Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-06-14
THE CONFEDERATE CANBI-
DATE FOR SECRETARY OF
STATE.
A Brief Sketch of the Military
Services Of "Gen.o Rem. LeFe-
yer, the Democratic Candidate
for Secretary Of state. ...
From the Hancock JeIersonian.l

biographer, and pay 1ttlng tribute 10 Dl'
deeds of merit, and thus perpetuate hi'
memory. Having somo little knowledge Of
the person whose name graces the head oil
this sketch, and having received number
of items of intense interest from friend
who vies with us in our admiration OF his
manly qualities, and as many OF his former
comrades reside in this vicinity, we thought
proper to play the role OF historic and her
aid his name is such manner as will be
sounded from poll to poll.
The items relating to his dctive service
were given us by an enlisted soldier of the
99th 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 officers
and soldiers of the regiment.
Ben. Leftover first commenced his militia
ry career by joining an infantry squad,
known as ''Fremont's Body Guard"-not
Zagonyi's-which was to be composed en-
tirely of sons of first families" as pri
vate, under promise of a Licutenancy. This
organization was ephemerial and its mem
hers were soon scattered among various
other regiments, Or returned to their homes.
Upon the organization OF the goth regiment,
Ben was commissioned as Adjutant, but
never had command of company. In
about four months after the regiment went
to the field, it was engaged in the sanguin-
ary battle of Stone River. Up to this time
Ben. the Adjutant, had done nothing ro-
markable But on that memorable Friday.
Jan 2, '63, he did signalize himself. The
regiment was placed in an exposed position
across the river and when the hour of sever
est 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 re
treat in good order" He had gone but
few rods, when he threw away splendid
heavy overcoat which materially impeded
his progress, and 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 bootess, he made application for
pair of army shoes to our informant. who
purchased them Of fellow soldier and paid
for them himself Ben, however, snbse-
quently paid the debt, when dunned for it
at Camp Dennison.
As showing the privation. he endured,
we will state that he remained in the hos
pital that night. while his comrades lay
scattered about in the mud and rain on the
battle field
After the departure of the rebels, our
troops encamped near Murfreesboro 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 cewardly. 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
as above stated, to reward Adjutapt Ben
for his bravery, by promoting him over the
heads of the two captains. The first move
ment was to procure signatures to the petit
ton. Col. Swayne was absent and Lit. COL
Cummins would not give his signature to
such base proceeding, and the Chaplain
was obliged to 20 from Brigade Headquar-
ters to that of Gen. Rosecrans and succeed
ed in getting the different commanders to
sign his paper. This document, not signed
by single officer of his regiment, being
promptly forwarded to Columbus, promptly
procured him his commission.
"Maj." Ben soon sought detail away
from his command, and avoided duty, until
after the battle of Chicksmauga, in Sept.
1863 He then rejoined his regiment and
remained with them during six months Of
''camp life" but as soon as the roar Of can
mons could be heard in the distance, upon
the opening of the great Atlanta campaign,
he was taken sick, and was sent to his favor
ite position-the rear Finding that he
could secure safe position on Coarts Mar:
tial his sickness was unattended by fatal
symptoms, and he soon recovered. He now
spent time very pleasantly and with profit
to Government, az he filled the place OF
some man, who, in all human probability,
known by phrenologists as ''combativeness"
than himself. Consequently, did Major
Ben. never, during all these long months of
siege and carnage, show himselfat the front.
As our srmies were marching back, north
from Atlanta, he made his appearance at
Rome, Ga, and in an hour was off again on
the cars, having succeeded in procuring
pass, by solemnly promising to rejoin tha
regiment at Chattanooga, 20 which point
the troops were en- route by rapid marches.
The regiment was engaged in the battle of
Nashville, but no Major Ben. showed his
face, and therefore could boast that he did
not show the enemy his back.
Once, or more, on the Atlanta campaign.
owing to the sickness Of the Colonel and
Lieutenant Colonel, the command devolved
on the ranking Captain, the major lurking
in the rear. After the regiment was trans,
ferred to North Carolina, and the war was
ended, vacancy occurred in the regiment,
which made room for a promotion to Lieut..
Colonelcy, and Major Ben. having been
duly apprisad Of his chances, had taken
such steps as insured the wished for honor.
Some time after the commission had reach
cd the command, the "Bummer" made bis
appearance. During the interval between
the promotion Of Lieut.. Col Cummins, and
the arrival at the front Of this commission,
and the aspirant from the far-away rear
steps had been taken by the officers of the
regiment to prevent any further promotion
of the gallant Ben. and his commission
was revoked, and another asnd worthier,
though beneath him In rank, was promoted
to fill the vacancy over tho head OF Major
Ben. Itappears that he did not altogether
relish this ungrateful treatment for he again
left hisreeiment, and while staying at Sails
bury, N. g., he did not stay with his com
mand but sought more congenial friends
He boarded with the rebel Major Meyrs,