Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1866-06-22

"Gen.S Ben. LIE Fever, Democratic Candi-
date for Secretary of State.
1t is customary, whenever an individual
becomes great-whether the greatness be
thrust upon him or otherwise obtained
for some admirer to assume the character
of biographer, and pay fitting tribute to
his deeds of merit, and thus perpetuate
his memory. Having some little knowl-
edge of the person whose name graces the
head of this sketch, and having received
a number of items of intense interest from
a friend who vies with us in our admira-
ton of his many qualities, and, as many
of his former comrades reside in this VI
cinity, we thought proper to play the role
of historian and herald his name in such
a,manner as will be sounded from poll to
poll.
The items relating to his active service
were given us by an enlisted soldier in the
Doth o. V. l., who was with the command
during the entire term Of service, and who
tells us that the truth of every statement
will be vouched for by nearly all the Off
GERS and soldiers of the regiment
Ben. LIE Fever first commenced his mil
itary career by joining an infantry squad,
known as "Fremonts Body Guard
not Zagonyi's-which was to be composed
entirely of sons of '.frst families" as a
private, under the promise of a Lieuten-
ancy. This organization was ephemeral
and its members were soon scattered
among various other regiments, or return
ed to their homes. Ben. was commission
ed as adjutant but never had command of
a company. In about four months after
the regiment went to the field, it was en-
gagged in the sanguinary battle of Stone
River. Up to this time Ben., the Adjutant,
had done nothing remarkable. But on
that memorial Friday, Jan. I'd, '63, he did
signalize himself The regiment was
placed in an exposed position across the
river and when the hour Of severest trial
came, and our forces were falling back,
having in view the fact that his life was
precious both to himself and friends, Ben.
commenced hasty retreat. Here.is one
of the best instances on record of ere
treat in good order" He had gone but
few rods, when he threw away a splendid
heavy -over-coat which materially imped
ed his progress, aud with renewed vigor
again broke for the rear Soon, finding
his heavy cavalry boots burden, he
sprang 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 "life
long Democrat.
Being bootless, he made application for
pair Of army shoes to our informant who
purchased them of fellow soldier and
paid for them himself Ben, however,
subsequently paid the debit when dunned
for it at Camp Dennison.
AS showing the privations he endured,
we will state that be remained in the hos
pital that night, while his comrades lay
scattered about in the mud and rain on
the battlefield
After the departure of the rebels our
troops encamped near Murfresboro to OBJ
tain rest In consideration of the bravery
and presence of mind of the Adjutant,
Ben, the chaplain at once made an effort
for his promotion. Notwithstanding the
previous resignation of cowardly, rebel
sympathizing officers and the loss of those
noble ones who fell on that field, there
were still with the regiment two efficient
captains as originally organized. Major
Day resigned, and this was made at once
the occasion of an effort rs above stated.
to reward Adjutant Ben. for his bravery,
by promoting him over the heads of two
captains. The first movement was to pro-
cure signatures to the petition. Colonel
Swayne was absent, and 1t. Col. Cum
minis would not give his signature to such
base proceeding, and the Chaplain was
obliged to 90 from Brigade Headquarters
to that of Gen. Rosecrans, and succeeded
in getting the different commanders to
sign his paper This document, not sign
ed by single officer of his regiment be-
ing promptly forwarded to Columbus,
procured him his commission.
"Mai." Ben. soon sought detail away
from his command, and avoided duty, un-
til after the battle of Chichamauga, in
Sept. 1868. He then rejoined his regi-
ment and remained with them during six
months of scamp life," but as soon as the
roar of cannons could be heard in the dis
tance, upon the opening of the great
Atlanta campaign, he was taken sick,
and was sent to his favorite posi-
tion-the rear. Finding that he could