William Henry Harrison's War of 1812 Heroics Acknowledged by U.S. Congress

A 1p autograph letter twice signed by U.S. Senator from Kentucky William Taylor Barry (1784-1835), informing a fellow Kentuckian and War of 1812 veteran of a U.S. Congressional resolution to honor future 9th President William Henry Harrison for his adroit and courageous leadership at the 1813 Battle of the Thames. The letter is signed by Barry as "W.T. Barry" at the conclusion of the letter, and is also free franked by him as "W.T. Barry" on the integral address leaf. Expected wear including paper folds, isolated stains, and wrinkles. Several discrete repairs to areas of wax seal paper loss and closed tears. A thin strip of slightly peeling adhesive runs vertically along the left edge of the first page. Else very good to near fine. 7.625" x 9.75."

Senator Barry had exciting news for Charles Stewart Todd (1791-1871), a veteran of the War of 1812 who had served as General Harrison's aide at the Battle of the Thames. (Was Todd a relative of Mary Todd Lincoln?) On March 29, 1816, a resolution was introduced in the U.S. Senate to formally recognize the exceptional valor of military commanders William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) and Isaac Shelby (1750-1826) three years earlier.

In full, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

"Washington 29th March 1816

Dear Sir

The Chairman of the Military Committee in the Senate to day reported a resolution giveing the thanks of - Congress +c to Genl Harrison and Governor Shelby - It was ordered to be read + a seacond time without opposition and I fondly hope it will pass the Senate without any.

In haste your friend
+ obdt servt

W.T. Barry."

The official language of the U.S. Senate resolution was: "Resolution of Thanks to Gens. Harrison and Shelby…Resolution submitted that the thanks of Congress be presented to Generals William H. Harrison and Isaac Shelby, and to the officers and men of their command, for gallantry in defeating British and Indian forces under General Proctor [sic] in October, 1813…"

General Harrison had headed American forces against British Major General Henry Procter and indigenous allies at the War of 1812 Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. Harrison's forces included five militia brigades led by Isaac Shelby, a seasoned soldier himself, and Governor of Kentucky between 1812-1816. The Battle of the Thames was a crucial American victory resulting in the death of Tecumseh, the British ally and Shawnee chief; the regaining of Detroit; and the loss of British territory in southern Canada.

William Henry Harrison later served as U.S. President for 31 days in 1841.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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