar had but 5000 men when he pa Ceil the Rubicon. 4Governor St. Clair has been unjuPJy blamed for the defeat on the 4th of Nov. 179 1, with fuch troops as compofed the greater part of his army, it was impcflible to conquer.

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to r n s i.i tiff Atve

V n i v.-i :V!v :-iiop th hind of tm

ws lr lire nun -; everv ti i;i viih the bav

jn-t. that he r,l-,vnVs d-claicd, th.-.t the u'tV

nke cowards of the

of the ivrd the ri!!'

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b milhcd 1 1 ; . : ci;

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to l-e c-,nfid.

rrn; me n.mne c ' wir tuntry, an i toe

mv near nr,

iculous l I-

;;.c v,-;t!i v.-Iii h the-tecrle : and ) ulclri-ly hm r.U -i

i ir!i bzs i:d'jcrd r..e to trouble you With lie farerir-.g chf-r'. ttinr, Your ft st- p oJcfTrs an uuvantacre which

oti.er in tne u icn.

v arte

hi';

C rrvciutirnary t intt r;

the en. -t1. of it itix-ns in tlir

attainment ot i..it.tai y i:. lor. nation. 1 he Irxettion; cf a S.r-.::, a Horki: f, and a P.).

; 1 r y. m.".; l? :;:;::t;r::t to rut into

DOCTOR C. V. GRIFFIN, WILL plaice TirrsrCznd SURGERY in all its various branches, in Vinc-nnes 2c its vicinity. He keep? his (hop at Peter Jones'- Efqr. where he will always be in re.vdinefs to wait upon thfwho may think proper to favor him their cudom. Vincenns, 10th Auguft, 1210. Tivo Dollars Reivard. STRAYED from the Vincennes remmon, fometime the fi;d of June Li'f a bright bay horfe, fifteen and a half hnudj high, light made, a dar in his forebd, j:r brands recollected, a high fpirited t!-an-riding horfe, thin in tic (h when he wr n: way ; lc was got hy the old High cr, atid very much refomhles him '.vhcever ci-. livers faid horfe to the fohft rihrr, or f--cures him fo that he can be get 11:11 j ... ceive the above reward with ail rrL.; ih!expences. jamcs Lir.dzc:. Augufi 6tn, 1810.

t- 1 t' ,r nr.ii--:'.S tf

thv r ',,-nr i-.j, Thei !rrtn-U and ac. tivny ot , tr.- rtn1 Srd tl.-m to ; -r-form great t:nrc!: with f-cilitv thev

prrii it'.uo" oi in j-.-o! i- nt me wcl-

l jtafa i: it tv. i, I would recourf.cnd t t z ;(: two thirds ot the tmlni i cf I'.cYmn r-f the u-h()m Ihould Lc aimed

'uit'iit. The prejudirei which haebeen

wcic thcretuic employed ia u didultuiy , lK,uud.;d by iw.,0" iubil at very ditricu

c prr a

ticn a lytt-m tint won hi f'.,:i pervade

to'itiur nt. w ,,icn w rn-rica:i c!:-r"tct"r that to width Ron;:

mJicate

.i '

tor A.

.u!d

lor having

aiid Athcni were in-

neglected

NOTICE, HF.RI-.BY give public notice f rr creditors Lauren P. a - rU. .

V ... I 'J illeneue. Irancis P,i,l!i0IS Hv-r-- - , L-.(Trl!e, Al-xander Vtl!e, Orrtr: ! J-hndon, Antoine Marchul, Drrr I';

.AiNamre, Antint Drniiette, (,

nvjlt, Urr:in Ouiilet, d Jf,';r, J. that I intend to rpply tn be c.:.h?r

d-r the hw of the territorv for ;i r i;h i'folvent dehtua: the cour: ( f TJm-

i as oi :v,k.:; county, cu the Ci'.X next September ccurt'. lit. z. CL July JOlh. 1 C 10.

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