Kentucky Gazette

Shelbyville, July 22, 1816.

GENERAL W. H. HARRISON.

DEAR SIR,—In answer to yours of the 30th of June, making certain enquiries, &c. I state, that in the conversation between General Hopkins and myself, on the subject of the campaign of 1813, and particularly that part of it against the enemy in Upper Canada, I found his impressions very unfavourable to you. He spoke with some harshness, and particularly that part, where the army under your command had pursued the enemy as far as Sandwich, where he stated, you determined not to pursue the enemy any farther; but to go with the army down the Lake, as far as Long Point, and intercept their retreat, the reported distance not being more than twelve miles to the main road leading to Burlington Heights, and that you maintained that opinion in a board or council of officers, and that you determined to act agreeable to that opinion, until Governor Shelby told you, to do as you pleased with the regulars, but he (Governor Shelby) would not suffer the Kentucky volunteers to go down the Lake in the open boats, but that he would pursue the British and Indians up the River Thames, with the Kentucky volunteers, and he had no doubt of success—that in consequence of this determination of Governor Shelby, you, without saying anything more on the subject, went on yourself with the Governor, and directed the regulars to follow after.—From this conduct of yours, General Hopkins concluded no credit could or ought to attach to you, for the success of the campaign. I told the General he was certainly mistaken in the facts, and that whoever gave him his information, knew nothing of the transactions, or if they knew, had wilfully misstated them—His answer was, that he could not doubt his information, as he had it from a person who was on the spot, and had every opportunity of knowing every thing that transpired. On my enquiring who gave it to him, he told me General Desha, and he had also heard nearly the same from others. I told him General Desha had had as good an opportunity of knowing of those things as I had; but that I had no hesitation in believing his information very different from the real facts, as I had always understood from Governor Shelby, that no disagreement in opinion as to the movements of the army had ever taken place between you: but had always spoke in the most exalted terms of your conduct. As I commanded the van-guard of the army at that time. I was directed by general orders to hold my regiment ready to move in pursuit of the British at a minute's notice. This order was given to me the night the army got to Sandwich, and it would appear strange that you should have given such an order, and at the same time determined not to pursue the British any farther, &c. &c.

I am with great respect
Your obedient Servant,
JAMES SIMRALL

P. S. Immediately on reading your letter, I wrote to General Hopkins, stating the conversation between us, and requested an answer from him giving the conversation between him and Gen. Desha, as fully as he could recollect, and I would have answered yours immediately, but have been waiting for General Hopkins answer to mine; so soon as it arrives I shall forward it to you at Lexington.

J. S.

In a conversation with Gen Harrison, as to some reports in circulation at Washington City, calculated in their nature to injure his character. I informed him that Gen. Desha had been mentioned to me as the author of the report, "that Gen. Harrison would not have pursued the British army under Proctor, but for the remonstrance of Gov. Shelby, and his threats to pursue Proctor with the Kentucky troops only." And "in a conversation with the Hon. Mr Forsyth and another member of Congress from Georgia, Gen. Desha was referred to as the author of this report."

I will not undertake at this lapse of time. precisely to state the conversation which passed between Mr. Forsyth and myself; but state with confidence. that in repeated conversations while at Washington City, both with members of Congress and others, it was stated that but for the remonstrances and threats of Gov Sheiby, to pursue with his own command, Gen Harrison would not have pursued the British army; and Gen. Desha was uniformly mentioned as the author of the report. A report which I then thought, and still believe, injured very much the military reputation of Gen. Harrison.

JOS. H. HAWKINS

Lexington, July 30, 1816.