, 1858-06-11
"Reminiscences in n, Llfs Of COl. Benton.

The New York correspondent of the
Boston Journal furnishes the following
"reminiscences in the life Of Col Benton
The death Of Col. Benton makes all the
incidents of his life valuable Ny former
residence 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 few incidents which may be
new and interesting.
CAUSE or THE QUARREL WITH GEN. JACKSON.
Few understand the cause of the quarrel
between Gen. jackson and COL Benton.
They had been fast friends for years, and
the General owed much to the friendship
of Col Benton. In all the vicissitudes Of
his early career-in the opposition he en-
countered-be found in Col. Benton u firm
ally and an able defender. For some rea-
son, Gen. jackson was not favorite with
President Madison. And in oil the efforts
of Jackson to do service in his country's
behalf, in the war Of 1912, he was thwarted
and defeated by the Administration. 1t
was with great difficulty that Gen. Jackson
had regiment or a command And to
his position on the 8th day Of January at
New Orleans he was indebted by previ-
GUS 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
jackson was elected to his command.
Previous to the battle of New Orleans,
Gen. Jackson had raised q regiment in
Tennessee. 1t was composed Of young and
ardent patriots-personal friends of its
commander who were ready to follow
him anywhere and stand by him against all
odds. The members Of the regiment were
poor, and their commander was poor as
they. He marched them to Nashville, in
tending from that point 10 move down to
New Orleans. When he reached Nash
vile lie was met by peremptory order
from the Secretary of War, commanding
lhim to disband his regiment and send it
home 1t was q hard case. The troops
were poor, i'll clothed and i'll fed. 1t was
cold weather. The poor fellows had no
money, and had not means to remain and
none to return home. The troops had left
home with their commander, whom they
loved. They had caiisted at toe call oi
their country to die. if it need be, in heI
behalf Their commander resolved thai
they should not suffer, and he pledged al
he had in this world-obtained credit
made provision on his own account fol
their departure-and dismissed them with
tears and thanks. 1t was now the pur.
pose Of Gen. jackson to induce the gov
ernment to assume this debt, and refund
what had been advanced on behalf Of his
soldiers. He found an able and capable
man to make the appeal, in the person Of
Col. Benton. He agreed TO go on to
Washington, report the matter to the
President and induce him 10 approve the
acts Of jackson "A journey from Tennes-
see to the city Of Washington in 1914 was
quite a different affair from what it is in
1858. The way was long-it lead through
a waste, bowling wilderness Beasts Of
prey, and men worse than these, put the
travellers life in peril-the roads were bad
the journey was long arduous, perious
But it was undertaken with cheerful alac.
rity 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
Nashville Fand 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 A duel was not fought,
but in the personal encounter that took
place, Mr. Benton was dangerously wound
ed by bullet from pistol and was for q
time in great peril. Such was the news
that greeted Col. Benton when he came
homo from his perilous journey. Hii
brother dangerously wOunded-his friend
for whom he had done and suffered sc
much, the ally aud adviser Of his brother'l
foe He was hot with rage. He felt in
dignant at the course pursued by Genera
Jackson, and did not hesitate TO charge
jackson with ingrattude. They separa
ted.
= The RECONCILIATION.
Tha enmitv was lonO and cOmDlete -