The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1858-05-01
Reminiscences in the Life OF Col.
Benton.

Benton.
The death Of Col. Benton makes all IN. in
cidents Of his life valuable. My former resi-
denee in the city Of Washington brought me
into intimate acquaintance with friends
and the early history Of Col. Benton, and
from the minutes taken at that time from
those who knew him and his history well, !
send you a few incidents which may be new
ane interesting
CAUSE or TIE QUARREL VIII GIN. JACKSON.
Few understand the cause Of the quarrel
between Gen. Jackson and Col Benton. They
had been fast friends for years, and the Gen
cral owed much TO the friendship Of Col.
Benton. In all the vicisstudes Of his early
career-in the opposition he encountered
he found in Col. Benton firm ally and an
able defender. For some reason. Gen. Jack
son was not favori,e with President Madi-
sor. And in all the efforts OF Jackson to do
service in his eoun,ry's behalf, in the war OF
1912 he was tEwar,ed and defeated by the
Administration. IL was with great di6ealty-
that Gen. Jackson had regiment or a COM
mand. And to his position on the sth day
Of January at New Orleans he was indebted
by previous election TO the majority OF one
ballot And Col Benton, in a speech not
long since made on the battle OF New Orleans,
stated that the victory was won when Jack
sorr was elected TO his comu-nd. --
Previous to the battle Of New Orleans,
Gen, Jackson had raised n regiment in Ten
ncsscc 1t was composed Of young and ar.
dent patriots-personal friends of its COM
mander-who were ready to follow him any
where and stand by him against ali odds. f,he
members of the regiment were poor, and their
commander was poor as they. He marched
them to Nashville, intending from that point
TO move down to New Orleans. When he
reached Nashville he was met by peremptory
order from the Secretary Of War, command
ing him to disband his regiment and send it
home. 1t was hard case. The troops were
poor, i'll clothed and i'll fed. 1t was cold
weather. The poor fellows had no money.
and not means to remain and none to return
home, The troops had left home with their
commander, whom they loved. They had
enlisted at the call OF their country to die, if
! IL
resolved that they should not suffer, and he
pledged all he had in this world-obtained
credit-made provision on his own account
! for their departure-and dismissed them with
tears and thanks. 1t was now the purpose
of Gen. Jackson TO induce the government
to assume this debt, and refund what had
been advanced on behalf of his soldiers. He
! found an able and capable man 10 make tho
appeal in the person of Coz. Benton. Ho
agreed to go on to Washington, report the
matter to the President and induce him to
approve the acts of Jackson. A journey
from Tennessee to the city to Washington in
1914 was quite n different affair from what il
is in 1857. The way was long-it, lead
through a waste, bowling wilderness. Beasts
of prey, and men worse than these, put the
travellers life in peiil-the roads we're bad
the journey was long, arduous, perilouS. But
it was undertaken with cheerful alacrity by
Col. Benton, on behalf of his dear friend, and
it was successfully accomplished.
While Col Benton was on his way home
from Washington, he heard that quarrel
) had broken out between his brother at Nash
willie and a resident in Tennessee, known as
the "Nailor," whose real name was Carol.
In the quarrel, Gen. jackson had taken sides
and was the friend and adviser Of Carol in
the quarrel. A duel was not fought, but in
the personal encounter that took place, Mr..
Benton was dangerously woun1ed by bullet
from pistol and was for time in greStperil.
Such was the news that greeted Col. Benton
when he came home from his periouS journey.
His brother dangerously wounded-hiS
friend for whom he had done and suffered so
much, the ally and adviser of his brothers
foe. He was hot with rage. lie felt indig-
nant at the course pursued by Gen. Jackson,
and did not hesitate TO charge Jackson with
ingratitude. They separated.
THE RECONCILIATION.
The enmity was long ard complete. fhC
Bank question came up. Col. Benton was
in the Senate. He made speech on the
q question. He defended the course OF thu
President as President. while he held tc
his wrongs n man. The speech was an able
I ono. Mr.. Benton TO he a marked uan
] in the contcat dn~'ning. The Tr>idcntrc9l