War-dated LS signed “Will’m Henry Harrison,” one page, 7.75 x 9.75, February 26, 1814. Letter to Governor Return J. Meigs, Jr., of Ohio. In part: “I received a copy of Gen’l Armstrong’s letter to you on the subject of the Militia which were requested by Gen’l Cass. I think that no time should be lost in turning them out…Major Stanley who commands the militia of this Town says that he is fearful that he will not be able to procure the number which may be required from his Battalion…I would by all means recommend that the draft be for fifteen hundred instead of one thousand, and should you agree with me in opinion, you may consider this a requisition for that number. I must also request your Excellency to furnish a sufficient guard for the Prisoners at Chillicothe exclusively of the above as all the Regular Troops are ordered to march to the frontier.” In fine condition, with small tape-repaired edge separations at mailing folds and light toning.
This letter dates to very near the conclusion of Harrison’s legendary military service; after achieving national fame at Tippecanoe in 1811, he led troops against Great Britain in the War of 1812, winning victories in Indiana and Ohio, recapturing Detroit, and invading Canada. When Commodore Perry captured 300 British seaman in the Battle of Lake Erie, Harrison ordered them marched to Chillicothe for confinement, where they remained under guard until July 1814. Harrison went on to defeat the British and kill Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames, shattering their Native American coalition. Despite these successes, Secretary of War John Armstrong kept Harrison from the war’s most important assignments, and Harrison grew increasingly displeased with Armstrong’s interference and disrespect of chain-of-command procedures; ultimately, this animosity drove Harrison to resign in May 1814. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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