The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1866-06-01

of stale. -
1t is customary whenever an indi-
vidual becomes great; whether the
greatness be thrust upon him or 9TH
erwise attained; for some admirer to
assume the character of biographer,
and pay fitting tribute to his deeds
Of merit, and thus perpetuate his
memory. Having come little knowl-
edge of the person whose name gra.
ces the head of this sketch, and hav-
ing received number Of items Of
intense interest from o friend who
vies with us in our admiration OF his
many qualities, and as many of his
former comrades reside in this vicin-
ity, we thought proper to play the
role of historian and herald his name
in such a manner as will be sounded
from pol to poll
The items relating to his actipt
service were given US by an enlisted
soldier of the Goth o. V. l., who was
with the command during the entire
term of service, and who tells us that
the truth of every statements will
be vouehed for by nearly all the otIl
GERS and soldiers of the regiment.
Ben. lie Fever first commenced his
military career by joining an infantry
squad, known as "Frcmont's Body
Guard'-not Zagonyi's-which was
to be composed entirely of sons Of
"first families" as a private, under
promise of Lieutenantcy. This
organization was ephemeral and its
members were soon scattered among
various other regiments, or returned
to their homes. Upon the organiza.
tion of the Doth regiment, Ben. was
commissioned as Adjutant, but new
er had command of company. In
about four months after the regiment
went to the field, it was engaged in
the sanguinary battle at Stone River.
Up to this time Ben, the Adjutant,
had done nothing remarkable. But
on that memorable Friday, Jan. 2,
1868, he did signalize himself. The
regiment was placed in an exposed
position, across the river and when
the hour of severest trial came, and
90. s.->~- --a~a falling hant,, having
in view the fact that his life was pre-
cious, both to himself and friends,
Ben. commenced hasty retreat
Here is one Of the best instances on
record of a "retreat in good order"
He had gone but few rods, when he
threw away a splendid heavy over
coat which materially impeded his
progress, and with renewed vigor,
again broke for the rear. Soon, find
ing his heavy cavalry boots burden,
he spranS behind large tree and
shed them, and made the balance of
the distance to the hospital-some
two miles--in his stockings. The
energy displayed on this occasion
claims our admiration as one of the
attributes and characteristics of a
"iife long Democrat"
Being bootless, he made applica-
tion for pair of army shoes TO our
informant, who purchased them of Il
fellow soldier and paid for them him.
self. Ben. however, subsequently
paid the debt, when dunned for 1T at
Camp Dennison.
AS showing the privations he en-
dured, we will state that he remain
ed in the hospital that night, while
his comrades lay scattered about in
the mud aud rain on the battle field
After the departure of the rebels,
our troops encamped near Murfrees-
boro to obtain rest In considera.
ton of the bravery and presence ol
mind of the Adjutant, Ben, the
Chaplain at ence made an effort fol-
his promotion. Notwithstanding the
previous resignation of cowardly, reb-
ell, sympathizing officers and the loss
of those noble ones who fell on that
field, there were still with the regi-
ment two efficient Captains as origi-
nally organized. Major Day resign
ed and this was made at once the oc.
casion OF an effort as above stated, tc
reward Adjutant Ben for his bravery
by promoting him over the heads Of
the two Captains. The first movemen,
was to procure signatures to the peti
tion. Col. Swain was absent and 1t
Col. Cummins would not give his sig
nature to such base proceeding, and
the Chaplain was obliged to go from
Brigade Headquarters to that Of Gen
Rosecrans. and succeeded in getting
the different commanders TO sign his
paper. This document. not signed by
single officer OF his regiment, being