Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-09-07
VETERAN HERO.
Some Points About An Intimate
Friend Of Jackson and Hons.
Ion-nIOr Ben Wright Of the
Thirty ninth.
Cor. Nashville American

In your issue OF September 4th you
publish q letter from General Sam
Houston to T. o. Hindman. OF Ripley,
Miss and also q roster OF officers Of
the Thirty ninth infantry, U. y. A
Among others | see the name Of Benz
jamin Wright, First Lieutenant. The
writer is we'll acquainted with the
history Of Major Wright, and as all
Tennesseeans are interested in the
history Of her sons, a brief notice Of
him may not be out of place. Major
Wright was a native Of Georgia, born
in Chatham county. He was the son
Of Captain John Wright, who was az
officer in the army of the Revolution.
His mother was a Tarver, and lived and
died in Wilson county. At an early
period of his lie Major Wright re
ceived a commission from President
Monroe as Lieutenant in the United
States army. He served with
the Thirty>ninth regiment during the
war Of 1872. That regiment had in it
several men who afterward were dis
tinguished in the annals Of the coun-
try, the most notable OF whom were
Thomas II. Benton and General Sam
Houston, whose histories are we'll
known. Major Wright was at the
celebrated battle of Horse Shoe and
on the death Of the brave Major,
Lemuel P. Montgomery succeeded to
the command of the left wing, being
the senior company officer in that en-
gagement. He slew on Indian war
rior and captured his silver orna-
ments, which he was permitted to re-
tain, and some silver spoons and forks
made from the ornaments we're
for a long time preserved in the
family. On the rout Of the Indians,
Major Wright found an Indian in-
FAINT boy, which had been con-
cealed by its mother in the
bushes on the bank of the river. He
took the child, named him Moses, and
brought him to Tennessee and raised
him to manhood. When General
Jackson was in his last sickness, Major
Wright, hearing of the sickness Of his
beloved chief, came on horseback from
his home in West Tennessee to visit
him. The General, feeble and nearly
blind from age and disease, without an
Introduction, recognized the voice OF
Major Wright, whom he had not seen
for many years.
When Texas was struggling for her
independence, and was at war with
Mexico, Major Wright, deeply sympa-
thizing with his Tennessee friends in
Texas, aud especially with his old
comrade, General Houston, prepared
himself with a good, strong horse
and Tennessee rife, and
started to Texas to Join
the army, but arrived after the
battle Of San Jacinto, which virtually
ended the war. He remained in
Texas with General Houston for many
months, and aided in the survey ofthe
lands in that State, by which he laid
the foundation Of a handsome
property, but which was lost to his
descendants for want Of proper care
and attention.
When the war with Mexico broke
out his military spirit was again
aroused, and, though an old man, be
volunteered his services as a private
soldier, and served as such 10 the reg,
iment OF mounted men under Colonel
Jonas h. Thomas 1t is said that be
was the Oldest private soldier in the
American army in Mexico. He was
offered a rank in the army but dc.
clined it. At the close Of the wal
he returned to his home and
family in McNairy county, where he
was met by thousands Of his neighbors
and friends as q returned hero. He
was one Of the most beloved and pop.
ular men who ever lived in that coun-
ty. He left several descendants
among whom were Mrs. Fannie Braok
10, Of Marshall county, Miss; Mrs
Elizabeth Orump, who died in Will.
hanson county. His only two sonl
living are General Marcus j. Wright
at present engaged in the publication
Of Southern wal records in the city o.
Washington, andHon. j ohm '. Wright
aow a p%raciicing lawyer in this city
Benjamin Wright, jr., named for biz
grandfather, and son of General Mar.
Gus Wright, has recently been made
a cadet in the United States navy.
A. B.. U.